Krewe de HOU Scholarship

Leadership should arise from a desire to serve. Philippians 2:3-4 says “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” True leadership is not related to a position or title. It is the act of serving others. While the subject of math comes easily to me, it can be intimidating to others. When I saw some of my friends struggling in math during my junior year of high school, I took the initiative to help them by serving as their volunteer tutor. Though I had never tutored before, I tried to implement ways of learning I thought they would enjoy and help motivate them to learn. We met at fast-food restaurants, combining lighthearted conversations with working problems in Pre-calculus and Algebra II. I hosted sleepovers, where we played games and reviewed all the math material covered in class since our last meeting. Since we were all on the tennis team and traveled to tournaments together, we used those opportunities as additional study time. Over time, all of them said they understood the material better, and their grades improved. I thrived on seeing them reach their goals, and our unconventional methods of studying and bonding made us better friends. Around the same time, I took test preparation courses to prepare for the ACT and SAT. While I am fortunate that my parents could afford these resources, that was not the case for all my friends. This was another opportunity to serve. Many of my peers initially struggled with time management during standardized tests. I used the tools I learned in my preparation classes and created a structured program to work on reading and math sections of the tests. They all improved both their ACT and SAT scores, and I enjoyed seeing how proud they were of themselves. We celebrated their accomplishments, particularly two seniors who were admitted into their top college choices. It was extremely fulfilling to see a measurable positive effect on someone’s life. In a more traditional community service setting, I am a member of my school’s Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) program that pairs high school student mentors with at-risk elementary and intermediate school students. I am blessed to have a stable home life with every resource I could need. However, I recognize that not everyone is so fortunate. The PAL program provides me an opportunity to positively impact people with whom I do not traditionally interact. These experiences taught me that leadership involves more than just telling others what to do. Leadership comes from acts of service. Giving your time, energy, and love to others creates a bond that can last a lifetime. While at Baylor, I plan to continue acts of service similar to these. I know I will rely on others to help me transition into the college environment, and I plan to pay that forward to future students when opportunities arise.

My name is Mycah Whittemore, and I am a high school senior with a deep passion for helping others. I am eagerly looking forward to attending Houston Baptist University, where I plan to major in Nursing. I have always felt a strong calling to make a positive impact in my community, and I believe that a career in nursing will provide me with the perfect opportunity to do just that. Growing up as a Hispanic woman, I have witnessed the challenges that many in my community face when it comes to accessing quality healthcare. These experiences have fueled my desire to pursue nursing, where I can work directly with patients and help bridge the gap in healthcare disparities. I want to be a nurse who not only provides medical care but also offers compassion and understanding to those who need it most. Throughout high school, I have maintained a 4.0 GPA, which reflects my dedication and strong work ethic. My academic success is a testament to my commitment to education, and I believe it will serve as a solid foundation for my studies in nursing. I am determined to work hard in college to gain the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective and empathetic nurse. Once I become a nurse, I plan to work in my local community, where I can make a real difference. I want to focus on providing care to underserved populations, particularly within the Hispanic community. Representation is crucial, and I hope to be a role model for young Hispanic women who aspire to enter the healthcare field. By demonstrating what is possible, I aim to inspire others to follow their dreams and contribute positively to our community. In addition to my career goals, I am also passionate about volunteering and giving back to my community. I have been involved in various community service projects throughout high school, including organizing food drives and participating in local clean-up efforts. I plan to continue this work in college and beyond. Whether it is through organizing health fairs, providing health education, or simply volunteering at local clinics, I am committed to using my skills and knowledge to help those around me. In conclusion, I am determined to make a positive impact in my local community through a career in nursing. By providing quality care and advocating for those who are often overlooked, I hope to make a difference in the lives of many. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and am grateful for the chance to pursue my dreams at Houston Baptist University. I look forward to the day when I can give back to the community that has shaped me and help others lead healthier, happier lives.

One small gesture has a boundless impact. Simple acts around the community do change society. I have been involved in many activities most of my life and plan to continue. The opportunity to improve the lives of others and to serve others inspires me. I want to make an impact on people's lives like Jesus did. I am working to change my community in numerous ways, such as through American Sign Language, my church, and tennis. About five years ago, I fell in love with American Sign Language. Having signed up for a chorus group to compete at the Leadership Training for Christ (LTC) convention in Dallas, I was at a practice where our choir director wanted to incorporate sign language into our performance. We had an interpreter come in to teach us the chorus, and I was one of the chosen two to learn the whole song. Learning those few words ignited a passion in me for ASL. Since then, I have participated in Signing for the Deaf at the LTC Convention for four years and am now a student judge for the convention. I am starting my 4th year of American Sign Language class at my high school, and I interpret songs and communion at the Sunday Morning church services almost every week. Helping others, I have discovered, is my passion, as studying American Sign Language has opened many opportunities for me, like volunteering in the Bridges Ministry at my church, our special needs support ministry. I have helped with respite events to give the parents a day to take a date and care for themselves since they give so much time to their children. Volunteering in programs such as these for children who struggle to acquire a "normal" life has shown me that I want to be a support system for these kids. Being involved in my youth group at church has also opened opportunities to serve. I help out in the nursery during services at church to give the parents a chance to attend church and have some time off from their tireless work of raising children. Also, for the past two years, I have been a camp counselor at the overnight children's camp through my church called Camp Canaan. It is a one-week camp for 3rd-6th graders who come to learn about Jesus and have a fun week of swimming and games. Getting that opportunity has shown how much I love working with kids and serving them 24 hours a day for a week. As a high schooler, I also attend our service trip to McAllen, TX, every year to paint homes for those who can't afford to have it done and repair the roofing of houses. I learned the value of what a physical service for someone can genuinely do to change their lives. I have also become involved in a program called Aceing Autism, which is a nationwide nonprofit devoted to giving a social and physical outlet for children with Autism, as they generally lack a comfortable social environment in their day-to-day lives. I use my skills in tennis to allow them to get better at tennis, have fun, and improve their socialization skills. Overall, I have a heart for serving others. I want to continue to use this fantastic skill throughout college and into the workplace, where I hope to become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist to help children with disabilities become independent and live the best life they can!