I watched from behind a fence for two years before I ever stepped on a field. My friends played baseball, and I practiced with them on the side during the summer. However, I couldn't afford the clothes for tryouts, equipment, or the fees that came with being on a team. I grew up in Los Angeles in a neighborhood where field trips, college visits, and anything that required money were things I watched other kids do. In my sophomore year, I decided I was done watching. I nannied, did odd jobs, and saved every dollar until I could buy my first glove, cleats, and practice clothes. I showed up on day one of tryouts and made varsity.
Then came the hard part. Our field was under construction, and our program was not funded for buses. Every practice and scrimmage was off campus. I rode public transit an hour and a half each way to make every game, practice, scrimmage, and meet up. I worked late nights to pay my fees, uniforms, and equipment. Nobody drove me. Nobody covered the cost. I showed up because I had decided this was mine and nothing was going to take it from me.
Living in the middle of gang wars, carrying responsibilities far above my maturity, and watching opportunities pass me by for years, softball became more than a sport. It became proof. I went from outfield to center to second base to shortstop. I became a top batter with one of the three fastest throws and pitches on the team. If I could turn a daydream into reality by outworking every obstacle in front of me, what else could I do?
That question changed my life. I enlisted in the Air Force at 22, became a single mother at 23, and now I live around the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft as an Aircraft Mechanic. I still play softball for the Air Force every season because the field is where I learned who I was, and I refuse to leave it behind.
But what matters most is what I do with what the field taught me. I volunteer with local teams and collect donated equipment for kids who cannot afford their own.
Last week, I drove an hour to a warehouse that was closing out and paid one dollar each for 100 bats. I distributed them to Pee-Wee leagues, recreational teams, and base sports programs. I receive donations for bats, gloves, and cleats and make sure they get to the kids who need them, the ones standing behind the fence, the way I once did.
Brett Brakel believed in mentorship, perseverance, and making a difference through the game. I did not know him, but I know the values he lived by because I have been living them since I was 15 years old. The field taught me that nothing is handed to you and everything worth having is earned through discipline, teamwork, and the refusal to quit. Those are the same values I carry into my military career, into my education, and into every interaction I have with a young athlete who needs someone to believe in them before they fully believe in themselves.
Growing up in Compton and Carson, California, I learned early that success comes from discipline, consistency, and serving others. Seeing how hard my parents worked set a great example for me. My parents held high expectations for me and my brother, often emphasizing the importance of excellence and perseverance. While this pressure was sometimes difficult to navigate, sports gave me a constructive outlet to channel those expectations. Through athletics, I learned to appreciate my parents' perspective and began to understand that their expectations were rooted in their desire to see me succeed. Those values have shaped me as both a student and an athlete, teaching me that dedication, teamwork, and resilience extend far beyond the field.
As a four-year varsity football player and two-year varsity baseball player, I have been fortunate to help lead my teams to historic accomplishments, including Carson High School's first football championship in more than 22 years and its first CIF LA City Section Division I baseball championship. While individual honors such as Defensive Player of the Year and All-State recognition were meaningful, the moments I value most came from encouraging teammates, mentoring younger players, and helping build a culture of accountability. Being a captain taught me that leadership is about earning trust, communicating effectively, and putting the team's success above personal recognition.
That same commitment has guided my work in the classroom. I challenged myself by completing college-level dual enrollment courses throughout high school while maintaining a 3.96 unweighted GPA and 4.5 weighted GPA. In June 2026, I earned my Associate of Arts degree a day before receiving my high school diploma, proving that academic excellence requires the same discipline as athletics. I also maintained perfect attendance throughout all twelve years of school because I believe success begins with simply showing up every day prepared to learn.
Outside the classroom, I strived to make a positive impact on others. As Treasurer of the Associated Student Body, a peer counselor, and a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, I have worked to support fellow students academically, personally, and spiritually. I also volunteered more than 200 hours serving elderly and disabled residents in my community. These experiences taught me that teamwork is not limited to sports, but it also means lifting others up, listening, and leading through service.
One of my greatest lessons in resilience came during the COVID-19 pandemic. The uncertainty challenged my motivation and confidence, but it also strengthened my faith and taught me to persevere through adversity. Instead of allowing setbacks to define me, I developed a stronger mindset centered on growth, gratitude, and purpose. That experience continues to shape how I respond to challenges today.
As a student athlete, I have learned that true success is measured not only by championships, grades, or awards, but by the impact I have on those around me. I am committed to bringing the same dedication, teamwork, and resilience to college and beyond, using every opportunity to grow, lead, and serve my community.
Softball has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been a place where I’ve grown, been challenged, and discovered who I am. My time on the field has shaped my character in countless ways, teaching me lessons I carry into every part of my life. It has helped define my work ethic, strengthened my resilience, and showed me the power of mentorship, perseverance, and community—values that align deeply with the spirit of the Brett Brakel Memorial Scholarship.
From the first time I stepped onto the field, I felt like I was part of something bigger than myself. Softball taught me how to be a team player—how to trust others, communicate effectively, and work toward a common goal. I learned that it’s not always about personal stats, but about doing what’s best for the team. That mindset has shaped how I approach life. Whether I’m working with classmates, volunteering in the community, or supporting students with special needs, I always try to show up with the same level of commitment and teamwork that softball taught me.
The game has also taught me the value of perseverance. There have been moments of struggle—times when I struck out in a big game, made an error in the field, or felt like I wasn’t performing at my best. But through those moments, I learned to keep pushing forward. Softball taught me that failure isn’t the end; it’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and come back stronger. That lesson applies far beyond the field. It’s helped me stay focused in school, navigate personal challenges, and remain driven toward my goals even when things get hard.
One of the most powerful aspects of softball has been the relationships I’ve built along the way. I’ve had coaches and teammates who believed in me, encouraged me, and helped me become not just a better player, but a better person. Their mentorship showed me how impactful it is to have someone in your corner, and it’s inspired me to be that person for others. Whether I’m mentoring younger players or helping students with special needs, I try to lead with patience, encouragement, and heart—just like my coaches did for me.
These experiences have shaped my goals for the future. I want to build a life and career rooted in service, leadership, and compassion. I plan to work in education or social services, where I can continue making a difference in the lives of young people. The lessons I’ve learned through softball—resilience, teamwork, and the importance of community—are lessons I’ll carry into every role I take on.
In honor of Brett Brakel’s legacy, I hope to continue making an impact both on and off the field. I want to be the kind of person who lifts others up, who mentors with intention, and who never stops working to bring people together. Softball helped shape the foundation of who I am today, and I will carry those values with me always.
Baseball and teaching has always been a part of my life. My dad is entering year 35 of coaching baseball and year 30 of teaching, while my mom just retired from teaching. Before I got to college, I never saw myself being a teacher. I switched from playing baseball to coaching and realized teaching and coaching was what God wants me to do.
Baseball was always my escape from life. I lost 2 grandpas, and the next day I would go play and it would allow me to forget about it for a small period of time. My grandma was going through cancer last year, I would go coach and it would let me forget about it for a while.
Even though I used baseball as an escape, I learned a lot during my time playing. The sport taught me how to be a good teammate, which turned into how to be a good friend. It taught me to hold my teammates accountable and be a leader, which led into me wanting to be a teacher. In my first year of being a head coach of the Legion team in my area, I learned that every kid is different and needs to be taught different ways. Which also helped lead me to want to be a teacher. Working with Parkway South, I have learned from people on how to build a program. Also simple life skills like budgeting, organization skills, travel itineraries, how to recruit kids to your team, and even things like planning out a camp or a practice.
I have always struggled in school. I was the kid who would stay after with teachers to get help because I could not figure out what we were doing. One teacher changed the way I looked at things. As I started college, I started to realize that everything he said made sense and it helped me become the student I am now. I am no longer the kid who has to ask a million questions or to meet with the teacher to understand what I am doing.
Taking everything I have learned from baseball, and my parents along with my history teacher, helping kids was just in the cards for me. I believe God put me in this position to be a positive impact in the life of students to help them. Whether it be their baseball skills or their education. I firmly believe I can make a impact on kids lives and I am excited to graduate, get my first teaching/coaching job, and to help as many people as possible.
