Kris Lewis Memorial Scholarship

As a member of a small rural timber-based community, I have realized the value education holds and I know that my life will not amount to what I hope if I do not further my education after high school. The average high school graduate in my community moves on to work at one of the many mills in the area or stumbles their way into a job with a logging company. With the recent decline in timber prices, these jobs are still easily obtainable but they do not come with the benefits I see in my future. My hopes for my future are much greater than what my current community can provide. I am not saying that I will not end up remaining in my current community, since that is where my roots are, but I have discovered that to be the best version of myself I must venture out of my small town and gain a higher education. Financial security is huge to me because I grew up with young parents and did not always have certainty with money. Having said that, young parents did not mean that I had no money or that I was not provided the necessities, it just meant that sometimes the bills were paid late so that my school supplies and clothes could be bought. This is why, in the future, I plan to enhance my education at Oregon State University and major in animal science. I plan to attend for four years to complete my associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees. Once I have completed my master's degree, I plan to enter their veterinary program to become a large animal veterinarian after college. My plans for education and career come from my love of animals and my drive to help them. The reason I would like to become a large animal veterinarian is because I am passionate about larger animals, like cows and horses, more than smaller animals, like dogs and cats. I have always had a love for horses, especially after my grandfather purchased my first, and so far only, horse for me when I was a child, which will help me stay on track to becoming what I have always dreamed of. My motivation to achieve these plans stems from my determined attitude and resilience. I will strive to give large animals the best chance they have at being healthy and making their owners happy. I also enjoy the idea of being my own boss, which is why I decided that I would enjoy being a veterinarian rather than a vet tech and having financial stability.