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Scholar Spotlight: Sidney Ayers

Bright Scholar at the University of Iowa

Checkout this Interview on our Instagram!

Bright Scholar, Sidney Ayers, is a Human Physiology major on the Pre-PA track at the University of Iowa. Sidney is expected to graduate in the Spring of 2022. Read more about Sidney to find out her favorite things about Iowa’s campus!

How are you exploring your career and preparing yourself for life after college?

After getting my bachelor’s degree, I plan to apply to a master’s program to become a physician assistant. My dream career is to be able to spend half of the year working inpatient and the other half doing non-profit work outside of the United States with an organization such as Doctors Without Borders.

What do like most about your school?

Definitely the diversity! Not only are there so many diverse areas of study but the staff and students come from vastly different backgrounds.

What has been your biggest challenge since starting college?

It took me a while to find a balance between my school curriculum and life outside of school. It helped to find friends who supported my studies and were also there to have fun with.

Where is your favorite place to study?

Although I came to love studying in my bed during quarantine, there’s nothing like studying in a coffee shop. My favorite is DASH.

What campus activities do you like to participate in?

The campus activities at the University of Iowa are endless! I am president of the MEDLIFE chapter on campus, which I love devoting my time to. I also love the school’s intramural sports because they offer different divisions for various levels of competitiveness.

Thanks for getting to know our wonderful scholars! Stayed tuned for more spotlights to come on our News & Events page, as well as other updates!

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“Being a Bright Scholar means being part of a family that is selfless and giving, and which strives to provide a better future for today’s youth who, in turn, will contribute to society.”

“The most valuable part of being a Bright Scholar was experiencing college from a different perspective. I am so grateful for every opportunity and position I was able to hold because I had nothing to worry about and could truly enjoy every moment. Having the freedom to get involved allowed me to further my professional development and give back to the college and community, things I would not have been able to do if I didn’t have the scholarship.”

“As I finish my sophomore year, I am grateful that I have received the Bright Scholarship to help me achieve my goals. My grades have been good and I am proud that I’ve been making Dean’s List. I attended the Engineering job fair to target companies for a summer internship. After being offered two, I chose Nutra Flo, a liquid fertilizer manufacturer in South Dakota. I’m excited to see what I will learn and how much I know out in the real world of Mechanical Engineering. Thank you again for awarding me the Bright Scholarship. Thanks to the Bright Foundation, I have been able to attend ISU without the burden of deep financial indebtedness. It has allowed me to experience ISU but most importantly, I have been able to study in order to do well in my classes. It is because of the Brights — they had a vision to help young people in Iowa achieve higher education. I am excited to be a part of that vision.”

“My first year in college has been amazing. I was able to get involved with intramural sports, Iowa Wishmakers and Dance Marathon because you took the financial burden off my back and allowed for me to get the most out of my college experience. I’ve been able to focus on school and not worry about working which has allowed me to get the most out of my education. I was also able to fulfill one of my dreams before going to college; I was able to pay for a child’s Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World with my graduation money because of your generosity and covering the expenses of my education. This first year has been great and I cannot wait for the next three years. Thank you Bright Scholars of Iowa!”

“I want to personally thank the Bright Foundation for this year. I would not be nearly as successful without their financial support. I come from an incredibly humble background and the financial stability they have given me in the form of this scholarship has allowed me to commit my highest potential to my classwork. They are the reason I am the student I am today. I have tried to carry the Bright Foundation’s values close to my heart this academic year. I worked extremely hard and devoted much of my outside time to volunteer work. I cannot put into works how grateful I am for the opportunities this foundation has given me. They have laid the groundwork for all of my current and future success. I plan to celebrate these values, and this foundation for the rest of my life.”

“With each passing semester I become even more thankful for this scholarship. My college experience has been phenomenal and this scholarship deserves all the credit. You have allowed to me the opportunity to thoroughly enjoy receiving my education at the University of Iowa. I am thankful to be a Bright Scholar of Iowa. Thank you so much for the college experience you have let me have through this scholarship.”