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Avery Moxness

4,975

Bold Points

10x

Nominee

2x

Finalist

2x

Winner

Bio

Hi there! My name is Avery and I hope to become a Certified Child Life Specialist. Ever since being diagnosed with brain cancer, I have had an urge to help other kids who were in my same situation. Diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship is brutal. There is no other way to explain it. By becoming a child life specialist in an oncology unit, I can help patients fight. I can ease their worries, educate them about procedures, and make the hospital a less scary place. Even though I went through the disgustingly miserable experience of having brain cancer, I realized that my experience could not be whittled down to negative impacts alone. I grew into the type of person who saw the light in even the darkest of situations. I am currently majoring in Psychology. I also have minors in Art and Human Development & Family Science. I hope to bring all aspects of my life into my career. I love art, music, and reading, and hope to share those with everyone I meet. With financial help from scholarships, I can achieve my dream of graduating and applying to become a Child Life Specialist. Volunteering is another passion of mine. I instantly feel uplifted by witnessing the joy that communities can bring to those who are facing such discouraging battles. Currently, I volunteer with a local foundation who supports children with serious medical issues, like cancer. I also volunteer at my local children’s hospital where I received my cancer treatment. Connecting with other patients and giving back to help the hospital staff, fills me with immense gratitude.

Education

North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Bachelor's degree program
2022 - 2025
  • Majors:
    • Psychology, General
  • Minors:
    • Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
    • Fine and Studio Arts
  • GPA:
    4

West Fargo Sheyenne High School

High School
2017 - 2021
  • GPA:
    4

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Fine and Studio Arts
    • Psychology, General
    • Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Hospital & Health Care

    • Dream career goals:

      Certified Child Life Specialist

    • Baker

      Thunder Coffee
      2023 – 2023
    • Kennel Attendant, Receptionist

      Prairie Dog LLC
      2022 – 2022
    • Baker

      Preheat Pastry Shop
      2023 – Present1 year
    • Customer Service

      Simply Vintage
      2015 – Present9 years
    • Employee, Cashier

      Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Thrift Store
      2020 – 2020

    Sports

    Dancing

    Club
    2005 – Present19 years

    Awards

    • Dance Competition Awards
    • First Place Solo

    Research

    • Psychology, General

      North Dakota State University — Participant
      2022 – 2022

    Arts

    • JumpstART

      Visual Arts
      2022 – Present
    • Oklahoma City University

      Music
      Opera
      2021 – 2021
    • University of Mary Jazz Festival

      Music
      Small Group Jazz Ensemble
      2019 – 2020
    • University of North Dakota Honors Choir

      Music
      Concert Performance
      2019 – 2019
    • Madrigals Singers

      Music
      Various Concerts, Caroling
      2019 – Present
    • North Dakota State University Choir Festival

      Music
      Concert Performance
      2017 – 2019
    • Church Worship Band

      Music
      Weekly Services for three years
      2017 – Present
    • Trollwood Performing Arts School

      Performance Art
      Hello Dolly, Cinderella, Freaky Friday, Shrek, The Music Man
      2015 – Present
    • Red River Dance and Elite Dance Studio

      Dance
      The Nutcracker Ballet
      2005 – Present
    • High School Class

      Ceramics
      Senior Art Show, Scholastic Art Competition
      2019 – Present
    • International Thespian Society Sheyenne High School Troupe

      Performance Art
      The Outsiders, Clue, Pirates of Penzance, Found A Peanut, Titanic, Peter and the Starcatchers, Lafayette Number 1, She Kills Monsters, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Little Red Robin Hood, TAKE 5, Songs for a New World
      2015 – Present
    • Sheyenne High School Choir

      Music
      Frequent Concerts
      2015 – Present

    Public services

    • Advocacy

      Make A Wish — I spoke on the radio, television programs and social media.
      2021 – 2022
    • Volunteering

      Sanford Children's Hospital — Volunteer
      2023 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Landon's Light Foundation — volunteer
      2021 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Storybook Breakfast for Area Children — Participant, Co-Chair
      2017 – 2021
    • Volunteering

      YWCA - Women's Shelter — Chair person of project
      2020 – 2020
    • Volunteering

      Plants For Patients — Volunteer
      2018 – 2018
    • Volunteering

      Ronald McDonald House — Volunteer
      2017 – 2017
    • Volunteering

      Million Mask Challenge — Volunteer
      2020 – 2020
    • Volunteering

      Salvation Army — Chair of Project
      2020 – 2020
    • Volunteering

      Relief Crafters of America — volunteer
      2019 – 2020
    • Volunteering

      Operation Christmas Child — volunteer & coordinator
      2019 – Present
    • Volunteering

      The United Way — volunteer
      2019 – 2020
    • Advocacy

      Woodbury Elementary Library — co-chair
      2019 – 2021

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Early Childhood Developmental Trauma Legacy Scholarship
    Most people have heard about post-traumatic stress (PTSD), at some point in their life. But its counterpart, post-traumatic growth, is widely lesser known. Growing up with brain cancer, I've had intimate experiences with both. After a craniotomy to resect my tumor, I began therapy sessions at my local cancer center. The psychologist there helped me through the more difficult side of a cancer diagnosis: the mental strain. After a few months, she introduced me to the concept of post-traumatic growth. I, being newly 18, had never heard of it but was immediately interested. After my primary treatment, and several months of respite, I had an innate urge to connect with others who had shared my experiences. I started volunteering with a local foundation, called Landon's Light, which supports children with severe medical illnesses, like cancer. I instantly felt uplifted by witnessing the joy that communities can bring to those who are facing such discouraging battles. Even though I went through the disgustingly brutal experience of having brain cancer, I realized that my experience could not be whittled down to negative impacts alone. Everything changed because of my diagnosis, but I never could have imagined the growth that could become of it. I grew into the type of person who saw the light in even the darkest of situations. Brain cancer took so many things away from me. From having surgery during my senior homecoming football game to robbing my 12-year-old self of hope. But brain cancer also gave me something in return. It gave me a fighting spirit and a calling to help others. After college, I hoped to become a certified child life specialist (CCLS) in a pediatric oncology unit. Child life specialists are miracle workers within a hospital. They supply so many valuable resources to a child going through treatment and survivorship. Since my tumor went undiagnosed for five years, and I didn’t have surgery until age 17, I hope to become a CCLS to be the person I needed as a kid. To be the person to comfort my pain, ease my worry, and educate me about my diagnosis. When I was little, I was afraid I would never be able to get a job because my head hurt too bad, or I would get sick too often. Now, despite the countless migraines, vision loss, and muscle pain, I can become the hero and someone else's story. I can become a force for good to combat the evil that is childhood cancer.
    Sarah Eber Child Life Scholarship
    Most people have heard about post-traumatic stress (PTSD), at some point in their life. But its counterpart, post-traumatic growth, is widely lesser known. Growing up with brain cancer, I've had intimate experiences with both. After a craniotomy to resect my tumor, I began therapy sessions at my local cancer center. The psychologist there helped me through the more difficult side of a cancer diagnosis: the mental strain. After a few months, she introduced me to the concept of post-traumatic growth. I, being newly 18, had never heard of it but was immediately interested. After my primary treatment, and several months of respite, I had an innate urge to connect with others who had shared my experiences. I started volunteering with a local foundation, called Landon's Light, which supports children with severe medical illnesses, like cancer. I instantly felt uplifted by witnessing the joy that communities can bring to those who are facing such discouraging battles. Even though I went through the disgustingly brutal experience of having brain cancer, I realized that my experience could not be whittled down to negative impacts alone. Everything changed because of my diagnosis, but I never could have imagined the growth that could become of it. I grew into the type of person who saw the light in even the darkest of situations. Brain cancer took so many things away from me. From having surgery during my senior homecoming football game to robbing my 12-year-old self of hope. But brain cancer also gave me something in return. It gave me a fighting spirit and a calling to help others. After college, I hoped to become a certified child life specialist (CCLS) in a pediatric oncology unit. Child life specialists are miracle workers within a hospital. They supply so many valuable resources to a child going through treatment and survivorship. Since my tumor went undiagnosed for five years, and I didn’t have surgery until age 17, I hope to become a CCLS to be the person I needed as a kid. To be the person to comfort my pain, ease my worry, and educate me about my diagnosis. When I was little, I was afraid I would never be able to get a job because my head hurt too bad, or I would get sick too often. Now, despite the countless migraines, vision loss, and muscle pain, I can become the hero and someone else's story. I can become a force for good to combat the evil that is childhood cancer.
    Hicks Scholarship Award
    Most people have heard about post-traumatic stress (PTSD), at some point in their life. But its counterpart, post-traumatic growth, is widely lesser known. Growing up with brain cancer, I've had intimate experiences with both. After a craniotomy to resect my tumor, I began therapy sessions at my local cancer center. The psychologist there helped me through the more difficult side of a cancer diagnosis: the mental strain. After a few months, she introduced me to the concept of post-traumatic growth. I, being newly 18, had never heard of it but was immediately interested. After my primary treatment, and several months of respite, I had an innate urge to connect with others who had shared my experiences. I started volunteering with a local foundation, called Landon's Light, which supports children with severe medical illnesses, like cancer. I instantly felt uplifted by witnessing the joy that communities can bring to those who are facing such discouraging battles. Even though I went through the disgustingly brutal experience of having brain cancer, I realized that my experience could not be whittled down to negative impacts alone. Everything changed because of my diagnosis, but I never could have imagined the growth that could become of it. I grew into the type of person who saw the light in even the darkest of situations. Brain cancer took so many things away from me. From having surgery during my senior homecoming football game to robbing my 12-year-old self of hope. But brain cancer also gave me something in return. It gave me a fighting spirit and a calling to help others. After college, I hoped to become a certified child life specialist (CCLS) in a pediatric oncology unit. Child life specialists are miracle workers within a hospital. They supply so many valuable resources to a child going through treatment and survivorship. Since my tumor went undiagnosed for five years, and I didn’t have surgery until age 17, I hope to become a CCLS to be the person I needed as a kid. To be the person to comfort my pain, ease my worry, and educate me about my diagnosis. When I was little, I was afraid I would never be able to get a job because my head hurt too bad, or I would get sick too often. Now, despite the countless migraines, vision loss, and muscle pain, I can become the hero and someone else's story. I can become a force for good to combat the evil that is childhood cancer.
    JuJu Foundation Scholarship
    When I was five, I helped with a Pray for Gray Brain Cancer fundraiser. And by helped I mean, I put necklaces my mom made into cute little bags. This tiny act sparked an interest in community service which has since become a passion of mine. Volunteering inspires me to show compassion to everyone I meet. In turn, I have been shown kindness when I needed it most. Service is a driving force in my life and will continue to be in my future. I began to volunteer while in Girl Scouts, 4-H, and my youth group. Eventually, I completed community service on my own. I wrote notes of encouragement to surgery patients through Plants for Patients. At the Ronald McDonald House, I prepared and served meals, then cleaned their building. For the food shelf, I donated, sorted, and boxed food. I also collected school supplies for the United Way backpack project. After this, I was confident to lead and conduct my own service projects. When the Salvation Army announced they needed men’s socks, I initiated a sock drive. Every winter, I chair a Storybook Breakfast for local children. For several months, I made facemasks for Relief Crafters of America. Last summer, I obtained a van full of donations for Operation Christmas Child. At Make-A-Wish, I spoke on the radio, television, and social media to help grand more wishes. Currently, I am sewing and filling hygiene bags for the YWCA women’s shelter. For three years, I helped an elementary school media specialist who teaches in a low-income neighborhood. We conducted a major project when her school closed due to Covid-19. Students were sent home to learn, but many did not have their own books to practice reading. Therefore, we collected, sorted, and distributed appropriate level books to all five hundred students in her school. As result, almost four thousand books were gifted to students to maintain reading skills at home. I believe it is important for everyone to engage with their communities. It helps us understand the diverse backgrounds of our society and makes us more empathetic to differences. These experiences taught me to believe in myself, to be a kind human, and to show compassion every single day. Eight months ago, my commitment to helping people came full circle. After years of health issues, I was diagnosed with brain cancer myself. Pray For Gray, the exact same group that I “helped” when I little, contacted me to offer their support. In addition, my community brought me the same things I had given to them through my volunteer efforts. I worked to build a strong community and now they assisted me. Thankfully, after a craniotomy and treatment, I am now in remission and ready to attend college next fall. Due to taking time off work to heal, and my mom losing her business because of Covid-19, I need assistance to pay my college tuition. I would be grateful for the support of your scholarship. Thank you for considering me.
    Bold Moments No-Essay Scholarship
    On opening night, thousands of audience members watched as I danced onto the stage in this dazzling production. I was beyond excited to be a plate in Beauty and the Beast at my performing arts school. As one of the youngest cast members, I had the crippling thought of, “I don’t deserve to be here”. I needed to be bold to perform in this incredibly challenging musical. Through practice, hard work, and encouragement from my peers, I found my passion. A moment of boldness gave me motivation to pursue a career in Musical Theatre.