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Hobbies and interests
Tutoring
Mentoring
Education
Volunteering
Reading
Classics
Historical
Education
Christianity
Crafts
How-To
Leadership
I read books multiple times per week
Ella Stone
2,355
Bold Points1x
Finalist![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/3dea8f02ac18445b92550f2f0de8115280c9262af8664a6086bc92480242a33e.webp)
Ella Stone
2,355
Bold Points1x
FinalistBio
My name is Ella. As a 17-year-old college graduate, I explore my passions at an accelerated rate. During high school, I earned 88 dual credits and maintained a 4.0 college GPA. In the fall of 2020, the Dallas College Honors Program and STEM League accepted me into their programs. Induction into Mu Alpha Theta and Phi Theta Kappa at 14 was an honor. Earning the bronze, silver, and gold President’s Volunteer Service Awards in 2021 has been a worthwhile experience. As a member of the Educators Rising Honor Society, I am focused. Longing to teach upper-level mathematics and oversee my future tutoring business, I earned my Bachelor’s before turning 17 and will earn my Master’s at 19. While lofty accomplishments make me stand out, my compassion distinguishes me.
It is exhilarating to volunteer with Willow Way Tutoring. We tutor refugee students who came to America within the past few years. As the Director of Student Outreach and Engagement, I use translation software to promote tutoring events in 12 different languages. It is humbling to serve our students, and I am grateful for the technologies that allow me to connect with them. We now have 32 volunteers who have tutored over 2500 hours, assisting hundreds of newcomers. I invest at least 7 hours each week helping these students. Pursuing my passions while pouring into others will have an exponential impact.
Education
Texas Woman's University
Master's degree programMajors:
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
Minors:
- Mathematics
Southern New Hampshire University- Online
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Mathematics
Arizona State University Online
High SchoolDallas County Community College District
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
- Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
Career
Dream career field:
Education
Dream career goals:
Teach upper-level math & own a tutoring business.
N/A
N/APresent
Sports
Basketball
Club2011 – 202110 years
Research
None
N/A — N/APresent
Arts
Denton Bible Student Choir
Performance Art2017 – Present
Public services
Volunteering
AWANA — Leader in Training & Member2009 – PresentVolunteering
Samaritan's Purse: Operation Christmas Child — Annual Participant2015 – PresentVolunteering
SportsWorld (Sports Camp) — Assistant Coach/Counselor2017 – PresentVolunteering
DBC Student Choir and 2021 Tour Team — Choir Member2017 – PresentVolunteering
Denton Bible Student Ministries — Connects Crew Member2017 – PresentVolunteering
Willow Way Tutoring — Director of Student Outreach & Engagement2020 – Present
Future Interests
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Entrepreneurship
The Final Push Scholarship
Exponential Impact Despite Turbulent Times
Vividly, I remember 2nd-grade classmates struggling with our math topics. Since these concepts came easy to me, my teacher had me assist. While guiding my classmates through two-digit subtraction, I patiently described the process. The key was understanding where to start. Success often came when they would subtract the ones-digit and then the tens-digit. No one could have known the impact this would have on me. With over 800 hours of volunteerism in the past few years, I compassionately assist others. Despite these turbulent times, knowing I can make an exponential impact, I selflessly serve.
As a 15-year-old high school graduate, I explore my passions at an accelerated rate. During high school, I earned 88 college credits and maintained a 4.0 college GPA. Induction into Mu Alpha Theta and Phi Theta Kappa was an honor. Acceptance into the Dallas College Honors Program and STEM League at 14 was exhilarating. Earning the bronze, silver, and gold President’s Volunteer Service Awards was worthwhile. As an Educators Rising Honor Society member, my focus is clear. Longing to teach upper-level mathematics and start a tutoring company, I will earn my Bachelor’s at 17 and my Master’s at 19. Although lofty accomplishments at my age make me stand out, my compassion distinguishes me.
COVID-19 impacts everything. During the pandemic, schools closed, forcing students online. Many struggled with the transition, but those hit the hardest were refugee students. With this information, I approached students who, like myself, are pursuing The Congressional Award. We began virtually tutoring this underserved population. This service has been my most influential leadership project to date.
As the Director of Student Outreach and Engagement, I use translation software to promote tutoring events in 12 languages. We now have 32 volunteers who have served over 2500 hours, tutoring hundreds of refugee students. I invest at least seven hrs/wk assisting refugees. My students are gaining an understanding of topics with which they previously struggled. More importantly, they are gaining a sense of dignity and belonging. While I help students advance in their education, more importantly, I show them that they are valued.
A school district official said the average refugee in their program speaks only 90-seconds of English each day. These students often feel disconnected and unwelcome by their American classmates. Our students practice speaking English in a safe environment. Without the fear of ridicule, students are advancing. Language translation software removes barriers, allowing diverse students to participate. Newcomer students are growing in fluency and confidence. The individualized tutoring we provide is remarkably influential.
Our team recently met with the Refugee Team from the school district. Unquestionably, they have been preoccupied with the recent events happening in Afghanistan, as many of our refugee students are from that region and still have family living there. Sadly, some students we serve are still trapped in Afghanistan. The school district is expecting 1700 more Afghan refugees in the next few months. We are doing all that we can to support the Afghan student. During the worldwide pandemic and the unrest in the home country of many of our students, they need our services now more than ever before.
Despite these turbulent times, tutoring has confirmed my career choice. As I teach and tutor, I will continue to alleviate human suffering by working with underserved populations. It is an honor to be considered for the generous Final Push Scholarship. My age, drive, and compassion uniquely qualify me for this award. Should you select me as your recipient, your generosity will exponentially expand as I lead, serve, and teach.
Bold Listening Scholarship
Exponential Influence
Vividly, I remember 2nd-grade. Some classmates struggled with the math topics that came easy to me, so my teacher had me assist them. No one could have known the impact this would have on my future.
As a 15-year-old 2021 high school graduate, I explore my passions at an accelerated rate. During high school I earned 88 college credits and maintained a 4.0 college GPA. Longing to teach upper-level mathematics, I will earn my Bachelor’s in Mathematics at 17 and a Master’s in Teaching at 19. Although lofty accomplishments make me stand out, my compassion distinguishes me.
While I regularly volunteer, COVID-19 forced me to think outside the box. During the pandemic, schools closed, forcing students online. While many struggled, hit hardest were refugee students. After researching, I approached students, who like myself, are pursuing a Congressional Medal. We began virtually tutoring. With 32 volunteers, we have served nearly 3000 hours, tutoring hundreds of refugee students. As the Director of Student Outreach and Engagement, I invest at least 7 hrs/wk, serving refugee students. A school district official said the average refugee in their program speaks only 90-seconds of English each day. These students feel disconnected and unwelcome. Our students learn in a safe environment, without the fear of ridicule. During these unprecedented times, technology lets me assist those who might otherwise go overlooked.
Tutoring confirmed my career choice. My age, drive, and compassion uniquely qualify me for this award. It is an honor to be considered for the generous Bold Listening Scholarship. I am personally funding my education through merit awards, grants, and scholarships. As a teacher, I will continue to alleviate human suffering through my work with underserved populations. Should I be selected for this award, your generosity will exponentially expand as I lead, serve, and teach.
Jameela Jamil x I Weigh Scholarship
Exponential Impact Despite Turbulent Times
Vividly, I remember 2nd-grade. Some classmates struggling with our math topics. Since these concepts came easy to me, my teacher had me assist them. While guiding my classmates through two-digit subtraction, I patiently described the process. The key was understanding where to start. Success often came when they would subtract the ones-digit and then the tens-digit. No one could have known the impact this would have on me. With over 800 hours of volunteerism in the past few years, I compassionately assist others. Despite these turbulent times, knowing I can make an exponential impact, I selflessly serve.
As a 15-year-old high school graduate, I explore my passions at an accelerated rate. During high school, I earned 88 college credits and maintained a 4.0 college GPA. Induction into Mu Alpha Theta and Phi Theta Kappa was an honor. Acceptance into the Dallas College Honors Program and STEM League at 14 was exhilarating. Earning the bronze, silver, and gold President’s Volunteer Service Awards was worthwhile. As an Educators Rising Honor Society member, my focus is clear. Longing to teach upper-level mathematics and start a tutoring company, I will earn my Bachelor’s at 17 and my Master’s at 19. Although lofty accomplishments at my age make me stand out, my compassion distinguishes me.
COVID-19 impacts everything. During the pandemic, schools closed, forcing students online. Many struggled with the transition, but those hit the hardest were refugee students. With this information, I approached students who, like myself, are pursuing The Congressional Award. We began virtually tutoring this underserved population. This service has been my most influential leadership project to date.
As the Director of Student Outreach and Engagement, I use translation software to promote tutoring events in 12 languages. We now have 32 volunteers who have served over 2500 hours, tutoring hundreds of refugee students. I invest at least seven hrs/wk assisting refugees. My students are gaining an understanding of topics with which they previously struggled. More importantly, they are gaining a sense of dignity and belonging. While I help students advance in their education, more importantly, I show them that they are valued.
A school district official said the average refugee in their program speaks only 90-seconds of English each day. These students often feel disconnected and unwelcome by their American classmates. Our students practice speaking English in a safe environment. Without the fear of ridicule, students are advancing. Language translation software removes barriers, allowing diverse students to participate. Newcomer students are growing in fluency and confidence. The individualized tutoring we provide is remarkably influential.
Our team recently met with the Refugee Team from the school district. Unquestionably, they have been preoccupied with the recent events happening in Afghanistan, as many of our refugee students are from that region and still have family living there. Sadly, some students we serve are still trapped in Afghanistan. The school district is expecting 1700 more Afghan refugees in the next few months. We are doing all that we can to support the Afghan student. During the worldwide pandemic and the unrest in the home country of many of our students, they need our services now more than ever before.
Despite these turbulent times, tutoring has confirmed my career choice. As I teach and tutor, I will continue to alleviate human suffering by working with underserved populations. It is an honor to be considered for the generous Jameela Jamil x I Weigh Scholarship. My age, drive, and compassion uniquely qualify me for this award. Should you select me as your recipient, your generosity will exponentially expand as I lead, serve, and teach.
Elevate Women in Technology Scholarship
Exponential Impact Despite Turbulent Times
Vividly, I remember 2nd-grade. Some of my classmates struggled with math topics that came easy to me. So, my teacher had me assist them. While guiding my classmates through two-digit subtraction, I patiently described the process. The key was understanding where to start. By subtracting the ones-digit, then the tens-digit, they would often achieve a successful outcome. No one could have known the impact this would have on me. It served as a pivotal time in my life and shaped how I contribute to my community. Helping others brings me joy and is part of who I am. With over 800 hours of volunteerism in the past few years, I compassionately help those who need it most. Despite these turbulent times, knowing I can make an exponential impact, I selflessly serve within my spheres of influence.
It became apparent during 2nd grade that the expectation of students working at the same pace was less than ideal for me. As a 15-year-old high school graduate, I explore my passions at an accelerated rate. While the pandemic has ravaged the world and presented countless challenges, it also opened many doors within education. I decided to make the most of this unparalleled situation. Utilizing online dual credit courses during high school, I earned 88 college credits and maintained a 4.0 college GPA. In the fall of 2020, induction into Mu Alpha Theta and Phi Theta Kappa was an honor. Acceptance into the Dallas College Honors Program and STEM League at 14 was exhilarating. Earning the bronze, silver, and gold President’s Volunteer Service Awards this year, during the pandemic, has been a worthwhile experience. As an Educators Rising Honor Society member, my focus is clear. Longing to teach upper-level mathematics and start an EdTech tutoring company, I will earn my Bachelor’s at 17 and a Master’s at 19. With my education, I will continue serving those with the greatest of needs. Although lofty accomplishments at my age make me stand out, my compassion distinguishes me.
I purposefully practice servant-leadership to build a stronger and better community. My choir and I spread hope to those in juvenile detention centers throughout the southwest. Although the pandemic has limited our ability to travel, we encourage those in local detention centers and nursing facilities. For four years, I have volunteered at SportsWorld, a sports camp that hosts 700 kids from the community. As a Connects Crew member, I welcome visitors to the youth program at our church. I have mentored younger girls for the past four years. Compassion compels me.
Despite regularly volunteering, COVID-19 forced me to research different opportunities. During the pandemic, schools closed, forcing students online. Many struggled with the transition, but those hit the hardest were refugee students. With this information, I approached students who, like myself, are pursuing The Congressional Award. We began virtually tutoring this underserved population. In these unprecedented times, I assist those who might otherwise go overlooked. This service has been my most influential leadership project to date.
As the Director of Student Outreach and Engagement, I use translation software to promote tutoring events in 12 languages. We now have 32 volunteers who have served over 2500 hours, tutoring hundreds of refugee students. As the assigned tutor for 15 newcomer students, I invest at least seven hours each week assisting them. My students are gaining an understanding of topics with which they previously struggled. More importantly, they are gaining a sense of dignity and belonging. I received April’s Tutor of the Month award for my outreach to and impact on my students. While I strive to help our students make advancements in their education, more importantly, I show them that they are valued.
A school district official said the average refugee in their newcomer program speaks only 90-seconds of English each day. These students often feel disconnected and unwelcome by their American classmates. Understandably, in zoom classrooms of over 30 students, it is not
surprising that the refugee students we assist do not participate in the virtual discussions. During tutoring, our students practice speaking English in a safe environment. Without the fear of ridicule, students are advancing. Language translation software removes barriers, allowing diverse students to participate. Newcomer students are growing in fluency and confidence. Teachers have reported that they and their students are grateful for our assistance. The individualized tutoring we provide is remarkably influential.
Our team recently met with the Refugee Team from the San Juan Unified School District. Unquestionably, they have been preoccupied with the current events happening in Afghanistan, as so many of our refugee students are from that region (nearly all of our Dari, Pashto, and Farsi speaking students) and still have family living there. Sadly, 29 refugee students from the school district we serve are trapped in Afghanistan as I write this. The school district is expecting 1700 more Afghan refugees in the next few months, and we are working hard with the school district’s Refugee Team to do all that we can to support the Afghan kids as they arrive and start school. During the worldwide pandemic and the unrest in the home country of many of our refugee students, they need our services now more than ever before.
Tutoring has confirmed my career choice. Despite the turbulent times in which we live, I am even more confident in my decision to teach upper-level mathematics and launch an online EdTech tutoring company. As I teach and tutor, I will continue to alleviate human suffering through my work with underserved populations. It is an honor to be considered for the generous Elevate Women in Technology Scholarship. My age, drive, and compassion uniquely qualify me for this award. I am personally funding my education through merit awards, grants, and scholarships. Should you select me as your recipient, your generosity will exponentially expand as I lead, serve, and teach. By helping others achieve their dreams, I will achieve mine.
"Wise Words" Scholarship
Compassion
Tremendously influenced by my benevolent yet sensible great-grandparents, who survived The Great Depression, my family is compassionate. Since dad teaches and mom homeschooled me, money is not abundant. Yet, My family of five makes sacrifices to assist others. Mom says, “Compassion Makes A Difference,” and I live by the philosophy.
My earliest memories involve serving. Weekly, my mom and I volunteered at my sister’s school. At a food pantry, as a toddler, I stocked food alongside my family. Since my family regularly volunteers, compassion comes naturally.
Our home is a place of compassion. Acquaintances stayed for days, months, or longer. When I was six, a guest with crucial needs arrived. Living a nightmare, an undernourished, 9½-year-old came for a “few weeks” while CPS investigated. Sadly, the discoveries are unfathomable. This guest became my sister. Often stuck in her past, her challenges are many. Ten years of abuse and neglect explain the triggers that set her ablaze. Acting with compassion is not easy, but it can change the world.
Compelled by compassion, I serve. I have volunteered for four years at a sports camp that hosts 700 kids from the community. I also mentored younger girls. My choir and I encourage those in nursing homes and juvenile detention centers. Serving others brings me joy.
Vividly, I remember 2nd-grade. Some classmates struggled with our math topics. Since the concepts came easy to me, my teacher had me assist. No one could have known the significance this would have.
During 2nd grade, it became apparent that the expectation in traditional education of students working at the same pace was not ideal for me. We selected a method that allowed me to flourish. As a homeschooled, 15-year-old high school graduate, I explore my passions at an accelerated rate. I have a 4.0 college GPA and will enter college this fall with 88 credits. I compassionately assist others with the knowledge I acquire. With a goal to teach high school or college mathematics, I will earn my Bachelor’s at 17 and a Master’s at 19.
Although I regularly volunteer, COVID-19 presented challenges. Creatively, I explored ways to serve. During the pandemic, schools closed, forcing students online. While many struggled, hit hardest were refugee students. With this information, I approached students who, like myself, are pursuing The Congressional Award. We began virtually tutoring San Juan Unified School District’s refugees. In these unprecedented times, I assist those who could go overlooked.
A school official said their average refugee student speaks only 90-seconds of English each day. Students feel disconnected and unwelcome. Our students practice English in a safe environment. Without the fear of ridicule, they growing. With 32 volunteers, we tutor hundreds of refugees. I invest seven hrs/wk serving students, and they are gaining a sense of dignity and belonging.
It is an honor to be considered for this scholarship. My age, drive, and compassion uniquely qualify me for this award. Should I be selected as your recipient, I will compassionately pay your generosity forward.
Act Locally Scholarship
Exponential Impact
Vividly, I remember 2nd-grade. Some classmates struggled with the math topics covered in our class. Since it came easy to me, my teacher had me assist those who needed extra help. While guiding them through two-digit subtraction, I patiently described the process. No one could have known how this would impact my future. With over 800 hours of volunteerism in the past few years, I assist others. Knowing I can make an exponential impact, I compassionately serve. Launching a for-profit EdTech tutoring business will support my non-profit that tutors those in underserved populations. Socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity will not be barriers to the education of those I serve.
In 2nd-grade, it became apparent that the expectation of students keeping the same pace was less than ideal for me. As a 15-year-old graduate, I explore my passions at an accelerated rate. During high school, I earned 88 dual credits and maintained a 4.0 college GPA. In the fall of 2020, the Dallas College Honors Program and STEM League accepted me into their programs. Induction into Mu Alpha Theta and Phi Theta Kappa at 14 was an honor. Earning the bronze, silver, and gold President’s Volunteer Service Awards in 2021 was worthwhile. As an Educators Rising Honor Society member, my focus is clear. Longing to teach upper-level mathematics and oversee my businesses, I will earn my Bachelor’s at 17 and my Master’s at 19. While lofty accomplishments make me stand out, my compassion distinguishes me.
The COVID-19 pandemic impacts everything. During the pandemic, schools closed, forcing students online. While many struggled, those hit hardest were refugee students who came to America in the past few years. After researching, I approached students who, like myself, are pursuing a Congressional Medal. We began virtually tutoring. With 32 volunteers who have served over 2500 hours, tutoring hundreds of newcomers. As the Director of Student Outreach and Engagement, I invest at least 7 hours each week serving students. A school district official said the average refugee in their program speaks only 90-seconds of English each day. These students feel disconnected and unwelcome. In our tutoring, students practice English in a safe environment. Without the fear of ridicule, they advance in their fluency and confidence. My students are gaining an understanding of topics with which they previously struggled. More importantly, they are gaining a sense of dignity and belonging. During these unprecedented times, I assist those who might otherwise go overlooked. The pandemic has highlighted the immense need to tutor struggling students. My business will prioritize underserved populations.
The school district is expecting 1700 more Afghan refugees in the next few months, and we are working hard to do all that we can to support these newcomers. Our team recently met with the Refugee Team from the school district. Unquestionably, they have been preoccupied with the current events happening in Afghanistan, as so many of our refugee students are from that region and still have family living there. Sadly, 29 refugee students from the school district are still trapped in Afghanistan today. While our students’ stories are often discouraging, we encourage them, letting them know we treasure and welcome them. During the worldwide pandemic and the unrest in the home country of many of our refugee students, they need our services now more than ever before. The challenges that my students face break my heart, therefore I have taken and will continue to take action to help alleviate suffering among these people groups.
I first realized the power of AI in education during my College Algebra course. On day one, I completed an assessment. Because of previously acquired knowledge, I skipped 47% of the course's content. This experience helped me realize the immense need for AI in tutoring. AI in education can reduce repetition, ensure mastery, allow students to be self-paced, give students access to intelligent tutoring systems, and make education accessible and affordable to everyone. Utilizing AI in my tutoring company will allow students to flourish.
In my business, students will take an initial assessment that utilizes AI. This assessment will demonstrate the students' current knowledge base. Tutoring only unmastered topics eliminates the repetition of teaching already grasped concepts and will save valuable education hours.
Students sometimes forget. To confirm comprehension, my AI tutoring company will provide knowledge checks. Information students are unable to recall will be retaught.
With over 200 students, teachers cannot provide the attention students deserve. The expectation in the traditional educational setting is that students keep the same pace. This expectation stymies accelerated students and hurts those with delays. Using AI in my non-profit will unleash gifted students and help those with learning difficulties, allowing each student to progress at their own pace.
While traditional tutors are not accessible 24/7, intelligent tutoring systems allow for learning anytime and anywhere.
My company, with the use of AI, will provide equity in education. By fully embracing AI in education, socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity will not be barriers to learning.
There are countless ways that my EdTech tutoring company could improve life, and these are just a few. I am appreciative of AI in my education and in the tutoring I currently conduct with refugee students. My business will turn this volunteer service into a viable organization that will assist many.
COVID-19 has highlighted the need to embrace the future of AI in education, which my businesses will do. In the next ten years, I will be teaching upper-level mathematics, overseeing my EdTech business, and pouring into underserved populations through my non-profit tutoring and consulting business. It is an honor to be considered for the generous Act Locally Scholarship. Tutoring refugee students confirmed my career choice. My age, drive, and compassion uniquely qualify me for this award. This award will put me one step closer to becoming a teacher, where I will continue to alleviate human suffering through my work with underserved populations. Should I receive this scholarship, your generosity will exponentially expand as I continue pouring into others.
Suraj Som Aspiring Educators Scholarship
Vividly, I remember 2nd-grade. Some classmates struggled with math topics that came easy to me, so my teacher had me assist. While guiding my classmates through two-digit subtraction, I patiently described the process. By subtracting the ones-digit, then the tens-digit, my classmates would often achieve the desired outcome. No one could have known how impactful this would be on me and my future career. Knowing I can make an exponential impact, I compassionately serve others.
The expectation in traditional education of students keeping the same pace was not ideal for me. As a 15-year-old graduate, I progress at an accelerated rate. During high school, I earned 88 college credits. In the fall of 2020, the Dallas College Honors Program and STEM League accepted me into their programs. Induction into Mu Alpha Theta and Phi Theta Kappa at 14 was an immense honor. As an Educators Rising Honor Society member, my focus is clear. Longing to teach upper-level mathematics and tutor underserved populations, I will earn my Bachelor’s in Mathematics at 17 and my Master’s in Teaching at 19. Since a sizable portion of my education has taken place in a non-traditional manner, I explored my passions uninhabited by societal norms. Embracing the intersectionality of spirituality in every aspect of my education allowed me to view things differently. I see harmony, not a dichotomy between spirituality and education. Reason actually supports religion, and they coexist with unity.
With faith that my High Power is one of order and not chaos, I see evidence of order in mathematics and science. Our world and university support the concept of order. Things do not happen by chance, but order, logic, and meaning exist. One can find order in the simple and the complex. Observing repeated scientific experiments that yield the same results supports this concept. Patterns and sequences also demonstrate order. As we explore our universe and lives, we discover order and oneness. Since I begin with the worldview supporting order versus chaos, I see the order in the world around me, including within the maths and sciences.
Another area of intersection with my spirituality and my education is believing in the abstract. While some will only believe in what is observable, the belief in that what is unseen is essential to contemplate mathematical and scientific concepts. While non-material, one can find unknown quantities with the use of algebraic expressions. As we work with a number such as "X" which represents a quantity, we begin to develop a relationship with that number. In the same way, we have a stronger relationship with our High Power the more we interact with it. Although math is an abstract idea, it does not make it any less real. Some may challenge my spirituality because they can not observe it. To those who do, I say emphatically that just because you cannot see something does not mean it does not exist. Believing in the abstract is a necessary part of one’s spiritual and educational journeys.
The ancient script within many belief systems also agrees with the intersectionality of science and math with spirituality. From these texts, we learn that the High Power in most religions is eternal, without a beginning or end. This concept is evident in mathematics with positive and negative infinity. The indefinite expanse of the universe is an area of science where we see this concept as well.
By viewing the concepts of order, the abstract, and the eternal, one can see areas where math, science, and spirituality intersect. The intersections of these areas are a continual journey that I will explore for a lifetime.
Darryl Davis "Follow Your Heart" Scholarship
Compelled by Compassion
Tremendously influenced by my benevolent yet sensible great-grandparents, who survived The Depression, my family is generously frugal. Since dad teaches and mom homeschooled me, money is not overly abundant. As a family of five, we sacrifice our time and budget to bless others.
My earliest memories involve serving. Weekly, my mom volunteered at my sister’s school, and I tagged along. When old enough, I assisted. At a food pantry, as a toddler, I stocked cans alongside my family. Since my parents served in church ministries, I helped. While I was young, my family volunteered for entire summers at a youth camp. I pulled weeds, planted flowers, and did other age-appropriate tasks. Each Christmas, we purchase, pack, and ship gifts to underprivileged children. Since my family volunteers, serving comes naturally to me.
Like a fireplace, our home is inviting. Acquaintances stayed for days, months, or longer. When I was six, a guest with crucial needs arrived. Living a nightmare, an undernourished, 9½-year-old came for a “few weeks” while CPS investigated. Sadly, the hair-raising discoveries are unfathomable. A few weeks became a few years. Our guest became my sister. Often stuck in her past, her challenges are many. Ten years of abuse and neglect explain the triggers that set her ablaze. Acting with compassion is not easy, but it can change the world, one person at a time.
Compelled by compassion, I serve. I have volunteered for four years at a sports camp that hosts 700 kids from the community. As a Connects Crew member, I welcome church visitors. Involved in AWANA programs for 12 years, I have mentored younger clubbers for four years. The Denton Bible Church Student Choir and I encourage those in nursing homes, Salvation Army Kids' Clubs, and juvenile detention centers. Serving others brings me joy and is shaping my future.
Vividly, I remember 2nd-grade. Some classmates struggled with our math topics. Since the concepts came easy to me, my teacher had me assist. No one could have known the significance this would have. Knowing I can make an exponential impact, I selflessly serve others. By starting an EdTech tutoring for-profit business and a non-profit organization that tutors those in under-served populations, socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity will not be barriers to the education of those I serve.
During 2nd grade, it became apparent that traditional schooling was not ideal for me. The expectation of students working at the same pace hindered me. Therefore, we selected a method that allowed me to flourish. As a homeschooled, 15-year-old high school graduate, I explore my passions at an accelerated rate. Dedicated to my studies, I completed many college courses and have a 4.0 college GPA. I will enter college this fall with 88 credits. I eagerly use the knowledge I acquire to assist others. With a goal to teach mathematics at the high school or college levels, I will earn my Bachelor’s in Mathematics at 17 and a Master’s in Teaching at 19. Pursuing my passion while pouring into the next generation excites me.
Although I regularly volunteer, COVID-19 presented challenges. Creatively, I explored new ways to serve. During the pandemic, schools closed, forcing students online. While many struggled, those hit hardest were refugee students. After researching, I approached students who, like myself, are pursuing a Congressional Medal. We began virtually tutoring. A school district official said the average refugee in their program speaks only 90-seconds of English each day. These students often feel disconnected and unwelcome. In our tutoring, students practice English in a safe environment. Without the fear of ridicule, they advance in their fluency and confidence. My students are gaining an understanding of topics with which they previously struggled. More importantly, they are gaining a sense of dignity and belonging. Language translation using artificial intelligence removes language barriers, allowing diverse students to participate. During these unprecedented times, I assist those who could go overlooked. The pandemic has highlighted the need for innovative technology in education. My business will prioritize and help under-served populations through the use of EdTech.
Tutoring refugee students confirmed my career choice. It is an honor to be considered for the generous Darryl Davis "Follow Your Heart" Scholarship. My age, drive, and compassion uniquely qualify me for this award. Receiving this scholarship will put me one step closer to my career, where I will continue to alleviate human suffering through my work with underserved populations. Should I receive this scholarship, your generosity will exponentially expand as I continue pouring into others.