My name is Darnesha Birch and I am a senior at Olney Charter High School and a dedicated learner. I am a member of the College Access Program in my school, which helps me with college. During my four years in high school, I have been on top of everything and been involved in the school community. I have helped with soccer and basketball games, worked with teachers to organize their classrooms, and completed an internship through the Student Excellence Center at Olney Elementary School. I have also been a member of the soccer team. I am hard working, both in and out of school.

The college I will attending in the fall of this year is Lincoln University, majoring in Business Management.  After college, I would like to build my own business, while being involved in real estate. My ultimate goal is to become a real estate agent. I plan to continue to build up my knowledge and career skills over the next four years.

Learning of Nathaniel's life has inspired me to do more in my life and within the community. I will continue to get involved and to do more volunteer work during my years in college. I would like to volunteer to help provide care for the homeless and to raise money for organizations.

Dealing with the loss of a family member is extremely difficult and I can, unfortunately, relate. I lost both of my parents at a young age, my father at the age 9 and mother at the age 16. I continue my life knowing they are looking over me and do everything I can to make them proud of what I accomplish. I strive hard to be a wonderful independent young adult.

I am honored to receive the Nathaniel M. Kirkland Scholarship. This foundation is an outstanding way to continue Nathaniel's motto "Become the change you want the world to be." I think that is an amazing motto to carry on his legacy. In this world, more people should live by this motto, changing the world and themselves at the same time.

​​- Darnesha Birch (Excerpts from personal statement)

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Nathaniel M. Kirkland Scholar: Darnesha Birch