| Please write an essay delineating the reasons why you believe you qualify for a Service Above Self scholarship. | For over a decade, community service has been a cornerstone of my life and my personal growth. From my earliest days as a Girl Scout to my continued volunteer work with local nonprofits, I have believed that the most meaningful way to lead is through service. Applying for this scholarship to me is an extension of the values I have strived to embody for years.
As a Girl Scout for over 10 years, I have developed a deep understanding of leadership through service. My experiences range from organizing food and clothing drives to cooking homemade meals for shelters in Portland, supporting women escaping domestic violence. Girl Scouts has not only provided me with a platform to give back but also instilled in me a lasting commitment to making a positive impact. Through earning badges, completing service projects, and earning both the Bronze and Silver Awards, I have learned the importance of perseverance, empathy, and teamwork.
Aside from Girl Scouts, one of the most meaningful ways I currently give back is through my volunteer work with Abby's Closet, a nonprofit organization that provides free prom dresses to high school students across the state. Getting to help my peers in this way and seeing how much confidence and joy a small act of generosity can bring to someone is something I've found to be incredibly rewarding. My experience with Abby's Closet has been the biggest reminder to me that service doesn't have to start big to make a difference – sometimes it can all start with a girl and a dress.
I plan to carry this spirit of service with me into college and beyond. In my pursuit of a degree in Environmental Studies, I want to advocate for others and help create tangible change in my community. I am beyond inspired by the Rotary Club's mission and the example its members set. Being selected for the Service Above Self Scholarship would help me achieve my academic goals and strengthen my ability to serve others with purpose and passion. I am committed to living a life of service because when we lift each other, we all rise together. Thank you so much for considering my application.
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| Please write an essay delineating the reasons why you believe you qualify for a Bigelow scholarship. | Growing up, I've lived under the weight—and the gift—of high expectations. My parents, both deeply invested in my sister and me, have set a high standard for academic excellence from the very beginning. I owe much of my success in school to their dedication, as they have instilled in me many of the things I have come to value, such as hard work and perseverance. That being said, with their support came pressure. It's been challenging for me to balance their dreams with mine.
From a young age, I was placed in advanced academic tracks, starting with advanced learning programs in elementary school. I've continued to pursue challenging coursework throughout my educational career and am currently taking AP classes, maintaining a high GPA. However, I've struggled quietly with the cost of prioritizing my parents' goals.
There have been times when I missed out on social events, missed an opportunity to express my passion for guitar, or turned down activities that truly spark joy because I was asked to study instead. While I have grown to understand that my parents' intentions came from love and hope, there were moments when I felt nothing but isolated. I've fallen out of love with all the best aspects of school because of these expectations, and it's difficult to want to succeed in something you don't enjoy. An example of this, besides school, is my experience as a volleyball player. I started playing volleyball in the eighth grade when my mom signed me up. Despite falling in love with the sport and succeeding on a club team in my first year, I found myself crashing and burning a few years later when the competitiveness and grueling dedication I poured into it led me to hate it.
Over time, I have learned, for the most part, how to reframe expectations into motivations. I've chosen to lean into leadership roles that bring meaning to my academic life. I tutor fellow students in subjects like math and English, not because I'm expected to but because I've found it rewarding. I also continue to serve through Girl Scouts, where I've been a member for over 10 years, and through volunteering with Abby's Closet, a nonprofit that helps provide free prom dresses to teens in the area. These opportunities allow me to engage with my community on a deeper level and on my terms.
While my parents' aspirations helped me become the hardworking and driven student I am today, the ultimate growth began when I started making choices for myself and prioritizing my own happiness.
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| Please answer the following three questions in the box below. | I applied to Oregon State University, the University of Oregon, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the University of Redlands in California, the University of San Diego in California, California Polytechnic University in California, and Cal State Monterey Bay in California.
I was offered admission to every school I applied to, and I have now committed to Cal State Monterey Bay.
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