Whenever I talk to my friends back home, they always ask me, “Why did you go to the middle of nowhere? All of your friends and family are here, are you sure you want to start all over?” My answer has always been that it is worth it. Wichita State offers many resources I haven’t seen on other campuses. For example, they have partnerships with businesses, such as Spirit AeroSystems and the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) here on campus. That means I can get an internship and maybe even land my future job without even having to drive off campus!

Coming from Kansas City, I know that even though you might leave the city, the city never leaves you. Fortunately, Wichita is a pretty big city! It has many places where you can go and hang out with friends. Not to mention the countless restaurants they have here. They have a ton of local businesses waiting for your support. I’m always discovering new restaurants and trying new foods. Even though I miss my friends at home, I have met some amazing people here in Wichita. My friends here have shown me nothing but support, and everything combined made the transition from Kansas City to Wichita seamless.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always known that I didn’t want to stay home for college. I wanted to experience the typical college life, living in a dorm and being able to at least feel as if I was free from my parents. Realistically, I love my family too much and I knew I couldn’t move away too far. That’s why I decided to keep my college options closer than what I originally anticipated. Wichita State is about a three-hour drive from Kansas City, so sometimes I go home on weekends to spend time with my parents and my sisters.

A downside of most out-of-state colleges is having to pay an out-of-state tuition fee. Fortunately, Wichita State offered me the Shocker City Partnership Tuition Discount, which allowed me to attend WSU at the in-state tuition rate. With the discount, I felt less burdened by the financial pressures of attending college. However, I didn’t stop there. During my junior and senior years of high school, I applied for scholarships ranging from small $500 awards to full-ride scholarships. I wanted to make sure that I was getting my degree with the least amount of debt.

Like many Kansas City students, I applied to the $50,000 KC Scholars Traditional Scholarship in my junior year. I remember sitting down in AP Language, typing my essay, while my teacher Ms. Pittard walked by, making sure we were working. I was so determined to win the scholarship that I had not only my English teacher proofread it, but also two of my Upward Bound advisors. After I submitted my application, the worst part came - having to wait until the winners were announced. After several months, I sat in class, oblivious to what was to happen next. My English teacher came and pulled out five of us from class. When we reached the cafeteria, we were announced as the KC Scholars winners for the class of 2024. I couldn’t believe what just happened. My mom was also there, and I remember seeing the proud look on her face and knowing that my hard work paid off.

Without KC Scholars, I would not have been able to attend college debt-free. Their scholarship has helped me focus on my other needs instead of my financial needs. Instead of working every spare moment I have in between classes, I can enjoy the fun side of college: hanging out with friends, going to campus events and volunteering in the community.

For my future KC Scholar friends, I hope you understand the opportunity you have earned! It is not just a scholarship; it’s a family that supports you throughout college to make sure you graduate. Take advantage of the resources that KC Scholars and Wichita State offer you. Both made it possible for me to even attend college, and that’s why I am proud to be a Shocker!