My name is Olivia and I am a second year at Saginaw Valley State University. I’m majoring in integrated science and education to become a middle school science teacher. I’m passionate about becoming an educator and commited to helping others, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Growing up as the child of a single mother, I witnessed firsthand the power of resilience and the importance of education. My mom worked tirelessly to provide for us, and despite the challenges we faced, she instilled in me the belief that education is the key to overcoming adversity. She may not have had all the resources, but she made sure I understood the value of learning, curiosity, and hard work. Inspired by my mother’s example, I chose to pursue a career in education, focusing on science. Science has always fascinated me—it’s a way to understand the world around us and to solve real-world problems. I want to teach science not just as a subject, but as a lens through which students can engage with the world, ask questions, and think critically. I believe that every student, regardless of their background, deserves access to quality education that encourages them to dream big and achieve their goals. To make a positive impact, I am committed to helping students from underserved communities, where opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) can be scarce. I volunteer with the Great Lakes Bay Regional Youth Leadership Institute, where I work with high school students to help them develop leadership skills and build confidence. I also tutor elementary students in reading, helping them unlock the power of words and realize their potential. These experiences have reinforced my desire to be a teacher who doesn’t just impart knowledge, but also nurtures confidence and curiosity in my students. Through my career, I want to be a role model. I want to be someone who shows students that they can succeed, no matter their circumstances. I want to help them see that the future is full of possibilities, especially in fields like science, which too often seem out of reach. My goal is to inspire the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders, ensuring they understand that their voices and ideas matter, and that they have the tools to make a meaningful impact in the world. Thank you so much for the opportunity to apply to this scholarship! I look forward to hearing from you.

One challenge that I faced was growing up without a proper father figure. My father never played a role in my everyday life. It was difficult as a child to understand what a father should be like, yet I yearned for that special connection. I spent a lot of time with my Grandma and Grandpa while my mom worked, which resulted in me finding a father figure within my Grandpa. For a while, he was the father figure I desired to have. I looked up to him as he taught me many life lessons. In April 2015, at the age of 10, I had to deal with the death of my father figure. No one was there to fill that role, and it was hard for me to overcome my feelings and emotions and have the ability to stay on track. It affected me greatly to lose the person I admire the most. At first I didn’t know how to process what had happened. What I did know was that I no longer had a father figure to look up to, to come to for advice, to make me feel cared for. After my Grandpa's death, my father chose not to play a part in my life, always remaining in the background. His actions resulted in me resenting him. How could he leave me to deal with this loss alone when he was the one I needed the most? I started becoming more irritable around him, wanting nothing more than to have no interaction with him. I felt lost, like there was no one to guide me besides my mother. No one was there to show me what love looked like, how to be patient, or how to forgive others even when they might not deserve it. It took me a long time to overcome the struggle of losing the only father figure I had. I spent a lot of time reflecting on myself and the lessons I learned from my Grandfather while he was still here. It took maturity to come to the realization that my father could never be the role model I needed. I needed to do it for myself. I learned to have thick skin, to let negative comments bounce off of me. I learned how to be kind to others, even if it would cost me my friends. The most important lesson I learned is how to forgive. Forgiving my father took a lot of time and oftentimes I still struggle with it. I used to wonder why I was not enough, but now I see that I always was. Some people might not see the beauty in parenting a child, providing them with love and support, and watching them grow. But those who viewed that beauty felt more joy than anyone else. Overcoming this challenge helps me to reach my future career goals as my grandpa inspired me to become a pharmacist. This will allow me to help others as I know the importance of medicine and what it can do to lessen the pain and struggles of others. This knowledge has inspired the desire to help others in a way that makes their lives easier. The challenge of not having a constant father figure taught me that I have what it takes to create change. I can use the short amount of time that I had a father figure to form success for myself. A success that I am sure is to come.

My father never played a role in my everyday life. It was difficult as a child to understand what a father should be like, yet I yearned for that special connection. I spent a lot of time with my Grandma and Grandpa while my mom worked, which resulted in me finding a father figure within my Grandpa. My grandpa, who I referred to as Papa, had been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and needed full-time care to move, use the bathroom, and even feed himself. I typically spent five to six days at Nana and Papa's house every week, looking after my grandpa. I would help him with his arm exercises, feed him, and help him hold his bible when his hands would not close anymore. The thing that brought me the most joy was seeing how happy my grandpa was. Even though I had homework, sports, and other activities occurring in my personal life, I always made time for my grandpa. I remember helping my grandpa walk downstairs to use his workout equipment for arm movement exercises. I had to help him lift his arms so he could grab the handles and help him lower his arms once they got too sore. I typically helped make his food and fed him, wiping his face when his muscles got too weak to swallow all the food. One of the most rewarding parts was that my grandpa always told me how much he appreciated my time, effort, and company. For a while, he was the father figure I desired to have. I looked up to him as he taught me many life lessons. In April 2015, at the age of 10, I had to deal with the death of my father figure. No one was there to fill that role, and it was hard for me to overcome my feelings and emotions and have the ability to stay on track. It affected me greatly to lose the person I admire the most. At first I didn’t know how to process what had happened. What I did know was that I no longer had a father figure to look up to, to come to for advice, to make me feel cared for. It took me a long time to overcome the struggle of losing the only father figure I had. I spent a lot of time reflecting on myself and the lessons I learned from my Grandfather while he was still here. I learned to have thick skin, to let negative comments bounce off of me. I learned how to be kind to others, even if it would cost me my friends. The most important lesson I learned is how to forgive. Not only did I have to learn how to forgive my biological father for abandoning me, but how to forgive god for taking my grandpa away from me. After his death, my parents divorced, making our financial situation increasingly difficult. Receiving any financial aid will greatly impact my life as it will allow my mother to not have to feel the financial burden of sending me to college. Since my mom is my sole provider, I could greatly benefit from scholarships as they would prevent me from having to take out student loans. I will be able to focus on pursuing a career in pharmacy. This decision was greatly influenced by my experiences with my grandpa and my mother who has a compromised immune system. Education is my main priority and without scholarships, funding the furthering of my education would be very difficult financially for me to pursue.

My grandmother often told me about her job as a nurse throughout my elementary and middle school days. After hearing about her drawing blood, helping people, and always being on the go, I realized just how much I loved the idea of healthcare. I’ve always been someone who enjoys helping others. As high school continued, I discovered a love and passion for chemistry. Thinking about a future career became much clearer to me after a few dissections in AP Biology. I then found I could not be a nurse as the sight of blood made me quite queasy. I knew there was a way for me to pursue my love of helping people medically while also pursuing chemistry in some way. I then stumbled upon pharmacy, falling in love with the concept. Growing up, my mother always encouraged me to pursue my education with effort and passion. My mother works in a school with students that come from a rough home life and need the love and support of their teachers. My mother has always given her heart and soul to the kids who need it most. Her work ethic has immensely influenced me as she always goes above and beyond. As a result of my mother's influence, I want to become a Pharmacist. Having a mother with a compromised immune system, I know the importance of medicine and what it can do to lessen the pain and struggles of others. This knowledge has inspired the desire to help others in a way that makes their lives easier. My mother's work ethic has inspired me to help others while pursuing what I love most, Biology and Chemistry. My community desperately needs more pharmacists in the area as healthcare here is in higher demand. Due to this necessity, I know I would be making a positive impact on society as I would be providing an opportunity for healthcare via medication needs. I would support those in need with medications that work best for them, allowing them the ability to live a comfortable, healthy life. By pursuing a career in pharmacy, I would also promote healthier living for those in need. With projections claiming Pharmacists to decline in the next decade, I know I would be capable of helping in some way. My family supports my career goals as they assist me in navigating the top 3 Pharmacy schools in Michigan. I hope to help others, all while pursuing my education and passions. Pursuing a major in Pharmacy will allow me to help achieve the goals I have set for myself. Pharmacy requires many chemistry courses which will allow me to have a career in something I am passionate about. Science is my passion, and helping others along the way is an added bonus I could not turn down. With the support of my family and the focus and determination on my part, I have what it takes to be successful. I will achieve my goals as it is what I desire most. The future belongs to me, I will not wait to take action.

One challenge that I faced was growing up without a proper father figure. My father never played a role in my everyday life. It was difficult as a child to understand what a father should be like, yet I yearned for that special connection. I spent a lot of time with my Grandma and Grandpa while my mom worked, which resulted in me finding a father figure within my Grandpa. For a while, he was the father figure I desired to have. I looked up to him as he taught me many life lessons. In April 2015, at the age of 10, I had to deal with the death of my father figure. No one was there to fill that role, and it was hard for me to overcome my feelings and emotions and have the ability to stay on track. It affected me greatly to lose the person I admire the most. At first I didn’t know how to process what had happened. What I did know was that I no longer had a father figure to look up to, to come to for advice, to make me feel cared for. After my Grandpa's death, my father chose not to play a part in my life, always remaining in the background. I felt lost, like there was no one to guide me besides my mother. No one was there to show me what love looked like, how to be patient, or how to forgive others even when they might not deserve it. Growing up, my mother always encouraged me to pursue my education with effort and passion. My mother works in a school with students that come from a rough home life and need the love and support of their teachers. My mother has always given her heart and soul to the kids who need it most. Her work ethic has immensely influenced me as she always goes above and beyond. As a result of my mother's influence, I want to become a Pharmacist. Having a mother with a compromised immune system, I know the importance of medicine and what it can do to lessen the pain and struggles of others. This knowledge has inspired the desire to help others in a way that makes their lives easier. All in all, my mother's work ethic has inspired me to help others while pursuing what I love most, Biology and Chemistry. It took me a long time to overcome the struggle of losing the only father figure I had. I spent a lot of time reflecting on myself and the lessons I learned from my Grandfather while he was still here. It took maturity to come to the realization that my father could never be the role model I needed. I needed to do it for myself. The most important lesson I learned is how to forgive. Forgiving my father took a lot of time and oftentimes I still struggle with it. I used to wonder why I was not enough, but now I see that I always was. Some people might not see the beauty in parenting a child, providing them with love and support, and watching them grow. But those who viewed that beauty felt more joy than anyone else. The challenge of not having a constant father figure taught me that I have what it takes to create change. I can use the short amount of time that I had a father figure to form success for myself. A success that I am sure is to come.

ALS has greatly impacted my life as it stole someone very precious to me, my papa. My papa was kind, smart, and loved by his friends, family, church, and community. It was from a very young age that I realized not only what love should look like, but what a father is, and that is all because of him. When reflecting on the past, it became clear to me that my grandfather cared about me more than a majority of those in my life; he also wanted me to succeed in whatever I desired to accomplish. Anytime I experience a major achievement or event, I think of him and pray that he is proud of the person I have become. During my 3rd grade year, my grandpa was diagnosed with ALS. Despite this disease limiting his ability to move and eventually restricting that movement completely, he always kept a positive attitude and never lost his faith. There were times he would share life lessons while watching a church service on the television because he couldn’t physically be at church due to the disease. It was those constant reminders that he loved me that touched me most. I have never met someone as remarkable as my grandpa. Papa taught me how to love myself for who I am, at a time when I didn’t believe in myself. At the time of his sickness, I was being bullied in my new school. No one was more supportive than him. The qualities he represented, even when in poor health, greatly represented his character. My grandfather was a very giving person, constantly involved in the community, helping people. He was a hard worker, supportive, kind, and brave. It was very hard for me to accept his loss. It felt like the one person I had, my safe place, was gone. As I grow older, I continue to try to do something to leave a positive impact on the world, just as he did. Through him, I learned how to be strong while maintaining respect, to be kind without being weak, and how to work hard without overworking myself. My grandfather was, and will always be a constant light in my life. I often reflect on his achievements and wonder what he would have done in my position. His influence had a huge impact on the development of my character. ALS took my best friend. It is no surprise that because of him, my goal is to become a pharmacist. After seeing the comfort medication could provide him during his battle with ALS, I knew I wanted to be able to help others who were experiencing pain like he was. I want to provide people with care and comfort, no matter how small their problems may be. Pharmacy is my way of helping others while still pursuing something I love. It is people like my papa who have the greatest impact on their community, and I can only hope to have half the impact he has had. ALS took away the person I admire most, but it is also the disease that helped drive me to pursue a career in helping others via pharmacy.

Growing up, school has always been one of my top priorities. My mother is an elementary school teacher who taught me while growing up that education opens many opportunities for your future goals and career plans. My mom encouraged me from a young age to always try my best in school and pursue my passions as they might carry me somewhere in the future. My mother has always supported my academic achievements, supporting me by providing advice, helping with projects, etc. Her support has made the challenges of balancing school and social life much easier. It is because of her that I am so driven when it comes to my education. I have been volunteering since I was a child to learn more about what others endure. I knew from a young age that I wanted to have a positive impact on the lives of others, I just did not know how yet. My grandmother often told me about her job as a nurse throughout my elementary and middle school days. After hearing about her drawing blood, helping people, and always being on the go, I realized just how much I loved the idea of healthcare. I’ve always been someone who enjoys helping others. I knew there was a way for me to pursue my love of helping people medically while also pursuing chemistry in some way. I then stumbled upon pharmacy, falling in love with the concept. My community desperately needs more pharmacists in the area as healthcare here is in higher demand. Due to this necessity, I know I would be making a positive impact on society as I would be providing an opportunity for healthcare via medication needs. I would support those in need with medications that work best for them, allowing them the ability to live a comfortable, healthy life. By pursuing a career in pharmacy, I would also promote healthier living for those in need. With projections claiming Pharmacists to decline in the next decade, I know I would be capable of helping in some way. I hope to help others, all while pursuing my education and passions. Since I began my first year as an undergraduate, I have fallen more in love with Pharmacy. I am certain I have found my place and I cannot wait to help others and leave my mark. Pursuing a major in Pharmacy will allow me to help achieve the goals I have set for myself. Pharmacy requires many chemistry courses which will allow me to have a career in something I am passionate about. Science is my passion, and helping others along the way is a bonus I can not turn down. With the support of my family and the focus and determination on my part, I have what it takes to be successful. I will achieve my goals as it is what I desire most. The future belongs to me, I will not wait to take action.

As an undergraduate student who is about to begin their second semester of freshman year, I would greatly benefit from this scholarship. Growing up, school has always been one of my top priorities. My mother is an elementary school teacher who taught me while growing up that education opens many opportunities for your future goals and career plans. My mom encouraged me from a young age to always try my best in school and pursue my passions as they might carry me somewhere in the future. I always put my all into everything I do, especially when it comes to my education. This scholarship would allow me to focus solely on my studies rather than worrying about my financial situation. Since my mother is a single mom, she does not have the funds to contribute to my tuition. It is also incredibly difficult for me to find time for a job as I am currently taking sixteen credits per semester. As someone hoping to pursue a career in pharmacy, I also plan to attend graduate school after my undergrad is complete. I know that with the amount of education required, finances are going to be a struggle for myself and my mother. Despite these struggles, I am more determined than ever to help others while doing what I love. Pursuing a career in Pharmacy will allow me to help achieve the goals I have set for myself of helping others and creating an impact on the world. Pharmacy requires many chemistry and biology courses which allows me to have a career in something I am passionate about. Science is my passion, and helping others along the way is a bonus I can not turn down. This scholarship would mean so much to me as it would provide me with the means to be successful. I would not have to worry about whether or not I will be able to pursue my dreams because I would have the financial means to do so. I will be able to focus on my goals and graduate on time with a bachelor's degree in Cell Molecular Biology before going to graduate school to obtain my PharmD degree. With the support of my family and the focus and determination on my part, I have what it takes to be successful. I will achieve my goals as it is what I desire most. The future belongs to me, I will not wait to take action.

ALS has greatly affected my life as it stole someone very precious to me, my papa. My papa was kind, smart, and loved by his friends, family, church, and community. It was from a very young age that I realized not only what love should look like, but what a father is, and that is all because of him. When reflecting on the past, it became clear to me that my grandfather cared about me more than a majority of those in my life; he also wanted me to succeed in whatever I desired to accomplish. Anytime I experience a major achievement or event, I think of him and pray that he is proud of the person I have become. During my 3rd grade year, my grandpa was diagnosed with ALS. Despite this disease limiting his ability to move and eventually restricting that movement completely, he always kept a positive attitude and never lost his faith. There were times he would share life lessons while watching a church service on the television because he couldn’t physically be at church due to the disease. It was those constant reminders that he loved me that touched me most. I have never met someone as remarkable as my grandpa. Papa taught me how to love myself for who I am, at a time when I didn’t believe in myself. At the time of his sickness, I was being bullied in my new school. No one was more supportive than him. The qualities he represented, even when in poor health, greatly represented his character. My grandfather was a very giving person, constantly involved in the community, helping people. He was a hard worker, supportive, kind, and brave. It was very hard for me to accept his loss. It felt like the one person I had, my safe place, was gone. As I grow older, I continue to try to do something to leave a positive impact on the world, just as he did. Through him, I learned how to be strong while maintaining respect, to be kind without being weak, and how to work hard without overworking myself. My grandfather was, and will always be a constant light in my life. I often reflect on his achievements and wonder what he would have done in my position. His influence had a huge impact on the development of my character. ALS took my best friend. It is no surprise that because of him, my goal is to become a pharmacist. After seeing the comfort medication could provide him during his battle with ALS, I knew I wanted to be able to help others who were experiencing pain like he was. With this scholarship, I will have the opportunity to pay for the second semester of my freshman year of college. I will not have to worry about financial means and instead can focus on my studies. If I win this scholarship, it will be the extra boost I need to continue to fight for my dreams and pursue medicine with passion. Winning this scholarship would mean so much more to me than the money. I want to have the opportunity to share my papa with the world. It is people like him who have the greatest impact on their community, and I can only hope to have half the impact he has had. ALS took away the person I admire most, but it is also the disease that helped drive me to pursue a career in medicine.

One challenge that I faced was growing up without a proper father figure. My father never played a role in my everyday life and my mom struggled due to health problems caused by her compromised immune system. It was difficult as a child to understand what a father should be like, yet I yearned for that special connection. I spent a lot of time with my grandma and grandpa while my mom worked, which resulted in me finding a father figure within my grandpa. For a while, he was the father figure I desired to have. I looked up to him as he taught me many life lessons. In April 2015, at the age of 10, I had to deal with the death of my father figure. No one was there to fill that role, and it was hard for me to process my feelings and emotions and have the ability to stay on track. It took me a long time to overcome the struggle of losing the only father figure I had. I spent a lot of time reflecting on myself and the lessons I learned from my grandpa while he was still here. It took maturity to come to the realization that my father could never be the role model I needed. I needed to do it for myself. I learned to have thick skin, to let negative comments bounce off of me. I learned how to be kind to others, even if it would cost me my friends. The most important lesson I learned is how to forgive. Forgiving my father took a lot of time and oftentimes I still struggle with it. I used to wonder why I was not enough, but now I see that I always was. Some people might not see the beauty in parenting a child, providing them with love and support, and watching them grow. But those who viewed that beauty felt more joy than anyone else. One of those people who saw the beauty in parenting a child was my mother. My mom and I became extremely close as a result of her father’s death and the divorce of my parents. She showed me support and helped me grow into someone who is confident, resilient, and dedicated. She always encouraged me to pursue my education with effort and passion. My mother works in a school with students that come from a rough home life and need the love and support of their teachers. My mother has always given her heart and soul to the kids who need it most. Her work ethic has immensely influenced me as she always goes above and beyond. As a result of my mother's influence, I want to become a Pharmacist. Having a mother with a compromised immune system, I know the importance of medicine and what it can do to lessen the pain and struggles of others. This knowledge has inspired the desire to help others in a way that makes their lives easier. I look forward to the future and what I will do with my education as I know I have the opportunity to help change lives like I’ve always intended to. All in all, the struggles I have faced in my life helped lead me to a better place. My mother's work ethic has inspired me to help others while pursuing what I love most, Biology and Chemistry. I can say with full confidence that I am someone my younger self would admire, all thanks to my Grandpa and my Mom.

If I could have everyone in the world read one book, it would be The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This novel taught me so much about human nature, prejudice, and values. Not only was the novel something deep and complex, it was also emotional and pure as well. In telling the story of Hester Prynne and her punishments for adultery, the author uses themes such as sin, guilt, pain, and courage to educate readers not only about the time period the novel takes place in, but the way that human nature works. The truth is, no matter someone’s social status, wealth, or job, everybody sins. This novel is considered a classic for a reason. I believe everyone should read this novel as it will help them change their perception of human nature and the world as a whole. By educating others and exposing them to an emotional novel of pain, love, and suffering, people will be able to feel a connection to the novel and are more likely to understand the overarching theme. The novel also goes in depth about Puritan beliefs and ideals while showing that courage and non-conformity can bring peace. The ending is something I relate to as I have found that self-seclusion can lead to peace in one’s life. It is something many people could relate to while also being complex enough to challenge the mind. Overall I believe everyone should read this novel as it is not the typical book one would read, it is one that will really make someone think.

One thing I have done unselfishly for someone else in recent years is care for my grandpa while he was sick. Papa had been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and needed full-time care to move, use the bathroom, and even feed himself. I typically spent five to six days at Nana and Papa's house every week, looking after my grandpa. I would help him with his arm exercises, feed him, and help him hold his bible when his hands would not close anymore. The thing that brought me the most joy was seeing how happy my grandpa was. Even though I had homework, sports, and other activities occurring in my personal life, I always made time for my grandpa. One of the most rewarding parts was that my grandpa always told me how much he appreciated my time, effort, and company. My actions were unselfish for not only my grandpa but for my grandma as well. When I came to visit, I gave my grandma a break from caring for my grandpa. My grandma had the chance to relax once I arrived. She always said it brought her joy to see the smile on my grandpa's face as I sat with him, watching church on the Television as it became far too difficult to get him back and forth to church. I remember helping my grandpa walk downstairs to use his workout equipment for arm movement exercises. I had to help him lift his arms so he could grab the handles and help him lower his arms once they got too sore. I typically helped make his food and fed him, wiping his face when his muscles got too weak to swallow all the food. I never did this for myself. While I love my grandparents, I did not always want to be at their house, especially not for five to six days a week. I went to my grandparent's house because I knew how much it meant to both of them to have me around. I always give up my time to help others. I feel that actions like these are what make the world a better place. These moments are ones I will never forget because they are some of the best moments I've spent with my grandparents. Helping them through a difficult time brought me closer to them than ever before and ensured I would never regret not spending enough time with my grandpa when he passed. This act of selflessness not only helped someone I love so dearly, but it also taught me how rewarding it is to help others in a time of need.

The scientific discovery I love most is the formation of the periodic table. The shape is precious as it gives us all the knowledge necessary to solve chemistry-based problems. The information shown includes the group, period, atomic number, oxidation state, size, electron configuration, ionization energy, and electronegativity. It allows scientists to have easily accessible information crucial to understanding the science behind things such as chemical reactions, phase changes, and more compacted into a tiny chart. As a student in STEM, I also find the periodic table incredibly useful. It is a crucial time saver during activities like labs, tests, and homework. The setup behind it is genius as so many incredible scientists worked to piece it together. Without the periodic table, I can't help but think about how many discoveries would not have occurred and how many drug developments would have taken extreme amounts of time without a cure. The periodic table has saved the world in many ways and is a tool everyone should deem incredibly valuable.