Being the first in my family to go to college and earn a degree is something that holds a lot of meaning for me. Both my mother and father put in many years of hard work and sacrifice, but were unable to earn their degrees because there was simply no room in the family budget to cover those expenses. Watching them give so much while never getting that opportunity for themselves has always stayed with me. The label of "college graduate" is worth so much more to me than just a document; it marks the beginning of a new chapter in our family's history and represents a future that my parents always dreamed of but never got to experience for themselves. Carrying that with me every day is what keeps me motivated and focused on what I am working toward. I plan to make the most out of every single moment college has to offer because I know how much this opportunity means. I am ready to get involved with different types of organizations, surround myself with the right people, and become part of a sorority where I can build meaningful connections and grow into a stronger, more confident woman. I look forward to challenging myself with difficult courses and stepping outside of my comfort zone as often as possible. This stage of my life is truly about growth and self-improvement, and I am committed to showing up for it fully. College is not just a place to earn credits; it is a place to discover who you are and who you want to become. When it comes to my future, I am setting high expectations for myself, and I have no plans of slowing down. My goal is to grow and develop within both the hospitality industry and real estate, two fields that I am genuinely passionate about. Hospitality has always come naturally to me because I have a love for making people feel welcomed, valued, and well taken care of. It is something that feels like second nature. Real estate, on the other hand, is a field I am eager to build myself in over time because my ultimate dream is to own my own company one day. I want to work hard, learn everything I can, and turn that dream into something real. Being the first in my family to graduate is just the beginning, and I intend to make it count for all of us.

My goals honestly come down to one thing — graduating college, building something I am proud of, and using it all to help people along the way. But I know that does not just happen, so I have really thought about how I am going to get there step by step. Right now I have three years left and I am double majoring in Hospitality and Tourism and Real Estate. Every single year between now and graduation has a plan behind it. This year is all about locking in my GPA, getting as involved as possible, and starting to build my network. Networking is honestly one of the things I care about most because I truly believe the relationships you build are just as important as the degree itself. I plan to go to career fairs, connect with my professors, get involved in professional organizations tied to my fields, and reach out to people who are already doing what I want to do one day. Learning from people who have actually been there is something I will never take for granted. My second year I am planning to study abroad. I want to see how hospitality and real estate work in other parts of the world because I know that kind of experience will make me so much better at what I do. That does take money though, which is exactly why I am already saving and being smart about what I spend right now. Between scholarships, working, and just being intentional with my budget, I am doing everything I can to make that dream happen without putting myself in a tough spot financially. By my third year my goal is to have an internship locked in. I want real experience before I ever walk across that stage because a degree means so much more when you actually know how to use it. An internship will give me the hands on skills, the references, and honestly the confidence to go out and do this for real. I do not just want to graduate, I want to graduate ready. After graduation my big goal is to own my own company in real estate and event planning, two fields I am completely passionate about. But I also know I need to walk out of college financially stable to make that happen the right way. So right now I am saving, applying for scholarships, and being really intentional with every dollar because I do not want to start my future from zero. Every part of this plan connects back to where I want to go and more importantly who I want to help when I get there.

High school has offered me countless opportunities and unique challenges, all of which have been exhilarating, intimidating, and impressive. Within each I have learned life lessons and skills, which I took the knowledge of and applied to my character. From the beginning of freshman year to now, I have truly grown because I have been blessed to be a part of countless opportunities and challenges. One significant challenge I was determined to take a leap of faith on was joining the high school cheerleading team. Despite the initial exhaustion and pressure to learn new material quickly after returning from COVID-19, I was able to be well-managed and perform amazingly. Ever since I was a little girl, I have been driven to be a cheerleader at James Martin High School. I made sure to spend multiple evenings practicing to be the ideal athlete for the team. This drive has shown me how to prepare myself to attain what I want in life. When I reached my goal I learned there are standards made for cheerleaders. For example, how to act in situations and what role models we should be setting an example for others. This showed me how to act and respond to events positively and constructively. Being a cheerleader for all four years of high school has made my personality special, my work ethic driven, and my ability to work under pressure outstanding. Another valuable experience has been taking AP, advanced, dual credit, and ramps courses, which have prepared me for college and pushed me academically. I first started taking AP courses in my freshman and sophomore year. It was a significant leap from my past education, but I quickly adapted and began applying new learning techniques to help me succeed. Then starting my junior year I wanted to grow in more advanced classes, so I began taking dual credit classes. This was one of my smartest decisions because I got to learn more education at a college level. Dual credit classes were a transition because I had to learn with a professor who expected college-level work and knowledge. I can gladly say I completed each course and will get to use it for college credits. Last, for my senior year, I wanted to try a new course called ¨On Ramps¨. This course has greatly benefited me so far, and I am excited for the future with it. Overall, the ups and downs have exemplified the major challenge I signed up for, and all the opportunities and challenges have helped me grow as an individual academically. High school has taught me many important lessons and has helped me to develop as a person. In college, I feel that I will now be prepared to achieve success and contribute a good character for the community. I have loved that I was able to experience cheer and advanced classes because these events have truly shaped me as a person and I can’t wait for what my future holds.

Hello! My name is Rebecca Elizabeth Ulen! I am an amazing teammate, thoughtful coach, active parishioner, and loving friend/family member. I have a deep affection for participating in all of these activities, especially while getting to do it with the important people who are a part of it as well. Being surrounded by family, cheer, and religion is what genuinely makes me who I am! I am very passionate about using my personal time to assist and be with others. For one, being a coach for a little league team has taught me many things in life. I learned the importance of being patient and listening to others. How to teach young minds hard material, while maintaining a positive attitude. Expanding and creating new cheers every season to help them develop new cheer techniques. On another note, my religious beliefs have shown me the way to love others no matter what. One of my favorite Bible verses is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, which beautifully describes the purpose of love and how we should exemplify it. My faith plays a crucial role in why I believe that love is a powerful and beautiful concept that can be shared between anyone who is willing too. Lastly, within my four years of high school I have been offered countless opportunities and unique challenges with the help of important people in my life. For example, I have gotten to have amazing teachers, classes, and clubs. I have truly been lucky to experience AP, advanced, dual credit, and ramps courses, all of which have prepared me for college and pushed me academically. Through all of my amazing activities, I have learned life lessons and skills which I took the knowledge of and applied to my character. I loved that I was able to experience all of this because these events have truly shaped me as a person. I am so excited for my next steps in life! College is going to be the biggest transition for me but at the same time the best one. This is because I get to grow in the field of my dreams, and then use my time to assist and be with others. With all being said, I believe I deserve this scholarship, because I will use it to what I am most passionate about in life to make a positive impact on the world. I plan to help others and grow to be the best individual I can possibly be. Thank you for your consideration!

Hello! My name is Rebecca Elizabeth Ulen! I am an amazing teammate, thoughtful coach, active parishioner, and loving friend/family member. I have a deep affection for participating in all of these activities, especially while getting to do it with the important people who are a part of it as well. Being surrounded by family, cheer, and religion is what genuinely makes me who I am! I am very passionate about using my personal time to assist and be with others. For one, being a coach for a little league team has taught me many things in life. I learned the importance of being patient and listening to others. How to teach young minds hard material, while maintaining a positive attitude. Expanding and creating new cheers every season to help them develop new cheer techniques. On another note, my religious beliefs have shown me the way to love others no matter what. One of my favorite Bible verses is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, which beautifully describes the purpose of love and how we should exemplify it. My faith plays a crucial role in why I believe that love is a powerful and beautiful concept that can be shared between anyone who is willing too. Lastly, within my four years of high school I have been offered countless opportunities and unique challenges with the help of important people in my life. For example, I have gotten to have amazing teachers, classes, and clubs. I have truly been lucky to experience AP, advanced, dual credit, and ramps courses, all of which have prepared me for college and pushed me academically. Through all of my amazing activities, I have learned life lessons and skills which I took the knowledge of and applied to my character. I loved that I was able to experience all of this because these events have truly shaped me as a person. I am so excited for my next steps in life! College is going to be the biggest transition for me but at the same time the best one. This is because I get to grow in the field of my dreams, and then use my time to assist and be with others. Since I was a little girl, real estate has been my dream career. While others watched kid shows and movies, I decided I wanted to immerse myself in real estate shows. I am fully ready and determined to obtain my license, while getting to build myself a deep understanding of the field. Receiving this scholarship would be a significant step toward achieving my long-term goals in commercial real estate. I truly aspire to explore my career in various locations, embracing the challenges and opportunities they present. I want to gain experience in both large and small companies, which would be extremely valuable for my growth. In college, I believe I will be well-prepared to achieve success and contribute positively to my community within my community. I will accomplish this by working hard and staying focused on my goals. Helping others is my passion, and I can't wait to embark on this journey!

Hello! My name is Rebecca Elizabeth Ulen! I am an amazing teammate, thoughtful coach, active parishioner, and loving friend/family member. I have a deep affection for participating in all of these activities, especially while getting to do it with the people who are a part of it as well. Being surrounded by these people genuinely makes me who I am! I am very passionate about using my time to assist and be with others. High school has offered me countless opportunities and unique challenges, all of which have been exhilarating, intimidating, and impressive. Within each I have learned life lessons and skills, which I took the knowledge of and applied to my character. From the beginning of freshman year to now, I have truly grown because I have been blessed to be a part of countless opportunities and challenges. One significant challenge I was determined to take a leap of faith on was joining the high school cheer-leading team. Despite the initial exhaustion and pressure to learn new material quickly after returning from COVID-19, I was able to be well-managed and perform amazingly. Ever since I was a little girl, I have been driven to be a cheerleader at James Martin High School. I made sure to spend multiple evenings practicing to be the ideal athlete for the team. This drive has shown me how to prepare myself to attain what I want in life. When I reached my goal I learned there are standards made for cheerleaders. For example, how to act in situations and what role models we should be setting an example for others. This showed me how to act and respond to events positively and constructively. Being a cheerleader for all four years of high school has made my personality special, my work ethic driven, and my ability to work under pressure outstanding. If I could start my own charity, it would be dedicated to supporting those affected by Alzheimer's disease. My mission would focus on helping individuals and families who are grappling with the financial burden that comes with this illness. I want to ensure that no one has to struggle alone with the mounting bills that follow a diagnosis. Additionally, I would prioritize providing mental and emotional support for those who are affected by Alzheimer's, particularly family members who often bear the weight of watching their loved ones change before their eyes. Having witnessed this firsthand with my two grandparents, I deeply understand the heartache of seeing someone you love lose their memories and, in many ways, themselves. It's a painful journey, and it can feel isolating at times. Through this charity, my volunteers and I would work to create a community where people can find hope and reassurance. We would be there to remind them that love remains—even in the midst of this challenging disease—and that everyone on this journey deserves compassion and understanding. Life can be unpredictable, and I believe it’s essential to hold onto the precious moments we have together. Now remembering those little details of that point in my life, I let them inspire me to grow. I will do this by going to college and working to be successful in my future.

Hello! My name is Rebecca Elizabeth Ulen. I am a dedicated teammate, thoughtful coach, active member of my parish, and a loving friend and family member. I deeply enjoy participating in these activities, especially alongside the important people in my life. Being surrounded by family, cheer, and my faith truly defines who I am. Within growing up in this environment, I have learned how I am extremely passionate about using my personal time to assist others in the real estate field. Since I was a little girl, real estate has been my dream career. While others watched kid shows and movies, I decided I wanted to immerse myself in real estate shows. I am fully ready and determined to obtain my license, while getting to build myself a deep understanding of the field. Receiving this scholarship would be a significant step toward achieving my long-term goals in commercial real estate. I truly aspire to explore my career in various locations, embracing the challenges and opportunities they present. I want to gain experience in both large and small companies, which would be extremely valuable for my growth. The funding of this scholarship would provide me with a crucial jump start on the pathway I have passionately envisioned for years. My father has been the most influential person in my life because he has shown me unconditional love. He has been there for me through every challenge and has raised me to be a strong and independent woman. Whenever I'm sick and feeling dramatic, he is always there and ready to comfort me and reassure me that everything will be okay. No matter what, my dad chooses to go out of his way to put a smile on my face each day. My father has supported me through countless opportunities and unique challenges, each of which has been exhilarating, intimidating, and impressive. Through these experiences, my dad has taught me valuable life lessons and skills that I have applied to my character. Thanks to my amazing father, I know I will have his full support in my future education and my personal goals in commercial real estate. In college, I believe I will be well-prepared to achieve success and contribute positively to my community within my community. I will accomplish this by working hard and staying focused on my goals. Real estate is my passion, and I can't wait to embark on this journey!

Hello! My name is Rebecca Elizabeth Ulen! I am an amazing teammate, thoughtful coach, active parishioner, and loving friend/family member. I have a deep affection for participating in all of these activities, especially while getting to do it with the important people who are a part of it as well. Being surrounded by family, cheer, and religion is what genuinely makes me who I am! I am very passionate about using my personal time to assist and be with others. For one, being a coach for a little league team has taught me many things in life. I learned the importance of being patient and listening to others. How to teach young minds hard material, while maintaining a positive attitude. Expanding and creating new cheers every season to help them develop new cheer techniques. On another note, my religious beliefs have shown me the way to love others no matter what. One of my favorite Bible verses is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, which beautifully describes the purpose of love and how we should exemplify it. My faith plays a crucial role in why I believe that love is a powerful and beautiful concept that can be shared between anyone who is willing too. Lastly, within my four years of high school I have been offered countless opportunities and unique challenges with the help of important people in my life. For example, I have gotten to have amazing teachers, classes, and clubs. I have truly been lucky to experience AP, advanced, dual credit, and ramps courses, all of which have prepared me for college and pushed me academically. Through all of my amazing activities, I have learned life lessons and skills which I took the knowledge of and applied to my character. I loved that I was able to experience all of this because these events have truly shaped me as a person. I am so excited for my next steps in life! College is going to be the biggest transition for me but at the same time the best one. This is because I get to grow in the field of my dreams, and then use my time to assist and be with others. With all being said, I believe I deserve this scholarship, because I will use it to what I am most passionate about in life. I plan to help others and grow to be the best individual I can possibly be. Thank you for your consideration!

I love math so much! I like how math involves solving problems at a fast pace and a slow pace. I like that math makes your brain grow stronger with more knowledge each time you complete a problem. I use math every day and get excited when I need to use it! With that, I love the feeling that you get when you solve a problem. I also love math because my family members use it in their jobs every day to make the money that they need! Math was also my first and favorite subject growing up. I had many great math teachers who taught me everything I needed to know about math. When they taught me, they did it in a fun and inspiring way. This helped grow my passion for the subject. Over the past couple of years, I realized with that passion I should follow it into a career. So from my love of math, I plan to study in the business field! I will get to show everyone how I feel when I accomplish and succeed in this field. Everything I love about math is in my future, which truly excites me. To conclude on everything that has been stated, I love math because it is very helpful, exciting, informative, and my future!