I am endlessly thankful for the scholarships that I’ve been given. As a student who pays for school on my own, any help that I receive is a blessing from God to pursue my calling.
My past was one of uncertainty. My parents tried their best. But challenged by substance abuse, unfortunate circumstances, and uneasy living situations, we constantly moved from house to house, and from school to school until we finally settled in Joshua, Texas with my grandparents. I joined the choir at Joshua High School and fell in love with music and the new relationships with friends and teachers. In my junior year, my parents moved out, and I was left with my grandparents to complete the rest of high school. It was a confusing time as I had to navigate through graduation and searching for a university to attend on my own.
SWAU kind of fell into my lap when a friend invited me to Music Fest. I had never heard of the school but felt compelled to contact the director and ask for a chance to audition. Quickly my world flipped upside down. I suddenly had the opportunity to not only go to college, but to meet new people who were kind and compassionate; to travel when I had believed my feet belonged only to Texas ground; to pursue music which had been calling to me since I was a child and I was excited! Only one thing was stopping me: the cost of higher education. Discouraged, I reached out to the director. He proposed that I audition for a music scholarship and assured me that there would be other sources of funding available to help me get where I needed to be.
Four years later, I am proud to say that I am here at Southwestern Adventist University studying Music Education. I wouldn’t be where I am today without scholarships to aid in paying for my dreams.
My goal is to teach elementary school music and pursue a master’s degree, then lead a choir of my own using our music to minister the Word.
I hope that one day I can inspire others the way that I was inspired and aid people, young and old, to see the light and mercy of our God through the beautiful sound of music.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to be at Southwestern Adventist University and for the scholarships that have been selflessly given to me. Thank you so much for being willing to give a part of what you have to those who need it to turn their lives around.
Brianna Teich