Mark D. Schwarck Memorial Scholarship

Growing up with teenage parents who separated early on was anything but easy. As a kid, I often felt like my feelings and opinions didn’t matter. My parents were still figuring out their own lives, and emotional support wasn’t something they could always provide. I learned to stay quiet and suppress my emotions, even turning to self-harm just to feel “normal.” It was a tough way to grow up, and for a long time, I thought that was just how life had to be. Things started to change in high school when I decided to try therapy. At first, it was one of the hardest things I’d ever done. After spending years believing that no one cared about what I felt, opening up to someone—especially a stranger—felt impossible. But my therapist was patient, and over time, I began to realize that my voice did matter. She taught me coping mechanisms that helped me deal with my emotions, and she gave me the structure and tools to succeed. For the first time in a long while, I was able to stay on top of assignments, keep my grades up, and feel proud of myself. Therapy became a turning point in my life. Through this process, I discovered a purpose that goes beyond my own healing. I’ve always had a passion for animals, and learning about endangered species has made me realize how much they need our help. Animals like the Amur leopard and the vaquita aren’t disappearing because they can’t adapt—they’re disappearing because of human actions. I want to change that. My goal is to work in conservation, helping endangered animals survive and thrive. My mission doesn’t stop there. I also want to educate others—both kids and adults—about why protecting wildlife is so important. Many people don’t realize how deeply connected we are to the natural world and how much we lose when a species disappears. By raising awareness and encouraging sustainable choices, I hope to inspire others to take action too. Protecting endangered animals isn’t just about saving them—it’s about preserving the ecosystems that all of us rely on. The challenges I faced growing up taught me resilience and empathy, two qualities I now carry with me in everything I do. While I can’t change the past, I can use those experiences to create a better future—for myself and for the animals who don’t have a voice. I’m determined to make a difference and honor the memory of Mark D. Schwarck by committing to the values of compassion, perseverance, and positive change.

When I was 14, I didn't think I would live to see graduation. I was raising myself, realizing how much was wrong with the world, and trying to make ends meet for myself and my family. When I was made to live with my sister, the world didn't end, but mine came crashing down. I thought I would be sharing a futon with my sister's cat for the rest of high school, but right at the beginning of my sophomore year we got a two-bedroom apartment across town and I finally got my privacy back. I was working two jobs while going to school full-time to make it work, but that was still better than sleeping on a couch. I thought I might eventually move back in with my parents at some point and live like a normal teenager again, but when my parents sold my childhood home I knew that was a childish pipe dream and this was just how it was going to be. Turns out, that wasn't how that was going to be, because right after my junior year of high school, my sister kicked me out with no warning and nowhere to go. All of my closest friends were out of town at the time, and I spent my first night alone with nowhere to go and no hope it would get better. When my best friend got back from vacation, I basically moved in with her and her family. They were all so welcoming and inviting, but I didn't feel at home in their house. I continued to couch surf for most of the summer, as my best friend's family spent a lot of time out of town. I spent my 17th birthday alone, driving around the town I was stuck in, with no one to see and nowhere to go. Still working two jobs and nearing the end of my last summer in high school, things started looking up. I had saved up enough money to get my own apartment and there was even one available in my hometown. Being a minor, I would need someone to sign the lease for me, but my brother is 18 and was willing to do it if it meant I had a safe place to go every night. However, when it came time to sign the lease, he told me he would be moving in with me and moving out of my parent's place. I was devastated, I had been working 60 hours a week all summer to make this happen for myself, and it felt like my privacy and what I had worked for were just being handed off to someone else. I did eventually relent and let him move in with me, under the condition he did all the handy work and killed all the spiders. It was a deal and we moved in a week sooner than we had even thought. That was 2 months ago now, and we're comfortably living in a cute little 2 bedroom apartment with just enough room for my 4 cats. It's still hard and working all the time isn't easy, but I'm proud of how far I've come, and at least I'm not still sharing a futon with a cat.