Personal Statement by Emily

Personal Statement by Emily - November 2019 Scholarship Essay

As a child, I was active in almost every activity possible. The one that stuck with me the most was 4-H. Before I had turned eight I knew that I wanted to become a member of 4-H and that I wanted to participate in sewing and cooking competitions and that I really wanted to show animals. I was very busy entering baked goods that I prepared, clothing items that I sewed myself, and of course, showing animals that I groomed and prepared for all season.
The first animal I ever showed was a pig. It was not a very pleasant experience for me when my pig jumped on my foot and I cried in front of what seemed to be all of Box Butte County! However, all was forgotten when my pig won overall market gilt. I have lost a lot more shows than I have won, but both winning and losing has taught me that life isn’t always fair and that no matter how much work I put in, there is always going to be someone better.
The first four years that I showed pigs, we always purchased them. Soon after, my mom and my grandparents decided to raise our own. Before raising pigs. I only cared for them through part of the spring and summer, but now taking care of pigs is a constant all year long. It really wasn’t a big change until the snow came and our hoses would freeze. Instead of having the luxury of using a hose we would bucket water to the hog waterers. As a weak, not very muscular 12-year-old, lugging around five-gallon buckets filled to the brim with water was a very difficult task. By the time I would finish chores, the hair that had gotten in my face would be frozen solid. This experience and others like it have instilled in me a strong work ethic and turned me into the responsible you woman I am today.
My experience of being around pigs, raising them and nursing sick ones back to health have all helped me realize my future career calling. Becoming a vet is a future I am very excited to learn more about. After graduating from high school, I will be attending the University of Nebraska Lincoln to major in Animal Science. I will then further my education by joining the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine.
I am overly blessed in the support that I have received in becoming the young woman I am today. I know that this support will be there for me throughout all of my future endeavors. Even though I will be moving across the state, I will never forget the people, blessings, and experiences that helped me get there.