Iida Lehto, a School of Kinesiology senior majoring in Kinesiology, received the J Anna Norris Scholarship in 2021. Now, almost a year later, her scholarship has helped her to achieve her academic goals.

Why did you decide to pursue a degree in the School of Kinesiology?

“I decided to pursue a degree in Kinesiology for many reasons. When deciding on a major, I looked at what the University offered that was broad and could be used in a variety of different fields. Kinesiology jumped out right away because I knew I could use it as a stepping stone to any healthcare field I would want to pursue. Today, this degree has led me to be accepted into a competitive Occupational Therapy program at St. Catherine’s University, starting this June.”

What has been your most memorable/favorite experience as a student in the School of Kinesiology?

“As a person that is passionate about individuals with disabilities and serving this population, I was elated when I found the class ‘Physical Activities for Persons with Disabilities.’ In this class, I got to hear from individuals with disabilities in the community and reflect on their experiences. We also reflected as a group and discussed what this may mean for our future professions. The discussion and reflection that occurred in this class will stick with me through future schooling and even into my future career.”

How has receiving the J Anna Norris Scholarship helped you to achieve your academic and personal goals?

“Simply put, receiving the J Anna Norris Scholarship has allowed me more academic freedom. To graduate on time, I have often taken 20 credit semesters, which can be difficult on its own. Adding a job on top of schoolwork makes the increasing demand even harder. However, this scholarship gave me the opportunity to focus on my studies, which has allowed me to graduate this spring.”

Why would you recommend that students apply/explore kinesiology scholarships?

“There is the obvious answer that scholarships help those with financial need, like myself. However, to me, scholarships are indicative of a job well done. Being a scholarship recipient means something about my application essay, grades, or accolades was noteworthy. It means that my hard work has paid off. Other students should explore scholarships for this very reason. Since every individual is different and has their unique passions, a scholarship can give them freedom to pursue new interests such as a research opportunity or can give them more time to devote to studies.”

Interested in learning more about kinesiology scholarships? Click here. The application deadline is March 14, 2022.