Sharen and Mila Kohute Scholarship

Growing up in a small town in Alabama, I often felt the weight of statistics and expectations pressing down on me. It seemed that where I came from defined what I could become—a simple country girl destined to follow a predetermined path. However, my perspective shifted dramatically when my godmother entered my life and showed me a different way forward. My godmother wasn't just a figure of familial obligation; she was a beacon of hope and possibility. She exuded a quiet strength and confidence that drew people to her, and she saw potential where others saw limitations. From the moment she stepped into my life, she made it clear that I could be more than a statistic—that my dreams and aspirations were not bound by geography or circumstance. What set my godmother apart was her unwavering faith and the way she lived it out every day. She taught me that walking in faith wasn't just about going through the motions of religious practice; it was about believing in oneself and trusting in God's plan. Through her actions and words, she demonstrated that faith could move mountains and break down barriers, including those of societal expectations and self-doubt. One of the most profound lessons my godmother taught me was the power of self-belief. She encouraged me to dream big and pursue my passions with diligence and determination. Whether it was academic achievements, extracurricular pursuits, or personal goals, she instilled in me the confidence to go after what I wanted. She showed me that being from a small town didn't limit my potential—it enriched my perspective and fueled my drive to succeed. Beyond empowering me with confidence, my godmother showed me the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. Life wasn't always smooth sailing for her, but her faith remained steadfast through trials and tribulations. She taught me that setbacks were opportunities for growth and that perseverance was key to overcoming obstacles. Her life was a testament to the power of resilience and the strength that comes from trusting in God's plan. Through her mentorship and guidance, my godmother opened doors of opportunity that I never thought possible. She introduced me to new experiences, broadened my horizons, and encouraged me to explore the world beyond my small town. She believed in me when others doubted, and she supported me every step of the way as I pursued my dreams. Today, as I reflect on my journey and the impact my godmother has had on my life, I am filled with gratitude and awe. She didn't just show me that I could be more than a simple country girl—she showed me that I could be anything I wanted, as long as I walked in faith and remained true to myself. Her belief in me continues to inspire and motivate me as I navigate the path ahead, striving to make a difference and live a life that honors her legacy of faith, resilience, and limitless possibility.

My great grandmother was born in a small town in Northern Virginia. She lived a simple life, but one that was filled with joy and purpose. She was a woman of great faith, and her love for God was evident in everything she did. Her life was dedicated to helping others, and she believed in the importance of helping others and giving back. Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my great grandmother. She would always tell me stories about her life and share her experiences and wisdom with me. One of the things she always emphasized was the importance of hard work, determination, and perseverance. She encouraged me to be brave, to take risks, and to never give up on my dreams. Her words of encouragement always gave me the strength to face my challenges. My great grandmother was also a great listener. She would always take the time to listen to my problems and offer me advice. She had a way of making me feel heard and understood, and her words of encouragement always gave me the confidence to believe in myself. She taught me to be patient, to trust in the process, and to never lose hope. One of the most profound ways my great grandmother impacted my life was by teaching me the value of education. She believed that education was the key to success, and she always encouraged me to study hard and pursue my dreams. She was my biggest cheerleader, and her unwavering support gave me the confidence to believe in myself. She would always remind me that knowledge is power, and that I should never stop learning. My great grandmother also taught me the importance of kindness and compassion. She believed that we should always treat others with respect and empathy, and that we should be willing to help those in need. She would often volunteer at the local community center and church, and her selflessness inspired me to do the same. She taught me that by helping others, we can make the world a better place. My great grandmother passed away a few years ago, but her legacy lives on. She taught me the importance of kindness, faith, and perseverance, and she inspired me to be the best version of myself. I will always be grateful for her love, guidance, and wisdom, and I will never forget the profound impact she had on my life. In conclusion, my great grandmother was an amazing woman who taught me valuable life lessons that I will carry with me forever. Her unwavering support, love, and guidance helped me realize my full potential and become the person I am today. I will always cherish the memories I have of her, and I will strive to live my life in a way that honors her legacy.

"Jessica I am incredibly proud of you. You are going to achieve incredible things in this field." My program director stated this when I decided to drop my dual degree in Biomedical Sciences and American Sign Language and Interpreting to only ASLI. Pursuing only ASLI changed the trajectory of my career. Since the eighth grade, I have been piecing the puzzles of the future: 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦, 𝘔𝘊𝘈𝘛, 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭; 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦, 𝘔𝘊𝘈𝘛, 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭. While becoming a physician would have the epitome of greatness to others, becoming an ASL-English Interpreter is what the Lord was calling me to do. From my active class participation, organizing different social events, and even attending a Deaf church, my program director saw my potential to become an ASL-English interpreter. Additionally, each sign I produced reminded me of the privilege to be alongside the Deaf community and to facilitate communication between the Deaf and hearing world. She never hesitated to refer me to different language mentors, professional development courses, and organizations to increase my knowledge. As I began investing more time into these resources, she was in my corner and ready to support me. When I decided to pursue one degree, she was even more present. She pushed me to join programs I thought my skill set was not up to par with. For instance, there was a program in May 2023 called The Randleman Progam Summer Intensive for Interpreters of Color. Given the shortage of BIPOC interpreters in the field, the program aimed to cultivate a cohort of interpreters and discuss, in-depth, the interpreting process and ethical decision-making. The program was highly selective by selecting 16 individuals from the entire United States. My program director took me step-by-step through the application process, edited my resume, and wrote my letter of recommendation. I am proud to say I completed the summer intensive program in June 2023. But, most importantly, she continuously brought me back to my "why." At the time, my "why" for ASLI was not concrete; but my "why" for medicine was disappointing. Becoming a physician would have made me succumb to familial pressures and the desire for status. If I continued on that path, I would have become a physician who would have struggled with prioritizing the needs of my patients and colleagues. The Lord used my program director to reveal my superficial desires and to change them to better serve the Deaf and hearing world. By becoming an interpreter, I am committing myself to doing my best to accommodate the needs of my consumers and to continue my journey of skill and professional development. Thank you for your consideration.

My dad is the first person I think of. He’s encourage me to go to a university or college since early on, wanting me and my siblings to have better career paths. Whenever I would tell him about my fears and anxieties for the future and with growing up, he’s been reassuring that everything will be okay. Similarly, when I talk to him about social anxiety and not wanting to go to school anymore, he’s been a supportive listener to my concerns while establishing that he has no choice but for me to go to school until I graduate. He also lets me know that I am enough and that I don’t need my peers’ approval to like myself. He’s told me that not everyone needs to be my friend, and that sometimes you drift away from your best friends, that it’s natural. He’s helped me to realize my full potential by taking me to therapy which has helped me with cognitive distortions. He’s been supportive of me going to get counseling for social anxiety and depression. When I feel like giving up and don’t want to do things, my dad has been an anchor pushing me to succeed. He knows that it’s easier to quit than to work hard, so he wants me to take the later route and do something with my life. He’s helped me as I’ve evolved into different people and has been there to offer his guidance. He knows I can succeed and live the life I want with a career I love when I myself don’t see it. He sees my potential to get the careers I want and live a fulfilling life. Without him, I would have given up on my life and myself. My dad has helped me to realize my full potential in being a doctor and author. He’s seen the stories I’ve written and thinks they are good, encouraging me to keep writing stories and to share my imagination with others. My dad has profoundly impacted my life by helping me realize my full potential. He’s helped my realize my full potential by being the person who’s beloved in me and seen my success before I had seen it myself. He’s led me from the path of a mediocre life and into the path of success and he doesn’t take credit for it. He sees it as his job and has been my support.

Grandmothers often boast about their amazing grandchildren, however, I am flipping the script and boasting about my extraordinary grandmother. She has had a profound impact on my life. Through all of her trials and tribulations, she has inspired me. Not only that, but she has also encouraged and affirmed me, making me aware of my full potential and building my confidence. The young woman I am today is deeply affected by her life. To understand why my grandmother has impacted my story, you have to understand her story first. My grandmother has successfully battled various kinds of cancer. She defeated breast cancer four times and reproductive cancer once and for all. Through her diagnoses, she showed strength, faith, and compassion. Knowing she has made the best of what life throws at her has given me hope to persevere. She does not give up. Even when she lost her factory job of twenty years, my grandmother rose to the occasion with bravery and determination. As a middle-aged woman, she decided to go to business school for two years, which helped her secure a job in an optometrist’s office. Time and time again, my grandmother did not let circumstances define her. Her courage, endurance, and desire to provide for her family have given me confidence to step out in faith by being the first in my family to apply to college. Further evaluation of my grandmother’s impact on my life reveals the reason why I am able to chase my dreams. Being a first-generation college student is uncharted territory, which can present challenging uncertainty. However, my grandmother uplifts me every step of the way, just as she did when I got cut from my high school volleyball team three times. She assured me that I was an outstanding young woman, not defined by my mistakes and shortcomings. I was able to rise up and play an important role of manager, serving my team through my senior year. I have gained resiliency and perspective through witnessing my grandmother’s strength. Upon reflection, my grandmother has had the most profound impact on my life. Knowing all she conquered has helped me discover my potential to do great things. Her courageous spirit is living proof of the strength within me. Because of her, I will go into the world confident in my character and full of faith in my future. Clearly, I am grateful to love and be loved by her beautiful soul. Although my grandmother would tell you she is proud of me, I am here to declare that I am beyond proud of her faith and fortitude.