Sometimes, society misses out on talents that can transform the area because students were not given a chance. It may be hard to know how today's society may have changed if these students were given a way to succeed. I believe that students who have a drive to succeed deserve an opportunity to succeed. Scholarships and grants can help a student get a higher education. Because colleges and higher forms of education are so expensive, students with a lack of finances may not be able to go to them. In some cases, these students have consistently gotten good grades. They have shown that they can take the rigors of studying. However, they do not have the financial resources to advance. Students with disadvantaged backgrounds need the opportunity to prove that they can succeed. When I was a kid, we did not have an abundance of money, but we were still well-off in our eyes. When I was eleven, my dad died. Money was even tighter. However, my family still continued going. I have continued to study, keeping an A average through high school. Until this year, I have been unable to find a job. Living in a small town may be peaceful, but it is disadvantageous when it comes to job opportunities. Currently, I have a part time job at the Whitewood Public Library. I earned the job by proving that I would work hard in whatever task I was given. I am saving up my earnings in hopes of earning enough to go to college. Sometimes, I feel nervous that I will never be able to make it to college. However, I will not let doubt affect what I will do. This scholarship will greatly help me in my college goals. If I am awarded this scholarship, I will succeed. I will study hard and do my best. I will prove that students from disadvantaged backgrounds can make a difference.

My name is Esther Grace A. Walker. I grew up in a small town, Whitewood, South Dakota. I have been here for seventeen years. My whole life I was homeschooled. Some may think that hindered me, but I personally believe that I have not missed out on much. I have enjoyed being homeschooled and am excited to graduate. When I was eleven, my father died. Without him, life seemed bleak. My mom, however, kept right on going. She kept my family strong. She continues where my dad left off. For a time, it was difficult to continue, but I continued. I still miss him, but I know he would want me to do my best and love God with all my heart. I may not have done everything perfectly, but I feel I would have made my dad proud. Job opportunity in my town is minimal at best. I wanted to get a job nearby to conserve gasoline. Unfortunately, I could not find one. Last April, my youth group volunteered at Waffle Wednesday, an event held at the Whitewood Public Library. Only three of us showed up. I enjoyed it though. Strangely enough, the librarian asked if I wanted to volunteer at the library. I was surprised, wondering why she asked me. I agreed, however. That summer was fun. I loved learning how a library worked and found I was not too bad with people. When school started again, I volunteered a couple hours on Mondays and Tuesdays. One day, the librarian said she had news for me. I was curious. When I came in that day, she told me that the city had agreed to hire me. I was thrilled! I did not think my work was that good, but, apparently, it was good enough for the city to hire a seventeen year old! I am still happily employed there. My social skills are improving, and I enjoy working with the people there. When it comes to volunteering, I enjoy helping people. It sounds cliche, but I truly do. It has gotten quite amusing for me at youth group when the pastor usually asks me when something needs to be done in volunteering. I have helped at VBS over the years, painted, passed out cocoa, and helped at a local food pantry. I would love to help out more, but realistically, I cannot do that now. Honestly, I cannot say that a single moment shaped who I am today. I am who I am today because of the morals and values my parents instilled in me. The only reason I can help others joyfully, continue doing my best, and keep going in life is that I believe what my parents taught me with my whole heart. When I go forward, I plan to use my education to help people and make a difference in my part of the world. Sometimes, I do not think I am skilled enough, smart enough, or strong enough to help people. However, if I can touch one person's life, I would call my life a success.

My name is Esther Grace Walker, and I am currently a senior in high school. I live in the small town of Whitewood, South Dakota. For a majority of my life, I did not know many people and, I was not involved in many social activities since I was homeschooled. However, as I entered high school, I began to become more active with people and, because of it, the community around me. Currently, I am an active member of the Black Hills Baptist Church youth group (whose name I will not mention since it is an "eyes only" situation). I also volunteer weekly at the Whitewood Public Library. I enjoy it, for I have always loved to read. I can also develop my people skills there. Every year I have volunteered at the town's VBS to help manage kids from first to sixth grade. This year, I was asked to sing the Star Spangled Banner at the Whitewood Cruisin,' a local car show. Currently, my family is not very well off financially. Some people may even consider us poor, although I have never thought so. In 2019, my mother was widowed when my dad died of a heart attack. My mom had to quit her job in order to keep homeschooling me and my brother. Currently, she works once a week at a retirement facility. I have attempted to find a job in the area, but no one is hiring. Our family makes less than the federal poverty level annually for one person. We are doing well; however, it makes things such as paying for college a problematic expense. At the library, I see many children. Children in my community are generally little rogues who do not care about much except for the present, especially Roblox and Minecraft. Oh, they can be pains sometimes, but, in reality, they are actually good kids at heart. Unfortunately, when they are online, they are vulnerable to cyber bullying. After school, the library sometimes seems like a daycare where kids wait for their parents to show up. At the library, kids can get on I-pads (with parental permission, of course). I try to keep an eye on the kids while they are at the library and while they are on electronic devices. After they turn in their I-pads, I check the history to make sure they are safe. If there is any content that could affect the child's safety, I speak to the librarian and, if necessary she speaks to the parents. I also make sure the firewalls are up and running. I do not tolerate bullying. I usually get angry if I see it. I work to prevent it whenever possible. Children's safety is imperative.

There was no hope left; the odds seemed insurmountable. There seemed no way to achieve victory. However, there would be no surrender, no standing down, and no retreat. There would only be a desperate fight to the last. Failure would cost everything. The movie, movie trilogy, that has had the greatest impact on my life is the Lord of the Rings. I first watched it two years ago, right after Christmas. I was skeptical, for it is a twenty-year old film. I did not then know the impact that it would have on me. The Lord of the Rings tells of the fierce struggle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. It tells of bravery, valor, and courage. The fate of the free lands, however, depends on the success of a small hobbit who has his own struggle to win. I was hit by the raw spunk and spirit that was shown by those who risked their lives for their nations and, ultimately, Middle Earth. Eowyn, the shield-maiden, who rode out to battle; Aragorn, the Ranger, who fought to defend a land that was not even his own; Gandalf, the wizard, who rallied armies and counseled kings; and Samwise Gamgee, a gardener, who would go to hell and back for his friend, are just a few of the characters who did not let their circumstances stop them from doing what needed to be done. The resistance of characters to evil also made an impact on me. Various times throughout the films, people are tempted to take an evil power and use it for the power to do good. Nonetheless, they realize that true evil cannot be used for good. The evil would only corrupt the good, twisting it to its purpose. Galadriel, an elven queen, was tempted to use the power to become an even greater queen. Faramir, a captain of Gondor, wanted to use the power to save his people. Nevertheless, both Galadriel and Faramir did not take it, resisting what appeared to be right for what was truly necessary. After watching Lord of the Rings, I felt inspired, inspired to do something, to be something. I found a new perspective on life. At first, everything seemed to be going by normally, until it was not. A few months later, I realized that I had changed. The change had been gradual, but it was a change. I realized that I was more outgoing. I was not as afraid of speaking to people as I had been. I was even initiating my own conversations. Of course, I still had moments when I did not have things to say. Awkward silences still existed. However, the fear of others was less prevalent. It took me some time before I realized that seeing bravery play out, even in a fictional world, boosted my own bravery. I was able to speak to others more easily and with a level of respect. I was also more capable in voicing my own opinion and standing for my beliefs, realizing that some things need to be defended. I found that I have a newfound conviction in making a way in life honestly and without guile. Lord of the Rings impacted my life for the better, making me more prepared to go out into the world. Now I know that, despite the way things look, there is some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for.

Over two hundred books and over one million words have, most likely, identified me as an undeniable bookworm. My major taste has been in fiction - action, adventure, fantasy, mystery, and sci-fi. I have been told that reading does not count as a real hobby, but I do not care. I love it! With so much reading, I cannot remember every book I have read. In some cases, that is a good thing. Many of the books I have read have turned out to be disappointments or major wastes of time. With so much reading under my belt, it becomes increasingly more difficult to find a book whose plot I cannot unravel midway. Some books, however, hold a place of honor in my life. They are the books that I cannot forget. They have shaped how I think and, in some instances, how I conduct myself. They have changed my views on life, and nothing will erase their influence. First and foremost, the Bible has shaped my life. I am a Christian, and without the Bible, I would be in a mess. The Bible has given me hope in life. I know that there is a God who knows me and loves me. He gives me value even when I do not feel valuable. The Bible has shown me that I will never walk alone. Any good traits that people see in me can only be attributed to the Bible and the God of the Bible. It would be difficult to list all I have learned and continue to learn, but my moral code will always be grounded in the Bible. I refuse to make any goals without considering whether they honor God. Other books that have impacted me are The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. It is a story of good versus evil, where admission to temptation could prove the end. Sacrificing one's personal beliefs for advantage, prestige, or power is not worth it. It will eventually hurt you and those around you. Standing firmly for your beliefs in a world that encourages compromise may be a battle. However, yielding is never the answer. I have determined to reach the goals that I want, yet without compromise. These books have also fueled my love for adventure, adding more items to my bucket list! Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes is the peak of the mystery genre, in my opinion. I identify with Watson, Sherlock Holmes's "sidekick." There is always someone better and more skilled. However, we each have our strengths. When I make my goals, I do not attempt to surpass someone else. I am created differently and will pursue a path that maximizes who I am. Books have taught me many lessons throughout my life, and I will be forever grateful. Books are powerful and deadly. Choices in literature early in life may affect decisions later in life. My life has been affected by the words I have read. I am certain books will continue to influence me for the rest of my life.