Building a Better World

Monica Whipple… below you’ll find excerpts from Monica’s winning essay for the Global Awareness / Community Mental Health portion of the 2021 Building A Better World Scholarship. Welcome to Monica Whipple.

Please go here to meet all three of our 2021 Scholarship Winners.

The year of the pandemic… “Being globally aware is to educate yourself on different cultures and current issues that are happening with different ethnicities in the world. For the past year, the entirety of the earth was connected by a sickly virus that was doing more than just physically harming the people in its path. The months-long isolation, what if’s, and the health anxiety that swarmed those who had headaches and coughs took an extensive toll on the mental health of those all around the world” 

A stigma… “You break your arm; what do you do? You go and see a doctor and receive help. It is that easy because you can show physical symptoms for a physical issue. So why is it different when it comes to a mental illness? When the topic of mental illness is brought up there seems to be a certain stigma around the conversation because mental illnesses such as OCD, depression, and anxiety are seen as a disadvantage or a cover-up for lazy people.”

I can only speak for myself… “when I say how hard it is living with anxiety and that is with the advantages of living in a first-world country. I was first diagnosed in fifth grade when I would feel panicked every time I left the house; this resulted in me isolating myself away from friends and family and hiding in my room. I had gotten good at managing my feelings and how I reacted since I have lived with this for over five years now. I saw firsthand what anxiety and depression did to my family members, and friends and I was thankful to have found a coping strategy so early. I had things under control or so I thought until the pandemic hit.” 

“But what can I do?…That’s what I ask myself; that’s what I’ve been asking myself since the fifth grade. I want to help people, I want to help people so they never have to feel a fraction of what I once felt and that is why I have decided to major in social work/child development. With either of these majors, I can work in a hospital setting as a child life specialist where I can help kids around me feel their best every day..”

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Monica’s Plans…“I am headed to Muskegon Community College in the fall on the Muskegon Promise. After my two years are up I have hopes of transferring to a four year university in a bigger city where I can eventually start internships for my desired career path. My plan is to major in either of the following: psychology, social work or child development where I can then work my dream job of being a child life specialist. This career has been a big goal of mine because I will be able to work with children and help them process their emotions on hospitalization and help put their and their families fears at ease to make them as comfortable as possible. I want to be able to give back to others and promote a positive and healthy mindset for as long as I can. “

Brie Pastor… below you’ll find excerpts from her winning essay for the Global Awareness portion of the 2020 Building A Better World Scholarship.

Please go here to meet all four of our 2020 Scholarship Winners.

The Bubble… “Every person has a bubble they feel comfortable living in. In that comfort zone we are confined to the walls we build ourselves. In that zone, we are unable to seek out fulfilling lives and instill ourselves new mindsets to look at the world in a new, more creative, and most importantly more appreciative way. This way of looking at the world with curiosity about life around us, with the desire to change and improve it is what it means to be globally aware.”

First World advantages… “From the minute I was born as a citizen in a first world country, I was automatically given a head start and advantage to build opportunities for myself. This is because I was provided with the proper technology, human capital, and resources that other kids in countries less fortunate don’t receive. When I wake up, I don’t have to worry about where my next meal is coming from, or if I will sleep with a roof over my head that night. These opportunities that others don’t have the privilege of gives me responsibility and diligence to give my time to become observant of the people and environments around me. My privileges also allow me to provide myself with an understanding of other cultures and to look further than my problems, that are super insignificant in the big scheme of things.” 

Getting off the couch… “Having the dream of making the most out of my knowledge of global awareness has ingrained me with the desire to help and understand the cultures around me and other problems than in my own life. It has ultimately made me realize life is about challenging yourself and getting off the couch and making a difference.”  

Serving the less fortunate… “Although, I can see myself working within the United States and more locally right away, going to third world countries, or more specifically African countries is a serious dream of mine. This would be the point in time where I could take the opportunity from my career and improve the health of those in need and that have a lack of medical resources. I know that those in third world countries are born with problems much more serious than others around me in my daily life and want to make a selfless impact by helping them.”

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Hannah Morey… below you’ll find excerpts from her winning essay for the Global Awareness portion of the 2020 Building A Better World Scholarship.

Please go here to meet all four of our 2020 Scholarship Winners.

I think I found my niche when I went to Selma, Alabama.. “in my junior year of high school…  Meeting African American people who were passionate, powerful, and angry at the injustices of the American government was eye-opening, to say the least. Their voices called out in ways that my heart yearned to learn more about. I began to read stories from black people around the world, African American and otherwise, and these books climbed to my all-time favorites. I won’t lie and say that I have learned as much from reading books as I did when I went to Selma, but those books agitated the fire in my belly.” 

It’s the rising... “Sometimes, it’s not becoming awake that is the most important, it’s what you do with that knowledge that can be a game-changer. In the words of one of the greatest musicians of my time, Hozier, “It’s not the waking, it’s the rising.” I understand that the world is  not black and white, and there are many separate histories of injustices across countless races, cultures, and countries. I want to take in as much as possible and spread this global awareness to other listening ears. Sometimes, one has to ask themselves, “If I’m so passionate about what I love, who better to follow through than me?” 

Not just for me…“So many people are asleep to the problems that plague our world and do nothing to pursue awakeness. I want to pursue a lifelong journey that opens my eyes in ways so many people are ignorant to. Even with this in mind, I don’t believe I could complete my path to becoming woke without helping others open their eyes as well. I desire educational opportunities for all, not just for myself.” 

The world is calling… “When a person claims that they want to travel, it is often accompanied by images of sandy beaches and tropical fruit drinks. However, I want to expand my horizons and search farther than any beach in the United States could offer me…. So while I am currently in Muskegon, Michigan, I know that my drive and work ethic will lead me towards other parts of the world, intertwining with my life plan. As long as I never settle, there will always be a new place, culture, or person for me to search and to become acquainted with.”

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Hannah’s plans:  “I plan to attend Aquinas College for a major in either  journalism or political science. I would be fine working with either major because I plan to become a reporter or political podcaster who discusses issues from around the globe. I chose Aquinas because I visited the campus shortly before the Covid-19 quarantine and its beauty and simplicity drew me in. Since I have won the Global Awareness Scholarship, paying off my loans won’t be nearly as hard compared to doing it on my own. Once out of college, I want to expand my reach across the world and help those who need it. Dedicating my life’s work to those who need it would be the best possible outcome for my life.“

Serenity Marie Johnson… below you’ll find excerpts from her winning essay for the Global Awareness portion of the 2020 Building A Better World Scholarship.

Please go here to meet all four of our 2020 Scholarship Winners.

To be Globally Aware...”In order to succeed both academically and socially in this incredibly interconnected world, we must first recognize, understand, and respect, to work well with others from various cultural backgrounds. To be globally aware means that you understand what is going on around you and you are not limiting your knowledge to just your backyard. Although it is important to educate yourself on what is going on across the globe, it is equally important to know what is happening in your hometown.”

This is because people who are awake are also more understanding… “They know what it means to walk in somebody else’s shoes. Countless individuals greet their fear of the unknown with violence. If you are globally aware and understand the lives and values of foreign cultures, there is no need to be fearful. Less fear means less violence. We must maintain an open mind filled with endless possibilities to continue pushing the boundaries of what it means to be awake and globally aware.” 

I aspire to take charge… “Throughout high school I have never settled for just one answer; I needed to know more. I will continue to ask peers and faculty members for more information on a topic if I am unaware. I aspire to be someone who won’t just sit on the outside looking in. If I see an issue, I will take charge and there will be change. I plan to take this eagerness for learning and knowledge with me into all of my future endeavors.” 

I plan to become a nurse... “As a nurse, you must understand what is going on around you all the time…Especially in times such as these, it is apparent that our healthcare workers are a major piece to the puzzle. It is important that they understand what impacts they have on people’s lives I know now—even as a CNA—that it is vital you respect your patient’s personal beliefs while taking care of them and your co-workers’ personal beliefs while working with them, even if those beliefs do not comply with your own.”

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Serenity’s plans… “To start my journey I will be attending Muskegon Community College in the fall with the Muskegon Promise. Here I will pursue an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science to become a Registered Nurse. After this, I plan to enter Michigan State University’s RN to BSN Community College Partnership Program in order to obtain my Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Nursing. Even after this, I have plans to continue my education in hopes of becoming a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. My ultimate goal within my work is to be aware, awake, and to educate others. I believe we—as members of the human race—have a responsibility to pass our knowledge onto others and to help those who are less fortunate. I am beyond excited to see where my journey takes me.”

Congratulations to our OHS 2020 Building A Better Scholarship Winners. Please check out the links below – to learn more about four driven, intelligent, and thoughtful young ladies. Each will receive a $2500 scholarship from the Building A Better World Scholarship.

Please go here for information on how to donate to and to learn more about our Scholarship. Any further donations in 2020 will be divided up among our four winners. 57 Scholarships. Over $80,000 since 2003.

• Serenity Johnson – Please go here to meet Serenity Johnson.
• Hannah Morey – Please go here to meet Hannah Morey.
• Brie Pastor – Please go here to meet Brianna Pastor.
• Macy Whipple – Please go here to meet Macy Whipple.