As my High School term ends, I am excited about my future. I want to prove guilt or innocence through science. Biology and Forensic Science are my passions. Since I was a small child, I watched crime shows with my grandmother and have always been intrigued with law enforcement and the solving of crimes with the use forensic science. This has helped me choose the path for my future in Forensic Science. To achieve this goal, I have chosen a college path in Biology. I have prepared for this career of choice through all years of school by making sure I studied hard, took pride in my schoolwork, made good grades, and achieved the goals I set for myself to succeed. I met these goals all through elementary school, middle school, and high school. In addition to my general education, my junior and senior year in high school, I enrolled in the Running Start Program at Eatonville High School to attend Pierce Community College to allow me to graduate with a High School Diploma as well as my associate in arts degree. This was no small task but worth the reward. By achieving this goal in high school, it will allow me to lessen my post-secondary education financial burden. After graduation, I am planning to continue my education at one of three colleges in Washington State for my bachelor’s in biology. I am accepted into Saint Martin’s University and Central Washington University. My application for Pacific Lutheran University has been accepted. Once I have my degree, I look to pursue my career and hope to work in a forensics lab with law enforcement. I want to be someone who has influence in the world by supporting law enforcement and specializing in my field to bring criminals to justice or prove their innocence, through science and technology. Throughout my life my family has been incredibly supportive of these goals as my support system has consisted of military, law enforcement, firefighters, and healthcare backgrounds. They have all influenced me in separate ways. If I were to receive a scholarship, it would impact me to pursue my education even further than a bachelor’s degree and allow me to achieve my goal and minimize the financial burden and I will be able to fully focus on studies. I would like to thank the scholarship committee for their consideration for the 2024 scholarship. McKenzie Morgan

When I was a young child, I had a speech impediment and it was hard for people to understand me when I spoke. This made me self-conscious when I would speak to people other than family. I had a hard time speaking to strangers, ordering my food at restaurants, and speaking in front of crowds to give speeches because they would always ask me to repeat it or say I didn’t understand what you’re saying. This made me not want to speak at all sometimes. This created a lot of anxiety for me in school with classmates, presentations, and social activities. I had a hard time making large groups of friends and mainly kept to my small group of friends that I felt comfortable with. A couple of years ago I went to work at a pizza restaurant, and this was a huge obstacle speaking to customers but through strength and a lot of discussions with myself, I powered through. With the support of my boss, friends, and family I worked really hard to battle the struggles. I am now able to speak to people at a comfortable level and very proud that I have conquered this obstacle and now have confidence in myself to speak. For my future, the confidence I have gained through this obstacle will help me with interviews, and speaking to others in my employment and allow me to continue to achieve goals for my career in biology and forensic sciences. In this career, I feel I will be successful in courts for testimonies, presenting to superiors’ evidence and providing investigation outcomes with confidence and being heard clearly. I have come a long way and am extremely proud and humbled by this experience/obstacle. I have great compassion for those with disabilities or those who struggle with social anxiety. I feel through my experience, I understand what it takes every day to wake up and conquer the day with strength, and courage and to be able to keep a smile as I have lived it. I hope to make the world a better place through science, law, compassion, tolerance and empathy. I dream of a great future and this scholarship would make it possible for me to achieve my educational and future goals and minimize my debt. I thank you for your time and consideration. If I am not chosen I thank you for this opportunity. Sincerely, McKenzie Morgan

My name is McKenzie Morgan, I am a current Eatonville High School student who is also attending Running Start at Pierce Community College. I am going to be graduating with my diploma and Associate in Arts Degree in June of 2024. I have prepared myself for continuing to a 4-year college by studying hard, applying myself and receiving good grades. I have taken many prerequisite classes through Pierce College. Doing these college classes through the Running Start program has helped with jump-starting my career path and minimize my debt. My goal is a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, with hopes of becoming a Forensic Scientist working in Criminal Justice/Forensics and employed by a law enforcement agency. I have always been intrigued by the science that is used in analyzing evidence to assist law enforcement agencies in putting criminals away. Once I get my Bachelor's degree and get a job at a lab I am going to continue my education to specialize in additional areas of forensics. I would like to be the best at what I can be in this line of work. I work hard and set goals and feel I am fully able to be successful in achieving these goals. Receiving a scholarship will mean a lot as I will be responsible for paying for my education, and it will help relieve some of the financial burden of that post-secondary education. I grew up being influenced by military veterans, firefighters, healthcare workers, law enforcement, and teachers. Their hard work, willingness to keep others safe and well, and sacrifice for the greater good have had a great influence on my selection of public service as a career. I strive to make a difference in this world. I look forward to my future and feel I am going to be able to make this world a much better place. With the times we are in now with increased lawless crime, I look forward to my career. I am anxious and excited to see where my journey will take me through college, and over the upcoming years of employment. This scholarship will lessen the financial burden of tuition. I would be very proud and appreciative to receive this scholarship in honor of Tyler. I appreciate your time and consideration. If I am not your choice I do thank you for the opportunity. I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, McKenzie Morgan