 | Including this year's $3,000 Strada Education Network/ThanksUSA scholarship, Alicia Paddock has received ThanksUSA scholarships totaling $6,000 for undergraduate studies at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. The daughter of an Air Force Reservist, Alicia majors in Sociology with minors in Spanish and Human Life Studies. “I find my purpose in helping others. While one of my career goals is to become an elementary school teacher, back in my home state of California, I am also open to the possibility of working with children or older adults through social services or community work.” |
| Alicia serves as a Student for Life club officer, plays intramural sports, and is researching and compiling a history of the 1885 Orleans Hill Winery. In the spring of 2017, Alicia studied abroad in Gaming, Austria and lived in a 14th-century Carthusian monastery. “Every weekend I traveled to a different country. I was also blessed with the opportunity to serve God's people on a mission trip to Slovakia. The whole semester was one in which I learned primarily about love, generosity, and the beauty of truth and faith.” Next March, Alicia will lead a mission trip to Peru. After completing her undergraduate studies, Alicia intends to work on her family's farm, inspire young people to be more involved with the church, and continue preservation efforts in her hometown. "I believe that as a small farming community, the people are often neglected, forgotten, and simply thought less of. I would like to help change that in whatever way I can." |  Alicia conducting historical research of the 1885 Orleans Hill Winery |
 | “I want to thank you for making the ThanksUSA scholarship possible. This scholarship has taken away a mental and financial burden that was hanging over my head. I feel that of all the scholarships I have applied for, ThanksUSA actually cared about all that I have done to qualify for this scholarship. ThanksUSA really did care about the 4.0 GPA, the volunteer work, and all the various activities. Thank you, ThanksUSA, for caring. Thank you, America. Thank you for your generous financial support.” |
