Back in 2009, I marveled at the talent a forty-seven-year-old lady, Susan Boyle, displayed on Britain’s Got Talent. It was her first chance to sing in front of a large audience. It was the sassy lady’s big break. Even though she came in second that year, she’s worth about forty million dollars today.
Susan Boyle – I Dreamed A Dream – Britain’s Got Talent – April 2009 – YouTube
About a year ago, Ruth and I discussed setting up a scholarship fund to support graduating students from Addison, Michigan. We’d contributed to my friend, Jim’s, memorial scholarship after he passed. I told Ruth that ours didn’t need to be a memorial, but we could set up the fund and decide later when to start distributing the money. We’d spent the majority of our life in the school district, and all three kids graduated from there, so it was the logical choice. When she died last September that expedited the process. We’ll announce the first awardee two weeks from today. David and I will be on hand to make the presentation.
We had a dozen students apply for the single scholarship. The applicants have all sorts of dreams. We don’t care what they wish to become. We want to help people grow in a manner that suits them best. This year’s applicants want to become attorneys, engineers, occupational therapists, symphonic band directors, teachers, social workers, and medical practitioners. One wants to be a farrier and already has a job lined up in Montana after she’s earned her certification.
David, Elizabeth, Michael and I reviewed the applications and asked the school to set up four “zoom” interviews for us. We held them on April 7th.
About twelve hours before the on-line interviews were to begin, I received an email from one of the students. She had a conflict and wanted to change the date. She was scheduled to visit Michigan State University and couldn’t reschedule with them. I thought about it for a moment and declined the request. The on-line interview had been confirmed two weeks prior, and I assumed that MSU had scheduled the visit well in advance too. Lack of planning on the student’s part, didn’t create an emergency for us. We had a deadline to meet, and rescheduling the interview just wasn’t possible.
While I’m sure the student was disappointed, I didn’t see any alternative. Lack of planning became a part of the process of elimination. While we want to help students chase their dreams, they have to put in the work as well. I hope it’s a lesson learned.
Our finalists are all young ladies. We hope our awardee accomplishes her dream. I don’t expect she’ll be worth forty million dollars like Susan Boyle, but she may. During her preperformance interview, Susan said she’d never been kissed. She was also unemployed. Being unemployed and having never been kissed didn’t stop her dreaming.
No matter what path our awardee starts on, I believe it will be altered over time. Most successful people modify their career path about six times. I think the key to success is twofold, determination and opportunity. The applicants we’ve spoken with appeared to be determined. We’ll help with the opportunity.
I’m rooting for the farrier-to-be!
It’s a gut feeling backed up by nothing.