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Addison Pence
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Bold PointsAddison Pence
785
Bold PointsBio
Hi! I'm Addie, a high school senior. I plan on majoring in psychology in the fall of 2025 and pursuing medical school after graduation to become an addiction psychiatrist.
I have been interested in psychology since I was 12 years old (which is an arguably eccentric interest for a 12 year old, but one I had nonetheless). I am seeking out scholarships in order to fund my dream of becoming an addiction psychiatrist. Coming from a low-income family, scholarships are the best way I can pay for college and graduate debt free!
I thank everyone for their consideration and am very grateful for any opportunity I get.
Education
Miami Valley Ctc
High SchoolGPA:
3.9
Preble Shawnee High School/Junior High School
High SchoolGPA:
3.9
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Majors of interest:
- Psychology, General
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Career
Dream career field:
Hospital & Health Care
Dream career goals:
I would love to own my own business operating in the mental health field, OR work for a company practicing psychiatry.
Front desk secretary
MVCTC2024 – Present11 monthsMade food, worked register, took orders
Powerhouse Pizza2023 – 2023
Public services
Volunteering
FCCLA — Working the desk to sell coffee/breakfast goods2022 – 2023Volunteering
FCCLA — Creating cards for veterans2021 – 2022Volunteering
Shoes for the Shoeless — Helping students be fitted and pick their shoes in a judgement-free zone.2021 – 2023
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Entrepreneurship
“The Office” Obsessed! Fan Scholarship
The Office was one of the first adult shows I ever watched. I have probably seen it upwards of 100 times by now, whether I’m allowing it to play idly in the background or sitting down with popcorn to binge watch the entire series. With The Office being my first real introduction into television, my sense of humor and understanding of the Dunder Mifflin world has evolved with every watch – each time around, I notice new things and appreciate different characters.
11 years old is probably not the appropriate age for enjoying The Office in any parenting book, but it was my origin. I was withdrawn as a kid – creative, artsy, and quiet. My favorite character at the time was Pam. I loved the arc she had, and I remember being in awe of her telling a waiter the drinks she ordered were wrong – such a power move! I look back now and laugh. I have since mastered the art of politely correcting people and have successfully defeated my social anxiety, but Pam’s relatability at the time was very motivating.
My most recent rewatch began after I started my first office job. I’m a secretary, like Pam, and I decided to binge watch the series to celebrate my hire. I will begin by saying The Office is a million times funnier when you are working in one. My first week I accidentally called one of my coworkers Phyllis. She took no offense, as I was fairly new at the time and their names were similar, but the truth is she just reminded me a lot of a Mrs. Lapin-Vance. The dynamics of The Office were actually much more similar than I had ever imagined real life being.
As basic of an answer as it is, Jim Halpert’s character has been my rock this year. I can no longer relate to Pam’s anxiety and I’ve outgrown my somewhat edgier rendition of Angela Martin – however, I Jim's storyline has edged closely to mine. He’s likable despite the poor decisions he makes (especially regarding relationships), and he has a realistic outlook on the office. In “Casino Night”, Jim is considering taking a position at the Stamford Branch. He comments that, by taking this promotion, his “job” at Dunder Mifflin would turn into a career – he is obviously opposed to this. Jim actually has many moments throughout the show where he is ambivalent about his career path, but he stays with Dunder Mifflin.
In going to college, I’ve been having some back-and-forth about my dream career path and what may be most realistic for me. This has become increasingly prevalent as I started working in an office – I’m not exactly fulfilled, but I have great hours and make pretty decent money. For a while, I was considering dropping my dream of psychiatry to major in business. However, in watching The Office for laughs I found myself really resonating with Jim’s character; in applying for a corporate position during season 3, David Wallace asks Jim where he sees himself in five years. I asked myself the same question. Would I be in Jim’s shoes, just along for the ride in a job I never dreamed of?
Obviously, I should not let a TV show I watched when I was 11 shape my entire future. With that being said, Jim’s characterization opened my eyes about the way I view my future. I am happy to say in 5 years I see myself studying for a degree in psychiatry, not in the office I am now.
Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship
Almost all children have extremely close relationships with their parents; they are 50% of you, and you are 50% of them. I was no exception to this. As a kid, my dad was my best friend. We went to soccer games, played Pókemon cards, and spent practically all of our free time together – and while I may no longer remember how to play soccer or Pókemon, I will forever remember the time we spent together.
Unfortunately, that period of life was cut short. My dad, like many in his family, struggled with depression. His coping mechanism was alcohol. Fighting a personal battle no one will ever know the details of, my dad would disappear on weekend benders and then return home passed out in bed. There seemed to be no solution. Despite countless therapy sessions, months at various rehabs, and our family’s undying support, his sobriety at its best would last for two months.
I was young, but I remember being frustrated. I wanted to play frisbee with him and tell him about my day, but he always seemed to be gone. I didn’t understand.
In 2017, when I was 10 years old, my dads liver failed. He passed away on September 26.
Suddenly, I understood. His death was the hardest thing I have ever been through, and I struggled with depression for years afterward. I was in denial of his departure and angry at the world. Not only was being in my own head insufferable, but I began lashing out at the people around me. My misplaced anger began to push people away, and my refusal to accept help only worsened the situation. Feeling alone and without reprieve, I turned to self-harm to alleviate my pain. It was unhealthy and only served to further destroy my relationships with my family and friends. I found myself walking in the deeply engraved footprints of my father.
Leaving that path was incredibly difficult. Accepting I needed help had taken years already, and finding it afterwards was worse. By the time I was ready to reach out, peoples sympathies had dissipated – it had been years since his passing and it seemed everyone had moved on but me. Unfortunately, the grief he left behind was still saddled tightly to my back.
Despite all of this, I will have been clean for three years on August 2nd. I found solace in an unlikely place: school. I’d been aimlessly following my dad’s steps for so long I had neglected to find a purpose of my own.
I began to focus fervently on school, with the intention of becoming a psychiatrist. This is an ambition I still hold true to today. Struggling with mental health is one of the most isolating experiences in the world, and when help is not available unhealthy coping mechanisms become the best option. These only cause more problems.
For years I wondered why my dad couldn’t stop drinking. He had a loving family, amazing job, and a dream home – but the problem was deeper than the alcohol. I will never know what made my dad the addict he was, but I will help others find their reason. Whether they are the creators of the path they’re on or the affected followers, I know from experience that there is another direction to walk in.
As a student, I plan on obtaining a bachelor's degree in my major, psychology. In doing so I will learn the inner workings of the brain, why we behave the way we do, and the solutions scholars before me have found to reduce mental health issues. I want to graduate with honors, becoming an expert in this field and a worthy applicant for a future medical school to continue on my doctorate path. I plan on getting an MD in psychiatry, and then pursuing a fellowship in addiction psychiatry to specialize in that field.
It wasn't always my goal to become a psychiatrist. For years the community I was raised did not view mental health as a real problem. However, experiencing it myself and seeing my dad go through it changed my vision. The purpose I found through those struggles will allow me to help those like my father take control of their life. College is my first major step.