Ammunition for Tuition I and now Ammunition for Tuition II have both been an immense amount of fun for us here at Zinch. We love getting to know you better and see who you are as individuals. The essays were fantastic. In selecting the finalists we archived and read all essays posted to Oprah’s Fan Page and read all essays posted to the Zinch.com Fan Page.
Here at Zinch we wanted to highlight your talents to the world and we thought what better way to do this than to tell an individual that constantly inspires in not only education but various walks of life. Zinch will be sending the finalists’ essays to the Oprah Winfrey Show. As stated, we are not affiliated or endorsed in any way by Oprah or the Oprah Winfrey Show. Oprah may or may not do anything with the finalists’ essays that we send across to her. We hope she will find your voices as inspiring as we have and highlight your work to the world.
Remember, the winner was selected based on BOTH their essay and their Zinch profile. We would like to congratulate the Honorable Mentions first:
Holly R. I’m the first to go to school, but not the last. I’m being the change I wish to see. SAT? ACT? 140 characters? I proved there’s more to me.
Simon H. I am more than a test score. And I am also more than 140 characters.
Aisha S. As a American-Muslim female, I have faced my fair share of prejudices. I want to be proof that even stereotypes are more than test scores.
Alexandra S. Brilliance is not massed on a balance, success is not calculated by a formula, and accomplishments are NOT equivalent to a test.
Jenny L. Those digits don’t count the hours I spend wrestling with poverty, caring for my baby bro, or keeping a smile on; midst prayers to dear God.
Mandisa M. Finding myself took > 4 hours. Finding myself wasn’t between a or b. Finding myself was a walk not a seat. How can a test score know me?
Megan M. 9/11 disabled my father. The money isn’t there for my dream: all I want is to show Princeton what I can do.
Poojah S. Studying my brains out for a worthless test: $75.00. Spending my Saturday’s getting beat at Wii Bowling by Alzheimer residents: Priceless.
Rebekah H. Creating a wheelchair soccer camp, leading FCA and being Nordic ski captain, gives me a greater perspective on life and allows me to serve.
Bethany J. I am more than a statistic. I am more than the $14.26 in my pocket. I am ink. I am a grace note. I am a lacrosse stick. I will be heard.
Conner M. I believe to dream. I dream to achieve. I achieve to spark change. I will not be defined. I will conquer boundaries and start a revolution.
Eddie Y. 8 hours at work-7 leadership positions-6 core classes-5 college applications-4 hours of sleep-3 AP tests-2 meals a day-1 me-0 let up
Maithrika S. If i could be defined by one, I would have a barcode on my wrist and a price tag hanging from my nose.
Nadia A. Being 16 and graduating at the top of my class has tested me, but tests can’t score my ambition. Only I have the power to shape my future.
Sade L. I am not a number: 123456789 nor a letter: A, B, C, D, E, F. I have GRIT. I am the BIGGER PICTURE. I am UNIQUE.
Santina L. Test scores shows my skill with a pencil, but it doesn’t tell colleges how I fold an Eiffel Tower, play bamboo flute, tutor refugee children
Tawana P. SAT-$45 Cap n gown-$40 Knowledge-Priceless. God has blessed me with the ability to learn. Scores cannot determine success I am capable of
Yannick T. I have 6 names. I could barely fit 3 on the SAT. Only 1/2 of my name is there, and only 1/billionth of my potential. Let me show the rest.
Daesia A. Like the boy on the beach throwing starfish back into the ocean, I’m making a difference with a small deed. Do my test scores tell you that?
Alex J. Assume I got a 36 on the ACT. If this score defined me, I’d be perfect. However, nobody’s perfect. My flaws help me, motivate me, define me.
Brittani D. No number sews together my passion for words or tells of the freshmen I mentored. No number whispers of my hope to be an author.
Bryan H. I am a revolutionary changing this world for the better,helping those in need, and defeating a test score stereotype. Define me, I dare you.
Hillary J. I am a pair of checkered vans in a closet full of BCBG pumps. I am your future. Do you believe in me?
Savannah S. I have not planted trees under whose shade I will never sit, however, I refuse to sit in the shadow of conventional thought.
Tylesse B. At birth, I wasn’t named 95% or 2100. A high test score is great, but it’s only like a cherry atop of a sundae – it’s good with or without.
Jacqueline D. Dance is where my passion lies, yet I peer through a photographer’s eyes. With many interests and drives, my goal is to one day save lives.
Kaitlin R. Everything i do, i do because of my family. They never said if, it was always when.
And our $20,000 winner is Elaine Musiwa.
Here is her essay: I came to America alone and I’m currently working three jobs.Don’t doubt me for a second when I look into your eyes and tell you I’m strong.
Elaine we wish the best of luck with your college endeavors and hope this scholarship helps you succeed in your dreams!
Congrats from my side! And good luck for the future!
Thought I would atleast get an honorable mention :\
Sigh. Sometimes I just feel like giving up.
Congrats!!!! May God continue to overflow you with blessings. Atleast I was one of the honorable mentions, Prayfully, Oprah will read it and decide to help me with my tuition. It’ s not the end of my scholarship search.
@Larissa: Don’t give up. I applied for tons of scholarships my senior year of H.S. never got one and didnt apply freshman year. One of the scholarships i applied for a year earlier gave me a call and told me I won, and I didnt apply for any that year. Granted scholarships are amazing. And save you tons of money. But if you live in a state that does financial similar to my states you wont have to start paying on your loans until 10 months after you quit or graduate from school. And most of my loans dont collect interest until im done with school. Trust me the $11,000 of debt im in now plus the next 2 1/2 years worth I still have to go is well worth it.
Dont give up. You may get a surprise and something may come through. Oh and there are grants and stuff you can get if your eligible, though those look at your FAFSA.
@Larissa: Hang in there. I know the feeling. What was your entry by the way?
Wow! Traveling to a country alone. You deserve this!
As for the Honorable Mentions with the Mastercard Priceless idea totally stole my idea.
congrat girl
Wow, that’s pretty amazing. Good luck in the future and congrats on the scholarship!
Congrats!
:)
(Ooops. I frogot to cangratulate Elaine.)
Congratulations Elaine! I hope you are still able to sleep though. Don’t sacrifice your health. You sure know how to chase your dreams instead of just following them.
Congratulations!
That girl really deserved that scholarship :)
Wow! Congratulations, Elaine! You deserve it =)
Major congratulations you guys, :)
I have to say, I was a little bummed out that I didn’t win. Then I took a look at the winner. You truly deserve this scholarship. I hope college goes well for you. Congrats!
Congratulations, Elaine!!! I wish you the very best of luck in the future. May God continue to bless you as He certainly has thus far in your life!
that was wonderful congrats!
@Larissa: Do not give up! Never! Good luck Larissa and God Bless :)
-J. Kaleigh
Congratulations! you all deserved it[:
Elaine,
Congratulations! You are very deserving and I am glad to see that you have won :)
God Bless and make the very most of what you have one, save many lives and save others and your family :)
-J. Kaleigh
congrats! never give up! I hope you have more opportunities, I understand what it means coming to USA alone…I’m really glad you got it!
Congratulation, Elaine! Best luck in the future!
Congratulations!! You earned it fair and square! I wish you the best of luck!
Congratulations!!
Good Job!!
congrats ! God had given you this award so make the most out of it
That’s so wonderful! Your story is touching, Elaine. God will continue to bless you- His will be done!
Hannah :)
I have to admit, I’m jealous and a little disspointed I didn’t get an honorable mention. But Elaine, you really deserve it. Congratulations! And Congratulations to all of the others listed. I admire you all.:)
Congratulations to the winner! I find it rather insulting that I thought I would at least get an honorable mention, yet somebody who did not even capitalize her “I”s got the spot. I understand that there’s more to it than improper grammar but this is just saddening.
OMG ELAINE I LUV U AND GOD MADE IT HAPPEN JUST AS I SAID!!!!
U R BLESSED AND U R GOIN PLACES GURRRLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wrote my essay (something different than my first) hoping that maybe I could get an honorable mention because statistically I have no chance to win the award so I was hoping for a moral victory but I guess that didn’t happen. Thinking back to my essay, I really liked it. It’s me but I can’t do me in 140. Who can?! I will tell you who…these people ^^^ The ones that got honorable mention and the girl that won…they kicked my essay’s butt! I wish I was that creative. Keep doing what you’re doing because it is YOU who will change the world. God Bless and Congratulations!! :)
Congratulations Elaine… You deserve it ..
God bless you more ..
Great job on winning and congratulations…I pray God keeps blessing you all
Congrats to the winner! :)
*sigh sadly again i lose not even an honorable mention but it’s cool congratulations to Elaine you deserved it, getting a little discouraged since i am my own support system lol that’s pretty sad but whatever congrats again and good luck next time everyone who applied. =D
“The heights by great men reached and kept, were not obtained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upwards in the night.” Oh! wow Elaine, what an achievement sweetheart, youve done us proud and, you know what? your late grandad is smiling right now from above trust me. WELL DONE!!
Congrats Elaine, and good luck!!
Congratulations, Elaine! May God bless you with whatever your future holds!
congrats to the winner :]
Congratulations, Elaine, and also great job to everyone who applied!
Good job! I’m glad the scholarship went to somebody deserving. :)
@Larissa: wow, you couldn’t just be glad for the girl that won?
Congrats to you Elaine Musiwa. God Bless You and I hope you have much success!
Congrats Elaine. You seem like coolz ppl.
Wowow…I remember reading hers and I was like…” I wouldn’t be surprised if she won…”
Congrats!!
Congrats!!! I’m glad you won.
Congratulation baby girl!!!
That 140 characters was worth reading and is worth the win. May God bless you and be with in all things you do through failures or accomplishments. Great job!
Nima I.=)
congrats to winner hope you do good with the money
WOW Elaine, congrats, great and wonderful things lie ahead for you sweetie, reach for the stars!May God shower you with his many blessings xx
@Larissa: ME TOO!… :( it is okay there are many opportunities out there though!!
Congratulations, Elaine! Your entry was amazing. May God continue to bless you in everything you do!
Wow, this is truly such a humbling experience. I feel like everyone wrote such amazing essays which is so impressive considering we only had 140 characters to do so. We are all either efficent text messagers or there truly is some talent brewing in this group of people. I’m going to go with the second one because reading all of your entries really blew me away. Thank you so much for all of the congratulations :) , it means so much to me. Congratulations to all the honorable mentions! Great job guys, as well as everyone that entered, which is a feat within itself. Paying for college sucks and it’s great that we’re exerting the effort to take it into our own hands! Let’s make our dreams happen. (LOVE)
@Larissa:
I sometimes feel the same way, but I’m sure we will both win. Even if we don’t, at least we were choosen to be Semi Finalist. So stay positive!
Congrats you guys! Fair win. God Bless You, and for the ones that didnt win: dont give up!! theres thousands of scholarships yet to discover.
sometimes i just wish i has a story….
Good luck with your goals.
Congrats from over here!!!!!! You deserve every bit of it. :)