“Upon receiving the TORCH Scholarship last year, I was able to pay off my initial deposit, computer, and some of my uniforms. Instead of adding any financial stress to my plate, I was able to focus on academics and rugby, which made for a more well-balanced lifestyle. This year, I will use the TORCH Scholarship to pay for my books for both semesters, seeing as I am taking 23.5 credits first semester and 22 second semester. Additionally, this year’s TORCH Scholarship will help pay for airfare for me to fly back home to Montana at Christmas and for the beginning of summer.”

“As for the future, I am attending Brigham Young University (BYU) in the fall, in the Pre-Animation major until I have taken the requisite classes for the Animation major. This is one of the reasons I am applying for the TORCH scholarship; BYU may not have the highest tuition, but it still is quite expensive to attend college. I wish to pay as much of that money as I can while I am attending, rather than leaving myself with large amounts of debt, and the more scholarships I receive, the more time I will have during the year to devote to my studies and any extracurricular activities, rather than working all the time.”

“I am majoring in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Integrated Behavioral Health at Argosy University in Northern Virginia. I am applying for the Vigilant Torch Scholarship to help finance my education and obtain my goal of working for a military hospital or Veterans Affairs medical center as a Clinical Psychologist. The program is very rigorous and does not afford time to work part-time. I will work two days per week for my practicum as well as attend class two days per week. I also plan to work as a teaching assistant approximately 10 hours per week.  I am currently serving in the U.S. Army Reserve, I volunteer and I am a mother of two children.”