Soroptimist Scholarship Application Letter from Emmalee Cron

Over the years, I've performed numerous hours of volunteer work at school and in my community. By far, the most rewarding and memorable experience has been working with Independent Living Skills students at Redmond High School.

I've always believed in treating people the way you want to be treated and have never understood why some people choose to look the other way when someone is in need. I found my calling when I decided to help students with physical and/or mental disabilities.

During my sophomore year, I became acquainted with a freshman who had special needs. She has learning disabilities and also struggles to make and keep friends. Without thinking twice, I became her friend. I ate lunch with her occasionally and hung out with her before school.  While spending time together, I got to know some of her friends who also have disabilities. I wanted to help these students feel included at our school. I decided to eat lunch with a boy with cerebral palsy, every Wednesday. He told me he loved playing card games, especially Uno so I brought a deck to school and this became our lunchtime game.  Soon, many of my friends began joining us for lunch. His face lit up every time we passed each other in the hall.

I continued to eat lunch and play games with the I.L.S. students throughout the years. As Senior Class President, I  am part of the Advanced Leadership Class at Redmond High School. Part of our leadership experience involves giving back to our school or community. This year I'm an aid in an Adaptive Physical Education Class. I spend one period a week in a PE class with students who have physical and/or mental disabilities. The goal of my volunteer work is to help other students be and feel successful in school. I do all of the activities with the students and encourage them throughout the period. While cheering them on, I notice they try harder and feel a sense of accomplishment when we work out together.

This experience has taught me many things. First, it has made me appreciate my blessings. I'm grateful that I get to compete in sports and learn new concepts every day. I have no sympathy for my teammates who complain about having to run an extra lap. I know how fortunate we are to be able to run. I realized each of us wants to feel included and the smallest words of encouragement can make a world of difference. I learned that a memorable high school experience is more than being popular or being in the right social group. It's about making friends from all walks of life and stretching oneself to find similarities, rather than differences in others,

In the future, I plan to do something in a field which helps people with physical or mental disabilities. I've considered being a special education teacher. I've also thought about doing something in sports medicine to help with advancements for athletes with physical disabilities. The possibilities are endless. I truly believe I am the one who has benefited the most from my time with my I.L.S friends. They have taught me to appreciate every day and to look for the good in others.