As usual, the judges had a very difficult time selecting a winner for our 2008-2009 Scholarship, but had a wonderful time reading all the excellent answers. We are pleased to announce the winner!

The winner of the 2008-2009 OP Loftbed $500 Scholarship Award is A. Keller. Our winner is a sophomore at Virginia Commonwealth University where she is majoring in Music Education. Her answers to the questions were as follows:

What personal characteristics are most important to you in a Presidential candidate and why? I think that a Presidential candidate should be trustworthy, caring, intelligent, and humble. All of these qualities are things that I would look for in a best friend. My best friend fits all of the above qualities. And although sometimes we don’t agree on things, we never lose faith in each other because there is always a bond between us, just as there should be a bond between a president and his or her nation. I know that presidents don’t get personal with every single person in the United States. But I still feel more comfortable knowing that I can look at our president as a best friend if need be.

Some psychologists say all families are dysfunctional to a degree. What makes your family dysfunctional? Last summer my grandma had a stroke that left her unable to move the right side of her body and also gave her aphasia. She’s lived with us for the past six years and that’s always been a struggle, but now it’s worse because of her condition. She’s constantly screaming at my mom over nothing because she barely understands anything she says. This stresses my mom out and makes her depressed, so she’s constantly yelling at my dad, my sister, and I. So basically, it’s like one big chain reaction. We’re constantly fighting which isn’t healthy for any family. I mean, we make up and stuff, but we shouldn’t have to live like this every day.

Nike has, “Just Do It.” Larry the Cable Guy has, “Git-R-Done!” What is your life motto? There’s an album by Vanessa Carlton called “Be not Nobody” which is what I like to use as my life motto. To me, it means to be your own special person, to be somebody different in this world of people who are forever trying to match the latest style. But it also means that you should be humble about who you are and the things you do. There’s no need to brag about everything you do. The motto isn’t “be somebody,” it’s “be not nobody,” which to me, means don’t see yourself as no one, but don’t see yourself as the best something that ever walked the earth either.

We want to greatly thank all of our participants who made our seventh scholarship such a success, and wish each and every one of them a most prosperous future. The decision of the judges is final.

Filed under: Scholarship by OP Loftbed