Rotary Club of Downtown Macon Scholarship Recipient

“Ever since I was little, my grandma got me a puppy, and we connected instantly. He went everywhere I did, and vice versa. When she died…her name was Shady…she had liver cancer…it really impacted my life because I was like, ‘Wow, I could have done something, further researched. I could have helped her.’  I have to help people save their animals. It’s hard to bury your dog.

I moved to Macon second semester of 10th grade year. I was always the new kid, moving around. But, moving from California to Georgia was huge. Not only did my family not know anyone out here, school was kind of alone time. But, it really did help our family come closer together.

I am excited to go to Mercer! The campus is really huge. I also love photography because everyone takes different emotions away from a photo. Mercer has so many beautiful spots to take pictures of. The campus is so beautiful and big!

My mom has given me my drive. She is a single mom. She works for everything that I have. She’s just so hardworking. It drives me to be the best person I can to, you know, become the person she wants me to be.

At the Buck Melton Center, I volunteer to face-paint the kids and set up, clean up for events for kids. I’m horrible at the face painting. But, they love it.

New experiences. I love new experiences. Can’t go to the same place and get the same thing 500 times. No! You gotta try something new. Expand your horizons. Become that person you want to become. Have no regrets when you die.

I regret not taking the time to help my brother, I wish that I could be there more for him.

In ten years, hopefully, I am running my own veterinarian office or working some sort of apprenticeship. I want to be married and have kids. Maybe that’s in the picture, too.

I get up in the morning because you never know what’s gonna happen each day.”

Story written by Susannah Maddux. Photo by Maryann Bates.