Up, Up and Away by Shannon

Up, Up and Away by Shannon - April 2024 Scholarship Essay

My motivation to pursue my academic goals is my children and grandchildren. I never got that far in life in my early years. I was almost 40 years old when I made the decision to go back to school to get my cosmetology license. I graduated and took all my state tests and passed with flying colors. I worked behind the chair for 3 years and with my health problems it put a strain on my back and joints. After moving back to my home state, I made the decision to enroll in a university. I want to be able to own my own salon and be able to help the future generation.
I stay focused by having a set schedule for school, work, and personal life. As of right now I’m one of those boring 42-year-old adults. I push myself to be better than I was 20 years ago. Knowing my boys are grown and my grandchildren are just babies they all look up to me. I’m a manager at Dollar General and throw freight 5 days a week. When I get off work or when I’m not working, I’m a caretaker to my boyfriend’s mother. She broke her hip on Christmas morning and she’s not very mobile. I only have a personal life after all my chores are done for the day, which consists of about an hour or 2 before I go to bed and do it all over again the next day. I WILL finish school and show my heirs that no matter the age you can do anything you put your mind to.