Hello! My name is Grace Cook, and I am a sophomore at Northern Michigan University. I am from a small town called Memphis, Michigan which is located in the thumb of Michigan. It is my second year at Northern Michigan University. I transferred from a community college called Saint Clair County Community College in lower Michigan. I am majoring in elementary education, and minoring in integrated science, English, and photography. I participated in many activities in high school that allowed me to take on the role of a leader. I was team captain of our basketball and softball teams, as well as drum major of our marching band. These groups provided me the opportunity to lead a group of my peers. I learned many things from these experiences such as how to handle disagreements within a group. I believe these experiences have led me to my calling of wanting to be a teacher. I believe that I will have the ability to handle difficult situations that arise in the classroom as I have had to do in the past. I have also been able to practice my leadership role in my reign as Miss Memphis. I was honored to represent my hometown from 2018 to 2019. This opportunity allowed me to work closely with children. I paired with our local library to read to young kids. I felt very comfortable reading to the kids, and they showed to be very responsive. I loved getting the opportunity to work with children, and it made me even more comfortable with my decision to study elementary education. Once I receive my degree I would like to work in a rural community. I grew up in a rural community and believe that I have a good idea of how to get through to students. Eventually, I'd like to take on a larger, administrative leadership role such as a principal. In my time at Northern Michigan university, I have been able to teach a sixth grade science classroom and work with a group of high school English students. Through these experiences, I have witnessed learning in real-time, and it has only sparked my teaching heart to grow even bigger. I would like to use this scholarship to help pay for my schooling. If awarded this scholarship, I would be able to save money to use for materials in my classroom. This scholarship would bring a large relief to my education, and would help me succeed in saving money to spend in my classroom after I graduate. Thank you for your time.