Clinton Wayen Meineke (A Clinton Local) Scholarship

Would you look at me and think at one point in my life I wanted to drop out of school and take my own life? Well that was my plan. From the time I can remember, to my junior year, that was the plan. Then the biggest life changing moment happened. A man I loved and was with for years took his own life. We had broken up before this but never had the time to make amends. This was the absolute worst moment in my life and I still get tears thinking of it. Shane Demichael Draper was that man, and I will name his name for he has made an impact on more people than I can even count. He was the biggest inspiration in my life and continues to be. After I found out this news I left school for about two months with the intention of dropping out. I thought my life was over and if he didn’t get to live why should I? I pondered in this for weeks and weeks until I came to the conclusion that I wouldn’t want him doing this if it was the other way around. Who was the one who taught me to get up even when I didn’t want to? Shane. Who was the person who constantly pushed me to be my best self? Shane. So from then on I got my stuff together and everyday I have tried my hardest to strive to be even half the amout of encouraging and impactful as him. I started going to school and I started trying harder than ever, I took as many college classes as I could and I ended my first semester of trying my absolute hardest with a 4.3 GPA and I could never be prouder. Day after day my motivation is the person who used to motivate me to be the best me. I take pride in myself and the hard work I’ve had to put in. I worked two jobs, overcame what I can only describe as the person I loved more than anything taking his own life, being a full time athlete, taking college courses, and finishing with a 4.3 GPA. I try so hard to do my best because this is what I would have wanted him to do, but he’s not here to do it, so I will. I still work, I did let one of my jobs go sense I will be going to college soon but I currently work at a little Boutique called Silhouettes, this is a small business in Clinton just on the square and I help elderly women everyday find their beauty in their wardrobe when they can’t find it within. I couldn’t be happier with all the hard work I’ve put into myself and my character and how hard I’ve worked to get where I am today. I give lots of thanks to my family and friends for I would not be here today without them.

One thing you wouldn’t know about me from looking at my profile is my love for business. I always knew from a young age I would want to do something in the business field. I remember when I was younger, I opened a pet food store for my dogs at my house and pretended to sell food to my dogs in my kitchen. When I first started my high school career at Clinton High School, I told myself I was going to adventure out of my comfort zone and see if other career paths would interest me. I took the Health Sciences class at the Clinton Technical School, and although I enjoyed the class, I knew the business route was the way I wanted to go. My Fundamentals of Business teacher and my Advanced Marketing teacher has made me more than excited for my future in the business field. The hardest challenge I had to face was when I broke my arm. I had broke my arm in half and had to relearn how to use my arm and regain muscle. This injury prevented me from doing competitive dance that year and made me repeat a year of dance instead of leveling up. This was really hard for me because dance is my outlet and helps with my ADHD and my anxiety, but this has taught me that I’m capable of doing many things, no matter how hard life might get. One thing I take pride in about myself is my height. I grew up getting bullied for always being taller than everyone in my class. I am 5”10 I’ve started to embrace it more than hate it because it makes me stand out and I’ve learned to let it give me confidence, rather than hating it. As I’ve gotten older, many people tell me they wish they had my height and those comments make me feel special because I’ve always gotten criticized for how tall I was. My favorite way to give back to my community and is by tutoring kindergartners every morning. I’m so blessed to be able to work with such wonderful kids and help them grow and make new memories with them. I work with a different group everyday with different subjects and those kids are so excited to work with me in the mornings. This is my favorite part of my day and I would recommend more high schoolers do this through their school. I’ve learned so much from this experience and I would choose this in every lifetime.

One aspect of my life that remains largely beneath the surface is the profound impact of my father's emotional absence on my personal development. Though he was physically present, his emotional distance significantly shaped my upbringing and transformed me into the person I am today. This experience has deepened my understanding of relationships and has instilled in me a profound appreciation for emotional connection, something that isn't evident from my profile alone. The greatest challenge I've faced has been navigating the emotional void left by my father's absence. Growing up, I often compared my experiences to those of my friends and realized how unique my situation was. My mother, a beacon of strength, stepped into both parental roles, providing unwavering support through difficult times. In confronting this hardship, I have worked to foster my own resilience and emotional independence. Over time, I transformed my pain into a driving force, striving to build meaningful connections and to prioritize emotional presence in all my relationships. I take immense pride in my resilience and ability to cultivate a strong sense of independence. My challenging upbringing has equipped me with the strength to navigate life's difficulties without relying on others for validation. I value authenticity and have learned to surround myself with positive influences that encourage my growth. As a result, I approach life with a blend of strength and sensitivity that I believe enhances my connections with others. Giving back and supporting others is something I hold dear to my heart. Currently, I strive to create meaningful connections by being present for friends and family, offering a listening ear, or providing emotional support whenever needed. In the future, I envision myself becoming more actively involved in community projects that focus on mentorship and emotional well-being, particularly for young individuals navigating similar challenges. I believe that helping others and providing guidance can empower others to overcome their own adversities and cultivate resilience.