My career goal is to work as a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the Forest Service to provide conservation medicine to wildlife populations, conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations, and help recover endangered species. Right now, I am excitedly pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Troy University. I chose this bachelor’s program because it meets all the pre-requisite requirements for Veterinary college. Also, within conservation sciences, having a sturdy base in marine/ aquatic biology will be beneficial as the health of the aquatic environment is essential for the preservation of habitats and wildlife. While at Troy University, I am an active member in the Troy pre-veterinary club to volunteer with local animal rescues and involved in wildlife research sponsored by the college. These opportunities allow me to attain experiences that will be fundamental to my future schooling. I am also training in scuba diving and scuba science. Not only could diving skills be instrumental in aquatic research, but the training envelops habitat restoration and citizen science. Both of which provide conservation experience now. As well as providing essential diving experiences for future research, data collection, and underwater conservation. After my bachelor’s is complete, due to my spouse still being active duty, I plan to follow this bachelor’s degree with a master’s degree in animal science at North Carolina State University. This degree will give a deeper understanding of animal genetics, nutrition, physiology, management, and biotechnology. I will then attend a veterinary college to attain my Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. The DVM programs I am interested in are located at North Carolina State University, Tennessee State University and Kansas State University. I have not decided on the specific school I will attend due to my husband being active-duty Army. Afterwards, I will gain experience and certification as a wildlife veterinary specialist through an ACZM externship program. Through my schooling, I will also be engaged with the Army Reserves with their Veterinary Detachment. The Veterinary Detachment’s mission is to provide critical support to Army medical operations by using veterinary medical science to safeguard animal health, food protection, public health, and biomedical research. Their yearly training within the United States provides cost free assistance to underserved areas through veterinary care, aid in humanitarian projects, and develop strategies to prevent the spread of infection animal borne diseases. The experiences and knowledge gained during my enlistment will be critical in my further academic success. I already have a budget for my schooling. As of now, I am working with the VR&E program through veterans’ assistance to pay for the tuition and fees of my bachelor’s degree. Afterwards, I will use my GI Bill from my time active-duty Army to pay for my master’s degree and part of my DVM. The last two years of my DVM will be financed and paid off after my schooling. Due to my family’s income being halves with me leaving active-duty service and my service-related injuries limiting my employment of jobs with flexible work schedules, working through school to help pay for my education is unrealistic. Instead, I will participate in any opportunity that will give me experience in the veterinary/ wildlife field. This will allow me to apply and be accepted into future educational programs more easily. However, leaving active-duty military came with financial difficulties. My family’s household income being halved makes the non-schooling financial burdens of life more troublesome. Any aid to reduce these financial burdens and limit student loans would be a blessing. Thank you for your time and support.

The number one problem that wildlife conservation and human-wildlife coexistence faces is the growing rate of human-wildlife conflicts. This is due to issues in land usage as human civilizations expand, wildlife is displaced, and habitats are fragmented. All of which humans have the capacity to control and limit to foster better human-wildlife relations. The rates at which most human civilizations expand are increasing with the growth of technology and industrialization. Cities are taking up more ground with the increased demand for land development for housing, agriculture, and infrastructure. Forests are being over-logged, mining operations are becoming more numerous, and food supplies are being over-harvested to provide humans with adequate resources. As more land is seized for human society, less land is available for wildlife. Meaning as humans seize the land they need, wildlife must either leave or is forcibly removed. As land is overrun by human infrastructure, the remaining protected wildlife areas are broken up into isolated fragments of land. This is known as habitat fragmentation. Wildlife in these small areas have limited resources and genetic variability for breeding. Issues arise as animals face problems with inbreeding, limited migration, violent interspecies alterations over space and food, and increased chances of potentially violent human-wildlife conflicts as animals leave. All of which are decreasing the rates of survival in wildlife, especially in endangered species. Human growth and expansion are for the betterment of human civilization. However, it is not in the interest of wildlife conservation. Nor is it in the interest of cultivating the best conditions for peaceful human-wildlife coexistence. Right now, human and wildlife conflicts are increasing worldwide because of the human impact on the world’s environment. Instances of nuance animals, animal casualties, and violent attacks are directly due to the close proximity humankind has created and can be detrimental to wildlife conservation projects. Although the growing rate of human-wildlife conflicts are causing concerns in the efficiency of wildlife conservation and peaceful coexistence, the future is not set. Humans have the capability to change these trends by learning to share our planet with other species to preserve global biodiversity. Therefore, conservation must start with educating the population early on the importance of wildlife conservation. This will provide an appreciation of the impacts that wildlife species have on our environments, as well as the impacts humans have on the world. Growing conservation organizations and increasing the number of programs will also be imperative to keep wild land protected, stabilize wildlife populations and reconnect fragmented habitats. This will allow wildlife populations to grow and protect future generations from the main problems of today.

I found my passion through the traveling I did during my military service. While overseas, I was fascinated with the biodiversity the world offered us. And while traveling the United States, I never missed an opportunity to hike a national park or visit an aquarium or zoo. I discovered an insatiable curiosity for animal behavior and habitat conservation. During one trip, I was afforded the opportunity to go whale watching. While watching the wild orcas hunt, the juveniles jumping out of the water in excitement, I made my decision to pursue a career in environmental and wildlife conservation. I am excitedly pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Troy University. I chose this bachelor’s program because marine ecosystems are one of the most important parts of a biome for wildlife and plant life. Afterwards, due to my spouse still being active duty, I plan to follow this bachelor’s degree up at Kansas State University with a PhD in Veterinary Medicine through their DVM profession program. My career goal is to work as a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the Forest Service to provide conservation medicine to wildlife populations, conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations, and help recover endangered species.

• My name is Katlynne Hytrek, and I served active-duty Army for six years. I first enlisted in 2019 as a 15T Blackhawk Mechanic. During initial training, I chose to apply for the Army’s Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) and was accepted into their selection program where I graduated in 2020. I was then stationed at Fort Jackson, Kentucky with 1-160th SOAR for the remainder of my contract. During this time, I promoted to an E-5/SGT. Within my shop, I became a well-rounded Blackhawk maintainer able to complete a wide array of tasks necessary for mechanical operations and mission success. Due to this, I traveled across America in support of twelve separate training events. Three of which being joint operations training with the Navy, FBI, and Air Force. I also deployed twice in support of Global War on Terrorism and the Gaza-Israel altercation. Today, I still serve part-time in the Army Reserves as an animal care specialist. Our mission is to care for military working animals, to ensure public health support, and to provide free veterinary assistance to underserved areas of America. • I have an unwavering enthusiasm for learning my chosen career field. I am excitedly pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Troy University. Afterwards, due to my spouse still being active duty, I plan to follow this bachelor’s degree up at Kansas State University with a PhD in Veterinary Medicine through their DVM profession program. My career goal is to work as a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the Forest Service to provide conservation medicine to wildlife populations, conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations, and help recover endangered species. The military helped shape these goals due to the exposure I received when I served. Throughout my active-duty military contract, I worked numerous jobs, traveled across the United States and to several other countries, and was exposed to a wide array of occupations I had never previously considered. I finally found my passion not within the military, but through the traveling I did with the military. Wherever I went, I found myself drawn to the local environment and wildlife. While overseas, I was fascinated with the biodiversity the world offered us. And while traveling the United States, I never missed an opportunity to hike a national park or visit an aquarium or zoo. During one trip, I was afforded the opportunity to go whale watching. While watching the wild orcas hunt, the juveniles jumping out of the water in excitement, I made my decision to pursue a career that would give me joy and fulfillment every day. I decided to follow my passion for environmental and wildlife conservation. • A challenge I have faced as a veteran returning to college is adjusting from the high-operation tempo of the military. Not only have I lost the demanding day-to-day schedule that kept me progressing, but I have also lost my feeling of identity and purpose. My only mission now is completing my college assignments, and it often leaves me underwhelmed. To help with these feelings, I have joined multiple volunteer organizations to help feel that community involvement. • I have always genuinely believed in giving back to my community through volunteer work, in gestures as small as donating blood. To a gesture as large as joining a church group to help restore/rebuild low-income family homes within the community. I aspire to always active within the community. Right now, I am volunteering at the Alabama Wildlife Federation and the local animal shelters. I also regularly donate blood to LifeSouth for hospitals and plasma to CLS for prescription drug creation.

Education is important to me because it will give me the tools I require to follow my dreams in wildlife conservation. Throughout my life, I have always pushed hard to excel and follow my passions. I graduated high school in 2016 on the principles list. I selected and performed unique and exhilarating tasks that, today, help me excel in college courses. Well-versed in math, science, history, English, and writing, I find myself a school-orientated and driven student. I also participated in a broad array of sports and clubs in high school that broadened my experiences and views. This included, but was not limited to, volleyball, speech and debate, Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and National Honor Society (NHS). I was known as a mentor and leader within these groups as I would always take the extra time to help new or struggling members succeed. Outside of school, I volunteered hundreds of hours in community service to several different organizations and received the Wyoming Congressional Award in recognition of my dedication to the community. However, I genuinely believe in giving back to the community and helping my neighbors when possible. Which is what led me to join the military. Throughout my military contract, I found my passion through the traveling I did with the military. Wherever I went, I found myself drawn to the local environment and wildlife. While overseas, I was fascinated with the biodiversity the world offered us. And while traveling the United States, I never missed an opportunity to hike a national park or visit an aquarium or zoo. I discovered an insatiable curiosity for animal behavior, habitat conservation, and ecosystem health. I have an unwavering enthusiasm for learning my chosen career field. I am excitedly pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Troy University. Marine ecosystems are, typically, one of the most important parts of a biome for wildlife and plant life. Afterwards, due to my spouse still being active-duty Army, I plan to follow this bachelor’s degree up at Kansas State University with a PhD in Veterinary Medicine through their DVM profession program. My career goal is to work as a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the Forest Service to provide conservation medicine to wildlife populations, conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations, and help recover endangered species. For me, legacy is most impactful in the form of knowledge. In fact, accumulating a wealth of knowledge through each generation is essential for fostering innovation among individual problem solvers, creating global sustainability, and preserving cultures for what each one can uniquely provide communities. I plan to foster a legacy throughout my career by teaching others to place emphasis on what we as individuals can do for the world. My goal is to create a legacy of knowledge within animal sciences that will help the next generation continue to preserve wildlife and their habitats. Being considered for this scholarship would be an important achievement for me. I have and continue to be a resolute student. I take time to expand my views through extracurricular activities and community service. However, having minimal financial support to continue my education I will certainly have to take out student loans. Any aid to reduce those student loans would be a blessing. I hope to be highly considered for this scholarship based on my dedication to my studies and financial challenges. Thank you for your time and support.

All military families start with one brave individual raising their right hand and swearing to serve a purpose bigger them themselves. Those that would leave their home, their family, and all they knew to protect their way of life for the next generation. This single act of selflessness then creates a chain reaction, inspiring more individuals from that family to take the oath. Within my husband’s family, that first individual was him. My husband has always been an inspiration to me. His strong will and determination have enabled him to accomplish and excel at anything he sets his mind to. For example, when he first joined the military, my husband wanted to learn to operate and maintain electrical systems. However, he felt becoming an interior electrician would not provide enough of a challenge. Instead, he chose to become an electrician on some of the world’s most advanced attack helicopters. He then went on to do that job within the Army’s Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) to learn from the best aircraft electricians within the military. Within eight years, he became a leader, trainer, and subject matter expert within his avionics platoon. Through his actions and determination, my husband motivated countless people within his life. Three out of six of his siblings followed his lead and joined the armed forces. Soldiers followed him through training and into Special Operations selection with his encouragement. Junior enlisted soldiers within SOAR worked diligently under his leadership to learn all they could in the hopes of becoming great maintainers like my husband. Even I have found myself driven to join the military to serve my country and be part of something bigger than myself. I would like to take a moment to tell you a funny story about my husband’s time within his SOAR avionics platoon. Because, although SOAR soldiers worked extremely hard, they also made time to celebrate. One such celebration SOAR soldiers had was with birthdays and it went beyond the birthday cake. When a soldiers’ birthday was found out, the platoon would buy them a birthday cake, work together to hog tie the birthday person, and force feed them their slice of birthday cake. Knowing this, my husband had kept his birthday a secret for three years before I found out. On his 25th birthday, I showed up in his shop during lunch with his birthday cake and my husband finally received his platoon’s birthday wishes. Today, my husband is becoming a pilot for the Army. And, as always, he is showing a level of determination and commitment that I have seen exhibited by very few. Recently, I watched him receive his aircraft assignment after graduating the first course in pilot training. I was so proud watching him walk across the stage to shake hands with his Command team and receive his Apache helicopter orders. He has accomplished more than most in his nine years in the military and will continue to succeed in all he does.

Throughout my life, I have always pushed hard to excel and follow my passions. I graduated high school in 2016 on the principles list. I selected and performed unique and exhilarating tasks that, today, help me excel in college courses. Well-versed in math, science, history, English, and writing, I find myself a school-orientated and driven student. I also participated in a broad array of sports and clubs in high school that broadened my experiences and views. This included, but was not limited to, volleyball, speech and debate, Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and National Honor Society (NHS). I was known as a mentor and leader within these groups as I would always take the extra time to help new or struggling members succeed. Outside of school, I volunteered hundreds of hours in community service to several different organizations and received the Wyoming Congressional Award in recognition of my dedication to the community. However, I genuinely believe in giving back to the community and helping my neighbors when possible. Which is what led me to join the military. Throughout my military contract, I found my passion through the traveling I did with the military. Wherever I went, I found myself drawn to the local environment and wildlife. While overseas, I was fascinated with the biodiversity the world offered us. And while traveling the United States, I never missed an opportunity to hike a national park or visit an aquarium or zoo. I discovered an insatiable curiosity for animal behavior, habitat conservation, and ecosystem health. I have an unwavering enthusiasm for learning my chosen career field. I am excitedly pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Troy University. Marine ecosystems are, typically, one of the most important parts of a biome for wildlife and plant life. Afterwards, due to my spouse still being active-duty Army, I plan to follow this bachelor’s degree up at Kansas State University with a PhD in Veterinary Medicine through their DVM profession program. My career goal is to work as a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the Forest Service to provide conservation medicine to wildlife populations, conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations, and help recover endangered species. However, leaving active-duty military came with its financial difficulties. My family’s household income has been halved, and I have disabilities that keep me from pursuing flexible occupations while schooling. Due to the fast deploying and demanding nature of the military unit I served in, I acquired several serious injuries from my time active duty. These injuries leave my employment options limited and most jobs with flexible work schedules for students will not be possible for me. So, not only are my spouse and I not able to pay for my schooling, but I am unable to work to pay my way through school. These financial difficulties leave paying for my education burdensome. Being considered for this scholarship would be an important achievement for me. I have and continue to be a resolute student. I take time to expand my views through extracurricular activities and community service. However, having minimal financial support to continue my education I will certainly have to take out student loans. Any aid to reduce those student loans would be a blessing. I hope to be highly considered for this scholarship based on my dedication to my studies and financial challenges. Thank you for your time and support.

Legacy is something passed down from one generation to the next. For me, this is most impactful in the form of knowledge. Accumulating a wealth of knowledge through each generation is essential for fostering innovation among individual problem solvers, creating global sustainability, and preserving cultures for what each one can uniquely provide communities. However, my upbringing taught me very differently than my present views. Instead of legacy being what you can leave for the next generation, my family taught me that legacy was in act of creating the next generation. This impacted my path in life by often leaving me underprepared, unsure, and unsupported. I knew from a young age that I loved learning and valued schooling more than I was brought up to. I knew I wanted to obtain a college education and have my own career. However, as a first-generation student I was left without a role model to guide me in the process, and this lack of a support system has led to many challenges in my pursuit of a degree. The main challenge I faced as a young college student was indecisiveness over my career path. I knew what type of occupations I would excel in, but I could not decide what profession would give me fulfillment. Due to this conundrum, I ended up leaving college in 2017 to join the military with the intent of exposing myself to a wider array of career options. Throughout my active-duty military contracts, I worked numerous jobs and was exposed to a wide array of occupations I had never previously considered. I finally found my passion not within the Army, but through the traveling I did with them. Wherever I went, I found myself drawn to the local environment and wildlife. While overseas, I was fascinated with the biodiversity the world offered us. And while traveling the United States, I never missed an opportunity to hike a national park or visit an aquarium or zoo. I discovered I had an insatiable curiosity for animal behavior, habitat conservation, and ecosystem health through biodiversity. During one trip, I was afforded the opportunity to go whale watching. While watching the wild orcas hunt, the juveniles jumping out of the water in excitement, I made my decision on a career that would give me joy and fulfillment every day. I decided to follow my passion for environmental and wildlife conservation. Throughout the remainder of my active-duty service, I strengthened myself physically, mentally, and emotionally in preparation to propel myself forward through the challenges of obtaining the degrees necessary to protect wildlife and its habitats for future generations. I plan to break the cycle within my family's legacy by fostering the change to place more emphasis on what we as individuals can do for the world. As well as by creating my legacy of knowledge that will help the next generation continue to preserve wildlife and their habitats. To start, I am excitedly pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Troy University. Afterwards, due to my spouse being active duty, I plan to attend Kansas State University to obtain a PhD in Veterinary Medicine. My career goal and dream are to work as a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the Forest Service to provide conservation medicine to wildlife populations, conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations, and help recover endangered species.

Being a first-generation student means there are no role models. There’s no one that I can look to for guidance for how a college education is meant to be completed. My family is unable to offer advice to help guide me through choosing a career, enrolling in my academics, or completing my studies. These decisions are solely mine. And although this may appear to be a blessing to many, this lack of a support system has led to many challenges in my pursuit of a degree. The main challenge I faced as a young college student was indecisiveness over my career path. I knew what type of occupations I would excel in, but I could not decide what career would give me fulfillment. Due to this conundrum, I ended up leaving college in 2017 to join the military with the intent of exposing myself to a wider array of career options. Throughout my active-duty military contracts, I worked numerous jobs and was exposed to a wide array of occupations I had never previously considered. I finally found my passion not within the Army, but through the traveling I did with them. Wherever I went, I found myself drawn to the local environment and wildlife. While overseas, I was fascinated with the biodiversity the world offered us. And while traveling the United States, I never missed an opportunity to hike a national park or visit an aquarium or zoo. I discovered an insatiable curiosity for animal behavior, habitat conservation, and ecosystem health through biodiversity. During one trip, I was afforded the opportunity to go whale watching. While watching the wild orcas hunt, the juveniles jumping out of the water in excitement, I made my decision on a career that would give me joy and fulfillment every day. I decided to follow my passion for environmental and wildlife conservation. Now, I am excitedly pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Troy University. Within conservation sciences, having a sturdy base in marine biology will be beneficial when preserving habitats. Afterwards, due to my spouse being active duty, I plan to attend Kansas State University to obtain a PhD in Veterinary Medicine. My career goal and dream are to work as a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the Forest Service to provide conservation medicine to wildlife populations, conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations, and help recover endangered species. Being considered for this scholarship would be an important achievement for me. It would help guarantee my education continuing and me obtaining my dreams. I have and continue to be a resolute student. I take time to expand my views through extracurricular activities and community service. However, having left active-duty military this year and being a first-generation student leaves me with minimal financial support to continue my education. Any aid to reduce my student loans would be a blessing. I hope to be highly considered for this scholarship based on my dedication to my studies and financial challenges. Thank you for your time and support.

Throughout my life, I have always pushed hard to excel and follow my passions. I graduated high school in 2016 on the principles list. I was a straight A student that selected and performed unique and exhilarating tasks that, today, help me excel in college courses. Well-versed in math, science, history, English, and writing, I find myself a school-orientated and driven student. I also participated in a broad array of sports and clubs in high school that broadened my experiences and views. This included, but was not limited to, volleyball, track and field, speech and debate, ProStart, marching band, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, and National Honor Society. I was known as a mentor and leader within these groups as I would always take the extra time to help new or struggling members succeed. Outside of school, I volunteered hundreds of hours in community service to several different organizations. These included the community center, the public library, the nursing home, town beautification, blood drives, and my church’s youth group for tutoring. In 2016, I received the Wyoming Congressional Award in recognition of my dedication to the community. However, I genuinely believe in giving back to the community and helping others when possible. Which is what led me to join the military. Throughout my active-duty military contract, I worked numerous jobs, traveled across the United States and to several other countries, and was exposed to a wide array of occupations I had never previously considered. I finally found my passion not within the military, but through the traveling I did with the military. Wherever I went, I found myself drawn to the local environment and wildlife. While overseas, I was fascinated with the biodiversity the world offered us. And while traveling the United States, I never missed an opportunity to hike a national park or visit an aquarium or zoo. I discovered an insatiable curiosity for animal behavior, habitat conservation, and ecosystem health through biodiversity. During one trip, I was afforded the opportunity to go whale watching. While watching the wild orcas hunt, the juveniles jumping out of the water in excitement, I made my decision to pursue a career that would give me joy and fulfillment every day. I decided to follow my passion for environmental and wildlife conservation. Throughout the remainder of my active-duty service, I strengthened myself physically, mentally, and emotionally in preparation to propel myself forward through the challenges of obtaining the degrees necessary to protect wildlife and its habitats for future generations. I have an unwavering enthusiasm for learning my chosen career field. I am excitedly pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Troy University. I chose this bachelor’s program because every biome has a marine ecosystem within it. Marine ecosystems are also, typically, one of the most important parts of a biome for wildlife and plant life. Within conservation sciences, having a sturdy base in marine biology will be beneficial when preserving habitats. Afterwards, due to my spouse still being active duty, I plan to follow this bachelor’s degree up at Kansas State University with a PhD in Veterinary Medicine through their DVM profession program. My career goal is to work as a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the Forest Service to provide conservation medicine to wildlife populations, conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations, and help recover endangered species. Becoming a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the Forest Service that specializes in the conservation of endangered and keystone species is my "Pie in the Sky" dream.

Throughout my life, I have always pushed hard to excel and follow my passions. I graduated high school in 2016 on the principles list. I was a straight A student that selected and performed unique and exhilarating tasks that, today, help me excel in college courses. Well-versed in math, science, history, English, and writing, I find myself a school-orientated and driven student. I also participated in a broad array of sports and clubs in high school that broadened my experiences and views. This included, but was not limited to, volleyball, track and field, speech and debate, ProStart, marching band, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, and National Honor Society. I was known as a mentor and leader within these groups as I would always take the extra time to help new or struggling members succeed. Outside of school, I volunteered hundreds of hours in community service to several different organizations. These included the community center, the public library, the nursing home, town beautification, blood drives, and my church’s youth group for tutoring. In 2016, I received the Wyoming Congressional Award in recognition of my dedication to the community. However, I genuinely believe in giving back to the community and helping others when possible. Which is what led me to join the military. I continue to expand my experiences and serve my communities. I participated in martial arts, lifting, and yoga clubs in the military. Now that I am out of active-duty military, I mentor beginners at the gym through safe workouts and help them start setting up healthier lifestyle choices. I have also volunteered regularly since high school. In the military, I volunteered at the animal shelter and at the USO helping young soldiers with paperwork. Now, I volunteer with the Presbyterian church, helping low-income families in the community, the Alabama Wildlife Federation and the animal shelter. I also am engaged with the Army Reserves with their Veterinary Detachment. The Veterinary Detachment’s mission is to provide critical support to Army medical operations by using veterinary medical science to safeguard animal health, food protection, public health, and biomedical research. Their yearly training within the United States provides cost free assistance to underserved areas through veterinary care, aid in humanitarian projects, and development of strategies to prevent the spread of infection animal borne diseases. I aim to continue volunteering and the Army Reserves while schooling. Throughout my active-duty military contract, I worked numerous jobs, traveled across the United States and to several other countries, and was exposed to a wide array of occupations I had never previously considered. I finally found my passion not within the military, but through the traveling I did with the military. Wherever I went, I found myself drawn to the local environment and wildlife. While overseas, I was fascinated with the biodiversity the world offered us. And while traveling the United States, I never missed an opportunity to hike a national park or visit an aquarium or zoo. I discovered an insatiable curiosity for animal behavior, habitat conservation, and ecosystem health through biodiversity. During one trip, I was afforded the opportunity to go whale watching. While watching the wild orcas hunt, the juveniles jumping out of the water in excitement, I made my decision to pursue a career that would give me joy and fulfillment every day. I decided to follow my passion for environmental and wildlife conservation. Throughout the remainder of my active-duty service, I strengthened myself physically, mentally, and emotionally in preparation to propel myself forward through the challenges of obtaining the degrees necessary to protect wildlife and its habitats for future generations. I have an unwavering enthusiasm for learning my chosen career field. I am excitedly pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Troy University. I chose this bachelor’s program because every biome has a marine ecosystem within it. Marine ecosystems are also, typically, one of the most important parts of a biome for wildlife and plant life. Within conservation sciences, having a sturdy base in marine biology will be beneficial when preserving habitats. Afterwards, due to my spouse still being active duty, I plan to follow this bachelor’s degree up at Kansas State University with a PhD in Veterinary Medicine through their DVM profession program. My career goal is to work as a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the Forest Service to provide conservation medicine to wildlife populations, conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations, and help recover endangered species. However, leaving active-duty military came with its financial difficulties. My family’s household income has been halved, and I have disabilities that keep me from pursuing flexible occupations while schooling. Due to the fast deploying and demanding nature of the military unit I served in, I acquired several serious injuries from my time active duty. These injuries leave my employment options limited and most jobs with flexible work schedules for students will not be possible for me. So, not only are my spouse and I not able to pay for my schooling, but I am unable to work to pay my way through school. These financial difficulties leave paying for my education burdensome. Being considered for this scholarship would be an important achievement for me. It would help guarantee my education continuing and me obtaining my future goals. I have and continue to be a resolute student. I take time to expand my views through extracurricular activities and community service. However, having left active-duty military this year and being a non-traditional student leaves me with minimal financial support to continue my education. With my family’s income having been reduced by half, limited opportunities for employment while schooling for myself, and limited financial aid, I will certainly have to take out student loans for my education. Any aid to reduce those student loans would be a blessing. I hope to be highly considered for this scholarship based on my dedication to my studies and financial challenges. Thank you for your time and support.

Throughout my life, I have always pushed hard to excel and follow my passion. In high school, I was a straight A student. I participated in a broad array of sports and clubs, including volleyball, debate, Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and National Honor Society. Outside of school, I volunteered for several institutions. In 2016, I received the Wyoming Congressional Award in recognition of my community service. I genuinely believe in giving back to the community and helping your neighbors. It’s what led me to join the military, and to my passion for marine biology. Throughout my military contract, I worked numerous jobs, traveled across the United States and to several other countries, and was exposed to a wide array of occupations I had never previously considered. I finally found my passion not within the military, but through the traveling I did with the military. Wherever I went, I found myself drawn to the local environment and wildlife. While overseas, I was fascinated with the biodiversity the world offered us. And while traveling the United States, I never missed an opportunity to hike a national park or visit an aquarium or zoo. I discovered an insatiable curiosity for animal behavior, habitat conservation, and ecosystem health through biodiversity. During one trip, I was afforded the opportunity to go whale watching. While watching the wild orcas hunt, the babies jumping out of the water in excitement, I made my decision to pursue a career that would give me fulfillment and joy every day. I decided to follow my passion for environmental and wildlife conservation. Throughout the remainder of my active-duty service, I strengthened myself physically, mentally, and emotionally in preparation to propel myself forward through the challenges of obtaining the degrees necessary to protect wildlife and its habitats for future generations. I have an unwavering enthusiasm for learning my chosen career field. I am excitedly pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Troy University. I chose this bachelor’s program because every biome has a marine ecosystem within it. Marine ecosystems are also, typically, one of the most important parts of a biome for wildlife and plant life. Within conservation sciences, having a sturdy base in marine biology will be beneficial when preserving habitats. Afterwards, due to my spouse still being active duty, I plan to follow this bachelor’s degree up at Kansas State University with a PhD in Veterinary Medicine through their DVM profession program. My career goal is to work as a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the Forest Service to provide conservation medicine to wildlife populations, conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations, and help recover endangered species. Being considered for this scholarship would be an important achievement for me. It would help guarantee my education continuing and me obtaining my future goals. I have and continue to be a resolute student. I take time to expand my views through extracurricular activities and community service. However, having left active-duty military this year and being a non-traditional student leaves me with minimal financial support to continue my education. With my family’s income having been reduced by half, limited opportunities for employment while schooling for myself, and limited financial aid, I will certainly have to take out student loans for part of my education. Any aid to reduce those student loans would be a blessing. I hope to be highly considered for this scholarship based on my dedication to my studies and financial challenges. Thank you for your time and support.

Throughout my life, I have always pushed hard to excel and follow my passions. I graduated high school in 2016 on the principles list as straight A student that selected and performed unique and exhilarating tasks that, today, help me excel in college courses. My passion for volunteer service and working for my community led me to military service after high school. I served six years in active duty Army and continue to service with the Army Reserves as I attend college now. Throughout my military service, I worked numerous jobs, traveled across the United States and to several other countries, and was exposed to a wide array of occupations I had never previously considered. I finally found my passion not within the military, but through the traveling I did with the military. Wherever I went, I found myself drawn to the local environment and wildlife. While overseas, I was fascinated with the biodiversity the world offered us. And while traveling the United States, I never missed an opportunity to hike a national park or visit an aquarium/zoo. I discovered an insatiable curiosity for animal behavior, habitat conservation, and ecosystem health through biodiversity. During one trip, I was afforded the opportunity to go whale watching. While watching the wild orcas hunt, the babies jumping out of the water in excitement, I made my decision to pursue a career that would give me fulfillment and joy every day. I decided to follow my passion for environmental and wildlife conservation. Throughout the remainder of my active-duty service, I strengthened myself physically, mentally, and emotionally in preparation to propel myself forward through the challenges of obtaining the degrees necessary to protect wildlife and its habitats for future generations. I have an unwavering enthusiasm for learning my chosen career field. I am excitedly pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Troy University, AL. I chose this bachelor’s program because every biome has a marine ecosystem within it. Marine ecosystems are also, typically, one of the most important parts of a biome for wildlife and plant life. Within conservation sciences, having a sturdy base in marine biology will be beneficial when preserving habitats. Afterwards, due to my spouse still being active duty Army, I plan to follow this bachelor’s degree up at Kansas State University with a PhD in Veterinary Medicine through their DVM profession program. My career goal is to work as a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the National Forest Service to provide conservation medicine to wildlife populations, conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations, and help recover endangered species.

I served six years active duty Army before finding my passion in wildlife and environmental conservation. During my service, I was deployed three times. Each deployment held it's own set of challenges that changed me in ways I wouldn't be aware of until I returned home. For example, one deployment were had drones with explosives flown into the base at night that destroyed multi-million dollars worth of equipment and put hundreds of people in danger. After returning home, my husband and I ended up moving so as not to hear the night firing ranges on base. My last deployment was in respond to the war between Israel and Gaza. The deployment was high stress as the possibility of the Unites States intervening was high at the time. My team and I were readying ourselves for the expected troop movement when the unexpected happened. One of our unit's helicopters went down and the entire crew passed. The event happened at my unit's other location where my husband was also deployed. At the time, all communications were cut off to prevent misinformation from being passed back home to the families. During this time, my team didn't receive information on the incident and I didn't have assurance that my husband was alive. When communications opened after two days, I learned that my husband thankfully hadn't been on that helicopter, but that two of my close friends had. Upon returning home, my husband and I recognized several issues that stemmed directed from our experiences on that deployment. I ended up receiving counseling to treat the PTSD symptoms and insomnia interfering with my work. Both my husband and I received help with stopping our nicotine usage. Working with counselors and medical professionals instilled a strong commitment within me to help other veterans find the help necessary to process difficult life events. Now that I have left active duty military to continue my college education full-time, I have joined several veteran organizations. These organizations, such as the American Legion, allow me to interact with and help other veterans with PTSD related issues. My experience with high stress deployments and loosing military friends allows other veterans to relate and feel comfortable with sharing their traumas with me. My knowledge of the VA health care system and veteran benefits have helped other veterans receive the care they need and deserve. With every interaction I have I learn of more tools to help veterans succeed, even after the traumas experienced in military service. I plan to continue learning about veteran benefits and I aim to become more involved in veteran support organizations after completing my college education.

Throughout my life, I have always pushed hard to excel and follow my passions. I graduated high school in 2016 on the principles list as straight A student that selected and performed unique and exhilarating tasks that, today, help me excel in college courses. My passion for volunteer service and working for my community led me to military service after high school. I served six years in active duty Army and continue to service with the Army Reserves as I attend college now. Throughout my military service, I worked numerous jobs, traveled across the United States and to several other countries, and was exposed to a wide array of occupations I had never previously considered. I finally found my passion not within the military, but through the traveling I did with the military. Wherever I went, I found myself drawn to the local environment and wildlife. While overseas, I was fascinated with the biodiversity the world offered us. And while traveling the United States, I never missed an opportunity to hike a national park or visit an aquarium/zoo. I discovered an insatiable curiosity for animal behavior, habitat conservation, and ecosystem health through biodiversity. During one trip, I was afforded the opportunity to go whale watching. While watching the wild orcas hunt, the babies jumping out of the water in excitement, I made my decision to pursue a career that would give me fulfillment and joy every day. I decided to follow my passion for environmental and wildlife conservation. Throughout the remainder of my active-duty service, I strengthened myself physically, mentally, and emotionally in preparation to propel myself forward through the challenges of obtaining the degrees necessary to protect wildlife and its habitats for future generations. I have an unwavering enthusiasm for learning my chosen career field. I am excitedly pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Troy University, AL. I chose this bachelor’s program because every biome has a marine ecosystem within it. Marine ecosystems are also, typically, one of the most important parts of a biome for wildlife and plant life. Within conservation sciences, having a sturdy base in marine biology will be beneficial when preserving habitats. Afterwards, due to my spouse still being active duty Army, I plan to follow this bachelor’s degree up at Kansas State University with a PhD in Veterinary Medicine through their DVM profession program. My career goal is to work as a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the National Forest Service to provide conservation medicine to wildlife populations, conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations, and help recover endangered species.

Throughout my life, I have always pushed hard to excel and follow my passions. I graduated high school in 2016 on the principles list as straight A student that selected and performed unique and exhilarating tasks that, today, help me excel in college courses. My passion for volunteer service and working for my community led me to military service after high school. I served six years in active duty Army and continue to service with the Army Reserves as I attend college now. Throughout my military service, I worked numerous jobs, traveled across the United States and to several other countries, and was exposed to a wide array of occupations I had never previously considered. I finally found my passion not within the military, but through the traveling I did with the military. Wherever I went, I found myself drawn to the local environment and wildlife. While overseas, I was fascinated with the biodiversity the world offered us. And while traveling the United States, I never missed an opportunity to hike a national park or visit an aquarium/zoo. I discovered an insatiable curiosity for animal behavior, habitat conservation, and ecosystem health through biodiversity. During one trip, I was afforded the opportunity to go whale watching. While watching the wild orcas hunt, the babies jumping out of the water in excitement, I made my decision to pursue a career that would give me fulfillment and joy every day. I decided to follow my passion for environmental and wildlife conservation. Throughout the remainder of my active-duty service, I strengthened myself physically, mentally, and emotionally in preparation to propel myself forward through the challenges of obtaining the degrees necessary to protect wildlife and its habitats for future generations. I have an unwavering enthusiasm for learning my chosen career field. I am excitedly pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Troy University, AL. I chose this bachelor’s program because every biome has a marine ecosystem within it. Marine ecosystems are also, typically, one of the most important parts of a biome for wildlife and plant life. Within conservation sciences, having a sturdy base in marine biology will be beneficial when preserving habitats. Afterwards, due to my spouse still being active duty Army, I plan to follow this bachelor’s degree up at Kansas State University with a PhD in Veterinary Medicine through their DVM profession program. My career goal is to work as a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the National Forest Service to provide conservation medicine to wildlife populations, conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations, and help recover endangered species.

Throughout my life, I have always pushed hard to excel and follow my passions. I graduated high school in 2016 on the principles list as straight A student that selected and performed unique and exhilarating tasks that, today, help me excel in college courses. My passion for volunteer service and working for my community led me to military service after high school. I served six years in active duty Army and continue to service with the Army Reserves as I attend college now. Throughout my military service, I worked numerous jobs, traveled across the United States and to several other countries, and was exposed to a wide array of occupations I had never previously considered. I finally found my passion not within the military, but through the traveling I did with the military. Wherever I went, I found myself drawn to the local environment and wildlife. While overseas, I was fascinated with the biodiversity the world offered us. And while traveling the United States, I never missed an opportunity to hike a national park or visit an aquarium/zoo. I discovered an insatiable curiosity for animal behavior, habitat conservation, and ecosystem health through biodiversity. During one trip, I was afforded the opportunity to go whale watching. While watching the wild orcas hunt, the babies jumping out of the water in excitement, I made my decision to pursue a career that would give me fulfillment and joy every day. I decided to follow my passion for environmental and wildlife conservation. Throughout the remainder of my active-duty service, I strengthened myself physically, mentally, and emotionally in preparation to propel myself forward through the challenges of obtaining the degrees necessary to protect wildlife and its habitats for future generations. I have an unwavering enthusiasm for learning my chosen career field. I am excitedly pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Troy University, AL. I chose this bachelor’s program because every biome has a marine ecosystem within it. Marine ecosystems are also, typically, one of the most important parts of a biome for wildlife and plant life. Within conservation sciences, having a sturdy base in marine biology will be beneficial when preserving habitats. Afterwards, due to my spouse still being active duty Army, I plan to follow this bachelor’s degree up at Kansas State University with a PhD in Veterinary Medicine through their DVM profession program. My career goal is to work as a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the National Forest Service to provide conservation medicine to wildlife populations, conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations, and help recover endangered species. After obtaining my education goals, I plan to also volunteer with conservation organizations dedicated to helping shark species across the globe. Sharks fall into the scientific category of "keystone species", meaning they are the backbone of their environment. Many natural habitats, such as reefs, depend on the successful conservation of shark species to maintain the health and balance of the ecosystem. Becoming a wildlife veterinarian with a strong base in marine science would allow me to be of greater help to shark conservation efforts. While I learn and work my way towards my career goals, I am also aiming for this volunteer goal.

Throughout my life, I have always pushed hard to excel and follow my passions. I graduated high school in 2016 on the principles list as straight A student that selected and performed unique and exhilarating tasks that, today, help me excel in college courses. My passion for volunteer service and working for my community led me to military service after high school. I served six years in active duty Army and continue to service with the Army Reserves as I attend college now. Throughout my military service, I worked numerous jobs, traveled across the United States and to several other countries, and was exposed to a wide array of occupations I had never previously considered. I finally found my passion not within the military, but through the traveling I did with the military. Wherever I went, I found myself drawn to the local environment and wildlife. While overseas, I was fascinated with the biodiversity the world offered us. And while traveling the United States, I never missed an opportunity to hike a national park or visit an aquarium/zoo. I discovered an insatiable curiosity for animal behavior, habitat conservation, and ecosystem health through biodiversity. During one trip, I was afforded the opportunity to go whale watching. While watching the wild orcas hunt, the babies jumping out of the water in excitement, I made my decision to pursue a career that would give me fulfillment and joy every day. I decided to follow my passion for environmental and wildlife conservation. Throughout the remainder of my active-duty service, I strengthened myself physically, mentally, and emotionally in preparation to propel myself forward through the challenges of obtaining the degrees necessary to protect wildlife and its habitats for future generations. I have an unwavering enthusiasm for learning my chosen career field. I am excitedly pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Troy University, AL. I chose this bachelor’s program because every biome has a marine ecosystem within it. Marine ecosystems are also, typically, one of the most important parts of a biome for wildlife and plant life. Within conservation sciences, having a sturdy base in marine biology will be beneficial when preserving habitats. Afterwards, due to my spouse still being active duty Army, I plan to follow this bachelor’s degree up at Kansas State University with a PhD in Veterinary Medicine through their DVM profession program. My career goal is to work as a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the National Forest Service to provide conservation medicine to wildlife populations, conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations, and help recover endangered species.

Throughout my life, I have always pushed hard to excel and follow my passion. In high school, I was a straight A student. I also participated in a broad array of sports and clubs, including volleyball, basketball, track, debate, marching band, Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and National Honor Society. I was known as a mentor and leader within these groups as I would always take the extra time to help new or struggling members excel. Outside of school, I volunteered for hundreds of hours in community service. In 2016, I received the Wyoming Congressional Award to recognize my dedication to my community. However, I genuinely believe in giving back to the community and helping neighbors when possible. Which is what led me to join the military, and I served active duty for six years. Throughout my contract, I worked numerous jobs, traveled to several countries and across the United States, and was exposed to a wide array of occupations. I finally found my passion not within the military, but through the traveling I did with the military. Wherever I went, I found myself drawn to the local environment and wildlife. While overseas, I was fascinated with the biodiversity the world offered us. And while traveling the United States, I never missed an opportunity to hike a national park or visit an aquarium/zoo. One trip, I was afforded the opportunity to go whale watching and made my decision to pursue my passions in environmental and wildlife conservation. Throughout the remainder of my active-duty service, I strengthened myself physically, mentally, and emotionally to propel myself forward in the challenges of obtaining the degrees necessary to protect wildlife and their habitats for the future. I am excitedly pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Troy University. I plan to follow this with a PhD in Veterinary Medicine through the DVM profession program at Kansas State University. My goal is to aid wildlife and environmental conservation efforts to maintain a healthy world biome. My career goal is to work as a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the Forest Service to provide conservation medicine to wildlife populations, conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations, and help recover endangered species. During this time, I will still be engaged with the Army Reserves as a veterinary technician. Every year we complete a mission to aid underserved areas of the nation. In 2025, the mission was in McIntosh, AL. Our team provided no-cost immunizations, health checks, surgeries, and medications to over three hundred animals over a two-week period. These missions of the support provided are critical to Army medical operations by using veterinary medical science to safeguard animal health, food protection, public health, and biomedical research. Being considered for this scholarship would be an important achievement for me. It would help guarantee my education continuing and me obtaining my future goals. Having left active-duty military this year and being a non-traditional student leaves me with minimal financial support to continue my education. I hope to be highly considered for this scholarship based on my financial challenges and my dedication to my studies. Thank you for your time.

Throughout my life, I have always pushed hard to excel and follow my passion. In high school, I was a straight A student. I also participated in a broad array of sports and clubs, including volleyball, basketball, track, debate, marching band, Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and National Honor Society. I was known as a mentor and leader within these groups as I would always take the extra time to help new or struggling members excel. Outside of school, I volunteered for hundreds of hours in community service. In 2016, I received the Wyoming Congressional Award to recognize my dedication to my community. However, I truly believe in giving back to the community and helping neighbors when possible. Which is why I will continue to volunteer throughout my life. After high school, I attended the University of Wyoming for a year before realizing I didn’t have the experience to know how to choose a career. I left the University to join the work force for a year. My aim was to gain financial means to attend a second year of college, as well as find passion in a new area of study. I worked as a nurse’s assistant at my hometown nursing home to investigate the medical field. However, one year turned into two and I still hadn’t found a career I was interested in. So, I decided to join the military, and I served active duty for six years. Throughout my contract, I worked numerous jobs, traveled to several countries and across the United States, and was exposed to a wide array of occupations. Finally, I found my passion not within the military, but through the traveling I did with the military. I also strengthened myself physically, mentally, and emotionally through these trials to propel myself forward in the challenge of obtaining my next. I am excitedly pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Troy University. I plan to follow this with a PhD in Veterinary Medicine through the DVM profession program at Kansas State University. My goal is to aid wildlife and environmental conservation efforts to maintain a healthy world biome. My career goal is to work as a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the Forest Service to provide conservation medicine to wildlife populations, conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations, and help recover endangered species. During this time, I will be still engaged with the Army Reserves as a veterinary technician. Every year we complete a mission to aid underserved areas of the nation. In 2025, the mission was in McIntoch, AL. Our team provided no-cost immunizations, health checks, surgeries, and medications to over 300 animals over a two-week period. These missions of the support provided are critical to Army medical operations by using veterinary medical science to safeguard animal health, food protection, public health, and biomedical research. Being considered for this scholarship would be an important achievement for me. It would help guarantee my education continuing and me obtaining my future goals. Having left active-duty military this year and being a non-traditional student leaves me with minimal financial support to continue my education. I hope to be highly considered for this scholarship based on my financial challenges and my dedication to my studies. Thank you for your time.

Throughout my life, I have always pushed hard to excel and follow my passion. In high school, I was a straight A student. I also participated in a broad array of sports and clubs, including volleyball, basketball, track, debate, marching band, Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and National Honor Society. I was known as a mentor and leader within these groups as I would always take the extra time to help new or struggling members excel. Outside of school, I volunteered for hundreds of hours in community service. In 2016, I received the Wyoming Congressional Award to recognize my dedication to my community. However, I truly believe in giving back to the community and helping neighbors when possible. Which is why I will continue to volunteer throughout my life. After high school, I attended the University of Wyoming for a year before realizing I didn’t have the experience to know how to choose a career. I had majored in Social Work with a minor in Family Sciences due to my experiences with sexual assault in high school and the hardships it can bring to the family dynamic. However, after a year of courses, I found that I wasn’t as passionate about helping others through those types of situations as I’d originally thought. Unsure of myself and with dwindling college funds, I left the University to join the work force for a year. My aim was to gain financial means to attend a second year of college, as well as find passion in a new area of study. I worked as a nurse’s assistant at my hometown nursing home to investigate the medical field. However, one year turned into two and I still hadn’t found a career I was interested in. So, I decided to join the military, and I served active duty for six years. Throughout my contract, I worked numerous jobs, traveled to several countries and across the United States, and was exposed to a wide array of occupations. Finally, I found my passion not within the military, but through the traveling I did with the military. I also strengthened myself physically, mentally, and emotionally through these trials to propel myself forward in the challenge of obtaining my next. I am excitedly pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Troy University. I plan to follow this with a PhD in Veterinary Medicine through the DVM profession program at Kansas State University. My goal is to aid wildlife and environmental conservation efforts to maintain a healthy world biome. My career goal is to work as a free-range wildlife veterinarian for the Forest Service to provide conservation medicine to wildlife populations, conserve and manage fish and wildlife populations, and help recover endangered species. Being considered for this scholarship would be an important achievement for me. It would help guarantee my education continuing and me obtaining my future goals. Having left active-duty military this year and being a non-traditional student leaves me with minimal financial support to continue my education. I hope to be highly considered for this scholarship based on my financial challenges and my dedication to my studies. Thank you for your time.