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Jessie Skidmore

1x

Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Baking
  • Alpine Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Reading
  • Hiking And Backpacking
  • Running
  • Dance
  • Robotics
  • Cooking
  • Mathematics
  • Coding And Computer Science
  • Spending Time With Friends and Family
  • Community Service And Volunteering
  • Athletic Training
  • Animals

Reading

  • Adult Fiction
  • Academic
  • Adventure
  • Cultural
  • Mystery
  • Suspense

I read books daily.

Bio

Howdy! My name is Jessie Skidmore. I am Colorado born, and I have an undeniable love for the simple things in life: spending time outdoors with family and friends, baking, and reading. In the winter, I can be found shredding the slopes with family/friends. At home, even when time is tight, I will sneak into the kitchen to whip up cookies, scones, or lemon tarts. Crowds are welcome and I am always happy to share! Before I turn in at night, I relax with my nose deep in a book entranced by the magic of the written word. Throughout high school, I participated in several extracurricular activities ranging from dance, cross country, track & field, and a variety of clubs. As a National Spanish Honors Society member, I have cultivated a deep appreciation for the Spanish language/culture and dream of studying abroad. In addition, I work as a courtesy clerk, a seasonal pool attendant, and a trusted babysitter. These experiences have led me to cherish and advocate for my community initiating numerous community service projects. Math and science classes intrigue me deeply. I completely enjoy tackling challenging problems that require finding a viable solution. I intend to major in engineering. More specifically, I want to be a Mechatronics Engineer. My goal is to follow my fascination within the STEM field and expand my knowledge throughout college/future career paths with a broad range of engineering experience. By adhering to my passion for anything that sparks creativity, expands knowledge, and drives determination in reaching a goal or objective, I will be on a path to success.

Education

Ralston Valley Senior High School

High School

2018 – 2022

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Computer Science, Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians

Career

  • Founder/Leader of COVID Child Care Service - During COVID, I started a summer child care service with social distancing protocols allowing children to interact with friends in a fun, safe, and educational environment.

    Child Care / Entrepreneurship · Independent Child Care Service

    Jan 2020 – Jan 2020

  • Child Care Specialist - Provided engaging age appropriate activities, fostered relationships, ensured safety, led by example, assisted with homework/special projects, prepared/fed meals, organized home.

    Child Care · Independent Babysitter for Multiple Families

    Jan 2017 – Present

  • Pool Attendant (Seasonal) - Monitored pool chemical levels and enforced safety/cleanliness protocol. Ensured patron comfort and adherence to pool rules.

    Facilities Services · Carousel Pool Supply Company

    Jan 2018 – Present

  • Essential Worker/Courtesy Clerk advanced to Lead Position - 20 hours/week. Increased team productivity through operational best practices. Trained & assigned workloads. Ensured satisfactory customer experience. Arranged displays to promote sales.

    Consumer Services · Kroger - King Soopers Marketplace

    Jan 2020 – Present

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
Dream career goals:
Robotic Engineer
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurship
New Year, New Opportunity Scholarship
Hello, my name is Jessie aka “The Crafter”. The Myers-Briggs ISTP (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving) personality type accurately describes me as fiercely independent, hands-on, and results-oriented with a love for problem solving, risk-taking, and adventure. While ISTP personalities can appear a bit reserved and, at times, perhaps a little stubborn, we are logical, optimistic, self-confident, insightful, focused, and objective in evaluating situations. With a desire to take things apart to see how they work, one of the top career recommendations for ISTPs is my dream job, engineering! All in all, the essence of my personality type can easily be summed up in one extremely visual word. Mulan!
Stefanie Ann Cronin Make a Difference Scholarship
It started small. It started simple. As I sat on the living room floor in my footed pajamas with Starburst spread all around me, my fate was born. Why on Earth would anyone want to eat Starburst when you could create something out of them? I saw them as building blocks you could stack and shape into various formations. My destiny had been defined before me in the bright colors of pink, yellow, orange, and red. As my childhood progressed, I could often be found using problem solving, creativity, and adventure to transform ideas and visions in my mind into something tangible. This ranged from building forts in the woods, engineering inventive designs on my computer, putting on elaborate skits with my brother, and constructing LEGO masterpieces for hours. With these activities comprising most of my childhood, it isn’t surprising that I would want to follow the core of my identity to a field of study that provides freedom of design and creativity, engineering. Advanced math and science classes coupled with participation in intriguing STEM workshops and camps at a nearby university solidified it. By adhering to my undeniable passion for endeavors that spark my creativity, expand my knowledge, propel my desire to solution, and benefit community dynamics, I will be on a path to success. A multidisciplinary engineering program that integrates mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science along with the application of robotics and computer system technologies encompasses all of my personal aspirations and career goals of identifying and solving complex real-world engineering problems for a sustainable future. My capacity to apply math and science to situations outside their normal domain combined with comprehensive coursework and research opportunities from an advanced and credible university will give me the basis to embark on my journey. At the end of the bridge marked by my graduation with a multidisciplinary engineering degree in hand, I will be fully prepared for a challenging, satisfying career that utilizes my technical, mathematical, and scientific knowledge coupled with visionary strengths to drive favorable outcomes. I picture myself on a design team of like-minded, yet unique individuals. A team dedicated to making a positive impact, be it large or small, on those around us through cutting-edge solutions to obstacles our world faces. As my career progresses, my goal is to lead a design team of extraordinary, talented engineers I can mentor and guide in an engaging, collaborative environment that leverages multidisciplinary teamwork to develop original, innovative technologies. Although my name may not make the history books, if I always keep others in mind and do my best, it will be a victory for myself and my community. After all, leaving a small impression on the world may, in turn, have the biggest impact on an individual, a child, a family, or a community. At the end of the day, if I am involved in any one project or design that provides a lasting benefit to someone, in my book, that would be a meaningful accomplishment. And who knows, one day, you may read about a new innovation that is sweeping the world. You may scratch your head and think to yourself, that name, Jessie Skidmore, sounds so familiar. Is it possible our paths have crossed before?
Bold Selfless Acts Scholarship
As the world came to a halt during Covid, so did the majority of community services activities I had been engaged in. I found myself searching for ways to support my community while navigating abundant Covid restrictions. When I discovered the roof of a local Salvation Army Women's Group Home had damaging ice buildup, I knew what I could do! Having some knowledge of ice melt systems, I initiated and managed a community service project to repair the Women's Group Home ice damming and drainage issues. I located an electrician, a roofing contractor, and an ice melt supplier willing to donate their time and materials. With donors onboard, I prepared a project summary and presented the details to the property manager of the facility. I kept the project on track coordinating the timing of the various contractors throughout the process. I was even invited to assist in designing the ice melt system! It was deeply touching to encounter so many people willing to support this project. Upon completion, approximately $10,000 of time and materials had been donated. This endeavor educated me on managing a real-life project from start to finish coupled with the reward of giving back. The overwhelming appreciation for the efforts of everyone involved is a feeling I will always treasure. No matter the circumstances, there are endless options, big or small, to fulfill a need. I will continually look for opportunities where I can make a difference in my community.
Bold Career Goals Scholarship
It started small. It started simple. As I sat on the living room floor in my footed pajamas with Starburst spread all around me, my fate was born. Why on Earth would anyone want to eat Starburst when you could create something out of them? I saw them as building blocks you could stack and shape into various formations. My destiny had been defined before me in the bright colors of pink, yellow, orange, and red. As my childhood progressed, I could often be found using problem solving, creativity, and adventure to transform ideas and visions in my mind into something tangible. This ranged from building forts in the woods, engineering innovative designs on my computer, putting on skits with my brother, or making LEGO masterpieces for hours. With these activities encompassing most of my childhood, it isn’t surprising that I would want to follow the building blocks of my identity to a field of study that provides freedom of design and creativity, engineering. By adhering to my passion for endeavors that spark creativity, expand knowledge, propel solutions, and benefit communities, I will be on a path to success. Multidisciplinary engineering encompasses all of my aspirations for a challenging, satisfying career utilizing my technical, mathematical, scientific knowledge and visionary strengths. I picture myself on a design team of like-minded, yet unique individuals dedicated to making a positive impact through cutting-edge solutions to obstacles our world faces. Eventually, my goal is to lead a team of extraordinary engineers I can mentor and guide in an engaging, collaborative environment leveraging multidisciplinary teamwork to develop original, innovative technologies.
Bold Relaxation Scholarship
I have an undeniable love for the simple things in life: baking, reading, and spending time outdoors with family and friends. I can envision my mom, aunt, and grandma in the kitchen with delectable smells oozing out, effectively enticing me in. Before I could fully reach the counter, they would boost me up and patiently teach me step by step to cook and bake delicious family recipes. Even when time is tight, I still sneak into the kitchen to whip up cookies, Mediterranean salads, or lemon tarts. Crowds are welcome and I am always happy to share. Whether it was my mother reading out loud, an audiobook playing in the car, or a good old fashion paperback, black ink, book in my hands, I have never been able to get enough of the magic expressed in the written word. This love has flourished and today, before I turn in at night, I can be found with my nose deep in a book. What a relaxing way to wind down after a long day! I am Colorado born and at home shredding the slopes with my family and friends or wandering through the woods in awe of the wildlife surrounding me. An escape from the confines of the indoors to the freeing space of the great outdoors is refreshing and revitalizing. Some of my best ideas effortlessly surface in these moments. These simple aspects, the initial threads of my identity, will follow me down every path I travel.
Bold Hobbies Scholarship
I have an undeniable love for the simple things in life: baking, reading, and spending time outdoors with family and friends. I can envision my mom, aunt, and grandma in the kitchen with delectable smells oozing out, effectively enticing me in. Before I could fully reach the counter, they would boost me up and patiently teach me step by step to cook and bake delicious family recipes. Even when time is tight, I still sneak into the kitchen to whip up cookies, Mediterranean salads, or lemon tarts. Crowds are welcome and I am always happy to share. Whether it was my mother reading out loud, an audiobook playing in the car, or a good old fashion paperback, black ink, book in my hands, I have never been able to get enough of the magic expressed in the written word. This love has flourished and today, before I turn in at night, I can be found with my nose deep in a book. What a relaxing way to wind down after a long day! I am Colorado born and at home shredding the slopes with my family and friends or wandering through the woods in awe of the wildlife surrounding me. An escape from the confines of the indoors to the freeing space of the great outdoors is refreshing and revitalizing. Some of my best ideas effortlessly surface in these moments. These simple aspects, the initial threads of my identity, will follow me down every path I travel.
Bold Confidence Matters Scholarship
I struggled to lock words on the page as they danced like a tornado, spinning and twirling in my brain never slowing enough to be discerned. My teacher hovered above my blank paper in disapproval. Shifting in my seat, blonde hair covering my face, my pink sequin skirt scratching against the cold metal chair sounding off my disdain for everyone to hear. Why, when most things came so easy, couldn’t I write what I could say or read what a book had to say? Ashamed and frustrated I avoided all reading and writing. As a first grader, my dyslexia was diagnosed at an early age. Arising from several years of contended efforts, I discovered the beauty of how my mind works, methods to excel, and benefits of commitment. My mom sat by my side learning my tutor’s strategies to support me in my journey. Life throws curveballs; how you respond is defining. I brought forth tenacious determination, abundant hard work, and a few tears to master the English language in a way that works for my learning style. I leaned on friends/family for support and refused to give up on myself. It was the hardest, most rewarding time of my life. What I perceived as a hindrance turned into a distinct advantage. My mind has the ability to see things in a way others cannot; out-of-the-box thinking that allows me to excel in any challenge I take on. I have found confidence in my disability; dyslexia is a gift I am proud to have received.
Bold Encouraging Others Scholarship
I believe in supporting others to conquer obstacles and find a path to success. I am often told I am a positive, grounding person with a strong sense of self that is looked to for advice, help, and comfort. Many students view me as a leader and a teacher they respect and value. In my Chemistry, Pre-Calculus, Physics, and Biology classes, several classmates, even students from nearby schools, asked me to explain class material. They saw I had strong knowledge of the subject matter and the ability to help them understand it too. The opportunity to help people and witness the spark in their eyes as they started to comprehend a topic they struggled with has been extremely gratifying. I am skillful at reconciling problems and solutions from multiple directions and honored I am adept at teaching these different perspectives to others. I have formed a mechanism to decipher and absorb challenging classroom content in a way that works for me which has allowed me to excel in high school and has given me the basis to excel in college and beyond. My insight of what makes a topic click in my head has been extremely helpful to so many of my peers. Teaching and sharing my knowledge and ideas has enabled me to sustain a deeper understanding of class material in addition to assisting others in reaching their educational goals.
Bold Goals Scholarship
It started small. It started simple. As I sat on the living room floor in my footed pajamas with Starburst spread all around me, my fate was born. Why on Earth would anyone want to eat Starburst when you could create something out of them? I saw them as building blocks you could stack and shape into various formations. My destiny had been defined before me in the bright colors of pink, yellow, orange, and red. As my childhood progressed, I could often be found using problem solving, creativity, and adventure to transform ideas and visions in my mind into something tangible. This ranged from building forts in the woods, engineering innovative designs on my computer, putting on skits with my brother, or making LEGO masterpieces for hours. With these activities encompassing most of my childhood, it isn’t surprising that I would want to follow the building blocks of my identity to a field of study that provides freedom of design and creativity, engineering. By adhering to my passion for endeavors that spark creativity, expand knowledge, propel solutions, and benefit communities, I will be on a path to success. Multidisciplinary engineering encompasses all of my aspirations for a challenging, satisfying career utilizing my technical, mathematical, scientific knowledge and visionary strengths. I picture myself on a design team of like-minded, yet unique individuals dedicated to making a positive impact through cutting-edge solutions to obstacles our world faces. Eventually, my goal is to lead a team of extraordinary engineers I can mentor and guide in an engaging, collaborative environment leveraging multidisciplinary teamwork to develop original, innovative technologies.
Bold Joy Scholarship
Home is Defined by the People Not the Place The harmony of unrestrained laughter, rattling pans, and incessant chatter of a full house and kitchen echoed all around me. Smiles on faces danced through my mind, followed by my own, stretched across my face, bright and earnest in return. It was a time, like many Thanksgivings of the past, when my family gathered at my aunt and uncle’s cozy mountain house. While the kitchen was filled with the bustling of recipes being concocted, my brother and I would run up and down the flowing stairs and venture outside to the smell of crisp pines with the hum of the forest fresh in every breath. The distinct beeping of alarms that had been watching over the cooking feast beckoned us to congregate around the picture-perfect table overlooking rolling hills that led to towering mountains tightly wrapped in blankets of snow. At last, we filled ourselves with delicious bites symphonized with never-ending jokes and winding stories. This scene is a true and perfectly painted moment of joy and happiness locked away in my mind. My connotation of joy is encompassed by the memories interlacing us with others that bring feelings of home, safety, and smiles to our faces. Forevermore, I am determined to create new memories and snippets in time where I am lost in the joy and laughter that comes when my family and friends gather to share special moments.
Bold Driven Scholarship
It started small. It started simple. As I sat on the living room floor in my footed pajamas with Starburst spread all around me, my fate was born. Why on Earth would anyone want to eat Starburst when you could create something out of them? I saw them as building blocks you could stack and shape into various formations. My destiny had been defined before me in the bright colors of pink, yellow, orange, and red. As my childhood progressed, I could often be found using problem solving, creativity, and adventure to transform ideas and visions in my mind into something tangible. This ranged from building forts in the woods, engineering innovative designs on my computer, putting on skits with my brother, or making LEGO masterpieces for hours. With these activities encompassing most of my childhood, it isn’t surprising that I would want to follow the building blocks of my identity to a field of study that provides freedom of design and creativity, engineering. By adhering to my passion for endeavors that spark creativity, expand knowledge, propel solutions, and benefit communities, I will be on a path to success. Multidisciplinary engineering encompasses all of my aspirations for a challenging, satisfying career utilizing my technical, mathematical, scientific knowledge and visionary strengths. I picture myself on a design team of like-minded, yet unique individuals dedicated to making a positive impact through cutting-edge solutions to obstacles our world faces. Eventually, my goal is to lead a team of extraordinary engineers I can mentor and guide in an engaging, collaborative environment leveraging multidisciplinary teamwork to develop original, innovative technologies.
Bold Acts of Service Scholarship
A Problem Equals a Solution As the world halted during COVID, so did many community services activities I had engaged in. My search for ways to support my community while navigating abundant COVID restrictions began. When I discovered the roof at a local Salvation Army Women's Group Home had damaging ice buildup, something amazing happened! Having some knowledge of ice melt systems, I initiated and managed a community service project to repair the ice damming and drainage issues. I located an electrician, roofing contractor, and ice melt supplier willing to donate over $10,000 of their time and materials. I prepared a project summary and presented the details to the property manager. By coordinating the timing of the contractors, I ensured the project stayed on track. I even assisted in designing the ice melt system! It was deeply touching to encounter so many people willing to support this project. This endeavor educated me on managing a real-life project from start to finish coupled with the reward of giving back. The overwhelming appreciation for the dedication of everyone involved is a feeling I will always treasure. No matter the circumstances, there are endless options, big or small, to fulfill a need. I continually seek opportunities where I can make a difference in my community.
Bold Gratitude Scholarship
I struggled to lock words on the page as they danced like a tornado, spinning and twirling in my brain never slowing enough to be discerned. My teacher hovered above my blank paper in disapproval. Shifting in my seat, blonde hair covering my face, my pink sequin skirt scratching against the cold metal chair sounding off my disdain for everyone to hear. Why, when most things came so easy, couldn’t I write what I could say or read what a book had to say? Ashamed and frustrated I avoided all reading and writing. As a first-grader, my dyslexia was diagnosed at an early age. Arising from several years of contended efforts, I discovered the beauty of how my mind works, methods to excel, and the benefits of commitment. My mom sat by my side learning my tutor’s strategies to support me in my journey. She has had an enormous impact on my life and I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without her. When I struggled with reading and writing, my mom was always there to help me grow, push through challenges, pick me up, and let me know I could succeed at anything I put my mind to. Through my frustration and endless efforts, while mastering the English language, I didn’t see how she was actually able to foster such a strong set of valuable skills in me. Today, I now see, in everything I do, the confidence, determination, and impeccable work ethic she instilled in me. She has inspired me to be my best self and taught me that putting in hard work brings meaningful benefits to accomplish my goals. I am forever grateful for her guidance and support throughout my life because, without her influence, I would not be the accomplished woman I am today.
Bold Turnaround Story Scholarship
My eyes anchored on the paper as I struggled to lock the words on the page. They danced like a tornado, spinning and twirling in my brain never slowing enough to be discerned. My teacher hovered above my blank paper as if in disapproval. I shifted in my seat, my blonde hair covered my face, and my pink sequin skirt scratched against the cold metal chair sounding off my disdain for everyone to hear. A first grade spelling/reading test, for me, was my worst nightmare. Why, when most things came so easy, couldn’t I pick up a pencil and write what I could say or pick up a book and read what it had to say? Feeling ashamed and frustrated, I avoided all reading and writing. To my dismay then, appreciation today, my dyslexia was diagnosed at an early age. Arising from several years of contended efforts, I discovered the beauty of how my mind works, uncovered methods to excel, and realized the benefits of commitment. My mom taught me about dyslexia and sat by my side learning my tutor’s strategies to support me in my journey. Life will throw curveballs; how you respond is defining. I brought forth tenacious determination and abundant hard work, not without some tears, to master the English language in a way that works for my learning style. I leaned on friends and family for support and I refused to give up on myself. It was the hardest and most rewarding time of my life. What I perceived as a hindrance turned into a distinct advantage. My mind has the ability to see things in a way others cannot; out-of-the-box thinking that allows me to excel in any challenge I choose to take on. Dyslexia is a gift I am proud to have received.
Bold Passion Scholarship
I am often told I am a positive, grounding person with a strong sense of self that others look to for advice, help, and comfort. Throughout my education, I found many students viewing me as a leader and a teacher that is respected and valued. In my Chemistry, Calculus, Physics, and Biology classes, several of my classmates, even students from other schools, asked me to explain the class material. They were able to see I had a strong understanding of the subject matter and the ability to help others understand it as well. The opportunity to help others and witness the spark in their eyes as they started to understand a topic they had struggled with has been extremely gratifying. This has led me to discover I am skillful at reconciling problems and solutions from multiple directions and adept at teaching these different perspectives to others. I am also passionate about being a guiding figure for my classmates and being able to help them find a love for the subjects that they are taking. My insight into what can make a topic click in my own head has been extremely helpful to so many of my peers. Teaching and sharing my knowledge and ideas has enabled me to sustain a deeper understanding of the class material as well. Through this process, I have formed a mechanism to decipher and absorb challenging classroom content in a way that works for me which has allowed me to excel in high school and has given me the basis to excel in college and beyond; thus, I will be able to expand on my passion for helping others and continue to gain a strong understanding of the subjects I love.
Bold Deep Thinking Scholarship
Our society as a whole is interwoven with lying and deception that has become a normal practice and elevated the probability of getting hurt by others that are encompassed by issues like the effects of children's warped perception of lying, identity theft, and societal conformity through deception; moreover, issues like these screaming for a call of action in response to the expanding issue of lying and deception. There is no clean cut solution to this problem and it is most definitely not an “easy fix” because of the dimensions and reach of the issue, but there are actions that can be taken to redefine the world in a way that is more honest and true. One of the main issues that increases that rate of deception is people's ability to get away with it. Paul Ekman, who, on top of researching parting techniques in relation to lying in children, also developed a Facial Action Coding System. The Facial Action Coding System is designed to analyze people's facial expressions and movements in order to better understand how to interpret and read people. After researching and gaining a better grasp on people's facial tells, he developed a book called Telling Lies. Additionally, after the book went public, law enforcement reached out in order to request training on identifying liars, and he also created in-person workshops for TSA, the CIA, the FBI, and online training tools for the public. One possible solution to the problem of lying and deception is getting the public involved in these classes, offered by Ekman, that could effectively help people identify when they are being lied; furthermore, this would help to diminish identity theft, cut the translation of lying in children to adulthood, and help the society move away from lying when it can be more easily recognized.
Bold Simple Pleasures Scholarship
I have an undeniable love for the simple things in life: baking, reading, and spending time outdoors with family and friends. I can envision my mom, aunt, and grandma in the kitchen with delectable smells oozing out, effectively enticing me in. Before I could fully reach the counter, they would boost me up and patiently teach me step by step to cook and bake delicious family recipes. Even when time is tight, I still sneak into the kitchen to whip up cookies, Mediterranean salads, or lemon tarts. Crowds are welcome and I am always happy to share. Whether it was my mother reading out loud, an audiobook playing in the car, or a good old fashion paperback, black ink, book in my hands, I have never been able to get enough of the magic expressed in the written word. This love has flourished and today, before I turn in at night, I can be found with my nose deep in a book. What a relaxing way to wind down after a long day! I am Colorado born and at home shredding the slopes with my family and friends or wandering through the woods in awe of the wildlife surrounding me. An escape from the confines of the indoors to the freeing space of the great outdoors is refreshing and revitalizing. Some of my best ideas effortlessly surface in these moments. These simple aspects, the initial threads of my identity, will follow me down every path I travel.
Jameela Jamil x I Weigh Scholarship
I wiped sweat from my brow, brushed my hands across my jeans, and took a long, deep breath. I saw panic in the eyes of people rushing by. The distorted buzzing of voices muffled constant repetitive beeping: beep, beep, beep. Lines of people stretched through the building fading into the colors and shapes of products piled high. A voice, piercing and shrill, bounced around the room, “Stay calm. Stand back. Put your mask on!” I was hired by my local grocery store before the madness of COVID effectively shut down the world. Working 20 hours/week as a courtesy clerk has numerous responsibilities: customer service, cleaning, collecting carts, bagging groceries. Really anything to help the store run smoothly including a dreaded cleanup on aisle 9 bellowing from the loudspeaker. As I settled into my rigorous routine as a working high school student athlete, everything changed. I was there to see how it was and what it would become as trepidation, uncertainty, and controversy clouded the community. People began getting sick, masks became fashionable, and employees quit their jobs all because of this mysterious virus. Soon everything came to a halt and everyone was locked up in the confines of their homes with only the company of their housemates. Well, everyone except the essential workers which now included me. That’s right, at 16, I was an essential worker. What now? Without hesitation, I knew supporting my community was the only option. Working during this time wasn’t easy. People began congregating in the store to escape the cells their homes had now become. Navigating the fear that penetrated the very souls of people bustling through the store was a monumental challenge; one I was determined to power through. I effectively excelled at customer service using a calm approach with constantly smiling eyes. The new cleaning policies were tiring, but I diligently disinfected everything to help stop the spread of this virus. As the workload expanded, stock on the shelves dwindled, and several customers became confrontational, employees continued to throw in the towel until the team was barely managing to keep the store afloat. I dug deep and found ways to separate the struggles of this daunting time to be there for my community. Through this journey, I gained the respect and appreciation of customers thankful for essential workers who put their own concerns aside to bring people in the community access to food and supplies needed to maintain their homes, their lives. I felt the pain of people who became agitated and rebellious towards this new world opening my heart to them. I developed close friendships with co-workers and managers who shared in this emotional rollercoaster and found satisfaction serving on the frontline during a pandemic. We were in this together, supporting one another, as we each experienced these unprecedented times in our own way. My job at King Soopers Marketplace positioned me in resounding real-world situations. I saw firsthand how different people respond to extreme adversity and developed methods to manage the reactions. For many, my place of work became a place to congregate during a pandemic. To me, it became a second home shared with people willing to work as a team to provide an important service despite the difficulties and risks they encountered daily. This experience taught me more about myself than was possible to comprehend that moment I accepted a courtesy clerk position. It has shaped me into a person who will take a challenge, a fear, a feeling of the impossible and turn it into an opportunity to grow, learn, and help those around me.
Jessie Skidmore Student Profile | Bold.org