My name is Nicole “Niki” Starr Bauman. I am a United States military veteran who deployed to Afghanistan three times, and I am currently an honors student at White Mountains Community College, pursuing dual degrees in Environmental Science and Conservation Law Enforcement. Service has been the defining thread throughout my life, shaping both my personal values and my professional path. Service is part of my DNA. Every generation of my family has served in the military, and that tradition instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to contribute to something greater than myself. My understanding of service began early. At the age of twelve, my mother regularly brought me with her to volunteer work with children with autism. Those experiences showed me that service is not simply an obligation—it is a privilege. Later in life, I carried that principle into my own work, supporting nonprofit initiatives globally as a life coach specializing in combat-related stress and trauma for veterans and other victims of war. In every role I have held, I have learned that service benefits both those who receive support and those who provide it. A life without service would feel incomplete to me. Today, I remain involved in two causes that are deeply meaningful to me. The first is the Protect Us Kids Foundation, an international nonprofit dedicated to protecting children from cyber grooming and exploitation. I first connected with the organization in 2018 while attending the Crimes Against Children Conference in Dallas, Texas, where I met the founder, Veda Woods. Since then, the organization has grown from a grassroots effort into a program reaching children across nearly nine countries. Through education on cyber safety and digital awareness, the foundation equips vulnerable youth with the knowledge needed to recognize and avoid online exploitation. The children we serve come from many regions, including Africa, Brazil, the United States, and parts of Asia. Many live in marginalized communities and lack access to digital safety education. Over the years, I have served in several leadership roles within the organization, including Vice President and Director of Health Affairs, Sexual Assault Prevention, and Outreach. While my role is currently more limited as I focus on completing my degree, it remains a profound honor to support this work. The second cause I actively support is land conservation through my work with the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust in northern New Hampshire. As the Conservation Assistant for Coös County, I help support land protection initiatives that preserve working forests, agricultural soils, waterways, and recreational landscapes. These efforts are essential to maintaining ecological health, protecting natural resources, and ensuring that future generations have access to open land and nature. These causes are deeply connected to my long-term mission. Whether protecting children from exploitation or protecting landscapes from development, my work centers on safeguarding what is vulnerable and ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to thrive. This scholarship will help me continue my education so that I can expand my service through conservation, land stewardship, and environmental protection. Ultimately, my goal is simple: to protect the land and natural resources that allow people—especially children—to heal, grow, and experience the world through nature.

"You will never amount to anything....you are stupid. I am a doctor; no one will ever believe you...If you leave me, I will take your child and you will never see her again....The sun should rise and set in my eyes...You should kiss the ground I walk on...You are like a wild tiger that needs to be chained up, beaten and controlled…" Those many words became my prison. Between the fists through the wall, broken furniture, and injured body, I learned to hide the evidence. I became a master of pretending, the smiling and supportive wife in public. But the moment he targeted my relationship with my daughter, I left. No one hurts my child. And no one breaks me. My name is Danielle Nicole Starr Bauman, and I share this as a survivor and an advocate. I know education is key to breaking the cycle of intimate partner violence (IPV), and I am living proof that escape is possible. Survival, though, is only the beginning. After leaving my abuser when my daughter was 1.5 years old, I began rebuilding. I served 11 years in the U.S. Air Force and Army National Guard. On deployment in Afghanistan, I managed humanitarian aid projects and supported women in war-torn communities. In my post-military career, I founded The PTSD Retreat, supporting over 20,000 people worldwide—veterans, survivors of genocide and child marriage, and youth affected by trauma. These experiences cemented my commitment to education, healing, and empowerment. I am now a full-time student pursuing a double major in Conservation Law Enforcement and Environmental Science, maintaining a 3.68 GPA. While this may seem unrelated to IPV on the surface, I believe the connection lies in restoring balance—to ecosystems, communities, and individuals. Abuse often isolates and disconnects. Nature heals, empowers, and reconnects. As an environmental advocate, I am currently being considered for work with the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust, to help protect natural resources and spaces—safe places that foster resilience and wellbeing. But I also stay rooted in trauma recovery. I’ve worked as a trauma and stress coach, Uniformed Services Liaison, and Case Manager at Green Mountain Treatment Center, helping clients transition from addiction to recovery. I volunteer with the Protect Us Kids Foundation, supporting child protection globally. I serve as Ombudsman for the Granite Guild, advocate for fellow veterans, teach Sunday School and participate in our Relief Society. The loss of my mother and stepfather in a motorcycle accident in 2006— both veterans and fierce advocates themselves—only deepened my resolve to serve others. When I broke my back in 2010 and lost everything including my military career, I chose to self-advocate through service. When I lost my father, also a Vietnam veteran, in 2024 to Lewy Body Dementia, I carried his strength. My plan is simple: use education to empower, prevent, and heal. I envision merging environmental science, law enforcement, and therapeutic coaching into something new—something bold. My dream is to preserve restorative spaces, create my own retreat center as my home and outreach, and steward land conservancies that act as sanctuaries for all dealing with trauma. Places where all can safely reconnect with the earth, with themselves, and with each other. I get to thrive as a survivor. I get to continuing leading. I get to model strength, grace, and transformation. Education is the bridge that turns pain into purpose and purpose into impact. He took a lot from me. I took it back. This scholarship empowers me to spend my life assisting survivors through the beautiful areas of nature that are my sanctuary, my peace and healing. Thank you.

I am Nicole Starr Bauman. Adversity has shaped every chapter of my life, forging ambition, drive, and a deep desire to make an impact. I was born into a military family—my mother, father, and stepfather all served. My mother was the first woman on either side of our family to join the U.S. Air Force. A Type A powerhouse with a heart for service, she continued her mission as a USAF civil servant after my birth, raising me with purpose, discipline, and deep compassion. My father served 23.5 years in the Air Force before retiring into federal service. My stepfather, an Army sniper and scout, carried visible and invisible wounds from war, like many in my family. These Vietnam Veterans taught me service, resilience, and the importance of leaving things better than we find them. When I was 12, my mother brought me alongside her to volunteer with children with physical and developmental disabilities. I learned to work with low-functioning autistic children, then veterans in pain, as she taught me Human Caring Listening Techniques, a tradition passed down through the women in my family—tools I would later use to support others through trauma. In 2006, my mother and stepfather were killed in a motorcycle accident while returning from a veterans’ poker run—an outreach mission for those still suffering in silence. Their loss shattered my foundation and gave me a purpose to follow. I served honorably for 11 years in the U.S. Air Force and Army National Guard. My deployments to Afghanistan opened my eyes to the global reach of compassion. I managed a humanitarian initiative delivering over 1,000 lbs. of hygiene and baby supplies to local women, contributing to a drop in maternal/infant mortality rates. On a later deployment, I organized morale events like a blueberry pancake breakfasts and founded Fellowship of Extraordinary Women (FEW) to uplift females deployed. In 2010, everything changed again when I was hit by a car, breaking my back and ending my military career. In that dark time, I chose not to give up—I chose to serve. I founded The PTSD Retreat and began coaching veterans through trauma recovery, using the very techniques my mother once taught me. Over time, I supported over 5,000 veterans and 20,000 individuals globally, including genocide survivors in Rwanda, child brides in India, and people affected by post-election violence in Kenya and Uganda. That calling led to a role as Uniformed Services Liaison and Case Manager at Green Mountain Treatment Center, where I supported veterans transitioning from addiction to recovery. My trauma work also brought me to the Protect Us Kids Foundation, the Conservation Law Project, and becoming trained as a Community Health Worker. In 2024, I lost my father to Lewy Body Dementia. A man who rarely spoke about Vietnam, he finally opened up when I deployed—shedding tears as he taught me everything he could to survive. His vulnerability became my strength. Today, I am a full-time student, double-majoring in Conservation Law Enforcement and Environmental Science. After being laid off in 2024, I returned to school to follow a long-standing dream. I am currently being considered for employment with the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust, to help steward natural resources for future generations. I continue to serve as Ombudsman for the Granite Guild, teach Sunday School, coach trauma survivors, and advocate for children and veterans alike. My journey has never been easy—but through each loss/setback, I’ve chosen purpose over despair. Ambition fuels me, drive sustains me, and impact remains my mission. I am committed to the legacy of service within me. To others: adversity can inspire- let it; never quit.

As the child of three military parents—my mother, father, and stepfather—service was not just a concept, it was a way of life. My mother was the first woman in our family to join the military, serving in the U.S. Air Force until I was born, then continuing as a civil servant. She was the most God-fearing, driven and service-oriented person I’ve ever known. My stepfather served three tours in Vietnam as a sniper and scout in the U.S. Army, and my father, also Air Force, retired after 23.5 years before continuing his federal service and volunteering at the SLC VA Medical Center. Each of them faced PTSD, and each of them loved me in their own way—instilling in me a commitment to serve with compassion and purpose. Growing up in a military home meant I often carried the responsibilities of the household—caring for pets, managing bills, and holding things together while my parents were TDY (military business trips). At 12, I began joining my mother in her work with children affected by drunk drivers and those with physical and mental disabilities. I later joined her efforts to support active-duty service members and veterans, learning to teach Human Caring Listening Techniques—passed down through the women of our family—to help reduce stress and pain. These early lessons in service stayed with me, even after a car accident ended my military career and broke my back in 2010. In the face of that life-altering injury, I made a decision: to survive through service. I founded The PTSD Retreat, reaching over 5,000 veterans globally and over 20,000 individuals, including more than 3,000 children. My work in trauma recovery led to my role as a Life Coach and later as a Uniformed Services Liaison and Case Manager, now a trained Community Health Worker. I've worked with genocide survivors in Rwanda, child brides in India, and post-election survivors in Uganda and Kenya—all stemming from the legacy of compassion my parents instilled in me. My father, silent about Vietnam for decades, wept when I deployed to Afghanistan. For hours, he told me what to expect. That moment changed our relationship and deepened my understanding of the cost of service, leading to a greater respect for my father until he passed. My stepfather—once buried in trauma and alcohol—rebuilt his life through love, community, and the tools my mother gave him. Watching him play and laugh with my daughter, and support other veterans including my brother, taught me that healing ripples outward. When both he and my mother were killed in a motorcycle accident during a poker run for veterans, in 2006, I lost the foundation of my life—but I gained a mission. Today, I carry forward their legacy as a double major in Conservation Law Enforcement and Environmental Science, preparing for a career as an Environmental Compliance Inspector. I am currently being considered for employment with the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust, to protect/steward local lands for future generations. I’m also involved with the Conservation Law Project, the Granite Guild as Ombudsman, the Protect Us Kids Foundation Advisory Board, trauma coaching, and in my church as a Sunday School teacher and Relief Society volunteer. Everything I am is the result of the lives of service that came before me. Through my education and career, I aim to honor them—by protecting our environment, advocating for veterans, supporting children, and inspiring others to live with compassion and courage. Ambition fuels my goals, drive sustains my efforts, and impact remains my purpose. This scholarship assists me in continuing those pursuits. Thank you.

My story began with military parents and the values of service, duty, and resilience woven into my upbringing. Raised in the military lifestyle, I understood early the importance of contributing to something greater than myself. That foundation led me to join the U.S. Air Force and later the Army National Guard, where I served honorably for over 11 years. A severe car accident ended my military career, but it didn’t end my mission. Instead, it redirected my purpose. During my military service, I led humanitarian projects in Afghanistan, managing 1,000 pounds of donated hygiene and infant care supplies. That initiative helped reduce local infant mortality and maternal death rates, reinforcing the idea that service transcends uniforms and borders. I built trust with Afghan communities, supported female service members through morale programs I created and taught English to local workers. These experiences shaped my commitment to healing, leadership, and meaningful connection. After military service, I became a trauma recovery coach focused on combat-related PTSD, working with over 20,000 people across the globe—survivors of genocide, child marriage, and violence. Later, as a Uniformed Services Liaison at a New Hampshire recovery center, I supported veterans and civilians transitioning from addiction to recovery, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity. When I was laid off in August 2024, I returned to school, as an act of forward momentum, turning the set back into a success story for myself. I’m now a double major in Environmental Science and Conservation Law Enforcement, fields that combine my passion for public service with my love of the natural world. I am currently being considering for work with the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust, following graduation, doing land surveys and easement monitoring, helping families protect their land for future generations. My goal is to become an Environmental Compliance Inspector, ensuring our resources are managed with integrity. I continue to serve through trauma coaching, as Ombudsman for the Granite Guild, a board member for Protect Us Kids Foundation, and an active member in my church. My military roots taught me that resilience is a lifestyle, not a moment. My education is the bridge from lived experience to lasting impact. Through every challenge, I’ve chosen to serve. Now, I’m choosing to protect the land that has helped me heal—so others can, too. This scholarship assists in that process. Thank you for considering me.

Throughout my life, service has been the core of who I am. From combat zones overseas to rural communities in northern New Hampshire, I’ve dedicated my life to helping others, healing trauma, and protecting what matters—people, purpose, and our planet. My journey began in the U.S. Air Force and continued in the Army National Guard, where I served honorably for over 11 years until a vehicle accident ended my active military career. Refusing to let that end my mission, I transitioned into contractor roles to continue supporting national security. On my first deployment to Afghanistan, I organized a humanitarian initiative distributing over 1,000 pounds of hygiene and baby care supplies. That effort helped reduce maternal and infant mortality in a local village, one of the most meaningful accomplishments of my career. On my second deployment, I built trust with Afghan communities to promote safety and goodwill. During my final tour, I formed the Fellowship of Extraordinary Women (FEW) to support female troops/contractors and organized morale events like pancake breakfasts. I also English to Afghan workers, all in my down time. Following my military service, I became a trauma recovery coach specializing in stress and combat-related PTSD. I’ve supported over 20,000 individuals, including survivors of genocide in Rwanda, child brides in India, and victims of post-election violence in Uganda and Kenya. I’ve also provided coaching to U.S. and allied veterans, children of fallen soldiers, and civilians impacted by trauma. My passion for service evolved into a role at Green Mountain Treatment Center, where I worked as a Uniformed Services Liaison and Case Manager, supporting people transitioning from addiction to recovery. I continue to serve my local community today as an Ombudsman for the Granite Guild, connecting rural residents to essential resources. I also serve on the Advisory Board for the Protect Us Kids Foundation, advocating for child safety and online protection. Through the Conservation Law Project, I have learned to be a part of the collaboration with law enforcement, wildlife officers, and foresters to safeguard our natural resources. At church, I support and am a member of the Relief Society and teach Sunday School, mentoring others in faith and service. I am also a trained Community Health Worker, serving in my rural area of Northern New Hampshire. In 2024, after being laid off, I returned to school and am now proudly pursuing a double major in Environmental Science and Conservation Law Enforcement, with a cumulative GPA of 3.68. I currently being considered for employment with the nonprofit Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust, conducting easement monitoring, learning grant writing and helping landowners preserve their land for future generations. Every role I’ve taken—military, trauma coach, ombudsman, conservationist—has taught me that leadership begins with listening, and that real change comes through community. I get to serve—I get to leave the world better than I found it. Whether in international humanitarian work or on the forest trails I monitor, my drive is the same: protect what heals, honor what matters, and always give back. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.

I am Nicole Starr Bauman. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation are deeply personal concerns. After over a decade of military service and trauma recovery work, I find healing in the quiet strength of the natural world. The forests, rivers, and mountains of northern New Hampshire continually assist me in maintaining my peace. Now, I am answering the call to protect the very land that restored me. As a double major in Environmental Science and Conservation Law Enforcement, I aim to combine science, policy, and public service to make a lasting impact. I am currently being considered for the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust non-profit as an employee, conducting land surveys, easement monitoring, and assisting landowners with long-term preservation strategies. My goal is to become an Environmental Compliance Inspector, where I will ensure environmental laws are followed while educating communities and landowners on sustainable practices. My commitment to environmental protection is a natural extension of a lifetime of service. As a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Army National Guard, I proudly served 11 years across three combat deployments. In Afghanistan, I led a humanitarian initiative distributing over 1,000 pounds of donated hygiene and baby care items—efforts that helped lower infant and maternal mortality in a remote village. I also worked to build trust between military personnel and Afghan communities, a strategy that emphasized collaboration and cultural understanding. These experiences shaped my passion for advocacy and leadership. I’ve continued that work in civilian life. As Ombudsman for the Granite Guild, I support veterans and rural families by connecting them with vital resources. I assist in trauma recovery coaching, lead the “Ride to Remember” veteran memorial poker run, and serve on the Protect Us Kids Foundation Advisory Board, where I advocate for child safety and education. My work with the Conservation Law Project further deepens my connection to environmental justice. After my military career, I opened The PTSD Retreat/CNI Global, working with more than 20,000 documented individuals worldwide, including survivors of genocide, war, post-election violence and gender-based violence. These years of global service taught me the importance of community-centered healing, a lesson that directly informs my view of sustainability: people must be part of the solution. We don’t just need rules—we need relationships. That means educating the public, listening to community voices, and building solutions that reflect both ecological and human needs. In my role at Green Mountain Treatment Center, I served as Uniformed Services Liaison and Case Manager, helping veterans and civilians overcome addiction through integrated care, on managed 73 acres of forests and orchards. This taught me how complex systems—health, justice, environment—intersect, and how sustainability must be approached through a wide, inclusive lens. Sustainability strategies I believe in include: investing in community conservation easements, increasing access to environmental education, improving soil/forest management through regenerative practices, and incentivizing biodiversity protection in public and private sectors. I believe small, local efforts rooted in science and trust can ripple outward to drive national change. Returning to college in August 2024, following layoff, was humbling; it also opened a long-awaited door. I’m now pursue the education I’ve dreamed of—deepening my knowledge in conservation, continuing to serve my community. My church involvement, where I teach Sunday School and participate in the Relief Society, continues to ground me in service, compassion, and resilience. My education is about successful, active purpose. I am committed to ensuring the ecosystems that are healing me are protected for future generations. This scholarship allows me to step fully into my role as a steward, advocate, and protector of the environment. Thank you for the opportunity.

Approaching 50, I’ve lived several lives in one lifetime—soldier, survivor, mother, advocate. Each chapter has shaped me, not in spite of hardship, but because of it. Now, as I pursue higher education, it isn’t to start over—it’s to build on everything I’ve already lived through and poured into others. My story is one of survival, yes, but even more so, one of transformation through service, purpose, and resilience. I am a Veteran of the United States Armed Forces, having served with both the Air Force and the Army. I deployed three times to Afghanistan, spending 22 months in-country, and gave 11 honorable years in service before a car accident ended my military career with a broken back. But my military service didn’t just teach me how to serve my country—it taught me who I am: someone who adapts, overcomes, and rises again. At the same time, I’ve also survived something even more personal: years of domestic violence, hidden behind a public image of strength. I was a martial artist, bodybuilder, model, and devoted military spouse—but behind closed doors, I was belittled, controlled, physically and emotionally abused. I was told I would never amount to anything, that I was “just a woman,” meant to serve a man who threatened me with fists through walls and injured my knees with violence. I was too ashamed to ask for help—until the moment it impacted my child. That was when I found my voice, walked away, and began to reclaim my life. Since then, I’ve committed my life to serving others from a place of truth and empathy. As a Life Coach specializing in combat-related trauma, I’ve worked with more than 20,000 individuals, including over 5,000 veterans and their families, across 44 countries. I’ve helped people through compounded trauma, cultural displacement, poverty, and recovery—many in the most austere environments on earth. These experiences have solidified my core values: compassion, resilience, integrity, and the belief that every life holds value—even when that life has been told it doesn’t. Those values have also led me back to school. I’m now pursuing a double major in Environmental Science and Conservation Law—because the natural world became my sanctuary in the depths of PTSD and grief. Forests and rivers offered the safety I needed to rebuild. Now, I get to protect those spaces, not just for myself, but for others—especially veterans, trauma survivors, and women who need space to heal and feel whole again. Through my degree, I plan to work at the intersection of environmental protection and trauma recovery, developing nature-based programs for healing and reintegration, especially for those from marginalized communities. I also plan to influence policy and strengthen community care networks, ensuring that those impacted by trauma are heard, protected, and given real paths forward. My long-term goal is to lead initiatives that combine environmental stewardship, mental health support, and public service. This scholarship would allow me to focus more deeply on my education without the added pressure of constant financial strain. I have chosen not to chase short-term income, but instead to invest fully in a long-term mission—to serve again, this time with deeper insight, broader reach, and unshakable determination. Your support does not just help pay for tuition; it is an investment in community healing, environmental protection, and survivor-led leadership. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship, and for helping make this next chapter possible. I may be approaching 50, but my life is far from slowing down. In many ways, it’s only just beginning.

For years, I lived behind a smile. I was a Veteran, a bodybuilder, a former martial arts athlete, and once a model. I was the image of strength and service, standing proudly next to my then-husband in support of our military community. But behind closed doors, I was a victim. As a Mixed, African American woman, I was raised hearing whispers of limitations: that I should not be heard, only seen; that I should not speak unless spoken to; my job was to serve my husband, as a good Christian woman. My ex-husband echoed those same messages with cruelty and control. He told me I was stupid, that I would never amount to anything, and that no one would ever believe in me. He said my purpose was to serve him—that the sun should rise and set in his eyes, and I should kiss the ground he walked on. His words were only part of the violence. He threw me around our home, leaving me with increasingly damaged knees, and would punch holes in the wall inches from my face to remind me of the power he held. I stayed quiet out of shame. I was strong, after all. How could I admit I was being abused? But everything changed the day his violence began to affect my child. In that moment, my fear became fuel. I didn’t care what happened to me—but my child would never grow up thinking this was normal. I took the first steps toward reclaiming my life, and I’ve never looked back. Since then, I have dedicated myself to helping others find their way out of darkness. As a Life Coach specializing in combat-related trauma, I’ve worked with more than 20,000 people worldwide, including over 5,000 veterans and their family members. I’ve been to 44 countries, serving in remote and marginalized communities where resilience and survival are daily realities. My own trauma became my catalyst to reach others—particularly women who, like me, have been silenced. Today, I am pursuing a double major in Environmental Science and Conservation Law, and while that may seem unrelated, the outdoors has been essential to my healing. Nature has always been my sanctuary as I worked through PTSD, grief, and trauma. I now seek to protect the very places that saved me—and create safe, healing spaces where all people can begin their own journeys of restoration. But I also know that African American women face unique, compounding challenges when it comes to domestic violence—challenges that are deeply rooted in historical injustice, systemic neglect, and stigma. With my degree and lived experience, I plan to improve the care, coordination, and communication that directly impacts how we receive support. I get to bridge the gap between survivors and the services they need. I want to train professionals to listen without judgment, to recognize strength beneath silence, and to see every woman as worthy of freedom, safety, and a future. This scholarship would help me continue my education and expand the impact of my advocacy. I stand today not as a victim, but as a voice—one forged in fire, strengthened by purpose, and ready to change the outcome for women who still feel trapped in the shadows I escaped. Thank you for considering me as a candidate for this scholarship—and for believing in the power of education to change lives.

I was raised in the military, the child of generations who served before me. To me, wearing the uniform was never just a career—it was the most honorable way one can serve. I gave 11 proud, honorable years of service to the United States Air Force and Army, including three deployments to Afghanistan and 22 months in-country. I believed I would serve forever—until the day I was hit by a car and sustained a broken back. Just like that, my time in uniform ended. But the military had already changed me. It taught me that I could adapt and overcome anything. That strength wasn’t about appearances—it was about grit, discipline, and the quiet, relentless will to serve. I was once told that PTSD was “too big a problem for a pretty little young lady like you.” But I knew better. I knew I was a soldier—and I would never quit or accept defeat. Since my injury, I’ve dedicated my life to empowering others. As a Life Coach specializing in combat-related trauma, I have worked with over 20,000 individuals, including more than 5,000 veterans and their families, in some of the most remote and marginalized communities across 44 countries. I’ve sat with survivors of war, disaster, and generational trauma. In many places, it took a village just to create a meal for our team—in a gesture of respect that reminded me of the universal power of compassion and dignity. I carry those moments with me always. In August 2024, I faced yet another challenge: I lost my job—one I had been told was secure. I had just moved into a new home, emptied my emergency fund, and fixed my car. There was no severance for months. But I leaned on the same skills the military gave me: problem-solving, resilience, and mission focus. I filed for unemployment, and my caseworker reminded me I could still be anything I wanted. I chose to return to school—not for safety, but for purpose. Now, I’m pursuing a double major in Environmental Science and Conservation Law. I know the outdoors saved me while I processed my trauma. The forests, mountains, and rivers became my sanctuary—and I want to protect these spaces so that other veterans like me can find healing there, too. One month into school, my father passed away. I missed five weeks of coursework but returned to finish the semester with a 3.54 GPA, followed by a 3.78 GPA, bringing my cumulative GPA to 3.68. I’ve done this without a consistent paycheck, choosing instead to invest in an education that aligns with my mission: to serve others by preserving the very landscapes that restore us. My journey is not one of ease, but of impact. I am proud to be a Veteran of the United States Armed Forces, proud of my 11 years of service in uniform to my country- the greatest nation on Earth, and I am proud of my continued service out of uniform. Thanks to the training I received as a soldier, I know that no one—and nothing—can hold me back. I live by the creed that shaped me: "I am an American Soldier... I will never quit... I will never accept defeat..." This scholarship would not only help relieve financial stress—it would be a critical step in my continued mission to heal, protect, and serve. I have walked through adversity with strength, lifted others through their pain, and remained focused on a future built on service and honor. Thank you for considering me as a candidate for this scholarship.

In August 2024, my life changed overnight. I lost my job—one I believed to be secure, after being told I was being groomed for a Compliance Officer role overseeing residential facilities company-wide. I had poured myself into that preparation daily, thinking I was building a stable future. But with one sentence—“You’re being let go due to a reduction in force”—my foundation was pulled from under me. Plus, I am a minority female, in a rather monoracial environment, and not a spring chicken, during a tumultuous time period politically. I was very concerned. It was the worst possible time. I had just emptied my emergency fund to secure a new lease up north and repair my vehicle. I had no savings, no paycheck, and wouldn’t receive severance for many months. I immediately applied for unemployment and leaned on the support of my community—a community I’ve have served proudly, as a board member and volunteer with the Protect Us Kids Foundation and for the Granite Guild of Coös County, and as a member of the Civil Air Patrol. But I’ve faced adversity before. As a veteran of both the United States Air Force and the United States Army, I completed three deployments to Afghanistan, spending a total of 22 months in-country. I’ve seen firsthand the challenges soldiers face—not just in war zones, but when we return home. I carry the invisible weight of PTSD, and it’s nature—peaceful forests, clean rivers, and open skies—that has been my sanctuary in the hardest moments. That’s why, when I lost my job, I chose to return to school not just to rebuild my life, but to redefine it with purpose. I’m now pursuing a double major in Environmental Science and Conservation Law, with a mission to protect the natural world that helped save me—and to ensure that other veterans have access to those same healing spaces. The journey hasn’t been easy. A clerical misstep nearly cost me my financial aid, and just a month into proving I belonged in school, my father passed away- also a veteran. I missed five weeks of coursework while grieving, but I returned with determination. I completed that semester with a 3.54 GPA, and the next with a 3.78, bringing my cumulative GPA to 3.68. I haven’t had a steady paycheck since losing my job. I’ve made that sacrifice to prioritize my education and long-term mission: to serve again—this time by protecting our environment and supporting fellow veterans. I believe the forests, mountains, and wild spaces of this country are not just natural treasures; they are lifelines for those of us working to heal. What once felt like a devastating end was really a beginning. With the help of my community and my own resilience, I turned adversity into opportunity. This scholarship would not only alleviate financial pressure; it would also affirm my belief that service doesn’t stop at the end of a uniformed career—it evolves. Thank you for considering my story. I carry my past with pride, and I walk toward my future with purpose, grateful for every opportunity to grow, give back, and keep moving forward. This scholarship would provide more than just financial support—it would be a vote of confidence in my journey and the values I carry forward: resilience, service, and hope.

In August 2024, my life changed overnight. I lost my job—one I believed to be secure, after being told I was being groomed for a Compliance Officer role overseeing residential facilities company-wide. I had poured myself into that preparation daily, thinking I was building a stable future. But with one sentence—“You’re being let go due to a reduction in force”—my foundation was pulled from under me. It was the worst possible time. I had just emptied my emergency fund to secure a new lease up north and repair my vehicle. I had no savings, no paycheck, and wouldn’t receive severance for many months. I immediately applied for unemployment and leaned on the support of my community—a community I’ve have served proudly, as a board member and volunteer with the Protect Us Kids Foundation and for the Granite Guild of Coös County, and as a member of the Civil Air Patrol. But I’ve faced adversity before. As a veteran of both the United States Air Force and the United States Army, I completed three deployments to Afghanistan, spending a total of 22 months in-country. I’ve seen firsthand the challenges soldiers face—not just in war zones, but when we return home. I carry the invisible weight of PTSD, and it’s nature—peaceful forests, clean rivers, and open skies—that has been my sanctuary in the hardest moments. That’s why, when I lost my job, I chose to return to school not just to rebuild my life, but to redefine it with purpose. I’m now pursuing a double major in Environmental Science and Conservation Law, with a mission to protect the natural world that helped save me—and to ensure that other veterans have access to those same healing spaces. The journey hasn’t been easy. A clerical misstep nearly cost me my financial aid, and just a month into proving I belonged in school, my father passed away- also a veteran. I missed five weeks of coursework while grieving, but I returned with determination. I completed that semester with a 3.54 GPA, and the next with a 3.78, bringing my cumulative GPA to 3.68. I haven’t had a steady paycheck since losing my job. I’ve made that sacrifice to prioritize my education and long-term mission: to serve again—this time by protecting our environment and supporting fellow veterans. I believe the forests, mountains, and wild spaces of this country are not just natural treasures; they are lifelines for those of us working to heal. What once felt like a devastating end was really a beginning. With the help of my community and my own resilience, I turned adversity into opportunity. This scholarship would not only alleviate financial pressure; it would also affirm my belief that service doesn’t stop at the end of a uniformed career—it evolves. Thank you for considering my story. I carry my past with pride, and I walk toward my future with purpose, grateful for every opportunity to grow, give back, and keep moving forward. This scholarship would provide more than just financial support—it would be a vote of confidence in my journey and the values I carry forward: resilience, service, and hope.

In August 2024, my life changed overnight. I lost my job—one I believed to be secure, after being told I was being groomed for a Compliance Officer role overseeing residential facilities company-wide. I had poured myself into that preparation daily, thinking I was building a stable future. But with one sentence—“You’re being let go due to a reduction in force”—my foundation was pulled from under me. It was the worst possible time. I had just emptied my emergency fund to secure a new lease up north and repair my vehicle. I had no savings, no paycheck, and wouldn’t receive severance for many months. I immediately applied for unemployment and leaned on the support of my community—a community I’ve have served proudly, as a board member and volunteer with the Protect Us Kids Foundation and for the Granite Guild of Coös County, and as a member of the Civil Air Patrol. Rather than be defeated, I embraced the opportunity to start over, excited and filled with renewing energy. My unemployment caseworker reminded me, “You can be anything you want.” With that encouragement, I enrolled in school, determined to finally finish my education and pursue a career that aligned with my passion, not just my paycheck, after years of putting my goals in the background of my life. A clerical misstep initially cost me my funding, but with persistence and advocacy, I was reinstated—just in time to face another devastating loss: my father passed away. Grieving, I missed five weeks of school. Yet, my determination didn’t waver. I returned and completed that semester with a 3.54 GPA, and the next with a 3.78, bringing my cumulative GPA to 3.68. I haven’t had a consistent paycheck since losing my job—but I’ve stayed focused, prioritizing my education and personal growth. I’m committed to building a career that fulfills me and makes a lasting impact. I’ve overcome professional loss, financial hardship, and personal grief. Through it all, I’ve continued to serve others, just as my community has supported me. I’ve learned that setbacks aren’t endings; they’re the pauses that help us find our true direction. What felt like a period in my story was really a semicolon; my journey continues—stronger, more focused, and deeply grateful. This scholarship would provide more than just financial support—it would be a vote of confidence in my journey and the values I carry forward: resilience, service, and hope. Thank you for considering me as a candidate.