It wasn’t until the summer of my senior year of high school that I discovered forensic accounting and realized it was the right field for me. After learning about the role forensic accountants play in uncovering financial fraud and ensuring transparency, I became determined to pursue a career in this area. As a student studying forensic accounting and fraud examination, I am committed to using my skills to make a meaningful impact in preventing financial crimes and protecting the integrity of businesses and individuals. Forensic accounting aligns with my values of honesty, integrity, and fairness. Financial fraud has far-reaching consequences, from harming businesses to damaging trust in the financial system. I am particularly passionate about using my expertise to support investigations that involve serious criminal activity, such as human trafficking. By working with organizations like the FBI, I hope to contribute to taking down human trafficking rings by identifying illicit financial activities and disrupting criminal networks. This work would not only allow me to pursue my passion for financial investigation but also contribute to the fight against one of the most pressing human rights violations of our time. Although I only discovered forensic accounting in the summer of my senior year, the more I learned about the field, the more convinced I became that it was the right fit for me. I have always been driven by a desire to make a difference, and forensic accounting provides an opportunity to do so in a meaningful way. The challenge of investigating financial crimes and helping organizations maintain ethical practices excites me, especially when it means contributing to the larger fight against human trafficking. My motivation to pursue this career is deeply personal. I’ve seen the devastating impact that financial fraud can have on both individuals and organizations, and this has only strengthened my resolve to work in a field that protects others from harm. Like John Young, whose dedication to excellence in his field inspired many, I am committed to upholding the highest standards of ethics in my career and contributing to the fight against financial crime and human trafficking. Looking ahead, I want to not only work as a forensic accountant but also actively support efforts to combat human trafficking through financial investigations. I hope to work alongside law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, to uncover the financial transactions that fund trafficking networks and bring perpetrators to justice. Through ongoing learning and professional development, I aim to stay at the forefront of both forensic accounting and human trafficking investigations. In conclusion, I am pursuing forensic accounting because it offers me the opportunity to combine my passion for justice with my commitment to maintaining integrity in the financial world. This scholarship will help support my education and bring me one step closer to achieving my goal of becoming a trusted expert in forensic accounting, working to ensure honesty, transparency, and justice for those affected by human trafficking.

When I was 10, I lost my grandpa on my mom's side. I spent more than seven years of my life living in my grandparents' house, so my grandpa and I were incredibly close. Every day after school, we’d sit down and watch old TV shows together—The Rifleman, Walker: Texas Ranger, Gilligan’s Island, The Andy Griffith Show. Even after he went blind due to complications from diabetes, we kept watching Family Feud. He would often guess the number-one answer on the first try, and I was always amazed at how sharp he was. Despite his health challenges, he stayed positive and happy until the very end. When my grandpa passed, it was completely unexpected. The doctors said it was congestive heart failure, but we suspect negligence from his caretakers. He passed on August 17, 2016, a day I remember vividly. That night, I was incredibly sick with a terrible stomach flu. My mom left to visit him at the hospital after hearing he wasn’t doing well, and my dad came to pick me up. All night, I was throwing up, miserable, and unaware of what was to come. In the middle of the night, my dad woke me up to tell me my grandpa had passed away. At first, I refused to believe it. I didn’t cry because it didn’t feel real. It wasn’t until his funeral, when I saw him lying lifeless in his casket, that it finally hit me. Seeing him that way was traumatizing, and it broke me. That was the first time I cried about his passing. I’d never experienced a loss like that before. For years after, anytime I got very sick, I was terrified someone else I loved would die. The fear stayed with me for about five years. When I was 15, I met my boyfriend. We’ve been together for almost four years now, and I love him so much. One day, I started crying uncontrollably, but it wasn’t for the reason you might think. I was devastated that my grandpa would never get to meet this amazing boy who means so much to me—and that my boyfriend would never get to meet the grandpa I looked up to and adored. I haven’t attended a funeral since my grandpa’s passing. I’m genuinely scared of going to one. The memories I have of him are still so emotional for me. It’s even harder when I realize that some of those memories are starting to fade. He passed when I was only 10, and it hurts knowing that time is taking pieces of him from me. My grandpa was such a kind, loving man, and I strive every day to be like him. I try to be understanding, compassionate, and forgiving toward others, even when they’ve hurt me. Losing him was one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced, but I wouldn’t trade the time I had with him to avoid the pain of his loss. He shaped me into who I am today, and for that, I’ll always be grateful. I hope that one day we will be reunited in heaven where I can share with him my accomplishments. He has inspired me to continue my education and strive to change the world. I am studying forensic accounting and fraud examination with a minor in psychology while playing softball at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ--after which I hope to work for the FBI and aid them in taking down human trafficking rings. Thank you for taking the time to read about my grandpa and I's story.

My name is Kayli Clark, and I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination with a minor in Psychology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. Alongside my studies, I play softball for the university—a sport that has taught me resilience, teamwork, and the drive to be my best. Faith has always been a grounding force in my life, even though I’m the only religious one in my family. While we’ve always supported each other, my journey in Christianity is something I’ve explored independently. It has given me a sense of purpose and perspective that I carry with me in both my academics and athletics. My family’s values of hard work and perseverance still align with my faith, and these shared traits remind me how we’re all connected, even when our beliefs differ. Balancing my education and sports has been a challenge, but it’s one I thrive on. My program in forensic accounting and fraud examination is intense, but I’m fascinated by solving puzzles, digging into details, and uncovering truths—whether it’s in a spreadsheet or a game situation. Adding a minor in Psychology has helped me better understand people’s behaviors, which I think is just as important as the technical side of my field. Looking ahead, my goal is to build a career where I can make an impact by investigating financial crimes and ensuring integrity in the financial world. Fraud damages lives in ways people don’t always see, and I want to be someone who helps restore order and fairness. My experiences as a softball player have taught me to stay focused, handle pressure, and trust my team—qualities I know will serve me well in any professional setting. I’ve also learned a lot from my time on the field about how to respond when things don’t go your way. Whether it’s a tough loss or a bad play, you can either let it hold you back or find a way to grow from it. I try to bring that same mindset into everything I do, whether it’s in my faith, my studies, or my relationships with others. Stephan Wolley’s story is inspiring not because of the tragic way it ended, but because of the values he lived by. His commitment to faith, family, and competition reminds me why I keep pushing myself. This scholarship would mean a lot as I continue to pursue my education and athletic goals, but more than that, it’s a chance to honor the kind of dedication and drive that Stephan exemplified. Thank you for considering my application.