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Kennadi Totel

1x

Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Volleyball
  • Basketball
  • Swimming
  • Track and Field
  • Anatomy
  • Babysitting And Childcare
  • Animals
  • Baking
  • Athletic Training
  • Beach
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Coaching
  • Coffee
  • Fitness
  • Makeup and Beauty
  • Social Media
  • Girl Scouts
  • Henna
  • Pediatrics
  • STEM
  • Youth Group
  • Yearbook
  • Walking
  • Volunteering
  • Community Service And Volunteering
  • Sports
  • Public Speaking
  • Spending Time With Friends and Family

Reading

  • Cookbooks
  • Romance
  • Horror

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

I am a motivated and well-rounded student who works to balance strong academics, athletics, and meaningful community involvement. I currently maintain a 3.5 GPA while challenging myself with honors and AP coursework, reflecting my commitment to growth and pushing myself beyond my comfort zone. Athletics have played a major role in shaping who I am. I compete in both school and club volleyball, as well as track, where I’ve learned discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. In addition to competing, I have found a passion for mentoring through swimming. After years as a swimmer, I now coach and give lessons, helping younger athletes build confidence, develop skills, and overcome challenges—experiences that have shown me how rewarding it is to support others in their growth. Service is also a core part of my life. Through Rotary, Teen Court, and Student Ambassadors, I actively give back to my community and work with others to make a positive impact. These opportunities have strengthened my leadership, communication, and ability to connect with people from different backgrounds. My goal is to become a Physician Assistant, where I can combine my interest in health sciences with my passion for helping others. Whether I am coaching, volunteering, or working with teammates, I am driven by the desire to make a difference in people’s lives. I plan to carry this mindset into my future career, providing compassionate care and building meaningful connections with my patients.

Education

Althoff Catholic High School

High School

2023 – 2027

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other, Human Biology, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
Desired degree modality:
In-Person
Medical school interest:
No
English as first language:
Yes
Homeschooled:
No

Career

  • Babysitter

    Individual & Family Services · Home run

    Jan 2021 – Present

  • Animal sitter

    Individual & Family Services · home run

    Jan 2022 – Present

  • lifegaurd

    Non-Profit Organization Management · Millstadt pool

    Jan 2025 – Present

  • lifeguard

    Non-Profit Organization Management · YMCA

    Jan 2025 – Present

  • Coach

    Sports · Blue Steel volleyball club

    Jan 2024 – Present

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Biology, Nursing, Physician Assistant, Medical Practice
Dream career goals:
help people in need and give back to my community
Work experience:
4 years
Has nursing license:
No
Leadership experience:
Yes

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurship
North Star Dreamers Memorial Scholarship
“Be the mustard” is the phrase I hear every morning as I leave my CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program. Although an odd phrase to anyone who doesn't understand this quote, it essentially means to help others beyond this one class I am taking, and positivity makes an impact into the hands of others. As I read about Dr. Higgins, his quote to “help science past the lab and into the hands of people” deeply resonates with me. It creates a parallel between the phrase I hear every day in my entrepreneurial class and into Dr. Higgins' passion and ideas, connecting our daily life. In my entrepreneurial class I learn many valuable lessons about how to run a business and network with other business leaders. Although I hope to pursue a career in the sciences as a nurse or physician's assistant, these entrepreneurial ideas can help me become more successful in any field of work I choose. This scholarship will help me with my career goals of keeping my business alive after my CEO class and give me more financial freedom to make a positive impact in pediatrics as a nurse. The whole idea of my CEO class is entrepreneurship and learning how to run a business. When I first applied to this class I feared it would not be the right fit for my desired career goals. I decided to ultimately take the class understanding it would be a new way to see outside knowledge I had not been exposed to yet. This class, although only one quarter in, has taught me so much about the behind the scenes work of business, and new ideas. These ideas can and will directly correlate to the world of sciences as a nurse. New ideas, better ways to help people, and more efficient technology have to be adapted quickly for the most effective team as a nurse in the same way as a business leader. This class has also sparked a new idea of becoming an enterprise alongside a nurse. My dream would be to work as a nurse in pediatrics along with owning a small business. Whether this is a new idea I come up with or the business I choose to create in the CEO class this scholarship would help me financially with my college to allow more time to be able to pursue my dreams and achieve the greatest academically. This scholarship would also allow me to put more time into my school work rather than as a financial burden to allow me to focus on being the best nurse I can be. This scholarship would help me financially alongside helping me achieve my goals. It would allow me to financially afford the spark of a new idea or continuing on with my CEO business I will already have. Most importantly this scholarship would enable me to make a positive impact as a nurse allowing me to have less academic stress.
Elizabeth Schalk Memorial Scholarship
I love the type of laughing that makes your stomach and makes you feel like you can't breathe. From the outside that's how I looked to everyone, happy. I have always been talkative, loud, ambitious, and outgoing from the outside - when I was around people at least. That is why I created a life full of distraction for myself. My whole life has been go, go, go. I have played just about every sport you could think of, volleyball, track, basketball, cross-country, soccer, softball. Along with this I am involved in every club imaginable like NHS, Rotary, Teen Court, BASIC (Belleville Achieves Strength In Character), and CAD (Crusaders against alcohol and drugs) club. If that wasn't enough already I coach several volleyball teams, lifeguard at two pools, and babysit. I get asked a lot if I think I am doing too much, but it's how I survived. The second I was alone in my thoughts or at my house I felt heavy and sad, it affected my brain and my overall happiness. I struggled to find myself through the chaos. Being involved in so much I struggled to figure out who I was beyond my activities. This created a deep level of feeling like I was nothing beyond them. I started to question my worth. I would walk in a room and see people talking and instantly come to think they were talking about me. I started to seem more sad more frequently. Beneath my skin I was drowning in my own thoughts, I started to feel unworthy of my life and what I had been given. It changed my perspective and allowed my mind to see the negative side of things before the positive side. It affected my daily life and the worst part was nobody could see the way I was hurting and I don’t think anyone ever did. Although this was a negative in my life it allowed for a light switch moment. It allowed me to take my darkness and turn it into light with the things that made me happy. I started to learn who I was beyond what I did and found myself worth again. My friends also were my biggest supporters constantly being there for me when I needed it most. Mental health can affect anyone, as did it affect me, it made me feel as if there is no way out. On the contrary it has helped me see that I can go through hard things. I still struggle with mental health all the time but now I have a better understanding of what it is and that I will get through it.
Olivia Rodrigo Fan Scholarship
Growing up, I have always felt like I needed to do my best at everything. Between school, sports, work, and being involved in different clubs, I have always tried to be someone people can count on. I like being busy and having goals to work toward, but sometimes I get so caught up in everything I have going on that I forget to slow down and think about myself. Olivia Rodrigo’s music has helped me realize that growing up is not just about figuring out what you want to do with your life, but also figuring out who you are as a person. One song that stands out to me is “making the bed.” I connect with the song because it reflects the feeling of getting caught up in your own expectations and realizing that you are not always as happy as you thought you would be. I have spent so much time trying to be a good student, athlete, employee, and friend that sometimes I feel like I am constantly trying to keep up with the person everyone expects me to be. I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well, and when I feel like I am not doing enough, it can be hard to appreciate everything I have already accomplished. As I get closer to graduating high school, I have started thinking more about who I am outside of my activities and achievements. I want to go to college, pursue a career in healthcare, and make my family proud. However, I have also learned that I cannot measure my worth by how much I accomplish. There is more to me than my grades, sports, and responsibilities, even though those things have always been a big part of my life. Olivia’s music has helped me understand that it is okay to have complicated feelings, even when things seem to be going well. You can be excited about your future and still feel unsure about it. You can be proud of what you have accomplished and still feel like you are trying to figure yourself out. I think that is one of the hardest parts of growing up because everyone expects you to have a plan, even when you are still learning about yourself. As I move into the next chapter of my life, I want to remember that I do not have to have everything figured out. I can work hard toward my goals while still making time to understand myself and enjoy the life I am living. Olivia Rodrigo’s music reminds me that growing up is not always easy, but the difficult parts can teach you a lot about yourself. I am still learning who I am and who I want to become, and I think that is okay.
Learner Online Learning Innovator Scholarship for Veterans
Throughout high school, I have learned that everyone learns differently, and sometimes understanding something takes more than just listening to a teacher explain it in class. As a student taking honors and AP classes, there have been times when I needed to go back over a lesson or find another way to understand something. Online tools have helped me do that and have taught me how to take more responsibility for my own learning. One of the biggest ways I use technology is to review topics I do not completely understand in class. In subjects like anatomy and physiology, biology, and other science classes, there are a lot of new terms and concepts to remember. Sometimes, reading the same information in my notes over and over does not help it make sense. Being able to look up explanations, watch educational videos, and see examples online helps me understand the material in a different way. I can pause a video, go back to something I missed, or spend more time on a topic until I understand it better. Online resources have also helped me become more independent as a student. Instead of immediately giving up when something is difficult, I have learned to look for other ways to figure it out. I can review information at my own pace and focus on the areas where I need the most help. This has been especially helpful when balancing school with volleyball, track, coaching, and my other activities. Having access to learning resources outside of the classroom gives me more flexibility and helps me make better use of my time. I also see how what I learn in school connects to real life. Since I want to pursue a career in healthcare, understanding science is important to me. When I study the human body, I think about how that information could help me understand what a patient is experiencing one day. Online educational resources allow me to explore topics beyond what we have time to cover in class and learn more about subjects that interest me. This helps me see that what I am learning is not just information I need to remember for a test, but knowledge I may use throughout my future career. Technology has taught me that learning does not have to stop when the school day ends. There are always more questions to ask and more things to understand. I know that college and a future career in healthcare will bring challenges, and I will need to be willing to keep learning. Online tools have helped me develop that mindset by showing me that when I do not understand something right away, I can keep working until I do. I believe being willing to learn, ask questions, and find new ways to understand information will help me succeed in college and make a difference in my future career.
Stewart Family Legacy Scholarship
How Leadership and Science Shape Our Future I have always been someone who likes helping people. Whether it is babysitting, coaching younger kids, or being involved in school activities, I enjoy knowing that I can make a difference in someone's day. As I get closer to graduating high school, I have started thinking more about what I want my future to look like. I know I want to go into healthcare, and I believe both leadership and science will help me get there. Science is important to me because I want to understand the human body and learn how I can use that knowledge to help others. I have always been interested in working with kids, especially younger children, and I hope to have a career where I can make them feel safe and cared for. I know that working in healthcare is about more than just knowing the science. It is also about understanding that every patient is a real person who might be scared, confused, or going through something difficult. I want to be someone who can help people during those moments. Science gives healthcare workers the knowledge to help their patients, and I want to keep learning so I can do the same. Leadership has taught me a lot about the kind of person I want to be. Between sports, school clubs, and coaching swimming, I have learned that people look to you for encouragement, even when you do not realize it. When I am coaching younger kids, I know that being patient and encouraging them matters. I want them to feel proud of themselves and know that someone believes in them. These experiences have shown me that leadership is not always about having a title. It is about how you treat people and the example you set for them. I believe leadership and science shape our future because we need people who are willing to learn and use what they know to help others. I hope to become someone who can do both. I want to use my education to build a career in healthcare while continuing to be a person others can depend on. I may not know exactly what my future will look like yet, but I know I want it to involve helping people and making a difference, even in small ways.
Women in STEM Scholarship
I have always been interested in learning about the human body and how people can use science to help others. As I have gotten older, I have realized that science is not just something I learn in school, but something that can make a real difference in people's lives. Through classes like Anatomy and Physiology and being involved in Women in STEAM at Althoff, I have become more interested in how science connects to healthcare. In the future, I hope to use what I learn to pursue a career where I can help children and make a difference in their lives. One of the reasons I am interested in STEM is because of how much it connects to healthcare. Science is a big part of understanding the human body, identifying illnesses, and figuring out how to treat patients. I think it is interesting how much there is to learn and how science continues to help people in new ways. I also know that healthcare takes more than just knowing the science behind it. It takes patience, communication, and the ability to make people feel comfortable, especially when they are going through something difficult. I am also involved in Women in STEAM at Althoff, which has given me another way to explore these interests. I think it is important for girls to have opportunities to learn about science and other fields that they might want to pursue in the future. Being involved in this group reminds me that there are so many different paths women can take in these fields. I want to continue learning about the opportunities available to me and encourage other girls to explore their interests, even if they are unsure about what they want to do yet. In the future, I hope to work in healthcare, especially with children. I have always enjoyed being around younger kids through babysitting, coaching swimming, and giving swim lessons. These experiences have shown me how much I enjoy helping children learn, grow, and feel supported. I want to combine that interest with my love for science by pursuing a career where I can help children when they are sick or need medical care. I know that healthcare can be challenging, but I want to do something that makes a difference and allows me to help families during difficult times. As a woman pursuing a future connected to STEM, I hope to show other girls that they should not feel limited in what they can accomplish. Sometimes, choosing a future career can feel overwhelming because there are so many options, and it can be difficult to know where to start. I think it is important for women to support one another, share opportunities, and encourage each other to keep learning. I want to be someone who continues to work hard toward her goals while also encouraging others to do the same.
Deidra L. Watson Memorial Scholarship
Throughout high school, I have learned a lot about myself and what I want to do with my future. I attend Althoff Catholic, where I take honors and AP classes while balancing volleyball, track, work, and extracurricular activities. Trying to balance everything can be stressful at times, but I have learned how to manage my time and keep pushing myself even when things get difficult. I always try to put my best effort into what I do because I know that the work I put in now will help me reach my goals in the future. Sports have been a big part of my life and have taught me a lot about who I am. Through volleyball and track, I have learned the importance of teamwork, dedication, and not giving up when things do not go my way. I have also learned that being part of a team means supporting others and encouraging them when they are struggling. Outside of sports, I am involved in organizations like Rotary Club, BASIC, Teen Court, and Student Ambassador. Being involved in these activities has given me opportunities to help others and be a part of my school community. One of my favorite things to do is work with youth. Through babysitting, coaching swimming, and giving swim lessons, I have learned how much I enjoy helping kids learn new things. I like being able to encourage them when they are struggling and seeing how proud they are when they finally accomplish something. Working with kids has made me realize that I want a career where I can continue helping children and making a difference in their lives. My goal is to pursue a career in healthcare, especially one where I can work with children. I have been interested in healthcare for a long time, and the more experiences I have, the more I realize that it is what I want to do. Losing my cousin to cancer has also had an impact on me and how I view healthcare. It has shown me how difficult it can be for families when someone they love is sick. I want to be able to help children and their families through difficult times and be someone they can depend on. I know a career in healthcare will not always be easy, but I want to do something that matters and allows me to help people. As I get ready for college, I know there will be new challenges and responsibilities. College is an important step toward reaching my career goals, but I also know that paying for it can be difficult. Tuition, books, and other expenses add up quickly, and receiving this scholarship would help take some of that financial stress away. It would allow me to focus more on school and working toward my future instead of worrying as much about the cost. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I am excited to see where my future takes me. I want to continue working hard, getting involved, and helping the people around me. To me, being successful is not just about getting good grades or having a career. It is about doing something I enjoy, making my family proud, and making a difference in other people's lives. This scholarship would help me get one step closer to achieving those goals.
Michael Rudometkin Memorial Scholarship
To me, selflessness means helping others even when you do not get anything in return. I believe that being a good person is not just about what you accomplish for yourself, but also about how you treat the people around you. I try to show this in my everyday life through the activities I am involved in, the way I treat others, and the time I spend helping people. One way I show selflessness is through working with younger kids. I babysit, coach swimming, and give swim lessons. I have always enjoyed being around kids, and I like being able to help them learn new things. Whether I am teaching a child how to swim or helping them feel more comfortable in the water, I want them to feel supported. Seeing them improve and become more confident makes me happy because I know I played a part in helping them. Sports have also taught me a lot about helping others. Through volleyball and track, I have learned that being part of a team is about more than just yourself. Everyone has bad days, makes mistakes, and struggles sometimes. I try to be someone my teammates can count on to encourage them when things are not going well. Being a good teammate means celebrating other people's success and helping them get through difficult moments. Even when I am having a difficult day myself, I try to remember that the people around me might need encouragement too. I also stay involved in my community through organizations like Rotary Club, BASIC, Teen Court, and Student Ambassador. Being involved in these activities has given me opportunities to help others and be part of something bigger than myself. I have learned that giving back does not always mean spending hours doing one big project. It can also mean being willing to show up, participate, and help when something needs to get done. Between school, sports, work, and extracurricular activities, my schedule can get busy, but I still make time for the things that are important to me. I do not believe you have to do something huge to make a difference. Sometimes just showing up, helping when someone needs it, or taking time out of your day for another person can mean a lot. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in healthcare because I want to help people and make a difference in their lives. I especially enjoy working with younger kids, and I hope to have a career where I can care for children and support their families. I know that working in healthcare will come with challenges, but I want to be someone who can make people feel comfortable and cared for during difficult situations. The experiences I have had so far have helped me realize how important it is to be patient, compassionate, and someone others can depend on. Overall, I want to be remembered as someone who cared about others and was willing to help whenever she could. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I want to continue growing as a person and finding ways to give back to my community. To me, success is not just about reaching my own goals. It is also about helping others reach theirs and making the people around me feel supported along the way. I hope to carry this mindset with me throughout college, my future career, and the rest of my life.
RonranGlee Literary Scholarship
The Power of Accepting Help Meditations by Marcus Aurelius “Do not be ashamed of help; like a soldier storming a wall, you have a mission to accomplish. And if you have been wounded and need a comrade to pull you up, so much the better.” In Meditations, Marcus Aurelius explains how the way people think about situations can affect how they handle them, showing that becoming a better person requires being willing to change and not handle your struggles alone. One important idea in this passage is that accepting help is not a weakness. People often think they have to carry things alone because reaching out will make them look weak. Instead, Aurelius offers the idea that reaching out for help shows growth and a willingness to improve. Through his comparison of life to a soldier working toward a mission, he shows that accomplishing a goal is more important than worrying about how others perceive you. One important idea in this passage is that accepting help is not something to be ashamed of. Sometimes people feel like asking for help means they are not capable of doing something themselves. They may be afraid that others will judge them or think less of them. However, this way of thinking can prevent people from improving. Aurelius challenges this mindset by showing that even someone who is strong and determined may need help along the way. Instead of allowing pride to get in the way, people should recognize when they need support. This shows that being willing to learn from others is an important part of becoming a better person. Aurelius compares a person's struggles to a soldier working toward a mission. A soldier's goal is to complete the mission, even when it becomes difficult. If the soldier needs help from someone else, accepting that help allows the mission to continue. This comparison shows that the end goal should matter more than a person's pride. In everyday life, people sometimes become so focused on proving that they can do something alone that they forget what they are actually trying to accomplish. Aurelius reminds readers that asking for help can be a step toward success instead of something that holds them back. This message can also apply to school, sports, and my everyday life. For example, throughout my volleyball career, I have struggled as an athlete. There have been times when I have not known how to improve or how to adjust when something was not working. I have learned that reaching out to my coaches and talking through these struggles is more effective than being afraid to ask questions. My coaches have more experience and can help me see things from a different perspective. Instead of continuing to struggle with the same problem, I can listen to their advice and use it to improve. Although these conversations can feel uncomfortable at first, they give me more opportunities to grow as a player and become more confident in myself. This experience has also taught me that improvement does not happen overnight. Sometimes, even after receiving advice, I still have to practice and work through the same challenges. However, being willing to ask questions helps me understand what I need to work on. It has shown me that being a good athlete is not just about how well I perform but also about how willing I am to learn from others. This connects to Aurelius's message because reaching a goal requires effort, patience, and the ability to accept support when it is needed. Ultimately, Marcus Aurelius teaches readers that pride should not prevent them from becoming better people. His comparison to a soldier shows that reaching a goal is more important than pretending to be perfect. Everyone faces challenges, and sometimes the best way to overcome them is to accept help from others. This passage reminds me that personal growth comes from recognizing my struggles and being willing to learn from them. I have learned that asking for help does not make someone less capable. Instead, it shows that they are willing to put in the effort to improve, which is an important lesson both in volleyball and in life.
Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship
Throughout high school, I have learned that being successful is about more than just getting good grades or being a good athlete. It is also about how you treat others, the effort you put into everything you do, and the impact you make on the people around you. I am a student at Althoff Catholic, where I challenge myself through honors and AP classes while balancing volleyball, track, work, and extracurricular activities. Although balancing everything can be difficult, I have learned how to stay committed, manage my time, and continue working toward my goals even when things get stressful. Sports have played a big role in shaping who I am today. Through volleyball and track, I have learned the importance of teamwork, dedication, and not giving up when things do not go as planned. Being an athlete has taught me that improvement takes time and that success comes from consistently putting in effort. I have also learned that being a good teammate means encouraging others and helping them succeed instead of only focusing on myself. These lessons have helped me become a more determined person in school, sports, and my everyday life. Outside of school and sports, giving back to my community is also important to me. I have been involved in organizations such as Rotary Club, BASIC, Teen Court, and Student Ambassador, which have allowed me to contribute to my school and community in different ways. I also enjoy working with younger kids through babysitting, coaching swimming, and giving swim lessons. Being able to teach kids new skills, encourage them, and watch them gain confidence is one of the most rewarding parts of my experiences. I want people to feel supported and know that someone believes in them, even when something is challenging. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in healthcare, where I can make a difference in people's lives. I have always enjoyed working with children, and I hope to eventually work in a career where I can help young patients and their families during difficult times. My experiences working with kids and serving my community have helped me realize how much I value helping others. I want to be someone people can depend on, not only because of my knowledge and abilities but also because of the compassion I show them. Receiving this scholarship would help me financially as I continue my education and work toward my future career. College is an important step toward reaching my goals, but the cost of tuition, books, and other expenses can add up quickly. This scholarship would help with financial pressure and allow me to focus more on my education, extracurricular activities, and preparing for a career in healthcare. It would also motivate me to continue working hard and making the most of the opportunities I receive. Kalia D. Davis's story reminds me of the importance of working hard, pursuing your goals, and making a positive impact on others. I hope to carry those same values with me as I continue through college and into my career. To me, success is not just about what I accomplish for myself, but also about how I use my abilities to help others. I want to continue learning, growing, and finding ways to make a difference in my community while honoring the importance of living with purpose, kindness, and dedication.
Evan James Vaillancourt Memorial Scholarship
Since I was little, I have always had a passion for working in healthcare. Every first day of school, my mom made a sign with our name, the class we were going into, and what we wanted to be when we grew up. My answer was always something in healthcare. It started with veterinarian, then doctor, pediatrician, and eventually nurse practitioner. Although my answer changed throughout the years, my interest in healthcare never did. As I have gotten older, I have realized that nursing is the career that would allow me to combine my passion for healthcare with my desire to care for others. Losing my cousin to cancer has also made healthcare more personal to me. Watching someone in my family go through cancer showed me how much healthcare affects not only the patient, but their entire family. It made me realize how important nurses are during some of the hardest moments in a person's life. Nurses are there to provide medical care, but they are also there to listen, comfort, and support patients and their families. This experience has made me want to be the type of nurse who makes patients feel cared for and never feel like they are just another patient. I have also always enjoyed working with children, which is why I hope to work with kids in my nursing career. Through babysitting and coaching a youth volleyball team, I have learned how much I enjoy being around younger kids. Babysitting has taught me responsibility and patience, while coaching has taught me how important encouragement and support can be. I want to bring these qualities into nursing and help children feel safe and comfortable, especially during situations that may be scary or unfamiliar to them. Making a difference in my community is something I already try to do through my involvement in service-led clubs and activities. Being involved in organizations such as BASIC, Rotary Club, Teen Court, and Student Ambassador has taught me that helping others does not always have to be something big. Sometimes simply giving your time, listening to someone, or being there when someone needs help can make a difference. My dad has also been an important example of service in my life through his work in law enforcement and the Coast Guard. Seeing his willingness to serve others has encouraged me to want to do the same. As a nurse, I want to continue growing and improving so I can provide the best care possible. I want to be someone that children and their families can trust, especially during difficult times. My career goal is not only to become a nurse, but to become a nurse who makes people feel heard, supported, and cared for. My career goals may have changed since I was little, but my desire to help others has always stayed the same. I believe nursing will give me the opportunity to turn that desire into a career and make a difference in my community.
Our Destiny Our Future Scholarship
When making a difference in the world, people tend to think of big things such as solving world hunger, finding a cure for cancer, or winning a Nobel Peace Prize. While all amazing achievements, making a positive impact can be achieved by my simple actions every day. I plan to make an impact through my job, my future, and most importantly, my personality. Ever since I was little, my dream has always been to go into the medical field. The thought, since I was little, that I could change someone's life is truly inspiring. Most people, when they hear “the medical field,” think of long hours and nights spent at school. While this is true, my mind first goes to helping others. This is a great impact that has the possibility of making the long hours spent studying more than worth it in the end. You can truly change someone's life by being a doctor or nurse. You can help cure them from their problems and help them live a happier, better life. On top of my job, I plan to make a positive impact in my future. By my dream to start a family, I can do so. I will make my kids knowledgeable of the world around them. I will help them understand the importance of kindness and treating people with respect. This makes my impact greater, passing it on to more friends, more family, and others around me. One good friend can change your life, can bring you out of the darkest times. In making my kids into well-rounded individuals, I will help them be that helping hand for a close friend, or for a stranger on the street; every encounter matters. Lastly, and most importantly, I will positively change the world through my character. I will be the person who shows up when others are struggling. Who smiles at strangers, who delivers food to the new neighbor. I will change the world through action, through kindness. I will show that a bunch of little acts can, in fact, change the world. I will change the perspective that in order to change the world, you have to have a massive accomplishment. You can change the world every day through small actions. Although this question, “How do you plan to make a positive impact on the world?” is proposed, I believe I already am. By being the light, the kindness to people who need it, I do exactly that. While it may go unnoticed that I am changing the world, my tiny day-to-day deeds are changing the lives of the people around me. So I challenge you, how are you going to change the world, not in the future but right now, because I have already started.
Kayla Nicole Monk Memorial Scholarship
I choose to further my education in STEM, where I can make a direct, meaningful impact on people's lives. Ever since I was young, I have been interested in science, health, and how the human body works, constantly answering the question “What do you want to be when you're older?” with “a doctor”. As I have grown older, my interests have become more focused on becoming a Physician Assistant. I want a career that combines communication, compassion, and helping others, and I believe STEM education provides the perfect foundation for that path. Throughout high school, I have challenged myself academically by taking honors and AP classes while staying involved in sports, extracurricular activities, and service. Balancing difficult coursework with athletics and leadership roles has taught me discipline, resilience, and improved time management. I participate in both school and club sports, including volleyball, and am also involved in track, swim, and previously basketball. Sports have also had a huge impact on me. With long hours of practice, competing under pressure, or encouraging teammates, I have learned skills that will help me in college and in my future medical field. Outside of athletics, I have found a passion for helping and mentoring others. I coach and teach swim lessons to younger kids, which has allowed me to become responsible and confident as a leader. Watching others improve over time with my help is one of the most rewarding experiences, and it drives me to continue to do that through my job. In addition, I am involved in organizations such as Rotary, Teen Court, and Student Ambassadors, all of which have strengthened my dedication to service and leadership. Through these service-giving clubs, I have learned how important it is to give back to your community and to support others. I believe STEAM education is incredibly important because it encourages innovation, creativity, and critical thinking. Science and technology continue to change the world every day, especially in medicine. New discoveries and advancements improve the quality of life for millions of people, and I want to be part of that progress. This scholarship would have a major impact on my future because it would help reduce the financial stress of pursuing higher education. College is an investment, and receiving financial support would help me focus more on academics, extracurricular involvement, and gain experiences that will prepare me for a career as a Physician Assistant. Most importantly, this scholarship would help me achieve my long-term goals. I want to use my education to help serve others and make a positive impact. By pursuing a degree in a STEAM-related field, I know I will gain the knowledge and skills needed to create that future. This scholarship would not only support my education financially, but it would also encourage me to continue to grow.
Kennadi Totel Student Profile | Bold.org