Red Pandas Will Be My Friends by Brandon

Red Pandas Will Be My Friends by Brandon - May 2023 Scholarship Essay

I have always loved animals. As a child I loved going to the zoo, taking walks in the park while feeding ducks and turtles, and playing with my pets at home. Above all other creatures, I was captivated by birds. I couldn’t get enough of them. I loved their beauty and grace, and as early as first grade I began talking about how I wanted to become an ornithologist.

Over the years, my love for birds has not waned, but my desire to work with all animals has increased greatly. My interest in animals led me to pursue classes in high school that would allow me to work with any kind of creature available to me. I have taken several research classes that have enabled me to research aquatic animals, as well as hydroponic and aquaponic systems. In the few years I have taken these classes, I have been fortunate enough to work with tilapia, sea urchins, algae, jellyfish, crabs, oysters, salamanders, bamboo shrimp, and several other incredible creatures. Additionally, I have designed and built four hydroponic systems that are used in other classes at my high school.

I plan to attend West Liberty University to major in Biology/Zoo Science and Applied Conservation. The ZooSci program will provide so many opportunities for practical, hands-on experience with a wide array of animals on campus, as well as with coordinating classes at the local Oglebay’s Good Zoo. I will learn about animal care and participate in the design and construction of animal habitats, while learning best practices for conservation.

My experiences at West Liberty University will be memorable and extremely rewarding. I will take classes next to enclosures filled with snakes and an Asian water monitor named Norbert, and study on benches beside lemurs and snow leopards. Immersed amongst animals, their handling and care will maintain my focus. Ultimately, I will celebrate the day when I lovingly embrace the red pandas, as they will become my friends.

I’m so excited about attending college and majoring in an area I am extremely passionate about. The classes at WLU are diverse and the program has the ability like no other I’ve seen to accelerate my growth compared to peers in this field.