Clifton D. Willis Memorial Scholarship

Hello, my name is Jimmerion Elliott. I am a PFC in the United States Army. I recently completed 10 weeks of Military training. After high school I return to Missouri to complete my AIT training. The military had always been an interest for me. I’m currently the Sgt. Major of my high school JROTC program. I would like to become a JROTC instructor one day. To attend college is very important for me. My mom is a single parent and she works hard to provide for ma and my brother. I was very proud when I was accepted as a Soldier in the military. I’ve encouraged my friends to join as well. This is was a life changing experience for me and my family. It wasn’t an easy 10 weeks, but it was worth all the sweat and tears. I think that every high school senior should go to a college or join the military. We know that college is not for everyone, but a trade of some sort would be helpful to land a career. We have all of these that visits our school during our senior year and I encourage my friends and classmates to find something that they’re interested in and find out what they need to do to get into that program. I’m very excited on where I’ve landed at this time in my life. I’m still working on college applications and scholarships so that I can figure out what works best for me. I’m an honors to see that you’re offering a scholarship in his name for his services in the military. I don’t know him, but he’s my brother and I thank him for his services. I’ve read over the article twice and it the story touched me because I’m so young and I’m serving my country. We as black Americans don’t realize the importance of doing something that makes us stand out from others. I stand tall in my uniform and proud to be an American Soldier. I with be all I can be. I won’t disappoint my ancestors and this like him that made a sacrifice for us. This means a lot to me. This is one of the first scholarships that I’ve applied for and it’s giving me motivation and encouragement to continue to apply. I would like to thank you advance for this opportunity and may God continue to bless you.

As a student, I believe that I am deserving of this scholarship for several reasons. First and foremost, I have worked exceptionally hard to achieve academic excellence throughout my educational journey. I have consistently maintained a high GPA and have actively participated in various extracurricular activities. Furthermore, I have made a point to give back to my community, through donating food or money. I firmly believe that it is our duty as individuals to contribute in whatever way we can to make our society a better place. Through volunteering for my church, I have been able to witness firsthand the impact my actions can have on improving the lives of others. Whether it's participating in food drives, organizing educational workshops for underprivileged children, or cleaning up local parks, each act of service has had a positive ripple effect in my community. Band and video games has had a great impact on my life. Being apart of the marching and jazz band has allowed me to develop musical skills, collaborate with others, and showcase my talents through performances. This lead me to a sense of belonging, personal growth, and even potential career opportunities some industries. Video games, on the other hand, offer a different kind of experience. It has been a major part of my life. Whenever I didn't have the best day, I could rely on video games. I have been able tobuild friendships, participate in competitive gaming, and explore virtual worlds that offer an escape from reality. My favorite games are NBA 2K, Rocket League, and Minecraft. Both band and video games can foster creativity, enhance focus and concentration, and promote teamwork and cooperation. However, they can also have potential drawbacks when not balanced with other aspects of life, such as excessive screen time or neglecting other responsibilities. Moreover, band, video games, and maintaining my grades taught me invaluable lessons about empathy, compassion, and the importance of collaboration. It has helped me develop crucial skills such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving, which will boost me in my future . In conclusion, I feel deserving of this scholarship because of my dedication to academic success and my passion for music. I have witnessed the impact of my efforts on my community, helping individuals overcome challenges and fostering positive change. By receiving this scholarship, I would be able to continue making a difference and inspiring others to join in the pursuit of a better society.

No one has it all figured out. To me, giving back to your community creates a good cycle of kindness and compassion. The impact of giving back to your community creates a path way of new beginnings. Pouring into your community allows it to grow and expand. It allows more opportunities for the young and old. I am a 17 year old black African American female who wants to pursue higher education in Social work or Radiology. I am very ambitious with everything I do. I would love to pursue an higher education so that I am successful in life. I would also like to listen and fix others problems as a social worker. I love listening to people and letting them know that they have someone out there. I also love working with kids as well. They are just so innocent and sweet. They bring joy to me. As of now I am job shadowing at UMMC in Lexington, Ms. As well as the elementary school. I am also taking three dual enrollment classes as of now. I have given back to my community in three ways; Donating a boy and girl toy to the local elementary school in my town, Donated canned goods to the Homeless shelters, and I have donated cleaning supplies to the local daycares and facilities. In some way I feel as if these donations were such a big impact to someone else. What may feel small to you may feel so much more than that to someone else. I feel as if everyone should give back to their community. The younger kids will look up to you and continue to do it as well, creating a generational cycle. Majority of children in most communities don’t have role models, they want someone to look up to. I feel deserving of this reward because I will use this money to successfully pursue my future career. I am on the path to success. I am determined. My mind works very differently than other teens around my age. Their mindsets are in their teenage years , but I feel as if my mind succeeds that. I am rather mature, understanding, reliable, grateful, respectful, and generous. I know what I want in life, I am going to be successful and achieve everything. I made a 21 on my ACT and have a gpa of 3.68. Words can’t describe how proud I am of myself. I genuinely feel like I work hard for anything that I have. Thank you for taking the time out of your day for reading my essay. Have a wonderful and blessed day. Sincerely, Imia Moore.