In Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, the idea of truth is shown in a very complex way. Most of the time, we think truth is good—like something that sets people free or helps them grow. But in this play, truth doesn’t really work like that. Instead, the search for truth becomes something dangerous. It’s almost like a trap. At the beginning of the play, Oedipus says, “I must bring what is dark to light…You pray to the gods? Let me grant your prayers. Come, listen to me—do what the plague demands: you’ll find relief and lift your head from the depths” (lines 245–249). This quote is important because it shows how Oedipus sees himself—as a hero, someone who is going to solve everything by uncovering the truth. But as the play goes on, it turns out that this very mission ends up destroying him. Oedipus speaks with a lot of confidence in this quote. He talks like he’s in control and believes that finding the truth will save the people of Thebes. He acts like he has the power of the gods, saying that he’ll answer the people’s prayers. That shows how sure he is that reason and action can fix anything. In a way, he seems like a man ahead of his time, almost like someone from the Enlightenment who believes that logic and investigation can explain the world. But Sophocles doesn’t let that confidence win. As the truth comes out, Oedipus doesn’t become a hero—he becomes completely broken. The truth he ends up finding isn’t some secret about the gods or a way to stop the plague. It’s about himself. What he learns is that he is the one who killed his own father and married his own mother—two of the worst crimes in Greek culture. He thought he was helping his city and being brave, but really he was digging up a truth that he could never recover from. The “dark” that he wanted to bring into the light was really the only thing keeping him sane. Once it’s in the light, everything falls apart. So instead of truth bringing healing or relief, it brings horror, pain, and guilt that no one could have predicted. Also, Sophocles plays a lot with the idea of vision and blindness. In the end, Oedipus blinds himself physically, but that only happens after he sees the truth. So there’s this huge irony—he can finally “see” what happened, but it’s so awful that he can’t bear to literally see anymore. His journey for knowledge ends with him being blind and in pain. So in this play, light and knowledge aren’t always good things. They can destroy just as much as they can help, maybe even more. Another part of why this is so tragic is because Oedipus is actually a good man in many ways. He wants justice, he wants to help his people, and he’s brave enough to face the truth. But these qualities are also what lead him to his downfall. Sophocles isn’t saying that people shouldn’t search for truth, but he is showing that the truth can come with a huge cost. It’s not just a happy ending. It’s more like a warning about the dangers of knowing too much, or maybe about how some knowledge can't be undone or unlearned. In the end, Oedipus falls not just because of fate or personal flaws, but because of something deeper. Being human means wanting answers. But sometimes the answers are worse than the questions. And once you see something—once you truly know—you can’t unsee it. That’s the tragic power of truth in Oedipus Rex, and it leaves a lasting impression about what it really means to seek the light.

My name is Trinity Kjelden, and I’m a freshman at Liberty University majoring in Business and Marketing with a focus on Human Resources. I chose this major because I care deeply about people and how they’re treated in the workplace. I believe that people are more than just a resource or a number — they deserve to be valued and supported, and I want to help create environments where that happens. I’m also really passionate about conservation and taking care of our planet. It might seem like HR and the environment aren’t connected, but I actually think they are. People are the ones driving change, and I want to work with organizations that care about sustainability and doing the right thing — not just for profit, but for the future. My goal is to be part of that change by supporting the people who make it happen. This scholarship would help me a lot by taking off some of the financial pressure of college. It would allow me to focus more on my classes, explore internship opportunities, and get involved in things that matter to me both personally and professionally. I’m really grateful for the chance to apply and for your consideration

She walks through her apartment, sets her police badge on the table, and greats her loved ones happily because she knows she is strong, safe, and serving those around her.

Who knew a future police officer would come out of an army colonel? My father is a retired army veteran. He was in the service for a total of thirty-two years. Because of this, the military has had a decent say in multiple aspects of our lives- where we live, when we move, our relationships, schooling, and how much my dad was at home. Watching my dad, I also learned a lot from the military: strategy, integrity, justice, communication, leadership skills, and even the importance of making my bed. Moving every three to four years taught me how to be flexible and patient. My younger brother and I were fortunate to meet many different people from different cultures and languages. Because of that exposure and my father’s encouragement, I developed my view of the world and a strong sense of justice and integrity. My father worked in many different units over his career and was put into multiple leadership positions. The tools and tricks (e.g., communication, delegation, and strategy) he learned from this he passed to my brother and me while pushing us into situations where we could use and strengthen them as well. And the most important thing he taught me was always to make my bed. “If you don’t accomplish anything else in your day, at least at the end of the day, you can go home to a made bed.” Even if it was the worst day ever, at least I could come home to a clean, made bed. It also helps that my dad quickly instilled a respect and attention for firearms at a young age. I know there will be many hard days. I understand the risks. But, like my dad, I want to serve and protect my country- just protecting it from the inside. Being a police officer and seeing some of the worst sides of humanity is not easy. Morals and integrity are constantly strained. Positions of justice can be scrutinized or overused. Situations can go from one to a hundred, and “a bad day at work” can mean an officer almost did not make it home. Communication is crucial. And most importantly, at the end of a shift, I get to come home to a made bed and remember what my dad taught me, how he encourages me, and know that I get another day to serve and protect those around me.

Mental Health is something that has always been present in my personal life and my surrounding environment. I was exposed to almost everything: from depression, anxiety, abuse, and PTSD to Autism Spectrum Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, and Dementia. Without going into too much description, my life has not always been sunshine and rainbows; however, it has taught me a lot. I tried to ignore it at first. But mental health is the monster that attacks when you aren’t looking. When I finally turned around, the monster had already grown, and I stood there defenseless. There was no way to escape it. As I said before, even if I ran the monsters in me, it was still everywhere around me. I decided I needed a way to fight back- a way out. I had my hands on every resource, article, book from the library, and video on YouTube. Psychology notes filled my desk. I talked to people- I needed to know that it wasn’t “just me.” Finally, I got professional help. Gradually, the monster started to shrink. It never entirely disappeared, and sometimes it gained an inch or two. But that is okay. The road is by no means smooth or easy. However, I now better understand why it is like that. And that honestly makes a world of difference. I can now look at the monsters around me and not be afraid. It gave me a sense of control that I thought I had lost. With everything that I’ve been through, learned, and continue to learn, I want to help others battle their monsters. I want to tell them that it will be okay and be the support I didn’t have. This scholarship will help me continue my education and support my journey to help others.

"Fairytale" by Livingston The world of a child is complex. It's large and, sometimes, even painful. But we didn't want to see it. How often did we play pretend instead- the make-believe stories we heard? And as kids, all we wanted was to be in those worlds. The superhero who saved the day. The winner. The leader. Happy. In his song, Fairytale, Livingston addresses that part of our life. And in his message, he sings about what happens next. Our childhood heroes aren't perfect. Reality cannot be escaped. And in the end, we grow up. For me, this song is important because it brings back memories. For a moment, in this modern age of chaos, isolation, and expectations, I remember that little kid. Her biggest fear was falling off the swing, and her biggest dream was to go higher. She dreamed of being strong like the princesses and as bright as the explorer she saw on tv. It gives me hope for her. Even with reality, I will never forget the fairytales that raised me. And maybe, just maybe, I can bring them to life.