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Isis Toldson

945

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Finalist

Bio

I am the oldest of seven daughters, trying my best to live a life my family can be proud of. I am currently studying Theology with a minor in Media Communication. I am passionate about using art to tell the stories that matter to me namely, that the God of the universe wants to know you and me!

Education

Wheaton College (IL)

Bachelor's degree program
2021 - 2024
  • Majors:
    • Theology and Religious Vocations, Other
  • Minors:
    • Communication, General

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Theology and Religious Vocations, Other
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Religion

    • Dream career goals:

      Non-profit leader

      Future Interests

      Advocacy

      Politics

      Volunteering

      Philanthropy

      Entrepreneurship

      Nabi Nicole Grant Memorial Scholarship
      I was going to be a lawyer. At least, that was the plan for all of high school. As the eldest of seven daughters, I had been arguing one righteous cause or another with my parents my whole life. As with many black children, those conversations often ended with my mom saying, "You should be a lawyer since you always got something to argue about.” I had gotten into my top choice, Baylor University, but the $72,000 price tag was too much, even with the 40,000 dollars in scholarships they offered. I believe that where God guides, God provides, the only problem was that as my senior year came to a close, none of the scholarships and grants I applied for had amounted to anything. God was not providing, so maybe, He wasn't guiding either. At some point, my dad, always the problem solver asked me what I would do with a gap year. As I made suggestions about working to earn money for Baylor and an internship with a local law firm, my dad stopped me. "No, I mean, you used to say you wanted to do missions. What about that?" Parents have this habit of remembering things you don’t, and in that moment, I recalled being eight years old and feeling a calling to missions. That old passion quickly enveloped me and refused to let me go. When it was time to declare my post-graduation plans, Baylor went from a "definite" to a "possible", and eventually I removed it altogether. I graduated, and for the first time since I could remember, I didn't have a plan. I spent early summer sifting through mission programs before narrowing it down to a small program in the Northeast of England working with unchurched youth, and a nine-month program working in orphanages and building schools in poorer countries. Aside from the first option's boring location, I couldn't see the value in bringing the gospel to a country that already had it. Also, the other program was popular and more fun to talk about. After declining a follow-up with the first program, I accepted and began raising funds for The Race, but still, something wasn't right. For several weeks I woke up at three a.m. without fail. At first, I thought I was just nervous about leaving home, but as the nights dragged on, I realized that God was getting my attention. After praying and seeking counsel, it was clear that I was not supposed to do The Race, and though I hated the idea of starting all over, I knew that faithful obedience was the only right answer. The very day I withdrew my application, I received an email from the director of the program in England who said that they had been praying for me for several weeks and that they felt like God was guiding them to me. I agreed to have a follow-up conversation, and as the director told me about the dying church in England, and the spiritual darkness facing many young people, I felt a resounding “Yes” within me. The next months were a blur as funding poured in and I eventually left for England. God had guided, and He had provided too. That year changed everything for me. The degree I am now pursuing isn’t in law, but theology. My mom was almost right I do always have something to argue about. Only now I know the greatest thing I could convince anyone of is that the God of the universe wants to be in relationship with them and He died to prove it.