Checking in with Emma: RedCloud Scholarship Winner

You might remember Emma, our recipient of the 4th Annual RedCloud Consulting/Dave “Hendu” Henderson Educational Scholarship in 2021. We award one hardworking and well-deserving student with this scholarship each year alongside Toys for Kids Founder and friend of RedCloud, Rick Rizzs. To read about the fall scholarship surprise at Emma’s high school, the full article in the Yakima Herald is here.

We wanted to check in with Emma now that the excitement has calmed down to see how she is doing and how her New Year has kicked off.

RC: What is new? Tell us all about what you've been up to academically since you won the RedCloud Scholarship.
EG: Lately I’ve been applying for more scholarships and I’ve been working hard to keep my 4.0, and it definitely takes some extra effort in my AP Calculus and AP English classes. I strive to graduate with the title of valedictorian and after high school, and I’ll be attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ. I’ll be majoring in Cyber Security and Intelligence, and plan on becoming a forensic accountant for the FBI. 

RC: What are your goals and aspirations? Are they the same as they were when you won, or have they changed?
EG: Those have remained the same since I received my scholarship. One major way that winning the scholarship has helped me go after my big goals is that it shows I really am capable of doing great things and earning even better achievements. 

RC: How do you use technology in your everyday life? What piece of tech can't you live without?
EG: I use technology in my everyday life to complete assignments for school, search the web when I have a random question, watch movies to keep myself entertained, and to stay in contact with my friends. I’d say out of all the types of technology, my phone would be most important because I use it most often.

RC: If you could solve one problem in the world today, what would it be and why?
EG: If I could solve one problem in the world, it would be to have proper mental health support systems that people are 100% comfortable with. When someone has a reliable person or group they can go to for help and to rant, that can better their state of mind and sometimes that can give them the courage to confront their obstacles and personal problems, whether it be at home, at school, or be in relationships with people in their life. 

RC: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us about you, your experience, or advice you'd give other young people about pursuing higher education?
EG: As for advice to younger people pursuing higher education, I know that it’s hard to truly find what you want to do, but that’s ok. Many people struggle with finding their true dream job or their purpose. Just try to picture yourself doing that 20 years later and imagine if you’d still be happy or not. If you don’t have a drive for that line of work or idea, then change it to whatever you need to. Procrastinating can really sneak up on you, and I’ll admit I still do it often, but through school, and even life, if you’re able to find a system or a routine, that can help a lot. Even if you set smaller goals about what you want to complete that day, and you accomplish those goals, give yourself a small reward, like hanging out with friends, or you can have your favorite candy bar. Just do what’s best for you and what makes you happy, and you’ll do great!
Thanks for the sound advice, Emma! We admire her tenacity and know she will do great in her future. Look for future updates once she starts her college career next year!
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Click here to learn more about Toys for Kids Scholarships, and share the link with any upcoming high school senior who may want to apply!