Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” I believe this to be true because throughout my life I have had many valuable experiences that have given me a sense of purpose. Some of these include being a running buddy for the Girls on the Run program, serving at the Mustard Seed soup kitchen, volunteering at Vacation Bible School at my church, and helping with my local Girl Scout troop. These events have solidified my love for giving back to those in my community and made me realize many things about life itself. Volunteering for a week at Camp Sunshine in Maine was one of the primary reasons I have chosen a career which helps others. This will be my third time returning to Camp Sunshine and it is always so rewarding to spend a week there. This experience gave me the opportunity to connect with other teenage counselors who, like me, feel a passion for volunteering. I also bonded with many young children who were recovering from organ transplants. Being with these affected children for a week made me realize how many people in our world are just thankful to solely live another day. It also helped me to choose my career path. I look forward to making a positive impact on children’s lives by becoming a teacher. I am currently attending the University of Connecticut, majoring in elementary education. I chose this university partly because of the way the students at UConn actively give back. This March I helped to plan and carry out HuskyTHON, a significant fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network. This 18 hour dance marathon has raised over 11 million dollars for children. This event is completely student driven and I loved being a part of the HuskyTHON committee! I am a part of many clubs at UCONN that give back to the community. I am a member KUBE, Kids and Uconn Bridging Education, a mentoring program. I also belong to Confetti for Kids, an organization that raises money for kids in the foster care system. I am a member of the Future Educators Club which has allowed me to connect with others who love teaching. All of these committees have helped me to meet other students and volunteer in so many ways. My chosen profession alone involves helping students and families. Becoming a teacher is a job that makes a difference each and every day. After graduation from college, I am planning to work for a public school district in order to continue to give back to others. I want to create a classroom that celebrates children and encourages students to learn at their own pace. Creating a classroom that encourages young students to think about ways that they can make an impact on the world, even in the smallest way, is essential when educating children today. Volunteering teaches leadership, communication skills, and builds a sense of connection to a greater purpose. We can start teaching children at an early age the importance of helping others. I vow to become an integral part of my new school community by not only being a teacher in the classroom, but also by becoming involved. I would love to volunteer as a Girls on the Run coach or assist young athletes on a volleyball team. As I look towards my future, there are so many opportunities to help others and I am excited to continue volunteering in my community and beyond. Thank you for considering my scholarship application. Chloe Graves

I was affected by sepsis at a very young age. My parents have filled in the gaps for me since I do not have many detailed memories. I was only five years old when sepsis struck. It was December of 2011 and I was in kindergarten. In fact, it was the day I was going to have lunch with the principal as a reward for being Student of the Month. I woke up that morning with a fever and stayed home from school. I was devastated. I wanted to eat my lunch in the office big chair chatting away with Mrs. Pacheco. My parents thought I had a virus and it had to run its course. I was vomiting and couldn't eat or drink much at all. This resulted in lethargy, which was the opposite of my usual energetic self. The next day my parents became terrified when I was not moving much at all. They took me to the emergency room and I received IV fluids. I left with a prescription for Zofran, to hopefully cease my vomiting. The next day I took a turn for the worse. I had extreme pain in my abdomen and was having a hard time breathing. We returned to the emergency room, my parents frantic. The nurses assumed I was constipated, but my parents knew there was something more. I was finally placed in a room and the doctor ordered a CT scan to see what was happening in my tiny body. When the results came back, the mood of the hospital staff quickly changed. There was a sense of urgency that I can recall. My bed was rapidly wheeled down the hallway and into an elevator with an entourage of staff following. Orders were being given and I didn't understand one word. In a flash I was intubated in the Pediatric ICU and I have no recollection of the next few weeks of my life. According to my parents, I did not have a virus. It was pneumonia. My left lung had collapsed resulting in an empyema, a collection of pus between my lung and chest wall. This infection resulted in sepsis and it was serious. For the next 8 days I was breathing with a ventilator and had surgery to scrape and reinflate my lung. My parents still talk about Dr. Michael Hersch, the surgeon that saved my life. My mother says that she would talk to me every day as I was unresponsive in a medically induced coma. I was taken off the ventilator the day before Christmas Eve. I was showered with donated gifts on Christmas morning by volunteers in the PICU. My parents realized the true meaning of the holiday, being with family and the gift of health. They talk about how special it was to see me smile that day. Eventually, I was transferred to the pediatric floor and stayed there for another week. I was so excited to see my principal and my kindergarten teacher visit me there! It wasn't as thrilling as having lunch with the principal in her office, but it certainly was a close second. I still have the stuffed puppy that my teacher brought me that day at UMASS hospital. The road to recovery was long. I had to learn how to walk again because I was so frail. My personal experience with sepsis has taught me resilience and it sticks with me to this day. I know that I am strong and can handle no matter what life hands me! Thank you for considering my application, Chloe Graves

Many factors have driven me to pursue a career in teaching. I can recall my first grade teacher dressing up as a scientist in order to excite us about the upcoming science lesson. As a young child, this interactive approach to learning made me eager to know what was coming next. As I grew older I realized how she was drawing in her students to gain a love for learning. Today, I still think back to first grade and how she motivated me every day. Mrs. Sanborn inspired me to want to become one of the many educators that make a difference in the classroom. Like Mrs. Sanborn, I look forward to making a positive impact on children’s lives by becoming a teacher. I am currently attending the University of Connecticut and majoring in elementary education. The reason I chose education as the path I want to move towards in my life is because I love young children, but also because I have grown up in a family full of amazing female teachers. My mother is currently a first grade teacher and both of my grandmothers are retired teachers as well. I have memories of helping my mother get her classroom ready for a new school year. This past summer I held a job as a paraprofessional in a first grade classroom. It was a rewarding experience to support these students in summer school to help them succeed. I am a part of many clubs at UCONN that give back to the community. I am a member KUBE, Kids and Uconn Bridging Education, a mentoring program. I also belong to Confetti for Kids, an organization that raises money for kids in the foster care system. I serve on the Husython committe, a dance marathon that raises money for the Children's Miracle Hospital. I am a member of the Future Educators Club which has allowed me to connect with others who love teaching. All of these committees have helped me to meet other students and help children in so many ways. After graduation from college, I am planning to work for a public school district in order to continue to give back to others. My profession alone involves helping students and families. Becoming a teacher is a job that makes a difference each and every day. I want to create a classroom that celebrates children and encourages students to learn at their own pace. I vow to become an integral part of my new school community by not only being a teacher in the classroom, but also by becoming involved. I would love to volunteer as a Girls on the Run coach at my school or assist young athletes on a volleyball team. As I look towards my future as a teacher, there are so many opportunities to help others and I am excited to make a difference in the lives of children. I hope to follow in the footsteps of the inspirational teachers in my life, including the talented educators in my family and the celebrated first grade teacher, Mrs. Sara Sanborn. Thank you for considering my application, Chloe Graves

Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” I believe this to be true because throughout my life I have had an immense amount of volunteer experiences that have given me a sense of purpose. Some of these experiences include being a running buddy for the Girls on the Run program, serving at the Mustard Seed soup kitchen, volunteering at Vacation Bible School at my church, and helping with my local Girl Scout troop. These events have solidified my love for giving back to those in my community and made me realize many things about life itself. Volunteering for a week at Camp Sunshine in Maine was one of the primary reasons I have chosen a career which helps others. This program gave me the opportunity to connect with other teenage counselors who, like me, felt a passion for volunteering. I also bonded with many young children who were recovering from organ transplants. Being with these affected children for a week made me realize how many people in our world are just thankful to solely live another day. It also helped me to choose my career path. I look forward to making a positive impact on children’s lives by becoming a teacher. I will be attending the University of Connecticut in the fall and majoring in elementary education. I chose this university partly because of the way the students at UConn actively give back. I am eager to become a part of the annual HuskyTHON, a significant fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network. This 18 hour dance marathon has raised over 11 million dollars for children who aren’t able to dance. This event is completely student driven and I am excited to become a part of the HuskyTHON committee in the fall! There are many clubs at UConn that allow college students to become involved with the community, including volunteering with children in schools surrounding UConn. My chosen profession alone involves helping students and families. Becoming a teacher is a job that makes a difference each and every day. After graduation from college, I am planning to work for a public school district in order to continue to give back to others. I want to create a classroom that celebrates children and encourages students to learn at their own pace. Creating a classroom that encourages young students to think about ways that they can make an impact on the world, even in the smallest way, is essential when educating children today. Volunteering teaches leadership, communication skills, and builds a sense of connection to a greater purpose. We can start teaching children at an early age the importance of demonstrating kindness and helping others. I vow to become an integral part of my new school community by not only being a teacher in the classroom, but also by becoming involved. I would love to volunteer as a Girls on the Run coach or assist young athletes on a volleyball team. Beyond these volunteer opportunities, I know that I can be a role model for others to give love just by smiling at someone or going out of my way to show random acts of kindness. As I look towards my future, there are so many opportunities to make a positive impact in my community and beyond. Thank you for considering my scholarship application.

I have excelled in my education in a variety of ways, while trying to make a difference along the way. I have done my best to leave a legacy in my community, my high school, as well as my family. S.M.I.L.E. is an acronym that holds true to my beliefs in life. Shine: I try to shine academically and personally. I have balanced a variety of activities in high school including volleyball, competitive show choir, Student Council, Envirothon, and National Honor Society, all while maintaining a GPA of 4.0. When things feel overwhelming I try to keep a positive attitude and not give up. I believe that it is important to shine with a genuine smile and never settle because others are counting on me! Motivate: As Student Council President I tried to motivate my peers to get involved and enjoy their time in high school. In fact, I closed my graduation speech with one of my favorite quotes, "Wake up being determined. Go to bed feeling accomplished." Also, when I work with young children in the summer program I always try to motivate them to do their very best and take pride in all that they attempt. Children often give up easily and I want to be a teacher so that I can help students persevere and reach their full potential. Inspire: I have been inspired by strong females in my life who have given so many years to their field of education. My mother has been teaching for over 20 years and still loves her job! She has been a mentor to many student teachers who have gone on to become teachers. Both of my grandmothers are also retired teachers. These women are an inspiration to me! I know that I can continue this legacy and inspire others in my own classroom in the future. Lead: My third grade teacher called me a leader during parent conferences and my mother thought she was nicely saying that I was a little bossy to my peers. (: While we laugh about this now, I realize that she was giving me a compliment. I have been a part of many volunteer experiences that have allowed me to lead. I have served on the Principal's Leadership Committee at my high school. I have served meals at The Mustard Seed kitchen with my family. I have also been a group leader for the youth group at my church in the town where I live. This summer I will be returning to Camp Sunshine in Maine for a week to volunteer with 9-12 year old children, all of which have some type of illness. Being a leader is a gift and I try to use it to serve others. Excel: This word often refers to grades earned in high school, but to me it is so much more. An individual can excel at many things. I feel as though I did excel in high school over the past four years, but that does not define me. I have excelled at helping others and making an impact. I have also taught my younger brother to always do his best, whether it be during a track meet or on an exam. I hope to continue to give back in college through acts of service and small acts of kindness in my daily life. I am excited to begin my path at the University of Connecticut in the fall in order to become a teacher that can make an impact. Thank you for considering my application! Chloe Graves

I am so excited to become a dedicated and positive elementary school teacher. The reason I chose education as the path I want to move towards in my life is partially because I love young children, but also because I have grown up in a family full of amazing female teachers. Both of my grandmothers are retired teachers and they are fantastic role models. My mother enthusiastically teaches first grade after 20 years and still loves her job! I have memories of helping my mother get her classroom ready for a new school year. Putting up bulletin boards, sharpening new pencils, placing name tags on students' desks, and choosing the perfect books for the first week of school were always a part of my August plans. My mother would take me out for ice cream when her classroom was ready as a way to thank me for my help and so we could celebrate a new beginning of the school year. In addition to my mother being a mentor, I can recall my own first grade teacher inspiring me. I remember Mrs. Sanborn dressing up as a scientist in order to excite us about the upcoming science lesson. As a young child, this interactive approach to learning made me eager to know what was coming next. As I grew older I realized how she was drawing in her students to gain a love for learning. Today, I still think back to first grade and how she motivated me every day. Mrs. Sanborn inspired me to want to become one of the many educators that make a difference in the classroom. Like Mrs. Sanborn, I look forward to making a positive impact on children’s lives by becoming a teacher. I plan on attending the University of Connecticut in the fall and majoring in elementary education. I have had many experiences with children that helped me to come to this decision. This past summer I held a job as a paraprofessional in a first grade classroom. It was a rewarding experience to support these students in summer school to help them succeed. I have also had various volunteer experiences that have fueled my love for children. Some of these experiences include being a running buddy for the Girls on the Run program, volunteering at Vacation Bible School at my church, and helping with my local Girl Scout troop. These events have further solidified my love for teaching children. Volunteering and living for a week at Camp Sunshine in Maine was one of the primary reasons I have chosen a career path which helps others. This program gave me the opportunity to connect with other teenage counselors who, like me, felt a passion for volunteering and allowed me to bond with children recovering from organ transplants. It was an unforgettable experience! After graduation from college, I am planning to work for a school district in order to continue to give back to others. Becoming a teacher is a job that makes a difference each and every day. I want to create a classroom that celebrates children and encourages students to learn at their own pace. As I look toward my future as a teacher, there are so many opportunities to help others and I am excited to make a difference in the lives of children. I hope to follow in the footsteps of the inspirational teachers in my life, including the talented educators in my family and the celebrated first grade teacher, Mrs. Sara Sanborn. Thank you for considering my scholarship application.

Has a teacher ever made a positive impact on your life? I can recall my first grade teacher dressing up as a scientist in order to excite us about the upcoming science lesson. As a young child, this interactive approach to learning made me eager to know what was coming next. As I grew older I realized how she was drawing in her students to gain a love for learning. Today, I still think back to first grade and how she motivated me every day. Mrs. Sanborn inspired me to want to become one of the many educators that make a difference in the classroom. Like Mrs. Sanborn, I look forward to making a positive impact on children’s lives by becoming a teacher. I plan on attending the University of Connecticut in the fall and majoring in elementary education. The reason I chose education as the path I want to move towards in my life is partially because I love young children, but also because I have grown up in a family full of amazing female teachers. My mother is currently a first grade teacher and both of my grandmothers are retired teachers as well. I have memories of helping my mother get her classroom ready for a new school year. This past summer I held a job as a paraprofessional in a first grade classroom. It was a rewarding experience to support these students in summer school to help them succeed. After graduation from college, I am planning to work for a school district in order to continue to give back to others. My profession alone involves helping students and families. Becoming a teacher is a job that makes a difference each and every day. I want to create a classroom that celebrates children and encourages students to learn at their own pace. I vow to become an integral part of my new school community by not only being a teacher in the classroom, but also by becoming involved. I would love to volunteer as a Girls on the Run coach at my school or assist young athletes on a volleyball team. As I look towards my future as a teacher, there are so many opportunities to help others and I am excited to make a difference in the lives of children. I hope to follow in the footsteps of the inspirational teachers in my life, including the talented educators in my family and the celebrated first grade teacher, Mrs. Sara Sanborn. Thank you for considering my application, Chloe Graves

Many factors have driven me to pursue a career in teaching. I can recall my first grade teacher dressing up as a scientist in order to excite us about the upcoming science lesson. As a young child, this interactive approach to learning made me eager to know what was coming next. As I grew older I realized how she was drawing in her students to gain a love for learning. Today, I still think back to first grade and how she motivated me every day. Mrs. Sanborn inspired me to want to become one of the many educators that make a difference in the classroom. Like Mrs. Sanborn, I look forward to making a positive impact on children’s lives by becoming a teacher. I plan on attending the University of Connecticut in the fall and majoring in elementary education. The reason I chose education as the path I want to move towards in my life is partially because I love young children, but also because I have grown up in a family full of amazing female teachers. My mother is currently a first grade teacher and both of my grandmothers are retired teachers as well. I have memories of helping my mother get her classroom ready for a new school year. This past summer I held a job as a paraprofessional in a first grade classroom. It was a rewarding experience to support these students in summer school to help them succeed. After graduation from college, I am planning to work for a school district in order to continue to give back to others. My profession alone involves helping students and families. Becoming a teacher is a job that makes a difference each and every day. I want to create a classroom that celebrates children and encourages students to learn at their own pace. I vow to become an integral part of my new school community by not only being a teacher in the classroom, but also by becoming involved. I would love to volunteer as a Girls on the Run coach at my school or assist young athletes on a volleyball team. As I look towards my future as a teacher, there are so many opportunities to help others and I am excited to make a difference in the lives of children. I hope to follow in the footsteps of the inspirational teachers in my life, including the talented educators in my family and the celebrated first grade teacher, Mrs. Sara Sanborn. Thank you for considering my application, Chloe Graves

Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” My name is Chloe Graves and I feel passionate about volunteering. I know that it is part of my purpose and I truly have enjoyed all of the hours I have spent helping others. I believe this to be true because throughout my life I have had an immense amount of volunteer experiences that have fueled my love for children. Some of these experiences include being a running buddy for the Girls on the Run program, serving at the Mustard Seed soup kitchen, volunteering at Vacation Bible School at my church, and helping with my local Girl Scout troop. These events have solidified my love for giving back to those in my community and made me realize many things about life itself. Volunteering and living for a week at Camp Sunshine in Maine was one of the primary reasons I have chosen a career which helps others. This program gave me the opportunity to connect with other teenage counselors who, like me, felt a passion for volunteering. I also bonded with many young children who were recovering from organ transplants. Being with these affected children for a week made me realize how many people in our world are just thankful to solely live another day. I look forward to making a positive impact on children’s lives by becoming a teacher. I plan on attending the University of Connecticut in the fall and majoring in elementary education. I chose this university partly because of the way the students give back. I am eager to become a part of the annual HuskyTHON, a significant fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network. This 18 hour dance marathon has raised over 11 million dollars for children who aren’t able to dance. This event is completely student driven and I am excited to become a part of the HuskyTHON committee in the fall! After graduation from college, I am planning to work for a school district in order to continue to give back to others. My profession alone involves helping students and families. Becoming a teacher is a job that makes a difference each and every day. I want to create a classroom that celebrates children and encourages students to learn at their own pace. I vow to become an integral part of my new school community by not only being a teacher in the classroom, but also by becoming involved. I would love to volunteer as a Girls on the Run coach or assist young athletes on a volleyball team. I enjoyed my time volunteering at Camp Sunshine and the Mustard Seed and I would love to return. As I look towards my future, there are so many opportunities to help others and I am excited to continue volunteering in my community and beyond. Thank you for considering my scholarship application.

Has a teacher ever made a positive impact on your life? I can recall my first grade teacher dressing up as a scientist in order to excite us about the upcoming science lesson. As a young child, this interactive approach to learning made me eager to know what was coming next. As I grew older I realized how she was drawing in her students to gain a love for learning. Today, I still think back to first grade and how she motivated me every day. Mrs. Sanborn inspired me to want to become one of the many educators that make a difference in the classroom. Like Mrs. Sanborn, I look forward to making a positive impact on children’s lives by becoming a teacher. I plan on attending the University of Connecticut in the fall and majoring in elementary education. The reason I chose education as the path I want to move towards in my life is partially because I love young children, but also because I have grown up in a family full of amazing female teachers. My mother is currently a first grade teacher and both of my grandmothers are retired teachers as well. I have memories of helping my mother get her classroom ready for a new school year. This past summer I held a job as a paraprofessional in a first grade classroom. It was a rewarding experience to support these students in summer school to help them succeed. After graduation from college, I am planning to work for a school district in order to continue to give back to others. My profession alone involves helping students and families. Becoming a teacher is a job that makes a difference each and every day. I want to create a classroom that celebrates children and encourages students to learn at their own pace. I vow to become an integral part of my new school community by not only being a teacher in the classroom, but also by becoming involved. I would love to volunteer as a Girls on the Run coach at my school or assist young athletes on a volleyball team. As I look towards my future as a teacher, there are so many opportunities to help others and I am excited to make a difference in the lives of children. I hope to follow in the footsteps of the inspirational teachers in my life, including the talented educators in my family and the celebrated first grade teacher, Mrs. Sara Sanborn. Thank you for considering my scholarship application.

I am so excited to become a dedicated and positive elementary school teacher. The reason I chose education as the path I want to move towards in my life is partially because I love young children, but also because I have grown up in a family full of amazing female teachers. Both of my grandmothers are retired teachers and they are fantastic role models. My mother enthusiastically teaches first grade after 20 years and still loves her job! I have memories of helping my mother get her classroom ready for a new school year. Putting up bulletin boards, sharpening new pencils, placing name tags on students' desks, and choosing the perfect books for the first week of school were always a part of my August plans. My mother would take me out for ice cream when her classroom was ready as a way to thank me for my help and so we could celebrate a new beginning of the school year. In addition to my mother being a mentor, I can recall my own first grade teacher inspiring me. I remember Mrs. Sanborn dressing up as a scientist in order to excite us about the upcoming science lesson. As a young child, this interactive approach to learning made me eager to know what was coming next. As I grew older I realized how she was drawing in her students to gain a love for learning. Today, I still think back to first grade and how she motivated me every day. Mrs. Sanborn inspired me to want to become one of the many educators that make a difference in the classroom. Like Mrs. Sanborn, I look forward to making a positive impact on children’s lives by becoming a teacher. I plan on attending the University of Connecticut in the fall and majoring in elementary education. I have had many experiences with children that helped me to come to this decision. This past summer I held a job as a paraprofessional in a first grade classroom. It was a rewarding experience to support these students in summer school to help them succeed. I have also had various volunteer experiences that have fueled my love for children. Some of these experiences include being a running buddy for the Girls on the Run program, volunteering at Vacation Bible School at my church, and helping with my local Girl Scout troop. These events have further solidified my love for teaching children. Volunteering and living for a week at Camp Sunshine in Maine was one of the primary reasons I have chosen a career path which helps others. This program gave me the opportunity to connect with other teenage counselors who, like me, felt a passion for volunteering and allowed me to bond with children recovering from organ transplants. It was an unforgettable experience! After graduation from college, I am planning to work for a school district in order to continue to give back to others. Becoming a teacher is a job that makes a difference each and every day. I want to create a classroom that celebrates children and encourages students to learn at their own pace. As I look toward my future as a teacher, there are so many opportunities to help others and I am excited to make a difference in the lives of children. I hope to follow in the footsteps of the inspirational teachers in my life, including the talented educators in my family and the celebrated first grade teacher, Mrs. Sara Sanborn. Thank you for considering my scholarship application.