Many seniors may have trouble deciding what school they want to attend next fall, but for one student the decision is very clear.

Caroline Niepsuj, senior, received the Golden Apple scholarship this spring, donating around $30,000 to the college of her choice. The Golden Apple scholarship gives Niepsuj a full ride to any school that has a certified education program. Niepsuj has chosen to attend Loyola next fall to follow her dreams of becoming a fourth grade teacher.

Q: Why were you first interested in taking Child Development freshman through senior year?
A: I’ve taken 7. Freshman year I transferred into the district. I came in late, mid August, so I was placed into classes. I wasn’t forced to take it, but they were like “Oh [Child Development] is open.” I wasn’t originally interested it in, I didn’t really have a choice. Once I actually got into it, I was like “Oh this is actually really interesting.” I knew I wanted to teach and that’s what kind of sparked me to take the classes sophomore, junior, and senior year.

Q: What is Child Development like?
A: Child Development I is basically you learn about different types of play patterns with kids. You learn about when they’re an embryo to when they actually grow. You study the different changes throughout childhood. Child Development 2-8 is the preschool. Every Monday we group together and talk about what each kid did and the different types of lessons that we have. Every student in the class, depending on what level you are, you have to do observations, you have to teach lessons to the kids, you have to do lesson reviews. You create “Special Days” which are basically like mini parties. [For example] we have Cinco de Mayo and Easter.[The kids come] from the district that just sign up. It’s $250 for the full year. It’s a lot of word of mouth things because Mrs. Caperelli doesn’t really advertise often. There’s a side door that right next to the library and they come in through there.

Q: Why are you interested in education?
A: Ever since I was really little, I loved teaching. My sister and I would always print out worksheets and always teach each other. It’s just something that I’ve always done and it’s stuck with me. You always hear people say, “You don’t stick with what you were interested in when you were little,” but I’m different. Freshman year I transferred into the district. I came in late, mid-August, so I was placed into classes. I wasn’t forced to take it, but they were like “Oh [Child Development] is open.” I wasn’t originally interested it in, I didn’t really have a choice. Once I actually got into it, I was like, “Oh this is actually really interesting.” I knew I wanted to teach, and that’s what kind of sparked me to take the classes sophomore, junior, and senior year.

Q: Who inspires you?
A: A teacher at Lake Zurich that inspires me is Mrs. Caperelli. I’ve had her for all four years. She’s given me a lot of advice about education in general and just truly my inspiration.

Q: What was the process of applying for the scholarship?
A: In November or December, I got a letter in the mail saying that I was nominated to apply for this scholarship. I did more background research on the “Golden Apple” scholarship and I was like “Wow, that’s really cool. I want to teach, and they’re willing to give me money for it. This is what I want to do with my life, so I might as well apply.” After school, I went to check my mailbox, what I usually do. I saw this giant envelope that said Golden Apple on it. I sat down, and I opened it. It was a thick packet. Juniors know that the big envelope is the good envelope. I was shaking while opening it. The first words were, “Dear Caroline, Congratulations.” I lose it, and I start crying and screaming. I was like “Oh my god, this is the greatest day of my life.” My makeup is running and my mom is in the other room and she’s like “Caroline why are you screaming? Did you not get it?” And I’m like “No Mom, I did” It was the best day of my life. I kept reading it and was like “they’re giving me so much money!”

Q: How does the scholarship work?
A: Well FAFSA gave me a lot of money to go to Loyola because of my family situation. Golden Apple is giving me $30,000 overall. I only have to pay $2,000 for all four years of college. So it’s basically like I get college for free.

Q: Was there anything special that stood out to you about Loyola’s education program?
A: My sister actually went to Loyola. She majored in molecular biology and genetics. I’m really familiar with the campus and it’s a beautiful campus, it’s right on the lake. I went a Loyola weekend back in October, and I met with the head of the education department. I talked with her, and she was explaining to me this program and why I would be the best fit for it, and why it’s different from other schools. It’s really interesting because they have a “Get Your Master’s in 5 Years” type of thing. With Education at Loyola, you start your freshman year and you just start getting exposed to it. At the end of your sophomore year, you actually go to a classroom and to observations. I think that’s really different from other colleges.

Q: What are your goals?
A: My goal for the future is to teach fourth grade elementary school. I think, as awful as it sounds to say, it’s right before they start developing that attitude in 6th grade.  I’d even be okay with 5th grade, but that’s borderline. In third grade they’re still like young and fourth grade they’re understanding these concepts and excited to learn. I don’t know where I would want to teach; I’d like to be in the suburbs. I think that if anyone is struggling to find out their major or unsure about majoring in Education, the best thing to do would be to email your principle and observe. I honestly think that your future is waiting for you, so the best thing that you can do is jump in and get th exposure you can get right now. It’ll help you make your decision later. Once it’s set in stone, and have your entire life planned out, it will be so comforting and make you so much more excited for college and your future if you know what you want to do.