
Hobbies and interests
Soccer
Tatenda Karemba
1x
Finalist
Tatenda Karemba
1x
FinalistBio
I love God and Aviation love my parents and helping people
Education
Rocky Mountain College
Bachelor's degree programRocky Mountain College
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Dickinson High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Career
Dream career field:
Airlines/Aviation
Dream career goals:
CNA
Med Surg2025 – Present1 year
Sports
Soccer
Varsity2016 – 20204 years
Research
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Rocky Mountain College — Group Leader2026 – Present
Future Interests
Advocacy
Entrepreneurship
Ali Safai Memorial Scholarship
Flying is what brought me to the states growing up as a little boy. I have always liked planes first time I seen one flying above our house back home. We lived near an Airpot so whenever one was approaching to land I would just stand outside and just watch as it started descending for landing thought it was pretty cool . Few years later I got an opportunity to come to America where my moms side of stayed. It was such a cool experience flying in one for 100s of miles and within hours we got to our destination.
I am the first one in my family to be so interested in aviation and also first one to attend a 4 year degree college program on both my moms and dads side. Both parents never went to college so I want to make them proud by finishing this program then hopefully then I can get hired by the airlines some day and start flying people around the globe to see thier family while trying to visit my dads side and his family they are still back home.
Aviation really means a lot to me because of it I was able to see my mom and grandparents. I haven't seen then in many years ever since I was 2. I was glad I was able to meet them again after my mom filed some paper work so I could come and live with her .
At the moment I plan to complete my training and rest of my required clases in order to graduate then go on to the next chapter of my aviation career. I am also hoping my siblings on both my moms and das side can get motivated by me to want to go to school and persue their careers without being scared of anything.
I see aviation as more than a career, I am hoping I can travel more countries meet lots of people learn more about different cultures along the way. At the moment I been working as a traveling nurse aid in muiltiple different states which is going to help me get more experience working with people and carrying for them.
Groing up we didn't have a lot but we survived I want to show this to someone that just because you been down doesn't mean you cant bounce back up and aim higher, like getting your degree and do what you been wanting to do
WCEJ Thornton Foundation Low-Income Scholarship
University isn’t just a box to check or a step toward a career it’s a time that really shapes you. You figure out who you are, push your thinking, and start to build the kind of character that stays with you for life. For me, college isn’t about following a script. It’s a chance to actually move my dreams into real life. It feels like the bridge from who I am now to who I want to be, and I want that journey to add up to more than just my personal success.
I know I’m ready for a place where the classes are challenging and people expect a lot. I don’t just want the basics. I want to get into the weeds to really understand things, build leadership skills, and learn how to keep my head when things get messy. The world throws a lot at you right now, and I want to be ready both for myself and for the people around me. The biggest thing I hope to do is use everything I learn to spark change for others, not just myself.
Mastery is what I’m after actually getting to the heart of my field. Sure, you can pick up a lot from books or the internet, but there’s nothing like the intensity and depth you get from a real academic program. Out in the world, passion isn’t enough. You have to know what you’re doing and why. Whether I’m digging into market trends, inventing greener solutions, or trying to understand what drives people, those tough classes force you to back up your opinions and see if your thinking actually holds water. That’s how you earn credibility by knowing your stuff inside and out.
But it’s not just about classes or grades. University is full of people with totally different backgrounds and ideas, and that’s where the real growth happens. I think the biggest breakthroughs come from collaboration. Being surrounded by professors, classmates, and even outside professionals who see things another way keeps you on your toes. These aren’t just future contacts on a resume they’re people you listen to, work with, and sometimes clash with, but always learn from. I want to figure out how to lead with empathy, negotiate honestly, and know when to stand my ground and when to compromise. Those soft skills matter as much as any technical lesson you’ll ever get.
Of course, it’s not always an easy ride. There’s homework, projects, tests, social stuff sometimes all at once. But struggling and pushing through is how you get tougher. Honestly, it teaches you to adapt and keep moving forward, even when nothing goes the way you thought it would. I don’t just want to train for one job. I want to build the habit of always learning, always staying curious, no matter what changes in the world.
And then there’s the purpose behind all this. Education is a huge privilege, and that means I need to use what I learn to tackle real problems, not just pad my resume. If I end up in science, maybe that means making health care or tech more affordable. If it’s business or the humanities, then it’s standing up for fairness and equity. I want to keep asking, “Should we do this, and who does it help?” instead of just “Can we?” There’s no point in knowledge if you don’t use it for something bigger than yourself.
Helping others matters to me, too. My own wins don’t mean much if I leave others behind. Whether I end up mentoring, volunteering, or just teaming up with people who didn’t have the same access, I want what I’ve learned to ripple outwards. That could mean helping with scholarships, joining community work, or spending time teaching. In the end, the impact you have on people lasts longer than any title or award.
For me, higher education is where everything really starts to come together. It’s where knowledge, connections, and resilience shape what comes next. I’m not just looking for a diploma I want the tools to make a real difference. I want my growth to matter, for myself and for everyone else, and I can’t wait to jump in.
Sgt. Albert Dono Ware Memorial Scholarship
Service, sacrifice, and bravery aren't just buzzwords for me. They're real choices I watch people make every single day. I didn’t grow up with a lot of extra opportunities, but honestly, I was surrounded by folks who always found ways to help others anyway. Sometimes it was lending a hand to a neighbor, sometimes supporting younger students, sometimes just stepping up when someone needed a boost. Early on, I learned that real service means showing up even when it’s inconvenient or tough. Those moments stuck with me and shaped the way I see myself, and they define what kind of impact I want to have.
For me, service is simple: do what you can with what you’ve got. I try to live that out getting involved in my community, being someone people can count on, helping classmates who are struggling. I’ve volunteered, pitched in when my schedule felt impossible, and kept at it even when nobody else noticed. Sure, these might seem like little things, but honestly, they add up. I’ve learned that you don’t need a grand gesture to make a difference it’s all about consistency. Sgt. Albert Dono Ware’s story is proof that serving something bigger than yourself is honestly one of the biggest things you can do.
Sacrifice is part of my story too. Studying aviation is no joke, and it means making tough calls about how I spend my time and energy. I’ve had late nights, doubts, days where I chose homework over hanging out, moments where I had to put my goals before everything else. It’s not comfortable, but those sacrifices helped me grow. I’ve learned discipline, patience, and how to stay locked in on what really matters.
Bravery, for me, isn’t about some dramatic act. It's more about stepping up especially when you’re unsure or your voice feels small. It means speaking up, pushing yourself past your limits, refusing to hold back even when it’s easier to stay quiet. Within the African diaspora, there are tough barriers like unequal access to education, limited opportunities, economic hurdles. Facing those takes real courage, especially when progress creeps along slowly. I've realized bravery means refusing to hide or sit things out—being part of the solution.
If you ask me, one of the biggest changes we need is better access to education and real career opportunities. Too many students in underserved communities don’t get the resources, guidance, or mentorship they need. In aviation, I see every day how exposure and connections matter. If we expand mentorship, invest in schools, and make career paths clearer, the ripple effect could be massive. When people get the right tools and chances, they lift up themselves and their communities.
But honestly, community support is just as crucial. Local organizations, mentors, and leaders are the ones making things happen for real. Building up these networks creates lasting change it’s not just about policies, it’s about people showing up for each other and making it count.
To push this forward, everyone needs to work together. Policymakers should focus on access and fairness. Schools have to support every student, period. Businesses can break down walls with internships and job openings. In the African diaspora, we have to keep lifting each other up from within and for each other.
In the end, service, sacrifice, and bravery are actions, not ideas. They show up in the little things how you treat people, how you keep moving forward even when things aren’t easy. My journey’s still going, but these values steer me every day. I want to use what I learn to give back and open doors for others. That’s how I hope to honor Sgt. Albert Dono Ware and help build a future where more people get their shot at success.