Barnard College, New York, New York
Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Pomona College, Claremont, California
Sarah Lawrence, Bronxville, New York
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
The College of Idaho, Caldwell, Idaho
Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut

One of my earliest memories is sitting on the couch, curled up against my father, watching Raiders of the Lost Ark. As the Nazis looked directly at the power of the Ark of the Covenant, my dad held his hand over my eyes, but I evaded it, eager to see what happened. I’ll never forget the fear that took over my five-year-old body as their faces melted like wax on the screen. Thus began my love for film, particularly anything eldritch. I began watching any movie that I could get my hands on, but my favorite was 90s slashers like Scream and Candyman. Horror has the distinct ability to reveal our deepest fears and present them through ideas that comfort us. From their character designs to their subtle themes of faith and chastity to their special effects, they’ve inspired me to be a part of it myself. I want to study film in order to be behind the scenes of movie production as either a director or screenwriter.

I hope to attend college in order to major in Film and double minor in Religious Studies and Biology, with an emphasis in evolutionary anthropology. I plan to go for at least four years and gain my Bachelor’s, the goal is to study postgraduate and gain a Master of Arts (MA) degree. With this education under my belt, I plan to work in the film industry and work behind the scenes as a director, costume designer, or head makeup artist. Film would allow me to explore the topics I care deeply about like culture and religion but through a more artistic lense. I’m very passionate about the horror genre and would love to use it as the foundation for my work. The versatility of my education would also allow me to study human culture through museum work, lab research, or traveling for archeological projects.

TRIO Upward Bound
Caldwell High School Student Council, Freshmen Class Representative
Caldwell High School Student Council, Sophomore Vice President
Caldwell High School Theatre, Actress
Caldwell High School Theatre, Head of Costume, Hair, & Makeup
Caldwell Girls Basketball, Athlete
Caldwell Girls Basketball, Varsity Team Manager
Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Education Department Intern
Girls on the Run, Junior Coach
CHS National Honor Society Chapter, Secretary

The most impactful experience that I have had because of TRIO Upward Bound was the internship that I had with Idaho Shakespeare Festival during our TRIO UB Summer Program in 2024. During Summer Program, usually upcoming seniors will get the opportunity to participate in internships based on their interests. As one of the few lucky upcoming juniors, I was able to do this as well. As a theatre kid since my freshman year, I loved the arts so completely but never imagined that it would be something that I’d pursue in terms of a career. I felt that the only option I really had was to go into biology because science careers were “respectable” and would honor my family. This internship however, completely changed my outlook on my future. Within the first few days at the Education Department I had met professional creatives like actors, head designers, costume designers, construction teams, drama teachers, and directors. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. I loved the Shakespeare Festival since I had seen one of their performances the year prior through TRIO. Working behind the scenes allowed me to realize that I don’t have to stifle my creativity in order to have a future.
As the company’s first education intern I was spoiled and they gave me free passes to all of the shows for that season and they let me sit in on a rehearsal. The actors and a few musicians were going over choreography for a number in Into the Woods. This rehearsal altered my brain chemistry as I silently watched an entire group of adults get paid to do something I loved. This internship showed me that there isn’t one path to success and that my interests could become my future if I worked hard enough.

The biggest obstacle I face in completing college is making sure that I find my place. As a first generation student, I’m essentially going in blind. My siblings both dropped out and were unable to finish their first years of college. Within my family there is a general lack of knowledge surrounding the application process, finding the right fit, and how to actually get there.
I’ve applied to very selective institutions that generally have a low amount of first-generation, low-income students. This means I have to find my place among peers who are unlike me, which is honestly terrifying. All colleges make their school sound very open and diverse, but the question is if their on-campus culture reflects this.
Going into college unaware of those little niches is a massive obstacle. What if I don’t get into all of the classes I need or want? How do I get help with assignments and take advantage of their resources if I am unaware that they are there?
Being new to something is scary, but I am unafraid to show others that I am trying. I will reach out to as many people as it takes in order to find where I fit and make my place on campus. I will look for those clubs and organizations that honor first-generation students and help them adapt to an unfamiliar environment. I’ll find my people and together we will fight against those feelings of imposter syndrome because we deserve to go to college.

To be the recipient of The Opportunity Fund would be a testament to the person that I have strived to become over the past four years of high school. That the late nights, stress induced tears, and headaches made me into someone who can be an idol for TRIO’s underclassmen.
More than anything I want to be someone who I would’ve looked up to in middle school. The Morrow First-Generation fund is for students who have seen past their current adversities to see hope, for not only themselves but their family, their community, their culture. To be a recipient of this scholarship means that I have succeeded in developing grit and a steadfast understanding of myself after pushing back against the obstacles that come with being low-income and first generation.

Through Student Council, I have given countless hours to serve our community, primarily low-income families and domestic violence victims, through angel tree shopping, cause week, and clothing drives. I have helped plan and run two college carnivals for Hillcrest and Whitney Elementary, where we encourage disadvantaged youth to see college as an option. As a Junior Coach for Girls on the Run, I helped instill confidence and the joy of community service into elementary girls which culminated in a 5k. As the Secretary of NHS, I am responsible for all service activities. So far we have participated in the Turkey Trot, Sacajewea’s Trunk or Treat, donated holiday cards to assisted living facilities, and bought gifts for the angel tree.
Over this summer I volunteered as a Summer Reading volunteer at my local library. I helped patrons enroll in a month-long reading program based on their personal reading goals.
Though at first it was simply an opportunity to collect senior hours, I began to realize the impact reading and the library itself have on our community.
The library is a massive resource among Caldwell but especially for those in need, as it provides basic necessities like bathrooms and shelter, but also feminine hygiene products and diapers, food through the community pantry, and clothes through their various drives. As a volunteer I was a part of making these resources available. Taking over the Summer Reading program allowed for the librarians to focus their energy on providing for our community while I was able to share the love of reading to parents and children like the library had done for me. Many of those I encountered hadn’t picked up a book in years but after encouragement I began to see readers blossom in fussy toddlers and overworked parents alike. It was magic.

I plan to fund my post-secondary education through scholarships and school provided financial aid programs. Many of the institutions that I’ve applied for are rather expensive and schools I would not be able to afford. However, by working with my TRIO advisor I have a plan to fund my education no matter what school I end up attending. I hope to gain merit scholarships or be granted need-based financial aid. Not only am I working to apply to as many CFEO scholarships as I am eligible for, I’m looking to apply to other various community scholarships like the Lion’s Club and YMCA.
Besides scholarships, if there is a need, I plan to work an on-campus job which can help begin to cover any additional costs that are left. I help clean the offices where my grandma works, so I am saving up that money as well. Though it isn’t a lot, hopefully it can help cover for textbooks, other gear that I’ll need for class, and transportation to the college once admitted.