If I were to create a class that all students K-12 were required to take, I would call it “Kindness and Compassion 101”. Students would go out and volunteer at the local food banks and animal shelters. They would happily sing Christmas carols to the elderly at the local retirement home who may be spending Christmas alone. They would be writing letters to our government, trying to make the world a better place. They would donate to the homeless and help feed the local fire department. They would raise money via a bake sale to help cover medical bills for a child who has cancer. The class would be very easy and straightforward. As long as students understood common sense and had a heart willing to serve, they would easily receive an A+. I think “Kindness and Compassion 101” would have a significant impact on all students grades K-12. The world today has become so corrupt, and people are becoming more selfish and more impatient by the hour. We are setting a very poor example of how we are supposed to act in this world toward this new generation, and they are going to follow in our footsteps if we do not act on this issue soon enough. I strongly believe that if we had a class like “Kindness and Compassion 101” in our schools, it would become possible for common sense to finally make “sense” again. It is hard for a lot of people these days to find the time to volunteer and show kindness and compassion toward our neighbors and our community. However, a lot of that time that we have wasted has been spent scrolling on our phones. Because of algorithms and doom scrolling, we have become so conformed to a whole new world that does not even exist! We have become so glued to our phones and devices that we have forgotten that there are millions out there that need our help and that need our love. This generation has become so selfish and unaware of what we should be doing instead of what we actually are doing. I think that if “Kindness and Compassion 101” was a real course required in our schools, future generations would prioritize helping others and supporting their local communities over Artificial Intelligence and algorithms. It is a shame that we have gotten this corrupt, however. It is a shame knowing that teachers may have to start teaching a course on how to be kind, but it may be extremely crucial to saving our selfish, corrupt world. Thank you so much for this scholarship opportunity! It would really help cover the cost of tuition if I were to win!

My name is Kaitlin Moore, and I am an undergraduate student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. I am planning to support early childhood development by simply uplifting young children and celebrating every milestone, whether big or small. I believe every child develops uniquely, and it really is a beautiful thing to watch young children grow into wise and educated adults. It is very discouraging to me knowing how many kids experience some form of bullying each day, even from teachers and parents. This bullying happens especially with children who have autism or ADHD. One of the main reasons why I want to go into the early childhood development field is because I want to give children with autism or ADHD a chance to prove the world wrong. Children with disabilities, especially autism, are usually more intelligent than the average child. We just have to learn how they learn and interact with others so they can have a chance to thrive. I want to be the light that shines in a young child’s life when darkness is surrounding them on every other outlet. I want to go into the early childhood development field because I want to be an encourager, uplifter, and provider to young children who need it most. My whole life, I have always loved children and have always wanted to work with them. Both my mother and grandmother worked in similar fields, and it is extremely important to me that I follow in their footsteps. They are both such amazing lights and examples to me, and I am so honored that I come from the same family tree as them. I want to make a positive impact on young children, just like my mother and grandmother did when they worked with them. Throughout grade school, particularly elementary school, I was often mistreated by both teachers and other students. I did not have the nicest teacher when I was in third grade, and she made me feel very uncomfortable and discouraged every day I went to school. I remember crying every morning before school simply because I did not want to face that teacher every day. Not wanting to go to school was very unusual for me because I always loved school prior to third grade and always looked forward to going. I know I am not the only one who has been through situations similar to mine, and I want to change that for future generations to come. My goal and desire for young children is that they enjoy developing, growing, and learning. No child should be mistreated or bullied by anyone! Thank you so much for this wonderful scholarship opportunity! It would greatly help fund my education if I were to win!

My name is Kaitlin Moore, and I am an undergraduate student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary studying Education and Music. I am passionate about the special education teacher profession because I believe special needs children should be treated the same way children without special needs are treated. Remember the classic Golden Rule? My desire is to bring love, joy, happiness, and kindness back into our education system. School should be a place where kids should feel safe to explore new ideas and get creative, not a place where special needs children are often neglected by both teachers and other students just because they may learn a little bit differently. In order for special needs students to experience a sense of their own presence, teachers need to: (1) have a little more patience with them, (2) understand a special needs student’s unique learning style, and (3) encourage special needs students to thrive in their unique gifts and talents that God has given them. In my opinion, teachers should not be just teaching. They should also be encouragers, counselors, and providers to each individual student. You never know what a child may be dealing with at home. Their parents may be going through a divorce. A family member may be sick and slowly fading way in the hospital. Their family may be homeless, not knowing what their next meal is going to be or whether they will get the chance to eat at all. That is why my goal in becoming a special needs teacher is to not only teach them academically, but also be an encourager, counselor, and provider to any of my students who need it. If the Lord leads, I would also like to become a music teacher or even a choir teacher to special needs children. By graduating with a minor in Music at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, this could definitely be a possibility for my future. Music is a great outlet to get in touch with your emotions, and I believe everyone, especially special needs children, needs a little music in their lives. Special needs children are often more stressed than children without special needs because of everything they go through. It has been scientifically proven that singing releases stress. In order for special needs children to experience a sense of their own presence, they need to be under as little stress as possible. To successfully fulfill Professor Harold Bloom’s quote, becoming some sort of a music teacher will help me to do exactly that. Fairy Tale: One upon a time there was a young woman named Josephine who lived in a small, magical forest called Dreamsville. Ever since she was a little girl, Josephine always wanted to become a teacher, especially a special needs teacher. Growing up, Josephine was always neglected and mistreated by her classmates. She hit such a low that she realized she wanted to take her own pain to make a difference for future children. That goal now became her highest high. When Josephine got a little older, she finally went for her dream of becoming a musician after years and years of being told she could never do it. After she graduated from high school, Josephine went straight to college to graduate with a bachelor’s in Education with a minor in Music. The road to get to college and to road to graduate from college was anything short from easy, but it was so worth it. As a result, Josephine is currently a special needs teacher at Presence Castle Elementary, bringing up the next generation of big dreamers. She also teaches choir at the school, and the kids love it! Josephine feels overwhelmed with joy knowing she can make special needs children sense their own presence while they are in her class. The choir is hosting a concert for Dreamsville next week, and the kids are super excited about it! They have been working so hard to bring smiles to each and every individual that hears them sing. Thank you so much for this wonderful scholarship opportunity! If I were to win, this would really help fund my tuition in so many different ways!

My name is Kaitlin Moore, and I am an undergraduate student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. There have been several instances in my life where I had no choice but to face my adversities with resilience and determination. But I did not have to face them alone because the Lord was with me through it all. Because of Him, I was able to face my giants with confidence. Without a doubt, the biggest challenge I have had to face and still deal with sometimes is anxiety. That may not seem like a big adversity to some, but for the individuals who struggle like me, it is a huge deal. Growing up, I remember being anxious almost all the time. I was anxious about making friends at school. I was anxious about pleasing others and making the best grades possible. I was anxious that I would never be somebody or amount up to anything. Throughout my high school years, particularly my senior year, I realized that the only person I need to please and should be pleasing is Jesus. I realized that as long as I was doing the best I could for the glory of God, I was going to be all right. God has a plan for me, and as long as I stick to that plan, I will amount to somebody. After those realities sunk in, my anxiety levels plummeted significantly. Why was I going to try so hard to seek validation from a world where people hated a perfect God? Through many of the adversities we may face, it is important to give back to the community. It is important to help others who may be facing harder and more strenuous trials than we may be facing. I was given a wonderful opportunity to give back to Saving Grace, a local animal shelter. For my birthday that year, I wanted to donate as much supplies to Saving Grace that I possibly could. Instead of gifts, I asked for people to bring supplies that I could donate to the animal shelter. I was so grateful over how many people brought supplies, and Saving Grace was so thrilled about my donation! In addition, I had another opportunity to volunteer at my local food bank with some friends my senior year of high school. We did some very hard work at the food bank, but it was so worth it! It is so sad knowing that a lot of families do not know what their next meal is going to be. That is why it is so important to volunteer and to give back to the community because there is always somebody out there who has it way worse than you do. Thank you so much for this wonderful scholarship opportunity!

My name is Kaitlin Moore, and I am an incoming freshman at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. One reason I chose this college was because of their love for Christ and their mission to proclaim God’s Word over all nations. I will be majoring in Elementary Education with minors in Christian Studies and Music. Growing up, I have always loved children. In addition, my mother and grandmother were both teachers. I strongly feel that the Lord is calling me to follow in their footsteps. With the world so corrupt these days, future generations are at risk now more than ever of growing further and further away from the Truth. My goal is to not only teach young children academically, but also spiritually so that hopefully I can plant their seed of faith at an early age. I want my teaching to be more of a ministry than a career. I will also be minoring in Music at Southeastern. I have always loved singing since I can remember, and I also play piano. I am currently a praise team member at my local church, and I look forward to singing to Jesus and Him alone every time I am up there. My desire is to use the musical gifts that God has given me to point others to Christ and lead them to the Truth through the lyrics I sing. By studying music in college as well as Elementary Education, I would also love to become a music teacher or even a choir teacher, if that is what the Lord leads. If I were to win this scholarship, it would greatly help fund my education so I can solely focus on God’s unique plan for my life and to pursue the ministry He has set out for me to complete. I believe that this is just the beginning for what the Lord has in store for me, and I cannot wait to see His faithfulness revealed in college and beyond.