As the youngest daughter, in a huge family. I have learned to perceive various makeup and hair trends growing up. Every little sister wants to play with their older sister's makeup. Watching my sisters curl or straighten their hair on a day-to-day basis, then applying the finest dollar-store makeup. Soon after, I would sit in front of a mirror and try to imitate their actions. Throughout the past 18 years of my life, I have gained more maturity than most individuals my age. Many of my obstacles have come from losing two siblings. My older brother Jarek was hit head-on by a drunk driver, and my other older brother took his life. Soon after becoming an auntie saved my life. Knowing I create this huge smile grinning ear-to-ear on my niece’s face every time I style her hair or do her makeup for the little moments. I come from a huge family and work at a daycare. Seeing my school-age kiddos arrive with matted and undefined confidence of embarrassment, a part of me wants to help. I have always loved doing hair and creating a sense of confidence in today's society. I am currently attending Aveda Institute in Des Moines, Iowa to become a licensed Cosmetologist. I began my journey in March, and I finish up my 1550 hours in December. My long-term goal is to open up my own barbershop. As for now, my short-term goal is to continue teaching myself skills, taking clients I don’t feel comfortable with, and growing my social media. You may be asking, why do I feel I am applying for this scholarship? Well, instead of me giving you the basic run-down, that I assume most individuals have given you. I would like to make a career out of my personal interests. In all honesty, I wanted to be everything a little girl wanted to be when she grew up. The thought of a cosmetologist did not come to mind until about a year ago. Communication plays a huge role in the person I have become today. I strongly believe communication is one of the finest forms of humanity. Between meeting strangers, creating a conversation out of personal interests, and most of all overcoming personal judgments and staying loyal to fault anyone I find kindness in. I have no hate in my heart for anything, anywhere, or anyone. There are many advantages to becoming a cosmetologist. A cosmetologist professional has the opportunity to help individuals feel good about themselves, which is what makes this job personally satisfying. Eventually, take on different roles as managers, and start your own business. As I conclude my scholarship essay, I wanted to thank you for reading my application!

October 3rd, 2016. The day that forever changed my family. A day no one expected or wanted to occur. The day I opened the front door to two Gunny Sargents standing in front of me. The day I watched my father be told his son died… First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Liza Burke, I am 18 years old and I am currently attending Aveda Institute in Des Moines, Iowa. I enjoy meeting strangers, concerts, and talking. CPL Jarek Burke passed away October 3rd, 2016 at 02:10. Driving home after a long weekend on Interstate I95 northbound, Jarek was hit head-on by a drunk driver. This individual had it out for someone that night with one goal in mind. Suicide. He had hit 3 people prior to ending his life. Sadly my brother was the one who achieved his goal that night. Jarek Burke is my older brother, the person I have always looked up to. He enjoyed life, whether this was concerts, Wii sports, or skateboarding. Jarek was the most kind-hearted, honest, appreciative human you could have known. But out of everything, Jarek enjoyed the little things, the small moments. With a smile that could brighten anyone's day, we absolutely miss him to pieces. You may be wondering as to why I am applying for this scholarship, or why I deserve this Scholarship. I come from six family-owned businesses. Management has always been a part of my childhood. Whether this is Real estate, car auto shops, auction companies, or Construction. I have learned the backside of all these companies. Jarek and I were a main part of the sales both online and in-person throughout the community. I found that over the past 18 years of sales, the most important lesson is this: You get what you put in. I love the self-motivation and discipline one has to put in through working with sales. You have absolutely no clue what someone is going through until you have walked in their shoes. Second, I want to bring a sense of humanity to every individual/stranger I meet. Connecting over personal values, beliefs, and hobbies. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. Who knows that one conversation might just save someone's life? I have no hate in my heart for anything, anywhere, or anyone. I am loyal to a fault to anyone I find kindness in.

October 3rd, 2016. The day that forever changed my family. A day no one expected or wanted to occur. The day I opened the front door to two Gunny Sargents standing in front of me. The day I watched my father be told his son died… First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Liza Burke, I am 18 years old and currently attending Aveda Institute in Des Moines, Iowa. I enjoy meeting strangers, concerts, and talking. CPL Jarek Burke passed away October 3rd, 2016 at 02:10. Driving home after a long weekend on Interstate I95 northbound, Jarek was hit head-on by a drunk driver. This individual had it out for someone that night with one goal in mind. Suicide. He had hit 3 people prior to ending his life. Sadly my brother was the one who achieved his goal that night. Jarek Burke is my older brother, the person I have always looked up to. He enjoyed life, whether this was concerts, Wii sports, or skateboarding. Jarek was the most kind-hearted, honest, appreciative human you could have known. But out of everything, Jarek enjoyed the little things, the small moments. With a smile that could brighten anyone's day, we absolutely miss him to pieces. Jarek loved and prioritized being an uncle. He wanted nothing more than to see his nephews and nieces succeed. Between surprise home leave blocks or Facetime calls, nothing could break the bond between him and these kiddos. Once Jarek passed away everything changed, he was the glue in the family. I took on the role of loving these kiddos, being an aunt is who I am. I want to watch their small accomplishments, watch them fail and try again, but most of all I want to be their role model. I want these kiddos to know their aunt is there for them, no matter what, where, or when. You have absolutely no clue what someone is going through until you have walked in their shoes. Second, I want to bring a sense of humanity to every individual/stranger I meet. Connecting over personal values, beliefs, and hobbies. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. Who knows that one conversation might just save someone's life? I have no hate in my heart for anything, anywhere, or anyone. I am loyal to a fault to anyone I find kindness in.

October 3rd, 2016. The day that forever changed my family. A day no one expected or wanted to occur. The day I opened the front door to two Gunny Sargents standing in front of me. The day I watched my father be told his son died… First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Liza Burke, I am 18 years old and currently attending Aveda Institute in Des Moines, Iowa. I enjoy meeting strangers, concerts, and talkin. CPL Jarek Burke passed away October 3rd, 2016 at 02:10. Driving home after a long weekend on Interstate I95 northbound, Jarek was hit head-on by a drunk driver. This individual had it out for someone that night with one goal in mind. Suicide. He had hit 3 people prior to ending his life. Sadly, my brother was the one who achieved his goal that night. Jarek Burke is my older brother, the person I have always looked up to. He enjoyed life, whether this was concerts, Wii sports, or skateboarding. Jarek was the most kind-hearted, honest, appreciative human you could have known. But out of everything, Jarek enjoyed the little things, the small moments. With a smile that could brighten anyone's day, we absolutely miss him to pieces. Jarek loved and prioritized being an uncle. He wanted nothing more than to see his nephews and nieces succeed. Between surprise home leave blocks or Facetime calls, nothing could break the bond between him and these kiddos. Once Jarek passed away everything changed, he was the glue in the family. I took on the role of loving these kiddos, being an aunt is who I am. I want to watch their small accomplishments, watch them fail and try again, but most of all I want to be their role model. I want these kiddos to know their aunt is there for them, no matter what, where, or when. Looking back over the past seven years, I would say I have matured at a young age. I graduated high school this past January and began my path to becoming a licensed cosmetologist. Next December I will be achieving this goal, I plan to move back home and open a barbershop. You have no clue what someone is going through until you have walked in their shoes. I want to bring a sense of humanity to every individual/stranger I meet. Connecting over personal values, beliefs, and hobbies. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. Who knows that one conversation might just save someone's life? I have no hate in my heart for anything, anywhere, or anyone. I am loyal to a fault to anyone I find kindness in.

How does one individual come up with the three most important things in their life? The most common answers people are going to state family, friends, etc. On the other hand, it is important to take into consideration your passion as well as your goals. 1. Being an Aunt. I became an aunt at 9 months old, over the past 18 years I have become an aunt to six kiddos. Growing up I have watched each of these kids grow and gain a personality. I have watched these kiddos' small accomplishments, watched them fail and try again, been a shoulder to cry on, the one to say "yes" when mom says "no," but most of all, I want to be their role model. I want these kiddos to know their aunt is there for them, no matter what, where, or when. 2. Strangers I have this unique obsession with meeting strangers. Whether this is at concerts, shopping at a farmers market, or walking down the streets I am always meeting new people. Growing up I have learned many things about the real world. It can be harsh. But it is all about how you perceive it. Being a human and connecting on a surface level might lead to bigger and better opportunities. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. Who knows that one conversation might just save someone's life? 3. Family business/ goals As for short-term goals, I am moving down to West Des Moines, IA I will be attending Aveda Institue to study the field of cosmetology. After achieving my certificate in April of 2025 this is when I focus on my long-term goal. A little bit of a background my hometown Cresco is a small town, and I come from a huge family. The town is three-fourths made up of my family. We own four local businesses ranging from real estate, auction service, body shop, and campgrounds, growing up I have learned many core values including finance, independence, and clientele. On to my long-term goal, after I am certified I plan on starting my own hair salon business. I have a great clientele already within my hometown.

Malia L. Harris Memorial Scholarship As the youngest daughter, in a huge family, I have learned to perceive various makeup and hair trends growing up. Every little sister wants to play with their older sister's makeup. Watching my sisters curl or straighten their hair on a day-to-day basis, then applying the finest dollar-store makeup. Soon after, I would sit in front of a mirror and try to imitate their actions. Throughout the past 17 years of my life, I have gained more maturity than most individuals my age. Many of my obstacles have come from losing two siblings. My older brother Jarek was hit head-on by a drunk driver, and my other older brother took his life. With this being said it caused me to develop an eating disorder, as well as severe anxiety/depression. Becoming an auntie saved my life. Knowing I create this huge smile grinning ear-to-ear on my niece’s face every time I style her hair or do her makeup for the little moments. I come from a huge family and work at a daycare. Seeing my school-age kiddos arrive with matted and undefined confidence of embarrassment, a part of me wants to help. I have always loved doing hair and creating a sense of confidence in today's society. You may be asking, why do I feel I am applying for this scholarship? Well, instead of me giving you the basic run-down, that I assume most individuals have given you. I want to make a career out of my personal interests. In all honesty, I wanted to be everything a little girl wanted to be when she grew up. The thought of an esthetician did not come to mind until about a year ago. Communication plays a huge role in the person I have become today. I strongly believe communication is one of the finest forms of humanity. Between meeting strangers, creating a conversation out of personal interests, and most of all overcoming personal judgments and staying loyal to fault anyone I find kindness in. I have no hate in my heart for anything, anywhere, or anyone. There are many advantages to becoming an esthetician. An esthetician professional has the opportunity to help individuals feel good about themselves, which is what makes this job personally satisfying. Eventually, take on different roles as managers, and start your own business. I feel Aveda's esthetician program would help me direct my path throughout life. As I conclude my scholarship essay, I wanted to thank you for reading my application!

The cross-over word I would personally use for leadership would be maturity. A level of mental development or wisdom that has a bearing on all areas of an individual's life, right from their conduct to their relationship with others; maturity. Let me introduce myself, hello my name is Liza Burke. I am 17 years old, and currently an early graduate of high school. I reside in northeast Iowa tucked in the corner of the state to the name of Cresco, IA. I attend Iowa Virtual Academy; an online school. As for short-term goals, I am moving down to West Des Moines, IA I will be attending Aveda Institue to study the field of cosmetology. After achieving my certificate in A pril of 2025 this is when I focus on my long-term goal. A little bit of a background my hometown Cresco is a small town, and I come from a huge family. The town is three-fourths made up of my family. We own four local businesses ranging from real estate, auction service, body shop, and campgrounds, growing up I have learned many core values including finance, independence, and clientele. On to my long-term goal, after I am certified I plan on starting my own hair salon business. I have a great clientele already within my hometown. Learning from my experiences, I enjoy meeting strangers. I love making random conversations with individuals of all ages, connecting over personal values. I volunteer at my local daycare, working with school-age children. I would never change this for the world, these kids have not-so-normal home lives. I don’t associate with the title “caregiver” instead I feel as if I am their second mom. I will always give a shoulder to cry on, a mentor for school, opinions to decipher right from wrong, but most of all an open heart. These kids have also taught me a lot about myself as well. They teach me to appreciate the small things in life, the little moments, and to cheer on the small accomplishments. I believe these kiddos have taught me many core values, but the major one would be love. I want to watch these kids become successful human beings. My most meaningful achievement; becoming an aunt. I am an aunt, being an aunt is who I am. I want to watch these kiddos' small accomplishments, watch them fail and try again, but most of all I want to be their role model. I want these kiddos to know their aunt is there for them, no matter what, where, or when. With this being said, after starting my own business, it will show them anything is possible. The real world can be harsh. You have no clue what someone is going through until you have walked a mile in their shoes. I have no hate in my heart for anything, anywhere, or anyone. I am loyal to a fault to anyone I find kindness in. Remember to always talk to strangers, that one conversation may save someone's life. No one is too far gone.

Moana, the film that brings tears to my eyes. My older brother Brendon used to tell me, “Always stay uncomfortable.” I feel I relate to Moana, unlike any other Disney princess. As Moana grows older she takes pride in being independent. She continuously tries to do better for not only herself but for her family. She takes on the lead role after her father in the village. Creates time to learn how to dance with her grandmother. But that is not all she accomplishes, Moana takes risks, she fears the unknown, knows her worth, and stays uncomfortable. As stated in the beginning, I have an older brother. Brendon took his life a year and a half ago, due to mental health problems. Brendon was my best friend, my ride-or-die, and mostly the person I looked up to. Brendon carried on a legacy, loved wrestling, pranking everyone, late night drives to McDonald's, but most of all he loved the Moana movie!!! No matter if it was a short drive or an hour drive. Moana songs would be playing at some point on this journey. Between pulling all-nighters and dancing/jamming in Walmart parking lots, Moana will always hold a place in my heart. “Always stay uncomfortable” Throughout the whole film Moana proves she is conquering fears, yet she isn't comfortable, she is comfortable with being uncomfortable. The grandmother states, “I will come back as one of these” She refers to a manta stingray. I come from a huge family (100+ cousins). Our close family is our WHOLE family, our grandmother is the heart of it all. All locals in the community call her “Grandma Burke” and everyone else calls her “grandma.” She is the most wholehearted human I have ever met. The kindest soul and biggest smile. I sometimes feel when she passes away our family will fall apart, and I hate to think of this happening. How does this relate back to me? I became mature for my age around age 12 due to family problems. This has caused me to be independent and take after my father. Watching this Disney film makes me feel like I'm not alone. Family is my priority and will always come first. I take after my father and tend to let my mouth get me in trouble at times. I come from a small town, and I wouldn’t change it for the world, I will always return home. I have no hate in my heart for anything, anywhere, or anyone.

Womens Leadership Scholarship The cross-over word I would personally use for leadership would be maturity. A level of mental development or wisdom that has a bearing on all areas of an individual's life, right from their conduct to their relationship with others; maturity. Let me introduce myself, hello my name is Liza Burke. I am 17 years old, and currently an early graduate of high school. I reside in northeast Iowa tucked in the corner of the state to the name of Cresco, IA. I attend Iowa Virtual Academy; an online school. As for short-term goals, I am moving down to West Des Moines, IA I will be attending Aveda Institue to study the field of cosmetology. After achieving my certificate in A pril of 2025 this is when I focus on my long-term goal. A little bit of a background my hometown Cresco is a small town, and I come from a huge family. The town is three-fourths made up of my family. We own four local businesses ranging from real estate, auction service, body shop, and campgrounds, growing up I have learned many core values including finance, independence, and clientele. On to my long-term goal, after I am certified I plan on starting my own hair salon business. I have a great clientele already within my hometown. Learning from my experiences, I enjoy meeting strangers. I love making random conversations with individuals of all ages, connecting over personal values. I volunteer at my local daycare, working with school-age children. I would never change this for the world, these kids have not-so-normal home lives. I don’t associate with the title “caregiver” instead I feel as if I am their second mom. I will always give a shoulder to cry on, a mentor for school, opinions to decipher right from wrong, but most of all an open heart. These kids have also taught me a lot about myself as well. They teach me to appreciate the small things in life, the little moments, and to cheer on the small accomplishments. I believe these kiddos have taught me many core values, but the major one would be love. I want to watch these kids become successful human beings. My most meaningful achievement; becoming an aunt. I am an aunt, being an aunt is who I am. I want to watch these kiddos' small accomplishments, watch them fail and try again, but most of all I want to be their role model. I want these kiddos to know their aunt is there for them, no matter what, where, or when. With this being said, after starting my own business, it will show them anything is possible. The real world can be harsh. You have no clue what someone is going through until you have walked a mile in their shoes. I have no hate in my heart for anything, anywhere, or anyone. I am loyal to a fault to anyone I find kindness in. Remember to always talk to strangers, that one conversation may save someone's life. No one is too far gone.

As a mature 17-year-old from Iowa, I never would have expected the real world to be so harsh. Let me introduce myself. Hello, my name is Liza Burke, I am a high school senior. I reside in northeast Iowa. Tucked away in the corner of the state is a very small town to the name of Cresco, Iowa. I love meeting strangers, I think it is unique how you can have so much in common with a person. I enjoy concerts and living life to the fullest. Why do I feel I should apply for this scholarship? I come from a huge (100+ cousins) family. Our close family is our WHOLE family, we are all there for each other, no matter what, where, or when. In 2016 I lost my older brother, CPL Jarek Burke, driving home after a long weekend on Interstate I95 northbound, Jarek was hit head-on by a drunk driver. This individual had it out for someone that night with one goal in mind. Suicide. He had hit 3 people prior to ending his life. Sadly my brother was the one who achieved his goal that night. Jarek was the kind of human who would put a smile on your face, crack jokes, and most of all he was the glue to our family. A year and a half ago, I lost my older brother Brendon Dixon, due to mental health. Brendon was my absolute best friend, my ride-or-die, my favorite human. It came out of the unexpected, but I knew he was suffering. Brendon was the funniest, well-rounded, and honest human you could possibly know. Now how does this relate back to me? I attended public school until sophomore year when I realized I needed to focus more on grieving. I developed an eating disorder which made it nearly impossible for me to accomplish my best work in school. I was an A student with a 4.0 GPA until I suddenly became a D student out of nowhere. This was the hardest moment in time for me. I barely wanted to get out of bed, always skipping class, and failing every class. I now attend Iowa Virtual Academy as an A student. Please always remember to take care of yourself, before anyone else. How do I plan to make a difference in the world? First off, as Tim McGraw states in his song, “Always stay humble and kind.” You have absolutely no clue what someone is going through until you have walked in their shoes. Second, I want to bring a sense of humanity to every individual/stranger I meet. Connecting over personal values, beliefs, and hobbies. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. Who knows that one conversation might just save someone's life?

As a mature 17-year-old from Iowa, I never would have expected the real world to be so harsh. Let me introduce myself. Hello, my name is Liza Burke, I am a high school senior. I reside in northeast Iowa. Tucked away in the corner of the state is a very small town to the name of Cresco, Iowa. I love meeting strangers, I think it is unique how you can have so much in common with a person. I enjoy concerts and living life to the fullest. Why do I feel I should apply for this scholarship? I come from a huge (100+ cousins) family. Our close family is our WHOLE family, we are all there for each other, no matter what, where, or when. In 2016 I lost my older brother, CPL Jarek Burke, driving home after a long weekend on Interstate I95 northbound, Jarek was hit head-on by a drunk driver. This individual had it out for someone that night with one goal in mind. Suicide. He had hit 3 people prior to ending his life. Sadly my brother was the one who achieved his goal that night. Jarek was the kind of human who would put a smile on your face, crack jokes, and most of all he was the glue to our family. A year and a half ago, I lost my older brother Brendon Dixon, due to mental health. Brendon was my absolute best friend, my ride-or-die, my favorite human. It came out of the unexpected, but I knew he was suffering. Brendon was the funniest, well-rounded, and honest human you could possibly know. Now how does this relate back to me? I attended public school until sophomore year when I realized I needed to focus more on grieving. I developed an eating disorder which made it nearly impossible for me to accomplish my best work in school. I was an A student with a 4.0 GPA until I suddenly became a D student out of nowhere. This was the hardest moment in time for me. I barely wanted to get out of bed, always skipping class, and failing every class. I now attend Iowa Virtual Academy as an A student. Please always remember to take care of yourself, before anyone else. How do I plan to make a difference in the world? First off, as Tim McGraw states in his song, “Always stay humble and kind.” You have no clue what someone is going through until you have walked in their shoes. Second, I want to bring a sense of humanity to every individual/stranger I meet. Connecting over personal values, beliefs, and hobbies. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. Who knows that one conversation might just save someone's life?

Hello, My name is Liza Burke, I grew up in a small town in northeast Iowa. I am 17 years old and currently finishing up my senior year of high school. I think people often take the little things for granted. People become glorified over such big matters such as money, opinions, and technology. I have a heart for kids, I volunteer at my local daycare. I am in charge of the school-age kids. Through this volunteer experience, I would not change it for the world. I don’t associate with the title “caregiver” instead I feel as if I am their second mom. I will always give a shoulder to cry on, a mentor for school, opinions to decipher right from wrong, but most of all an open heart. These kids have also taught me a lot about myself as well. They teach me to appreciate the small things in life, the little moments, and to cheer on the small accomplishments. I believe these kiddos have taught me many core values, but the major one would be love. Growing up I have learned many things about the real world. It can be harsh. But it is all about how you perceive it. How do I plan to make a difference in the world? First off, as Tim McGraw states in his song, “Always stay humble and kind.” You have no clue what someone is going through until you have walked in their shoes. Second, I want to bring a sense of humanity to every individual/stranger I meet. Connecting over personal values, beliefs, and hobbies. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. Who knows that one conversation might just save someone's life? Another core value I have is respect. I am loyal to a fault to anyone I find kindness in. I will give respect until I am disrespected. I always respect the elderly, whether this is by holding the door, putting your phone down during a conversation, or asking for advice. Being an aunt takes priority in my life. I want to watch these kids exceed and grow most of all I want to be their role model. Showing life isn’t always about money, if you do good, good will do to you. Such as volunteering, I have shown these kids that little things matter. Helping the local food pantry, mentoring church classrooms on Wednesday nights, or helping community parades. You can make an impact

As the youngest daughter, in a huge family. I have learned to perceive various makeup and hair trends growing up. Every little sister wants to play with their older sister's makeup. Watching my sisters curl or straighten their hair on a day-to-day basis, then applying the finest dollar-store makeup. Soon after, I would sit in front of a mirror and try to imitate their actions. Throughout the past 17 years of my life, I have gained more maturity than most individuals my age. Many of my obstacles have come from losing two siblings. My older brother Jarek was jit head-on by a drunk driver, and my other older brother took his life. With this being said it caused me to develop an eating disorder, as well as severe anxiety/depression. Becoming an auntie saved my life. Knowing I create this huge smile grinning ear-to-ear on my niece’s face every time I style her hair or do her makeup for the little moments. I come from a huge family and work at a daycare. Seeing my school-age kiddos arrive with matted and undefined confidence of embarrassment, a part of me wants to help. I have always loved doing hair and creating a sense of confidence in today's society. You may be asking, why do I feel I am applying for this scholarship? Well, instead of me giving you the basic run-down, that I assume most individuals have given you. I would like to make a career out of my personal interests. In all honesty, I wanted to be everything a little girl wanted to be when she grew up. The thought of a cosmetologist did not come to mind until about a year ago. Communication plays a huge role in the person I have become today. I strongly believe communication is one of the finest forms of humanity. Between meeting strangers, creating a conversation out of personal interests, and most of all overcoming personal judgments and staying loyal to fault anyone I find kindness. I have no hate in my heart for anything, anywhere, or anyone. There are many advantages to becoming a cosmetologist. A cosmetologist professional has the opportunity to help individuals feel good about themselves, which is what makes this job personally satisfying. Eventually, take on different roles as managers, and start your own business. I feel Aveda's cosmetology program would help me direct my path throughout life. As I conclude my scholarship essay, I wanted to thank you for reading my application!

Top of the Mountain scholarship 1. I believe it is all about the small acts to advocate for our environment. Personally, I keep reusable bags in my car to carry in and out of the local grocery stores. Over my last three summers, I have volunteered to plant trees on open acres around the Midwest, this gives a person a sense of value and builds effective communication, I would suggest trying this once in your life time. I use many metal water bottles instead of plastic store-bought bottles. My family and I travel quite a bit across the USA I always make it a point to pick up the pollution on beaches as well as tourist areas. I believe the world can be a different place as long as we work together as the next generation and prove a point. Please do your part and even put in the smallest effort. 2. The real world can be harsh. You have absolutely no clue what someone is going through until you have walked a mile in their shoes. I have no hate in my heart for anything, anywhere, or anyone. I am loyal to a fault to anyone I find kindness in. Remember to always talk to strangers, that one conversation may save someone's life. No one is to far gone.

As a mature 17-year-old from Iowa, I never would have expected the real world to be so harsh. Let me introduce myself. Hello, my name is Liza Burke, I am a high school senior. I reside in northeast Iowa. Tucked away in the corner of the state is a very small town to the name of Cresco, Iowa. I love meeting strangers, I think it is unique how you can have so much in common with a person. I enjoy concerts and living life to the fullest. Why do I feel I should apply for this scholarship? I come from a huge (100+ cousins) family. Our close family is our WHOLE family, we are all there for each other, no matter what, where, or when. In 2016 I lost my older brother, CPL Jarek Burke, driving home after a long weekend on Interstate I95 northbound, Jarek was hit head-on by a drunk driver. This individual had it out for someone that night with one goal in mind. Suicide. He had hit 3 people prior to ending his life. Sadly my brother was the one who achieved his goal that night. Jarek was the kind of human who would put a smile on your face, crack jokes, and most of all he was the glue to our family. A year and a half ago, I lost my older brother Brendon Dixon, due to mental health. Brendon was my absolute best friend, my ride-or-die, my favorite human. It came out of the unexpected, but I knew he was suffering. Brendon was the funniest, well-rounded, and honest human you could possibly know. Now how does this relate back to me? I attended public school until sophomore year when I realized I needed to focus more on grieving. I developed an eating disorder which made it nearly impossible for me to accomplish my best work in school. I was an A student with a 4.0 GPA until I suddenly became a D student out of nowhere. This was the hardest moment in time for me. I barely wanted to get out of bed, always skipping class, and failing every class. I now attend Iowa Virtual Academy as an A student. Please always remember to take care of yourself, before anyone else. How do I plan to make a difference in the world? First off, as Tim McGraw states in his song, “Always stay humble and kind.” You have absolutely no clue what someone is going through until you have walked in their shoes. Second, I want to bring a sense of humanity to every individual/stranger I meet. Connecting over personal values, beliefs, and hobbies. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. Who knows that one conversation might just save someone's life?

Trevor David Clark Scholarship As a mature 17-year-old from Iowa, I never would have expected the real world to be so harsh. Let me introduce myself. Hello, my name is Liza Burke, I am a high school senior. I reside in northeast Iowa. Tucked away in the corner of the state is a very small town to the name of Cresco, Iowa. I love meeting strangers, I think it is unique how you can have so much in common with a person. I enjoy concerts and living life to the fullest. Why do I feel I should apply for this scholarship? I come from a huge (100+ cousins) family. Our close family is our WHOLE family, we are all there for each other, no matter what, where, or when. In 2016 I lost my older brother, CPL Jarek Burke, driving home after a long weekend on Interstate I95 northbound, Jarek was hit head-on by a drunk driver. This individual had it out for someone that night with one goal in mind. Suicide. He had hit 3 people prior to ending his life. Sadly my brother was the one who achieved his goal that night. Jarek was the kind of human who would put a smile on your face, crack jokes, and most of all he was the glue to our family. A year and a half ago, I lost my older brother Brendon Dixon, due to mental health. Brendon was my absolute best friend, my ride-or-die, my favorite human. It came out of the unexpected, but I knew he was suffering. Brendon was the funniest, well-rounded, and honest human you could possibly know. Now how does this relate back to me? I attended public school until sophomore year when I realized I needed to focus more on grieving. I developed an eating disorder which made it nearly impossible for me to accomplish my best work in school. I was an A student with a 4.0 GPA until I suddenly became a D student out of nowhere. This was the hardest moment in time for me. I barely wanted to get out of bed, always skipping class, and failing every class. I now attend Iowa Virtual Academy as an A student. Please always remember to take care of yourself, before anyone else. How do I plan to make a difference in the world? First off, as Tim McGraw states in his song, “Always stay humble and kind.” You have absolutely no clue what someone is going through until you have walked in their shoes. Second, I want to bring a sense of humanity to every individual/stranger I meet. Connecting over personal values, beliefs, and hobbies. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. Who knows that one conversation might just save someone's life?

Jeanie A Memorial Scholarship As a mature 17-year-old from Iowa, I never would have expected the real world to be so harsh. Let me introduce myself. Hello, my name is Liza Burke, I am a high school senior. I reside in northeast Iowa. Tucked away in the corner of the state is a very small town to the name of Cresco, Iowa. I love meeting strangers, I think it is unique how you can have so much in common with a person. I enjoy concerts and living life to the fullest. Why do I feel I should apply for this scholarship? I come from a huge (100+ cousins) family. Our close family is our WHOLE family, we are all there for each other, no matter what, where, or when. In 2016 I lost my older brother, CPL Jarek Burke, driving home after a long weekend on Interstate I95 northbound, Jarek was hit head-on by a drunk driver. This individual had it out for someone that night with one goal in mind. Suicide. He had hit 3 people prior to ending his life. Sadly my brother was the one who achieved his goal that night. Jarek was the kind of human who would put a smile on your face, crack jokes, and most of all he was the glue to our family. A year and a half ago, I lost my older brother Brendon Dixon, due to mental health. Brendon was my absolute best friend, my ride-or-die, my favorite human. It came out of the unexpected, but I knew he was suffering. Brendon was the funniest, well-rounded, and honest human you could possibly know. Now how does this relate back to me? I attended public school until sophomore year when I realized I needed to focus more on grieving. I developed an eating disorder which made it nearly impossible for me to accomplish my best work in school. I was an A student with a 4.0 GPA until I suddenly became a D student out of nowhere. This was the hardest moment in time for me. I barely wanted to get out of bed, always skipping class, and failing every class. I now attend Iowa Virtual Academy as an A student. Please always remember to take care of yourself, before anyone else. How do I plan to make a difference in the world? First off, as Tim McGraw states in his song, “Always stay humble and kind.” You have absolutely no clue what someone is going through until you have walked in their shoes. Second, I want to bring a sense of humanity to every individual/stranger I meet. Connecting over personal values, beliefs, and hobbies. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. Who knows that one conversation might just save someone's life?

Let me introduce myself, hello my name is Liza Burke. I am 17 years old, currently a senior graduating in January 2024. I reside in northeast Iowa. Tucked away in the corner of the state is a very small town to the name of Cresco, Iowa. An unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger and accompanied by increased autonomic activity: Fear. Growing up throughout my elementary years I had anxiety. To the extent that it would get the best of me at times. As I have matured over the years and become more independent I am a extrovert. First, I love meeting strangers, as Tim McGraw states in his song, “Always stay humble and kind.” You have absolutely no clue what someone is going through until you have walked in their shoes. Second, I want to bring a sense of humanity to every individual/stranger I meet. Connecting over personal values, beliefs, and hobbies. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. Who knows that one conversation might just save someone's life? I have this unique obsession with meeting strangers. Whether this is at concerts, shopping at a farmers market, or walking down the streets I am always meeting new people. Growing up I have learned many things about the real world. It can be harsh. But it is all about how you perceive it. Being a human and connecting on a surface level might lead to bigger and better opportunities I have a heart for kids, I volunteer at my local daycare. I am in charge of the school-age kids. Through this volunteer experience, I would not change it for the world. I don’t associate with the title “caregiver” instead I feel as if I am their second mom. I will always give a shoulder to cry on, a mentor for school, opinions to decipher right from wrong, but most of all an open heart. These kids have also taught me a lot about myself as well. They teach me to appreciate the small things in life, the little moments, and to cheer on the small accomplishments. I believe these kiddos have taught me many core values, but the major one would be love. I come from a huge (100+ cousins) family. Our close family is our WHOLE family, we are all there for each other, no matter what, where, or when. In 2016 I lost my older brother, CPL Jarek Burke, driving home after a long weekend on Interstate I95 northbound, Jarek was hit head-on by a drunk driver. This individual had it out for someone that night with one goal in mind. Suicide. He had hit 3 people prior to ending his life. Sadly my brother was the one who achieved his goal that night. Jarek was the kind of human who would put a smile on your face, crack jokes, and most of all he was the glue to our family. Growing up in a huge family in a small town, everyone knows you and your business. I am an aunt, being an aunt is who I am. I want to watch these kiddos' small accomplishments, watch them fail and try again, but most of all I want to be their role model. I want these kiddos to know their aunt is there for them, no matter what, where, or when. I have no hate in my heart for anything, anywhere, or anyone. I am loyal to a fault to anyone I find kindness in. As a daughter, aunt, friend, and granddaughter I want to be a role model as I take on the next steps of my life.

Viper Tool Storage Cosmetology Scholarship As the youngest daughter, in a huge family. I have learned to perceive various makeup and hair trends growing up. Every little sister wants to play with their older sister's makeup. Watching my sisters curl or straighten their hair on a day-to-day basis, then applying the finest dollar-store makeup. Soon after, I would sit in front of a mirror and try to imitate their actions. Throughout the past 17 years of my life, I have gained more maturity than most individuals my age. Many of my obstacles have come from losing two siblings. My older brother CPL Jarek Burke was hit head-on by a drunk driver, and my other older brother took his life. With this being said it caused me to develop an eating disorder, as well as severe anxiety/depression. Becoming an auntie saved my life. Knowing I create this huge smile grinning ear-to-ear on my niece’s face every time I style her hair or do her makeup for the little moments. I come from a huge family and work at a daycare. Seeing my school-age kiddos arrive with matted and undefined confidence of embarrassment, a part of me wants to help. I have always loved doing hair and creating a sense of confidence in today's society. You may be asking, why do I feel I am applying for this scholarship? Well, instead of me giving you the basic run-down, that I assume most individuals have given you. I would like to make a career out of my personal interests. In all honesty, I wanted to be everything a little girl wanted to be when she grew up. The thought of a cosmetologist did not come to mind until about a year ago. Communication plays a huge role in the person I have become today. I strongly believe communication is one of the finest forms of humanity. Between meeting strangers, creating a conversation out of personal interests, and most of all overcoming personal judgments and staying loyal to fault anyone I find kindness in. I have no hate in my heart for anything, anywhere, or anyone. There are many advantages to becoming a cosmetologist. A cosmetologist professional has the opportunity to help individuals feel good about themselves, which is what makes this job personally satisfying. Eventually, take on different roles as managers, and start your own business. I feel Aveda's cosmetology program would help me direct my path throughout life. As I conclude my scholarship essay, I wanted to thank you for reading my application!

Rick Levin Memorial Scholarship As I read through the description of the Rick Levin Memorial Scholarship, I felt a piece of home. I personally did not know Rick Levin, but he sounds like a well rounded teacher. Someone who could cheer you up, give advice, and be a father figure for his students. Let me introduce myself, hello my name is Liza Burke. I am 17 years old, currently a senior graduating in January 2024. I reside in northeast Iowa. Tucked away in the corner of the state is a very small town to the name of Cresco, Iowa. an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger and accompanied by increased autonomic activity: Fear. Growing up throughout my elementary years I had anxiety. To the extent that it would get the best of me at times. As I have matured over the years and become more independent I am a extrovert. First off I love meeting strangers, as Tim Mcgraw states in his song, “Always stay humble and kind.” You have absolutely no clue what someone is going through until you have walked in their shoes. Second, I want to bring a sense of humanity to every individual/stranger I meet. Connecting over personal values, beliefs, and hobbies. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. Who knows that one conversation might just save someone's life? I have this unique obsession with meeting strangers. Whether this is at concerts, shopping at a farmers market, or walking down the streets I am always meeting new people. Growing up I have learned many things about the real world. It can be harsh. But it is all about how you perceive it. Being a human and connecting on a surface level might lead to bigger and better opportunities I have a heart for kids, I volunteer at my local daycare. I am in charge of the school-age kids. Through this volunteer experience, I would not change it for the world. I don’t associate with the title “caregiver” instead I feel as if I am their second mom. I will always give a shoulder to cry on, a mentor for school, opinions to decipher right from wrong, but most of all an open heart. These kids have also taught me a lot about myself as well. They teach me to appreciate the small things in life, the little moments, and to cheer on the small accomplishments. I believe these kiddos have taught me many core values, but the major one would be love. I come from a huge (100+ cousins) family. Our close family is our WHOLE family, we are all there for each other, no matter what, where, or when. In 2016 I lost my older brother, CPL Jarek Burke, driving home after a long weekend on Interstate I95 northbound, Jarek was hit head-on by a drunk driver. This individual had it out for someone that night with one goal in mind. Suicide. He had hit 3 people prior to ending his life. Sadly my brother was the one who achieved his goal that night. Jarek was the kind of human who would put a smile on your face, crack jokes, and most of all he was the glue to our family. Growing up in a huge family in a small town, everyone knows you and your business. I am an aunt, being an aunt is who I am. I want to watch these kiddos' small accomplishments, watch them fail and try again, but most of all I want to be their role model. I want these kiddos to know their aunt is there for them, no matter what, where, or when. I have no hate in my heart for anything, anywhere, or anyone. I am loyal to a fault to anyone I find kindness in. As a daughter, aunt, friend, and granddaughter I want to be a role model as I take on the next steps of my life.

Mental Health Importance scholarship As I read through the Mental Health Importance Scholarship, I could relate on many levels Physical, emotional, and mental. I wanted to share the experiences I have faced throughout my life. Let me Introduce myself, Hello, My name is Liza Burke, I grew up in a small town in northeast Iowa. I am 17 years old and currently finishing up my senior year of high school. I think people often take the little things for granted. People become glorified over such big matters such as money, opinions, and technology. How do I plan to make a difference in the world? First off, as Tim McGraw states in his song, “Always stay humble and kind.” You have absolutely no clue what someone is going through until you have walked in their shoes. Second, I want to bring a sense of humanity to every individual/stranger I meet. Connecting over personal values, beliefs, and hobbies. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. Who knows that one conversation might just save someone's life? You may wonder, Liza why do you feel you deserve this scholarship? A year and a half ago, I lost my older brother Brendon Dixon, due to mental health. Brendon was my absolute best friend, my ride-or-die, my favorite human. It came out of the unexpected, but I knew he was suffering. Brendon was the funniest, well-rounded, and honest human you could possibly know. My brother CPL Jarek Burke passed away October 3rd, 2016 at 02:10. Driving home after a long weekend on Interstate I95 northbound, Jarek was hit head-on by a drunk driver. This individual had it out for someone that night with one goal in mind. Suicide. He had hit 3 people prior to ending his life. Sadly my brother was the one who achieved his goal that night. Now how does this relate back to me? I attended public school until sophomore year when I realized I needed to focus more on grieving. I developed an eating disorder which made it nearly impossible for me to accomplish my best work in school. I was an A student with a 4.0 GPA until I suddenly became a D student out of nowhere. This was the hardest moment in time for me. I barely wanted to get out of bed, always skipping class, and failing every class. I now attend Iowa Virtual Academy as an A student. Please always remember to take care of yourself, before anyone else.

Bright Light Scholarship As the youngest daughter, in a huge family. I have learned to perceive various makeup and hair trends growing up. Every little sister wants to play with their older sister's makeup. Watching my sisters curl or straighten their hair on a day-to-day basis, then applying the finest dollar-store makeup. Soon after, I would sit in front of a mirror and try to imitate their actions. Throughout the past 17 years of my life, I have gained more maturity than most individuals my age. Many of my obstacles have come from loosing two siblings. My older brother Jarek was jit head on by a drunk driver, and my other older brother took his life. With this being said it caused me to develop a eating disorder, as well as severre anxitey/depression. Becoming an auntie saved my life. Knowing I create this huge smile grinning ear-to-ear on my niece’s face every time I style her hair or do her makeup for the little moments. I come from a huge family and work at a daycare. Seeing my school-age kiddos arrive with matted and undefined confidence of embarrassment, a part of me wants to help. I have always loved doing hair and creating a sense of confidence in today's society. You may be asking, why do I feel I am applying for this scholarship? Well, instead of me giving you the basic run-down, that I assume most individuals have given you. I would like to make a career out of my personal interests. In all honesty, I wanted to be everything a little girl wanted to be when she grew up. The thought of a cosmetologist did not come to mind until about a year ago. Communication plays a huge role in the person I have become today. I strongly believe communication is one of the finest forms of humanity. Between meeting strangers, creating a conversation out of personal interests, and most of all overcoming personal judgments and staying loyal to fault anyone I find kindness in. I have no hate in my heart for anything, anywhere, or anyone. There are many advantages to becoming a cosmetologist. A cosmetologist professional has the opportunity to help individuals feel good about themselves, which is what makes this job personally satisfying. Eventually, take on different roles as managers, and start your own business. I feel Aveda's cosmetology program would help me direct my path throughout life. As I conclude my scholarship essay, I wanted to thank you for reading my application!

Brian J. Boley Scholarship As a mature 17-year-old from Iowa, I never would have expected the real world to be so harsh. Let me introduce myself. Hello, my name is Liza Burke, I am a high school senior. I reside in northeast Iowa. Tucked away in the corner of the state is a very small town to the name of Cresco, Iowa. I love meeting strangers, I think it is unique how you can have so much in common with a person. I enjoy concerts and living life to the fullest. Why do I feel I should apply for this scholarship? I come from a huge (100+ cousins) family. Our close family is our WHOLE family, we are all there for each other, no matter what, where, or when. In 2016 I lost my older brother, CPL Jarek Burke, driving home after a long weekend on Interstate I95 northbound, Jarek was hit head-on by a drunk driver. This individual had it out for someone that night with one goal in mind. Suicide. He had hit 3 people prior to ending his life. Sadly my brother was the one who achieved his goal that night. Jarek was the kind of human who would put a smile on your face, crack jokes, and most of all he was the glue to our family. A year and a half ago, I lost my older brother Brendon Dixon, due to mental health. Brendon was my absolute best friend, my ride-or-die, my favorite human. It came out of the unexpected, but I knew he was suffering. Brendon was the funniest, well-rounded, and honest human you could possibly know. Now how does this relate back to me? I attended public school until sophomore year when I realized I needed to focus more on grieving. I developed an eating disorder which made it nearly impossible for me to accomplish my best work in school. I was an A student with a 4.0 GPA until I suddenly became a D student out of nowhere. This was the hardest moment in time for me. I barely wanted to get out of bed, always skipping class, and failing every class. I now attend Iowa Virtual Academy as an A student. Please always remember to take care of yourself, before anyone else. How do I plan to make a difference in the world? First off, as Tim McGraw states in his song, “Always stay humble and kind.” You have absolutely no clue what someone is going through until you have walked in their shoes. Second, I want to bring a sense of humanity to every individual/stranger I meet. Connecting over personal values, beliefs, and hobbies. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. Who knows that one conversation might just save someone's life?

Barbara Cain Scholarship I never started reading books until two years ago. Growing up throughout elementary school I was put in reading classes, it just never interested me to read. I could be doing much better things than reading a book. Until my mentality changed. People often misinterpret the cover of a book. Judging the color, sturdiness, layout, and so forth. Before reading the context these individuals have already concluded the end of the novel without reading a single page. I believe the best advice you can learn from a book is; read, don't read a book, read the person. Just like how every page, each chapter, and every series is important in a book they build to tell a story. This is occasionally the same in our lives, everything we go through is a part of human experiences. Everything happens for a reason. When you first see a book, you see a cover. Although first impressions are crucial, they do not define what is on the inside. There is so much more to a person than the cover. A cover or outside of a person doesn’t show the experiences or relationships or failures and triumphs of a story, but as the pages unfold, the stories unfold as well. As the story moves along characters come and go, the plot changes, and growth occurs. Change happens. Life happens. That is where the aspect of humanity comes into a novel. While the plot of novels is always changing, the book itself is too. Some books may be older than others as their pages may be withered or torn. Some books are new and some have been read thousands and thousands of times. This doesn’t add worth to the novel, just experience. Now in all the hundreds and thousands of books that you will come across in your entire life, there are bound to be some that would stand out, some that would be forgotten, and some that would be left behind. As it is, we have to move on from one book to the next. With people, it is an inevitable phenomenon to be fleeting creatures, in constant search of new experiences, and new sensations. There is, after all, only one life that we are given to live. So when you meet a new person, look past their cover and get to know what truly makes up their life, chapters, and pages. As my scholarship essay comes to an end I wanted to thank you for reading through.

Servant Ship Scholarship The cross-over word I would personally use for a leader is maturity. I became mature for my age around 12 years old, due to personal family issues. I am a human who makes mistakes, but I will always own up to them. Let me introduce myself. Hello my name is Liza Burke, I am 17 years old, currently a senior graduating in January 2024. I reside in northeast Iowa. Tucked away in the corner of the state is a very small town to the name of Cresco, Iowa. I love meeting strangers and building a connection over a small subject. In the small town of Cresco, Iowa lives the Burkes, my family. We own a real estate business, auction company, automotive business, and farms. Growing up in a huge self-employed family, I have learned nothing but earning what you own, leadership, and control. Earning what you want has played a role majorly in my life, money doesn't grow on trees. I believe the most important value I have learned is communication. Being personable is important, you can read what the consumer is thinking. Having experiences to base your conversation on to form trust. As stated previously I am graduating early. I am moving to Des Moines, Iowa to earn a certificate in cosmetology. Growing up I never got a break, you earn money, work, study, work. Within the time I graduate high school and attend college this is within 4 days. Once I accomplish this certificate I will move back home and open a business in my name, as most of my family has. How do I plan to make a positive impact? Throughout my teenage years, I have worked a lot in my community, building clientele. I currently work at my local daycare with school-age kids. I would never change this for the world, these kids have not-so-normal home lives. I don’t associate with the title “caregiver” instead I feel as if I am their second mom. I will always give a shoulder to cry on, a mentor for school, opinions to decipher right from wrong, but most of all an open heart. These kids have also taught me a lot about myself as well. They teach me to appreciate the small things in life, the little moments, and to cheer on the small accomplishments. I believe these kiddos have taught me many core values, but the major one would be love. I want to watch these kids become successful human beings. As I round up my scholarship essay, I would like to thank you for reading through a little about my life. With all the craziness throughout my life, I believe I am a well-rounded human.

Starbucks scholarship I'm basic. Let me begin this scholarship essay by making a valid point, I am very basic. I will paint the picture for you. The cold fall breeze flows by, Saturday night football is playing, you are layered with cozy blankets, the crock pot is warming up chili, your allergies give you a stuffy nose, kids are playing with the dog outside, and everything in life is going expectantly great. But you are officially missing one thing, you are parched from the filled dry air… The fall drink that fills the void in your heart is at your local Starbucks, hot chocolate. Nothing compares to this drink, not the homemade packets, gas station fresh, and not grandma's hot chocolate. This special yet very basic drink will clear your sinuses with the delicious flavor rolling down your throat. Now, you are more than welcome to judge my opinion on this but, I hate coffee. Not hate, despise coffee. Hot chocolate, on the other hand, you can always get different flavors for each season. Hot chocolate is psychologically addicting. Chocolate originates from the tropical tree, Theobroma tree. ‘Theobroma’ is a Greek word that translates to “food of the gods.” This defined food was savored by priests, warriors, and nobility. Before warriors would leave for war, they would drink hot chocolate. Individuals thought to believe this drink had medicinal properties, giving them strength and vitamins. You may wonder, Liza, how does this correlate back to us, me, you? Well, the typical American consumes 11.5 pounds of chocolate within their lifetime. People crave chocolate more than any other food. When a female is on her time of the month, what does she often want? Chocolate. Insulin goes up while the hormone serotonin drops. This will cause the female to want sugar and often revert to chocolate. As she is craving this sweet drink/treat, this causes her glucose level to raise her blood sugar. Just get the lady what she wants… This next statement Is random, but it's the truth. Even Thomas Jefferson was a huge fan of hot chocolate. After purchasing his first batch he was hooked. Thomas wrote to John Adams the following day, “The superiority of chocolate, both for health and nourishment, will soon give it the preference over tea and coffee.” He saw this as the future of America. Visitors to Monticello can sample a hot chocolate made the way Jefferson liked: using stone-roasted cacao, sugar and spices. As this scholarship essay comes to an end, I want to thank Starbucks. Without this company of well-rounded employees and fantastic drinks, I would personally be lost. Who knows maybe you should try this hot chocolate. Thank you, Starbucks.

@liza.burke

Bernard W. Creque Scholarship October 3rd, 2016. The day that forever changed my family. A day no one expected or wanted to occur. The day I opened the front door to two Gunny Sargents standing in front of me. The day I watched my father be told his son died… First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Liza Burke, I am a mature 17-year-old and currently finishing up my senior year of high school. I enjoy meeting strangers, concerts, and talking, and I have a strong mentality. CPL Jarek Burke passed away October 3rd, 2016 at 02:10. Driving home after a long weekend on Interstate I95 northbound, Jarek was hit head-on by a drunk driver. This individual had it out for someone that night with one goal in mind. Suicide. He had hit 3 people before ending his life. Sadly my brother was the one who achieved his goal that night. Jarek Burke is my older brother, the person I have always looked up to. He enjoyed life, whether this was concerts, Wii sports, or skateboarding. Jarek was the most kind-hearted, honest, appreciative human you could have known. But out of everything, Jarek enjoyed the little things, the small moments. With a smile that could brighten anyone's day, we miss him to pieces. Jarek loved and prioritized being an uncle. He wanted nothing more than to see his nephews and nieces succeed. Between surprise home leave blocks or Facetime calls, nothing could break the bond between him and these kiddos. Once Jarek passed away everything changed, he was the glue in the family. I took on the role of loving these kiddos, being an aunt is who I am. I want to watch their small accomplishments, watch them fail and try again, but most of all I want to be their role model. I want these kiddos to know their aunt is there for them, no matter what, where, or when. When I read through the description of this scholarship I feel a purpose. Jarek loved to work out and listen to heavy metal/ screamo music. Although, I do not listen to similar music. I have a gym heart, working out and bettering yourself is important. I have worked late nights and early mornings to prove to my nephews and nieces anything is possible. Money comes and goes, but you can always make more tomorrow. I appreciate you reading my scholarship essay.

Michael Rudometkin Scholarship As I read through the description of the Michael Rudometkin scholarship, I believe I connect with the purpose. Let me Introduce myself, Hello, My name is Liza Burke, I grew up in a small town in northeast Iowa. I am 17 years old and currently finishing up my senior year of high school. I think people often take the little things for granted. People become glorified over such big matters such as money, opinions, and technology. How do I plan to make a difference in the world? First off, as Tim McGraw states in his song, “Always stay humble and kind.” You have absolutely no clue what someone is going through until you have walked in their shoes. Second, I want to bring a sense of humanity to every individual/stranger I meet. Connecting over personal values, beliefs, and hobbies. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. Who knows that one conversation might just save someone's life? When did I help someone in need? I have this unique obsession with meeting strangers. Whether this is at concerts, shopping at a farmers market, or walking down the streets I am always meeting new people. Growing up I have learned many things about the real world. It can be harsh. But it is all about how you perceive it. Being a human and connecting on a surface level might lead to bigger and better opportunities. I have a heart for kids, I volunteer at my local daycare. I am in charge of the school-age kids. Through this volunteer experience, I would not change it for the world. I don’t associate with the title “caregiver” instead I feel as if I am their second mom. I will always give a shoulder to cry on, a mentor for school, opinions to decipher right from wrong, but most of all an open heart. These kids have also taught me a lot about myself as well. They teach me to appreciate the small things in life, the little moments, and to cheer on the small accomplishments. I believe these kiddos have taught me many core values, but the major one would be love. I have no hate in my heart for anything, anywhere, or anyone. I am loyal to a fault to anyone I find kindness in. As a daughter, aunt, friend, and granddaughter I want to be a role model as I take on the next steps of my life.

Reason to be a scholarship... I have never meant Jimmy Watts. Reading the description of this scholarship made me think of myself from different views and perspectives. Let me Introduce myself, Hello, My name is Liza Burke, I grew up in a small town in northeast Iowa. I am 17 years old and currently finishing up my senior year of high school. I think people often take the little things for granted. People become glorified over such big matters such as money, opinions, and technology. I have a heart for kids, I volunteer at my local daycare. I am in charge of the school-age kids. Through this volunteer experience, I would not change it for the world. I don’t associate with the title “caregiver” instead I feel as if I am their second mom. I will always give a shoulder to cry on, a mentor for school, opinions to decipher right from wrong, but most of all an open heart. These kids have also taught me a lot about myself as well. They teach me to appreciate the small things in life, the little moments, and to cheer on the small accomplishments. I believe these kiddos have taught me many core values, but the major one would be love. Growing up I have learned many things about the real world. It can be harsh. But it is all about how you perceive it. How do I plan to make a difference in the world? First off, as Tim McGraw states in his song, “Always stay humble and kind.” You have absolutely no clue what someone is going through until you have walked in their shoes. Second, I want to bring a sense of humanity to every individual/stranger I meet. Connecting over personal values, beliefs, and hobbies. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. Who knows that one conversation might just save someone's life? Another core value I have is respect. I am loyal to a fault to anyone I find kindness in. I will give respect until I am disrespected. I always respect the elderly, whether this is by holding the door, putting your phone down during a conversation, or asking for advice. Being an aunt takes priority in my life. I want to watch these kids exceed and grow and most of all I want to be their role model. Showing life isn’t always about money, if you do good, good will do to you. Such as volunteering, I have shown these kids that little things matter. Helping the local food pantry, mentoring church classrooms on Wednesday nights, or helping community parades. You can make an impact.

As a mature 17-year-old from Iowa, I never would have expected the real world to be so harsh. Let me introduce myself. Hello, my name is Liza Burke, I am a high school senior. I reside in northeast Iowa. Tucked away in the corner of the state is a very small town to the name of Cresco, Iowa. I love meeting strangers, I think it is unique how you can have so much in common with a person. I enjoy concerts and living life to the fullest. I belive life is a gift! Why do I feel I should apply for this scholarship? I come from a huge (100+ cousins) family. Our close family is our WHOLE family, we are all there for each other, no matter what, where, or when. In 2016 I lost my older brother, CPL Jarek Burke, tragically in a head-on car accident, due to a drunk driver. I lost myself for the past few years, and have become more than mature for my age. Jarek was the kind of human who would put a smile on your face, crack jokes, and most of all he was the glue to our family. A year and a half ago, I lost my older brother Brendon Dixon, due to mental health. Brendon was my absolute best friend, my ride-or-die, my favorite human. It came out of the unexpected, but I knew he was suffering. Brendon was the funniest, well-rounded, and honest human you could know. Now how does this relate to me? I attended public school until sophomore year when I realized I needed to focus more on grieving. I developed an eating disorder which made it nearly impossible for me to accomplish my best work in school. I was an A student with a 4.0 GPA until I suddenly became a D student out of nowhere. This was the hardest moment in time for me. I barely wanted to get out of bed, always skipping class, and failing every class. I now attend Iowa Virtual Academy as A student. Please always remember to take care of yourself, before anyone else. In my small town, Mental health is declining majorly. With the help of more certified and professional help, I believe our community could be turned around. This not only includes therapists but in in-school help for students, mentors, and possible therapy animals. More options for different learning techniques are what students tend to advance with educationally. I want to make an impact on my local community. How do I plan to make a difference in the world? First off, as Tim McGraw states in his song, “Always stay humble and kind.” You have absolutely no clue what someone is going through until you have walked in their shoes. Second, I want to bring a sense of humanity to every individual/stranger I meet. Connecting over personal values, beliefs, and hobbies. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. Who knows that one conversation might just save someone's life?

Mark D. Scholarship As a mature 17-year-old from Iowa, I never would have expected the real world to be so harsh. Let me introduce myself. Hello, my name is Liza Burke, I am a high school senior. I reside in northeast Iowa. Tucked away in the corner of the state is a very small town to the name of Cresco, Iowa. I love meeting strangers, I think it is unique how you can have so much in common with a person. I enjoy concerts and living life to the fullest. Why do I feel I should Apply for this scholarship? I come from a huge (100+ cousins) family. Our close family is our WHOLE family, we are all there for each other, no matter what, where, or when. In 2016 I lost my older brother, CPL Jarek Burke, tragically in a head-on car accident, due to a drunk driver. I lost myself for the past few years, and have become more than mature for my age. Jarek was the kind of human who would put a smile on your face, crack jokes, and most of all he was the glue to our family. A year and a half ago, I lost my older brother Brendon Dixon, due to mental health. Brendon was my absolute best friend, my ride-or-die, my favorite human. It came out of the unexpected, but I knew he was suffering. Brendon was the funniest, well-rounded, and honest human you could know. Now how does this relate to me? I attended public school until sophomore year when I realized I needed to focus more on grieving. I developed an eating disorder which made it nearly impossible for me to accomplish my best work in school. I was an A student with a 4.0 GPA until I suddenly became a D student out of nowhere. This was the hardest moment in time for me. I barely wanted to get out of bed, always skipping class, and failing every class. I now attend Iowa Virtual Academy as A student. Please always remember to take care of yourself, before anyone else. How do I plan to make a difference in the world? First off, as Tim McGraw states in his song, “Always stay humble and kind.” You have absolutely no clue what someone is going through until you have walked in their shoes. Second, I want to bring a sense of humanity to every individual/stranger I meet. Connecting over personal values, beliefs, and hobbies. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. Who knows that one conversation might just save someone's life?

A Long Walk to Water, by Linda Sue Park. A novel based on two separate timelines. Nya in 2008, Salva in 1985. Located in the continent of Africa. Both are on a journey walking to water multiple times a day. Why should people read this novel? It is an eye-opener to the harsh world. This novel speaks the truth as to the hard reality in today's world. It shows what challenges and obstacles children face across the world. It gives perspective onto what other experiences children have growing up. It makes a reader and individuals changed forever, but mostly more aware of life beyond their own home. Salva becomes one of the “lost boys” as he walks barefoot roaming Africa for a safe family to host him for the night. On this journey, he experiences loneliness, self-doubt, and attack. The local community believes this will make him more of a man, as he endeavors on this journey. But is this true? Nya is an 11-year-old girl, who walks eight hours daily to fetch water from a pond. Nya and her family live in South Sudan, Africa, located far away from the nearest water source. Nya and her sister Akeer, walk on this path twice a day to support her family. But, when Nya witnesses her sister becoming ill, her priorities change for the better. A Long Walk to Water is a novel made for any audience. I suggest you read it to younger kids, such as school age. It will give them a sense of difference, and compassion.

I envision myself as a role model for my nephews/nieces, successful, and humble. I want to be the best version I can possible be.

Moana is the film that brings tears to my eyes. My older brother Brendon used to tell me, “Always stay uncomfortable.” I feel I relate to Moana, unlike any other Disney princess. As Moana grows older she takes pride in being independent. She continuously tries to do better for not only herself but for her family. She takes on the lead role after her father in the village. Creates time to learn how to dance with her grandmother. But that is not all she accomplishes, Moana takes risks, fears the unknown, knows her worth, and stays uncomfortable. As stated in the beginning, I have an older brother. Brendon took his life a year and a half ago, due to mental health problems. Brendon was my best friend, my ride-or-die, and mostly the person I looked up to. Brendon carried on a legacy, loved wrestling, pranking everyone, late late-night drives to McDonald's, but most of all he loved the Moana movie!!! No matter if it was a short drive or an hour drive. Moana songs would be playing at some point on this journey. Between pulling all-nighters and dancing/jamming in Walmart parking lots, Moana will always hold a place in my heart. “Always stay uncomfortable” Throughout the whole film Moana proves she is conquering fears, yet she isn't comfortable, she is comfortable with being uncomfortable. The grandmother states, “I will come back as one of these” She refers to a manta stingray. I come from a huge family (100+ cousins). Our close family is our WHOLE family, our grandmother is the heart of it all. All locals in the community call her “Grandma Burke” and everyone else calls her “Grandma.” She is the most wholehearted human I have ever met. The kindest soul and biggest smile. I sometimes feel when she passes away our family will fall apart, and I hate to think of this happening. How does this relate to me? I became mature for my age around age 12 due to family problems. This has caused me to be independent and take after my father. Watching this Disney film makes me feel like I'm not alone. Family is my priority and will always come first. I take after my father and tend to let my mouth get me in trouble at times. I come from a small town, and I wouldn’t change it for the world, I will always return home. I have no hate in my heart for anything, anywhere, or anyone.

In the small town of Cresco, Iowa lies the Barbie dream house. Surrounded by corn and friendly neighbors is a 3-story tall mansion. Shades of pink and white cover from the ceiling to the floors. Now you may be wondering, why Iowa? Out of all the places, Iowa? This is the perfect location for a dream house. From the local town members to the people you walk by in the farmers market, everyone has kindness in their hearts. No hate is ever given, help is always given. The driveway is heated for snow/ice storms during the winter. Of course no stairs or elevators (As stated in the movie). Ken Has his own Kendom on the south side of town. The Barbie dream house has wonderful sleep number beds, LED mirrors for the best lighting, and walk-in closets for all of our clothes. Everyone is always welcome to come inside, including the Amish! As a part of the features, there is most definitely a freshly made instant coffee bar, as well as a fresh meat market. All-you-can-eat buffet 24/7 for the community members in need, and 24/7 security. As well as a gynecologist on hand! Never settle for less. Know your worth.

The cross over word I would personally use for a leader is maturity. I became mature for my age around 12 years old, due to personal family issues. I am a human who makes mistakes, but I will always own up to them. I am an aunt to six kiddos, and I want to be their role model as I grow up. I will always teach them right from wrong. Make appointments for their health, physically and mentally. Teaching them about how harsh the real world can be at times. Teach them the importance of money and saving. I believe I am a leader for these kids. I have worked at a local daycare for 3 years. I work with school-age kiddos. Most of those kids have been through physical and verbal abuse growing up. My role is to be their care provider, although I don’t believe in that title, I am a 2nd mother to these kids. I always give a shoulder to cry on, snacks to bring home, open communication, and an open heart. I want to see these kids succeed and become their own human. Knowing their worth and what they can achieve. I Love those kiddos. Another important leadership obstacle I have faced is my peers. I was the first student in my grade to fly alone. First student to own my respect to a adult. First student to lose two older brothers. And I will be the first student to move away from home. It is important to show how capable you can be at a young age. I believe through these obstacles I have shown my leadership. I believe I am a great leader, although honesty plays an important role in this title. I will always know what is a right choice versus a wrong choice. But as a human, I tend to often choose the wrong choice for satisfaction. This is something I have yet to work on. Over my past 17 years of life, I have learned to always stay humble and kind. I have no hate in my heart for anything, anywhere, or anyone. I love talking and meeting strangers. I think it is the greatest thing earth has to offer. The fact that you can make a connection with a stranger you never knew before. I have meant hundreds of strangers and now they are all a part of a story I can tell.