Shig Akagi Education Fund

What I’m Doing Now

I have accepted a job teaching Social Studies at Junction City Middle School. It’s about two hours from home, so not terribly close, but not terribly far. My goal is to develop into a good teacher out there, keep working on the skills I’ve been learning in student teaching, and be able to someday return to my family around Lenexa.

The SAEF Scholarship was truly a privilege. The SAEF Scholarship allowed me to devote myself to academics and learning. During my time at Emporia State University, I will graduate Summa Cum Laude, and have gotten A’s in all the courses I’ve taken (if these last two weeks go well at least!). I have peers who have to balance work and academics, and balancing those can be very difficult at times; I do not shun work (I very much admire my peers who put themselves through school by working), it’s just that the SAEF Scholarship allowed me to stay focused on academics during the school year, and working on breaks back home in Lenexa. In summary, the SAEF Scholarship took the financial stress out of my life in college, which as we know today, is a big concern for many Americans, whether they’re trying to get into school, trying to pay for school, or paying back student loans from school. I tried my best to honor this privilege given to me, by making the most out of my time at Emporia State University, buying nutritious groceries, and not frivolously spending the scholarship. At some point in my life too, I hope to be able to pay back what I took from this scholarship, so a deserving student can make the most out of their college experience.