VCTGA_FALL18 NL

VCTGA Scholarship Recipients

Molly Hunt from Stuart , VA is a recipient of a $1,000 VCTGA Scholar- ship for the 2018-19 academic year. She is planning on graduating from Virginia Tech in May 2019 with a de- gree in Forestry Resource Manage- ment. At Patrick County High School, she was a team member of the Nursery Landscape State Competitions for 4 years and the Forestry Team. Her vol- unteer/community activities include the Dan River Basin Association trash clean-up, became a Earth Team Volun- teer while shadowing NRCS District Soil and Water Conservationist, “Op- eration In-As-Much” missionary vol- unteer at Stuart Baptist Church, volun- teer to help harvest firewood for the VA Tech Forestry Club, as well as demonstrated timbersports for WDBJ7 News report and was interviewed to promote the “Timber Beast” Tim- bersports Competition hosted by VA Tech. Scholarship Essay My biggest career goal is to work for the Virginia Department of Forestry. My favorite activity has been to ex- plore the woods ever since I was a child. I am a person who can either walk or sit in the woods for hours to just observe the beauty of nature. I have always felt at home in the woods, an deer and turkey hunting became a favorite hobby of mine at a young age. The part that fascinates me the most about the forest ecosystem is land management practices that humans need to know to use the wilderness in the most practical ways. Using our land and valuable resources in the most sustainable way has become my primary interest in life. Another career goal I have is potentially working for the NRCS through the United States Department of Agriculture. My true passion is to help people, conserve our beautiful environment, and to make a positive impact. My dream is to make my impact by helping people help the land through my career.

I am in need for financial assistance to achieve my goal for a few reasons. In December of 2012, I had a major Tho- racic Outlet Syndrome surgery after eighteen months of traveling to doctors who were trying to diagnose my wors- ening condition. This was a financially stringent time due to insurance co- payments and transportation to medi- cal appointments out of town. I also had to go through five months of phys- ical therapy after my surgery. In August of 2013 my oldest sister had emergency brain surgery. Once again, transportation and medical costs caused my parents financial stress. My sister was living with my parents at the time and was unemployed. While my

parents currently help pay my rent, I pay my own utility bills, phone bill, grocery expenses, clothing costs, gas expenses and vehicle maintenance. My parents are also paying college loans for my middle sister and will be for several more years. Therefore, hav- ing as much financial assistance as possible would be a great help to my family. I may be receiving aid from FAFSA, and I will be applying for scholarships that my church will pro- vide. I am also receiving student loans currently. Molly Hunt VCTGA Scholarship Recipient Joe Mills from Vienna , VA is an-

Page 8

VCTGA News Journal – Fall 2018

VCTGA News Journal ‒ Fall 2018

| 7