2024 Scholarship Recipients

Q: What does it mean to you to receive this scholarship?
A: Receiving this scholarship is making my college education easier.

Q: Is there someone in your life that has inspired you to achieve your goals?
A: My partner. They make my life more manageable, and my community has supported me.

Q: What are you passionate about? What do you do in your free time?
A: Art and music. I play the guitar and paint. I thought I wanted to go to school for art, but then I pivoted to environmental science.

Q: Do you know where you’ll be going to school in the fall?
A: I'm leaning toward Randolph Macon.

Q: Have you decided on a major? If so, do you have any specific career plans?
A: Environmental science. I really want to work in conservation and help the planet. Someone needs to make a change.

Q: What do you consider your strongest character trait?
A: Resilience.

Q: Do you feel that overcoming an obstacle like you have has changed you? What lessons have you learned along the way?
A: Absolutely, it's affected my outlook on life.

Q: What advice would you give younger students facing their own challenges?
A: Keep pushing, there are times where it feels like its not going to get easier or better.

Q: Is there someone in your life that inspired you to achieve your goals?
A: My sister Lucia.

Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: I hang out with my friends and try new things.

Q: What college are you attending in the fall?
A: James Madison University

Q: Have you decided on a major?
A: I will be double-majoring in nursing and psychology.

Q: What do you consider your greatest character trait?
A: I'm outgoing.

Q: Do you feel that overcoming obstacles have changed you?
A: I've learned not to take family for granted. Little arguments just aren't worth it.

Q: What advice would you give younger students facing their own challenges?
A: Keep trying, and don't let obstacles define you.

Q: What does it mean to you to receive this scholarship?
A: I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity, and I am honored to be recognized as someone who has made it through difficult times to get to where I am today.

Q: Is there someone in your life that has inspired you to achieve your goals?
A: When I was three years old, my family moved to Virginia from Minnesota so that my dad could attend school to become a Physician Assistant. My parents' leap of faith instilled a belief to always fight for your goals, even if you have to leave your comfort zone to do so.

Q: What are you passionate about? What do you do in your free time?
A: I am on my school's track and field team. I love to be able to lead younger athletes and spark their passion for the sport.

Q: Do you know where you’ll be going to school in the fall?
A: I will be attending Christopher Newport University.

Q: Have you decided on a major? If so, do you have any specific career plans?
A: I am majoring in Biology on a pre-med track.

Q: What advice would you give younger students facing their own challenges?
A: While this may be the hardest thing you have ever gone through, you will come out stronger on the other side. You will be different, but you may find yourself in the process.

Q: What do you consider your strongest character trait? Please explain.
A: I am tenacious. I set goals and push to reach them, no matter the setback or challenge.

Q: Do you feel that overcoming an obstacle like you have has changed you? What lessons have you learned along the way?
A: The challenges in my life have taught me that I am capable of more than I ever thought possible and that while the setbacks will change me, I will never lose myself.

Q: What does it mean to you to receive this scholarship?
A: From the emotional aspect, it means people recognizing the effort I've put in. It's rewarding to know that people recognize the work I'm doing.

Q: Is there someone in your life that has inspired you to achieve your goals?
A: Both of my grandpas. They come from a similar story. One was the son of a coal miner and grew up poor, but made a great life for himself and made something out of nothing. My other grandpa had a bunch of siblings but got his doctorate and was a dean at a local college. You can't let your environment affect you.

Q: What are you passionate about?
A: Swimming and anything involving swimming, and coaching. Seeing a lesson click and seeing people improve is very rewarding.

Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: My swim lesson program, and volunteering.

Q: Do you know where you’ll be going to school in the fall?
A: The United States Coast Guard Academy!

Q: Have you decided on a major? If so, do you have any specific career plans?
A: Government with a concentration in international relations. The dream would be to work in the state department.

Q: What advice would you give younger students facing their own challenges?
A: Don't be afraid to reach out to others. You have a support system of friends, family, and teachers. Use your resources, people are there for you.

Q: What do you consider your strongest character trait? Please explain.
A: The ability to talk to others, connecting with people, and to make friends. I used to be nervous speaking around others. So I made it a goal to talk to three people I didn't know at swim meets.

Q: Do you feel that overcoming an obstacle like you have has changed you? What lessons have you learned along the way?
A: Yes, every obstacle leads me to enjoy the reward more. I've learned to to turn challenges into a game.

Q: What does it mean to you to receive this scholarship?
A: I am very honored to receive this scholarship because the money will allow me more freedom over the summer to explore more learning opportunities and continue to build my resume. Additionally, I hope to become a lawyer and this is a great way to have my foot in the door.

Q: Is there someone in your life that has inspired you to achieve your goals?
A: My dad, David Gallagher. He is everything a father should be. He pushed me to my goals, always showing me what I was capable of. But he also showed gentleness every time I failed. My greatest comfort in life is when I am told I am just like him as it means I know I will do ok in this world. Even if they are only half right, I know I can still do incredible things.

Q: What are you passionate about? What do you do in your free time?
A: I love studying economics, history, English and foreign languages. I love working out and daydreaming about the future. Best of all, I like making and eating brownies.

Q: Do you know where you’ll be going to school in the fall?
A: I have been accepted into UVA’s class of 2028.

Q: Have you decided on a major? If so, do you have any specific career plans?
A: I don’t have an exact major in mind, but I want to go to law school and be a judge advocate general in the United States Army.

Q: What advice would you give younger students facing their own challenges?
A: Even the top students fail and have academic weaknesses. The ones who succeed are the ones who keep going. I cried my way through most of math and chemistry in high school and I still achieved all of my goals because I never put my pencil down.

Q: What do you consider your strongest character trait? Please explain.
A: My tenacity. I don’t believe I have natural skills that have brought me to success. My list of failures is longer than my list of successes. I have gotten this far because I taught myself that I could continue pushing even with teary eyes.

Q: Do you feel that overcoming an obstacle like you have has changed you? What lessons have you learned along the way?
A: Facing challenges has made me a better person and a better teammate. Growing up I had extremely supportive parents and an easy life, which made me very hard on others even if they didn’t have all the tools I had. As I grew up and failed more often, I became a more sympathetic person who can now help others succeed as well. After all, the more bridges you build on your way to the top, the more people you will have to celebrate with when you finally get to the top.

Q: Is there someone in your life that inspired you to achieve your goals?
A: My dad. He works to support us and pushed me to do my hardest at school. That's where my love of learning comes from.

Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: I babysit kids, go to the gym, and play sports.

Q: Where ae you going to school in the fall?
A: UVA

Q: Have you decided on a major?
A: I want to study kinesiology, then go into sports and work in physical therapy.

Q: What do you consider your strongest character trait?
A: My independence.

Q: Has overcoming obstacles given you any life lessons?
A: I learned that you can get out of life anything that you put into it.

Q: What advice would you give younger students facing their own challenges?
A: Just keep going. The hard times don't last forever. Your hard work will pay off.

Q: Is there anyone in your life that has inspired you to achieve your goals?
A: My mom. She is the hardest worker I know and she helps me and everyone, everyday. She has overcome a lot of challenges.

Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: I love to work out, and hang out with friends and family. I like to play basketball and interact with my community.

Q: What school will you be attending in the fall?
A: Virginia Tech.

Q: Have you decided on a major?
A: Yes, civil engineering.

Q: What do you consider your strongest character trait?
A: Understanding people, and compassion.

Q: Have any obstacles you've encountered changed you?
A: Yes, and obstacles changed me for the better. Challenges are something everyone goes through and you need to take that into account. Treat everyone with kindness, because you don't know what they are going through.

Q: What advice would you give to younger students facing their own challenges?
A: Work hard. Believe in the others around you and support them too.

Q: Is there someone in your life that has inspired you to achieve these goals?
A: All of my family members played a really big part. My parents have been supportive through all my challenges and have helped me stand up for myself. My younger sister is a great person and lights up the room.

Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I love being outside. I consider myself a conservationist and an environmental activist. I love advocating in all forms. I also love reading, and sports.

Q: Where will you be going to school in the fall?
A: George Mason, as a member of the honors college.

Q: Have you decided on a major?
A: I want to major in bio-engineering and business management, with a minor in mechanical engineering. I want to design hearing aids and cochlear implants.

Q: What do you consider your strongest character trait?
A: I believe myself to be honest, and I'm able to communicate and advocate for what I believe in.

Q: What lessons have you learned from overcoming obstacles?
A: I am now a little less afraid of being who I am. That was the first step in defining who I am and my character.

Q: What advice would you give younger students facing their own challenges?
A: I would say to always be true to who you are. Don't let someone else decide what you should or shouldn't do.

Q: Is there someone in your life that inspired you to achieve your goals?
A: My late grandmother.

Q: What are you passionate about?
A: Helping people. I want to make my generation's lives easier, and other people's lives easier.

Q: Have you decided on a major?
A: I want to study pre-med and science and become a doctor.

Q: What do you consider your strongest character trait?
A: My ambition, and the drive to be great.

Q: Has overcoming obstacles taught you anything?
A: It's changed my outlook on life. I learned not to judge, because everyone has problems. Just focus on being the best person you can be.

Q: What advice would you give younger students facing their own challenges?
A: Keep going, and don't give up on your dreams.

Q: Is there someone in your life that inspired you to meet your goals?
A: My parents are very important to me. They motivated me to be the very best that I could be.

Q: What do you do in your spare time?
A: I'm involved on my school's yearbook staff, and I like photography. I also like to research vertical agriculture.

Q: Where will you be going in the fall?
A: MIT, where I will study computer science, economics, and data science.

Q: What do you consider your strongest character trait?
A: I am very passionate. If I want to do something, I will do it.

Q: What have setbacks taught you?
A: A setback is something you can learn from. You can get through anything.

Q: What advice would you give students facing their own challenges?
A: Try not to be let down when things don't work out. Be positive, and look at things in a different light. Failures can also be learning experiences.

Q: Is there someone in your life that inspired you to achieve your goals?
A: My parents are my biggest role models.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I love to dance, all types of dance.

Q: Where are you going to school in the fall?
A: Virginia Tech, for architecture.

Q: What has overcoming obstacles taught you?
A: I've learned that I am stronger than I thought. And if I have a goal I want to accomplish, I'll keep trying.

Q: What do you believe is your strongest character trait?
A: Resilience.

Q: What advice would you give to young students facing their own challenges?
A: Never give up. Believe in yourself.

Q: Is there someone in your life that has inspired you to achieve your goals?
A: My dad, he has been the most resilient person I know. He's always taking care of everyone.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I like hiking, cooking, hanging out with my friends, and doing research at school.

Q: What school will you attend in the fall?
A: The University of Southern California. I want to study business and kinesiology.

Q: What do you feel is your strongest character trait?
A: Resilience, motivation, and drive.

Q: What advice would you give to students facing challenges of their own?
A: Keep a positive attitude. Find your support system. Find something to look forward to.

Q: How has overcoming obstacles changed you? Have you learned any lessons along the way?
A: How you can inspire and connect with people is important. Being vulnerable is okay - you grow by learning from others.

Q: What are you passionate about?
A: Family, God, and community.

Q: Where will you be going in the fall?
A: Virginia Tech

Q: Have you decided on a major?
A: Yes, I'm going to study biology, with a pre med track.

Q: What are your career goals?
A: I want to be a neonatal physician.

Q: What do you consider your strongest character trait?
A: I'm driven. I'm a leader in different community organizations. People need that, and I'm a good leader.

Q: What have you learned from overcoming obstacles?
A: When you don't think something is going to happen and then it does, it's a surreal feeling. There is bad in this world, so there needs to be people who do the good.

Q: What advice would you give younger students facing their pwn challenges?
A: Speak out for what you believe in. Don't be afraid of what you need to say.

Q: Is there someone in your life who inspired you to achieve your goals?
A: My father was a Marine and suffered PTSD. He has motivated me to help as many struggling people as possible.

Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I want to raise mental health awareness with athletes.

Q: Where will you be going to school in the fall?
A: Virginia Tech

Q: Have you decided on a major?
A: I want to study psychology and criminology. I'd like to work in forensic psychology at the FBI.

Q What is your strongest character trait?
A: I'm a leader. I am the team captain on the track and field team. I am also dedicated to encouraging others, and I tutor some of my teammates to help motivate them.

Q: What have you learned from overcoming challenges?
A: That when you hit a plateau, you need to trust the process. Wherever you are where you were meant to be.

Q: What advice would you like to give students facing their own challenges?
A: It gets better, so look to the future. Take it one rep at a time, and focus on what you're doing.

Q: Is there someone in your life that inspired you to achieve your goals?
A: My mom. She is my superhero.

Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: I play tennis, and the Chesterfield SAFE organization is something I am passionate about.

Q: Have you decided on a major?
A: I'm going to study history, with a pre-law track.

Q: What's your strongest character trait?
A: Curiosity. I ask a lot of questions.

Q: Do you think obstacles have changed you?
A: Absolutely. Obstacles are my prime motivator.

Q: What advice would you give younger students?
A: Don't be afraid to ask for help.