The Community Foundation for Crawford County is pleased to introduce Emilee Brown, a 2023 recipient of one of the 19 Doug and Renee Leuthold Scholarship awards.
Emilee, the daughter of Steve Brown and Stacee Gimlich, is a 2022 graduate of Buckeye Central High School. She will be entering her second year of an Associate's Degree in Recreational Therapy at University of Toledo this fall.
What is your favorite aspect of college life?
"My favorite aspect of college is meeting new people and making friends. I have social anxiety, so meeting new people is usually really scary for me, but I have learned a lot about myself the past year and have found myself excited to meet new people rather than being scared and wanting to stay inside. Enjoying meeting people and making new friends and being excited about that is definitely a big milestone for me."
What new interest or courses of study have you discovered at college?
"Some new interests I've developed/discovered at college is finding out that I can do more with myself than what is expected of me. I recently changed my major, chose a concentration, and added a minor. I even considered changing my major to neuroscience, which would sound crazy to myself if I knew a year ago. However, the neuroscience major is so new at Toledo that unfortunately, it would add 4-5 years to my current 4 years, so I decided to go a different route. However, I find myself striving for success and wanting to do more than what I originally wanted. I enjoy studying and reading much more than I would have ever anticipated."
In what ways has the college experience changed/improved you?
"College has changed me drastically. I have learned so much about myself the past year, and I cannot wait to learn more about myself. I find myself staying up at night wanting to pack all my belongings up, so I can be ready to go back as soon as I can. As much as I love my family and my hometown, I want to go to the city and find myself even more."
What advice would you give an incoming college freshman?
"I would advise college freshmen to go to class, do the activities, do not worry so much about sororities or frats or parties. You will meet people in classes or out and about on campus, and eventually, you will meet your people. I regret not going out and doing as many activities as I should have because I was scared to meet new people. But, as time went by, I started going out and meeting people, and it felt so right. Classes are important, even if they are almost pointless to your major. Even classes I did not think I would enjoy were my favorite classes."
What is one item on your bucket list?
"One item on my bucket list is to meet up to five people this coming year. I did not meet as many people my freshman year as I would have liked, so my goal is to meet even more and find my people."
Congratulations and good luck in the future, Emilee!
To learn more about the scholarships offered through the Foundation, visit www.cfcrawford.org/scholarships.
