Bre Hoy Memorial Softball Scholarship

Softball has changed the way I understand courage, community, and who I am becoming. It has never just been a sport to me—it’s been a classroom without walls and a mirror that shows me what I am capable of when things get difficult. The lessons began early. When I first stepped on the field, everything felt bigger than me—the bases, the expectations, the unknown. But the game taught me quickly that the most important thing isn’t perfection; it’s perseverance. Softball became the place where I learned to shake off mistakes, breathe through pressure, and meet challenges with grit. Some of my favorite memories came from playing with my younger sister. She played up a level to join my team, and those seasons became some of the most meaningful moments of my life. Sharing the dugout, encouraging each other after strikeouts, celebrating every small win—those memories stitched us together in a way nothing else could. It didn’t matter who got the hit or the RBI. What mattered was that we were doing it side by side. Softball gave us more than a sport; it strengthened our bond as sisters. As my skills grew, opportunities opened up. I was invited to play on competitive club teams with bigger platforms, college exposure, and louder recognition. But my teammates and I chose something different. We stayed with our Oregon community team—a team made of girls who genuinely loved the game and each other. We chose connection over clout, growth over pressure, and joy over ego. We chose to be well-rounded athletes and well-rounded humans, not just club softball players. I am proud of that choice. It taught me that the right path isn’t always the flashiest one. A moment that affirmed who I was becoming as a leader was being selected by my softball coach—as a sophomore—to represent Oregon High School at the WIAA Student Leadership Summit. It wasn’t about being the strongest hitter or fastest runner. It was about character, work ethic, and the way I show up for others. In return for all softball has given me, I now give back. Every winter, I spend Sunday evenings volunteering with younger girls, helping them build foundational skills—and confidence. I want them to feel seen, capable, and brave. Now, I have the opportunity to continue my softball journey at Lawrence University. The sport that shaped me is becoming part of my future, and I carry its lessons everywhere: lead with heart, work with intention, and never give up on what sets your soul on fire.

My name is Nora Johnson. I have played softball for almost eleven years. I am currently playing travel ball with Premier Fastpitch National. I will finish my senior season of school ball at Metamora Township High School in the spring. Next year I am continuing my softball career at Maryville University in St. Louis Missouri. Softball is the sport that has touched my life in many ways that I didn't think were possible. This sport has seen me through some of my toughest times. Softball was there when my school friends weren’t, softball was there when I was struggling in every other aspect of my life. This sport has taught me how to persevere through the hardest times. Softball has been one of the biggest blessings of my life and taught me so many important life skills. The game of softball has also brought me closer to the most important people in my life. Softball taught me how to trust the people that are closest to me. Softball is a sport where you do not thrive and have fun in the sport if you are not trusting your teammates. Softball is 100% a team sport. Softball has shown me that life is like this too. Going through life knowing how to work with other people and trust them is one of the gifts softball has given me. Another gift this sport has given me is the friendships that are going to last a lifetime. My softball sisters over the years have become family. I have met so many different girls from different towns, and states that I would have never known without softball. Softball has also shown me that family can come in many different forms that include not actual family. There are many teammates I would go to in a split second because I think of them as family. Along with just as many coaches that I would call if I ever needed anything. I have learned that in life people will turn their back on you, for the silliest of things, but not your softball family. My Softball family has stood by me when people turned their backs on me and taught me the value of true friendship. One of the greatest blessings softball has given me is my relationship with my sister, Rebecca. My sister is five years older than me, and getting to watch her play a sport that she loved, and dedicated so much of her life to, instilled in me a passion for the game. I strongly believe that softball was the thing in common my sister and I needed to build our relationship. She is my best friend, and one of my biggest supporters. She takes the time out of her schedule to support me in whatever I do in my life. She sacrifices sleep to watch my games. She was there when I made the decision to continue my academic and softball career at Maryville University. I have asked for her advice on life decisions. I have watched her go through some of the hardest times in her life and persevered. She’s taught me to work hard in everything I do. Without our connection through softball, I am not sure we would be as close. I see softball as my first true love for something. The ups and downs the sport has seen me go through is remarkable. This sport is truly something special, and I would not trade playing this sport for anything. Most importantly, I would not be the person I am today without this beautiful sport called softball.