My Life and College Experience

Hello to all who may be reading this! My name is Olivia Voss. I'm nineteen-years-old, and I am currently a freshman at Southeastern Oklahoma State Univerisity in Durant, Oklahoma. I graduated from Haworth High School in May 2016 as my graduating class's Valedictorian with a 4.21 GPA. I scored a 30 on my ACT, which allowed me to receive scholarships from numerous universities, including the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, University of Central Oklahoma, Northeastern State University, Texas A&M University of Texarkana, Carl Albert State College, and Southeastern Oklahoma State University. However, I eventually decided on Southeastern Oklahoma State University due to my acceptance in to the university's President Leadership.

My college expereince has been busy, to say the least. I am currently a member of the 2016-2017 President's Leadership Class, which not only requires me to be involved in two other campus organizations, but also requests that I complete a minimum of 20 hours of community service.. I recently finished my first semester of college with a 4.0 GPA, while being active in several groups and organizations on campus, including my campus Student Government Association, Alumni Legacy Leaders, Lacrosse Club, North Hall Council, and the Zeta Gamma chapter of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.

Despite my life at college being hectic at times, it has also provided me with a plethora of memories and fun times. I have made many lifelong friendships due to my involvement in other organizations, particularly within the President's Leadership Class and Sigma Sigma Sigma. These groups have allowed me to connect with others that I share many of the same interests with, and these friendships have also opened my eyes to new experiences I may have not been able to have anywhere else.

My college experience has also helped me realize what exactly my calling in life is. I have been given the opportunity to work throughout the Durant community with student organizations that I am a part of. In the short amount of time I have been in college, I have been able to work at the Boys and Girls Club, help feed those who struggle to find a meal on a daily basis, helped brighten the day of so many young children as I and others played with these children and gave them gifts, helped stand up against domestic violence during a Domestic Violence March, and led many young children through our university's Homecoming Parade. Through these experiences, I have realized that my calling is to help those around me and to be a guide for those who are younger than I am. This is why I have chosen to pursue a Bachelor's degree in English Education.

I have recently been awarded the $500 Core Values scholarship, and I couldn't be more grateful. My father is in law enforcement, and my mother is a home health nurse. Between myself and my two younger sisters' needs, we don't have a great deal of money. Because of this, I had to apply for a plethora of scholarships all throughout my senior year, simply because my parents couldn't afford to pay for it. I've also had to get a job while at college, so my parents can use their leftover money from bills on things for themselves and my sisters instead of sending it to me. Right now, every bit of money received counts.

I am so blessed to be given as much of a scholarship from Honor Society as I have. On behalf of myself and my family, thank you for your kind and generous scholarship. It means a lot to all of us.

-Olivia Voss