Student News

America's Got Talent Contestant Wins $2,500 Scholarship

A former talent show contestant and current graduate student shares how her experiences inspired her to take her goals to the next level and influenced a big scholarship win.

Shawna Newman

September 29, 2022

Your ‘why’ matters!
Confidence, talent, and determination are three components that promote success. And the most recent Goodwall #ScholarshipNow Challenge winner, Jessica Fox, radiates these exact qualities. Fox’s testimony is the comeback, success story we all crave, and we are delighted to share her story with students. Filled with trials and tribulations, she exemplifies the real-life results of grit and compassion to move ahead; hard work and determination (and sometimes study music) are keys to amazing outcomes! JUMP TO APPLY FOR GOODWALL’S NEXT #SCHOLARSHIPNOW CHALLENGE
While she was a college student, Fox’s former trio, Resound, showcased their vocal gifts via a variety of impressive experiences. These included competing on the well-known show, America’s Got Talent, singing at the White House, and performing on Good Morning America. Fox graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University as a first-generation college student, majoring in Classical Voice. Shortly after graduation, her mother experienced a debilitating stroke. For the past seven years, Fox has been her mom’s caregiver. A dedicated daughter, Fox pushed through this life trial by balancing the support of her mom alongside her busy musician's schedule. Although it was a scary event for the family, Fox explains it worked out because she had the flexibility to stay at home to care for her mother. She adds, “...it’s been tough. There have been times I’ve had to pull ‘all-nighters’ in order to get musical projects done in time because I’m unable to record when I’m with my mother.” She also explained there have been occasions where, regretfully, she has had to say no to great opportunities in order to take care of her mom.

Fox’s Bold Shift

Having lived in the Mechanicsville/Richmond, Virginia areas for most of her life, she felt a location change could launch her into the field of her songwriting dreams. While researching master’s degree programs, Fox stumbled upon the BIMM Institute, in Berlin Germany. Her immediate thought was “Oh, I could never go to Berlin” but that initial doubt was quickly extinguished by her positive self-talk. Fox revealed, “...I had to ask myself; ‘well why not?’” So, she applied to a graduate program at BIMM Institute. Pushing those doubts and fears aside, she made the decision to place her education and career first with the hope that she can support her family and mother in the future. And just this fall she was accepted to BIMM Institute, where she’ll be working on her master's degree in Popular Music Practice. Her goal is to stretch her singing talent further—to grow from singer to songwriter.

How the Scholarship Money Will Be Used

The scholarship money Fox earned will help cover a portion of her tuition costs on the next leg of her journey. Fox explains her path has already been revealed; winning a scholarship is just one example of the resources falling into place to support her songwriter quest!

About Goodwall’s #Scholarship Now Challenge

A reoccurring scholarship opportunity, there are still more chances for students to win this $2,500 scholarship. Just as Fox did, enter the scholarship by downloading the Goodwall app and creating a profile. Next, you will find a Goodwall app challenge that fits you. In a two-minute video, an image, or text, you will share your challenge response and post it to your Goodwall profile using the #ScholarshipNow tag. Fox gives scholarship application advice to students: “Remember that your unique story is important. Your ‘why’ matters!” She also explains the student benefits of the Goodwall app, “[It] is a great network for tips, community and opportunities! It is a great way to get connected!” As Fox suggests, focus on your why, take a chance, and enter Goodwall’s next #ScholarshipNow Challenge!

Find More Scholarship Opportunities

Create a free Fastweb profile to get scholarship matches that fit you! In the meantime, check out the below scholarship lists that may interest you:

Music Scholarships

Scholarships for High School Juniors

Scholarships for High School Seniors

Scholarships for College Students

Scholarships for Grad Students

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Shawna Newman

Managing Editor, Contributing Writer

Shawna Newman is the Managing Editor and a writer at Fastweb. She has over 10 years of experience in higher education. Her direct work with college admissions teams, financial aid officers, college deans, ...