Math is not everyone’s favorite subject in school. Most students would rather take a science class rather than a math class. Yet, this is not the case for me. Math is like a game for me. You take a formula, plug in the numbers, see if the answer makes sense. Sometimes, math is a guessing game which makes it interesting. For me, I enjoy finding solutions in all aspects of my life. To have a field that is based on finding solutions and answers, I know that I will love any math related field. Mathematics makes the world make sense. Without math, our world would not function. The process of using money, building houses, or putting gas in your car would not be possible without math. Everything is based off math. Counting money to buy your favorite pair of shoes is math. Making a blueprint for a house and finding the dimensions of each room is math. Putting a gallon of gas in your car knowing how many miles you can get it is math. Looking around your room or work place, you can see how math is incorporated into just about anything. Not only is math important, but being a woman in a math field is very important. The math field area seems to be dominated by men. My whole life, I have seen more men doing math in their job than women. I want to show those little girls in the world that they are worthy and can do anything a man can. After living in an area heavily dominated by men in the math working fields, I want to be the change. I want to be the strong independent accountant woman in a higher up corporate position. I want to be the one in charge, not following a man around when doing my job. When thinking of doctors, bankers, and engineers, I think of men. I think of the women feeling discouraged by being surrounded by men in math classes. Women are just as capable of doing math. I never thought I would want to use math in my everyday work life. After taking a college level Financial Accounting class, I knew that this is what I want to do for the rest of my work life. Accounting takes math and word problems, then turns it into a real life situation. Where would I be without math? Where would our world be without math? Quite frankly, I am not sure what kind of society we would have, but it would not be a fair one.

In 2019, I was selected as one of John Glenn High School’s representatives to go to an iBelieve Leadership Conference. I had no idea what to expect. I certainly did not think I would come out five days later feeling empowered to do more in the world. I had many options on where to go for my leadership conference, even one five minutes away at Muskingum University. Instead, I chose to go to Eastern Kentucky University, the farthest away, not knowing it would be one of the best decisions of my life. Just five days of learning leadership skills and meeting new like-minded people changed my whole perspective on life. I went into the process scared and anxious. Coming out of it, I was a stronger and more independent woman ready to take on all things this world has to offer. I took all that I learned from the conference and applied it to everything in my life. I made connections with amazing people, and I stepped out of my comfort zone. I am an entirely different person just from those five days and I would never trade that experience for anything in the world. Every evening at the conference, they would play the song “If You’re Out There” by John Legend to close off the night. Legend sang “I searched for a leader, but the leader was me.” This part of the song really spoke out to me and motivated me to be even more of a leader in my community. I wanted to grow as a leader so I could make a bigger impact in this world. So, I did just that. Since that week, I have put myself out in my community. By volunteering whenever and where ever I can, I feel I am making a difference.

If not me, then who? If not now, then when? There are different versions of this quote and many people have been given credit for it. Although others have had different inspirations for this quote, I can especially relate to it as a first-generation college student. My dad is a County Sheriff’s Deputy, and my mom works for a local charity. They both have successful careers but neither have college degrees. None of my grandparents have college degrees either. Growing up, my parents taught me many things: the value of community, hard work, and the importance of integrity. In everything I do, I give my best effort. I am currently a CCP (College Credit Plus) student which means I take college classes during my high school years. By the time I graduate, I will have earned at least 50 college credit hours. I volunteer significant hours in my community. I also have worked a part-time job since I was just 15 years old. All of this and I still maintain a 3.9 GPA. All the service clubs I belong to allow me to make a difference in my community. I serve even when I am not expected to. For example, this past winter, I gathered a group of friends to build snowmen outside of the cancer treatment center for the patients to enjoy while they were receiving their infusions. It was an amazing feeling to know that I made someone smile during that challenging time. I want to leave this world a better place than I found it. I believe every day is a new opportunity to make a change in this world. I need what this scholarship can offer to make sure I am fully prepared to do just that.

In 2019, I was selected as one of John Glenn High School’s representatives to go to an iBelieve Leadership Conference. I had no idea what to expect. I certainly did not think I would come out five days later feeling empowered to do more in the world. I had many options on where to go for my leadership conference, even one five minutes away at a local University. Instead, I chose to go to college the farthest away, not knowing it would be one of the best decisions of my life. Just five days of learning leadership skills and meeting new like-minded people changed my whole perspective on life. Coming out of the process, I was a stronger and more independent woman ready to take on all things this world has to offer. I wanted to grow as a leader so I could make a bigger impact in this world. So, I did just that. All the service clubs I belong to allow me to make a difference in my community. I serve even when I am not expected to. For example, this past winter, I gathered a group of friends to build snowmen outside of the cancer treatment center for the patients to enjoy while they were receiving their infusions. It was an amazing feeling to know that I made someone smile during that challenging time. I want to leave this world a better place than I found it. I believe every day is a new opportunity to make a change in this world. I need what this scholarship can offer to make sure I am fully prepared to do just that.

The way I best study for tests is by using flashcards! I take my favorite pens and spend hours making fun flashcards. If I have to study for hours, why not make it in fun colors and designs! I like to concentrate by playing soft music in the background that will not distract me, like jazz music. Sometimes it feels like I am riding in an elevator and other times it calms me! I curl up into my heated blanket and turn on my led lights to a happy yellow color. I put my phone on silent to keep myself from picking it up every time I get a notification. All of this helps me get into a studying mindset. Once I am finished with all of my flashcards, I memorize them. Then, with my large stack of flashcards, I have my mother quiz me on every single one. We will take breaks to have a quick bite or a laugh, but we do not completely stop until I have memorized each and every one.