Fall of 2025, I started my college journey at Buena Vista University. In Fall 2022 (beginning of my sophomore year in high school), my childhood friend/boyfriend died by suicide. He was a kind, talented, athletic kid. He had an amazing family and friend group. He silently suffered from depression and never reached out for help or showed warning signs. It was so hard to understand and even harder to understand why he never reached out to anyone for help. The worst part for those who were closest to him is not knowing why. I did start receiving counseling to help manage my guilt and feelings. I never had experience with counseling before this trauma. My counselor at the time was amazing with teens and she really helped me. She helped me understand the complexity of suicide and helped me understand there was nothing I could have done in this situation. Three years following his death, I am still in counseling. Although I have worked through my feelings of guilt and understanding, a traumatic event changes you for a while. Grief has its own timetable. Through this, I can I understand why many people have the belief suicide is selfish and how can anyone do this to the people they leave behind. It has given me a new outlook on this topic. People can be cruel, especially high school kids. Teens who experience anything related to their mental health often feel ashamed. They may feel embarrassed or fear of being labeled weird or odd. My friend surrounded himself with the best people, yet still felt too ashamed to speak up, or maybe he felt he would burden his family friends!? Even following the tragedy of his death, community, family, friends blamed his death was caused by bullying, a bad breakup, school trouble, sports pressure. It seemed taboo to mention it was related to brain health. In the past couple years his family and friends have worked hard to try and educate in the topic. We even hosted a Slam the stigma event at school to spread awareness of mental health and share local resources available, so no one ever feels alone and helpless again. Overall, I am doing well. I have dealt with the grief by continuing to do be involved and focusing on things on things that bring me joy in my life. I love to dance. It is therapeutic for me and a way to express myself. I have maintained my grades in school. I have great friends and I know we can count on each other when we are struggling. I try to be kind towards everyone. You truly do not know what people are going through. Mental health can impact anyone at anytime. I have learned people don't always look "sick". I hope to make an impact someday and be a voice and listening ear for others to know there is hope. I will be a worthy recipient for this scholarship because I will work hard through my proven experiences to meet my goals. I know I can.

Winston Churchhill said, "Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." I am a first-year student attending Buena Vista University to pursue a degree in Secondary Education, with a minor in Political Science. From a very young age I have always loved learning about history. I have a curiosity about the past. Starting in 4th grade my class had a wax museum project. Each student could choose a famous person and present about them as well as dress up like them. I was the atypical student choosing to learn about the first president of the US, George Washington. The remainder of my classmates choose singers, athletes, movie stars. Because I enjoy learning about the past, I want to make the topic of history and government engaging for students to learn. Unfortunately, these topics are not everyone's favorites and can be deemed as boring. I was fortunate that I had great teachers throughout middle school and high school. They encouraged open dialogue and brought what happened in the past and made it relevant to today. They taught, whether you agree or disagree with what happened – it happened. Changing the narrative to fit a personal belief system today, does not allow us to learn from the happenings in the past. In Iowa, a recent bill passed stating that every high school senior will now need to pass the US citizenship test as a requirement for graduation. This new law will start with the Fall 2026 school year. Like any new law passed some people agree with it and others do not. I personally am excited that as a new future teacher this will be a course topic I will be required to help teach to high school students. I do not see this negatively, but to help students be more engaged and appreciative of the process others are required to complete to become a citizen of this great country. Before I made my decision to teach high school students, there was a time I thought I wanted to be counselor and support kids in high school. My sophomore year of high school I lost a childhood friend/boyfriend to suicide. Without warning or indication, the ones closest to him did not know he was struggling with mental health issues. Following his death I started counseling immediately to help me through my feelings of grief, confusion, and guilt. For the next two years I was driven to want to help future high school students. I thought counseling would be my pathway but decided I could still help support high school students by being a teacher and teaching a topic that brings me joy and excitement. I can still be a mental health advocate to help support teens who may be struggling. Although this death was very traumatic, it also taught me about perseverance. I was able to graduate high school with a 3.9 GPA, and top 10 in my class. I was able to focus through the pain. I stayed active and involved, in clubs, sports, and student senate. I was even class president! I want to inspire future teens to believe in themselves and stay active and focused in pursuit of their dreams. I am looking forward to earning my degree and making my impact helping students I would be very much appreciative of earning this scholarship to further my educational goals. I am ready to help make an impact!

Winston Churchhill said, "Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." In the fall of 2025, I will be attending Buena Vista University to pursue a degree in Secondary Education, with a minor in Political Science. From a very young age I have always loved learning about history. I have a curiosity about the past. Starting in 4th grade my class had a wax museum project. Each student could choose a famous person and present about them as well as dress up like them. I was the atypical student choosing to learn about the first president of the US, George Washington. The remainder of my classmates choose singers, athletes, movie stars. Because I enjoy learning about the past, I want to make the topic of history and government engaging for students to learn. Unfortunately, these topics are not everyone's favorites and can be deemed as boring. I was fortunate that I had great teachers throughout middle school and high school. They encouraged open dialogue and brought what happened in the past and made it relevant to today. They taught, whether you agree or disagree with what happened – it happened. Changing the narrative to fit a personal belief system today, does not allow us to learn from the happenings in the past. In Iowa, a recent bill passed stating that every high school senior will now need to pass the US citizenship test as a requirement for graduation. This new law will start with the Fall 2026 school year. Like any new law passed some people agree with it and others do not. I personally am excited that as a new future teacher this will be a course topic I will be required to help teach to students. I do not see this negatively, but to help students be more engaged and appreciative of the process others are required to complete to become a citizen of this great country. It is my hope that in the future that this can be seen as successful in Iowa and be passed at a federal level. What would make this even more impactful nationally, is allow students once they turn 18 (and are not legal citizens) a fast track towards citizenship. This would save many people, times, stress, and money and provide opportunities for children who were not born in this country but educated K-12 to become citizens and attend college to further their growth. I am looking forward to earning my degree and making my impact helping students feel excited and curious about learning from the past and this country. I would be very much appreciative of earning this scholarship to further my educational goals. I am ready to help make an impact!

I recently graduated from Clarion Goldfield Dows Highschool in May of 2025. I am attending Buena Vista University in the Fall of 2025 to pursue a BA degree in Secondary Education (with an emphasis in teaching History and Government), along with a Political Science minor. I want to make the topic of history and government engaging for students to learn. Unfortunately, these topics are not everyone's favorites and can be deemed as boring. I was fortunate that I had great teachers throughout middle school and high school that have been a great influence to me. I started playing ball at age 4, playing with a small local T-ball league. I have been playing the game ever sense. When I first entered into high school softball, we had enough players in our smaller size district to have a JJV, JV, and Varsity team. In the next upcoming years, we had 3 different coaches, resulting in a decline in culture and players. As a Senior the current high school team is small in size, and majority of the team are underclassman (incoming Freshman-Sophomore). We are ranked very last in our district of approximately 80 teams. It has been frustrating because I feel my skills and development has not been challenged, bur I simply love the game. Another challenge that the team has faced is attempting to develop a strong team culture. What I have noticed is when freshman get a Varsity spot on the team by default/not earned that leads to very toxic attitude and lead to a sense of entitlement. When one doesn't have to work hard for a position then often times, they feel they don't need to work hard at all. As a Senior I have to be a leader and lead by example. I need to step up when my team is complaining about who gets to play more and who is better and try to drive positivity. I need to show accountability when I miss a play or strike out, I need to show I will commit to trying to improve next time. All these lessons are character building. If I want to improve and get better at something (grades, job, relationship) then I need to put in the work. Some opportunities in life you may fall into by default, but you are the only one that can make it be successful. Besides softball, I also have dances competitively for 15 years. I have performed as an individual and on 7 different dance teams. Honestly, I think I learned most of my sports ethic through dance. Your team is only as strong as your weakest dancer. If there is a person on the team that has not stepped up, then they do not perform. If there is a teammate who is struggling, you help them. I have taken a lot of these values and carried them into my softball team. I strive to be a good teammate- helpful comments, not hurtful. I try to influence my other teammates it's not always about winning, but more about the small gains that lead to success later on. For my younger team members I remind them they are 15 playing against other teams with 18/19-year-olds. Those older players are better because of persistence and sticking it out even when it was not easy. After my last game this year, I wish my younger players the best of luck and will make sure they know I am excited to watch them in years to come. They need to remember to stick out and be better today than they were yesterday.

Winston Churchhill said, "Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." In the fall of 2025, I will be attending Buena Vista University to pursue a degree in Secondary Education, with a minor in Political Science. From a very young age I have always loved learning about history. I have a curiosity about the past. Starting in 4th grade my class had a wax museum project. Each student could choose a famous person and present about them as well as dress up like them. I was the atypical student choosing to learn about the first president of the US, George Washington. The remainder of my classmates choose singers, athletes, movie stars. I am very passionate about making sure whatever topic I am learning is based on true historical facts. There have been dark times in our history, such as slavery in the US. This has been controversial because some people are not willing to accept or want to teach about the disturbing or harsh racial realities of what occurred. I believe even the darkest moments need to be taught accurately because it relates back to my opening essay quote-"Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Because I enjoy learning about the past, I want to make the topic of history and government engaging for students to learn. Unfortunately, these topics are not everyone's favorites and can be deemed as boring. I was fortunate that I had great teachers throughout middle school and high school. They encouraged open dialogue and brought what happened in the past and made it relevant to today. They taught, whether you agree or disagree with what happened – it happened. Changing the narrative to fit a personal belief system today, does not allow us to learn from the happenings in the past. In Iowa, a recent bill passed stating that every high school senior will now need to pass the US citizenship test as a requirement for graduation. Like any new law passed some people agree with it and others do not. I personally am excited that as a new future teacher this will be a course topic I will be required to help teach to students. I do not see this negatively, but to help students be more engaged and appreciative of the process others are required to complete to become a citizen of this great country. Plus is it really that awful to learn something new? I am looking forward to earning my degree and making my impact helping students feel excited and curious about learning from the past and this country. Martin Luther King, Jr.- “We are not makers of history. We are made of history.”

I read a saying once that said, "Where missed hits are just practice swings." I loved that quote because it is so relevant in life. Missed hits, or as I call them, whiffs" can just sour a good game. But I have learned if you just give up after a missed hit, how will you ever know the outcome of the end game? The very first time I tried golfing was my freshman year of high school. I was not raised in a family who has golfed or even enjoyed the sport. I decided to try golfing when I our high school team was recruiting new players. I do not enjoy running, and thought to myself, how hard can golf be? I also play softball, so the different swings were the most difficult to adjust to and I leaned very quickly it had more skill than I thought. After my first year, I found that I did enjoy the challenge of the game and it sparked a curiosity to learn more. My golf coach told me that he saw potential in my work ethic and attitude and encouraged me to keep on practicing and learn to enjoy the game- after all it is a game you can play your whole life. I got my first membership at the local course that summer, and I went out and practiced. Each year my scores improved. I just focused on my own personal best. I have learned in golf you get out of it what you put into it. Not only effort and practice, but overall attitude and personal enjoyment. Do not take life (or the game) so seriously and just live in the moment. Just relax, enjoy the game, the great weather, and the friends on the course. If you are tense, impatient, or negative, the end game will reflect that. I think that is so relevant in anything you do in life. The game has also taught me more about being tolerance and acceptance. Each golfer on a team brings their own experience, attitude, and speed to the game. Not one approach is better than the other. Everyone will get to the final hole on their own time. I have learned to appreciate being more patient of other people's time and efforts they put into the game. This is my last year in golf, but this is one sport that will not end when the school year ends. I can hit the course up this summer and explore area courses with new friends near my college hometown. The game can take me new places throughout my life.

Winston Churchhill said, "Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." In the fall of 2025, I will be attending Buena Vista University to pursue a degree in Secondary Education, with a minor in Political Science. From a very young age I have always loved learning about history. I have a curiosity about the past. Starting in 4th grade my class had a wax museum project. Each student could choose a famous person and present about them as well as dress up like them. I was the atypical student choosing to learn about the first president of the US, George Washington. The remainder of my classmates choose singers, athletes, movie stars. I am very passionate about making sure whatever topic I am learning is based on true historical facts. There have been dark times in our history, such as slavery in the US. This has been controversial because some people are not willing to accept or want to teach about the disturbing or harsh racial realities of what occurred. I believe even the darkest moments need to be taught accurately because it relates back to my opening essay quote-"Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Because I enjoy learning about the past, I want to make the topic of history and government engaging for students to learn. Unfortunately, these topics are not everyone's favorites and can be deemed as boring. I was fortunate that I had great teachers throughout middle school and high school. They encouraged open dialogue and brought what happened in the past and made it relevant to today. They taught, whether you agree or disagree with what happened – it happened. Changing the narrative to fit a personal belief system today, does not allow us to learn from the happenings in the past. In Iowa, a recent bill passed stating that every high school senior will now need to pass the US citizenship test as a requirement for graduation. Like any new law passed some people agree with it and others do not. I personally am excited that as a new future teacher this will be a course topic I will be required to help teach to students. I do not see this negatively, but to help students be more engaged and appreciative of the process others are required to complete to become a citizen of this great country. Plus is it really that awful to learn something new? I am looking forward to earning my degree and making my impact helping students feel excited and curious about learning from the past and this country. Martin Luther King, Jr.- “We are not makers of history. We are made of history.”

I have had a passion for dance since I was three years old is dance. I have been in dance for (15) years, and I have danced competitively for the past (9) years at Dance With Me Studio. I also have been a varsity member of the GGD dance team all (4) years of high school. I also am very proud that I will have the chance to continue my passion for dance, by committing to the BVU dance team. Dance has provided me with an avenue to express myself freely without the need for verbal expression. In a sense it has been my therapy, my release, my peace. In high school (at age 16) my boyfriend at the time, and childhood friend died by suicide. His death was unexpected, confusing, and very traumatic. I attended his funeral and left and went straight to dance practice. I was able to focus on the present and I escaped my inner thoughts and was able to learn my new solo for the year in 3 hours. Through dance I have also been able to work on improving my self-confidence. In the competitive dance world, it is easy to constantly compare yourself to others. It is easy to get lost on focusing what others can do that you cannot do. However, in reality if you shift your mindset, you actually can learn that you can figure out what makes you unique and different to make yourself be competitive by focusing on what sets you apart. Dance can be unique because it can be a co-ed sport. You can have male dancers on your team, but in general it is a female dominate sport. However, competitively and ironically if you have a male dancer on your team you generally stand out more. Dance technique is universal but in reality, competitively male dancers are stronger which allows them to be able to do tricks most females do not have the strength to do. The inside joke is if there are male dancers they will typically score higher as individuals or as a team- this is referenced as having "penis points". Although dance is female dominated, there is still an advantage of being a male. Despite this - being able to be part of a coed team has given me a perspective of diversity, perspective, and life experience I can take with me as I enter college and the workforce. In summary as I reflect, Dance has taught me so many life skills that I can apply throughout my adulthood. These include: 1. Commitment to a team (you are only as strong as your team in a group dance). 2. Mentorship towards others who may need help and the ability to know when to ask for help. 3. Accepting feedback from others (trust me, Judges’ comments at a competitive level can be hard to hear and accept, especially with a solo). 4. Confidence and self-love. You can be your hardest critic, so show grace towards yourself. 5. From the wise words from my dance teacher- “Practice until you can’t do it wrong.” When you fall down, just get back up.

Since I was young, I have had a curiosity about history and politics. I have been very fortunate throughout my middle school and high school years having a teacher that made learning the topic interesting and engaging. I realize these two topics can be dry and boring for many students. I want to be the teacher who gets students excited to learn about our country's great story through time. I also want to get more young people active in the infrastructure of our government to not just become loud voters but truly educated and informed voters. To me that will make the best positive impact in our world and as an education. I believe I am worthy of this scholarship due to my strong sense of ambition, which I consider my greatest trait. I have great pride in my academic accomplishments and dedication in various school activities all 4 years of high school, including leadership roles in Student Council, FFA, and National Honor Society and be ranked in the top 10% of my class . Upon graduation I will have earned 28 college credits from Iowa Central Community College. This essentially will save me 2 full semesters of college tuition. I was recognized as a Top Scholar at Buena Vista University which awarded me with a Presidential Merit Scholarship. I also applied and was accepted into the BVU Honor’s Program. This will allow me the opportunity and funds to conduct a research project of my interest and study abroad while in college. This will allow me to travel internationally and will be a wonderful experience personally and educationally. I am also very excited that I will have the chance to continue my passion for dance, by committing to the BVU dance team. I have demonstrated I am a responsible student and leader inside and outside of the classroom. I have made good choices by leading through my faith and teachings of the church. I have been courageous and curious to try different things that were outside my comfort zone (such as taking my first international trip and plane ride to Scotland/Ireland with my FFA class, winning Miss Congeniality at Wright County Fair, and trying wrestling cheer in a sport I did not understand). Most importantly I am a kind person. I learned through a difficult personal situation and loss, that you never know what someone is going through, so just be kind. I would be very thankful for this scholarship award. I also strive to be as responsible as I can to reduce my college debt through completing as many scholarship applications as I can.

I am a Senior in Highschool. In Fall 2022 (beginning of my Sophomore year), my childhood friend/boyfriend died by suicide. He was a kind, talented, athletic kid. He had an amazing family and friend group. He silently suffered from depression and never reached out for help or showed warning signs. It was so hard to understand and even harder to understand why he never reached out to anyone for help. The worst part for those who were closest to him is not knowing why. I did start receiving counseling to help manage my guilt and feelings. I never had experience with counseling before this trauma. My counselor at the time was amazing with teens and she really helped me. She helped me understand the complexity of suicide and helped me understand there was nothing I could have done in this situation. Through this, I can I understand why many people have the belief suicide is selfish and how can anyone do this to the people they leave behind. It has given me a new outlook on this topic. People can be cruel, especially highschool kids. Teens who experience anything related to their mental health often feel ashamed. They may feel embarrassed or fear of being labeled weird or odd. My friend surrounded himself with the best people, yet still felt too ashamed to speak up, or maybe he felt he would burden his family friends!? Even following the tragedy of his death, community, family, friends blamed bullying, a breakup, school trouble, sports pressure. It seemed taboo to mention it was related to brain health. In the past couple years his family and friends have worked hard to try and educate in the topic. We even hosted a Slam the stigma event at school to spread awareness of mental health and share local resources available, so no one ever feels alone and helpless again. I plan to attend college next fall (2025) and receive my master's in clinical mental health. At this point my end goal is be a counselor to help teens. The counselor I had really helped me and I am so glad she was there. She inspired me to want to help kids/teens someday too. I am doing well. I have dealt with the grief by continuing to do be involved in things that bring me joy. I love to dance. It is therapeutic for me and a way to express myself. I have maintained my grades in school. I have great friends and I know we can count on each other when we are struggling. I try to be kind towards everyone. You truly do not know what people are going through. Mental health can impact anyone at anytime. I have learned people don't always look "sick". I hope to.make an impact someday and be a voice and listening ear for others to know there is hope. I will be a worthy recipient for this scholarship because I will work hard through my proven experiences. . I have a story to share to help others.