Carolyn Harris

I am deeply appreciative to be chosen as a VAW/VRC Merit scholar.  My dad’s career as a Naval aviator shaped my life in many positive ways and gave me countless opportunities to learn and grow.  Moving across the country taught me how to build relationships and step outside of my comfort zone time and time again.  Witnessing my dad’s career in service to his country also showed me the importance of bettering the lives of others.  The way he has lived is life has influenced my own desire to serve others.  After I complete my degree in elementary education at Texas A&M University, I will pursue my Master’s in speech, language, and hearing science to become a pediatric speech-language pathologist.  I am passionate about helping young children to express themselves and be able to communicate and build their own relationships.  Receiving a Wings Over America and VAW/VRC scholarship gives me the ability to continue studying and to volunteer with my local Big Brother Big Sisters branch and in my local non-profit speech therapy clinic.  As a recipient of these scholarships, I am able to continue my extracurricular service activities alongside my education, to eventually start a career that will have a positive impact on the world around me.  I am immensely grateful to the VAW/VRC Merit scholarship program.