The recipient of the 2015 OPAP Scholarship is Courtney Gilley (19), of Iowa State University.
Winning Essay
I’ve had a battle trying to figure out what I wanted to major in. I came into college dead set on becoming an elementary education teacher. After volunteering in a 2nd grade classroom, I figured out it was not for me. Then I switched to psychology just because it interested me a lot and I wanted to learn more about it.
Turns out I liked the anatomy of the brain more than why the brain works like it does. Naturally, I will be switching to Kinesiology and want to become a Physician’s Assistant.
My mom is a RN that works at local hospital and hearing her stories is what first got me interested. Now that I know the path I want to be on, I am getting very excited about my future and what is to come.
I knew I wanted a career that is rewarding and different everyday. I know that I will come home from work satisfied and eager for the next day to come. This scholarship will push me one step closer to my dream.