In 10 Years I will Be Proving People Wrong by Taryn

In 10 Years I will Be Proving People Wrong by Taryn - March 2025 Scholarship Essay

So many people have told me that women do not belong in sports, and that women do not belong advocating for veterans rights. In ten years, I see myself on television, broadcasting the largest hockey games in the world all while pursuing my interest in the American Legion Auxiliary. Journalism is the driving force informing, inspiring, and creating a lasting change in our great American society today. For me, higher education is the very foundation that will enable me to use my power to amplify the voices of veterans and women in sports alike. Through investigative reporting, media advocacy, and storytelling, I will be able to bring attention to challenges these marginalized groups face, and highlight their contributions to society. Higher education will help me tell others’ stories and amplify their important voices. Since I was raised in a military family, I have witnessed firsthand the sacrifices servicemembers make and the struggles they experience upon being honorably discharged from their service. My PopPop’s service and the health complications he endured later due to exposure to chemicals in Vietnam, as well as my brother’s transition from active duty to civilian college, have shaped my understanding of the urgent need for the advocacy of veterans and their rights. Too often, their stories are untold, left for years until someone finds them. Through my journalism education, I will learn better how to effectively report, research, and present their narratives to the public, ensuring that veterans receive the attention and support they deserve. In addition, my passion for sports has shown me a whole new world. I finally saw firsthand the barriers women continue to face in the athletic industry. The achievements of women in the sporting industry are also often overlooked and overshadowed by the mainstream media. Their successes and victory stories are also undervalued and unappreciated. With obtaining my degree in sports management and media, I will be able to develop the skills to challenge these inequalities and provide accurate and compelling coverage of women in sports. Volunteer writing with USA Ball Hockey has given me the very glimpse into the extraordinary power of journalism and how it is able to shape the public perception. Pursuing a higher education will refine my skills and broaden my network across the entire world. Whether through investigative journalism, broadcast reporting, or featured articles on the world of sports, or the world of veteran advocacy, I need to shed light on the voices who have gone unheard. Beyond the newsroom, and beyond the sports field, my education will propel me into connecting my two passions. Journalism changes lives. Stories change lives. Sometimes all people need is to be heard. Earning my degree is more than just a personal, selfish goal, it is a necessary step towards creating real change in our world. It’s going to be challenging to fund my education, but I know it will be incredibly rewarding. But nothing in my life will be as rewarding as telling the stories of those whose voices are being silenced. I am committed to using my voice and my determination to champion veterans and women in sports. After each class I take, and after each article I write, I will shape narratives and help the world see our disadvantaged brothers and sisters. Getting a higher education will help me help others’ stories be told