
Hobbies and interests
Anatomy
Mason Shepherd
615
Bold Points1x
Nominee1x
Finalist
Mason Shepherd
615
Bold Points1x
Nominee1x
FinalistBio
I am from Boulder, Colorado. I want to pursue a career in biomedical engineering and biotechnology. With an interest in starting my own company.
Education
Arapahoe Ridge High School
High SchoolMonarch High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
- Biotechnology
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering
- Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
Career
Dream career field:
Biotechnology
Dream career goals:
Courtesy clerk
Safeway2023 – 20241 year
Sports
Ultimate Frisbee
Club2022 – 20231 year
Public services
Volunteering
Food bank of the rockies — Packing food2024 – 2025Volunteering
Vitalant Blood bank — Coordinatior2024 – 2025
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Entrepreneurship
Ryan Murray Red Canyon Scholarship Award
After graduation, I plan to work at the crossroads of neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and real-world problem-solving—developing devices and therapies that directly improve people’s lives. Long term, I want to either lead research or launch a company that brings medical innovation from the lab to the world. But I also want more than just a title—I want time, impact, and meaning. That’s why I’m carving a path that’s both ambitious and personal.
A huge part of that foundation was built during my time in the Biomedical Science program at Boulder TEC. That experience gave me far more than just a head start—it gave me clarity. At Boulder TEC, I didn’t just sit through lectures. I engaged in real-world applications, studied anatomy and medical ethics, practiced clinical skills, and gained early exposure to the complex, hands-on nature of health science. It was my first real step into the world I want to live and work in, and it made everything feel real.
More than anything, it showed me what I’m capable of when given the right environment. Boulder TEC’s focus on applied learning taught me that success isn’t about memorizing facts—it’s about connecting knowledge to action. I learned how to take initiative, collaborate with others in high-stakes settings, and stay steady under pressure. Those skills followed me beyond the classroom and into every part of how I now approach my goals.
My high school journey wasn’t effortless, and that’s part of why it mattered. I’ve had to balance a rigorous academic load with physical training, personal growth, and long stretches of working alone. That isolation could’ve made me drift. Instead, it pushed me to define what I’m working toward and why. I learned to show up when no one was watching, to take ownership, and to move forward even when progress was slow.
Now, I’m looking ahead with a clear sense of direction. I want to study biomedical engineering in college, gain hands-on research experience in neuroscience, and continue building the resilience and skill set needed to turn ideas into outcomes. I’m chasing a career that lets me blend science with service, intellect with impact.
Boulder TEC didn’t just teach me the fundamentals of biomedical science—it proved to me that I’m capable of chasing something bigger. It helped me see what’s possible. And that clarity—that momentum—is what’s carrying me forward. The program lit a passion in me that still hasn’t gone out. I’m not just preparing for the future—I’m building it, one decision at a time.
University of Northern Colorado Interfraternity Council Scholarship
In college, I hope to build strength and resilience, physically and mentally disciplined to tackle challenges head-on. I seek genuine connections that inspire growth while maintaining my independence. Driven by curiosity and reflection, I pursue hands-on experience and master productivity. I’m turning past struggles into momentum to thrive academically and personally. I hope to improve my gpa to a 3.5+ and to participate in leadership opportunities throughout my undergraduate years
C's Get Degrees Scholarship
For much of my academic career, I struggled to present my best work for reasons I didn’t fully understand. Every year, I’d tell myself, “Next year is the year I get everything together.” But that year never came—at least, not until I began to understand the root of my struggles. Until the beginning of my junior year, I kept falling behind. By then, it felt too late to turn my grades around, though I never stopped trying and never gave up hope entirely.
There were many reasons I was disadvantaged in high school. And while I don’t like to use them as excuses, they help explain where I was mentally, emotionally, and socially during that time.
Although I never faced financial hardship and was generally considered a bright learner with high hopes, I entered high school already behind. I had an I.E.P. and constant support from paras and special education teachers, but we never found the root cause of my difficulties. Over time, this wore down my academic confidence, and I stopped putting in effort beyond what was required.
Then it all made sense. In my sophomore year, I was diagnosed with stage 2 thyroid cancer—a softball-sized tumor pressing against my neck. Treatment, combined with serious emotional turmoil at home, pushed school to the background. I missed countless days for doctor’s appointments, surgeries, and recovery. The days blurred together. Each absence widened the gap between me and my goals, and catching up felt impossible. My math, english, and biology scores suffered the most.
But more than the time lost, it was the toll on my body. The removal of my thyroid led to chronic hypothyroidism, which brought on fatigue, brain fog, and rapid weight gain. At the same time, I was also struggling with undiagnosed and untreated inattentive ADHD—a combination that made academic success feel almost out of reach. It was a recipe for failure that felt overwhelming and isolating, causing me to question my abilities and future.
Then things began to change. I got the medication I needed, started believing in myself again, and slowly began taking on responsibilities I actually wanted. That shift—believing I could contribute something meaningful—made all the difference. I’m not done proving what I’m capable of, and my goals have only grown bigger. I enrolled in a technical school for biomedical sciences. and that is where my passion for biomedical engineering and helping people began. and it was the first place where i knew i was capable of more.
Last month, I was accepted to the University of Northern Colorado. While the school provides generous financial aid to qualifying students, I don’t qualify for any of it due to my GPA falling just below the 3.0 threshold.
My parents are both hardworking professionals—my mother was a dentist for 30 years, and my father is a police sergeant. But after putting two older brothers through college, managing a mortgage, and covering my ongoing medical expenses, they are deep in debt and working hard to avoid delaying their retirement.. Any support I receive to help fund my education would be deeply appreciated. It would not only ease the financial burden but also represent belief in someone who refuses to let their past fully define their future.