My name is Ariana Peterson. I have been involved with sports for my entire life. I did golf, gymnastics, and cheer. I am still currently a cheerleader; it’s fun because we get to pick up other sports, and when it comes time, we pick ourselves up for our own competitions. I enjoy supporting other sports as well as getting the crowd excited to watch them. I love being in sports because I was around coaches who constantly pushed me to come out of my shell. These individuals were like my second parents; it made up for the madness that was happening at that time with my own parents. My family started out rough. My parents went through a divorce and custody battles when I was younger. It was a stressful time, but sports helped me escape the chaos. Sports helped me through some dark times; that’s why I continued to stay involved in them through college. I made it through those rough times. I live with my mother, sister, uncle, and grandma. I still meet up with my dad, but I have also formed bonds with my friends. I see my friends as family because they were there through hard times; they supported me just as I supported others. I have many people in my life that I didn’t originally realize I had. They have cheered me on since day 1; they told me I could reach my dream. The dream I have is to become a veterinarian, to help animals and their owners alike. People may only have their pets, so they are family. Being a veterinarian means treating these animals as family and doing everything you can to help. This is the path I am currently on. My path started three years ago. It began when I took college classes during my senior year to get ahead. I then transferred to a small community college in a small town in Kansas. I love this school. The professors are amazing, and it has allowed me to keep a 4.0 GPA. I know I can talk with them whenever I have an issue. Going to college out of state was a journey in itself. I had to learn to be more independent, to stick up for myself, and to keep fighting for my dreams. Being away from home gave me a chance to become a leader. I know now that I can lead myself and others to success. I intend to take my leadership skills and to continue them at my next school, Concordia University. I am planning to finish some courses and then apply to vet school for the fall of 2027. I hope to get into the Washington State program, where I can begin the true journey into becoming a veterinarian. My life may not have started out amazing; however, I have paved the way with the support of friends and family. My success comes from pushing through hard times, not letting them define me. I know my future is bright because I will make it brighter. Everyone has their own beliefs; I’m choosing to believe in myself.

Golf is a sport for life. I began my journey in golf when I was five years old and have continued to play sporadically. Golf has had a profound impact on my life; it has taught me skills that will last a lifetime. When I first jumped into playing, I didn’t realize just how mental this sport was. I got it into my head more times than I can count, and it brought down my game. It was one of the hardest lessons I had to learn; however, I’m thankful for that. I had to learn how to calm my mind and to work through issues without getting frustrated. This specific skill is important in careers. Learning to work through a problem instead of getting upset when the answer isn’t clear. It may have taken me years to solve this fact, but it’s stuck with me as I continue my journey in college. I love playing golf for multiple other reasons as well. Although the lessons are fantastic to learn, I also love golf because it challenges my way of thinking. There are numerous things that can happen on a golf course, from going in native grasses, getting a ball stuck behind a tree, or it landing in the water. Each shot is a different situation to analyze and to find the best route out of. It’s never the same. I could play a course a million times and still learn something new, and I must find a new solution. It keeps the game interesting. I love the outdoors as well; it’s so peaceful to walk a course and to see some wildlife. It is living in the moment. This is what golf is about: living in the present. I’m grateful to be able to play golf every now and again in my free time. My biggest obstacle as a female golfer was trying to be like men. I wanted to hit it as far as them, be able to let go of the past as quickly. I felt as though being a female put me at a disadvantage due to being emotional. It’s true, I am emotional, but that was never a disadvantage; it was a strength. I cared so much that I got emotional when I knew I could do better. This pushed me to keep working, to overcome the doubt in my mind. I wouldn’t care so much if I knew I couldn’t do it. Golf is an amazing sport to play. Being a female golfer has had a few challenges, but it’s never made me turn away. It’s only made me stronger and more ready to start my career.

I’ve spent the majority of my life in school, learning everything I possibly could to find a passion. This is what almost everyone goes through. My vision came into view when I was six years old. I had a dream that I could change the world for the betterment of animals' lives. The personal goal I’m currently striving for is to gain admission to veterinary school, which will enable me to start pursuing my vision. If I’m going to improve animals’ lives, then I need to complete my education to be able to work with them and monitor their health. Just as the wildlife crossing bridge was built to help prevent animals from crossing highways and interstates, I aim to educate people and encourage more areas to build similar structures. I want to collaborate with sanctuaries around the world to develop solutions that promote harmony between humans and animals. Humans and animals need to coexist with each other. We each need to give the other space to live. Animals are just as important to the ecosystem as humans are. We cannot live without each other; therefore, we must find solutions so that each can live in peace. I want to join this journey into building a future where all species have space in this world. I am determined to help this vision become a reality, along with all others who have the same dream. This goal to help each species will always be with me. I know I can work with others to create a solution to our extinction crisis. If humans and animals cannot find ways to co-exist, there is no future. This journey is important for everyone. Once I complete my schooling, I will find ways to work around the world to try to save our wildlife. This may just include check-ups and monitoring populations. This is only the beginning of a relentless fight for our world. Every life is just as important as the next. This includes the lives of all animals around the world. I’m going to bring change to my communities, no matter how small. I will continue to educate others about the importance of animals in our ecosystem and will fight to bring about change that can save them. There are solutions; we just need to come together to see them.

I spent my early childhood with both parents. For the first two years, my mother and father shared custody of my sister and me. While I was fortunate to have both parents initially, joint custody made things difficult. Around age five, my father stopped parenting regularly. Occasionally, he would take us out, but over time, those visits faded away. This wasn’t a major loss since we already spent most of our time with our mom. My mother is an amazing person who has had to put in the work of two parents. She did everything she possibly could to make ends meet for my sister and me. She talked about wanting her own place with us, but it wasn’t that simple; money isn’t that simple. My mother enrolled my sister and me in sports because she wanted us to acquire the vital skills needed for the real world. She also did this to distract us from our crazy lives, where it seemed nothing went right. I had to watch her constantly struggle with trying to figure out how to keep my sister and me in sports, constantly working with the coaches to find a payment plan she could afford. She loved us; that’s why she put so much effort into keeping us happy and healthy. Our way of living was stressful, and although my mother did her best to hide the struggles, I could see them. In fact, I feel as though I made them worse because I was a child who had a hard time coping with the trauma from my childhood. I know that this was just as hard on her as it was on me. I got through my issues, all thanks to my mom, who put the time in to help me understand that I got to choose how I wanted to live. She taught me early in life that I could do anything I set my mind to. My expensive career is what I have currently set my mind to. Since elementary school, I have been fascinated by animals and their well-being, which is why I am dedicated to becoming a veterinarian. My mother has always supported my career decisions and has constantly given advice on how I can get there. She also loves my adventurous side and would like me to go study abroad. She knows it's my passion to go to different countries and work with the native wildlife there. I know that she is upset that I might not be able to afford this opportunity. As I said previously, money isn’t exactly simple. I am trying to save up money to be able to afford this opportunity without having my mom pay anything. She’s already given up so much for me and has taught me everything I need to know about perseverance and strength. She’s given up many things to make me happy; I can’t ask her to give up more than she already has. My mother is my entire world. I don’t know the road I would have taken without her around. I am the person I am today because of her. I have determination and drive because of her. She raised me to go after my dreams; therefore, here I am, going after my dreams to make her proud.

Math is a vital skill that students will use for the rest of their lives. My family is what I consider a math family. This to me means that a lot of members of my family do math every day as part of their job. I’ve always liked math, even when I was little, and my competitive drive to make it around the world in math flashcards. It was the highlight of my day to overcome this challenge. I don’t remember that I ever made it around the world, but I sure got close many times. I have memories of sitting around my kitchen table for hours, going through flashcards, and seeing how fast I could get the answer. I found a new appreciation for math in high school. It became harder, and I had to think more about the answer. I then found that there are now multiple ways to get to the same answer. This was new to me, and at first, it was hard to accept. I always thought there was one way to get to the answer, and that was that. I soon realized that one answer wasn’t as fun. Life isn’t about one answer, and in life, there are multiple ways to get to a spot. Altogether, math is an essential skill that is needed in every profession. It challenges our views and teaches valuable lessons about life. This is why I love and appreciate math—not just because it feels natural, but because it brings challenges that make me think outside the box, challenges that I now see as essential for real-world problem solving.

The earliest moment of my childhood was a tough time. My parents didn’t get along and were constantly fighting over custody of my sister and me. It turned a happy childhood into a dark one. This, however, ended abruptly, as soon after starting school, my dad stopped showing up for things. It was only occasionally that my sister and I would visit for the holidays. My sister and I learned to rely on our mother, our coaches, and our teachers for supporting our endeavors. My mother solely raised me, paying for my sports and passions. She did everything she could to make sure I grew up right and fought for my dreams. I push myself to my limits because my mom had to do the same when raising me. She struggled but always persevered and gave her all for me. I continue to fight for my dreams every day because she gave everything so I could become a great person. My aspirations are big, and I intend to work hard for my mother, matching her effort with my own. My accomplishment in education are thanks to my mother. She pushed me in my academics and taught me to advocate for myself. She believed in me with every course I took. She knew my efforts would pay off, so every accomplishment is hers to share. My mother has appreciated the enormous goals I have, like studying abroad and becoming a veterinarian. Though the costs may make it hard to make these dreams come true. I am applying for scholarships and doing well in school because I have continuous support. I want to support my mother as she has for my entire life, raising me. I will continue to succeed because I know that failure is just a stepping block I have to get over in order to achieve success. I know that with her behind me, I can go after anything and everything. I don’t know where I would have ended up if my mother hadn’t been so strong in raising two daughters by herself. She instilled in me the strength to fight for myself, to continue moving past obstacles no matter how high the mountains seemed. She taught me what it was like to hold on when hope seemed lost; she was successful in raising kids; I will be successful in going after my goals and being able to do things I never thought possible.

I grew up in a household that consisted of my sister, mother, grandmother, and myself. My father wasn’t in the picture for most of my life, which, in some ways, messed up my ways of having proper human connections. My entire life, I have felt like I wasn’t normal. I didn’t make friends easily, even though I was doing sports and around people all the time. I found it hard to connect and to figure out who I wanted to be around. I didn’t realize the importance of finding connections until later in high school. I met an important figure in late elementary school. I didn’t become super close with this figure until middle school and high school. This person supported me and always tried to give me advice in school. I still value this friendship to this day and get continued support from her. My friend Aubrey is a meaningful figure in my life, and I hope that we will continue our friendship for a lifetime. She always challenged my way of thinking and encouraged me to think outside the box. She looks for me and has even messaged me with internship opportunities that will help me get a step ahead in my career. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to come into my life. I don’t know that I would have ever felt comfortable in my own skin without her constant support. As said before, we met in elementary school and are still friends to this day. She helped me see the beauty in friendships and how connecting with people is important, especially when going into my intended career field. She brought me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to find my own connection with others. I don’t know if I would have stepped out of my comfort zone if it weren’t for her pushing me to do it. She changed my whole dynamic. I originally thought I had to be popular and liked in order to make meaningful connections. I followed people that I shouldn’t have followed in hopes of finding real connections. She showed me that all that mattered was having a few amazing friends. I now look for some of her qualities in others. Always willing to lend a hand, being there for me when I need them the most, and never letting things get between our friendship. These qualities are what I expect of myself as well. I want to be someone that others can turn to when things are rough, that they know I’ll support every decision they make, and that I won’t let random things get in the way of an amazing relationship. I didn’t know what qualities to expect of people because I had been let down so much. Aubrey gave me the ability to see great qualities and not to let others dictate my own relationships with people. I am seriously lucky to have such an amazing person in my life; someone who got me out of my shell and allowed me to shine. I will always cherish our friendship because she made me into the amazing person I am today.

I didn’t always appreciate education like I do today. In fact, I used to hate having to go to school and had numerous moments where I would refuse to go. I would grab the stairs of my house and refuse to be pulled down. My guardians would eventually come back for me and get me to go, but it was a huge deal to me. My hatred for school never stemmed from education itself, though. I liked to learn about animals and would do it all the time without even knowing that I was learning. My curiosity peaked when I had time to grow up a little more. I started to appreciate my education more when I got into middle school. It was the start of a new journey; I started caring about the effort I put into classes. I enjoyed learning more and doing different projects. I realized I had a passion for science and math. Those were the classes I enjoyed, not only because there was so much changing information, but because it was a challenge. I’ve always been more natural at science and math; not everything was easy, but I still understood it. This is the moment I knew my dreams of becoming a veterinarian could become a reality. Veterinary practices take science, math, English, and understanding the history of where it came from. It is a combination of multiple different subjects and would force me out of my comfort zone. It was then in high school that I truly zoned in on my career aspirations. I was going to become a veterinarian, and I was going to have to gain many different skills that would push me past my limits. I’m up for the challenge. Education drove me to realize that everything works together; although many things take on more of a specific subject, they all work together in one way or another. It put me on a road where I wanted to learn constantly. I want to gain hands-on experience and use my skills in the real world. Coming from a child who hated education, it had its own challenges. I was considered a slower reader; I understood it, but not quite where the rest of my peers were. I evidently hated reading due to this fact; I would avoid it at all costs. It wasn't until a couple of years ago that I realized just how much education has changed me. Now, sitting in lectures at my college, I’ve seen the miles I’ve come from that little girl who despised school and learning. I can happily say now that I’ve found a passion for reading, and I happen to do it often. I just needed to become more educated, to understand myself better. Beginning college brought on tons of new challenges and obstacles. I’ve never been a fan of studying; I managed to make it through high school with limited studying. However, in college, studying is so important; you have to study if you want to excel in your courses. I’ve had to figure out what type of learner I am, and I’ve found that I’m a combination of all learners, although I do my best by rewriting notes and listening to audio. It took a couple of weeks to get into the habit of studying. It’s given me a chance to figure myself out more, so that when I get to graduate school, I’ll have all the necessary skills to perform well in class. Education is a journey. It helps you find yourself and what you’re good at. It pointed me into a career that I love and enjoy doing. It drove me into a career that embodies many forms of education. This career is perfect for me, it forced me to step up, it allows me to continue my education for the rest of my life. It helped me realize that I’ve really grown and can continue to grow. It may have taken me many years to get to this point, but that’s the point. Sometimes it takes a bit to understand just how much joy education can bring into your life. I hope to use my education to support others, to teach them more about our world and its importance. I hope to encourage people to learn more every day, and that it’s okay to learn at your own pace. Education isn’t on a timeline. Enjoy learning as much as you can, find the topics that speak to you, and use them to your advantage.

My name is Ariana Peterson. I’m a student who hopes to make a difference to those around me. I’ve always been a dreamer, someone who had so much curiosity in the world around me that it was hard to keep my ideas tame. I was told from a young age that anything is possible and to dream big because nothing can get in the way of those dreams. That’s what I did; I dreamed and dared to be different. I was aware that I was different from my classmates. I chose silence; I didn’t like to talk, be loud, or crazy. I didn’t have many friends due to this; however, I managed to find some that loved me for who I was. I happen to still have those friends on this day. I’ve also learned how to step out of my comfort zone. I participate in multiple leadership roles at my current college. I may still be different, but that’s because I have a lifetime goal that is in the works. My goal is to become a veterinarian. I grew up surrounded by animals and by people who cared deeply for them. I still have the utmost respect for what animals contribute to our world and understand their importance to the ecosystem. I am currently planning to study abroad for the summer, where I would travel to three countries, working with many different types of animals. It would be a lifetime experience and help me complete my dream of getting into vet school. I would get to have hands-on experience with animals and learn more about conservation. This is a dream for me; it’s something I’ve always wanted to do but never thought I would be able to due to financial reasons. I still believe in what was said my whole life, that you should dream big. I’ve realized, though, that it can be hard without financial support. I came to a community college not only for sports but also because the costs were more doable for my family. However, I will be graduating in May of 2026 and will be transferring to a university. I will get to continue after my goal, but the costs are much higher than at my current school. I may need to take out outside loans in order to afford attendance. I’m applying for this scholarship because it can help with the last bits of costs for my attendance at this university. This will also help in my ability to do a semester abroad. I want people to know me as a dreamer. I want them to know that I’ve never given up, and that I will continue to fight for this dream. This scholarship can help make my dream come true, and it would mean the absolute world to me.

I grew up in a household that always had animals. Whether it was dogs, cats, hamsters, birds, or rabbits, they were around for me to look at and watch. I became fascinated by the diversity of animals in our world and wondered if I could care for them all. I remember constantly going to our local zoos, where I could stare at the animals for hours at a time if my mother had let me. I would bounce from exhibit to exhibit to watch the animal's roam. I also remember that’s when I first got the idea of wanting to be in the enclosures. I would see the zookeepers go into the penguin exhibit and feed them fish; I found myself wishing I could do the same. This is where my curiosity really took off, and anytime I found an animal in need of help, I was the first to volunteer to hold it (not with my bare hands). I would fight with my sister because I wanted to hold them the entire time. It wasn’t too long after these experiences that I discovered a job that would allow me to help animals in more ways than I ever thought possible. My mother was a veterinary technician for a time before switching to a different career path; however, I saw how she worked with animals and would care for them when they were sick or injured. I very quickly decided that I would become a veterinarian. I didn’t just want to work with pets; I wanted to work with exotic animals because I felt they needed more attention. I’ve learned more about conservation efforts over the years, realizing that’s what I want to do. Although I still want to become a veterinarian, I would like to assist in conservation efforts to help prevent a mass extinction from occurring. This is my attempt at making a positive impact. Working with zoos and sanctuaries to take care of their exotic species and to help conserve our remaining species. I am planning to study abroad sometime in order to work in different countries, aiding in conservation efforts and monitoring different animals, including pets, exotic animals, and marine animals. It would give me insights into what I could do for work. I want to travel around the world and work closely with sanctuaries and zoos to make sure their animals are receiving the best care. I have had a passion for animals ever since I could walk. I know that by pursuing a career in veterinary medicine, I can save millions of lives. I intend to continue down this path and hope to contribute to many conservation efforts, ensuring that each and every animal I encounter is treated with respect.

I am currently studying pre-veterinary medicine at my Community College. I will be transferring to a four-year university and starting in the fall of this year. I will be continuing my degree in Biology to prepare for graduate school. I grew up around animals my entire life. I’ve dealt with cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and hamsters. I’ve always had a deep respect for nature and the animals that occupy it. Throughout my entire education, I learned that the food web is a fragile system, and each animal is essential to it. I would spend hours outside, watching the birds, the dogs running around, and the hares leaping through the neighborhood. I was curious about their behavior and would follow these animals to see where they lived and how they acted if humans weren’t around. My love for the animals around me never faded. When I was in middle school, I decided to volunteer at my local zoo. I got to work with chicken, ferrets, rabbits, hedgehogs, and birds. They were neat to be around, and I got to learn more about their diets and how they contributed to our world. Although this was an amazing experience, what I remember loving the most in our local zoo was the butterfly exhibit. I feel that large animals often receive all the attention (yes, they are what I would like to work with), but insects are just as important. Insects, like larger animals, are crucial for ecosystems as pollinators and as a food source. Volunteering with butterflies showed me the importance and beauty of even small creatures. Every animal has a vital role in maintaining a healthy environment, which is why I am passionate about this field. I am currently planning to study abroad for a semester during the summer, in which I would go to Thailand, South Africa, and Costa Rica to work with different sanctuaries and to gain hands-on experience with small animals, exotic animals, and even marine animals. It’s important to understand how to care for each of these groups of animals; they all require different learning and training. I would get to witness firsthand the good that comes from working in conservation. I have also applied for an internship this summer in hopes of working with my local wildlife. Our world may be facing a mass extinction; I want to work to combat that threat. My experiences have shown me why conservation matters. With awareness and protection, we can give existing species a fighting chance. Although human actions may drive extinctions, we hold the power to reverse the trend. Every effort, whether with sanctuaries or local groups, has the potential to save lives—even millions of them. I would love to receive this scholarship as it would help with my tuition costs for my four-year university. It would also help with my expenses when it comes to traveling abroad and preparing for graduate school. I am very passionate about working with animals and protecting their health and well-being. This scholarship can help me reach my goals and help me save lots of animals’ lives.

Most people love animals and want them to be taken care of. I don’t think they realize how much effort goes into protecting the animals of our world and the impact we make on them. We can find a way to make a difference by looking at our habits, participating in conservation, and understanding how to contribute to a healthier environment. Firstly, we don’t realize how much our routines play a role in the welfare of animals. Welfare isn’t just about conservation but sometimes we need to take the initiative to involve ourselves to save animals. People tend to have a mindset that animals in the wild shouldn't be messed with; although this is true, there are some times where intervention is necessary for the welfare of the animals. I believe that zoos can be a great way to take care of animal species if done in the correct manner. They get vaccines and some zoos even participate in conservation and sanctuaries take in injured animals and release them once healed. These aspects are important to prevent more species from becoming extinct. When someone witnesses an animal in need, I think it is necessary to try and help them (with the help of a professional). People need to not be afraid to get help so these animals can get the care they need. Secondly, there are many ways that people can help with conservation efforts. Veterinarians who work in zoos care for the welfare of the animals and are trying to keep them healthy. Finding the right zoos that are doing this is essential to conserving the species on our planet. I have participated when volunteering at my local zoo in which I learned more about what it takes to help. My goals relate with the aspect as I am an aspiring veterinarian trying to work specifically with large animals. Along with wanting to travel to different countries to participate in conservation efforts by helping give vaccines and do a welfare check on the animals. I hope that throughout my college experience, I will get to participate more by traveling abroad with certain programs, in order to learn more about how I can help conserve animal species all around the world. Finally, the comprehension of how we can use our efforts into conservation. I have picked up over the years, little ways I can help our planet, in return helping animals. I want to make a positive impact by understanding how damaging certain things are and how there are better alternatives. I hope to establish myself in my career and to be able to tell the world about ways we can save our planet and animals with it. Our future is dependent on the fact that the food chain needs to stay in balance. Removing one key factor can completely tear down the process and everything suffers in the process. I hope I will be able to get my voice out there as someone people can trust, looking for new ways to safe and conserve precious life. In conclusion, the key to conservation is looking at ourselves and deciding on simple things we can change to better our environment. We all need to do our part so that animal don’t go extinct and I hope to play a role in that, in the future.