Road to Resilience by River

Road to Resilience by River - December 2024 Scholarship Essay

My name is River Daou, and I am a junior at the University of Miami. I am pleased to share an academic experience I’ve faced and how I overcame it.

Education has always been my passion. It is not just about acquiring knowledge but also about using that knowledge to have influence in the world. As a junior at the University of Miami’s Herbert School of Business, I am majoring in Business Technology. Education is a powerful tool that can transform lives and communities. My goal is to use my degree to create efficient solutions that can improve businesses and, in turn, the world around us. Being part of a diverse community in Atlanta and now at the University of Miami has inspired me to embrace diverse cultures and ideas. My background and experiences have instilled in me the importance of giving

back. This summer, I worked as a Consultant Intern with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, helping launch a Fresh Garden Market project. This experience showed me how business skills are applied to promote sustainability, support local communities, and positively impact the world.

In addition to my academic pursuits, I am actively involved in campus life. As a member of the PI Kappa Alpha Fraternity, where I have learned leadership and teamwork. These roles have taught me to respect diverse viewpoints and to work collaboratively towards common goals. I also enjoy cheering on our Hurricane football team and watching NBA games, particularly the Los Angeles Clippers. Staying active is important to me, and I work out to maintain my health and discipline.

Whether it is through mentoring young professionals, supporting educational initiatives, or volunteering my time, I want to contribute to the greater good and have a positive impact on the world. True success is not just about personal accomplishments, but also about making a positive impact on others. On my journey towards this vision of success, I know that the relationships I build along the way will be incredibly important. I value the friendships and connections I have made so far, and I look forward to forming new ones in the future. These relationships provide support, inspiration, and opportunities for growth. I believe that surrounding myself with positive and motivated individuals will help me stay focused on my goals and continue to grow both personally and professionally.

Although my academic career at University of Miami has been positive, it was not always this way. My sophomore year was challenging and stressful. I underestimated the importance of time management, strict study habits, and the competitiveness of attending an elite university. Being active in my fraternity while taking a full courseload caused me to fail my math course and had to retake it. Being that I had never failed a class before, this was embarrassing, and a blow to my self-esteem. I had put myself in a situation of falling behind in class, and potentially adding an additional semester of college on to graduate. I was hesitant to talk with my mom about the failed course because of the disappointment I knew she would have.

However, I was honest and accountable with the outcome. With the help of my college advisor, I retook the math class, attended weekly tutorials, and was proactive with communicating with my professor with any help I needed. Putting these practices in place, I saw a significant change the second time around in class and my study habits. Although this was a costly lesson, it taught the importance of organization, time management, and communication. It taught me the value of utilizing the resources available when I need help; and that it’s ok to need help. With that, I would say my greatest strengths would be my resilience and perseverance. I am no quitter. Even when faced with adversity, I have a determination to see it through until the end.

Winning this scholarship would significantly impact my educational journey. It would allow me to focus more on my studies and less on financial worries. With a full course load and active involvement in student life, balancing a part-time job is challenging. This scholarship would ease the financial burden on my family, who are navigating changes, and help me achieve my goal of graduating in the class of 2026 with a degree in Business Technology.