Harwood Awarded Schisler Scholarship
Anna Harwood was awarded the 2023 Michael S. Schisler Scholarship at the 36th annual NCCAA Pro-Am Banquet on March 24th in Palm Coast, FL.
Harwood, a New Berlin, WI resident, and third-year student-athlete on the Emmaus Women's Basketball team, was one of four national recipients. Harwood was presented with a $10,000 scholarship towards her tuition and expenses for her senior year at Emmaus Bible College.
First awarded in 2021, the Michael S. Schisler Scholarship removes financial barriers for first generation students of the NCCAA, helping them pursue their dream of a college education.
Kyle Schisler, the scholarship's founder shared the following, "When my Dad passed in May of 2020 from a year long battle with brain cancer, I knew I wanted to do something to give back in his honor. My hope is that the Michael S. Schisler scholarship has an impact on future generations the same way my Dad's accomplishments impacted our family."
At the end of the Spring 2023 semester, Harwood shared her thoughts on being an Emmaus student-athlete and receiving this award.
Describe your experience at the NCCAA Pro-Am and the award announcement.
Harwood: My experience at the NCCAA Pro-Am was amazing, and I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the Schisler family, who not only awarded me the scholarship but brought me down to Florida for the Pro Am and gave me an experience that I will never forget.
I got the chance to stay at an oceanside resort and meet the Schisler family as well as the other members of the scholarship committee and their families. They were all so kind to me and the other recipients, as they treated us like guests of honor and were intentional about getting to know us individually.
When I stood on the stage with the three other finalists during the concert dinner and realized all four of us had been awarded the full scholarship, I was overcome with gratitude. It was such a surreal moment, and one that was filled with so much happiness.
It was also so sweet to get to know the other finalists, as we all came from different schools and each had our own distinct stories. Yet, despite our differences we were able to bond over the experience we shared together, as we all were blessed and impacted by the generosity of the Schisler family and those who contributed to the scholarship.
Describe your reaction to being named one of the award recipients.
Harwood: I was overwhelmed with emotion when I heard I was one of the award recipients. I felt so honored to have been chosen, so excited to know my financial situation was taken care of, and so grateful to God for his provision in my life. It didn't feel real.
If someone had told me while I was in high school that I would be pursuing my bachelors degree and playing a collegiate sport, I wouldn't have believed it, and I certainly would not have believed that I would be standing on a stage being awarded a scholarship that would allow me to graduate debt-free.
To me, it is a testimony of God's faithfulness and love, as he has so clearly provided for me and answered prayer. I have always struggled to believe that God has a personal plan for my life, yet this scholarship was one of the ways the Lord showed me his care and kindness, and made it clear that God wants me at Emmaus where I can continue my education and learn how to serve him and others well.
How did you decide to attend Emmaus?
Harwood: I decided to attend Emmaus because I was looking for a school where I could learn more about God's word and be involved in a Christian community.
When I visited for the first time, I was impacted by how personal and family-like Emmaus was, and I was encouraged by the passion people expressed for the Lord and serving him.
What has been most impactful about being a full-time, Emmaus student-athlete?
Harwood: I never envisioned myself playing a sport in college, but when I was approached about playing basketball for Emmaus, I was excited for the chance to continue playing a sport I loved alongside a group of like-minded girls.
Being a student-athlete has certainly come with challenges, but it also has brought me a lot of joy. Playing basketball has given me the opportunity to meet others and grow close with people I might not have otherwise.
Getting to challenge myself physically, along with growing spiritually and mentally as a student has also been such a blessing. I have found athletic activity has improved my time management and benefited my studies.
Additionally, I never thought about playing basketball as being a ministry before playing for Emmaus, but I have discovered that it really is. Learning how I can serve my team, reflect the character of Christ even when the circumstances are difficult, and positively interact with players from other teams are ways I have seen basketball as not simply a physical endeavor, but a spiritual one too.
What is special to you about being a first-generation college student in your family?
Harwood: Being a first generation college student is special because I never envisioned myself going to college at all, let alone getting a bachelor's degree.
It always seemed too out of reach for me, yet here I am entering my senior year of college, and I am so thankful to have this opportunity!
Because no one in my family has gone to college, it was never pushed on me by my parents, but instead I independently made the choice to pursue furthering my education after high school, and this helped me own my decision and gain the most I could from the experience.
2023 NCCAA Pro-Am Recap: https://youtu.be/-EPXl4mjoFE
Interested in becoming an Emmaus Eagle in 2023 or 2024? Fill out an Eagles Recruiting Form to begin the conversation.
Emmaus is a fully-accredited four-year college offering more than 30 professional and ministry-related academic programs. Emmaus athletic teams compete in the NCCAA Division II and the Midwest Christian College Conference.
CHRIST-CENTERED EDUCATION
UNCOMPROMISED BIBLICAL TEACHING
VALUABLE PROFESSIONAL DEGREES
Educating & Equipping Learners to Impact the World for Christ