Mortimer Shiflett was a transfer student to St. Mary’s College of Maryland from Montgomery College, and graduated in the fall of 2024 with a major in history. Mortimer loves learning about history and culture, and has had an ambition to explore West African history ever since he first started classes at St. Mary’s College. Mortimer’s time at St. Mary’s College and applying for this grant have constituted a great journey of self-discovery and growth. This journey has been invaluable to him, perhaps even more than the B.A. degree and the Semi-Finalist position that he has now earned. Mortimer can’t wait to potentially realize this aspiration in Benin and teach English there as a service to that country’s educational system and also to the bond between Benin and the U.S.