Chris Ford Scholarship

As a first generation college student, I am incredibly proud of all that I have accomplished so far. Despite the challenges that come with navigating higher education as a first-gen student, I have been fortunate enough to be a part of some amazing organizations that have helped me along the way. One such organization is the National Beta Club, which has allowed me to connect with other high-achieving students and develop leadership skills that will serve me well in the future. Additionally, I am a member of the TRIO Upward Bound program, which has provided me with invaluable academic support and resources as I work towards my college degree. Becoming a billionaire before the age of 30 is a daunting goal, but it is certainly not impossible. I believe that with the right mindset, determination, and strategy, it is achievable. My goal is not just to accumulate wealth, but to make a positive impact on the world through my business ventures and non-profit organization. First and foremost, I plan to achieve this goal by starting my own cosmetics and apparel business. I have always been passionate about beauty and fashion, and I believe that there is a huge market for these industries. By creating my own brand, I can bring my unique vision to life and cater to the needs of my customers. To achieve success in this competitive industry, I plan to focus on innovation and quality. My brand will offer products that are not only stylish and trendy but also safe and sustainable. I will invest in research and development to create new formulas and designs that stand out in the market. I will also prioritize ethical and eco-friendly practices, such as using recycled materials and reducing waste. In addition to my business, I also plan to start a non-profit organization that focuses on empowering young people. As someone who has faced many obstacles on my journey, I understand the importance of having support and resources to achieve one's goals. My non-profit organization will provide mentorship, education, and resources to young people who may not have access to them otherwise. I believe that by investing in our youth, we can create a brighter future for everyone. To make a positive impact on the community and future, I plan to focus on several key areas. Firstly, I want to prioritize diversity and inclusivity in all of my ventures. I believe that everyone deserves to feel seen and valued, regardless of their race, gender, or background. By promoting diversity and inclusivity, I hope to create a more accepting and welcoming world for everyone. Secondly, I want to prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility. Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing our world, and I believe that businesses have a responsibility to take action. In my cosmetics and apparel business, I will prioritize using eco-friendly materials and reducing waste. In my non-profit organization, I will educate young people about the importance of sustainability and empower them to take action in their own communities. Finally, I want to prioritize giving back to the community. As someone who has been fortunate enough to have support on my journey, I believe it is important to pay it forward. Through my non-profit organization, I plan to partner with local charities and organizations to make a positive impact on the community. Additionally, I plan to donate a portion of my business profits to charitable causes that align with my values.

Life is funny sometimes. I grew up as a coach's kid. My father coached at my high school for almost 30 years. And he is a retired police officer. So that gives me a bit of a different view of life than some of my classmates and peers. While other kids are thinking about college fun, I'm thinking about future financial goals. That's not to say that I don't want to have a good time, but I am stepping out and taking a bit of a different path than most of the kids around me. I grew up having conversations about investing, insurance policies, deferred compensation plans and having a great career. I have a plan for building wealth and having a great career. Under my father's guidance, I earned the honor of being our school's defensive player of the year and I was voted as a 1st team all-league selection at defensive end. But unlike most successful athletes, I am choosing to play at a smaller school that does not offer football scholarships. I had to get into school on my merit as a student first, and an athlete second. And while many of my classmates are picking colleges based on the number of students or reputations for how fun they are, I chose a school that will put me in a position to be great AFTER graduation. I plan on playing football and studying economics next year at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. No huge stadiums. No bright lights. No television coverage. Just playing for the love of the game and getting a great education. Lewis & Clark College is about 15 minutes from the Nike, Adidas and Under Armor Headquarters, as well as several accounting firms in that Portland area. I was told by the football staff at Lewis & Clark that those companies offer internships to members of the football program. So, I can earn valuable job experience with internships in the off-season when I am not playing college football. Eventually, I want to own commercial residential real estate as a business and a supplement to my career in finance. My experience in the finance world will help guide me in that direction. I want to leverage the earnings the commercial real estate to purchase small single-family rental homes in Ohio, Michigan or Tennessee. I will look for areas where a single large employer has a large workforce. Those employees will need quality places to live at fair prices. So, having a college degree will not only help me academically, but it will help the communities that I wish to serve with the business that I seek to build. This year, my senior project at Saint Mary's is building and coding an app that will keep track of my college class assignments, schedules for non-scholastic events, and assignment deadlines. Building this app will assist me in making sure that I stay on task with my football practice schedule, my game and travel schedule, and my academic schedule. It was important to me to create something that will help me to be successful in my immediate future, not just get a passing score for the project. In the future, I plan on going back to my high school and giving the younger kids ALL this information on wealth building, managing time, managing finances, and creating a business with an eye toward service to our community. I would love to coach and mentor as well. We call ourselves a Saint Mary's family. And if we all help each other we can all succeed.

My name is Madison and I am a high school senior excited to embark on my journey in higher education and ultimately, my career. From a young age, I have always been driven to make a positive impact on the world and contribute to the betterment of society. This desire has only grown as I have learned about various social and environmental issues and witnessed firsthand the inequalities and challenges faced by marginalized communities. I plan to make a positive impact on the world through my future career by using my skills and knowledge in the business world to create sustainable and equitable solutions to these issues. As a business major, I believe I have the ability to not only contribute to the financial success of a company, but also to use my influence to implement positive change and promote sustainability and social justice. One way I envision making a positive impact through my career is by becoming involved in socially responsible investing. This involves investing in companies that not only generate financial returns, but also prioritize social and environmental impact. By supporting these types of companies, I believe I can contribute to the growth of businesses that are actively working towards making a positive impact on the world. Additionally, I hope to use my knowledge and skills in business to advocate for policies and initiatives that promote sustainability and social justice. This could include working with government agencies or non-profit organizations to develop and implement policies that address issues such as climate change, income inequality, and discrimination. In my future career, I also hope to use my business skills to help create and support businesses that are focused on addressing social and environmental issues. For example, I may work with entrepreneurs to help them start and grow businesses that provide environmentally friendly products or services, or that employ and empower marginalized communities. I believe that business has the potential to be a powerful force for good in the world, and I am excited to be part of this movement towards more sustainable and equitable practices. In order to make the most positive impact possible, I plan to continuously educate myself on social and environmental issues and stay up to date on the latest research and best practices in this field. Furthermore, I plan to use my personal and professional networks to connect with and learn from others who are also committed to making a positive impact on the world. By collaborating and sharing knowledge and resources, I believe we can amplify our efforts and create even greater positive change. I understand that making a positive impact on the world is a complex and ongoing process, and I am committed to being a part of this journey for the long term. I believe that by using my skills and knowledge in the business world to create sustainable and equitable solutions, I can make a meaningful and lasting difference in the world.

As I embark on my journey toward a future business career, I am driven by a deep desire to make a positive impact on the world. I firmly believe that business has the power to shape societies, drive innovation, and address pressing global challenges. Born and raised in a small town, I was exposed to the struggles and aspirations of my community from an early age. Witnessing economic disparities and environmental issues around me, I developed a strong sense of responsibility and a burning desire to contribute to a better world. This desire led me to pursue a degree in business, where I gained a comprehensive understanding of various disciplines such as finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship. In my future career, I plan to make a positive impact on the world by integrating sustainability and social responsibility into business practices. I firmly believe that businesses can thrive while also being responsible stewards of the environment and actively working toward social justice. By promoting sustainable practices, ethical decision-making, and fostering inclusive workplaces, I aim to create a business environment that prioritizes long-term societal benefits over short-term gains. One of the critical challenges we face today is the urgent need to address climate change and reduce our ecological footprint. Through my future business career, I aspire to drive sustainability initiatives by integrating renewable energy sources, implementing circular economy principles, and adopting eco-friendly practices. I envision working towards creating business models that prioritize resource efficiency, minimize waste, and actively contribute to a greener and more sustainable future. In addition to environmental sustainability, I am deeply committed to promoting social justice and equality. I believe that businesses can be powerful agents for positive change by actively working towards equitable practices and fostering diversity and inclusion. I intend to advocate for fair labor practices, gender equality, and equal opportunities for underrepresented groups. By creating inclusive workplaces and supporting social initiatives, I aim to contribute to a society that values and respects the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. Furthermore, innovation and entrepreneurship are integral drivers of progress and change. Through my future career, I aim to foster a culture of innovation and support budding entrepreneurs who are working on impactful solutions. By leveraging technology, encouraging creativity, and nurturing talent, I hope to contribute to the development of groundbreaking ideas and initiatives that address societal challenges and create sustainable value for all stakeholders. In conclusion, as I embark on my future career in business, I am committed to making a positive impact on the world. By integrating sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical practices into business models, I aspire to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future. Through my endeavors, I hope to inspire and empower others to join me in creating a world where businesses thrive while actively addressing global challenges. Together, we can build a brighter future for generations to come.