Commander Estabrook Memorial Scholarship

The ability to be capable of serving our community is something that I did not fully believe I could participate in when I was younger, as I was not yet aware of the many ways I could benefit those around me. Though I did not know at a young age how I could help those around me, I could not stand to be stagnant when I knew there were people around me fighting their battles in silence. In my hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, I attended Booker T. Washington High School, one of the best schools in the state. I love my school dearly for this significant reason: it was centered around benefitting the communities around us. I decided to narrow my community service options down to something that would allow me to practice communicating, as being an effective communicator would allow me to excel in my field. With the aid of my teachers and peers in ROTC, I was able to get involved in the vast opportunities to serve our community. Through them, I have been afforded the chance to find volunteer service hours in club activities, after-school programs, as well as other leadership programs. When I think back to the places I have volunteered, the one that keeps coming back to mind is my time at Saint Francis Hospital. At the hospital, I was tasked with delivering food trays to patients’ rooms and answering phone calls regarding what they were planning to eat. There was one patient who made a profound impact on my views towards my education and work ethic. She was an older lady in the orthopedic unit who did not get as many visitors as other patients would. One day as I was laying down her food on the bed tray, I noticed her face was buried in her hands. She was visibly upset, but I did not yet know why. I informed my supervisor and asked her if it was ok to make this patient a basket full of treats, with her diet in mind, to hopefully make her feel better. I was allowed to deliver it to her room along with the rest of her food. After getting to know her better, she told me her family was not able to visit her in the hospital due to personal reasons. She expressed her gratitude and notified me it was the first time anyone has given her a gift during her stay at the hospital. I saw her smile for the first time during my time there, and I could not help but smile back. That opportunity made me realize how important it is to pay attention to those around us. After my encounter with this patient, my supervisor allowed me to continue making treat baskets for the people who were alone at the hospital during my free time. It was a small and simple act, but it left me with such a great impression. I do not think I would have had this opportunity if it was not for ROTC. Because of ROTC, I was able to speak up and advocate for another individual. This service experience drives me to continue to do what I love–advocating, being a voice for, and serving the underserved individuals in my community. I plan to use my involvement in ROTC to accomplish this goal, to serve and invite others to serve and improve our community.