Olivia Hankins
2025 Scholarship Winner
St. Olaf College

I’m really grateful for the chance to apply for the Children of Hope Scholarship. To me, this isn’t just about financial help for school-it’s a way to honor my mom’s strength and everything she’s taught me while battling cancer. Through everything we’ve faced, I’ve learned about not giving up, and the importance of being kind, caring, and forgiving. These are lessons from my mom that I try to live by every day.

My journey with cancer started when I was just five years old, the year my mom was first diagnosed with breast cancer. I didn’t really understand how serious it was back then, but I saw her bravery as she went through treatments and fought her way to remission. Life felt normal for a while, and we thought her cancer was behind us. But when I was 14, everything changed again-my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer a second time, and this time it had spread to her lungs. She’s been fighting this disease for over half my life now, and it’s shaped who I am in so many ways.

Watching my mom face pain, exhaustion, and so much uncertainty with strength has been life-changing for me. She’s still fighting, but her spirit never gives up. Through her, I’ve learned how to handle tough situations with grace and to be thankful for the little things. She’s shown me how powerful kindness can be, especially when someone is struggling. Even small acts of kindness can make a big difference, and that’s something I try to remember every day.

One of the biggest lessons my mom has taught me is the power of forgiveness. Cancer has tested our family in so many ways, but my mom has always shown how important it is to let go of anger and resentment. She says holding onto those feelings is like carrying a heavy weight, and that forgiving others is a gift you give not just to them but to yourself. Seeing her live this out, even when things are really hard, has changed the way I look at life and relationships. The Children of Hope Scholarship would help me follow my dream of going to college and building a career where I can help others. It would ease the financial pressure that comes with school, so I can focus more on my studies. This scholarship isn’t just support for my education-it’s a symbol of the hope and strength my mom and I have held onto through the years. It would mean so much to carry forward the lessons of love, kindness, and perseverance that she’s taught me.