11 He said, “In politics you have to understand people like a psychologist, present yourself like an actor, have a solid knowledge of history, and if you like, you can write a book or so along the way.” That week I made a decision that every day I would listen to an hour of political commentary to see if I enjoyed it, and I never stopped. Soon I was able to relate politics to a wide variety of issues we discussed in school, finding ways to share my opinions and ideas with others—even those who might disagree with me. In the end, I want to put my skills to use in a way that matters, and I believe politics is that outlet for me. Long term, I hope to do this as a legislator like a congressman or senator. Right now, the next step is pursuing a law degree, which I plan to do the semester after graduation. What does your life outside the classroom look like? Last year I joined Cru, which is an interfaith organization, and Model UN, which was something I did at MCC. And this year I joined College Republicans, which has really helped me meet people in my field. Last spring, I completed my first internship in the House of Representatives for our local Congressman Joe Morelle. I had the chance to focus on constituent service, which I was already somewhat familiar with given my extensive employment history in customer service, but it was so much more than that. I learned quite a bit about democratic representation, and what the daily life of a congressman actually looks like. I also walked away with a much deeper connection and knowledge of the Rochester community. As a scholarship recipient, how would you say these funds have impacted your experience thus far? Without scholarships I wouldn’t be able to go to college—that’s just a fact. One of the greatest struggles with college was the cost. It was a constant conversation in my household—how to pay for it and how much debt I would have when I finished. I’ve paid for college completely out of pocket, working the entire time, and my intended career path isn’t exactly known for high earnings and job stability. For me, scholarship support helps open the door to attending law school down the road, which might enable greater career success and economic mobility. Rochester students, faculty, and staff are fueled by Meliora—the pursuit of “ever better” in all they do. What does Meliora mean to you? To me, it’s about creating a culture that is always pushing people to be better academically, personally, emotionally, and socially. It’s less of a destination and more of a journey. Everything we do is to try to become a better version of ourselves in different ways. You’re always working towards that. This scholarship means that I can pursue a college education without incurring an absurd amount of debt, which might have taken decades to pay off.”
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