TTOG Scholarship

Hard work and kindness are often seen as separate qualities- one fueling ambition, the other fostering compassion. Through my experience in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, I have learned that while individually both qualities are invaluable, when they are simultaneously employed they give rise to yet another indispensable quality, leadership. During my time in the IB Program, my teachers have displayed to me both the necessity and positive effects of leadership, making it obvious that it is a cornerstone for both success and self-growth. Furthermore, they have shown me that success is not simply about intelligence or skill, but about perseverance and the ability to uplift those around you. Their passion and dedication have inspired me to lead by example, proving that being nice and hardworking are not just personal values, but the foundation of meaningful leadership. Additionally, IB has challenged me to grow as a leader, teaching me that leadership is not about authority, but service. Whether guiding peers through difficult coursework or collaborating on group projects I have realized that the most effective leaders are those who set an example through their actions. Hard work earns respect, and kindness builds trust- together, they create an environment in which everyone can thrive, demonstrating to me the immense value of being nice and hardworking while also teaching me how to implement these qualities throughout my life both within and outside of a school setting. Through my coursework I have learned that hard work is about more than just persistence, it is about dedication, resilience, and the willingness to push through challenges. From managing such a rigorous course load, I have developed the discipline and determination necessary to face adversity. Kindness has been just as crucial. Through the mutual exchange of kindness with my classmates in multiple ways, such as working collaboratively on debates and group assignments or studying collaboratively for better understanding, I have seen firsthand how empathy and encouragement strengthen both individuals and communities. These lessons extend beyond the classroom. IB has prepared me to implement these values in every aspect of my life, whether by mentoring others, leading with integrity, or pursuing my goals with both ambition and compassion. True leadership is not about authority but about setting an example by working hard and treating others with respect. Through this, I can create a positive impact wherever I go. IB has not only prepared me for academic and professional success but has also instilled in me the mindset to lead by example, ensuring that kindness and hard work remain central to my journey. Despite my dedication, financial challenges have made the road to higher education more difficult, The uncertainty of affording college has been a constant pressure, but it has also strengthened my resolve. INstead of seeing these obstacles as setbacks, I view them as motivation- proof that perseverance and support can oversomce even the most difficult circumstances. The IB program has prepared me not only for academic success but for a future where I can lead with integrity, resilience, and compassion. I am adamantly driven to continue to embody these values, working hard not just for myself, but for the opportunity to uplift others- just as my teachers and peers have done for me.

It takes effort to be kind. It is the same effort needed to pursue dreams of education; it is an effort that comes from deep within your heart. I have known from a young age that I wanted to pursue higher education and satisfy my love for knowledge. However, I also knew that reaching my goals would require my effort and my effort only, both academically and financially. My goal has always been to reach the top: be the top of the class, take the hardest classes, work as hard as I possibly can. This has taken shape as a mixture of AP, IB, dual enrollment classes, long shifts, late nights after school, and early mornings attending club meetings. Success can not come without grit. This attitude can largely be accredited to the strict and difficult classes I have had the privilege of taking throughout my academic career. These difficult classes have taught me that I must not only work hard, but also maintain the relationships that aid me in being a kind and successful person. This may raise the question of, why must you be kind to be successful? Through kindness I have been able to foster connections that will last and have greatly helped me in achieving my goals. Without kindness success is impossible due to the importance of community, each and every person plays a role in one’s success in not only education, but also as a person. And as much as I credit myself for my success, there have been many people that have greatly aided in my success. Friends, family, and teachers that have lent me a hand and been kind to me in return, a helping hand that may have never come without a loop of kindness that I have been able to experience throughout my life. The lack of financial stability in my life has also played an instrumental role in my efforts towards success. My family’s financial situation has played a major part in my educational career and added an extra layer of stress and raised questions surrounding my ability to successfully pursue higher education. I have to work out of necessity; not only to pay for my own essentials and college costs, but also to save my parents from debt and my family from going hungry. It is easy to be bitter about the financial issues that have played into my life, giving me less time for school, friends, general free time, and a stress I don’t see my peers experiencing. However, I have been able to transform a potential source of bitterness into something positive. Although my financial situation has never been great, it has made me a more hardworking, positive, and understanding person. It has provided me with perspective and perseverance and shown me that an inadequate financial situation does not necessarily result in a list of can nots, but rather a plethora of opportunities. I plan to major in political science at the University of South Carolina Honors College and pursue a career in law. I know I am prepared to pursue my educational and career goals due to the rigorous classes I have had the privilege of taking and the kindness I have experienced.

I come from a large family with seven younger brothers. As a young teen, I felt like there was not enough room for me; each of my mom’s pregnancies was met with anxiety about what the new child would add to our family dynamic. However, as I’ve grown older, my brothers have been one of the biggest blessings I have had. Their distinctive personalities are beautiful to watch grow. I love pouring into them and molding them into respectful, kind young men. My mom announced her pregnancy in October 2024, and for the first time, I felt pure excitement. I rearranged my days to maximize my helpfulness. I went to school, then work, and would clean the kitchen before I went to sleep. No matter what my schedule was, I wanted to make sure my family was well taken care of. He was a boy, and only I knew the gender. I was planning a gender reveal party where I would surprise our family and friends. However, three days before the party, my mom had an appointment. I was in school and not on my phone until I read the text. The news wasn't good. No heartbeat. No growth. A week later what once was the growing child was surgically removed. I went straight home to help in any way I could. I watched my mom pick herself up while she mourned the loss of this little child. I stretched myself as thin as I could go, trying to wipe away some of the pain we felt as a family. Later that night I listened to her explain what happened to my little siblings and they sat and listened attentively. Too young to understand the weight of her grief, they each asked questions innocently about where the baby would go and why her stomach still had a bump. The strength she exhibited in those next weeks still inspires me. She remained kind and gentle, working hard to make sure each of her children were emotionally provided for. Her faith in God’s providence was evident as she found peace trusting in him. Our loss as a family made us collectively cling to the cross as we acknowledged our weaknesses. I have never felt closer to God than in those days of sorrow. Motivated by a love for my God and my family, I learned many things: a kind of hard work that keeps giving even when there is little left, patience for other people and patience in waiting to find joy, gentle and genuine kindness, and the privilege it is to experience life. My parents named him Nathan. I can confidently say that I am grateful for Nathan's presence in our family. While we never had the opportunity to see him face to face, his life was valuable from conception. Not only that, God used his life to pull me closer to him. While pain can seem inexplicably futile, suffering is a means for growth. This experience made me prioritize what matters to me. The Giles family motto resonates with me as it emphasizes the importance of kindness and hard work; values I hold very dear to me.

When I initially enrolled in IB classes my sophomore year at Travelers Rest High School, I was prepared to participate in an academically rigorous program that would strengthen my applications to future colleges and provide me with additional learning opportunities. However, within the first few weeks of my classes, I realized that the program was unlike the typical AP courses I completed in the past. The pace, content, and curriculum of the IB program was unlike anything I had previously experienced, and I was initially left shocked. How was I to become the “open-minded”, “balanced” individual that my teachers wanted me to become with the caliber of work that I was expected to complete? However, as my time in the IB program continued, I began to realize that in order to thrive, I needed to adjust my attitude towards personal and academic success. By immersing myself in the IB values of becoming an “inquiring”, “caring” and “principled” person, I have become a kinder and more hardworking individual that is prepared to tackle my future endeavors. After initially struggling to adjust to the rigor and difficulty of the IB program, I began to realize the wide spectrum of benefits that the curriculum has provided me. Instead of remaining in my shell as a more reserved individual, the IB program has allowed me to develop into a more socially mature person. The numerous presentations I have completed within my classes have enabled me to become a more social person that is able to communicate more effectively with others. This skill has benefitted me outside of my classes as well, inspiring me to apply for my first job as a cashier who must deal with challenging situations on a daily basis. Additionally, IB has also allowed me to communicate with my teachers and peers with a kind demeanor in times of stress. In an environment where I was constantly surrounded by the same individuals, it was at times difficult to kindly express my emotions without becoming frustrated with my peers. However, my classmates and I have realized that collaboration, rather than retaliation, breeds success. I now feel confident in my ability to express myself and to effectively communicate with others in a kind and polite manner. In addition to helping me develop into a kinder and more polite individual, the IB program has also helped me to refine my academic skills and become a more hard-working person. I have learned that diligence -- rather than procrastination and fear -- is the determining factor of success in many situations. I have also learned that in times of stress, it is more important to focus on a single task at one time rather than to become mesmerized in the quantity of work that there is to complete. I believe that IB has fully prepared me for the curriculum and rigor of work I will experience in my future career in nursing. In the fall of 2024, I hope to attend Clemson University to persue a bachelor of science degree in Nursing. Following the completion of this degree, I plan to enroll in a CRNA program or become a Nurse Practitioner to give back to my community and to help improve the lives of others. However, in order to achieve this goal, I will need to find ways to pay for my education as the costs of CRNA and N.P. programs continue to rise. I hope to provide high-quality care to children or women within my community, and the TTOG Scholarship will enable me to do so by reducing the financial burden of these costs.

Growing up in an area that can sometimes struggle to support higher academic students, I was thoroughly blessed with the opportunity to participate in stronger classes at my high school. Greenville, South Carolina, while a growing community, is not known for its rigorous academics or a "gateway" to the popular Ivy Leagues all around the country. Many students that grow up in our town tend to stay in our town, held by tradition and conservative values. While this is not an all negative scenario, it was never my dream. Ever since I was a young student, I had goals of moving out of my small town and seeing what God had given me and truly showing other people the love and strength of Jesus. I strive to excel and put every ounce of effort into everything I do, and finding a challenge has been a long term goal of mine, having the opportunities to grow. As I progressed in my studies, I was able to find what some would call "loopholes" for moving on to meet my goals, and I was able to do this at Travelers Rest High School. My teachers were strong and diligent in helping us meet our standards, a luxury that is rare with many high schools currently. Travelers Rest's AP and IB programs were nothing less than the academic challenge that comes with the prestigious names. Alongside, I was able to take classes at our local community college, Greenville Tech, and gain early exposure to a collegiate classroom atmosphere. In taking these rigorous courses: Dual Enrollment English 102, and Advanced Calculus with Analytical Geometry, IB Sports, Health and Exercise Science and AP Language Composition, I was able to learn critical life skills such as time management, perseverance and diligence. These classes forced me to push myself and to be all of that I could be with a lesser amount of instructor supervision, similar to what I will find later in life whether that be academically or career based. I was also able to grow significantly as a person, for all of my instructors genuinely cared about my growth and success, allowing me to be myself and create long-lasting friendships. Travelers Rest High School was able to create opportunities for everyone, no matter their abilities or goals, which is a characteristic that is sometimes hard to come by. Having the ability to complete these higher level courses will prepare me for college and will help me find the success that I have been reaching toward since I was young.