Philanthropic Education Organization

Tonight, I was recognized by the Philanthropic Education Organization, and awarded a fantastic scholarship for my academic achievement and public service!

I remember moving to The United States 5 years ago, wondering how I would ever pay for a university education. I listened in awe as my friends talked about "college funds" and the student loan process.

When I asked my dad how I would pay for school he aanswered with his usual brevity.

"Hoho, dont worry about that right now. Get acclimated. Keep hitting the books. Serve your community and make choices that are right for you and the people around you. School will take care of itself."

I figured I could always work the night shift at Baskin and Robbins, so I took my dad's advice and spent the last 5 years studying...HARD! I got involved in all kinds of public service activities. I learned to ski and snowboard and tapdance.

I began keeping a journal, and writing. Some of my essays won cash scholarship prizes and I tucked the money away in a Wells Fargo hidey-hole labeled, "Money to Help Me Change the World."

I volunteered at our town library and started "2-Way-Street" to assist other relocated and immigrant youth acclimate to life in the US through education, socialization and public service opportunities.

I became active in my church and taught Sunday School and an after-school reading class for kids.

I studied. Then I studied some more.

At 15, while my friends were hanging out at the mall with their boyfriends, I wrote for Southern Idaho's largest daily newspaper. I also landed an internship at a US Senator's office and later that year, appointed a US Senate Page. At 16, I took off for Washington DC, where I lived a few blocks from Capitol Hill. Every day, I entered the hallowed halls of the United States Congress where I rubbed shoulders with men and women like Senator John McCain, Elizabeth Dole, Robert Byrd and a young guy who sat way, way at the back of the Senate Chamber, named Barak Obama.

I listened and I learned. I came to understand that democracy works as long as we the people remain informed, impassioned and engaged.

One rainy afternoon, I walked the campus of Georgetown University and sat in on an outddoor lecture by a woman who spent an hour and a half quoting from the writings and speeches of our Founding Fathers. Mine were not the only eyes tearing up that day.

I love America. I love that I am a free woman. I love that I can make my own choices and then, be exxpected to accept responsibility for them.

As I prepare now, to enter college in the fall, I look back on the past 5 years of my life as a tremendous confirmation of all my parents and mentors have taught me.

I have been awarded over $90,000. in scholarships. Unlike most of my friends, I do not have to worry about how to pay for my education.

If you are a girl who has made the right choices for your life, and who is now wondering how you will pay for your university education, I encourage you to check out the following sites! These are some of the scholarships I have been awarded and I share them with you in the hope of encouraging and enabling YOU to GET YOUR EDUCATION and then use it to accomplish powerful things! Education of women is key to alleviating poverty and increasing research in areas that affect women and men!

http://www.discoverfinancial.com/community/scholarship.shtml#winners $40,000.
http://spirit.prudential.com/view/page/soc $1000.-$6000.
missusa.com $$45,000. at the state level
http://www.peointernational.org/ Variable amounts

I won't say good luck because luck has little to do with it.

It has everything to do with following advice my parents gave me and which I now share with you...

Work hard. Dot your i's and cross your t's. Pay attention to detail. Make the right choices!

God bless you!