Mary Andrews: Fall 2022 Undergraduate Achiever Scholarship Recipient

Hi, my name is Mary Andrews. I am 24 years old. I was an early high school graduate, so I started college 10 years ago when I was 14. I got an associates in business. I didn’t plan on going any further. Shortly after graduation (around 18 years old), I got married and had a wonderful baby girl. I didn’t ever plan on going back to school. As life went on, I started to feel like I was not where I was supposed to be career wise. I started looking into all types of careers, different schooling options, and many career paths. As I researched, I felt like I was being called in the music field. I really enjoy music, but it was more than that. I felt like I needed to make a difference in the world, and a positive difference. I started to realize how important music is in a person’s life and especially a child’s life as they are developing.

I felt like the way I can make the most difference in the music field is to be a music teacher. I am about to start my 2nd year at The University of Utah School of Music. I am getting a degree in Choral Education. I am now a mom of 4 beautiful children, and I have an amazing husband supporting me through all of it.  It is quite a thing trying to get an education while having kids.

I was starting to wonder if it would even be possible for me to continue school with everything going on. About 2 days after thinking this, I received an email saying that I have been chosen for the Undergraduate Achiever Scholarship. It felt surreal, and I couldn’t believe it. Mentally, physically, emotionally, and especially financially it has taken a big toll on our family and anything I can get will help. I am so honored you chose me for this scholarship. It will be a huge help for my family. Thank you so much! 

My school had on campus classes in the Fall. They are taking other precautions to ensure sicknesses don’t spread. With this in mind, I don’t feel like they need to have online only. I believe that in person classes are a lot more efficient and easier to learn from. I think the technology now days is amazing. I feel like it will only get better and better. Being a mom though, it is quite scary how accessible technology is to kids and the effect it can have on them. It can be used positively or negatively. If used in a positive way, it can be a big help in a lot of ways.