Selected Passage (from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius): "The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts." Thesis: Marcus Aurelius is not arguing that happiness comes from ignoring hardship or pretending life is always positive. Instead, he argues that while people cannot always control the events that happen to them, they can control how they interpret those events, and that ability ultimately shapes the quality of their lives. At first, this quote seems like it is simply telling people to think positively. However, I think Marcus Aurelius is making a much deeper point. He is not saying that life is always good or that people should ignore their problems. Everyone experiences setbacks, disappointment, and failure at some point. His point is that while those situations may be outside of our control, the meaning we give them is something we can choose. The same event can lead one person to quit while it motivates another person to work harder. The difference is not the event itself but the way each person thinks about it. This idea is one of the main beliefs of Stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius believed that people waste too much energy worrying about things they cannot change. Instead of focusing on what has already happened, he encourages people to focus on what they can control, which is their own thoughts and actions. That does not mean people should never feel upset or disappointed. Those emotions are normal. Instead, it means they should not let those emotions completely control the direction of their lives. Someone who can think clearly during difficult situations is much more likely to make good decisions than someone who lets fear or frustration take over. I also think this passage challenges the idea that happiness comes from success or material things. Many people believe they will finally be happy once they get a certain job, make more money, or achieve a major goal. While those things can certainly bring satisfaction, Marcus Aurelius argues that happiness starts much earlier than that. A person who constantly focuses on everything they do not have will probably continue feeling dissatisfied even after reaching their goals. On the other hand, someone who develops a healthy mindset can appreciate progress and continue growing without constantly feeling like they are falling behind. This message is especially relevant today because people compare themselves to others more than ever before. Social media often shows only the best moments of someone's life. It is easy to scroll through pictures of vacations, new jobs, or accomplishments and feel like everyone else is doing better than you are. Marcus Aurelius would likely argue that comparing yourself to other people takes away your ability to appreciate your own progress. Since we cannot control another person's life, spending time worrying about it only creates unnecessary frustration. A healthier mindset comes from focusing on your own goals and measuring success based on your own growth rather than someone else's accomplishments. Another important part of this quote is the phrase "quality of your thoughts." Marcus Aurelius chose his words carefully. He does not say the number of positive thoughts determines happiness. Instead, he emphasizes quality. High-quality thoughts are realistic, thoughtful, and focused on solutions rather than excuses. They allow people to learn from mistakes instead of being defined by them. Developing that kind of mindset takes practice. It requires patience, self-awareness, and the willingness to look at difficult situations with honesty instead of immediately assuming the worst. Overall, Marcus Aurelius is arguing that true happiness depends less on what happens to a person and more on how that person chooses to respond. Life will always include challenges that no one can avoid, but those challenges do not have to control someone's future. By taking responsibility for their thoughts instead of their circumstances, people gain the ability to grow through adversity instead of being defeated by it. That lesson has remained meaningful for centuries because it reminds us that while we cannot control the world around us, we always have control over how we choose to think about it.

If there is one thing that has shaped who I am the most, it is learning that success does not always come easily. Everyone has different obstacles to overcome, and mine has been dyslexia. Throughout my life, I have had to work harder than many of my classmates just to keep up. Because of that, every accomplishment I have earned means that much more to me. From choosing to attend Lansing Community College to save money, to eventually transferring and being accepted into Michigan State University, every step has been the result of determination, hard work, and refusing to give up. After graduating from Canton High School, I made the decision to attend Lansing Community College. Since I qualified for Michigan's free tuition program, I knew it was the smartest financial decision for both me and my family. Some people see community college as a second choice, but I never looked at it that way. I saw it as an opportunity. It gave me the chance to continue my education without taking on unnecessary debt while proving that I was capable of succeeding at the college level. My goal from day one was to earn good grades and transfer to Michigan State University. Getting accepted into Michigan State was one of the proudest moments of my life. It wasn't just another acceptance letter to me. It represented years of hard work and perseverance. I knew how much effort it had taken to get there, and it reminded me that choosing the community college route had been the right decision. Looking back, I would not change that decision because it taught me that there are many different paths to reaching your goals. The biggest challenge I have faced throughout school has been having dyslexia. Reading has always taken me longer than most people, and writing papers or studying for tests usually requires extra time. Growing up, it was frustrating to see classmates finish assignments quickly while I was still trying to understand the directions or reread a chapter. There were times when I questioned myself and wondered if I was smart enough. It is hard not to compare yourself to everyone around you. Over time, though, I realized that everyone learns differently. Instead of focusing on what I struggled with, I started focusing on what I could control. I learned to give myself extra time to study, ask questions when I needed help, and use different strategies that worked better for me. I stopped being embarrassed about needing more time and started seeing it as part of my process. Dyslexia has forced me to become patient, persistent, and determined. Those are qualities that have helped me not only in school but also in every other part of my life. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that hard work can make up for a lot. I may not always understand something the first time, but I know that if I keep working at it, I will eventually get there. That mindset is what helped me succeed in college and ultimately transfer to Michigan State University. Outside of academics, I have always believed it is important to gain experience beyond the classroom. Throughout college, I have worked several different jobs, including customer service, restaurants, hospitality, event operations, and lifeguarding. Balancing work with school has taught me responsibility, time management, and how to communicate with people from all different backgrounds. Each job has helped me grow in different ways. Working in customer service taught me how to stay calm under pressure and solve problems. Working events taught me how important teamwork is, especially when things get busy. Lifeguarding has taught me responsibility because people depend on me to keep them safe. Even though these jobs may seem very different, they have all helped prepare me for my future career. At Michigan State University, I am majoring in Advertising Management because I enjoy both the creative and business sides of marketing. I like learning how companies build relationships with customers and how advertising can influence people in positive ways. I have been actively searching for internships, building my portfolio, and looking for opportunities to gain real-world experience because I know that learning does not stop when class ends. My goal is to graduate with the experience and skills needed to begin a successful career in marketing. Receiving this scholarship would make a meaningful difference for me. Even though attending Lansing Community College helped reduce the cost of my education, finishing my degree at Michigan State still comes with financial challenges. This scholarship would allow me to focus more on my education and professional development instead of worrying as much about the financial side of college. When I think about my journey, I am proud of how far I have come. I am proud that I chose a path that made financial sense by attending Lansing Community College first. I am proud that I did not let dyslexia stop me from pursuing my goals, even when school felt more difficult for me than it did for others. Most of all, I am proud that all of that hard work led to my acceptance into Michigan State University. I know there will continue to be challenges in college and throughout my career, but my experiences have taught me that obstacles do not have to define your future. They can motivate you to work harder and appreciate your accomplishments even more. I have learned that success is not about being the smartest person in the room. It is about showing up every day, putting in the effort, and refusing to quit when things get difficult. That is the mindset I will continue to carry with me at Michigan State University and throughout my career. I hope you will consider me for this scholarship because I know how valuable this opportunity is, and I will continue working hard to make the most of the education and opportunities it will help provide.

Boy do I ever have a story for you, because in my family, the best military stories did not come from a tall man in uniform but from my five foot nothing great grandmother, Virginia Mills Vogel. Otherwise known as Big Grandma. Big Grandma served in the Women’s Army Corps during the Korean War, stationed in Germany during the occupation, and she was truly one of a kind. If you were lucky enough to sit at her table, you were in for a treat, and a story that somehow grew bigger every time she told it. Big Grandma did not join the service out of a call to defend our country, or for a life of adventure. She joined because her older brother wanted to serve desperately, but because of a physical disability, he was not allowed. So she simply went in his place, carrying his dream with her. That sense of loyalty and family has echoed through generations, and it is one of the reasons her story still matters so much to me. Her military escapades began almost immediately at boot camp. She loved telling the story of being ordered to dig a latrine that was six feet wide and six feet deep. Convinced that no one would actually check, she dug it just shy of the mark. To her surprise, the drill sergeant pulled out a tape measure, and not only was she ordered to redo it but she had to start from the beginning. She was shocked, but not discouraged and knew that the second attempt would be easier because there was no way that the drill sergeant would measure again. However, once again the tape measure came out and she was just a little short. Digging for the third time was the moment she knew she was in trouble. She would laugh so hard telling that story that it was impossible not to laugh with her. It was a lesson she carried proudly. Do the job right, because someone is always measuring. While her military stories were unforgettable, so were her tales of growing up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Between stories of snowdrifts taller than houses, running away at 13 to be able to go to high school, and hard work being a way of life, she painted a picture of resilience that felt larger than any history book. She was tough, funny, and full of heart, and she never let her size define her strength. One of the most meaningful parts of her legacy is the bond she shared with my dad. Though decades separated their military experiences, they connected in a way no one else in the family quite understood. Their conversations felt timeless, like service had created its own language. Watching that bond taught me that military service is not just about one generation. It is a thread that weaves families together through shared values, stories, and pride. Being part of a military family has taught me that service comes in many forms. Sometimes it is wearing the uniform. Sometimes it is honoring someone else’s dream. And sometimes it is passing down stories that remind future generations where they come from. Big Grandma gave me more than funny memories. She gave me an understanding of courage, sacrifice, and the power of a good story told from the heart. Everyone should be so lucky to have someone like her in their family. If you are interested you can hear from Big Grandma here where she was interviewed by the news during her Honor Flight, and the caption talked about her million of stories! https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18zLVPjmRu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

For most of my life, learning has required more patience, creativity, and persistence than it seems to require for others. I have dyslexia, which means reading, writing, and processing information take extra time and effort. As a young student, I often felt discouraged when classroom learning relied so heavily on reading and speed. While others moved quickly through books and assignments, I learned early that my brain worked differently. One of the first places where I felt confident learning was not in school, but at the table with my mom, sorting through stamps. She began collecting stamps with her grandmother and later shared that tradition with me. As a first or second grade kid, stamp collecting involved very little reading. Instead, it was a collection of tiny pictures that invited curiosity. Each stamp felt like a clue. I would study the images and try to figure out why they mattered, where they came from, and what story they were trying to tell. It felt like fun detective work, not schoolwork, and it allowed me to learn without realizing I was learning at all. That experience mattered more than I realized at the time. Stamp collecting showed me that learning does not always begin with words on a page. It can start with observation, pattern recognition, and curiosity. Over time, our collection grew to include rare misprints and a set of stamps featuring handmade lace signed by the lacemakers themselves. Those stamps taught me to slow down and pay attention to detail, something that later helped me approach academics with patience rather than frustration. As I grew older, dyslexia continued to shape my academic experience. Reading and writing still require extra effort, and there were moments when I questioned my abilities and my place in higher education. What changed was my understanding of how I learn best. I became more comfortable asking for support, finding strategies that worked for me, and giving myself grace when progress felt slow. Dyslexia taught me resilience and adaptability, skills that extend far beyond the classroom. These experiences have shaped my ambition and my goals. I am drawn to paths that value problem solving, creativity, and persistence. And most importantly I want to continue building a future where learning differences are not seen as limitations, but as perspectives that offer something valuable. I know firsthand what it feels like to compare yourself to your peers and feel like you’ve come up short. I want to teach kids that success does not always follow a straight line, that growth often happens quietly and gradually. I am proud of how far I have come, and I am committed to continuing my education with curiosity, determination, and purpose.