We Are Excited to Announce the Winner of the 2017 Graves McLain College Scholarship Essay Program!

At Graves McLain we are thrilled to be able to help students and members of the community succeed by offering programs like the Graves McLain College Scholarship Program.

The program awards a $1,000 scholarship each year for the recipient to put towards tuition to pursue any field of study from an accredited college.

This year’s essay topic was on how adversity has affected your life. The essay program was open to all prospective or current undergraduate students attending an accredited college or university.

The 2017 winner of the $1,000 Graves McLain College Scholarship Essay Program is December, a Junior at Washburn University majoring in Criminal Justice with a focus in Corrections.

December chose to write her essay on the traumatic experiences she went through with an abusive father as a young girl. She described the abuse her family went through on a daily basis.

She explained how they eventually got the strength to leave and start a new family with a loving and caring step-dad who showed her the true meaning of a father. December’s life took a tragic turn once again when her step-dad passed away, but his death taught her to never take anything for granted and to cherish every moment.

December is a strong, courageous and bright young woman who was able to stand up for what was right and to keep pushing forward. Most importantly, she did not allow the challenges she faced in her family life, dictate the person she ultimately became. She chose to be the shoulder for her mother to cry on and the strength needed to thrive. Her strength is what kept her mother going and made her into the strong, independent, and brave woman she is today.

Thank you to all students who submitted an essay this year! Each and everyone was eye-opening and all of you have such bright futures. We look forward to seeing what next year will bring!

Congratulations, December, from everyone at Graves McLain Law!