Sterling Scholars has pretty much changed my life! After I was named the nominee for my high school in Family and Consumer Science, the real work began. I have never worked harder on any project than I did on my portfolio. It caused late nights, early mornings, and the occasional tiff with my parents. Boy did it cause a lot of grief, but by the end I was sure proud of my portfolio! At the regional judging I was blown away by all of the competition and the amazing work that had been done by other students. But I was confident in all my work and tried to breathe as I interviewed. I stayed awake that night just waiting for the computer to tell the results. I was a state finalist! At the state competition I now realized that I had been preparing for this interview since I was seven years old. That’s when my mom started to teach me how to cook, bake and sew. In high school I took classes in my field and worked hard at an all-encompassing service project through FCCLA. Every service project I helped with, every time I made a pie, and every time I practiced speaking and interviewing I had been preparing for this interview. This was a culmination of all my preparations in life.
At the state ceremony I couldn’t help but feel inadequate to those around me as they boasted about awards and ACT scores. But as we stepped up on stage I realized the amazing accomplishment it was just to make it to state. They then began to announce the winner in my category and I realized that the things they were saying were true about me! The more the said, the more I realized I could actually be the winner. When they announced my name as the State Sterling Scholar I was walking on air. It was one of the greatest and happiest moments of my life. All my hard work had paid off! Because of Sterling Scholar I am now a student at the University of Utah, which I never before had considered attending. I love being a Ute and I know from Sterling Scholars, so many doors have been opened to me that will be life changing.
For all of you who are future Sterling Scholars: This program will provide opportunities that you can’t image right now! It will create an avenue not only for college, but also to finding yourself. Don’t think small in your aspirations. Begin to make a difference today and find ways to enhance your community, your home, school, and surroundings. Everything you do can enrich your life and make you a better Sterling Scholar candidate.
Rachel Kennedy with parents Ken and Nancy
