I can honestly attest, receiving the A&V Tulloss Educational Scholarship was beyond essential throughout my undergraduate studies. Many factors have contributed to my overall success as a Department of Defense Civil Service Employee. However, the three major contributing factors that led to my success are associations, life-long learning, and learning to embrace challenges. There’s an old wise tale that says, “If you’re the smartest person in your circle, it’s time to find a new circle”. I found myself associating with like-minded individuals, people who motivated me and encouraged me to strive for success; I found myself connecting to people who saw more in me, than I saw in myself.

Second factor, Life-long learning, I gravitate towards training opportunities, any opportunity for training and/or learning count me in. I love to learn and find complete fulfilment in increasing my knowledge base personally and professionally.

Third factor, which is by far one of the most challenging factors, is learning to accept the many challenges that life throws at you… While we may not be able to control the cards life hands us, we can control how we respond to them. The three factors above serve as the core to my overall success, I would like to close by stating, “Focus on the journey and not destination”, and remember, “True commitment begins when you reach the point of not going on, but you continue anyway”…