For DonorsFor Applicants

V.C. Willis Foundation Scholarship

$1,000
1 winner$1,000
Awarded
Application Deadline
Mar 1, 2023
Winners Announced
Mar 31, 2023
Education Level
High School
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school
GPA:
3.0 or higher
Career Plan:
Education
Involvement:
Extracurricular activities

Teachers play a crucial role in society, which has been revealed more and more in the events of the past couple of years.

Studies are beginning to show that teachers do more than teach knowledge in Math, English, and so on. Teachers have the power to team up with parents to create safe environments for students that help them grow their emotional intelligence and therefore succeed in both school and life. Because teachers play such an important part in the academic and emotional development of students, the V.C. Willis Foundation Scholarship seeks to support the future of the teaching field. This scholarship honors the life of V.C. Willis by encouraging the next generation of teachers.

High school seniors planning to major in education are eligible to apply if they have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and are involved in extracurricular activities. In your application, write about why you believe it is important to educate and mentor today's youth.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Published August 1, 2022
Essay Topic

Please share why you believe that education and mentoring of the youth are important.

400–600 words

Winning Application

Teonna Brown
Oklahoma City Community CollegeOklahoma City, OK
Education, in general, is essential. But Elementary education is shaping the lives of our future generations by instilling education in them from an earlier age. Early childhood education is important because I always struggled with teaching. I never felt like I could ask for help, so I want to make asking for help a priority for kids and let them know that it's okay to mess up, it's okay to ask for help, and it's okay not to know everything. I have the opportunity to shape the lives of our future generations, and that would be so rewarding for me, knowing I'm shaping their minds one day at a time. I've always loved watching kids grow up and form opinions of their own; it brings me joy to see how every kid impacts my life daily. I feel like I wouldn't be who I am today without each of my encounters with kids because they taught and continue to teach me something new every day. My goal is to encourage children to overcome obstacles and challenges. I teach them things they'll use for the rest of their lives, and they teach Me something every day. Working with kids makes me want to be a better person. I always say if they can get through life, then I can. They make me realize I can't stress about everything; I can live in the moment. Finally, I've always been told that “teachers don't get paid enough” or you're working for nothing. But to me, teaching isn't nothing. Teaching is the most significant reward life could offer me; knowing I'm helping a parent help their child succeed is the biggest reward, making every bit of teaching worth it. I'm teaching them to think for themselves, not just teaching them from a book every day and expecting them to run with it. Every kid I've come across, I've always embraced them as my own, and I'm fully prepared to treat every one of my students as I would treat my own. Education is essential in every aspect, but I feel as if early childhood is most important because it sets the tone for the rest of their lives. Kids are an enormous part of my life as they make me who I am today. So to be able to have the opportunity to shape their minds would be a true blessing. Teonna Brown 1-31-23

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Mar 1, 2023. Winners will be announced on Mar 31, 2023.