“I’ve always believed in the idea that traveling opens your eyes to the world. Ever since my first traveling experience at the age of five, the need to travel has been in my blood. I’ve traveled all across this country for years and I have seen first hand this is the best way to learn about other cultures. Travel’s imperative if you want to better understand about other people and their cultures because only so much insight can be gained by learning about cultures in school.”
Special note: Dani originally wrote her essay, planning a study abroad trip to Finland. Her plans have changed some – she will be studying Art for one month in Austria in May 2012 with Northern Michigan University. We held her scholarship for her and the money covered her flight. Have fun Dani!
Nyssa Swanson won the 2010 Building A Better World – Global Awareness Scholarship and was awarded a $1000 scholarship. She currently is a sophomore at Ferris State University where she is majoring in Pre-Physical Therapy. She works at McDonalds in Big Rapids and in Muskegon. After she completes her BA she plans on earning a MA in Physical Therapy. As a therapist she hopes to travel to and work abroad. For now Nyssa is currently busy and happy at Ferris.
The eligible applicant must be a graduating high school senior or a high school graduate continuing their education at an accredited institution in the year in which they are applying. They must be a resident of Michigan and a youth exhibitor at the Michigan State Fair for a minimum of three years prior to the year of application
Many scholarships offered for the 2012 school year had a deadline of April 1. This one, while it is limited in scope, does not end until June 17.
So, if you are involved in 4-H or exhibit animals or know somebody who is – please tell them about the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship.
Interviews are HUGE in the selection of Foundation Grant Winners.
Go here to sign up for and learn more about the Muskegon Community Foundation Scholarship.
The 2013 Muskegon Community Foundation Scholarship will soon available to Oakridge graduating seniors. The above video features Rachel Stewart ($4000), Autumn Woods ($5000), and Nyssa Swanson ($500), all recipients of the Muskegon Community Foundation Grant in 2010. They will provide an insight to their successful interviewing process. This video also features a lengthy interview with Marcy Joy, the Program Officer for the Muskegon Community Foundation. She is in charge of it All – so if you get an interview it would be to your advantage to watch this movie!
Facts on the Muskegon Community Foundation Grant
In 2010 515 people applied for the Foundation Grant.
In 2010 176 High School seniors were interviewed.
In 2010 approximately 110 of those interviewed received scholarships.
The Foundation promised $775,000 to 2010 graduates.
Tips on the Interviewing process…
Interviews are conducted by teams of one or two community volunteers.
Interviewers have read your application and will refer to it.
Sometimes they do a second interview with you.
The Foundation will gladly reschedule interviews around your time.
The most important part of the interview – according to all three gals and Marci Joy deals with the question – What do you intend to bring back to your community after you graduate from college? While the question deals theoretically with ANY community – if you can tailor your answer to Muskegon it would probably be to your advantage to do so.
Those who have donated their time and their money to help young people get a good start in college want to be reminded that you care about your community and your neighborhood and that no matter the university you attend or the degree that you pursue, you will return the goodwill to your fellow citizens. In essence those who will be interviewing you – see this donation and you as an investment in the world. They want to be reassured that you will return in kind.
Make sure in your interview to articulate your ideas for future community involvement. Make sure the interviewers feel your compassion and your gratitude. Be clear in laying out your goals for the future.
This site will be a place for Oakridge Students to go to find scholarships and those who support Oakridge kids can go to donate to Building A Better World Scholarship. Our mission with both is to open doors for as many of our students as possible, so that they move on to higher education and so that they can help us all to “Build a Better World.”
has been in my blood. I’ve traveled all across this country for years and I have seen first hand this is the best way to learn about other cultures. Travel’s imperative if you want to better understand about other people and their cultures because only so much insight can be gained by learning about cultures in school.”
