The other day, I got into a conversation with my closest friend’s grandfather. Because he was hard of hearing, he explained to me that not many people talk with him anymore. He then told me about his time serving in the military and why he smokes two packs of cigarettes. Later that day I asked my friend if she knew that her grandfather served in the military, to which she responded no. Soon after, I job shadowed an Activities Coordinator at a nearby elderly facility, Regency. During this shadow I got to experience a day in the life of what an Activities Coordinator does, and come to find out; it's not just coordinating activities! Holly, (the woman I shadowed) took me to the morning event which was "Room to Rooms" where we conversed with every member at the facility. I felt the relationships Holly had with every individual she spoke to and the passion she truly had for her job. I've previously had experience with being an Activities Coordinator for our High School Student body, but this experience further solidified what I wanted to do. My dream field of study is Aging Business Management, which I plan to begin in the fall of 2025 at Washington State University. This field will equip me with the knowledge necessary to enhance the quality of life for those above 55, just as Holly did.

I have helped others with their mental health by being an open-ear to listening. Although this might not sound like much, you’d be surprised at how many people truly just need someone to hear them. Sometimes, it’s truly not about being able to offer others advice, it’s about being available to hear someone. Mental health varies through depression to ADHD and autism, but through it all, they all have one thing in common; they want to be heard. I plan to pursue a major in Aging Business Management, with the ultimate goal of working with the elderly generation to hear their stories and fulfill happiness through some of the last years of their lives. Because I currently am Activities Coordinator in my school’s Student Body, I’ve recognized how much one good night can improve someone's quality of life. I take pride in watching student’s faces light up when they see that prom and homecoming is exactly what they dreamt about. I wouldn’t give that feeling of pride up if I had to. Through my Aging Business Management degree, I hope to work in an elderly or recovering facility as the Activities or Event Coordinator. Although this is not generally thought of as a career that could change someone’s quality of life, I know that having quality events to look forward to improves lives more than they are typically thought to. Thank you for considering my application.

Jamey Jo Steele has been my teacher for 6 years and been my FFA Advisor for 5 years. Coming from a larger town with no agricultural experience, I’d always been a little standoffish when it came to farming things, mostly because I had no idea about how to care for steers, pigs, and goats. In seventh grade, after taking my first agricultural class, Intro to Ag, I’d made up my mind that I wanted to raise an animal when I could join FFA. Although this idea was completely alien to me, Ms. Steele ensured me that she’d be by my side for the entire thing whenever I needed help. While raising my first SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience), Ms. Steele did exactly that. My first year of raising a swine I had gotten call-backs in showing and fitting, and not because I had previous experience, but because I had an amazing advisor to walk me through the steps to efficiently working with an animal. Today, I am now an FFA President and have been for 2 years. Ms. Steele has inspired me to overcome obstacles that before I wouldn’t have been able to. Between FFA, and her classes, I am more educated on everything agriculture has to offer than 90% of the population is. I’ve even raised livestock larger than I am at this point, as last year I raised my first steer with Ms. Steele by my side. With this being said, you’d expect an average middle aged white woman to have been my advisor through all of this. But Ms. Steele is so much more than that, she is a fighter. When she was young she was diagnosed with an incurable disease called Charcot Marie Tooth. Today, she has been through many surgeries, infections, and trials that have led her to have had both of her legs amputated. She has two prosthetic legs and uses a wheelchair on the daily, but this has never stopped her from doing everything she does. In fact, everyone who knows her would even testify that she does MORE than everyone else does who has legs. After all these years in high school, she has not only become my biggest inspiration, but has become one of my favorite people to see every morning at school. I’ve gone through many hardships with her, and she’s always been there for me to listen and give me advice. Recently we both went through a loss of someone we loved very much. To her, it was a student she’d known since almost birth, and to me it was a life-long friend I’d made and cherished for close to seven years. Even though we were both hurting emotionally, we had to get things done for the county fair that was approaching the next week. So together, we mourned while we got things done that needed to be done to get my steer “show” ready. Ms. Steele has changed my outlook on life by realizing that I can do whatever it is I want to do no matter what obstacles are thrown at me. Even being an amputee she has completed her degree in teaching and taught at high schools in the area for over ten years while being an FFA advisor in the process. She truly is my inspiration and someone I can look up to for the rest of my life. Thank you for considering me for this application.

This scholarship would help me continue my education at my dream school- WSU in my dream major. I come from a low-income family with only one parent working full time in the household I mainly reside in. On my dad’s side, he was recently diagnosed with FND (Functional Neurological Disorder) which has affected his ability to work. My dad’s income was the main way my family was able to support me beyond putting a roof over my head. This last summer, I got my own job to increase the amount of money in my savings account, but I’m afraid my savings is not nearly enough to cover the cost of yearly tuition at WSU. I chose WSU because I can major in Aging business management, with the goal of graduating by the spring of 2029 alongside my best friend. Ultimately, my career aspiration is to become an Activities Manager at an elderly home, where I can design and implement engaging programs that promote physical, emotional, and social well-being amongst the residents there. I envision myself working by the sides of caregivers, families, and community organizations to ensure that every individual receives the compassion they deserve. This field of study will equip me with the knowledge and skills necessary to give back to the elderly population which has done so much for our current generation. Being able to afford my dream school would fulfill my passion of working at an elderly or recovery home, enhancing the life of others. My best friend and I have both decided to progress our education at Washington State University so we can have each others support while we’re there. While she is proven to be financially covered due to having been in the Foster Care programs for many years, my situation is not the same. In addition to raising livestock yearly to sell at county fairs, I will be continuing working this summer to keep building my savings account just in case I am not financially able to go to WSU, but this scholarship would help take a tremendous amount of stress off my shoulders. I have been working on applying to countless amounts of scholarships because I fear that my dream of continuing my education is not within reach, and although I have a 4.0 GPA and participate in our Student Body and FFA, I am yet to be awarded any. Thank you for your consideration.

My entire high school career I’ve been called smart. However, since I come from a rural town with only 400 people, I’ve never known if this is truly as much of a compliment as it seems. Is my perceived intelligence merely a relative term, measured against the limited opportunities and resources available in my small community? This lingering question has sparked a desire within me to explore the world beyond my town and to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Recently I’ve found myself extremely fascinated by the elderly generation. Their stories of resilience, perseverance, and wisdom have captivated me and formed me into an empathetic listener, eager to learn through their experiences. As I delved deeper into their world, I’ve come to realize the immense contributions they’ve paved for future generations. This sense of gratitude has made me determined to dedicate my academic and professional pursuits to enhance the lives of the elderly. In college, I plan to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Aging Business Management, with the goal of graduating by the spring of 2029 or sooner. This field of study will equip me with the knowledge and skills necessary to create meaningful and supportive environments for seniors. My current experience as Activities Coordinator for my ASB has provided me with a foundation in event planning and caregiving, which I hope to build on as I focus on serving the elderly population. Ultimately, my career aspiration is to become an Activities Manager at an elderly home, where I can design and implement engaging programs that promote physical, emotional, and social well-being amongst the residents there. I envision myself working by the sides of caregivers, families, and community organizations to ensure that every individual receives the compassion they deserve. By pursuing this path, I hope to express my heartfelt gratitude to the elderly generation for their wisdom and contributions to society. I’m eager to make a positive impact in their lives, and I’m confident that my academic and professional endeavors will be a meaningful way to say thank you for all that they’ve done for us leading up to today.

One of my most meaningful accomplishments thus far has been raising and showing a steer for my county fair. This accomplishment took many months of saving, planning, and rationing. I learned an incredible amount about livestock, working in the agriculture field, and working with people, but the biggest skill I acquired was listening. During this time I was taught self discipline, scheduling, and what necessities there are while being in charge of a living being's entire life and day. At the county fair I had the opportunity to meet new people who were more than willing to support me and my future. After recognizing how much I truly enjoy working with the older generation, I have come to the realization that my dream field of study is Aging Business Management. I am inspired to make a difference in the generation that has raised my own and make a difference in some of the last years of their lives. Not only should they be thanked, but many of the older generations don’t have someone to listen to them. I’ve always had a big heart when it comes to listening to people. And typically, you don’t find yourself listening to an elder until you’re buying feed or a steer brush from your local Animal-Supply store. Whether these people have known it or not, they have made a huge impact on my life and passions. The other day, I got into a conversation with my closest friend’s grandfather. Because he was hard of hearing, he explained to me that not many people talk with him anymore. He then told me about his time serving in the military and why he smokes two packs of cigarettes. Later that day I asked my friend if she knew that her grandfather served in the military, to which she responded no. One of my biggest future goals ever since was to become a productive member of society so I have stories to tell when I grow old. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, Eva Cooper