Alison Schwartz is a senior biochemistry major who hopes to become an OB-GYN one day. Schwartz entered a contest through Dr. Pepper and received $5,000 toward her tuition, as well as a plane ticket and football ticket to the Big 12 Championship game. Her face is even on Dr. Pepper cans! The award has opened up several opportunities for Schwartz and is helping her pursue her dreams.
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Her Campus Mizzou: How did you hear about this contest?
Alison Schwartz: Last year during Homecoming, a marketing representative from ESPN’s College Game Day saw my face paint that looked like a tiger and asked if I wanted to do a short video for a scholarship submission for Dr. Pepper.
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HCM: Describe the application process.
AS: There’s a 30-second video that you submit online at DrPepper.com. You also explain why you deserve help with tuition expenses.
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HCM: What award were you applying to receive?
AS: I wasn’t sure what amount I was applying for. Out of 10,000 videos, mine was in the top five. That granted me an automatic $5,000 and the chance to participate in a football-throwing contest during the halftime of the Big 12 Championship to win $123,000. This contest was also held at the SEC and ACC championships, so it added up to a total of three $123,000 scholarships. This year they will instead give out five $100,000 scholarships.
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HCM: How did you find out you won $5,000 toward your tuition?
AS: Dr. Pepper called me to tell me that I’d won and that they’d be flying me to the Big 12 Championship.
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HCM: What was your initial reaction when you found out you won an award from Dr. Pepper?
AS: I was completely shocked. I actually didn’t answer the call at first because I didn’t recognize the number. I Googled the phone number and saw that it was Dr. Pepper. They immediately called me back, in which case I definitely answered it!
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HCM: What was it like doing a photo shoot with Dr. Pepper?
AS: The photo shoot was incredible. They did my hair and makeup, and it was in a real professional studio. I felt like an actual model!
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HCM: What was your reaction when you saw your face on the Dr. Pepper can?
AS: I knew the cans were coming out but didn’t know what the picture would look like. I was super stoked! My family was there with me in a Hy-Vee back home in the Lee’s Summit area, and they were so supportive and excited for me.
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HCM: Are you still featured on the Dr. Pepper cans?
AS: I’ll be on all 70 million Diet Dr. Pepper Cherry cans from August through December or until they run out. So yes, I am featured on them now if you go to any grocery store.
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HCM: Has this award motivated you to further achieve your goals?
AS: Dr. Pepper has motivated me to pursue my career dreams. The brand has had confidence in me as a young adult wanting to do great things, and their encouragement and tuition assistance has only confirmed my passions and goals.
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HCM: What exactly will this award help you achieve?
AS: The initial award has given me a sort of small-scale celebrity spotlight, which has gotten the attention of the university. In turn, I got a job through the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources to be a peer counselor next summer. I spoke at the CAFNR Annual Scholarship Donor Appreciation Banquet, and my commercial aired on TVs around campus and circulated through emails. It’s been a blast to talk about with people, especially since I find the entire experience so bizarre. Dr. Pepper has opened up opportunities for me in other areas. I’ve used the cans like business cards in interviews.
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HCM: Do you have any advice for others who want to achieve their dreams but who might need a little extra help to get there?
AS: Apply for anything and everything! I just made up my Dr. Pepper submission video on the spot and look what has come from it! My advice is to find something you’re passionate about if you haven’t already and to stay inspired! There are many supportive people out there who want to see young people do well because they are truly the people who can improve our world and change the future!