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Sam Lim
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I like 3 places!
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Location: Seattle, WA
Title: Founder, Scholarship Junkies
Company/Organization: Scholarship Junkies
Birth Date: Nov 06
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My Life Story...
I was born in Singapore and immigrated with my parents and older sister to the US when I was six weeks old. Coming from large families and humble beginnings, my parents brought us to the US with our few belongings and the vision of providing us with the foundation to succeed.
Their sacrifices have motivated me, in my 19 years, to pursue excellence in all I do and give back to my community while overcoming life's adversities. At age nine, I sprained an ankle playing basketball, developing dystonia, a neurological movement disorder caused by a genetic mutation and triggered by my injury.
Over the past ten years, I have experienced tremendous ups and downs, spending six years in a wheelchair from sixth grade to my junior year in high school. After numerous doctor appointments, myriad physical therapy sessions, and four major operations (including a Deep Brain Stimulation surgery), I am now independent of the wheelchair.
From serving as Vice Chairman of the World Affairs Council of Spokane to starting Sam's Scholarship Kiosk, my work ethic, enthusiasm for life, and drive to help others stems from the lessons learned as a result of my sports injury. Over the past decade, the trials and tribulations I have experienced have shaped my personality and molded my character.
If I had never sprained my ankle in third grade and developed dystonia, I would never have learned to empathize with others, to have patience in difficult circumstances, to embrace the gifts others take for granted, and to remain optimistic despite the troubles of life. In the words of the 2003 Most Philosophical Student in America, Woo Kyung-Kim, the greatest lesson in life is to always “have faith.”
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About My Job...
Currently, I am the Founder and Chief Developer of Scholarship Junkies, a scholarship outreach resource that provides high school students with the tools for compiling competitive scholarship applications. I balance my work with my education at the University of Washington in Seattle.
I juggle taking 17 credit hours and working 12 hours a week at a part-time job as well as participating 25-30 hours a week in extracurricular activities, particularly the University of Washington Dream Project. My days are usually filled with classes, meetings, and appointments, but I love every minute of it.
As Founder and Chief Developer, I travel to high schools, conducting workshops, making scholarship presentations, and promoting the services of Scholarship Junkies. I really enjoy speaking at schools because it allows me to connect with students with whom I can share my experience as a recent high school student.
I work closely with students, editing essays, reading through applications, and providing suggestions to help strengthen their applications. I mentor many students from all around the US through the college admissions, financial aid, and scholarship process as a member of the University of Washington Dream Project.
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My Education and Degrees...
University of Washington, Expected Graduation: June 2011
Bachelors of Arts with College Honors, Business Administration and International Studies
Mead Senior High School, June 2006
Gold Medallion and Gold Honor Cord Graduate
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Member of These Organizations...
Horatio Alger National Scholars
Gates Millennium Scholars
University of Washington Dream Project
University Sales Club
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Monster's Diversity Leadership Program
Sigma Alpha Lambda Honors and Leadership Organization
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Comment Board
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Posted on
Thu, Jul 05, 2007, at 12:39 AM
