Each Change Begins With a Single Resolution: Dream Award Scholar Levi Hancock
By Pam Carlson
“Each change begins with a single determination,” says Levi Hancock. “If I may return to inform my youthful self one piece of recommendation, it could be that each one it takes to alter from the individual you’re to the kind of individual you wish to be is a single determination.”
For Levi, a junior at Brigham Young University and a 2023 Scholarship America Dream Award Scholar, the turning level was when he was in highschool. He had all the time loved and excelled in STEM-related topics, however had issue deciding what area of examine to pursue.
“Whereas finishing a analysis venture on the advantages of financially supporting R&D tasks throughout my junior 12 months of highschool (Beavercreek High School, Beavercreek, OH), I noticed how a lot high-quality scientific analysis can actually remodel society. I turned significantly fascinated about matters resembling mobile phone know-how, nuclear vitality and Einstein’s relativity. Since then, I’ve set objectives and made plans to develop into a physics researcher with the hopes of in the future pursuing a profession in academia the place I can educate and mentor college students similar to me.”
It’s a lofty aim, particularly since Levi is liable for funding his schooling. He’s the seventh of 9 youngsters in his household, and sources are tight.
“My mother and father attempt to give us all they will to assist us achieve success,” Levi says, “but it surely has been exhausting at instances for my mother and father to help all 9 of us.”
Levi’s older brother has had mind most cancers thrice, in addition to kidney most cancers and issues that arose consequently. “His most cancers and medical points will more than likely proceed to return in coming years,” Levi mentioned. “His medical historical past has been a troublesome burden on my complete household that has induced plenty of emotional stress and fear.”
Receiving the Scholarship America Dream Award relieved Levi of the stress of continually working, giving him extra time for finding out and becoming a member of in campus life.
“I’m able to spend extra time actively collaborating in my church and neighborhood and take part in additional actions just like the expertise I had in Europe this summer season,” he mentioned.
Levi toured Japanese Europe with the Brigham Young University International Folk Dance Ensemble. “I used to be in a position to symbolize American dance and tradition at many alternative festivals and efficiency venues in Hungary, Austria and Czechia. I had wonderful alternatives to study cultural dances native to those nations from the numerous fantastic Europeans I met whereas I used to be there.”
Levi additionally labored as a analysis assistant for Los Alamos National Labs over the summer season. “It was wonderful to get to work on innovative analysis on fusion vitality and small-scale tomography imaging to assist promote our nation’s nationwide protection.”
His religion is essential as nicely. Throughout the pandemic, he took a break from faculty and served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Antonio, TX and in Southern Argentina. “I used to be in a position to bless the lives of others by means of easy service tasks and sharing the message of Jesus Christ throughout a tough time that was very difficult for individuals all world wide,” Levi mentioned.
“I hope to start out elevating a household of my very own when the chance arises,” Levi added. “So a lot of my life choices and goals are influenced by the considered how they may affect my capability to help a household. Private choices and guarantees can have nice energy if we keep true to them and actually belief in ourselves.”
