For years I’ve known that I wanted to attend college and pursue a career in medicine — whether in orthodontics or pharmacy. I knew higher education was the path for me. However, attending college wasn’t going to be as simple as applying, paying and attending.
Growing up in Blanding, a small city with a population under 5,000 people, college felt daunting when you calculated the cost of a four-year degree. However, thanks to the Daniels Fund Scholarship, I can study biology at the University of Utah, without the worry of how I would cover the cost of my courses while also wondering how much debt I would rack up by the time I graduated.
Like many students, I faced the challenge of how to pay for college. Higher education is expensive, and that burden is also coupled with the already limited financial resources available to those like me who are part of the Navajo Nation. The Daniels Fund Scholarship covers my full cost of attendance, allowing me to focus on my studies without worrying about how I’m going to pay for tuition, books or living expenses.
Although attending college has always been my dream, I knew it wouldn’t just fall in my lap. In high school, I was involved in a range of extracurricular activities — I played football and basketball, participated in community service projects and served on the National Honor Society. I volunteered with the Special Olympics and Adopt-A-Native-Elder, which opened my eyes to the importance of giving back.
These experiences shaped who I am, but they didn’t necessarily point me toward a college degree — until I started applying for scholarships. When I found out I had received my scholarship, I was overjoyed. It was a turning point in my life, one that opened doors I never thought were possible.
Now, as a biology major with a minor in chemistry, I’m working toward my goal of attending pharmacy school. Ever since I was young, science has always captivated me — particularly molecular and cellular biology. Understanding the intricacies of how the human body works, right down to the cellular level, is something I find incredibly exciting. There are millions of things happening every second in our bodies. Learning about how everything works, is interconnected and how all those changes in our bodies are specific to us, is really fascinating to me. When it comes to pharmacy, for me, it is the perfect blend of science and helping people, which is why I’m so passionate about it. Ultimately, I want to be able to take my knowledge and expertise and do all I can to positively impact the lives of my family, my community and my patients.
The scholarship hasn’t just provided financial support — it has also given me a community. Through the Daniels Fund, I’ve connected with other scholar recipients at the University of Utah. These connections have made the transition to college life much smoother. Having a network of people who understand my journey and who I can turn to for advice has been incredibly valuable. As an alumnus of the program, our bond will continue beyond college and into our careers.
Life on the reservation comes with unique challenges — generations often live together in one household, and responsibilities like herding sheep or caring for elders can make it difficult to focus on academics. But I believe that, with the right support, students can overcome these obstacles and achieve their dreams. This scholarship doesn’t just provide financial assistance – it gives students the freedom to pursue their education without the burden of debt, and that’s a life-changing opportunity.
I want to encourage more students, particularly Indigenous students, to apply for the Daniels Scholarship. Too often, students from the Navajo Nation and other Indigenous communities don’t pursue higher education because they think it’s out of reach. But this scholarship has shown me that it is possible to attend college and pursue your dreams without the heavy burden of student debt. I want others to realize that, too.
To any high school senior reading this, I urge you to apply at www.danielsscholarship.org.
In the future, I hope to give back to my community, just as others have helped me. Whether I return to Blanding or stay in Salt Lake City after pharmacy school, I will use my education to improve the lives of those around me.
Ahe’hee.
(Anthony Done) Anthony Done is a Daniels Scholarship recipient and a freshman at the University of Utah.
Anthony Done is a Daniels Scholarship recipient and a freshman at the University of Utah.
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