Scholarships Motivated Michelle to Study Harder

July 2016

When Michelle Hall was in high school, she took several concurrent enrollment and advanced placement classes, often asking herself why. She found out the reason when she enrolled at LDS Business College. “I think every one of those classes applied to my business degree, here,” she said. “It all fell into place during registration.” 

Other things didn’t fall into place quite so readily, however. During her first semester, the Fruit Heights, Utah native struggled to make new friends. “I went from a huge high school where all my friends were, to a school where I knew no one. It didn’t help that I was fairly shy. But having the knowledge of the Savior and trusting in him helps to calm the storm. It has given me an eternal perspective and reminds me to enjoy the daily things because it will all work out.”

Michelle quickly found a way to help make it work out by getting a job at LDSBC’s award-winning student development center. There she helped students find housing, understand the meal plan, and answered other questions to help make their transition to college comfortable. “One of my favorite things was having students come back and visit me often because they felt like they had a friend up there,” she said. “I loved hearing their stories, getting to know them and helping with their needs.”

More than just a way to pay for school, Michelle said her job taught her the importance of communication, being thorough in projects, and being proactive. “College has helped me to learn and taught me the importance of always learning,” she said. “It has helped me overcome fears and challenges, one of which is being able to balance a full schedule and life! It is helping me to be more appreciative, pray more sincerely, and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Michelle received the LeGrand Richards Service Scholarship for recently returned missionaries, then worked hard in class to earn the Freshman scholarship and subsequently the Sophomore scholarship. “These scholarships have meant the world to me,” she said. “They’ve been a major blessing in my life. They have also motivated me to work harder, because I realized many people sacrificed for my education. If people are willing to pay for someone they don’t even know, then I need to give all I can to my studies.” Michelle accomplished her goal: she graduated with a 4.0 GPA.

Michelle hopes to use her experiences and blessings to bless others around the world. “I’d love to do humanitarian work and help others feel the love of Christ,” she said. “I would love to enable every person to be able to fulfill their dreams. I’ve learned from my own experience that too many people don’t achieve their dreams because of fear.”

Michelle’s greatest desire, however, is to become a mom. “I may not be able to reach every single person in life, but God has a work for me to do within the walls of my own home,” she said. My mother has been an amazing example to me and that inspires me. Being a mother may not get the praise of the world, but one by one I believe I can change the world by being a mom.”

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