Mia Lynch

The VAW/VRC Merit Scholarship will have a profound impact on my life and my family. It will help allow me to reach my dream of obtaining a degree in Biomedical Engineering and working in the field of global health. I plan to work alongside communities to solve real world problems and save lives, just like I did with the organization I helped found at my high school – Stand Together. Stand Together works to destigmatize mental health and substance abuse difficulties while supporting peers. I look forward to volunteering in support of mental health at college as well. My veteran father has taught me a lot about dedication and caring about the needs of others. I am excited to honor his exemplification of service with my own life choices and I believe those life choices are a perfect story for what this scholarship will allow me to accomplish. With so many students leaving college with astronomical debt, I have seen firsthand how debilitating that can be to young adults. My family has sacrificed extensively for my future, and I am determined to do everything in my power to keep them from having more debt as well. This scholarship will allow me to accomplish my academic goals without financial stress and that is an opportunity for which I say a heartfelt thank you.