Scholarship Essays

Scholarship Essays

Christopher J. Splinter Memorial Scholarship

2015

Colton Henry

2013

How do you see America?

Written by Elinor Sophia (Sophie) Burton

Our country is a superpower among the other countries and governments around the world, a hegemonic nation with the ability to lead, support, and protect our friends across the globe. Compared to these other countries we are so young: only 237 years old. We are a mishmash of ethnicities stemming from every corner of every land, given a goal to pursue life, liberty, and happiness and told to have at it.

In our short history we've accomplished so much. On a larger scale, we've fought wars and made peace, stationed our troops around the world to support rebels against dictatorship and help instill democracy into their governments. Our scientists have made astronomical discoveries in every field; Edwin Hubble found that our Milky Way galaxy is only one of many, an observation that drastically changed the way our place in the universe is viewed. On July 20, 1969, we challenged the frontier of space and landed on the moon for the first time in human history, and paved the way for future space expeditions. America is a country of democracy and discovery where every person has the right to ask why and find out for themselves.

On a smaller, yet equally valued, scale, we have the individuals who make up our great nation. People who come from around the world to have a share in the American dream because here, we have the unalienable right to reach for the heavens. We can make choices about the careers we want and change our minds. We can become artists, musicians, and engineers. America, I believe, is one of the most imaginative countries in the world because we have the ability to be flexible in our lives, and don't have restrictions on what information we have access to, because the individuals of the United States are given responsibilities in the form of political elections and freedom of speech that require careful thought and honest consideration. These are the people who have the right to make mistakes and learn from them.

Perfection is impossible. Complete agreement in a country whose very existence stems from the desire to have different beliefs without persecution simply can't happen. Debates will determine what needs to be done, and, yes, mistakes will be made. Dropping the atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II created a horrific disaster that must never be repeated, but, as President Truman said, was a necessary evil to end the war and prevent the deaths of American and Japanese soldiers alike that would have occurred if the war had continued. The important thing that came out of this grave event is that we chose to remember what we had done instead of hide it away and forget. By remembering our imperfections and mistakes, we better ourselves as a nation. Our leaders gain a better understanding of what we are capable of and the consequences of our actions. America's capacity to learn from the past is what makes her wise beyond her years.

How do I see America? I see a country with the potential to do great things, a land where people can pursue their dreams, and a truth and ideal worth defending.

Elinor S. Burton

Clubs, organizations, and activities:

Band, brass choir, jazz band, music theory, literary magazine, Science Olympiad, Solo and Ensemble Festival, English teaching assistant, volunteer at community- and school- based events, hope to work at the UW-Platteville Karmann library starting the summer of 2013, competed in writing competitions, UW- Platteville Summer Band Camp

Honors:

National Honor Society, high honor roll (held for all quarters throughout entire high school career), music letter, medalist at State Science Olympiad in 2012 and 2013, Tri State Honor Band member, SWC Honors Band member

Plans for the future:

I plan to attend the University of Wisconsin in Platteville to major in English and Creative Writing. Afterward, I hope to become an editor and professional writer.

Favorite writing experience:

In my article “My Thoughts on Sports”, I made a statement that band is a sport and explained why I thought so in a humorous manner. The satirical nature of the article was meant to question why athletic events are held in higher esteem than musical ones and why athletes are more idolized than musicians when musicians work as hard, if not harder, than their athletic counterparts. Some people understood this and applauded my article, while others could not see past the surface meaning and were outraged by what I had written. It became my most controversial work and while I stand by it faithfully, it really impressed on me that my classmates believed I was belittling sports by comparing them to band, and it just goes to show how powerful the written word can be.

Advice for others:

Your mistakes and shortcomings are never as overwhelmingly obvious to others as they are to yourself; you are your own worst critic. It's important to remember your failures, not dwell on them, and to remember your successes as well, because they will help you improve. Listen to the criticism of others, but keep in mind that their opinions are not the ultimate truth and moral standards that you need to meet. Rely on your own judgment to decide on whether you are right or wrong.

Senior quote:

“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.” -Og Mandino

2011

How do you see America?

Written by Seth Feldman

How do I see America? Three aspects of America come to mind that all of us experience every day but don’t really pay much attention to: opportunity, security, and a sense of pride. Here in America, all of us have the ability to choose our own life path. We have opportunities to get the best education in the world and use that knowledge for the greater good or we can choose to do whatever we want. We can safely spend our time however we please and know that help and security are never far away. And we can all have pride in what we believe. We can stand up for what we believe in and fight for what we believe in, which is the definition of America.

Within all of us is the ability to achieve greatness. What separates the great ones from most people is one simple element: opportunity. Opportunity tends to approach us when we least expect it and it could be the opportunity of a lifetime. Most people in the world don’t get to see the opportunities that I do every day: opportunities to get an education, to work with some of the most advanced technology around, to see my friends every day and know that they are safe, to spend all the time I want with my family, and the opportunity to be able to even take some things for granted. Have I ever suffered starvation? No. Have I ever faced a life threatening situation or do I have to deal with those types of situations every day? No. The opportunity to be an American is one that most people in the world would do anything for, and that opportunity is one we have been given.

Security plays a huge role in our good fortune of being able to pursue opportunities in America. There is a certain risk in taking on a new challenge or in trying something new. In my world, I feel safe enough to not only dream, but to actually believe that I can set goals to achieve those dreams. The security I have comes from a supportive family, community, school, and in a bigger picture, government. My cousin is being deployed for the second time to Afghanistan. I consider the work and efforts of our troops in those places whose world is so much different than mine as being directly responsible for the feeling of safety I have in stretching toward my dreams. I can share my goals, ask for assistance when needed, change my mind and direction, and question myself and others about beliefs and standards of behavior in order to change and grow. I am able to become the person I want to be because of the assurance of freedom I am allowed in America. Security is truly a gift, not only in big ways, but in the many small choices we get to make each day.

Having the freedom and safety to pursue opportunities and goals is something we are very proud of being able to do in America. Pride can be a useful tool in becoming a caring, responsible citizen. In America, awards and recognition come frequently for those achieving goals and accomplishing worthwhile things. My parents have received community service and job related awards; I have received community service awards, academic and athletic awards; and my brothers and friends have been recognized for various achievements. I believe pride in oneself makes you work hard to continue to be worthy of those awards. I am very proud to have received the Major Christopher Splinter Award in both my junior and senior years in PHS football. Hearing Coach Schambow’s story about Major Splinter and knowing this award represents everything Major Splinter stood for makes me work hard to continue to deserve this honor in other things I do and the good character I show. In America, we can celebrate pride in ourselves, in others for their positive contributions, and in our country as a whole.

How do I see America? I see it in the pride of a job well done by friends, family, and myself each day. I see it in the many opportunities we are allowed the freedom to choose to accept or decline. I feel it in the security of being able to set goals to become the best example of an American I can be on my own terms. The attitude of “I can, I will” is the definition of America as I see it.

Seth Feldman

School & Community Awards/Honors:

Member of National Honor Society
Senior Class President
Member of student Council, 4 Years
Attended Southwest Wisconsin Leadership Conference, nominated by PHS Staff
PHS Community Service Award, 4 Years
PHS Senior Mentor, nominated by PHS Staff to assist freshman students
Honor Roll, All Quarters-4 Years
Mentor/Role Model to 2nd Grade Student upon PHS Staff request
Member of Prom Court
Member of Homecoming Court
3-Time Sport Spotlight Recipient
Kiwanis Student of the Month
Teen of the Week
Rock in Prevention Youth Leader (AODA Program)
Wisconsin Badger Camp Volunteer
PHS School Spirit Award
Youth coach and Officiate for Platteville Youth Football, Basketball and Baseball

Athletic Awards/Honors:

Football (4 years):

Earned 3 Varsity Letters
Voted Team Captain as Junior and Senior
Winner of Major Christopher Splinter Hustle Award as Sophomore and Junior
Voted Most Valuable underclassmen as Sophomore
Earned Honorable Mention All-Conference Honors as Sophomore and Senior
Earned 2^nd Team All-Conference Honors as Junior
Member Iron Workers Club 5 years (8^th grade-senior)
Played through senior season with severe knee injury
Earned Academic All-conference Honors all 3 years as a Varsity Player

Basketball (4 years):

Earned 2 Varsity Letters
Received Aaron Bartels Courage and Leadership Award as Junior - could not play as senior because of knee surgery so volunteered as stat keeper for team
Earned Academic All-Conference Honors both years as a Varsity Player

Baseball (4 years):

Earned 3 Varsity Letters
Voted team Captain as Junior
Voted Most Valuable Underclassmen as Sophomore
Earned Honorable Mention All-Conference Honors as Sophomore
Earned Honorable Mention 2^nd team All-Conference Honors as Junior
Earned Academic All-Conference Honors all 3 years as a Varsity Player

Goals:

My goal after graduating from UW-La Crosse (Major in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Fitness) is to work as a personal trainer in a community where there might be an opportunity to also work as a Strength and Conditioning coach for an athletics program. I would like to make a positive difference in the lives of people I meet along the way by contributing to a community through youth athletics. Life skills such as leadership, pride, hard work, and teamwork are all learned in sports.

2010

What has America done for you? Or How do you see America?

Written by Kassondra Woolford

The land of the free and the home of the brave. This phrase has been repeated to the youth of America ever since we were old enough to sing them. But when we were young, the meaning of the lyrics wasn’t exactly all that important; we were too young to understand their significance. However, the current youth is now mature enough to comprehend the context of the song that summarizes the power and strength of our great nation. Today’s youth has also experienced many more things that show American spirit and pride.

For starters, growing up with the tragedy of September 11^th left a giant impression and was absolutely influential towards future decision making. It’s now embedded into the minds of young adults to protect our homeland. This way of thinking has made the war as passionate as it is. This motivation is all-inspiring, and it gives others the same united attitude. This attitude excludes all previous misconceptions, and selfishness is then transformed into selflessness.

America is the land of the free and the home of the brave, yet it’s also so much more. It’s a fortress of opportunity and equality. America is defensive yet completely welcoming. It’s impossible not to feel connected to this expanded piece of countryside, and that connectedness has clearly stood the test of time.

In brief, the camaraderie of America is contagious. America offers passion, and so many ways to outlet this passion. Whether it’s improving politics or being the aggressor on the war front, America stands ultimately united. It has been and always will be the land of the free and the home of the brave…strong and unwavering.

Kassondra Woolford