Jean McCarthy Koch Memorial Scholarship

As a kid, no one noticed the economic differences between one another. Everyone could be friends with everyone and it truly was a time of blissful ignorance. As I got a little bit older, I noticed little differences between my friends and me. My friends never relied on a food pantry and instead shopped at multiple grocery stores. They would also get a lot of gifts on the holidays which was weird because I knew I was equally as behaved as them; I knew I couldn’t be “poor” because my parents always told us family makes us rich. So at the time, I wasn’t upset that we had less because I never really knew we did. Once I got older, I was still living in my town. However, the only difference between then and now, is that people understand the value of money. The very people I would consider my closest friends would judge me because of my economic status; I honestly didn’t know what to do or how to cope with it. At first, I started to listen and believe the views others had about me because I simply just wanted to fit in. However, in my sophomore year, I got accepted into the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Program. This seminar made me recognize and finally accept who I truly am. This opportunity led me to meeting so many different people all similar to me! We all came from different backgrounds, but we bonded over being leaders. These new friends proved to me that it doesn’t matter if you’re “rich” or “poor;” at the end of the day, it comes down to a person’s true moral character. Since then, I strive to be a part of my community as much as possible and volunteer wherever I can. I have joined the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Tolland Greater Together Community Fund, and Tolland Youth Advisory Board. These boards support the community needs of Tolland residents, encourages broad and inclusive civic engagement, and helps maintain relationships. As a student who is a member of the community I act as a voice for the youth, bringing in creative and intellectual ideas. Also, I have been in Girl Scouts for the past 12 years. Girl Scouts is a fun organization that helped me become and demonstrate leadership as a woman. I have participated in many events that let me speak to younger girls and explain how they can make a difference in the world even if people say they can’t. Leading the younger girls of society can open their minds to possibilities they may not have known about. Furthermore this year, I have over 300 hours of community service because I believe each opportunity is a chance for me to make a difference. My personal experience with economical status has always been a struggle for my family and myself. However, although it may be difficult at times, I know that this thought will always remain in the back of my head: money doesn’t define who I am as a person; I’m in control of deciding who I want to be and who I then choose to be. In life, I know I’ll be successful if I follow my own journey and not the one others say I should be on; I just need to keep moving forward and have faith in myself. I'm not the timid girl who wants to constantly “fit in” anymore, I’m leading my own journey being optimistic, hopeful, and forever reaching for the stars.