GUTS- Olivia Rodrigo Fan Scholarship

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In the ever-evolving landscape of music, few artists have captured the raw essence of teenage emotions as authentically as Olivia Rodrigo in her album, "GUTS." From the pangs of heartbreak to the complexities of jealousy, her lyrics resonate with listeners worldwide, offering a voice to the mixed feelings experienced during adolescence. Inspired by this musical masterpiece, we are thrilled to introduce the "GUTS- Olivia Rodrigo Fan Scholarship."

This scholarship aims to celebrate the vulnerability, strength, and creativity of today's youth. Feel free to delve deep into the lyrics of "GUTS," drawing parallels between Olivia Rodrigo's portrayal of teenage emotions and your own personal experiences. Whether it's navigating the rollercoaster of growing up, the weight of societal expectations, or the journey of self-discovery, we want to hear your unique perspective on how this album has influenced your perspective or taught you something new.

This scholarship operates on a rolling deadline, but the earlier you apply—the better! Your response to the prompt should showcase your analytical skills along with your ability to connect personal experiences with the broader narrative of adolescence. This scholarship is an opportunity to share your voice, your story, and your interpretation of the music that has taken teens around the world by storm.

Any student at any education level with any GPA is eligible to apply for this scholarship. The only requirement is that you are a fan of Olivia Rodrigo's ‘GUTS’ album!

Selection Criteria:

Ambition, Drive, Passion

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Published October 1, 2024

Essay Topic

Choose a lyric from Olivia Rodrigo's ‘GUTS’ that resonates with your own teenage experience. Discuss how the lyric captures the essence of adolescence and the challenges that come with it.

400–600 words

Winners and Finalists

October 2025

Winners

Finalists

Northern Arizona University

High Point University

Asheboro, NC

October Peplinski

Scottsbluff Senior High School

Scottsbluff, NE

Berlyn Shore

Liverpool High School

Liverpool, NY

Alexis Escobar

Loyola Marymount University

Santa Clarita, CA

Haidyn Hinz

Grand Canyon University

Scottsdale, AZ

October 2024

Winners

Finalists

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Whitsett, NC

Diana Ramirez Arellano

Notre Dame of Maryland University

Professional Academy Magnet at Loften High School

Gainesville, FL

Pamela Abulencia

Midwestern University-Downers Grove

Chicago, IL

Kiaya Kee

West Jones High School

Laurel, MS

Miaquinn Waddle

Eastern Washington University

Spokane, WA

Reese Van Harlingen

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Bolingbrook, IL

Winning Application

Jhordin Thornton

Langston UniversityRed Oak, TX

One line from Olivia Rodrigo's "GUTS" speaks to me. It's in "Teenage Dream": "They all say that it gets better, it gets better, but what if I don't?" This line shares the deep doubt that marks the teen years. It's a line that hits hard when you are not a kid nor an adult yet. You try to hold on while all feels off. For me, this line shows those times at night when I'd think if I was good enough—or if I was worth it. As teens, we hear that it will get better with time. That stress, being odd, heart pain, & being lost will all fade. But no one says how alone it feels right then. I recall the weight of needing to have it all right: school, friends, who I was, plans for later. Adults would say “you’re doing great,” as I’d fall apart with a load I didn't pick. That line shows the doubt when cheers seem like just noise. What if I'm the odd one out? What if I don't get better? In my teen years, I had fear, felt fake, & felt the push to be the pride of all. I was the one with top grades, the calm one, the kin who helped at home. But back stage, I felt lost, hiding my true self just to make it through. Olivia Rodrigo’s line talks to that me I hid. It let me feel unsure. It showed me that to be up in the air didn’t mean I was weak—it meant I was real. Being a teen is not like in films. It's full of mixed things: wanting to be on your own but still needing a hand, wanting love but scared of being open, & dreaming of what’s next while stuck now. Rodrigo gets all this in just a few words. Her line gives a voice to the fear we’re too shy to share—the fear that maybe we won’t turn out happy, full, or even okay. But there's also ease in that truth. If someone else can write that, it means they get it. It means I’m not alone in feeling that. And maybe that's the point. Maybe “it gets better” doesn't mean all turns neat or great. Maybe it means you start to bear your fears, doubts, & flaws without them crushing you. For me, that line let me drop the act. It showed me that growing up isn’t about being perfect, but about being true to you. & in that truth, there’s real might. Olivia Rodrigo’s words gave me the guts to own my mess & to trust that maybe—not fast—I will get better. & that’s enough to keep me going.

Elizabeth Hoving

Davenport UniversityFenton, MI