1st Quarter, 2007
Vo-tech Scholarship Winner
Elliot Mummert
“I am from Johnston City, IL. and was the Valedictorian from the Johnston City High School class of 2007. I am a member of Mt. Zion Freewill Baptist Church in Thompsonville, IL. where I am a pianist for our choir. While in high school I had the opportunity to take advanced placement classes in mathematics and science. Besides taking AP math classes, I have applied the knowledge gained in class to successfully compete on the math team as well as the WYSE team.
I have earned my pharmacy technician license and worked as a tech at J & S Professional Pharmacy in West Frankfort, IL. while in high school and during summer breaks. While in high school I was on the basketball and track teams for four years as well as playing the saxophone in band and keyboard in the pit orchestra for the choral productions throughout high school. I was the 2007 recipient of the John Phillips Sousa Band Award. Furthermore, I have continued to privately study piano since I was seven years old and have served as accompanist for local and state instrumental solo competitions. I am the Sunday school pianist for my church.
I am currently a freshman at St. Louis College of Pharmacy. After finishing a degree in pharmacy I plan to return to my home town and establish a business of my own or work for another privately owned pharmacy. I also hope to continue to be involved with Johnston City schools music department. Music has been and always will be an important part of my life. I want to continue to share my love of music with others, especially young people. It is important to me that I return to my hometown and give something back to the community that has been very good to me.”
A Portion of Elliot’s Winning Essay:
Napoleon Bonaparte once said that “ability is of little account without opportunity.” Without question, pharmacy is a profession that provides numerous opportunities but also requires a great deal of ability. I am hopeful that I will be given the opportunity, by studying pharmacy, to use my God-given capabilities to the fullest potential at St. Louis College of Pharmacy.
When I contemplate my own capabilities, I consider mathematics and science to be my two best strengths academically. Pharmacy is a profession that leans most heavily on these two subject areas. A broad, working knowledge base in these two areas of academics and the role they play in everyday life will be a tremendous benefit when studying to become a successful pharmacist. Flexibility is one key benefit of a profession as a pharmacist. Along with flexibility, variety is another beneficial aspect of pharmacy.
For instance, a degree in pharmacy will open the door to various occupations. For example, retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, pharmaceutical research and academia are some examples of different careers available to people with a degree in pharmacy.
Along with these attributes, pharmacy also offers good job security. It is quite incredible how many jobs are available to pharmacists who are coming straight out of school. Knowing this serves as an incentive to attain a career in pharmacy as well. Given the vast selection of jobs that will be open to pharmacists, I will be able to begin my career in pharmacy and eventually raise a family. The salary earned by most pharmacists today would be enough to support myself and a family comfortably.
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As children, my brother and I walked up the sidewalk, headed for the front steps at Washington Middle School. My parents trailed closely behind. It was our first day in a new school. I was beginning the 5th grade. This was a much anticipated event as we had looked all summer for a house to buy so we could move into Johnston City school district. Our previous school was extremely small and did not offer many opportunities. Also, Johnston City was my dad’s hometown. Little did I realize how that day would impact my life and how grateful I would be to my parents for their wisdom and foresight to bring us to this community.
Moving to better our education did not come without sacrifice, however. My parents are hard-working, middle-class people. They both have stable employment, now, as my mom is a nurse and teacher. My dad is now a radiological technologist. However, ten years ago my dad lost his job due to the collapse of the coal mining industry in Southern Illinois. My mom worked as the school nurse in a small school district at that time. That particular district did not pay very well and offered no health care benefits to its teachers. My dad went to college for three years, and we lived on my mom’s salary and had no insurance. While my parents have good incomes now, needless to say, we are still playing catch up from several years of being underpaid and unemployed. My older brother is also in college studying to be a teacher.
I have been given unlimited opportunities while in high school. One of the most valuable has been the opportunity to take advanced placement classes in mathematics and science. Besides taking AP math classes, I have applied the knowledge gained in class to successfully compete on the math team as well as the WYSE team. The concept of academic competitions has provided another valuable facet to my learning experiences which I feel will help me tremendously in college. I have earned my pharmacy technician license while still in high school and currently work part time at a local pharmacy when time permits.
The development of strong organizational and time management skills is something I had to learn early on. I have been on the basketball and track teams for four years as well as playing the saxophone in band and keyboard in the pit orchestra for the choral productions throughout high school. Furthermore, I have continued to study piano, privately since I was seven years old and have served as accompanist for local and state instrumental solo competitions. I am the Sunday school pianist for my church.
One comment I frequently hear among classmates is that of aspirations to leave the area and live elsewhere. That is not my ambition at all. After college, I plan to return to Johnston City, hopefully as a practicing, hometown pharmacist. I have been accepted to St. Louis College of Pharmacy. With a strong academic background in science and mathematics, a genuine longing to serve others and 77 million baby boomers needing medication, I feel this is a sound career choice.
I cannot deny that growing up in a family rich in medical practitioners has influenced me as well. At least I know, first hand, what type of career I’m getting in to. I also want to continue to use my musical abilities in the Johnston City School community.
After finishing a degree in pharmacy and becoming established in that career, I hope to continue working as an accompanist for the students in the junior and senior high schools and volunteer for the JCHS band and choral productions. Music has been and always will be an important part of my life. I want to continue to share my love of music with others, especially young people. Music can be a strong motivator for students. In addition, there are numerous studies that have linked music education with academic success.
I am asking for this scholarship award to use toward a degree in pharmacy. There is expected to be a high demand for people in this profession well into 2030, by most estimates. In a recent survey cited by Walgreen’s, pharmacists were chosen as the most trusted professionals in America. I like the idea of doing something with my life that others can find confidence in. Therefore, I am requesting your strongest consideration regarding your academic scholarship. Thank you.
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