“The Hits Just Keep on Comin’!” In my years with The Scholarship Plug, I have met so many inspiring students. So many tell me they cannot write essays (but surprise! If you have something to say, it can be crafted into an interesting and money-earning essay. “N.” dreamed of becoming a nurse, though her family and her cultural traditions pushed her into considering resignation. Others had other life plans for her. She boldly thought and researched and envisioned and took action, and is now in year two of college. I hope she stays in South Florida, as she is kind, compassionate, knowledgeable and one with the ability to make patients feel secure and comfortable under her nursing care. “A.” initially said he had a learning disability and p never thought he had what it takes to go to college. In fact, while his friends were receiving scholarships, he wondered why no colleges had reached out to him. Then he learned what initiatives he had to take, and educating himself, persisted, and became ready, willing and diligent enough to write essays (and sometimes it would be 4-5 rewrites). He was willing to do whatever it would take to “try.” How proud he was moving into the dorm at FIU! How excited we educators are to see young people stepping up to strive for success. I have witnessed some students dejected and discouraged; “N.E” could not believe she did not win the one full-ride scholarship she had hoped and prayed for and worked so hard to obtain. But then came news she was accepted into a very competitive freshman pre-nursing program, a prestigious and exciting win, and her previous “loss” faded away; now her future is bright! I cry alongside students when they share their life stories in personal essays. There are those who survive acts of violence, who grow up in an homes where surviving despite domestic violence is their daily dark secret. Some if our bright and talented are in and out of foster homes and shelters, struggle with being housing-deprived and/or being displaced and forced to be without stability at one school, who know first hand depression and anxiety, food insecurity, the grief that accompanies loss of loved ones or the pain of parents divorcing. Some are finding themselves in a world that is reluctant to accept them as they are, and many have family members incarcerated or unable to be present daily for them. Some DACA students live in fear of what tomorrow will bring; some have been separated from family members for reasons beyond their comprehension, knowledge or control. In my years of teaching and now coaching, I see lives different than mine yet each individual has strengths, special qualities, and value! Many just need someone to say simply, “This is good and can be developed into an awesome essay,” or “What do you mean, there’s nothing you’ve done that is worth writing about?” Or “You CAN do it.” We’ve had students who dream of attending a state university, an HBCU, an Ivy League school….and some who don’t know the difference. There are those who must be guided so they don’t fall prey to a life of outstanding college loans, and others who don’t know the difference between a loan, a grant or a scholarship, or the difference between in state and out of state tuition, or even the rising cost of post-secondary endeavors. I’ve had students who wanted to attend the Fire Academy or a vocational school, enlist in the military, start a business, operate a nonprofit, and each has needed to seek and apply for funds. Whatever the individual’s journey may be, it is indescribably rewarding to witness students persevere and flourish. We have had international students and students from BBCall over the country, of all backgrounds, but it’s not where they’re from that matters to us. It’s where they are going that excites all who work with The Scholarship Plug students. Their wins bring us joy; their phone calls of jubilance telling us of receivibg acceptance or scholarships are proof that hard work and perseverance can pay off. I’m wondering what will be the next success story I hear. I remain hopeful, as I know, “The hits just keep on comin’!”
Dr. ScharfScholarship Plug Essay Coach