Veterans Next Generation Scholarship

Being the daughter of a veteran has not only shifted the way I see the world, it has truly shaped who I am as a person. From a young age I have been going to military bases, staying in the hotels, shopping at the BX, and getting groceries at the Commissary. It was natural for me and was always something I looked forward to doing with my family. This automatically gave me a different experience growing up from other kids due to the career my dad chose to have. My dad was in the Air Force for twenty-eight years and during those years he left many times for different deployments. When he left the last time it was to go to Iraq for Operation Enduring Freedom. I was in elementary school and I understood why he left but it was difficult to understand what he was doing over there and to have him gone for what seemed like forever. My mom and I spent Thanksgiving and Christmas on Skype with my dad having conversations without knowing how long they would last or what would happen at the base during the call. Although I was young I still vividly remember the six months being away from him and the exact moment I got to see him again. These moments are going to stay with me for the rest of my life and I wouldn’t change that experience for the world. Being the daughter of a veteran has helped show me how to be strong and persevere. My dad worked his way up the ladder to become an E9 Chief Master Sergeant during his time in the Air Force. He showed me how hard work pays off and that giving back has beneficial outcomes. My dad’s character has always shown through his actions and even at a young age that was seen in the way he devoted his life to helping and serving in the Air Force. This led me to a career path that also is devoted to giving back. I am pursuing a career in the field of Marine Biology because I am passionate about restoring our oceans and ecosystems. This includes giving back to the earth and helping out the organisms in a variety of environments which in turn will hopefully help to restore certain aspects of this earth. My dad has always encouraged me to work hard and be selfless in the way I interact with people. Whether I realized it or not, that attitude and mentality has carried over into my career choice and helped me have a stronger understanding of what I want to do with the rest of my life. I believe that receiving this scholarship will help me to continue on that journey.