Tell us a little bit about yourself and your plans for college.

I'm a high-achieving student with a strong work ethic. I have maintained a 4.00 GPA throughout my entire school career and scored well on Advanced Placement and Standardized tests (33 ACT composite). Because of my tendency to strive to do the best I can, I have received numerous awards and have participated in selective programs, such as: Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA), the 43rd Annual Youth Salute, the AP Scholar Award, and the KMEA All-State Choir. Additionally, I was accepted into the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program (GSP).

Extra-curricular activities have also played a big role in my life. Balancing school workload along with activities such as the National Honor Society, Marching Band, Pep Band, Musical Theater, Choir, Ladies Ensemble, and Chamber Singers can be challenging. They all require planning and occasional schedule shuffling to make them work together. But, such endeavors come with their own rewards and personal growth opportunities that can’t always be found in a book.

In addition to my academic and extra-curricular activities, I am giving of my time. Volunteerism was instilled in me at an early age and I have continued it throughout high school. Since 2014 I have amassed over 400 hours of community service. I endeavor go above and beyond in all things, and I believe that this makes me an excellent choice for this scholarship.

I plan to attend the University of Kentucky this fall and will major in engineering and minor in music. I have no illusions that engineering will be an easy field to study in. Not only will college be difficult to complete because of the workload associated, but finding a career will be just as difficult because of the competitive nature of the industry. I plan to meet these challenges by applying for co-op programs or internships that directly relate to my field of study. These will give me a "leg-up", so to speak, by strengthening my knowledge in engineering and giving me experience in the workforce.

Nora from Kentucky
High School Senior
Great Crossing High School