A Mind Set Free: Part 2

Photo: Sharon Beachy’s graduation from SCF

A Mind Set Free: Part 2

By Sharon Beachy

Upon receiving my GED, I immediately enrolled for my first semester of college at Indian River State College in Vero Beach, FL. Not knowing where to begin, I met with an academic advisor to discuss next steps in my path toward becoming a medical doctor. I explained my educational background in short detail so she would understand how desperately I needed guidance. After taking one look at my GED scores and hearing about the educational gap, she looked at me and said, “You cannot become a doctor. The required courses for entrance into medical school will be too difficult given your background, but you can try nursing school if the goal is to remain in healthcare.” Along with that redirection, she explained that I needed to take placement exams, apply for the FAFSA, and pay out-of-state tuition for an entire year.

Filled with anticipation, I headed towards the financial aid office to tackle the FAFSA. As I neared the end of the application, the screen prompted me for my parents’ financial information. My heart instantly sank. Looking across the desk at the advisor, I announced that I could not complete this section. Pity flashing in her eyes, she stated that without their information, the application stalled permanently. Practically pleading, I questioned if an alternative path existed. Her answer landed as a crushing, final no. I exited that meeting completely devastated, my head reeling as I surrendered my lifelong dream of becoming a physician to pursue nursing school instead.

Without a Pell Grant to anchor my tuition, out-of-state fees completely shattered my financial budget. Feeling everything I fought and sacrificed for slipping through my fingers, I challenged the restriction and called the main campus financial aid office directly. Detailing my predicament, I requested an explanation on how to prove independent status for the FAFSA while under twenty-four. The representative routed me to the director, who outlined a challenging alternative: submit a personal affidavit alongside three external letters documenting my ‘special circumstance’ to secure a review for a dependency override. However, two validation letters required signatures from high school teachers or counselors—figures who never existed in my life. Again, I refused defeat, explained the structural impossibility, and advocated to use letters from my GED instructor and her assistant instead. The director delivered a glorious yes. My mentors gladly authored affidavits that corroborated my history. Weeks later, the director called to confirm that her committee had analyzed my file and approved a dependency override, citing my parents’ abandonment when I was fifteen. I sat there shocked; never before had I considered myself abandoned.

After securing my Pell Grant eligibility, I discovered the Amish Descendant Scholarship Fund through my sister-in-law. Dismissing it initially as an online scam due to a sparse digital footprint, I hesitantly applied anyway. Astonishment flooded me when an official acceptance email arrived from ADSF. When my eyes scanned the award amount, I wept with relief and sheer gratitude. After weathering months of agonizing uncertainty over out-of-state tuition rates, I received more than enough capital to fund my path forward.

Though I wrestled with an initial adjustment period navigating online portals and tailoring my study routine, a deep fascination for the natural sciences quickly consumed me. Halfway through my first semester, a professor sent several students to me for tutoring. I gladly helped them, chuckling internally at the irony of tutoring college peers while still decoding how to be a student myself. After completing one year at IRSC, I terminated my caregiving contract to focus entirely on my coursework. I then relocated across the state and transferred to the State College of Florida. This transition forced me to repeat the grueling dependency override process while simultaneously navigating state bureaucracy to establish Florida residency for tuition purposes.

By the final semester of nursing prerequisites, my passion for nursing completely evaporated; committing to that track meant sentencing myself to a lifetime of regret. During this period, a professor approached me to discuss my career trajectory. Unaware of my buried ambition, he looked at me directly and declared, “Sharon, you can become anything you choose. I see you explain complex material to fellow classmates, and your perfect exam scores speak for themselves. You possess everything required to enter medical school and become a doctor.” I stared back, stunned as invisible chains crumbled around me. That day, I drove home in tears while the words ‘Dr. Beachy’ echoed within my thoughts. For the first time, I knew in the depths of my soul that I would become a physician.

A week later, I walked into the academic advising office, declared my medical school track, and requested a list of the required prerequisites. I truly enjoyed taking the math and science classes. Chemistry quickly emerged as a favorite. After I secured a perfect score on six out of eight General Chemistry exams, the faculty honored me with the Outstanding Student Award in General Chemistry. That same semester, I graduated from SCF as an Outstanding Graduate Finalist with an Associate of Arts degree and a 4.0 GPA. After graduation, I chose to extend my time at SCF for an additional year to complete my remaining prerequisites. This bonus year proved pivotal in building deep, lasting mentorships with professors and gaining experience in servant leadership as President of the American Chemical Society club. Upon completing my final semester, I achieved the Outstanding Student Award in Organic Chemistry.

Left: Outstanding Student in Organic Chemistry Award (2025-2026) Top Right: Outstanding Student in General Chemistry Award (2024-2025) Bottom Right: Outstanding Graduate Finalist photoshoot with President Gregory

My time at SCF taught me a revolutionary lesson: intentionally cultivate relationships and express genuine appreciation to the professors and staff who cross your path. These mentors transform into your fiercest advocates and lifelong supporters, unlocking doors that previously appeared sealed shut. Never dictate your own defeat—plenty of critics will attempt that for you. Anchor yourself to your own choices. When my physics professor predicted my failure, citing my lack of a prerequisite, and repeatedly pressured me to drop the course, I refused to listen. I stood steadfast, defied his expectations, and conquered the class with an A+.Learn to filter out the external noise and carve your own path. If you struggle to believe in your capabilities, let my journey serve as your proof. You already harbor within yourself everything needed to achieve success. ‘Your adversities are your advantage.’

Today, I am a pre-med student at the University of South Florida pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science. Before transferring to USF, I chose to rescind my ADSF scholarship so those funds could support other students and so I could serve on the ADSF board. Through that role—and a soon-to-launch ADSF podcast—I aspire to help former Amish students bridge the gap to higher education and find a strong community of support.

My faith anchors my life, especially under the pressures of academia. I attribute all my accomplishments to the numerous blessings given by God. Even my darkest trials served a greater purpose—preparing me for a calling which God orchestrated long before my birth. Beyond my future as a doctor, I fiercely pursue a legacy of leadership, service, and global outreach. I hold a deep gratitude for the privilege to pursue higher education, learn about our incredible universe, and study for the calling I once kept hidden in my heart. My mind is forever set free, and I am only getting started.

The end

Sharon invites you to leave comments, which she will respond to.