The selected text appears in Meditations by Marcus Aurelius at Book 4, Section 3: “Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.” Thesis Statement: According to this passage Marcus Aurelius demonstrates Stoic philosophy by showing that reason functions both as a current endurance tool and as a perpetual protection against fear. Aurelius teaches that the development of internal strength through reason stands as the one essential preparation which allows people to encounter any situation with composure and mental clarity. In our culture that focuses on prediction control and preparation Marcus Aurelius presents through Stoicism a counterintuitive principle to let the future pass without interference. The reason you should not try to control it is because you cannot actually influence the outcome. The present weapons of reason which we use to face our current challenges will serve us equally well when the future arrives. The text eliminates fear and anxiety and desperate anticipation because it promotes disciplined trust in our present character. He establishes his worldview through being rational and prepared and remaining calm instead of considering potential events. Aurelius declares in this crucial passage that you should employ “the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.” Aurelius declares through repetition of the word “same” that the future needs no different self or tools or wisdom from what you possess in the present. Reason, he insists, is constant. According to Aurelius reason functions as an adequate tool to manage current suffering as well as future challenges. A Stoic method for building emotional strength involves developing self-control instead of attempting to control external events. To follow this way of thinking means surrendering the false belief that we can control everything. Most of our future anxieties stem from creating scenarios that we cannot stop from happening. Marcus does not deny the existence of danger yet he strips it from its capacity to evoke strong emotions. Since your present-time duty is to live well why should you fear something that might not exist or may never occur? According to Marcus the Stoic way to prepare involves developing self-strength rather than attempting to foresee the future. The modern psychological concept of cognitive self-efficacy receives its expression through Aurelius' teachings. Many people think that knowing more information or planning better or making better predictions would shield them from experiencing pain. Aurelius declares that your power does not stem from knowing future events but from how you handle and react to them. The true question is not “what if this happens?” but “how would I react if it occurs?” According to Stoics this question always gets the same answer which is reason. People might view this perspective as emotionally unfeeling and impractical. Is the method of using reason sufficient to handle your emotional response to grief loss and trauma? The Stoic approach demands that you acknowledge your emotions yet remain independent from them. Emotions will arise. Your disciplined rational mind has the power to handle your emotions without losing control to them. Marcus Aurelius describes this armor as a filter which enables you to experience feelings without complete submersion. The weight of this statement becomes more significant when we consider the historical circumstances in which Aurelius lived. The philosopher wrote his ideas from a place where he faced many challenges. At the same time he served as Roman emperor during times of war and plague as well as enduring continuous political turmoil. His own children died young. He knew uncertainty intimately. He believed that proper mental training enables humans to handle any form of adversity. The writings present meditative aspects because they affirm that human beings can maintain inner peace even in the midst of difficulties. The message delivers special meaning to people who experience ongoing anxiety during the present time. The current era presents people with numerous unknown factors including climate change together with political disruptions and economic unpredictability. The burden of potential future events can cause us to want to surrender. Aurelius teaches us that the future exists as our present moment because it has not arrived yet. The way we will face future events will be identical to our current mind and tools and self. We need to develop our inner self rather than pursuing false guarantees of security. The short paragraph demonstrates that true peace exists through reason instead of problem-free conditions. Our ability to stop resisting the future develops when we understand this truth and we start building our readiness. The process of fear elimination leads us to obtain complete freedom to experience each present moment without any interruptions or fear.

11111qHealing Through Action: Advocating for Survivors and Social Change By Lillian Eichinger I used to believe that justice worked automatically to resolve bad situations when I was younger. When I experienced intimate partner violence my belief in automatic justice disappeared. The reality hit me that justice is not automatically provided and assistance does not always reach those who need it. I chose to use that experience as a motivator instead of letting it destroy me. Through my Criminal Justice studies and community volunteer work I now dedicate myself to converting my painful experiences into meaningful public service. The most significant social challenge I decided to address involves providing support to college-aged survivors of domestic and sexual violence who typically lack access to legal and community services. Survivors encounter various challenges when they seek help since others often doubt their experiences while forcing them to face both physical and emotional isolation and complex legal procedures. The combination of direct action with educational initiatives and advocacy work represents my mission to create change. Through my University of Central Missouri work I co-organized a campus fundraiser which brought in more than $2,000 to support our local women’s shelter. Through our efforts we established a platform which enabled students to exchange personal narratives while dismantling prejudices and emerging with stronger knowledge and determination. I volunteer at elementary schools to support students from underserved communities because early investment in children forms the foundation to break cycles of violence and poverty. The lessons I have learned will guide my future goal of becoming a victim advocate who works to reform policies by using my voice to dismantle unfair systems and increase legal and mental health service availability and establish trauma-sensitive practices in law enforcement and education. I plan to establish a nonprofit organization which will link student survivors with legal assistance and housing benefits as well as peer mentorship and advocacy resources that will serve students who experience additional challenges from health issues and financial struggles and disability needs. Public service relies heavily on education as its most effective tool according to my beliefs. Prevention starts in educational settings while empowerment requires knowledge and the development of confident speakers who create lasting change among young people especially women. Jeannine Schroeder’s dedication as an artist and advocate and her leadership spirit resonates deeply with me. I agree with her perspective that public service demands showing up for others without seeking recognition or official titles. I embody the spirit of compassion learning and justice through my activities which include tutoring students and organizing fundraising events as well as active listening to friends who feel ignored. Through this scholarship I will maintain my work while reducing the financial stress that usually hinders my activities. As a first-generation college student from a low-income household I balance part-time work with volunteering and maintaining a full course load. The financial support will enable me to maintain my commitment to both academic pursuits and community involvement and building a future that serves those I advocate for. The scholarship program allows me to continue my work while removing the financial obstacles that could interrupt my efforts. Thank you for continuing Jeannine’s mission by supporting young women like me who dedicate themselves to building a better inclusive and more beautiful world through justice.

Strength Through the Storm By Lillian Eichinger Cancer brings itself without any warning to anyone regardless of their preparation status. The disease makes no distinction about timing or family situations when it strikes. The storm comes in stealthy fashion until it suddenly hits with full force. When my grandmother received her cancer diagnosis our entire family felt the world beneath us change. She functioned as our family foundation through her strong character and her selfless devotion and her ability to always put others before herself. The diagnosis brought total transformation to her entire existence. Medical treatments replaced our family gatherings during holidays. The medical journey required work adjustments and taught family members to understand doctor terminology while witnessing their dear one lose strength and weight and parts of herself throughout her fight for survival. The way she battled cancer revealed to me both how delicate life can be and the deep strength that exists within human beings. Her cancer journey included hopeful days when medical tests returned better results and she made funny comments during treatments like any regular day. The days were filled with both fear and exhaustion as she navigated through her cancer journey. Her dedication to us never wavered despite the fact that she was too tired to talk. She maintained her ability to listen even when her exhaustion reached its peak. She kept smiling despite the continuous pain she endured. The fight she endured strengthened our family bond. Through our experience we learned to support each other naturally without requests and to communicate differently than we had in the past. I witnessed genuine resilience in action by observing how people choose to overcome their obstacles instead of avoiding them. The lesson I learned during that experience remains with me throughout each day. My life perspective underwent a transformation because of this experience. I am pursuing my Criminal Justice degree at the University of Central Missouri to become a victim advocate who assists people facing trauma, violence or systemic neglect. The emotional impact of fighting cancer and crime presents comparable challenges to the human spirit. Both scenarios create situations where fear and isolation arise while people need help to navigate complex systems that often prove challenging. My grandmother's cancer experience taught me how to care for people in pain and maintain a non-judgmental space for their fear while being an advocate for those who cannot speak up. Our family’s financial situation underwent significant changes because of cancer. Treatments are expensive. The duration of work absence creates significant accumulation of costs. Our family continues to recover financially from the expenses we faced. We compensated for our financial deficiencies through our unbreakable family bond which I will always treasure. My path to college along with my ability to maintain enrollment has been quite challenging. My status as a first-generation low-income student has placed numerous challenges in my way. I have always refused to quit. Since then I have learned from my grandmother to keep fighting just as she did by persistently appearing and envisioning a brighter future for the next generation of our family. The disease took away time from my family together with comfort and the assurance we once had. The experience has enabled me to discover a profound reason to exist. The lessons learned from pain reveal that it represents the starting point of essential chapters in life. I appreciate your review of my application. This scholarship funding will enable me to complete my story.

I chose to study law because I want to utilize it as a tool for creating positive change in the world. By Lillian Eichinger Law school represents both my academic objective and my life purpose to me. Law school serves as the vital next step for me to transform my life experiences into practical action while expressing my beliefs. As a member of a working-class Missouri family and first-generation college student I recognized from the start that creating a different future required my bold self-creation. The path that unfolded for me into law practice did not emerge from textbooks but developed naturally through life experiences. During my late teenage years I endured abuse from an intimate partner. I had to manage Factor V Leiden which was my chronic genetic condition during that time. My survival through these difficult experiences granted me a firsthand view of how poorly the legal and medical systems functioned. The rights of survivors remain unclear to many of them. Vulnerable individuals face frequent marginalization when powerful entities dismiss their humanity and treat them as mere files instead of people. I decided I would not only use the legal system but actively transform it. I have decided to obtain my law degree for this reason. I aim to establish myself as both a victim advocate and policy reformer who will fight for underrepresented individuals who lack adequate representation. My mission is to provide accessible justice while ensuring that it remains compassionate and human-centered through my work as a survivor advocate in legal processes and legislative policy reform. Margot Pickering Bogner demonstrated her commitment to empathy along with communication and trust which I use as fundamental values throughout my activities. Throughout my activities including fundraising for women’s shelters and school volunteer work I establish connections with people while identifying their needs and proving myself as someone who can be relied upon. I firmly believe that these essential competencies will serve me well during my legal practice. The most successful attorneys combine their legal statute expertise with listening abilities and leadership skills and advocacy work. The lawyer perceives the complete human being who exists beyond legal documents. The kind of lawyer I aspire to become will protect these values. The legal education stands as a critical instrument for both personal success and social power growth. The degree I plan to earn will give me both authority and respect to make impactful policy changes while advocating for marginalized communities against marginalizing systems. I will concentrate my work on victim's rights legislation alongside criminal justice reform and providing legal aid services to low-income and disabled individuals. Receiving this scholarship would help me achieve my vision while respecting the legacy of someone I deeply admire. Through her legal education Margot Pickering Bogner used her knowledge to build a career but also dedicated herself to making meaningful social impact. I aim to continue her legacy through the law by making it a tool to create empathy and achieve both equity and positive change. I am grateful for your review of my application as well as your dedication to sustaining Margot’s legacy through activities that support others.

Building Bridges Through Listening and Leadership By Lillian Eichinger My future role as a Criminal Justice major has made me understand that genuine advancement emerges through active hearing rather than loud arguments between disagreeing parties. My first semester at the University of Central Missouri became the testing ground for my belief when students clashed during a classroom discussion about police accountability. The class debate began with an evaluation of an excessive force case. The class divided into two groups that expressed their passionate arguments for police practice reforms because of racial profiling and systemic discrimination. Several students defended their backing for police forces while recognizing the challenging nature of their duties. Both groups continued to protect their own positions without really paying attention to what the other side had to say. The professor attempted to intervene yet the atmosphere of disagreement persisted. I felt uneasy about the situation yet I had to pay attention to it. I chose to intervene without purpose to initiate discussions rather than make a statement. I gathered students who actively spoke about the topic to have an open discussion outside class about what made this matter so important to each of them. The initial reluctance from students gradually faded until they decided to participate. I established a neutral setting for our meeting before asking everyone to share personal experiences before discussing their opinions. The student explained how his father who worked as a police officer faced discrimination because of his badge. The student revealed to us how racial profiling occurred to him during his teenage years when police stopped him while driving. The shared stories brought about a new atmosphere. At this moment the discussion evolved from policy discussion to the protection of dear individuals who are our own kind. The group found shared ground after creating empathy among themselves. The entire group at the table recognized the importance of justice along with safety and accountability. We then investigated reform strategies which benefit police forces and their communities through de-escalation training and mental health teams and body camera implementation. We maintained our disagreements but acquired better comprehension while gaining mutual respect after the discussion. I detected a transformation when I returned to my classroom. Debates became more thoughtful. The discussions still produced differing opinions but people expressed curiosity instead of defensive attitudes. Students who participated in the meeting worked together to complete their community policing group project. The experience demonstrated that true connection takes precedence over complete agreement between people. The main goal consists of humanizing both the issue and the people involved. The experience deepened my commitment toward inclusive leadership and civil discourse which I plan to bring into my professional future. I plan to dedicate myself to policy reform alongside victim advocacy work so I can help create institutions that build transparency and equity between communities and institutions while fostering trust between them. My learning experience revealed that effective bridge-building requires empathy and both listening skills and the ability to reach others at their current point. The world doesn’t need more division. People need leaders who will facilitate meaningful dialogue between individuals instead of promoting confrontational exchanges. The experience demonstrated that small dialogues between people can generate substantial positive transformations which I aim to become in my future leadership role.

Softball imparted valuable life lessons and leadership skills which extend beyond athletic games. By Lillian Eichinger I spent my entire life learning softball since it formed a central part of my existence. The sport's essence resides in its dirt-covered grounds combined with its dugouts and the distinct sound of the bat crack and those early tournaments that happen before everyone wakes up fully yet everyone participates. I remember my exact high school varsity softball field experience where I felt both nervous and completely focused and fully alive. The most important lessons I acquired from softball went beyond batting techniques and game scores because they taught me about existence. The experience of softball taught me to lead even though I felt insufficient for the task. Although I was not the most vocal member of our team I discovered leadership exists through steady effort combined with integrity and consistent action. Through my efforts I developed into a reliable teammate who provided motivational speeches during challenging moments and maintained team spirit when we were facing a deficit. The skill I acquired through softball remains valuable to me as I study at college and volunteer because people depend on me to perform my responsibilities. It also taught me resilience. In softball, failure is constant. Even the best hitters strike out. The way you respond to failure determines your worth more than the actual failure itself does. The mindset I developed from playing softball proved beneficial to me throughout my academic years as well as personal life challenges and unexpected life challenges. Through my experience of dealing with chronic health problems and difficult personal situations I can state with certainty that softball developed my mental strength. The game imparted to me the most valuable lesson about teamwork. You can’t win alone. The outfielder behind you and the catcher beside you and the coach who guides you require your complete trust. The experience of working with others in softball taught me the value of mutual support which I now apply to all aspects of life including my school volunteer work and my student-led fundraiser for domestic violence survivors. The best results emerge when every individual fulfills their role while actively supporting their peers. My current studies at the University of Central Missouri as a Criminal Justice major do not involve athletic pursuits but I will dedicate my career to serving others. I intend to become a victim advocate to provide survivors with dignified support while they navigate the legal system. The values I acquired through softball about discipline and communication along with empathy and leadership will guide my support of others during their most challenging times. I might someday coach while passing these valuable lessons to upcoming players. Although we never met I understand the character that Brett Brakel embodied. He believed in young people. He believed in the game. Both elements could unite to create positive changes in people's lives according to his perspective. The lessons I learned from softball remain with me today as I will maintain this legacy throughout my life. I am grateful for your evaluation process and for recognizing the enduring impact of this remarkable individual. The opportunity to represent his legacy while I study and dedicate my life to meaningful service means the world to me.

First In, But Not the Last By Lillian Eichinger I am Lillian Eichinger, an 18-year-old sophomore at the University of Central Missouri, pursuing Criminal Justice as my major. I hail from Lathrop, Missouri, and am proud to be a first generation college student—the first in my family but certainly not the last. Every class I take, every page I read, every paper I write is not only for me—it is for my siblings, for my clients, for the people who never had the chance to sit where I sit now. Growing up in a working-class household, the idea of going to college was always like a dream to me. My mom raised five kids with little more than grit, love, and relentless determination. There wasn’t extra money for private tutors or college prep programs. But what she gave me instead was just as valuable: resilience. Seeing her push through every obstacle encouraged me to do the same—not only in school, but in life. I have faced my fair share of difficulties. I live with Factor V Leiden, a genetic blood clotting disorder which has made school and life more complicated than most people would realize. I also have had to endure intimate partner violence, an experience which altered my view of the world and intensified my desire to speak for those who are mute or trapped. But these experiences haven’t broken me. They’ve given me clarity. I don’t want to just “get by” in college—I want to use my education to create change that matters. My major, Criminal Justice, is more than just a subject to me—it’s a calling. I plan on becoming a victim advocate, working with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trauma. I want to stand with people at their most scared times of their lives and tell them they count, they have rights, and they are not alone. Eventually, I plan to open a non-profit organization that will provide legal and emotional support to college-aged survivors—especially those who also have chronic health conditions or disabilities and face extra barriers to justice. This field was not only attractive to me because of my personal experience, but also because I was so frustrated with how often the system fails the people it is supposed to protect. I want to help fix that. Through my classes, I have already begun to understand the gaps in legal services, how poverty affects incarceration, and how trauma-informed care can either make or break someone’s experience with the justice system. I want to use my education not only to navigate the system but to challenge it and improve it. Outside of school, I have already begun laying the groundwork for my mission. I helped organize a campus fundraiser that raised over $2,000 for a local women’s shelter, and I regularly volunteer at elementary schools, helping students feel seen, supported, and encouraged. I know that lasting impact begins with small, consistent action—and I am committed to that every single day. College is important to me because it is the bridge between who I have been and who I want to become. It’s the chance to turn pain into purpose and knowledge into advocacy. As a first-generation student, I don’t take this opportunity lightly. I’m not just earning a degree; I’m breaking a cycle. I’m proving to myself, my family, and my community that education is possible—even when it seems out of reach. But this dream hasn’t been easy financially to pursue. Like many first-gen students, I carry the weight of tuition, books, rent, and medical expenses with little outside help. I work part-time, apply for every scholarship I can find, and budget down to the last dollar. I’m doing everything I can—but it’s still hard. Receiving the Alberta Bean Memorial Scholarship would relieve a huge financial burden and allow me to focus more on my studies, my service work, and building the future I’ve dreamed of. Alberta's experiences reflect the path I have followed in life. My life started with similar struggles as she did. I share her goal to create better opportunities for the future generation. She believed that education served as the foundation for constructing better lives for both present and future generations. Your organization has shown great respect toward her legacy through this tribute while I am grateful for your assessment of my application. Your backing enables me to pursue my education and expand my impact by upholding Alberta's core values which included determination and a dedication to better possibilities.

Lighting the Way Forward By Lillian Eichinger I am Lillian Eichinger and I am currently pursuing Criminal Justice as my major at the University of Central Missouri. At 18, I am the eldest of five siblings, the first to join a four-year university from my family. I was brought up in Lathrop, Missouri, in a working-class family with limited opportunities but with a clear message on the value of education and hard work though it seemed impossible to achieve. As a child I watched my mother work multiple jobs to sustain our family. I understood from a young age that I would never receive anything freely and that I would have to work to achieve the kind of life I desired. When I was diagnosed with Factor V Leiden, a genetic blood-clotting disorder, my personal fight intensified as I faced medical complications during the most crucial period of my academic life. These obstacles only intensified the fire within me. Those obstacles taught me resilience, concentration and self-advocacy which I now use to help others. During high school, I worked at the local elementary school where I read to students, assisted with P.E. classes and supervised recess activities. I helped organize a charity kickball tournament at college to collect money for a local women’s shelter. The event managed to raise more than $2000 while fostering important campus discussions about domestic violence, survivor assistance and community service for students. These early experiences showed me that I did not require a degree to start making a difference because all it took was determination and a willingness to take action. That’s what drives me today. Earning my Criminal Justice degree is only half the battle; I am determined to use my knowledge after graduation. I desire to be a victim advocate who provides survivors of trauma with guidance while they encounter a complex and sometimes unjust justice system. My goal is to become the person who will inform them that they possess rights along with choices and dignity. My future goal involves starting a nonprofit organization that will link students with chronic illnesses and violence survivors to legal and emotional assistance. I aim to utilize my voice together with my education and personal story to give power to people who lack a voice. This scholarship grant would serve two essential functions by reducing my educational expenses while confirming my educational decision. Mr. Green and Ms. Green are the same people who share my belief in education as a tool for transformation. I hold that the background of a person should never limit their potential for advancement. I believe that enough determination along with proper support allows individuals such as myself—a girl from a small town with strong spirit—to develop meaningful and enduring change. I am thankful for the opportunity to apply. My objective is to continue the legacy of this scholarship by establishing a future which respects my aspirations as well as the individuals who helped me achieve them.

The Case That Shifted My Perspective: Gideon v. Wainwright By Lillian Eichinger Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) stands as the legal case which fundamentally altered my world perspective and directed me toward legal studies. The initial introduction of this case material appeared in my introductory criminal justice course so I found it straightforward at first. The arrested man requested legal representation but received no lawyer because he lacked financial ability. Through his prison appeal the man achieved a Supreme Court victory that established financial status cannot prevent anyone from obtaining legal representation. But the more I sat with it, the more it got to me. The fundamental essence of Gideon v. Wainwright extends far beyond securing legal representation for one defendant. The court established that legal representation protects innocent people from losing their voice during judicial proceedings. My initial understanding of the legal system showed me that it operated mainly with fairness. I believed that honesty would lead to successful results in every situation. The court case revealed to me how financial status and racial background and social background create severe inequalities in the justice system. This case impacted me deeply because I come from a family that faces economic challenges. As the first person from my family to enroll in a four-year university I face obstacles while interacting with systems which were not designed for people from my socioeconomic background. I realized how easily anyone who resembles me or someone I care about could become entangled in the wrong side of justice because they lacked proper legal assistance. This discovery both terrified me but it clarified my life direction. This experience sparked my interest in using law as a tool to support marginalized individuals who face discrimination from the system. I began to study topics such as public defense systems and wrongful conviction cases and how poverty leads to criminal charges. My understanding evolved to show that I want to be an advocate who fights for fair treatment of people who face unfair odds in the justice system. The law extends beyond punishment since it exists to protect human beings. People deserve to be both heard and understood and treated with dignity regardless of their criminal accusations or financial situation. Through Gideon v. Wainwright I gained a fresh perspective about justice while understanding how vital it is to be an advocate for those who feel isolated or overwhelmed or abandoned. I recognize that my understanding needs expansion. Law school remains my primary academic objective while I work to establish my path toward this goal. I understand that my passion for fairness drives me to use my education to create meaningful changes. This scholarship helps students like me pay for school while allowing us to maintain focus on our goals instead of letting financial stress take over. The influence this case has had on me will be the foundation of my future career work. To stand up for those who cannot defend themselves on their own. My goal is to support the proper functioning of the system which should benefit all people.