“Our teacher taught us about realworld issues,” she said. “We learned about doing things more sustainably in small, local communities to try to revert some of the damage that’s happening today.” Short learned that composting, planting gardens and investing in local farms and produce are simple ways to help the environment — a passion that contributed to her selection as an Oklahoma State Scholar Society fellow. “When they sent me an email saying I was a semifinalist, I immediately sent a screenshot of it to my mom,” she said. “We kind of freaked out about it and then I said, ‘Well, now I have to start prepping for interview questions.’” After what Short described as a nerve-wracking interview process, she was selected as one of just five OSSS fellows for the 2020-21 school year. The news made it easy to decide between OSU and the University of Oklahoma, where she also had scholarship offers. “Plus, I just came to love OSU more,” Short said. “The campus, and the whole environment, has a really friendly feeling to it.” When asked about who has helped her achieve her goals, Short was unequivocal in her answer. “Definitely my parents,” she said. “They’ve always said, ‘Whatever you want to do, we’ll support you emotionally. We’ll make sure you find something you really love in college.’” Her family’s advice and encouragement prompted her own words of wisdom for students looking toward college. “Don’t be too hard on yourself,” Short said. “It’s possible that you won’t get straight As and that’s OK. It works out. As long as you’re getting yourself to where you want to be, that’s all that matters. Even now I have to take a step back and realize I’m doing really well! It’s just hard to see that sometimes.” SARAH SHORT Incoming freshman and OSSS fellow Sarah Short had a plan early in high school to become a doctor. She hopped between classes at Edmond Santa Fe High School and Francis Tuttle Technology Center, preparing for a future in the medical field. “But then I got through the year and realized I hated it,” Short admitted. “It’s so competitive and stressful. So I took a botany class junior year, loved it and decided to make a career of it.” Following in the footsteps of her environmental scientist grandfather who also studied at OSU, Short is majoring in plant biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. “I just love the thought of using plant biology with a minor in environmental science to study sustainability,” Short said, citing the influence of a high school environmental science class. 32 CONNECT 2020
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