Brian Tahair Life of Gratitude Memorial Scholarship

One year at summer camp, a counselor told me something profound that had stuck with her. A stranger had approached her while traveling in Europe and said a few simple words, "Relationships and Experiences. That's it." This message touched me. It felt like the forever foggy meaning of life had just been revealed like the wipe of a mirror after a hot shower. The way that this stranger impacted her, had allowed her to impact me, which has allowed me to impact others- maybe even the person reading this essay now. This is the way I believe individuals can create positive change. I feel strongly that love is central to everything in the world. It is what humans search for, and it is something every human is capable of giving. Applying the inter-continental ripple effect that my counselor proved to me, I believe that every person has the ability to spread love across the world. A compliment to someone passing by, a caring discussion with a friend, a gift to a stranger, support to someone in need, or any touch of kindness, has the capacity to expand far beyond your reach. This mindset of small acts impacting society as a whole can provide the sense of unity that the world is in need of. Through middle school, I participated in Anti Defamation Leauge workshops, an activism retreat with a local non-profit, I was on the board of directors for the teen-led non-profit at my karate dojo, and all the while had the freedom to volunteer as often as I was able- which I loved. I look forward to returning to more organized community service in college. With commitments like track, work, homework, and dance requiring more of my time through high school, I haven't been able to volunteer as often as I would've liked. But I've found my own ways to leave impacts on my community. I love to bring joy through performance. Dance, orchestra, and choir have all given me countless opportunities to share my artistic passions with the community. But what is most important to me is the outlook that every interaction, no matter how tiny, is an opportunity to spread love. When a person is upset, feeling down, or even being rude, I know that these are the times when kindness can have the most impact. Simple gestures like prompting conversation, offering a snack, or even a simple smile, can truly resonate with someone. Like Brian, I know that anything is possible. On a drive home with my dad around age 10, I remember telling him, "I think we can do anything we want to as long as someone helps show us how." He likely heard a cheesy statement and brushed it off with some sort of "Sure, sweetie!" But to this day, I don't think he understood the world I felt I had unlocked through that statement. With a little guidance from relationships combined with enough experience, I believe that humans can do anything. Through every ounce of love that's spread, I know I am capable of creating a better world; And I hope to always inspire others to feel the same.

All my life I was always a part of community service that benefited my community. When I was only six years old, I was an altar server at Church, then I would help my Pepere deliver collected food shelf for those in need. We participate and volunteer for many community events like cleaning up the Jay Rec Trail, participating in Green Up Day, cleaning garbage on the local Vermont Association of Snow Travels trails system and our private road. My family helps out our local snowmobiling group, Country Riders, because we own about three miles of trail that we let them use, by picking up trail markers and picking up garbage. We used our equipment to help them last year by rebuilding a bridge that was not safe for riders, and we made improvements to the trail. In September of this year, we replaced a gate using our equipment to help out. Furthermore, when I was in 7th grade, my brother and I helped the Jay Focus Group with a slide show that they used to benefit our community in a Rotary Club competition. They didn't win, but we had fun meeting people and putting that together for them. Once in high school, I joined the band and a Club called Future Farmers of America (FFA). In band we often get invited to perform for the football team, Veterans or community events. In the FFA club, we volunteered for area farmers and brought elementary school students on farm trips to apple orchards, dairy farms or logging operations. I’ve been taught that doing good in life is good for your community because your work will not only benefit yourself but others in the long run. Whenever you help someone, you better the community. I love my community and want it to be the best that it can be. If everyone chips in a little, the world will be a better place. My mother is a first-generation graduate student raised on a rural dairy farm. My dad not only works as a computer tech and repair, but has created an environment where we have been able to make our homestead a profitable business by starting and expanding a maple business. We work hard as a family on our property to make a viable sugaring business. I know what it takes to work hard for what we have. When I am not needed on our homestead, I have had three part-time jobs to make money for things we need, and recently have gotten a job at our local restaurant. We live within our means, yet with Mom working at a non- profit private school and daycare and dad’s hours getting cut due to Covid that’s slowly coming back, his job is not where it used to be, managing a business, we are need of a little assistance. My brother is one year ahead of me in college as well. This year my family’s expected contribution according to FAFSA was $3376. Therefore, with the increasing tuition this year, I am facing more challenges in financial need. I do not want finances to stand in the way of my dream of becoming a chef. Awarding this scholarship would further motivate me to pursue academic excellence in my field. I promise to work hard in my studies and contribute back to the community with my service. I will represent your organization well during my years in college and beyond. Your scholarship will help me achieve my goal. Thank you in advance for your consideration.