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Elizabeth Cleveland

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Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Painting and Studio Art
  • Cooking
  • Writing
  • Hiking And Backpacking
  • Swimming
  • Volunteering
  • Kayaking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Learning
  • Teaching
  • Exploring Nature And Being Outside
  • Community Service And Volunteering
  • Conservation

Reading

  • Adventure
  • Cookbooks
  • Environment
  • Gardening
  • Historical
  • Science‎
  • True Story
  • Suspense

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

My name is Elizabeth Cleveland I am 21 years old and from Oklahoma. I am a very hardworking, goal oriented individual. Ever since I was ten years old I have dreamt about having a marine science career. With Oklahoma being a landlocked state there are no opportunities for my goals so I am in the process of moving cross country to attend Eckerd College! My lifelong goal is to own a rescue / rehabilitation center for marine animals along with being a veterinarian. I have overcome many obstacles to achieve this dream of mine including : a poverty ridden family, being raised around drugs, and, moving out at a young age to escape the downward spiral of my family. I moved out 1 week after I graduated high-school because I knew there was more for me than what my family could provide. I realized drugs and violence were not the way to success. This is what brought me to Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was here that I attended Tulsa Community College and also worked full time at a restaurant in Sand Springs. I was hired on as a server and quickly moved up to assistant manager while also juggling school work. I believe I am a valid candidate because I never give up or take the easy road. I am currently paving a new pathway for my one year old son by choosing to pursue my dream of marine science everyday. I am most passionate about becoming the best role model I can for my son and this begins with continuing my education and obtaining a degree. I deeply desire to show him that all dreams are achievable. " Dont dream your life, live your dream" -Mark Twain

Education

Eckerd College

Bachelor's degree program

2021 – 2023

Majors:
  • Marine Sciences
Minors:
  • Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Medicine Residency Program

Wagoner High School

High School

2014 – 2018

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
St Petersburg College
Majors of interest:
Marine Sciences, Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography, Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Medicine Residency Program, Conservation Biology

Career

  • Server

    Restaurants · Charlestons Restaurant

    Jan 2020 – Present

  • Caregiver for elderly

    Hospital & Health Care · My choice in home senior care

    Jan 2018 – Jan 2018

  • Hostess/ cashier

    restaurant · Runts Barbecue

    Jan 2016 – Jan 2018

  • Initially server but worked my way up to assistant manager

    Restaurants · Coltons steak house

    Jan 2019 – Jan 2021

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Marine Science
Dream career goals:
My goal is to own a rescue center for marine animals
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Politics
  • Volunteering
  • Entrepreneurship
Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship
Being a caregiver is hard. Being a caregiver to your grandparents is even harder. To take care of your grandpa until his very last breath, all while having a newborn at home proved to be an almost impossible task. Nothing is impossible though, and through this rough patch of life, I found my strength. In the spring of 2020, my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer and was given less than a year to live. My grandparents had been married for more than fifty years and stepped in to raise me while growing up. However, they didn't have a retirement saved up, nor did they have an income that would support today's inflation. My grandparents and I were always very close and I knew they deserved better. I strived to give them peace while they passed, so I took on the task of moving them in with my husband and me, along with our newborn. So I worked extra hours until his health started declining. Once this happened I stopped working and became his full-time caregiver. I took care of his every need until he took his last breath. All while going to college and having a newborn to care for as well. My grandfather passed in November of 2020 and when that happened I knew he would want me to keep pursuing my college education and provide a better life for my son. For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to pursue a marine science career. This was especially challenging since we lived in Oklahoma and I'm the first high school graduate in my family. My grandmother was still not doing well but insisted that I chase my dream and I did. I made the big move to Florida and have been going to school full time, something I never thought would be possible. I have no family or friends in Florida and it has proven to be very arduous especially being a young mother. It's just my husband, myself, our son, and our dogs. I know people view death as a tragedy but honestly, this experience is what gave me the strength to make my dreams possible. Had I not taken care of my grandpa until he passed, I would still be in Oklahoma studying something I didn't care for. My grandmother is still alive and I miss her tremendously but I know my grandparents are forever proud of me. The death of my grandfather and the ill health of my grandmother has given me newfound clarity. Since then I have been able to focus on my dream of marine science and it has changed my life forever.
Elizabeth Cleveland Student Profile | Bold.org