The movie that has had the biggest impact on my life is The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I first watched it when I was in fourth grade, and even though I was pretty young, it stuck with me in a way no other movie really has. At the time, I did not fully understand the history behind it, but I could still feel how sad and important the story was. The movie is about two boys, Bruno and Shmuel, who become friends even though they are separated by a fence. What stood out to me the most was how normal their friendship felt. They did not see each other as different, even though everything around them was trying to keep them apart. As a fourth grader, I remember being confused about why they could not just play together like any other kids. That confusion stayed with me and made me start asking more questions as I got older. As I learned more about the Holocaust in school, the movie started to mean something different to me. It was not just a sad story anymore. It became a reminder of how harmful hate and ignorance can be. Seeing everything through Bruno’s eyes made it even more powerful because he did not understand what was happening, just like I did not fully understand it when I first watched it. That perspective made the ending hit even harder and made me realize how serious the consequences of people’s actions can be. This movie also changed how I look at the world. It made me more aware of how people treat each other and how important it is to show empathy. I started to notice things I might have ignored before, like when someone is being left out or treated unfairly. It made me want to be someone who speaks up and tries to do the right thing, even in small situations. Another way the movie impacted me is in how I see friendships. Bruno and Shmuel’s friendship showed me that connections between people should not be limited by differences like background or circumstances. Even though their situation was extreme, the message still applies to everyday life. It reminded me that being kind and open to others can make a big difference. Looking back, it is kind of surprising that a movie I watched in fourth grade could have such a lasting effect on me. But as I have grown up, I have understood it more and more. It helped shape how I think about fairness, empathy, and the way people treat each other. That is why The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is the movie that has had the greatest impact on my life.

Hello, my name is Candra Trantham. First, I want to say I am so sorry for your loss. Ryan Herich sounds like he was such a fun and interesting person to talk to, someone who could make any conversation meaningful. I can only imagine how much his perspective meant to the people around him. I would really love to hear what he might have thought about everything going on in the world in 2026, because it feels like there is so much happening all at once, and hearing different viewpoints really matters. I am currently a senior at a small school here in Oklahoma, and it honestly feels surreal knowing I am about to graduate and move on to the next chapter of my life. I am excited, but also a little nervous, like I think most seniors are at this point. This fall, I will be attending Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma. It is a smaller school, which I really like because I feel like it will give me a better chance to connect with my professors and other students. I have been accepted into the political science program, and I plan to stay there for four years to earn my bachelor’s degree. Politics has always been something I have cared about. I find it interesting how people can have such different opinions about the same issues and how those opinions shape decisions that affect everyone. I think it is important to listen to others, even when I do not agree with them, because that is how real understanding starts. With this degree, I truly believe I can make a difference. I have a few ideas about what I might want to do in the future. I have thought about becoming a lawyer, a judge, or even a politician. I know those are big goals, but I want to find a path where I can actually help people and stand up for what I believe is right. No matter what I choose, I want to use my voice in a positive way and be someone who makes an impact. Looking ahead, I know things will not always be easy, but I am ready for the challenge. I want to learn as much as I can, grow as a person, and take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way. This is just the beginning for me, and I am excited to see where this journey takes me

Dr Jack Terry’s story is truly inspiring, it shows how far determination and resilience can get you, even when facing serious hardships. Throughout his life he faced many challenges that could have easily discouraged him or caused him to give up. Instead of letting these unfortunate situations define him, he never gave up. He showed perseverance during the tough times in his life, and ultimately came out on top. His willingness to keep pushing forward just shows his strength of character. He went through the demanding process of recertification which requires strength, dedication, and discipline. Most people would see this process as overwhelming and give up. Dr Terry treated these challenges as opportunities to grow and become even better at what he does. Dr Terry not only focused on his success, but also used his experiences to help others. The things he went through gave him a deeper understanding of the struggles other individuals faced, which then allowed him to connect and support those around him in meaningful ways. Ultimately, Dr Jack Terry’s story reminds us to never give up and hard work does pay off. Set backs are simply a part of life, they help you to grow and achieve. His life serves as a powerful example that success is built through courage, strength, and the desire to make a positive impact on the world. One of the biggest challenge I have faced in my life has been balancing school with the responsibility of helping to support my family. I got my first job at 15 to help save up for a car. As soon as I turned 16, I got a second job. These jobs were to help me save for a car but to also help my mom with any bills that needed to be paid. My mom is a single mother of 3. I knew from an early age if I wanted anything, I would have to work hard for it. I seen her work hard my whole life. After school, most of my classmates went to the movies, got their nails done, went bowling, except for me. I went home, got dressed, and then clocked in, I usually got off around 10 p.m. After I got off I would finish any homework due for the next day, and often go to sleep around 12 a.m. And then do it all again the next day. Weekends for me consisted of doubles. Usually going to work early in the morning and then getting off late. I did this because I would rather be exhausted than to see my mom struggle alone. She hated asking me for anything, especially money, but when she had to I wanted to be able to help her. There was times I felt exhausted trying to keep up with homework, family, and shifts at work. But during all of this I managed to keep a 3.8 GPA! I am proud to say, these experiences taught me valuable life lessons about discipline, time management, and perseverance. These past few years have motivated me to work harder so that I can build a future with opportunities for myself and support my family in even bigger ways. Facing these challenges have shaped me into the person I am today and I am very grateful! In college I plan to study political science. I believe this degree will help me give back to society by improving policies that directly impact families and communities. Growing up in a hardworking family will help me be able to advocate for the working class. Thank You!

Hello, my name is Candra Trantham. I am panning on attending college in the fall of 2026. I am a first generation college student so I don’t know much about any of this. I am applying to this scholarship because I feel that I have had to figure out my “finances” from a young age. My mom is a singe mother of 3, so I’ve seen struggle at its finest. I got my first job at 15 to pay for my first car. At 16 I decided to take on another job to help save for my car but also to help my mom with any food, bills, or any other thing life decided to throw at us. She was really good at the single parent thing so I rarely had to help, but there were times. A few months into being 16 I finally was able to get a car. I payed my own monthly payments, insurance, gas, and any maintenance needed. As you can imagine, that gets expensive, but I did it. During all of this I managed to keep straight A’s, a 3.8 GPA, and get inducted into the National Honor Society. Attending college this year has me very anxious because I’m sure I will have to go down to 1 job in order to really be able to focus on school. With my car payment and all of the fees going to college comes with, I’m scared. In college, I plan on using my financial knowledge to help me get through the 4 years, with no debt. I feel confident in my spending habits and that I can adapt to whatever comes my way. I have already learned how to modify my money carefully by balancing car payments, insurance, gas, and other responsibilities, and I plan to use these same budgeting skills while in school. I will track my spending habits and prioritize my needs over wants, and continue working part-time so I can contribute to my expenses. I also plan to apply for scholarships and financial aid each year, and set aside money for an emergency fund. Because I’ve had to manage real financial responsibility’s at such a young age, I know just how important it is to plan ahead and make responsible decisions with my money. I am very excited for college. I am planning on attending the Political Science program at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, in Durant OK. I feel like I really can have a positive impact on the world with this degree as it will give me a better understanding of everything that is going on in the world today. After getting my Batchelor's in Political Science I want to attend an online law school to get my law degree. Scholarships like this will tremendously help me to achieve my goal. Thank you for your time!