When I read that Kerry strongly believes in education, it just resonated with me! My career plan is to become a special education teacher. One of the main reasons I have chosen this career is because of my own struggles. I was diagnosed with a processing disorder, resulting in needing a 504 plan; which motivated me to put forth extra effort in everything I do, especially my academics. I am passionate about becoming a teacher because I believe that being a special education teacher WITH a 504 plan will allow my future students to see that if they put forth that extra effort, they can be confident and reach their full potential too! The sacrifices I have made include the numerous volunteer opportunities I have chosen to participate in, my high school’s clubs, as well as a paid position as a swim instructor to 3-8 year olds; many of whom are special needs kiddos. Below is a list with specifics: Officer (11-12), Member (9-10), Best Buddies Club Being a member and an officer of LT’s Best Buddies club has helped serve my community by placing a positive light on special needs kiddos. I have helped many of them feel a sense of belonging as well as how to foster friendships. Mentor, Spending Time with Special Needs Friend Because of my affiliation with the Best Buddies club, I have become a mentor to a special needs “buddy”. I drive her to/from the club meetings, chat about high school life and what she's looking forward to. Hang out at her house, play basketball, etc. Student Ambassador, Peer Leadership Through being a student ambassador in LT’s Peer Leadership club, I have helped serve my community through welcoming high school freshmen and transfer students, as well as help them get acclimated to high school for instance by sitting with them at lunch. Swim Instructor , Max Aquatics, McCook County Through being a swim instructor at one of my community’s pools, I have helped serve my community by teaching elementary aged students; many of whom are special needs kiddos, how to swim. I have built their confidence in the water and helped push them to their full potential so they can do it on their own. Community Group Leader, Young Life As a Young Life Community Group Leader, I have helped high school aged students in the community with their religious journey. I help lead discussions during group sessions and plan activities and games for the club. Office Aid, Lyons Township High School Main Office I have been able to spend some of my free “study hall” period as an office aid at LTHS. This extracurricular activity has helped serve my school community by helping deliver passes to faculty as well as present various documentation to teachers and/or students such as awards. Community Volunteer, Assisting Elderly Community As a volunteer at Bethlehem Woods Retirement facility, I have had a positive impact on the local elderly community through taking walks and eating at the establishment.

My Great-Grandmother, 2 Grandmothers, Mom and Dad were/are all teachers. So it just seems like the right fit; it's in my blood! My career plans are to finish high school on Honor Roll; including my second Teaching Internship course, attend a four year university, graduate with a degree in Elementary Education or Special Education. I am already so excited to start teaching and helping! Within my teen years, I've not only taken courses geared toward helping others, but both my job as well as my volunteer work has too! I have taught kids to learn to swim for the past two years. It is so rewarding to finally see them swim or even simply to smile after they've gathered the courage to put their face underwater! I also love to volunteer in my mom's kindergarten class by reading to students, join my fellow Peer Leaders help other students or families at special events or to take my special needs "buddy" out for ice cream! Not only do I show my dedication to serving others through my job, volunteer work with Best Buddies and Peer Leadership Programs, but also with my involvement in other initiatives such as my Christian youth group "YoungLife". My leadership roles include being asked to lead the younger section of YoungLife called "Wylde Life". I was also asked to be a Peer Ambassador; a leader within my Peer Leadership program. Being from Illinois, I have visited University of Illinois and was very impressed to read that Kalia earned a full ride! Wow! That really stood out to me and I felt that I would be so very lucky to have ANYTHING to do with her legacy! One of the reasons I am applying for this particular scholarship is when I read online that Kalia had an incredible work ethic and particularly loved helping others, it really resonated with me! Having to deal with a processing disorder, resulting in a 504 plan, I felt that her passion for making a difference, especially the importance of working hard, paralleled with mine! This scholarship will help me see my ultimate goals come to fruition. It will also certainly help lift some of the financial burden from my family. I see my parents, both teachers, work tirelessly to provide a safe, loving and full life for my little brother and me without making a ton of money, so I thought I might try and help alleviate some of the monetary costs of them sending me to college.

My Great-Grandmother, 2 Grandmothers, Mom and Dad were/are all teachers. So it just seems like the right fit; it's in my blood! My career plans are to finish high school on Honor Roll; including my second Teaching Internship course, attend a four year university, graduate with a degree in Elementary Education or Special Education. I am already so excited to start teaching and helping! Within my teen years, I've not only taken courses geared toward helping others, but both my job as well as my volunteer work has too! I have taught kids to learn to swim for the past two years. It is so rewarding to finally see them swim or even simply to smile after they've gathered the courage to put their face underwater! I also love to volunteer in my mom's kindergarten class by reading to students, join my fellow Peer Leaders help other students or families at special events or to take my special needs "buddy" out for ice cream! Not only do I show my dedication to serving others through my job, volunteer work with Best Buddies and Peer Leadership Programs, but also with my involvement in other initiatives such as my Christian youth group "YoungLife". My leadership roles include being asked to lead the younger section of YoungLife called "Wylde Life". I was also asked to be a Peer Ambassador; a leader within my Peer Leadership program. As I enter my first year at The University of Iowa as an Elementary Education major, my passion for kids and furthering their sense of belonging in this world and their own community grows! I can't wait to get started making a difference in their lives and help them be the very best they can be! One of the reasons I am applying for this particular scholarship is when I read online that Ken Larsen "was a strong advocate of increasing opportunities for higher education among all generations of students". This really resonated with me. Having to deal with a processing disorder, resulting in a 504 plan, I felt that his passion for making a difference paralleled with mine! Plus I see my parents, both teachers, work tirelessly to provide a safe, loving and full life for my little brother and me without making a ton of money, so I thought I might try and help alleviate some of the monetary costs of them sending me to college.

I wish this essay could be handwritten because when the pen hits the paper, it just makes more sense to me. You see, ever since I was little, handwriting was something I could control. I could be patient and perfect. I could make perfect little notes and cards for my community or family and friends. When I was diagnosed with a processing disorder, I would have to do the same. I would have to take my time to do things perfectly or as close as I could! Ever since grade school I knew I would have to work harder than most to make things “perfect”. I tried to give myself pep talks while doing homework, saying to myself, “One more, Ginny! Just one more writing prompt.” For years, I wished it was easier for me, but I kind of liked the challenge of putting my thoughts and dreams on paper. I was going to show everyone that I could not only get through school, but I could excel, especially in writing where I could be ME! I could accomplish this by pushing myself every step of the way to make sure I get where I want to be. As soon as high school started, I was ready. I had a plan in place and I was going to remind myself to be patient and work hard. Staying up late after my regular homework to work on my journal or just doodle words in beautiful script. Focusing and persevering to be better every day, but always going back to my passion, writing. Writing helps organize my thoughts; be it notes, my journal, lists or the occasional poem. I know my brain doesn't work exactly like my friends, but I'm ok with that. I write more than they do. And in doing so, I've realized that the more I write, the easier it becomes. This lesson has bled into other aspects of my life as well. It helped me set other goals for myself that previously felt out of reach for a girl with a processing disorder. These goals were to challenge myself to try an AP course, enroll in a dual credit college level class, stay in my Accel classes and stay on honor roll throughout my high school career. So far, mission accomplished! Achieving these goals has made me proud of myself and has given me the confidence for my next goal: go to college and keep writing! In addition to continue writing to keep me organized with this new and exciting chapter in my life, and for the pure enjoyment of my pen on paper, I also plan on joining a writing club or organization that the college offers. I can't wait to meet others who understand me, my struggles and share my passion to write!

"Go Fish!" is the earliest I can recall my grandpa teaching us grandkids how to play cards. He was from a lower class family from Flint, Michigan who had to use his extensive imagination to replace what many other kids had: toys. A new deck of cards was a special treat that he found under the scrawny Christmas tree when he was around 8 years old. He watched his alcoholic father use those very cards to win grocery money and try and provide for him and his two younger sisters. As he grew up, he and his sisters played lots of cards! Any game would help pass the time and take their mind off of their troubles and help silence the unfortunate fighting they heard between his father and mother. As he entered high school, he too played lots of hands of cards to win money; as he vowed he'd "get out of Flint". Somehow or other, he did. He paid his own way through college; the first one in his family, where he met his beloved wife. With a degree in hand and a fiance by his side, he headed off to a suburb of Chicago where she taught kindergarten and he could find a job that finally brought the kind money he wasn't used to as a boy. With a business degree, there were many jobs that he was qualified, but few he enjoyed. With such a lack of control as a child, he yearned for control in his adult life. He wanted to be his own boss! He opened his own restaurant. This proved to take up too much time away from his young family. Next, he tried frozen food business where he delivered products to local "mom and pop" grocery stores. Although he found much more financial success and happiness, he still felt a sense of dissatisfaction. He was determined to maintain a balance between his personal life and work life. Working at the GM factory in middle Michigan as a young man, he was like most Michiganders of the era, in love with cars! Grandpa opened up a classic car dealership. People from near and far came to see these beautiful and unique cars. He and my grandma thoroughly enjoyed sharing this special passion with people, while playing cards during their downtime at the showroom. The car dealership allowed for this perfect balance he was searching for. As he and my grandma became grandparents, he again wanted to shift his time and energy toward his family. He was so appreciative that his two kids lived nearby with his now young grandchildren, he wanted to spend as much time with us as he could; taking us five kids to the zoo, movies, park and even doctor appointments! He would often babysit my cousins and me. I clearly remember as soon as we'd walk through the door, Grandpa was in his chair with a deck of cards at the ready. Although he gave us a choice of games: 31, Euchre, Casino or a throw back "Go Fish", we didn't really care, as we just wanted to play with him. In the winter of 2020, he was diagnosed with cancer. With it being COVID times, we were not able to visit him in fear of getting him sicker. Although we could chat on the phone and even FaceTime with him, we couldn't play cards. This was the hardest to take. As the months passed, his body weakened and finally gave up in February of 2021. He was such a huge part of my upbringing, I miss him dearly.

My Great-Grandmother, 2 Grandmothers, Mom and Dad were/are all teachers. So it just seems like the right fit; it's in my blood! My career plans are to finish high school on Honor Roll; including my second Teaching Internship course, attend a four year university, graduate with a degree in Elementary Education or Special Education. I am already so excited to start teaching and helping! Within my teen years, I've not only taken courses geared toward helping others, but both my job as well as my volunteer work has too! I have taught kids to learn to swim for the past two years. It is so rewarding to finally see them swim or even simply to smile after they've gathered the courage to put their face underwater! I also love to volunteer in my mom's kindergarten class by reading to students, join my fellow Peer Leaders help other students or families at special events or to take my special needs "buddy" out for ice cream! Not only do I show my dedication to serving others through my job, volunteer work with Best Buddies and Peer Leadership Programs, but also with my involvement in other initiatives such as my Christian youth group "YoungLife". My leadership roles include being asked to lead the younger section of YoungLife called "Wylde Life". I was also asked to be a Peer Ambassador; a leader within my Peer Leadership program. In addition to my family "teachers" impacting my life and career interest, my 8th grade teacher, Mrs. Johnson has had a tremendous impact on me! Not only did she teach us "ELA", but she taught me that having a positive outlook on teaching affects the students and motivates them to learn. It sure helped me look at school in a different light! One of the reasons I am applying for this particular scholarship is when I read online that, "Marie recognized the impact that passionate educators could make on the next generation", it really resonated with me. Having to deal with a processing disorder, resulting in a 504 plan, I felt that her passion for making a difference paralleled with mine! Plus I see my parents, both teachers, work tirelessly to provide a safe, loving and full life for my little brother and me without making a ton of money, so I thought I might try and help alleviate some of the monetary costs of them sending me to college. I believe that ALL students have the right to learn and feel confident with themselves and their future!