Getting to Know Kyra Puetz

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Getting to Know Kyra Puetz

Get to know Kyra Puetz, an Illini Dads Association Scholarship Winner from the 2016-2017 school year. Out of 41 applications, Kyra was one of 6 scholarship winners who each received $2,000. She’s from the Southside of Chicago and enjoys reading and listening to music in her free time. Read on to learn more about Kyra and how the Illini Dads Association impacted her college experience!

Name: Kyra Puetz

Major/minor: English

Year of Graduation: 2020

Fun fact: I have two different colored eyebrows, but I normally fill my right one in to match.

Favorite campus spot: Japan House

Tell me about yourself. Give a brief introduction and anything else you’d want people to know about you!

I am from the Southside of Chicago and love to read, which is why I decided to major in English. My favorite book is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I also love listening to music and looking up the meaning to my favorite songs.

What activities and clubs are/were you involved in at the University of Illinois?

Camp Kesem and Eco-Olympics in Taft-Van Doren Hall

How did you hear about the Illini Dads Association scholarship?

I was looking for ideas on what I should do with my dad for dad’s weekend and came across the scholarship on their Facebook page.

Why did you decide to apply?

I’m always looking for scholarships to apply for and the application seemed simple enough. I decided to not tell my parents so that if I won, I could surprise them. It was awesome to hear how excited they were when I won.

How did the scholarship benefit you? Were there any specific areas that it helped?

I was unable to get a cosigner for private loans I needed so my parents had to help me pay for tuition-which was incredibly hard for them to do. They were signed up for the tuition payment plan and, randomly, in the beginning of second semester I received an email saying that my balance decreased. I didn’t find out until later in the semester where the money had come from, but it helped my parents so much in paying off the rest of the semester.

What are/were you hoping to gain from an education at the University?

I’m excited to meet people from different backgrounds and take advantage of the opportunities U of I has to offer; whether it is traveling, jobs, or life-long friendships.

What has been your favorite experience as a student at the University of Illinois?

Searching for an apartment was so stressful but finally deciding on an apartment to lease was super exciting! Signing the lease with my roommates made me feel like I was actually growing up and learning the true meaning of responsibility.

What are your plans for the future? (career goals, passions, etc.)

I’m still trying to decide what I want to do after graduation, but I’m hoping to go into either Public Relations or Speech Pathology! I also hope to study abroad, as I have never been out of the country before.

If you’d like a chance to be one of the next Illini Dads Association Scholarship winners apply for the 2017-2018 award here. Illini Dads prides itself on being a non-profit organization that supports programs, activities, and services for the students, parents, and alumni of the University of Illinois. In the past they have gifted over hundreds of thousands dollars in scholarships, grants, and donations to advance the goals and dreams of the university’s highly valued students.

 

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