Elizabeth S.
When I was in 5th grade, I used to come to Saint Ben's for basketball tournaments. My friends and I had gone to eat at McGlynn's in between games and got strawberries and could not stop talking about how good they were.. We kept talking about them and couldn't wait for the next tournament. I still remember that. It wasn't until my older sister, who is three years older than me, decided to go to Saint Ben's that I made the connection between the strawberries and the school. Ever since then, I had a feeling that this was where I would call my second home.
When I went on college visits, CSB/SJU was my first one. There was something about this school that drew me in right away. I visited other schools, state and private, but there was something about the feeling I got at CSB/SJU that I just didn't get at the other schools. My dad joked that of course I chose the most expensive school that I looked at, but it was the best decision in every aspect. Because my older brother and sister had already entered college, my family knew that financially it was going to be tough, but they knew how I felt about this school and were 100% on board with my decision. I am thankful and relieved to know that Saint Ben's offers scholarships to Bennies like I was going to be.
I come from a big family. I am the third oldest of six kids in my family, living on a one-parent income as my mom is a stay-at-home mom. The scholarship that I received from CSB is the reason that I am able to attend a school where I feel like I matter and make a difference. I love knowing that because of my scholarship, I have become a member of a sisterhood of Bennies that I am proud to be a part of. Now that I work at Phonathon on campus, I see every day the difference that these scholarships really make and the importance of donors to the school. It is through these scholarships that I have been able to try new things and make connections that I can only hope will light up a world of opportunities for myself and pave a way for a successful future.
Elizabeth S. '17 | Morris, Minn.