2004-2005 Recipient Updates

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Heather Sjolie, Kenneth Nash, Aaron Cole, Erica Johnson)

This is another in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2004 awarded through the Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars chapter. The purpose of these articles is to thank the community for its support of students and their higher education goals.

By Heather Sjolie

Bemidji State University has been an exciting change in my life. I have met many new people and had many new experiences. I want to thank Dollars for Scholars and those in the community that support it. I am very appreciative for how you have helped me.

Being a member of the BSU volleyball team and the BSU track and field team, I have had the opportunity to meet a number of people in competitive sports. Living in the dorms has allowed me to meet a lot of people who are involved in other things. I have made some very close friends on the sports teams I belong to, especially on the volleyball team. In the dorms, I have met many people. Living in the tallest building in Beltrami County means there are a lot of people living very close to me. I, however, consider myself lucky in my experience with getting a roommate during my freshman year. My roommate and I get along really well and have planned on rooming together next year.

Not only have I met a lot of people, I have many experiences I will never forget. The BSU volleyball team is always on the road. We began the season in Marquette, Michigan and also made a trip to Missouri. From time in the airports to plane rides to spending a night of screaming in the “Haunted Hotel” and thanks to my coach’s wonderful navigational skills – getting lost all the time, every trip brought something new and memorable. I have many stories to share thanks for all the encounters I have had.

In addition to the new friends and new memories, I have also been enjoying my academic experience here at BSU. I chose BSU because of what I had heard about their Criminal Justice program. I like the courses I have to take in order to major in Criminal Justice and those I need to meet my liberal education requirements. Learning about Charles Darwin and his impact, astronomy, sociology, and how politics differ from country to country are just a few of the courses I have had the opportunity to take.

I wouldn’t trade my college experience for anything. I’ve made friends, memories, and am continuing to learn. I have also come to the realization that I wouldn’t be as proud to be anything but a BSU Beaver

Heather Sjolie of Fergus Falls is a 2004 graduate of Fergus Falls High School and was the recipient of the Dollars for Scholars Scholarship. She is a freshman at Bemidji State University. For information on creating a named scholarship, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 4B East Drive, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.

This is another in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2004 awarded through the Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars chapter. The purpose of these articles is to thank the community for its support of students and their higher education goals.

Kenneth Nash

Bemidji My college life began August 24th at the University of North Dakota, located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. I looked at my surroundings for the first time since arriving several hours earlier. After moving my belongings up to the third floor of Smith Hall, with no elevator, I was slightly tired.

I had just said goodbye to my parents and it was tough for them to say goodbye to their first kid out of the nest.My mom insists that I’ll always be her little boy even though there are still three kids at home. They are glad that I chose a college only two hours from home. I am too because if I hadn’t I would not have been able to watch all the Hillcrest football games, which my brothers play.

I started school the next day. I quickly realized that college courses can be quite different from high school. Looking at the syllabus I discovered that about 90 percent of your grade comes from tests. I met this with mixed feelings. On one hand if you do well on the tests, you do well in the class. On the other hand, if you do poorly on just one test, your grade can take a serious hit.

Unfortunately, I got to know this from experience halfway through the semester. I was also humbled on the first day I went to band rehearsal. At Hillcrest I had been first chair trombone, but in the university band I found myself dead last in a band over twice the size of my old one. I learned however, that all freshmen end up in the last few spots because everyone else has played at the college level before. Despite being last, I greatly enjoyed the pieces we played and our conductors were awesome. In my classes, I also learned that it’s alright to ask for help, something I sometimes find hard to do.

At Hillcrest I was blessed to learn about the many cultures of my fellow students. They were from Norway, Korea, Brazil, and many other areas of the world. At University of North Dakota I have great professors from a wide variety of backgrounds. My math teacher was from Albania, my chemistry lab Teachers Assistant was from Afghanistan, and my favorite teacher, was my chemistry professor from Australia. He would do what he termed “McGyver experiments” in class, which usually involved fire and explosions. Something every college kid (guys anyway) enjoys. Because of these cultural differences, I learned not only the subject being taught, but I was able to learn about the cultures my teachers had once lived in.

At Hillcrest my teachers prepared me very well for my college experiences. I learned to write effective essays and developed good study skills. At college I have used all these skills to their fullest extent. Unfortunately, I have seen some kids at college walk in to take a test, look at it and walk out never to be seen in that class again. I guess when a high school teacher tells you that what you are learning is important, it really is important. If there are any high school kids reading this and you aren’t doing what your teacher wants you to do... do it!

I learned other things that may or may not help me in the future. I was told to watch where I park because the parking police are always watching and waiting to make your wallet lighter. I learned that 8 a.m. chemistry labs for three hours are brutal and that a bunched schedule with several classes back to back is better than a schedule with an hour or more between every class. Finally, never fill out credit card applications for free stuff. You will be pegged for life.

Overall, my college experience thus far has been very rewarding and it has been made a lot easier thanks to Dollars for Scholars. Please continue and expand this great program so other students may be able to enjoy their collegiate experience a little more.

Kenneth Nash of Fergus Falls is a 2004 graduate of Hillcrest Lutheran Academy and was the recipient of the Lake Region Healthcare Corporation Scholarship. He is a freshman at the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. For information on creating a named scholarship, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 4B East Drive, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.

This is another in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2004 awarded through the Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars chapter. The purpose of these articles is to thank the community for its support of students and their higher education goals.

Aaron Cole

My first year of college is nearing its end, and I want to thank Dollars for Scholars for aiding me in my studies.  Their award has helped ease the rising financial burden of college.  I am currently attending the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities pursuing a degree in music education.

The transition from high school to college was nearly seamless because I was ready for the challenge.  If I can give any advice to incoming freshman, it is this: be ready to study and work a lot more than you did in high school.  The first two years of my program are quite different than many other majors because music majors are almost totally immersed in classes from their major during the first two years of their studies.  I only took one general class first semester (calculus) and two this semester (writing and political science) because most of my credits were in music.  Music theory has been my favorite subject so far.  I hope to someday attend grad school for music theory and how math relates to it.

My social life has changed drastically since my years in Fergus.  There are more than 50,000 students on campus alone and roughly 1,000,000 people in the area.  The U of M seems to have something for everyone.  The sheer number of people can seem daunting, but I always see someone I know when going to my classes.

My college experience so far has been excellent.  This year isn't even over, yet I'm already looking forward to next year.  Thanks again to Dollars for Scholars for helping pay for my first year of college!

Aaron Cole of Fergus Falls is a 2004 graduate of Fergus Falls High School and was the recipient of the Bechtel Memorial Scholarship. He is a freshman at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. For information on making a donation for scholarships, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 4B East Drive, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.

This is another in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2004 awarded through the Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars chapter. The purpose of these articles is to thank the community for its support of students and their higher education goals.

Erica Johnson

I can’t believe this year is approaching the end! My freshman year at NDSU was awesome. I am planning a major in nursing and never thought I would have to study so much. Work habits developed throughout my school career have definitely been instrumental to success in college. After making it through a tough first semester schedule, including anatomy, chemistry, and lab classes, I have come to the full realization that it will take a lot of hard work and commitment to reach my goal.

As I look back I couldn’t have had such a great year without all of the help and support I received. I especially want to thank the Fergus school system and all of the people who support dollars for scholars. The educational support system I was privileged to have, sent me well prepared to college. A big thank you to each and every one of my past teachers and mentors! What a blessing to have such wonderful people encouraging, guiding, and challenging me throughout the years.

The Dollars For Scholars program is very much appreciated. This community proves through programs like this how much they care about their youth. Thank you for all of your support!

Erica Johnson of Fergus Falls is a 2004 graduate of Fergus Falls High School and was the recipient of the Service Food Scholarship. She is a freshman at NDSU. For information on making a donation for scholarships, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 4B East Drive, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.