As a student from Urbana, Ohio, majoring in Film at Ohio University, I am honored to submit this essay in response to the Mark Neiswander "110" Memorial Scholarship: What makes you proud to be an American? What is one change you want to see in our country and how will you effect this change?
I feel incredibly proud to live in a country that upholds the freedom of speech and expression. This fundamental right is not just a constitutional principle—it is the very backbone of creativity, storytelling, and progress. In the United States, the ability to speak freely and share ideas, even those that challenge the norm, gives individuals like me the opportunity to explore, create, and connect through art and narrative. Without this freedom, the stories we tell would be filtered and stripped of their power to inspire change or convey truth.
As a Film major, I view storytelling as a vital way to make sense of the world, raise awareness, and spark conversation. Film allows voices from all walks of life to be heard and understood. In many parts of the world, censorship and repression silence artists. I’m grateful that in the United States, the First Amendment protects my right to create and share my vision without fear of punishment or suppression. That freedom is essential to my growth as a filmmaker and as a person.
However, with that freedom comes responsibility. The change I’d like to see most in the United States is more kindness and empathy toward one another. Freedom of expression should not be used to divide, but to build understanding.
Throughout high school, I worked hard to be a well-rounded student, dedicating myself to academics, the arts, and athletics. I was a four-year varsity member of the marching band, cross country, swimming, and track teams. I took pride in pushing myself both mentally and physically, and am honored to have received many awards including the OHSAA Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award, the Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence, Central Buckeye Conference Sportsmanship Award in cross country, swimming, and track—recognitions that meant even more to me because they reflected my character and how I treated others. In marching band, I was deeply humbled to receive the Most Inspirational Senior Award, which represented the impact I had on my peers through encouragement, enthusiasm, and leadership.
Academically, I challenged myself in the classroom taking several Honors, AP and CCP classes. I am a proud member of the Castle Chapter of the National Honor Society, a Senior member of the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) mentoring group, and the French Club, balancing my time between studies, practices, meetings, and performances. These experiences taught me the value of perseverance, time management, and uplifting others.
At Ohio University, I want to carry these lessons forward by serving as a peer leader. I strive to create a welcoming environment for others by promoting kindness, empathy, and inclusivity. Leadership isn’t just about taking charge—it’s about lifting others up, listening, and leading with heart.
In both film and life, the stories we tell—and how we tell them—shape the world around us. I’m proud to study in a country that protects the right to speak, create, and imagine. But I’m even more hopeful about what we can become when we pair that freedom with kindness. Through my work as a storyteller and my role as a peer leader, I hope to honor Mark’s memory by building a more compassionate, understanding, and connected future.
Thank you for your consideration for the Mark Neiswander 110 Memorial Scholarship. Go Bobcats!
I am honored to apply for the Mark Neiswander "110" Memorial Scholarship. Like Mark, I grew up in the small town of Urbana, Ohio. I take pride in being an American and being part of a close-knit, small community that has shaped my character and values. It's a community where flags and parades are commonplace. It is a place where farmers help each other and neighbors lend a helping hand. From a young age, I have directly seen and been taught the importance of giving back, and this has become a part of my life. This has instilled in me not only a sense of pride, but also a sense of civic responsibility and a desire to contribute positively to society. To me this means a dedication to helping others.
In paving my path to becoming a commercial pilot, I have made many important connections with pilots that have become incredible mentors. One such mentor has encouraged me to be actively involved in helping others. He said he would rather sit in the cockpit with a pilot who can show compassion and support than one who is simply the smartest person in the room. He has instilled in me the importance of building character through kindness and charity. I have taken his advice seriously, and have embraced numerous opportunities to give back to my community. As an active member of the National Honor Society, DECA, student council, 4-H and the local YMCA volunteer youth programs, I have coordinated food drives and blood drives. I have volunteered at local events such as Healthy Kids Day and the Historic Home and Garden Tour, and mentored young athletes through coaching a youth soccer team. These experiences have allowed me to make a tangible impact, and have taught me invaluable lessons in leadership, teamwork, and compassion.
Amelia Earhart said, “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” As a society, we can do small things to bring about change. To effect this change, I plan to continue my commitment to service and leadership throughout my college journey and beyond. At The Ohio State University, where I have been accepted into the marketing program, I intend to become involved with organizations like the American Marketing Association, which not only provides professional development opportunities, but also celebrates and supports the broader community. Additionally, I aspire to become a Certified Flight Instructor, using my passion for aviation as a platform to inspire and mentor the next generation of pilots, instilling in them the values of hard work, perseverance, and compassion that have been so instrumental in my own journey.
Going forward, I hope to see a greater focus on civic engagement and community involvement in our country. Just as Mark embodied the spirit of the Ohio University Marching 110, giving 110% to everything he did, I too strive to approach every endeavor with dedication and a commitment to excellence. It would be an honor to carry on Mark's legacy through this scholarship, using the opportunity to further my education and continue making a positive impact on my community and beyond. This scholarship would be instrumental in helping me achieve my goal of becoming a pilot. The financial support would allow me to focus on my flight training and college education, rather than having to juggle multiple jobs as I currently do to cover the costs. Moreover, being selected for this award would be a testament to the hard work and dedication I have poured into pursuing my dreams.
Thank you for your consideration.
The saying "Distance makes the heart grow fonder" is true. Since moving, I constantly find pieces of my childhood hometown in everything I love. I was born and raised in Urbana, Ohio, just like my parents and their parents before them. I always knew I lived in a small town, but I never realized how small until college. To this day, I am still creating new ways to describe Urbana on a map when people ask where I am from. Like most teenagers, I was sure I would leave for college, see what was on the other side of the cornfields surrounding town, and never want to come back. But over the past year, I have experienced quite the opposite.
As I continue to grow and learn more about myself, I find the town that raised me is deeply embedded into who I am. Life is about making mistakes and learning from them, and I have spent over 18 years learning all of mine in one place. I learned how to be hard-working from my high school coaches. I learned to face my fears while showing horses at the county fair. I learned the value of service repairing local homes with my church youth group. The community I had taught me lessons I may not be the same person without. The community you get from living in a small town is priceless in a way that only people who have lived in one will understand. When deciding on a college, I chose Ohio University because it reminded me of home. The local shops and brick downtown buildings bring me a comforting nostalgia. I see remnants of Urbana everywhere I look.
My time at Ohio University has affirmed for me more than ever that I want to spend my life helping others. People in small, rural towns are impacted disproportionately by poverty, poor infrastructure, unemployment, etc. I want to use my education to help my hometown and others like it. Small towns like mine have beautiful communities which deserve access to quality resources. As a first-generation student, I have the luxury of higher education and am aware that many people do not. I want to use this privilege to help the marginalized groups society forgets about because those are the people who make the world go round. I hope to one-day influence someones life as much as the people of Urbana have influenced mine.
