Hi! My name is Grace Brahler and I have been playing the piano for thirteen years. I first started when I was five and I am now eighteen. My mom was a beautiful piano player and I always wanted to be exactly like her! So, when I was in second grade, I jumped at the opportunity to begin learning how to play! I started off by learning the basics of the piano. For example, I began to understand how to read music notes, where to locate the notes on the instrument, and how to decipher the meaning of various time signatures within different pieces of music. From there, I blossomed as a pianist. I began to play small songs, like hot cross buns, before I moved on to more complex pieces of music. I learned all about sharps compared to flats and the idea of a whole step compared to a half step. In addition, I was taught the difference between forte, mezzo forte, and piano. I also began to learn how to play different notes, such as the staccato and the grace note. Since then, I have dramatically grown in my skills. Fortunately, I have been given many opportunities to use my talent in order to better benefit my community. For one, I enjoy spending time in nursing homes. The elderly love hearing me play and I love seeing how the music I produce can impact their day in a positive way. Their constant questions about how long I have been playing and how much I practice are so endearing and I love the conversations that are triggered as a result of my playing! Seeing my music put smiles on faces is so rewarding and I love using my skill to bring joy to others. Secondly, I have used my talent to benefit my school. I have been a part of the orchestra in multiple performances that my school has initiated. Many students participate in the Spring and Fall Productions and I am able to add to the effect by using my talent to create beautiful, but sometimes somewhat scary, sounds. Being a part of creating beauty is a memory I will cherish forever with my classmates. Lastly, I have been fortunate enough to be a part of my Church's Worship Team. Being able to worship God with the piano and my voice surrounded by so many other teens who are praising the Lord is so beautiful. I absolutely love seeing how my talent is benefiting the Kingdom of God. All in all, I am so grateful for the time and effort I have put into being a pianist. This talent of mine makes me unique and provides me with the opportunity to benefit my community in a way I never would have been able to without my hard work and dedication. Thank you so much for this opportunity and for your consideration for this scholarship! Your act of generosity does not go unnoticed and I am entirely grateful! Thank you, again, and I am so excited to continue to grow as a pianist in college!

I am so proud to be an American because of the freedoms and opportunities I am provided with. Without the actions of so many courageous men and women before me, I would not have the chance to live in a country where I can become anything I put my mind to. As an American, I am able to make my own path and pursue my own form of happiness. Without the brave individuals who have fought for and are fervently fighting for our country, I would not have this opportunity. Active servicemen and Veterans have dramatically influenced my view and perspective of life. I am in forever debt to them. I am so incredibly grateful to those who have served and currently serve day after day and sacrifice their lives for my benefit. They deserve many thanks and recognition for protecting, defending, and fighting for the United States. Specifically, I would love to see our country turn its sights on how important future generations of the United States are. Young children are the future of our nation and more recognition and weight needs to be placed on influencing, growing, and leading them to become the individuals they are meant to be. Because of this passion I have, I plan on affecting this change by playing my part in the educational community. My plan is to become an elementary school teacher. With this role, I hope to use my influence to impact my future students in a way that inspires creativity, determination, and large hope for not just their own futures, but the future of our country. Without guiding them, our country has no future. In order to maintain the high, beautiful reputation of our country, we need to focus on those who will one day be running it. To do that, we must first center our attention on a young child's education before they are able to spread their wings and fly as a full-fledged citizen of the United States. In addition, my mother was a teacher before she gave birth to my twin, Todd, and me. She has also played a large role as to why I will be majoring in Elementary Education. Her influence on my life has been astronomical and I hope to impact young children in the same way she has impacted me. My mom, without a doubt, is the most selfless person I have ever met. If I can display just half of her selfishness, I would be more than content! Thank you so much for your consideration! This scholarship would be beneficial to not just me if I were to be selected, but any young teenager's life! Your act of generosity does not go unnoticed! Thank you, again, and I look forward to all that God has prepared for me as I begin to pursue my passion in a larger way!

Community, to me, means having a collection of people who value fellowship, goodwill, and an attitude of service. Fellowship is so important to making any community a better place to live. Living in peace and harmony is essential to not just the overall attitude of the Dalton community, but to each individual relationship I have as well. Because I value kindness and joy, I enjoy encouraging the people around me. When I walk through the hallways of my high school, I give a smile to everyone I may pass by, regardless of whether I know their name or not. If I have the opportunity to show joy in the midst of negativity, then I will do it with a whole heart. Every day, I strive to pour into others and build them up. I hope to continue being a bright light of love and compassion as I head into college before obtaining my dream job of being an elementary school teacher. Goodwill is a second aspect that will either make or break the attitude of a community. Being friendly, helpful, and cooperative are essential characteristics to have as an individual. Working with others and being a team player will result in greater success and stronger relationships. Having a community composed of many people who display characteristics such as these creates a wave of positivity that flows across the town, much like throwing a smooth stone into a pond creates ripples. Being a part of that ripple is such an enriching experience to be a part of. Lastly, an attitude of service is crucial to the frame of mind of a community. I have served my church every Sunday since I was 14 years old. I volunteer with the 2nd-3rd grade girls and I love being a positive role model for them. Giving my girls piggyback rides or letting four of them sit on my lap at one time assures me that serving is not for nothing. I have the opportunity to influence the lives of 16 little girls and it’s an experience I will never forget or regret. Moreover, I have had the chance to aid elders in my community with their recycling. In the winter prior to the start of COVID-19, a friend and I waited at the recycling bins for members of my community to bring their materials that needed to be recycled. Despite the snow on the ground and the freezing temperatures, being able to give up some of my time in order to help those around me was so rewarding. Overall, fellowship, goodwill, and an attitude of service will reflect the true quality of a community. Without these three essential elements, a community would not be a community.

I have been fortunate enough to grow up in a loving environment that is very supportive of each individual person involved. Just as every leaf of a branch plays an important role in the outcome of the entire tree, my community recognizes the strengths that each person brings to the table. I plan to benefit my community even more once I graduate college with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Youth Ministries. I have been a part of the National Honor Society for two years now. Alongside my friends and classmates, I have volunteered at nursing homes and helped the elderly with their recycling on the weekends. I have had the opportunity to help with the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony two years in a row, now, as well. In doing so, I have welcomed new friends into the family that the National Honor Society creates. This group has given me a new perspective on how a simple act of selflessness can drastically impact the lives around me, specifically the lives of my peers and other members of the community. Being a part of this special group of young adults has opened my eyes and mind to the needs that surround me every moment of every day. In addition, I have also been the Secretary of my high school's Student Council for three years now. I have been an active member for four years. Being in this leadership role has allowed me to impact my school and my community in a more significant way. I have served at multiple sporting events. Furthermore, I help encourage school participation and school spirit. I help coordinate fundraisers, such as the Homecoming Dance, which occurs annually in October. I also set up sale donations within the school for the holiday season. For example, I am currently in the midst of setting up candy cane sales for my school. Students are encouraged to purchase a candy cane for a friend, which then gets delivered to the intended recipient before school lets out for Christmas break. The group of students who make up the Student Council also conducts a similar fundraiser, but with flowers, in February for Valentine's Day. I have also been able to volunteer at my church every Sunday since I was fourteen, with a few missed Sundays because of vacation or sickness. I have been raised in a loving, caring family who encourages me to grow not just mentally, physically, and educationally, but spiritually, as well. I have been so blessed to be surrounded by strong role models who are willing to invest in my life and who I am as a Daughter of the King. Because of their strong influence, I hope to do the same with my life. I want to teach and influence the next generation to become strong, God-filled leaders of the United States. The future of our country is dependent on the little ones of today, and I hope to use my life to emphasize that point. Thank you so much for your consideration! I am beyond excited to take this next step of my life as I approach the idea of college and begin to go after my dream!

I am blessed to have grown up in a loving, caring environment with a family who is concerned not just with my physical, mental, and emotional health, but my spiritual health, as well. I hope to major in Elementary Education and minor in Youth Ministries to impact others the same way I was influenced by those closest to me. They helped shape my relationship with my Creator and it is single-handedly the most important thing in my life. Without God, I would not be the person I am today. Because of this background, integrity, to me, means exemplifying honesty and self-control at all times, regardless of the number of people around. I have been a part of the National Honor Society for two years now. Alongside my friends and classmates, I have volunteered at nursing homes and helped the elderly with their recycling on the weekends. This group has given me a new perspective on how a simple act of selflessness can drastically impact the lives around me, specifically the lives of my peers and other members of the community. Being a part of this special group of young adults has opened my eyes and mind to the needs that surround me every moment of every day and to take action to initiate change. In addition, I have also been the Secretary of my high school's Student Council for three years now and an active member for four years. Being in this leadership role has allowed me to impact my school and my community in a very significant way. I have been able to use my position to represent the One who lives inside of me who is greater than the one living in the world. In saying all of this, I am not perfect, nor will I ever be. However, I continually strive to improve myself and the people around me every day with my positive attitude, friendly interactions, and compassionate heart. Thank you so much for your consideration! I am beyond excited for this next step as I approach the idea of college and start pursuing my dream!!

I have been fortunate enough to grow up in a loving environment that is very supportive of each individual person involved. Just as every individual leaf of a branch plays an important role in the outcome of the entire tree, my community recognizes the strengths that each person brings to the table. I plan to benefit my community even more once I graduate with a college major in elementary education and a minor in Youth Ministries. I have been a part of the National Honor Society for two years now. Alongside my friends and classmates, I have volunteered at nursing homes and helped the elderly with their recycling on the weekends. I had the opportunity to help with the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony two years in a row, now, as well. In doing so, I have welcomed new friends into the family that the National Honor Society creates. This group has given me a new perspective on how a simple act of selflessness can drastically impact the lives around me, specifically the lives of other students in my school and other members of my community. Being a part of this special group of young adults has opened my eyes and opened up my mind to the need that surrounds me every second of every minute of every day. In addition, I have also been the Secretary of my high school's Student Council for three years. Being in this leadership role has allowed me to impact my school and my community in a more significant way. I have served at multiple sporting events. Furthermore, I help encourage school participation and school spirit. I help coordinate school fundraisers, such as the Homecoming dance that occurs annually in October. I also set up sale donations within the school for the holiday season. For example, I am currently in the midst of setting up candy cane sales for my school. Kids are encouraged to purchase candy canes for their friends, which will then be delivered to the intended recipient before everyone leaves for Christmas break. Moreover, the student council has a similar fundraiser, but with flowers, set up for Valentine's Day. I have also been able to volunteer at my church every Sunday since I was fourteen, with a few exceptions. I have grown up in a loving, caring family who encourages me to grow not just mentally, physically, and educationally, but spiritually, as well. I have been blessed to be surrounded by strong role models who are willing to invest in my life. Because of their influence, I hope to do the same thing with my life. I want to teach and influence the next generation to become strong, God-filled leaders of the United States. The future of our country is dependent on the little ones of today. Thank you so much for your consideration and I am beyond excited to approach this next step of my life as I begin my college career!

I was not a part of the foster care system, but my ultimate goal is to be a helping hand to children who are. I want to be a role model for young children who are experiencing difficult home life situations. My dream is to become an elementary school teacher who is a strong support and go-to person for young children who may not have positive role models at home. I want to be an aid of comfort and love to any young child who may walk through the doors of my classroom, regardless of what they may or may not be experiencing outside of the classroom. My family, friends, and teachers have always pushed me to become the best version of myself that I can be. Not only have they been concerned with my development and growth, but my mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health as well. I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. Growing up with friends who would constantly sit at desks made up of beanbag chairs and nightstand tables while they listened to me ramble on about a school subject enabled my passion for teaching to grow. Without the influence of the people closest to me, my passion for the next generation of U.S. citizens would not have grown and expanded as much as it has. The key people in my life who love me for who I am shaped and formed me into the young woman I am today. Without the great blessings that I was fortunate enough to receive from God, my life and my passions would look extremely different. I am eternally grateful to everyone God has expertly placed into my life. I also plan on pursuing a minor degree in Youth ministries to apply the passion I have for children to God's Kingdom and His ultimate goal. I want to provide that same impact on other children that I experienced. With the prime example of my mother, father, and best friend, I want to pursue and encourage future generations with the help of God who will always be with me. God has given me such a large passion for kids and if He has blessed me with this passion, then I am going to share it with the world around me. May His name and love be spread from the actions I take, regardless of how little or big they may be. Thank you so much for your consideration and I am beyond excited for this next step of my life as I begin the process of discovering what college God has meant for me to attend!

I have been fortunate enough to grow up in a loving environment. My friends, family, and teachers have made it evident that not only are they concerned with my growth and development, but even more so with my emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health. Because of their influence, I have grown into the young woman I am today. Their impact on my life was, and still currently is, astronomical and I cannot wait to be given the same opportunity to affect others the way they affected me. Teachers, especially, have given me the tools I need to succeed in life; with knowledge and strong confidence about who I am as a daughter of the King, I am equipped to go out and walk in who God calls me to be. Without the key educators in my life, I would not be as confident and knowledgeable as I currently am. In my opinion, teachers, out of every other job occupation, have the greatest ability to change the world. They are the leaders who are building up the next generation of U.S. citizens. Their impact can either make or break the impact a child has on the world around them. Educators hold so much power and they go overlooked far too often. Without them, the next generation would become very lost in who they are, who they are to become, and what they are meant to do with their life. I would love to one day have the same influence on students as my teachers had on me. My ultimate goal is to become a leader and role model for children who may not have a strong idol to look up to for support, care, and love. I want to encourage students and convince them daily of their worth and the great potential they have above all else. Education is extremely important, but even more crucial is a student's health in all areas of their life. As a teacher, I want to be able to address that health first and foremost. My past teachers, family members, and youth group leaders have helped me to develop the strong passion I have for the next generation. They have enabled me to move deeper into what God has called me to do: teach His dearly beloved children. I want to be an elementary school teacher because I have an immense passion for kids. I have always known that I would go into the profession of education. From the very young age of five, God gave me my calling to stand by and support the little ones that He calls His own. With my natural leadership skills and caring heart, I knew it was the perfect job for me. Thank you so much for your consideration and I am beyond excited to step into this next phase of my life as I begin the adventure of college life with Jesus holding my hand through it all!

By the grace of God, I have been blessed to grow up in a caring environment surrounded by people who love me dearly. My family, friends, and teachers have made it evident that they care not just about my development and growth, but my emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health as well. I hope to be able to make the same impact on future generations. For as long as I can remember, I have always held an immense passion for children. They are what determines the future of our country and if I can have an impact on their future and be a positive role model as to what living for the Lord truly looks like, then my goal as a teacher would be complete. God has been so good to me and I hope to continue living in His light as I approach the idea of college! I am beyond excited for this next step of my life and am so grateful to everyone in my life who has shaped me into the young woman I am today. Thank you so much for your consideration and I look forward to what the Lord has in store for me for the next four years of my life!

I absolutely love reading. I've been a reader ever since I first learned to differentiate between the letters "A" and "B". I am enthralled by books and the adventures I get to embark upon when I first open a book that has the beautiful smell of freshly printed paper. Due to my love of books, I've read so many over the past few years, and this may not be the answer you're looking for, but it's the truth: I don't have a favorite book. I am in love with so many books! It's impossible to pick just one. I absolutely loved the Divergent series written by Veronica Roth. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins was another series of books that I couldn't put down! Kierra Cass, another amazing author, wrote the Selection series and the Siren, which were both absolutely enchanting! I, like every other teenager I know, grew a love for murder mysteries as well though! A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson is my favorite murder mystery of all time! I'm so excited to start the sequel soon! As you can probably tell, I am very much of a book nerd! I love diving into books to uncover a new adventure and a new journey to be a part of! Books are the way my 17-year-old brain gets to travel, learn, grow, and take adventures! One day I hope to travel all over the world and experience as much as I can. I want to see the Eiffel Tower and tour the Alamo! I want to swim with dolphins and see the world from a hot air balloon! I can't wait for the possibilities that await me, but for now, I am more than happy with my books.

I appreciate and look up to all the elders in my family and throughout my community. My two brothers and I work together each snow fall to clear off the driveways of our elderly neighbors. We probably do it more than ten times every winter, but it's something I enjoy doing. I love knowing that I'm making the world a little brighter, even if it is just by throwing snow over my shoulder. In addition to shoveling, I have the talent of playing the piano. My grandfather had Alzheimer's and his favorite thing to do was listen to me play the piano at his nursing home with his friends surrounding him. If I could, I would love to go in on a weekly basis and play, but ever since I lost my grandfather, it's been hard for me to gain entrance to the nursing home, due to COVID-19 and his absence. I also help out the elders in my community on the weekend, usually Saturday mornings, with their recycling. I stand by the recycling bins, take the materials that are handed to me, and desposit them into the correct bin. My elderly neighbors love checking in with me and they're such big supporters of my academic and athletic career! I wouldn't be where I am or who I am without them! They deserve so much more recognition than they receive and I'm beyond thankful for the elders in my community!

I first had the dream of becoming a teacher when I was 4 years old playing "School" in my house with my brothers and friends. My name is Grace Brahler and I am currently a junior at Dalton High School in Ohio. Ever since that moment, I have had a huge aspiration to do something amazing for the next generation. God has given me such a huge passion for His children and I believe that it is my calling to work with and help develop young children into who they are called to be. My mother was a teacher, and she is another reason why I have such a big passion to become an educational leader. She is the the greatest mom a girl could ask for and her influence on my life was astronomical. I love her more than could ever be expressed in words. She is such an amazing person, and I hope I can be just as much of an influence as she was. In addition to my mother, I had some outstanding teachers along the way that helped me become the young woman I am today. I had an amazing English teacher who impacted, not just my academic advancement, but also my physiological thinking about myself, others, and the world around me. My favorite aspect about his teaching strategy is that he worked on building relationships with his students. He invested time and emotions into his students, and I hope to do the same with my future students. I've always had a huge passion for young kids. At my church, I'm known as the "Baby Whisperer" because I have a natural talent to quiet any crying baby handed to me. Although I love newborns, I am also extremely attached to my fourth and fifth grade girls who I get to lead every Sunday morning. Watching them grow, learn, and lean into who God's called them to be is truly amazing. I love listening to them talk about their week, their crazy siblings, or anything else that catches their attention. Their pure, innocent souls are so beautiful and I am so proud to be doing what I can to help them grow up into loving, compassionate, and caring young woman rooted in Christ. I am beyond excited to attend college after I finish my senior year of high school! Being one step closer to becoming a teacher is a dream come true! Thank you so much for your consideration and I look forward to what the future holds!