2015 Scholarship Winner – Rebekah

Meet Rebekah Amaro, our 2015 scholarship winner!

Learn more about our annual scholarship here.

Essay: Where do you see yourself in 15 years and what goals are you setting to get yourself there?

As a senior in high school, my long term goal is to attend a four year university and major in marketing and advertising. My passion is to create a nonprofit organization that supports student athletes from low income households. Children shouldn’t worry about financial sustainability at a young age in life. They need to focus on their academic achievements to pursue a successful future. In fifteen years, I imagine myself supporting the youth through sports programs, school supplies, clothing and food. Persistence, dedication, and leadership will influence my plan to help student athletes in the future. The Denver Dream Scholarship will create an opportunity for me to thrive for excellence and pursue my goals.

As an honor athlete at South High School, I realized the importance of inspiration, leadership, and flexibility. I inspired my peers by being the first female wrestler on the wrestling team for my school. I desired to show women empowerment among my classmates. The workouts were mentally and physically challenging but, I created a strong mindset for myself to accomplish my goals. I felt successful at the end of the season. As a captain, I demonstrate leadership on the girls’ lacrosse team by being outgoing, bold, and courageous. I explain the positive factors, such as, balance, focus, and persistence that will lead us toward victory. My teammates and I build incredible memories together through team events. I learned to be flexible among the many sports I play for my school. I balance my extracurricular activities with my academics. For instance, I am the President of Future Business Leaders of America and the editor of the 2016 yearbook. I am a member of the athletic leadership team, the anchor for the school’s news report and treasure for the honor choir program. It’s my responsibility to continue to accomplish my goals as a student athlete. These traits benefit my athleticism because, I discover new skills to strengthen my positive character.

My parents didn’t receive the chance to attend college to further their education. My father went to prison and was accused of sexual assault. My mother became pregnant at seventeen years old and supports my three younger siblings and me. We are raised in a low income family and struggle daily with lack of resources such as food, clothing, and school supplies. Despite our struggles as a family, we motivate ourselves to keep moving forward in life. As the eldest in my family, I encourage my siblings to give back to the community because, we can relate to others with similar difficulties. For example, my brother has a bleeding disorder called hemophilia. We support the Hemophilia Foundation by attending the annual Hemophilia Walk. In return, the hemophilia organization allows us to attend their summer camp for a week in the Rocky Mountains. Also, the program provides my brother’s medication for his bleeding disorder. Also, I volunteer at the Downtown Aquarium as a Majestic Mermaid. I receive the opportunity to swim in the fish exhibit with manta rays, rooster-fish, cutthroat eels and other oceanic creatures. As a member of the Environmental Learning for Kids program, I take kids on fishing clinics, camping trips, and hiking adventures. We discuss the importance of recycling, nature, and animals. This allows me to collaborate with positive individuals. Overall, my family inspires others to give back to the community because, it’s important to help those in need.

In conclusion, my achievements are uplifted by the experiences that manifest my future. Leadership, integrity, and ethics will allow me to build my foundation in life. Dreams dictate my actions to seek new possibilities which develop my positive character. As I continue to explore the world, I desire to accomplish my long term goals. The Denver Dream Scholarship will help me further my education and help children live in prosperity.