Hobbies and interests
Advocacy And Activism
Biomedical Sciences
Business And Entrepreneurship
Community Service And Volunteering
Hiking And Backpacking
Marketing
Photography and Photo Editing
Poetry
Yoga
Reading
Academic
Biography
Health
Religion
Science
Realistic Fiction
I read books multiple times per week
Mikayla Mertes
785
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WinnerMikayla Mertes
785
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WinnerBio
I am a high school senior, aspiring to major in Accounting and minor in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship. I place immense value in utilizing all resources that impact success, supplemental to hard work and grit. My pursuit of higher education stems from an ever-evolving desire to continue learning and appreciating the opportunities presented to me to succeed.
Education
Grayling High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
- Accounting and Computer Science
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
Career
Dream career field:
Accounting
Dream career goals:
Hostess
Grayling Resturant2024 – Present10 monthsBaker, Cashier, and Customer Service Assistant
Goodale's Bakery2021 – Present3 years
Research
Psychology, General
Independent — Researcher2022 – 2023
Public services
Volunteering
Local Animal Shelter — Volunteer2022 – 2023Volunteering
Independent — Tutor2022 – PresentVolunteering
Girl Scouts — Co-leader2022 – 2023
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Entrepreneurship
Dr. William and Jo Sherwood Family Scholarship
If I were lucky enough to receive the Dr. William and Jo Sherwood Family Scholarship, I would be able to pursue my goal of becoming a Certified Public Accountant. However, pursuing higher education comes at a cost -- not just financially, but emotionally. I am a 17-year-old who has begun a relentless quest to acquire stable enough finances to attend college. I do not currently live with either of my parents; I have lived with a family member for over two years. While I am now in the midst of my senior year of high school, I had an epiphany at the beginning of my junior year: if I desire post-secondary education, I will have to work relentlessly to acquire the stability to do so, because I have to pay for rent and food before tuition.
While I have always aspired to do well in school, my perspective on education has shifted dramatically within the last two years of my high school career. If I desire to send myself to college, I will have to do everything in my power to do so. Additionally, I have spent many nights toiling at work after school, studying into the late hours of the night, only to get a few hours of sleep and repeat. In addition to maintaining my job throughout the year, I return cans at local supermarkets and babysit to place further money into my college fund. I have also accumulated over 200 community service hours with various local organizations and students in need of tutoring. While working part-time with multiple side jobs can be overwhelming on top of my four AP (advanced placement) classes, I strive to put my education first. I have taken -- and passed with the highest possible score -- the AP Language and Composition test during my junior year and participated in a CPCT/A certification course, which allows me to perform multiple forums of care in hospitals to patients, such as phlebotomy, ostomy care, and post-mortem care. However, this year, I am taking AP Literature and Composition, AP Statistics, AP Psychology, and AP US History; I achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA for the last marking period, despite the rigorous nature of the courses. While my pursuit of higher education has started earlier for me than most, I appreciate the opportunities my high school has offered me to achieve preliminary success. Throughout my last two years of high school, I have recognized the importance of taking full advantage of the opportunities that may present themselves.
While I may not have the financial foundation that others do to send myself to college, I hope that through the help of people like those behind the Dr. William and Jo Sherwood Family Scholarship, I will be able to build a life for myself and my future family that would not be possible otherwise. I am grateful for any opportunity that people as selfless as those behind this scholarship would be able to provide.