Faith has always been the compass that guides me, shaping both the person I am today and the person I strive to become. One of the most meaningful ways my faith has influenced my life is through my role as a Young Women’s Representative for the Lutheran Women in Mission. Through mite donations (rooted in the message of Luke 24:1–4) we help fund schools, support disaster relief efforts, and uplift missions around the world. Accepting this role was not easy; it came with a great deal of responsibility, and I knew people were relying on me to represent this incredible organization with integrity and dedication. But my faith reminded me that service is not about perfection it is about answering God’s call even when it feels challenging. In doing so, I learned to trust that where He leads, He also equips. Serving others has become a core part of my identity, and my volunteer work across various settings reflects that commitment. Alongside my YWR service, I volunteer at my campus food pantry and help make blankets for Project Linus. What motivates me most is the belief that none of us can do anything alone. We are created to rely on one another, and volunteering is my way of showing up for people who, if I ever needed it, would show up for me too. Being part of that cycle of support has strengthened not only my community but also my own sense of purpose. Kindness, generosity, and compassion are values I try to live out daily, whether I’m helping a fellow student who feels overwhelmed, offering a listening ear to a friend, or showing up for someone who feels unseen. Often, it’s the smallest gestures remembering someone’s favorite snack, or staying late to help a classmate study that matter the most. I try to embody compassion in a way that makes others feel safe, valued, and cared for, because I know firsthand how transformative genuine kindness can be. My understanding of love and compassion is deeply rooted in what my family has taught me. To me, family means the people who support you even when you don’t know you need it. After losing my grandfather in a farming accident two years ago, I realized how precious time truly is. I didn’t even have his phone number saved, assuming I would always have the chance to see him again. That loss reshaped my sense of what family means. Since then, I’ve made a conscious effort to invest in the people I love calling more often, keeping traditions alive, and appreciating every moment we share. Family is the most precious kind of love, one that should never be taken for granted. Joy also plays an important role in my life, reminding me that purpose and happiness can coexist. One of the biggest sources of joy for me, and the reason I chose to major in dietetics, came from my time as a dietary aide in a hospital. I realized that for some patients, seeing me was the best part of their day. I wasn’t bringing bad news, needles, or medication that made them feel sick; I was bringing food, comfort, and a moment of normalcy. I saw beyond the hospital bed and recognized the whole person in front of me. Food brings joy, and nutrition brings life. My goal is to spend my career honoring both. Looking toward the future, I hope to continue growing educationally, spiritually, and personally. I believe the saying “it takes a village” extends far beyond childhood we all rely on one another throughout our lives. Receiving this scholarship would be an incredible blessing as I enter one of the most demanding years of my program. It would give me the cushion I need to work as hard as possible and live out the values of Ed and Aline Patane through service, compassion, and dedication. Dear Children and Family of Ed and Aline Patane, My name is Ellamarie Jacobson, and I want to thank you for continuing the legacy of your parents in such a meaningful and generous way. From what I have learned, Ed and Aline lived lives grounded in faith, service, and love values that I strive to embody in my own journey. I am someone who finds purpose in serving others, who believes deeply in the importance of community, and who sees joy as a gift meant to be shared. If chosen as a recipient of this scholarship, I will carry forward your parents’ legacy by continuing to serve with compassion, by using my education to uplift others, and by living a life that reflects gratitude and generosity. Your parents’ impact extends far beyond the years they lived, and I would be honored to help carry their light into the future. With gratitude, Ellamarie Jacobson

I plan to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, and Dr. Aldana’s message about small, sustainable habits perfectly aligns with the approach I hope to take in my career. Nutrition shapes who we are, both literally and figuratively. The food we eat fuels our bodies and connects us to others. When someone’s health is affected, nutrition becomes crucial in preventing the progression of disease. However, you can’t expect someone to completely change their diet overnight. Our eating habits are deeply personal and tied to our identity. That’s why I believe in focusing on small, meaningful changes. When I work with patients, I want to collaborate with them to find what we can add to their diet instead of what we can take away. This requires taking time to understand each person’s unique story and what matters most to them. It’s not an easy path, but it’s one I’m passionate about because everyone deserves health that fits naturally into their life. As a future dietitian, I will need to be adaptable, compassionate, and patient, because asking someone to change, even for their own benefit, is never simple. What drives me most in pursuing this career is the thought that I will be able to help people through some of their hardest times. I won’t be there to shame them or deliver bad news, but to encourage them, celebrate progress, and offer realistic solutions. I know how powerful that support can be because I’ve experienced it myself. When I discovered that I had multiple food sensitivities, it was incredibly challenging to adjust my diet and lifestyle. But having people who encouraged and guided me made all the difference. That experience taught me that change becomes sustainable when it’s supported with empathy and understanding. Many people dismiss dietetics as being less important than other medical fields. However, it is one of the sciences most central to everyday life. Everyone has to eat, that will never change, but what and how we eat profoundly impacts how we experience life. Nutrition affects not only physical health, but also energy levels, mood, and overall well-being. A balanced diet can prevent chronic diseases, support recovery, and improve quality of life in ways that medicine alone cannot. Dietetics bridges the gap between science and daily living, empowering people to make choices that strengthen both their body and their sense of self. Ultimately, I see my education as a way to continue Dr. Aldana’s mission to help people make powerful health improvements through small, sustainable habits. I want to inspire lasting change by meeting people where they are and helping them see that even small steps can lead to big transformations.

You are what you eat, a phrase we have all heard before but what does it mean? We are comprised of so many interworking parts that somehow work together perfectly and allow us to live and do all the extraordinary things that are involved with that. What happens when that machine misfires, this is the question that nutrition seeks to answer. Nutrition is often an afterthought in medicine. Only after a problem starts or a diagnosis is given do patients think about what they are eating. My goal, as a future dietician, is to take nutrition out of hindsight and put it into the now. By using food as a precautionary measure I believe we can will be able to not only improve overall health but also reach goals that may have seemed impossible before. Before answering how I plan on doing this I should say a little about why I want to. In my family, there are two chronic medical conditions I have seen the people I have watched my loved ones struggle with those being type two diabetes and PCOS. Diabetes is what made me look into nutrition. It honestly shocked me just how big of a role our diet plays in day-to-day life. Chronic illnesses build over time they don't spontaneously show up so prevention starts as soon as you realize you are at risk. Which leads me to the second illness, PCOS. Many people know that women's health is greatly under-researched and even more underfunded. What we do know is that because PCOS is a hormonal disorder it can be treated and hopefully prevented by diet. This is where I hope to focus in the future. I have the goal of working in women's health. I want to work with women across the spectrum of women. Women who are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, have PCOS, or are just trying to better their health. I want to help women understand what is happening in their bodies and how they can reach their goals. Now that is a very big goal and fairly too broad without having a plan. As previously mentioned women's health is often overlooked however in one way or another it affects all of us. That's why after getting my master's degree and my RDN license I want to work in the field. Finding out where there are needs and deficits. With that information, I will work with public health to improve programs that can help those in need. Programs like WIC and My Plate are essential to not only give access to nutritious food but also can educate people on a large scale. I know that I can't do this all on my own and by relying on the public programs I will be able to reach more people than I would on an individual level. Deep down everyone knows how important food is but it takes people like myself and everyone in this field to help facilitate the education of those in our communities. Nutrition is fundamental to every aspect of life. Through sickness and health, everyone has food in common. Receiving this scholarship would not only ease the financial burden of college but also support my drive to be a community-based dietician. I am deeply grateful for your consideration and the opportunity to pursue my dreams.

Being selfless isn’t always easy. It may sound cliché, but it’s true, anyone who has truly humbled themselves to put others first understands that. It takes a willingness to set aside personal pride and embrace what it means to be fully human. I try to live this way every day because I’ve been blessed in so many aspects of my life, and those blessings have inspired me to give back and support others. I have been involved with community outreach since elementary school, being shown early that there are things I can do to help others set up the trajectory for the rest of my life. If a six-year-old can make an impact on those who are less fortunate than her, than so can anyone. When it comes to serving my community, I find it most fulfilling to work with younger people. Children need role models who can guide them, teach them, and help them navigate a complex world. It’s gratifying to see a child transform from uncertain to confident and independent. Knowing that I’ve had a part in that journey, no matter how small, brings me immense joy and motivates me on days when it feels hard to keep giving. This drive to help others grow and reach their full potential fuels my career aspirations. In the next five years, I plan to help people in my community achieve the best versions of themselves through the medicine of nutrition and dietetics. Words can not describe how much food affects the culture of our communities. It also is one of the things that people are scared to change even though it can have the biggest impact on our wellbeing. I want to support those who may feel stuck, who are afraid of making a change, and give them hope that transformation is possible. It won’t be easy, and there’s still much for me to learn, but I know the effort will be worth it. Selflessness, care, and giving aren’t innate abilities people are born with; they’re developed and nurtured through the support and examples of others. I want to continue growing and expanding my ability to impact more lives positively. Having been given so many opportunities in life, I want others to have the same chances to thrive. Life is a gift and since my cup has been filled by those around me I believe I must share the overflow.

@Ella_Marie_215

I use the game to conect with friends. The building of a house, town or eeven world together with my friends is sonthing that has always made me love the game. I'm not much of a thrill seeker myself but the people I play with are. Minecraft offers a platform for people of all different intrest to have a place. That is sonthing that i find amazing. Without the constraints of basic real word physocs minecraft also allow for creativity to run wild. Miecraft also is has provided many programming opportunity for young coders. I myself have taken adva tage of some of the soctwares that mojang has realeased ans they are pretty awesome for tea bing young people to code. Finally the youtube community that has been created because of minecraft. This game has connected me with people who also enjoy the same creators that I do. Not only woth my friends that live near me but also has allowed me to create bonds with those far away. I dont think there are any other games that has as much versatility as minecraft does. There are so many good reasons it is the number one game on the markert.