Category Archives: Building A Better World Scholarship

Go here for everything you need to know about the history of the OEA Building A Better World Scholarship.

This years OEA Building A Better World Scholarship will consist of three $1000 scholarships.  

• $1000 – Global Awareness
• $1000 – Community Invovlement
• $1000 – Independent Travel

Please go here for a copy of the scholarship application.  It is open to all graduating Oakridge seniors.  You may choose to turn your completed essays into Mr. Wood or to the OHS Counseling Center or share them with bobwoodmsu@gmail.com on Google Docs.  Make sure if you go the Google Docs route to name your post as “Building A Better World Scholarship.”  Also, check with Mr. Wood to insure that your Google Docs post was received.  Deadline to apply is May 1, 2012. You may apply for one, two, or all three of the separate scholarships.  Each entry requires a separate essay specific to the scholarship guidelines.

If you would like to donate… to OEA Building A Better World – we have a number of options open for you…

• make a secure credit card donation on this website via Paypal
• contact Bob Wood at bobwoodmsu@gmail.com or 616-402-8668
• make out a personal check to OEA Building A Better World Scholarship and send to Oakridge High School – 5493 East Hall Rd – Muskegon, MI 49442 – c/o Bob Wood
• Please don’t think you have to break the piggy bank…any donation amount is appreciated ($10, $20, $30 or more) the important part is you join us on this adventure.  That’s what matters most!

Whatever you do, make sure you get us your address – email and home so we can send you copies of the winning essays.  Any questions just note them below.  Thank you so much for your support.

from Shannon’s winning essay…

“To represent a community, one must be involved in it.  Taking the time to help one another is the best thing that can occur in society.  All people who are involved in a community partake in a different aspect of it.  The individuals who need help are the people who appreciate it.  The people who lend a hand are the people who gain a fulfillment in their lives from the gratitude of those he/she benefited.  It is an ongoing process with all of the pieces connecting as a working system.  This system is the basis of civilization.  There are many directions a person can pursue to be involved in an effective society…”

from Angela’s winning essay…

“Growing up in a small community, it’s sometimes difficult to comprehend that there is a whole other world out there.  Often times we don’t really even get to know our neighbors, much less our world neighbors.  So, what stands in the way?  Often, it is fear, stereotypes, and perceptions that have been instilled in us by our parents, our friends, or the media. My father had often told me the story of how he overcame racism…

I will be attending Benedictine University in Illinois in the fall.  Benedictine has been recognized as one of the most diverse colleges in the country.  I am looking forward to meeting people from all over the world and having the opportunity to learn about their cultures.  After college, I hope to become a teacher.  As part of my classroom climate I will try to instill an appreciation for our neighbors around the world.  I will set a priority of teaching my students about other cultures.  I will teach them not to believe everything they read or hear on the news.  I will challenge them to look for alternative sources of information to find their own truth.  My hope is that I will able to break down some of the stereotypes and prejudices they have about other people, and they will learn to judge others by the quality of their character.”

The 2003 OEA Building A Better World Scholarship winners are:

• Amber Hoagland– Global Awareness ($500)
• Jennifer Stratton – Community Involvement ($500)
• Sarah Fowler – Independent Travel ($500)

Congratulations to Amber, Jennifer, and Sarah – our first ever Building A Better World Scholarship recipients.   We did it!  They did it!  Amber wrote a passionate essay on the significance of being globally aware and then went on to study abroad in Ecuador at Alma College.  Jennifer related the significance of community involvement and has begun a life dedicated to that.  And Sarah Fowler along with Angie Pastoor drove to Boston and explored our nation’s roots, together in the summer of 2003.  Congratulations to us all on season #1.   Please check separate links highlighted above to get a better insight into each of these exceptional young ladies.