Last September, we announced the Spokeo Connections Scholarship with an award of $1,000 for the college student who wrote the best, 1,000-word piece about our designated topics surrounding relationships, data and people. After our review team filtered through more than 550 entries, our final review board chose between 6 excellent finalists. The winning essay not only demonstrated excellent writing skills, but also inspirational creative thinking for the use of data and corresponding benefits for people in need.
Ashley Dillon is a senior majoring in psychology at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Her internship work at an organization called “Out of the Life” inspired her to write about how open and easy access to data can be potentially life-changing for many individuals. We’re impressed not only by her writing skills, but also by her dedication and volunteer work. Read her essay in full and get ready to be blown away by her talent.
Get to know Ashley:
Hometown: Port St. John Florida
Current Status: Senior at University of Central Florida majoring in psychology with a minor in cognitive sciences.
Extra Work: Serving as a research assistant for Trauma Management Therapy at UCF (focused on assisting veterans with PTSD) and interning with the nonprofit, Out of the Life which helps individuals exit the sex trafficking industry.
Future Plans: Upon graduating wants to attain a Ph.D in clinical psychology, preferably at Duke. Eventually hopes to open her own practice in Savannah, GA or the Carolinas.
Congrats Ashley! We wish you the best with all of your studies and future endeavors.
The Spring contest for the Spokeo Connections Scholarship is open and currently accepting entries. Essays are due July 1st and eligibility terms remain the same. For more details visit the Spokeo Connections Scholarship Page.