Believe Achieve and Succeed Scholarship

$500
1 winner$500
Awarded
Application Deadline
Jul 21, 2025
Winners Announced
Aug 21, 2025
Education Level
High School
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior
Field of Study:
Business
GPA:
3.0 GPA or higher
State:
Missouri
Background:
Non-profit or volunteering experience

Education is one of the most important factors in the world when it comes to a young student’s future success.

Though higher education can be difficult to access, it is a tool that allows many students to transform their lives and take charge of their futures. Earning a college degree not only instills positive lessons along the way, from time management to self-motivation and beyond, but the degree itself also unlocks many opportunities in the job market.

This scholarship seeks to support students who are preparing to graduate high school, pursue their academic dreams, and take the business world by storm.

Any high school senior in Missouri who will study business at a four-year college may apply for this scholarship opportunity if they have at least a 3.0 GPA and if they have non-profit or volunteering experience.

To apply, tell us about a time when you faced a challenge or setback and how you moved through it and learned from the experience.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Drive, Impact
Published April 7, 2025
Essay Topic

The lessons we take from the obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

400–600 words

Winning Application

kalkidan Abush Dereje
The Hill SchoolJefferson City, MO
Life’s greatest challenges often shape our deepest strengths. Losing my mother three months ago was the most devastating experience of my life. It felt as though the ground beneath me had disappeared, leaving me in a void of grief and uncertainty. My mother was my rock, my cheerleader, and the person who believed in me when I doubted myself. Her absence left a void I thought I could never fill. Yet, through this immense loss, I found strength, purpose, and an unshakable determination to honor her memory by creating a life that would make her proud. The immediate aftermath of her passing was a whirlwind of emotions. I struggled to focus on school, my leadership roles, and even simple daily tasks. Grief was consuming, and I felt lost. However, as the days turned into weeks, I began to reflect on the lessons my mother had imparted to me. She always encouraged me to be resilient, to face challenges head-on, and to use every setback as an opportunity to grow. Her words became my guiding light in those dark times. Slowly, I started channeling my pain into action. I leaned into my responsibilities as student body president and leader of several clubs, focusing on initiatives that aligned with the values my mother cherished—kindness, compassion, and perseverance. Whether it was organizing charity drives or mentoring younger students, I found solace in contributing to my community. These acts of service not only honored her memory but also gave me a sense of purpose and direction. One of the most profound lessons I learned through this experience is the power of resilience. Life will inevitably throw challenges our way, but it’s how we respond to them that defines us. My mother’s passing taught me to embrace vulnerability and seek support when needed, whether through friends, family, or mentors. It also reinforced my belief in the importance of living with intention—every action I take now carries the weight of my promise to make her proud. This experience has fundamentally reshaped my outlook on life. I no longer fear challenges; instead, I see them as opportunities to grow and build something meaningful. My ambition is not just to succeed but to leave a lasting impact, just as my mother did in her quiet, loving way. In her absence, I have found a strength I never knew I had and a clarity about the kind of life I want to lead. While her loss will always be a part of me, so too will the lessons she taught me: to rise above adversity, to lead with purpose, and to turn pain into a force for good.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Jul 21, 2025. Winners will be announced on Aug 21, 2025.