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Julia McDonald

1x

Finalist

Bio

I am going to college after a two-year gap from graduating high school. I will be majoring in music Education. I am a first-gen student; both of my parents only finished high school. Music has always been my favorite thing in the world, and I'm going to make a career out of it!

Education

Missouri Southern State University

Bachelor's degree program
2026 - 2030
  • Majors:
    • Education, Other

Purdy High

High School
2020 - 2024

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Education, Other
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Education

    • Dream career goals:

      Teach high school band, coach marching band and field shows

    • Laborer

      Fulp Cleaners
      2024 – Present2 years

    Sports

    Track & Field

    Club
    2024 – 2024

    Research

    • Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services

      ProStart — Chef/Researher
      2023 – 2024

    Arts

    • Marching band, choir, musical, concert band, pep band

      Music
      2020 – 2024

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Haven of the Ozarks — Dog walker
      2024 – Present
    Marshall and Dorothy Smith Music Scholarship
    During high school, I participated in marching, pep, and concert band, along with concert choir, and participated in many musicals. With all of these activities, my biggest inspiration to become a music teacher came from my high school choir teacher. She has been teaching at my high school for nearly twenty years and loves it just as much as she did on the day she started, if not more. Seeing her love for teaching music and for her students opened my eyes to doing the same myself. I decided to pursue instrumental education over vocal because even though I had an amazing choir teacher, who always had a perfect choir because of how good her teaching was, my band teacher was different almost every year. Even though I didn't let that affect my love for the band, it absolutely played a role in the band's efficiency and skill. I want to give and show the same love to instrumental education that I saw in my choir class experience. My choir director, Mrs. Lee, quickly became my favorite teacher in the whole school. Not just because I loved singing and music already, but because she made it the most welcoming and perfect environment. Her love for her job was practically radiating off the walls. She encouraged every student who walked through her door. She helped every student find their voice and confidence when they thought they never would. Her teaching style was perfect, and everyone had amazing voices by the end of the year. Even though I loved singing before her class, she opened my eyes to a whole new level of singing and love for sound. I knew after just one class with her that I wanted to be just like her. My band class experience was very different. Between fifth grade and graduation, I had six different band teachers. We had a few good ones that taught me enough to fall in love with band and playing an instrument, but they never stayed long enough to give me a real example of what a great band teacher looks like. Also, as a result of six band teachers, I feel like I didn't reach my full potential. With all the different teachers and teaching styles, my ability to grow as a musician got derailed every time a new teacher came in. I always had to change what I was progressing on to whatever my new teacher wanted, and I never got to actually fulfill any skills. From what I have seen in my area, this happens to many schools, and that just isn't how it should be. Even with all of these struggles, my love for playing stayed. That is why I want to become a band teacher. I want to continue my love for playing, while also being a good role model for my students, and show them how amazing band is. Give them the chance to become amazing players/musicians, and to fall in love with it as I did. Music has always been my passion, but without those teachers and classes in high school, I would have never loved it enough to pursue a career in it. Mrs. Lee showed me how to love what you do and show it in your work. Her love for teaching choir carried and pushed me into my desire to do the same thing for band students in the future. I want to show kids how amazing being a part of a band is, and that even though there can be struggles along the way, it's always worth it in the end.
    Marie Humphries Memorial Scholarship
    My inspiration to become a music teacher came from my high school choir teacher. She has been teaching at my high school for nearly twenty years and loves it just as much as she did on the day she started, if not more. Seeing her love for teaching music and for her students opened my eyes to doing the same myself. I decided to pursue instrumental education over vocal because even though I had an amazing choir teacher, who always had a perfect choir because of how good her teaching was, my band teacher was different almost every year. Even though I didn't let that affect my love for the band, it absolutely played a role in the band's efficiency and skill. I want to give and show the same love to instrumental education that I saw in my choir class experience. My choir director, Mrs. Lee, quickly became my favorite teacher in the whole school. Not just because I loved singing and music already, but because she made it the most welcoming and perfect environment. Her love for her job was practically radiating off the walls, and it showed in everything she taught us. She encouraged every student who walked through her door. She helped every student find their voice and confidence when they thought they never would. Her teaching style was perfect, and everyone had amazing voices by the end of the year. Even though I loved singing before her class, she opened my eyes to a whole new level of singing and love for sound. I knew after just one class with her that I wanted to be just like her. My band class experience was very different. Between fifth grade and graduation, I had a total of six different band teachers. We had a few good ones that taught me enough to fall in love with band and playing an instrument, but they never stayed long enough to give me a real example of what a great band teacher looks like. Also, as a result of six band teachers, I feel like I didn't reach my full potential. With all the different teachers and teaching styles, my ability to grow as a musician got derailed every time a new teacher came in. I always had to change what I was progressing on to whatever my new teacher wanted, and I never got to actually fulfill any skills. From what I have seen in my area, this happens to many schools, and that just isn't how it should be. Even with all of these struggles, my love for playing stayed. That is why I want to become a band teacher. I want to continue my love for playing, while also being a good role model for my students, and show them how amazing band is. Give them the chance to become amazing players/musicians, and to fall in love with it as I did. Music has always been my passion, but without those teachers and classes in high school, I would have never loved it enough to pursue a career in it. Mrs. Lee showed me how to love what you do and show it in your work. Her love for teaching choir carried and pushed me into my desire to do the same thing for band students in the future. I want to show kids how amazing being a part of a band is, and that even though there can be struggles along the way, it's always worth it in the end.
    Dr. Connie M. Reece Future Teacher Scholarship
    My inspiration to become a music teacher came from my high school choir teacher. She has been teaching at my high school for nearly twenty years and loves it just as much as she did on the day she started, if not more. Seeing her love for teaching music and for her students opened my eyes to doing the same myself. I decided to pursue instrumental education over vocal because even though I had an amazing choir teacher, who always had a perfect choir because of how good her teaching was, my band teacher was different almost every year. Even though I didn't let that affect my love for the band, it absolutely played a role in the band's efficiency and skill. I want to give and show the same love to instrumental education that I saw in my choir class experience. My choir director, Mrs. Lee, quickly became my favorite teacher in the whole school. Not just because I loved singing and music already, but because she made it the most welcoming and perfect environment. Her love for her job was practically radiating off the walls, and it showed in everything she taught us. She encouraged every student who walked through her door. She helped every student find their voice and confidence when they thought they never would. Her teaching style was perfect, and everyone had amazing voices by the end of the year. Even though I loved singing before her class, she opened my eyes to a whole new level of singing and love for sound. I knew after just one class with her that I wanted to be just like her. My band class experience was very different. Between fifth grade and graduation, I had a total of six different band teachers. We had a few good ones that taught me enough to fall in love with band and playing an instrument, but they never stayed long enough to give me a real example of what a great band teacher looks like. Also, as a result of six band teachers, I feel like I didn't reach my full potential. With all the different teachers and teaching styles, my ability to grow as a musician got derailed every time a new teacher came in. I always had to change what I was progressing on to whatever my new teacher wanted, and I never got to actually fulfill any skills. From what I have seen in my area, this happens to many schools, and that just isn't how it should be. Even with all of these struggles, my love for playing stayed. That is why I want to become a band teacher. I want to continue my love for playing, while also being a good role model for my students, and show them how amazing band is. Give them the chance to become amazing players/musicians, and to fall in love with it as I did. Music has always been my passion, but without those teachers and classes in high school, I would have never loved it enough to pursue a career in it. Mrs. Lee showed me how to love what you do and show it in your work. Her love for teaching choir carried and pushed me into my desire to do the same thing for band students in the future. I want to show kids how amazing being a part of a band is, and that even though there can be struggles along the way, it's always worth it in the end.