From Creighton to Cambridge cont.

Wunsch said that Mercer has overcome many challenges. “Danae’s personal journey, through the loss of her mother, then taking care of her younger sister while continuing her studies and supporting herself, is a compelling one,” Wunsch said.

What Mercer has learned from winning this scholarship is that if you work hard, you can achieve anything. “Regardless of your academic class and background, effort can be that propelling force,” Mercer said.
Keegan said Mercer is a role model for other students and that studying at Cambridge will be a great opportunity for her.

“She is an inspiration to me…and the work she does for others makes me so glad that she is getting good things coming her way because she gives so much to other people,” Keegan said. “She is so others-centered, always thinking about what other people need, always thinking of ways to help other people, so I think it’s wonderful that someone is thinking about how to do something nice for her.“

Even though Mercer’s dream is coming true, she knows it will be hard leaving her 18-year old sister and the family she has made at Creighton.

“I have made a family for myself here out of friends, professors and faculty. I have never been this close to family. The thought of leaving my family and my sister is scary and very hard. But, I keep reminding myself that family is forever and they are not going anywhere,” Mercer said.

Mercer said that she is a little intimidated just thinking about the students that she will soon be studying with and she is nervous about getting used to the culture. But this has not stopped her from reading as many books as she can get her hands on about England. She said that she now compares everything to England and enjoys annoying her friends with facts about Cambridge and the UK.
But what she is most looking forward to is being somewhere with so much history and knowledge. “The books, the buildings, the accents and the opportunity to marry Prince Harry. I am looking forward to all the important things,” Mercer said.

Mercer now knows through her own experience that hard work and passion can get you anywhere.

“I have worked so hard for so many years. I honestly believe that if you work hard enough, you can get it. My friends always told me that the American dream doesn’t exist. But this scholarship just reinforces that it does,” Mercer said.

Wunsch said that Mercer is more than deserving of the scholarship. “She has given as much to me, just as she has for others. She is a warm, gentle, generous, and wise-beyond-her-years, person. I am deeply touched to know that I have been important to her. Indeed, she is like a fourth daughter to me,” Wunsch said.

Keegan said that she hopes that Mercer’s win will encourage other students to follow in her footsteps and apply for scholarships and fellowships.

“There are other terrific students out there, and if they made the effort and looked into these, they could have the same success. Creighton students are winners and can win these. You don’t win unless you try,” Keegan said.
For more information on scholarships and fellowships, go to the Web site, www.creighton.edu/soar.

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