Jeffery Graham Memorial Scholarship Analysis

As two-year drum major of my high school band, I traded the stability of my sleep schedule and my time to get tutoring from teachers to rehearse the band early in the morning and late into the night. I witnessed the band grow into a community-wide organization that gained followers from all corners of the local area. As a member of the Kyle Area Youth Advisory Council, I gave up my cherished evenings at the public library and my privacy to represent my peers to the City Council and give teenagers a voice in their city government. Through KAYAC, I was able to be a part of an organization that developed and implemented an ordinance to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, an act that has drawn national attention and incited discussion on the issue on outlets such as the Huffington Post. I started my own business, Giveback Merch LLC, with the purpose of designing and printing t-shirts and donating proceeds to local charities and non-profits. As Senior Patrol Leader of my Boy Scout Troop, I freely shared my knowledge and my skills so that those younger than I could advance in rank. These experiences as a leader are the fondest; I directly improved the lives of the new Scouts I mentored and reformed the youth leadership of my Troop to be more efficient and effective in planning and executing meetings and campouts. In my experiences as a leader, I have

Playing on a high school tennis team, being a freshman advisory peer leader, and volunteering at various locations has provided me with the tools to be a good leader in anything I do. Being a member of my tennis team has taught me to be supportive and spread positive motivation to all my teammates through all the losses and wins. As an upperclassman, I stand as a role model and mentor for the younger athletes, a peer to approach when needing to perfect a serve or gain confidence before a match. Freshmen Advisory had taught be the importance of being receptive towards new high school students, being a point of reference for anything from getting an A in a difficult class to making new friends. I was able to help guide the freshmen in my school through their first year while at a new stage in their lives. I have also been involved within my community at numerous volunteer locations such as Center for Food Action, New Life Senior Center, Valley Hospital and many more. I have learned to be a leader within these organizations by giving back and influencing my peers to do the

Of all the things I’ve ever experienced, being in the Blanche Ely Marching Band was the most meaningful. Growing up I couldn’t fathom the value of life’s intangible things, but my perspicacity grew when I made the decision to stay in the band. The most important lessons I learned while being in the band would be: the importance of resilience,

I am super cited and grateful to the American College of Healthcare Executives for awarding me the Albert W. Dent Scholarship. This is truly a great help, and I am appreciative of the opportunity. My full name and mailing address is

I have learned from fellow classmates and peers on how to become a selfless leader and follower thinking of others above myself. Throughout my four years of high school, I’ve been a part of many clubs, some that I am still involved in and some with important leadership positions. My main motive in getting involved with my community and school is to improve our school and community. In AFJROTC I have done over 250 hours of community service just within ROTC and have done over 1,000 community service throughout my community and school. I believe in selfless actions to help benefit my neighbor and peer to overall make us both superior. I am currently the Steele’s National Honors Society President, a Flight (class) commander and squadron (leader of all flights) commander, Business manager for 2017-2018 Squire magazine, Class of 2018 reporter (class officer). I have key positions in many clubs and organizations that have over this year improved and exceeded expectations. As I am a Leader, I have learned to become a respected, caring, strong-willed, straight forward, and reputative leader. I learned this mostly from the direction and teaching of Steele High School making me the leader I am

During my sophomore year especially, I did my best to be a leader in my definition: dedicated, helpful, and authentic as a person. In our band, I was the leader for the twenty-odd flutes we had in our section. As expected of an officer throughout the marching season, I helped

As a young Latina raised in the Central Valley, I am excited to apply for the Gonzalez Memorial Scholarship. As an undocumented person with undocumented parents and siblings, it’s difficult to come out of the shadows when we are constantly being surrounded by hate and ignorance. As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded of the many sacrifices my family and I have had to make in order to make it to this point. I am the proud daughter of dedicated, courageous, and hard-working farm workers who more than 15 years ago said goodbye to their loved ones in Mexico and risked their own lives, so that my brothers and I could have a chance at achieving the “American Dream.” Both of my parents are farm workers they plant, pick and pack almost any fruit

I was surprised to see that I was qualified for the National Honors Society Scholarship, however I felt as if it was going to be hard to “brag” about myself. I thought long and hard on who I am as a person and I have to say that I have many leadership, character, and service qualities.

Being an older sister, friend, and active student in and out of the classroom, I’ve oftentimes been the person that others look up to for advice or ideas. One specific area that I am a leader in is the Cherokee Art Club. This year I was named group leader, which is a person that guides fellow club members by giving them directions, providing support and encouragement, and making sure that everything is going as planned. I was appointed to this position because of my dedication and effective leadership skills last year. Because of all the clubs and activities I’ve been apart of, I became a very confident and effective leader. Even though it wasn’t an easy feat, it is extremely valuable thing to offer to the world and to the National Honor

Growing up in a small town, it is crucial that every individual get involved. This has pushed me to stay active in athletics, National Honor Society, student government, FFA, band, choir, play production, speech, and CYO. I take every organization I am involved with seriously and have earned some leadership positions: FFA News Reporter, Volleyball & Basketball Captain, Class President, and Student Council Member. It is an honor to hold these leadership positions and be a positive role model for the younger generation. I am able to support those younger than me and demonstrate a hard work ethic. By using my leadership and communication skills I have been able to influence teammates and fellow members to have a positive attitude

I have exemplified leadership in a couple different ways through out my high school career. One way of this is through leading my team members in cheerleading. I look out for my new team members, especially since they are learning a lot of new material. This can be stressful and difficult at times. I know this feeling since I was once brand new to the Mason Cheerleading Program and didn’t know any of the material. If I

The Caesar Rodney School district contains opportunities for all students of different backgrounds. When entering their school for the first time, one instantly knows that the school is their new home away from home. From the moment I entered the district in 7th grade, I understood that the school was behind me every step of the way. As a result, I have become not only more educated, but a more connected person to my teachers, my peers, and my activities. The National Honor Society offers me an opportunity to provide for my school what the school provided for me. Each of the four pillars in NHS, Scholarship, Leadership, Character, and Service, have influenced the decisions I make and the new choices ahead of me.

I will say I am like most young and modern American women: school is my main priority, I have dreams and goals for the future that I am determined to make happen and I don’t expect for anyone to do the hard work for me. I come from what is known as a normal background within the African American culture, my parents are in the process of getting a divorce, I live with my mother and three brothers. So, what exactly makes Ayana Graham different? Why does Ayana Graham deserve this scholarship over other applicants? What makes me different from other applicants is how I occupy my time away from my academics. I purposely seek volunteer work, such as The Jumpstart Program, sock and coat drives, bake sales, The Giving Point, feeding the homeless and

I have always looked to spend more time in music, so even with the challenges of marching band I have been the lead bassist for my school’s top jazz band all four years of my journey. Even with the time I spend in marching, I spend at least four hours a week creating music with my peers. In this I’ve not only been able to prove to myself that I can play, but I’ve also learned how to synergize with my fellow musicians to make something beautiful. I’ve been able to transfer this to my life outside of band through group projects and community service projects.

When the question is brought up, “What does band mean to you?” I immediately think of the responsibility, hard work, and dedication and band has given me the chance to learn and strengthen. In addition to these life skills are many others, such as leadership, teamwork, and friendship. The Force has made more than just a difference in my high school career, it has impacted my life and has provided me with skills that will follow me throughout my life. Band means to supporting each other as we work through the hard times and grow closer as a family. Band means working hard and taking on responsibility for yourself. It also means being dependable, that people can count on you and your ability to achieve the unthinkable.