I mentioned in my last post that I volunteer for the Amish Descendant Scholarship Fund. Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting with the team to review the inspiring applications we have received this year. I then posted on the ADSF blog, and I am publishing it here as well.

The ADSF team met to decide how to allocate the scholarship money to our record number of applicants this year — 19 in all. Reading the applications was an inspiring and moving part of our job as volunteers. One thing is for certain: those who have a childhood education limited to the eighth grade and find their way to college are a determined and dedicated group of students. And what a group of academically gifted scholars! Two of the young women are aspiring doctors, three more in other aspects of the medical field, eight of the applicants are studying in the fields of psychology or social work, and the rest in other fields, including education and business.

Several of our applicants found a way to learn on the sly. One woman used to sign out all the psychology books she could from the library and read them with a flashlight under her covers at night. Another convinced her parents to allow her to take a homeschooling program through the local high school. She made it through ninth grade before getting caught using her computer one day. She persevered nonetheless. The desire for learning in our applicants is a thread that runs true and strong throughout the stories they wrote.

Two of our applicants are still members in an Old Order Amish church and are managing to take college courses. One of them, Ruth Zook, has given us permission to publish her essay. Here is her story in her own words.

What it Means for Me to Attend College and the Challenges I Have Faced

I have been attending college part time since 2009 with a break of about 6 years approximately 2015 – 2022 when my daughter was born. I started at the local Lancaster Community College (HACC) to earn my core courses before transferring to Philadelphia at the Community College there. After earning my Associates Degree in American Sign Language Interpreting, I took a break, then applied to Lancaster Bible College where I am currently enrolled in the Masters Program of Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an undergrad in Psychology. Back in 2008 I was a “good” Amish housewife with four young children under the age of eight. My husband was ill and had been for quite some time so the church was paying our bills. We spoke to our friendly bishop about the possibility of me earning income while my husband stays with the children. I told him I would like to take courses to develop the sign language skills I have in order to be qualified to interpret professionally, which is a good paying job. The bishop looked at me and said “So you would go to college?” I gulped and said “Yes.” He smiled and said, “You would be helping people.” So there I was with “permission” to attend college which I thought was a miracle as the Amish generally do not look kindly on higher education.

I appreciated having the approval of my bishop as there were others in the community who did not think it was necessary for me to go to college. But I earned my GED and went anyway, quietly not saying much to anyone about it as I knew if the bishop hears too many complaints about me, I will be asked to stop attending. My husband taught me how to ride the bus into Lancaster and I entered the world of higher education. My world opened up and I soaked up all the information I could. I was fascinated by every subject I was taking; Math, Biology, English, Sociology and Psychology. (Psychology! That was the best!) I studied on the bus, studied at home after completing my housework, shared my experiences and processed my culture shock with my husband who was delighted with my achievements, and supportive and interested in my studies. I kept my mind busy with great material, I no longer dealt with depression and I was happy. As happy as I could be with the shadow of my husband’s illness over me.

In 2010 I transferred to Community College of Philadelphia to take the sign language courses offered there as there was no other college closer that had what I needed. I took the scooter to the bus stop, then the bus into Lancaster to the train station, the train to Philadelphia and the subway which took me close to the college, then walked the rest of the way. I hated the subway, hurtling along in the dark claustrophobic tunnels, and I did not really like walking the streets of Philadelphia. However, I met many people who were kind and helpful. I was asked some interesting questions such as “Are you rumshpringa?” They thought I might be rebelling against my culture. (But why would I have my Amish clothes on then?)

In February of 2011 the shadow came down and my husband passed away. My parents and sisters took us in and encouraged me to keep on with my studies and they helped with the children. Amazingly, my extended family was supportive and took turns traveling with me to Philadelphia, riding the train with me and sitting with me in my classes until the sting of grief lessened a little. In the summer of 2011, the children and I along with my unmarried sister who lived with us for a year and a half, moved to a home close to a bus route and I was able to get a job at IU13 which is an education service agency. I worked in a public high school as an interpreter for a teenager with disabilities while keeping on with my studies.

For five years I was a widow, raising my children, earning an income and studying. Gradually I was able to do more work online instead of needing to travel to Philadelphia. My degree was completed in 2015 and I remarried in 2016 to a man who was raised Amish but had left for twenty years, then came back and joined the Amish again. He is a wonderful man who accepts and encourages his “good” Amish wife with a head full of college information. Our daughter Sarah was born in 2016 and in 2022 I started online studies at Lancaster Bible College. Currently I am also in hybrid classes which means I mostly study at home with occasional classroom attendance on campus.

I have been quietly flying under the radar; yes, my community knows I have attended college, they see me signing to Deaf people when interpreting in church. Mostly they think it is great that I can help Deaf people. However, there is a lack of appreciation and understanding for human services in the Amish world. We are to help each other and ask for nothing in return. I generally do not get paid well (if at all) for my interpreting services within the Amish, there is not much understanding or awareness of the time, effort and money I put in to get this education. There is no sharing of my college experiences in social Amish settings, people do not want to hear it and it is not considered desirable. The letters MA behind my name will mean little to nothing to my Amish friends. Sometimes I get lonely, but that’s OK, God is with me and I have the support and understanding of my family.

I am also involved in other things and no longer under the radar. I am a certified mandated reporter trainer for the Plain Communities and this has generated some animosity from Amish people who view this as a threat. I actively work as a children’s advocate and I have stood up against abuse toward children. I hope to eventually work as a counselor for children in our Amish community as there is a great need for someone who understands Amish children and their language and culture. I am stepping out in faith, hoping God will protect me and provide, as He has done so far.

I would not exchange my education for a million dollars as my life has been enriched and fulfilled in this journey. I have a wealth of information to share with my community, who for the most part, is accepting the little I am presenting. I must show by my deeds and actions that I know what I am talking about, then there must be good report about me in order for me and my knowledge to be accepted. It is a long road, but I am not afraid. With God as my guide, things will work out.

Ruth’s faith and courage are truly inspiring. This is only one of the 19 essays we received, and each of the stories of students overcoming struggles to achieve their goal of earning a college education is truly an inspiration. It is gratifying to be helping these scholars further their education.

With so many excellent applicants, we may not be able to give as generously as we would like with the funds we have. We’re asking you to help us to meet the growing need by making a donation. If you feel moved by Ruth’s story, and the knowledge that there are many more worthy applicants, visit our Donate page. If you contribute before August 1, we can increase our award amounts according to the new funds we receive. Donations made after August 1 will be allocated to next year’s fund. We’re grateful, and so are the students who will be receiving the scholarships. We thank you for your generosity.

Note: Donated funds never pass through our hands. We have a non-profit account with Everence, a financial services company, which handles funds for us. They mail scholarship checks directly to the application winners’ universities.

ADSF is managed by volunteers — all time is donated. Everything you donate will go toward scholarships for formerly Amish seeking a higher education.