What I offer by Cassidy

What I offer by Cassidy - December 2024 Scholarship Essay

Throughout my life, I have been involved in many extracurricular activities. These consist of flag football, wanting to prove that girls can play football too, basketball, like my big sister and dad did, softball, volleyball, tennis, Girl Scouts, etc. Out of all of these things, I’ve noticed the ones I enjoy most are the ones that allow me to give back to others. When I was in eighth grade, I started going to something called the “Coco Pod.” This was a group in my small-town community that would get together to raise money for families that need it most in our community. We had raised money for multiple children with cancer and had done Walk for Wishes for them. We also took the opportunity to serve meals at the homeless shelters. However, my favorite thing we do every year is provide Christmas presents and a meal to a few families who don't have the opportunity to do so. We would get a list of everything they wanted and their dream Christmas dinner and make it come true. I have also really enjoyed participating in our school's student council. I started being a member in middle school and then continued to be a member at the high school level. This year I am vice president and get to organize activities and raise money for kids in our school, just like we did in the community. I have noticed I feel the most fulfilled when helping others. I would love to start organizations or groups just like the Coco pod, for other communities. I think a great start would be your campus.
Although I have always had exceptional grades, I had things happen during school that made it hard for me to keep up. My entire life my dad has been sick. If there was one specific thing I could name that he’s sick from, I would; but, I can’t. No one has been able to figure out what's wrong. We would get one diagnosis and he would take medication for it and nothing would change. Then the next doctor would say there was no reason for that medication and he didn’t have that specific issue. My dad had a heart attack at the age of thirty-four, I wasn’t alive for this yet but I was alive for his heart attack this last summer, summer of ‘24. My dad had two main arteries blocked with many other small blockages. My dad has always had many health issues. If I’ve been distracted in school these past years, it’s because I'm thinking of my dad. I am grateful that my dad lived through everything he’s been through. Another important thing to mention would be that I am my father's daughter. Of course, you’re thinking “duh” but I think a lot of people forget what that means. I have inherited all of his allergies, his gallbladder (I had to have mine removed when I was sixteen because I was passing excruciatingly painful gallstones), and his overall health. Like I said, I have had good grades but I’m exceptionally grateful I also inherited my dad's will to never give up. Both my parents have shown me to keep trying and never give up. So, although you can’t tell I struggled academically, I did; but, I got through it and will continue to do my best in everything I do. With this being said, I want to help people. This is why I want to study psychology, to become a counselor to help teen that are going through hard times in there life and to offer them someone who will be there for them and listen to them.