By Whitney Barnes
Staff Writer
Mollie Sims, a 2024 graduate of Marshall High School, was recently honored with the 2024 International Union, Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Affinity Scholarship. Sims was chosen as one of five scholarship recipients from a national pool of candidates based on her academic performance, involvement in extracurricular activities, and notable accomplishments.
During her time at Marshall High School, Sims distinguished herself with exceptional academic achievements. She earned the George Washington Carver Award for being a top 10 percent performer in her graduating class and graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors.
Her qualifications then earned her a spot among 40 high school seniors accepted into the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Pharmacy Pre-Assurance Program. As part of this program, she is pursuing a pre-pharmacy major. Additionally, she has been accepted into UMKC’s Honors Program and UMKC’s Professional Career Escalators Program.
When asked about her professional aspirations, Sims stated, “I want to be in a position that will allow me to help provide medication to those in need and support my community and patients. I am unsure if I want to be a community pharmacist or specialist, but I look forward to exploring and learning more about these areas.”
Sim’s decision to pursue a career in pharmacy was influenced by her firsthand experience as a Type 1 diabetic. She said she recognized the crucial role that pharmacists play in a patient’s medical care, which motivated her to participate in UMKC’s Pharmacy Camps and network with various pharmacists. These experiences helped guide her decision to pursue this field.
Applying for scholarships can be overwhelming and tedious, but Sims explained that the stress of paying for the ever-rising cost of a college education outweighed all of those challenges. She emphasized that every dollar earned through a scholarship was a blessing.
“Knowing that a club, organization, the legacy of a loved one or a business chose you to invest in is humbling,” Sims stated. “Not only do you want to obtain your dreams for yourself and your family, but you feel an obligation also to make those who awarded you scholarship money proud and show them you were a good investment.”
She said that she could only imagine the exceptional students who applied for the scholarship, and knowing that she was one of those students who not only stood out, but was also selected to receive it, was an honor and privilege.
The International Union, Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America is the Largest Security, Police Union in the U.S. All SPFPA members and their families are eligible to participate in the Affinity Scholarship Program. Sims’ Father, Scott Sims, is a current member of the SPFPA.
In closing, Sims shared these inspiring words: “Always strive for greatness. Even small steps can lead to big outcomes over time. It’s important to remember that failure is part of the journey, so embrace it, learn from it, and move on. Your past does not define your future; you get to choose what your future will be every day. You matter, you have a purpose, and you can make a difference.”
