You may have heard of Osceola McCarty, who worked for 75 years as a washer woman. After she retired, she went to the bank and 1, to her surprise, that her small monthly savings had 2to over $150,000. She donated $150,000 to the USM for a scholarship fund for students with financial3.
What you have not heard is how Osceola's gift has4 my life. I was a 5student and I had my heart set on going to USM. But I 6 a regular scholarship by one point on my entrance exams, and a scholarship was the only way I could attend. One Sunday, I 7 the story about Osceola and her generous 8in the newspaper, and went to the financial aid office and became the first9 of an Osceola Scholarship.
I first 10Osceola at a press conference—meeting her was like finding family. Osceola11married and lived alone, so my family has since become her family. My grandma and she talk 12 on the phone and she13us in family gatherings. It was amazing that I used to cycle right by a 14every day on my way to school and I did notice how everything was clean and neat there, but I didn't know it15to be where she lived.
Osceola gave me much more than a scholarship. She taught me about the gift of 16. She worked her whole life and gave to others, which reached deep inside of me and fueled my 17 to give back when I can. Eventually I plan to add to her scholarship fund. I want to give Osceola the18she's always wanted, so I've adopted her as another grandma. And when I graduate from USM, she'll be sitting in the audience 19my mother and my grandmother—right where she 20.
