Chelsea-Victoria Turner recently earned a $7,000 scholarship from the Udall Foundation. Turner, a plant production and protection major, is one of 55 people across the country to receive the award.
“At first, I was in shock. I couldn’t process it,” Turner said. “Being one of the 55 chosen has already been improving my life by being a reason to believe in myself. The reinforcement that I am capable will be a part of all my future academic and professional interactions.”
Turner described the award to be a major accomplishment, but the UW junior shared that life has not always been easy.
At the age of 11, Turner began drinking and became addicted to meth, heroin, and cocaine at 20. They lived on the streets in Cheyenne until serving time in jail in 2017. Turner said life changed by finding new passions and pursuing them.
“I got here by following a string of interests. I believe everyone has something that will do this for them,” Turner said.
“Addicts are some of the most intelligent, capable, resourceful people around. Once an addict gets sober, they are truly capable of anything. I’m really not unique in that way,” Turner said.
Since turning their life around, Turner has become part of UW’s Mortar Board, The Gown Society, and a NASA fellow. Winning the Udall Award, which gives monetary awards to individuals with a commitment to addressing issues facing either Native American tribes or the environment, was a shock.
“When I started discussing receiving the award with my loved ones, I felt proud. I did have a period of time where it was like, imposter syndrome, like this stuff happens to other people, but not most people like me. But I’ve been able to move past that and into recognizing myself and all my efforts to improve myself every day, and it pays off.”
Turner said the scholarship is indicative of the work that has been put forth to create a better life.
“In selecting me, the committee embodied the values of Stewart and Morris Udall, the namesake of the scholarship. And then there is the layer that symbolizes how far I’ve come and how hard I’ve worked to get here,” Turner said. “The culmination of these aspects just leaves me in awe.”
Recipients of the scholarship are given the chance to attend a five-day conference from August 2-6 in Tucson, Arizona.
“I feel like the networking I will be able to do during the conference and what I am able to learn there will stay with me as I advance. I am very excited to meet a variety of new people across a range of disciplines at the conference in Tucson,” Turner said.
Turner provided insight for others facing struggles, saying there is hope to be found in pursuing what one cares about.
“The cards you were dealt are not your fault. Find something you love and are passionate about, and you will have massive leverage against addiction that can set you free.”
“I encourage everyone to apply for many scholarships, internships, and opportunities like this as much as possible because the experiences that may result can be life-changing.”
