Growing up, sports and volunteering played a significant role in my life. In addition to my academic pursuits in high school, I was on the high school soccer team. As a freshman, I learned our coach needed help with the middle school team. I offered to serve as the youth trainer for the team. I assisted the coach with drills during practices and coached the defense during games, allowing the coach to focus on the offense. In my sophomore year, as the captain of my club soccer team, I had the opportunity to further develop my leadership skills. Our coach was also the head of the club association. When he was tied up with other activities, I stepped in to lead practices rather than having them canceled. During my junior year, I was asked by my Youth Minister to lead a four-week soccer camp. While a volunteer at Vacation Bible School and other children’s activities, he had observed my ability to engage with children of all ages and abilities and, because of my affinity for soccer, believed I would be a perfect fit. I came directly from school each week with a plan for activities and, along with a group of volunteers, ensured every child enjoyed their time while also learning basic soccer skills. Now in my senior season, I was selected captain of the soccer team. I employ the leadership and soccer skills I have honed for the last four years and I emulate the behaviors and habits for my teammates that I know will lead to a successful season. Along with sports, Volunteering invested in me the importance of giving back to my community and helping those in need. One of the most memorable volunteering experiences I had was organizing a food drive for Thanksgiving. Seeing the joy on the faces of families who received a basket full of food made me realize that I could make a difference in the world. It was a humbling experience to know that I could help make someone's holiday a little brighter. Athletic and community service helped me develop values and skill sets, that I will use throughout my life. Attending university is the next step in my academic and professional journey, and I plan to major in Business Administration. My interest in this field stems from my desire to make a positive impact on society through entrepreneurship and business innovation. I believe that the skills and knowledge I acquire through this program will help me develop a strong foundation in business principles, including financial management, marketing, and strategic planning. I am eager to use these skills to start my own business, create job opportunities for others, and contribute to economic growth and development. Receiving this scholarship would mean alleviating some of the financial burdens of higher education. My childhood wasn't easy, and my family struggled to make ends meet, but I was fortunate enough to have a support system that always had my back. As I grew older, I realized that not everyone had that same privilege, and it ignited a passion within me to help those who were less fortunate. That's when I began volunteering, and I quickly fell in love with the work. For me, community service was a way to give back and make a positive impact on the world. I knew that there would always be someone out there who was worse off than me, and I wanted to do my part to lift them up, just as others had done for me. Thank you.”

Sports and volunteering played a major role in my life growing up. Activities, like soccer, have not only kept me active and engaged, but they have also had a profound impact on my mindset and personal growth. As a freshman on the high school soccer team, I learned our coach needed help with the middle school team. I offered to serve as the youth trainer for the team. I assisted the coach with drills during practices and coached the defense during games, allowing the coach to focus on the offense. In my sophomore year, as the captain of my club soccer team, I had the opportunity to further develop my leadership skills. Our coach was also the head of the club association. When he was tied up with other activities, I stepped in to lead practices rather than having them canceled. During my junior year, I was asked by my Youth Minister to lead a four-week soccer camp. While a volunteer at Vacation Bible School and other children’s activities, he had observed my ability to engage with children of all ages and abilities and, because of my affinity for soccer, believed I would be a perfect fit. I came directly from school each week with a plan for activities and, along with a group of volunteers, ensured every child enjoyed their time while also learning basic soccer skills. Now in my senior season, I was selected captain of the soccer team. I employ the leadership and soccer skills I have honed for the last four years and I emulate the behaviors and habits for my teammates that I know will lead to a successful season. Along with sports, Volunteering invested in me the importance of giving back to my community and helping those in need. Volunteering and serving play a major role in personal growth and development. This was especially true for me growing up in a low-income household. I have always been aware of the struggles that many people in my community face. I knew that I wanted to make a difference, so I started volunteering at a local food bank when I was just 14 years old. Through this experience, I saw firsthand the impact that one person can make in the lives of others. One of my most memorable experiences as a volunteer was organizing a food drive for Thanksgiving. Seeing the joy on the faces of families who received a basket full of food made me realize that I could make a difference in the world. It was a humbling experience to know that I could help make someone's holiday a little brighter. My childhood wasn't easy, and my family struggled to make ends meet, but I was fortunate enough to have a support system that always had my back. As I grew older, I realized that not everyone had that same privilege, and it ignited a passion within me to help those who were less fortunate. That's when I began volunteering, and I quickly fell in love with the work. For me, community service was a way to give back and make a positive impact on the world. I knew that there would always be someone out there who was worse off than me, and I wanted to do my part to lift them up, just as others had done for me. I am committed to continuing my education and pursuing my career aspirations. I believe that this scholarship would not only help me achieve my goals but also honor the memory of Lauren Czebatul. Thank you.

My name is Ian Mitchell. I am a senior in high school in SouthEast Texas. Richard Neumann said problem-solving and creative thinking are forms of art. And I too believe this sentiment to be true. Growing up, I often felt drawn to unconventional solutions to everyday problems. But that unconventional thinking was discouraged in traditional schooling, and often in society as a whole. However, I refused to let these limitations hinder me, I still found ways to make a difference in the lives of those around me. On one particular instance, I encountered a woman, a single mother, through my community service at a local shelter. She had recently lost her job and was struggling to make ends meet. She could not pay her bills and was about to lose her apartment. The group I was working with provided her with provisions and supplies for her children, but no monetary assistance. That was standard, but I recognized that her need called for more than just food and diapers. I knew I had to help, so I put my problem-solving skills into action. Doing some research, I found an online platform, GoFundMe, where people could donate money to those in need. I created a GoFundMe campaign for the women through my local shelter. This woman had a couple of months of rent paid in no time. This support allowed her a window, in between jobs, where she could search for her next employment opportunity without losing her current home. Sh and this allowed her to keep her home while she found another job. In a month she was back on her feet and off of the shelter’s support. After this initial program I started, the shelter has continued running campaigns. To this day, they highlight a different individual every couple of months and raise money. It was an amazing opportunity to further my impact on my community. After seeing the results, I realized I wanted to use my skills to help others on a larger scale. This fall, I am going to attend university to major in business. While in college, I plan to study and gain the resources, support, and knowledge, so that after graduation, and even during school, I can make a difference in the world. I plan to take a job in the business side of the education system. After working, I will apply for a grant or start a service, that analyzes the programs provided to gift and talented and creative students in public schools. I want to petition the curriculum to involve critical thinking and focus on hands-on learning, all while encouraging individual creativity. I will work to create partnerships with organizations and companies that value creativity and innovation, connecting students with internships and scholarships, like this one. These partnerships would make this plan a reality, providing the resources need for our program to supplement the current curriculum. The internships and scholarships can showcase students for colleges and jobs. Unconventional ideas, creativity, and problem-solving are crucial for solving the complex problems we face now and will face in the future. This scholarship will alleviate some of the financial burdens of college and allow me to better focus on my studies. With this scholarship and the skills and knowledge I have and will develop, I am confident I can make a meaningful impact, helping people around me and those in the rest of the world. Thank you.

My name is Ian Mitchell. I am a high school senior and I live in SouthEast Texas. I am a firm believer in giving back to the community, just as it sounds Bettty Davis was. I am applying for this scholarship, the iMatter Ministry Memorial Scholarship because it will provide me with the opportunity to further my education and continue making a positive impact. My passion for helping others began during my freshman year of high school when I volunteered at a local soup kitchen. Seeing the impact that a warm meal and a friendly smile could have on someone's day inspired me to keep giving back in any way that I could. I continued volunteering at the soup kitchen and also through other local groups. In the summer of 2019, the tropical storm Imelda devastated my hometown. Many people were still recovering from Hurricane Harvey or had just finished working with relief efforts. My family made it through both storms, so we passed this blessing on by volunteering with my church and school, and I seized the opportunity to take a strong hand in the efforts. While working with my church I told my pastor we needed to get a group of the youth together and go muck out houses in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Imelda. I wrote an email, my pastor sent it out, and that following Saturday we had a group of about 40 people ready to serve those affected by the flooding. I worked alongside other volunteers to remove water-damaged items, tear out drywall, and clean up debris. It was physically and emotionally challenging work, but knowing that we were helping families begin to recover from the storm made it all worth it. Another relief effort I organized was through my school. We held a donation drive. I was the president of the National Honor Society and National Merit Scholars club. The club and I advertised for the event collected the provisions, sorted them, and distributed the donations over 11 days. We passed out most of the supplies at a shelter, but we also got to go door-to-door passing out the rest, and we saw the gratitude and relief on the faces of those we helped. It was truly rewarding and is the reason behind my passion for community service. After high school, I am going to attend college and study business. I am going to further pursue my ambition and boldness in community service and volunteering. I will use my education and skills to make a positive impact on the world. I believe that business has the power to be a force for good, and I am committed to using my degree to give back to my community and beyond. Specifically, I plan to start a social enterprise that provides job training and employment opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness or other barriers to employment. This scholarship would mean taking some of the financial burdens of higher education away from my family and me. On my college campus and at my job I want to continue expressing my desire to help others with community service and volunteering. I am dedicated to making a difference in the world. Thank you.

My name is Ian Mitchell. I am a senior in high school in SouthEast Texas. As a student in today's society, it can be challenging to stay true to yourself and pursue your passions amidst the pressures of social conformity. However, I firmly believe that individuality is a beautiful characteristic that drives innovation and creativity, and I have always strived to be a Maverick who stands out from the crowd. One personal story that exemplifies my Maverick spirit occurred during my sophomore year of high school. At that time, my classmates were all applying to the same two universities: prestigious Rice and local and popular Texas A&M. They were all hoping to follow the same path to success. While I respected their choices, I knew deep down that I wanted something different. Rather than conforming to their expectations, I decided to forge a different path, one of my own, and apply to a lesser-known university, The University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, because their college offered unique programs in my area of interests, business, and sustainability services. It wasn't an easy decision, and many of my friends and family members were skeptical of my choice. However, I was confident in my decision, knowing that it was the right one for me. I was accepted into the program and have excelled ever since, proving that being a Maverick can lead to success and fulfillment. What makes me unique is my passion for economic and environmental sustainability. Ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by the natural world and have worked tirelessly to educate myself and others on how to live more sustainably. I volunteer regularly at a local nature reserve, leading educational tours and organizing cleanup efforts. Additionally, I founded an environmental club at my school, where we work to reduce waste and promote sustainable living in our community. Moving forward, I plan to continue giving back to my community by pursuing a career in environmental advocacy. I hope to inspire others to embrace their individuality and pursue their passions, just as I have. I know that being a Maverick can be challenging at times, but I believe that it is a valuable and necessary quality in today's society. By standing out from the herd and being true to ourselves, we can make a positive impact on the world around us. Ambition. Drive. Uniqueness. I embody the qualities of a Maverick and am excited about the opportunity to be considered for the Maverick Saloon and Grill scholarship. I plan to use my individuality to make a positive impact on my community and the world as a whole. Receiving this award would alleviate some of the financial burdens of higher education. So I thank you for your consideration.

Volunteering and serving play a major role in personal growth and development. This was especially true for me growing up in a low-income household. I have always been aware of the struggles that many people in my community face. I knew that I wanted to make a difference, so I started volunteering at a local food bank when I was just 14 years old. Through this experience, I saw firsthand the impact that one person can make in the lives of others. As I continued to volunteer at the food bank, I began to realize that this was more than just a way to help others. It was also a way for me to develop skills and gain new experiences. I learned how to work in a team, communicate effectively, and be a leader. These skills have not only helped me in my volunteer work but have also prepared me for my future career goals. One of my most memorable experiences as a volunteer was organizing a food drive for Thanksgiving. Seeing the joy on the faces of families who received a basket full of food made me realize that I could make a difference in the world. It was a humbling experience to know that I could help make someone's holiday a little brighter. Through my volunteer work, I've also learned about the importance of supporting overall well-being, which is something that the Voila Natural Lifestyle Scholarship is aligned with. I've seen firsthand how a lack of access to healthy food and resources can impact a person's physical and mental health. This is why I'm committed to continuing my work in the non-profit sector and pursuing a degree in public health. Receiving the Voila Natural Lifestyle Scholarship would be an incredible honor and would help me achieve my educational goals. As a low-income student, I've faced many financial barriers when it comes to pursuing higher education. This scholarship would provide me with the financial support I need to continue my academic journey and achieve my career aspirations. In addition to the financial support, winning this scholarship would also give me the confidence to continue pursuing my goals. It's not easy to be a student from a low-income household, but this scholarship would show me that there are people and organizations out there who believe in me and my potential. Overall, my experience with non-profit and volunteer work has shaped my personal growth and future goals. Through my work, I've gained valuable skills, learned about the importance of supporting overall well-being, and developed a passion for public health. Receiving the Voila Natural Lifestyle Scholarship would not only provide me with financial support but would also give me the confidence to continue pursuing my dreams. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my story and hope that it will inspire others to get involved in their communities and pursue their goals. My childhood wasn't easy, and my family struggled to make ends meet, but I was fortunate enough to have a support system that always had my back. As I grew older, I realized that not everyone had that same privilege, and it ignited a passion within me to help those who were less fortunate. That's when I began volunteering, and I quickly fell in love with the work. For me, community service was a way to give back and make a positive impact on the world. I knew that there would always be someone out there who was worse off than me, and I wanted to do my part to lift them up, just as others had done for me.

As a high school senior, I have always been passionate about getting involved in my community and making a positive impact. I believe that giving back to others is an important part of life and something that can truly change the world. My inspiration to get involved in my community stems from a desire to make a difference in the lives of others and to help create a better world for everyone. Over the past few years, I have been involved in various volunteer and community service projects. One of my most meaningful experiences was volunteering at a local food bank. I helped sort and distribute food to families in need, and it was incredible to see the impact that a simple act of kindness can have on someone's life. I also volunteered at a local animal shelter and helped care for the animals. It was amazing to see how much the animals appreciated even the smallest gestures of kindness. Last summer, I volunteered at a local homeless shelter and had the opportunity to work closely with one of the residents. This individual, who we'll call "John," had been struggling with addiction and was homeless for several months before coming to the shelter. During my time at the shelter, I spent several hours a week talking with John and helping him prepare for job interviews. I was able to help him create a resume, practice interviewing skills, and even helped him find appropriate clothing for interviews. A few weeks later, John came to me with great news: he had landed a job and was offered a place to live. I was thrilled for him and felt proud to have played a small role in his journey toward stability. It was incredibly rewarding to see the impact that a little bit of support and encouragement can have on someone's life. In addition to volunteering, I have also been involved in several community service projects. I organized a community cleanup event, where I worked with other volunteers to clean up a local park. It was a great way to bring people together and make a difference in our community. I also helped organize a charity run to raise money for a local homeless shelter. It was a lot of work, but seeing the impact that the event had on the community made it all worthwhile. Winning the Walking in Authority International Ministry Scholarship would be an incredible opportunity. Receiving this award will alleviate some of the financial burdens of higher education. Doing so will allow me to better focus on my studies, and I will have the temporal freedom to continue to make a positive impact in my community. My passion for getting involved in my community stems from a desire to make a positive impact and help create a better world for everyone. Through my volunteer and community service experiences, I have learned the power of kindness and the importance of giving back to others. With this scholarship, I will continue making a positive impact and pursuing my dreams, and be one step closer to my dream of attending college and furthering my education. I would also be able to continue volunteering and giving back to others, which is something that brings me great joy and fulfillment. Thank you.