The Community Foundation for Crawford County is pleased to introduce Mykala Houseburg, a 2020 recipient of one of the eighteen Margaret and Donald Wenner, MD Scholarship awards.
Mykala, the daughter of Shannon Naveja, is a 2017 graduate of Bucyrus High School. She will be entering her fourth year of a bachelor’s degree in social work at The Ohio State University this fall.
What is your favorite aspect of college life?
“By far my favorite aspect of college is social networking. Throughout the three years I have been studying, I have made life-long friends. I love being able to meet people with the same passion and goals. I have also met a lot of inspiring mentors and advisors that have guided me. The relationships I made in college are one of the most valuable things to me.”
Would you say most of your learning comes from inside or outside of the classroom?
“Most of my learning comes from outside of the classroom. During my time at North Central State College, I had to spend a lot of time working in the field. I learned so much about myself! I had the privilege to experience new things related to my major. By working and interacting with the clients, I realized which populations I wanted to work with. For anyone in a social work program, working outside of the classroom is essential.”
What new interest or courses of study have you discovered at college?
“I have gained new interests since I started studying. In high school, I was never truly interested in learning about science. Taking the sciences courses at The Ohio State University gave me new insights and knowledge about the world. I also developed an interest in sociology. Sociology is quite intriguing. We can look through a sociological lens and apply sociological perspectives to everyday life.”
In what ways has the college experience changed/improved you?
“College has changed my life for the better. It has improved my ability to be able to speak with others. In addition, I have become more responsible and emotionally intelligent. It has given me the chance to work with individuals with diverse backgrounds. College has also given me a purpose – to help those in need. I would not be who I am today without it.”
What advice would you give an incoming college freshman?
“You can do it!”
Congratulations and good luck in the future, Mykala!
To learn more about the scholarships offered through the Foundation, visit www.cfcrawford.org/scholarships.
