Coach Doc Ryan Memorial Scholarship

Throughout high school, I consistently went above and beyond what is expected of most students by committing myself to excellence in sports while developing into a leader both on and off the field. I viewed athletics not just as an extracurricular activity, but as an opportunity to grow mentally, physically, and emotionally while positively influencing those around me. As a student-athlete, I dedicated countless hours to improving my performance through extra training, conditioning, and film review beyond scheduled practices. I held myself to a higher standard, understanding that my effort directly affected my team’s success. When challenges arose—whether injuries, losses, or pressure-filled moments—I chose to respond with resilience and determination. Rather than becoming discouraged, I used setbacks as motivation to improve and encouraged my teammates to do the same. This mindset helped create a culture of accountability and perseverance within the team. My leadership extended beyond personal performance. I made it a priority to support and mentor younger or less experienced teammates, helping them build confidence and feel valued. I often stepped into a leadership role by communicating positively during games, motivating others during difficult moments, and setting an example through my work ethic and sportsmanship. I learned that leadership is not defined by a title, but by the willingness to take responsibility and uplift others. Outside of athletics, I carried these leadership qualities into my school and community. I actively participated in school organizations and initiatives that allowed me to serve others and contribute to a positive school environment. I took initiative when problems arose, volunteered my time, and collaborated with peers to achieve shared goals. Balancing academics, athletics, and leadership roles required strong time management and discipline, skills I developed through consistent effort and commitment. In the classroom, I applied the same dedication that I brought to sports. I maintained focus on my academic responsibilities while managing a demanding schedule, often helping classmates when they needed support. I learned how to prioritize tasks, stay organized, and remain motivated even when under pressure. These skills strengthened my ability to lead effectively and responsibly. Going above and beyond was never about recognition; it was about growth and impact. Through sports and leadership, I developed confidence, resilience, empathy, and a strong sense of responsibility. I learned how to lead by example, work collaboratively, and remain committed to my goals despite obstacles. These experiences shaped me into a well-rounded individual who strives to make a positive difference wherever I am. By challenging myself beyond what was expected, I became not only a stronger athlete, but also a leader prepared to contribute meaningfully in future academic, athletic, and professional environments

At the age of three, I was diagnosed with Complex Partial Epilepsy. I experienced seizures until the third grade, which caused me to miss a significant amount of school and spend countless hours with my family in emergency rooms. Those years were challenging, not only physically but emotionally as well. However, I refused to let that diagnosis define who I would become. Instead, it motivated me to push forward and strive to be more than a kid with epilepsy. I am Christian Gordon, I am a well-rounded, driven, intelligent, and self-motivated, family-oriented student-athlete with aspirations of becoming a successful sports and entertainment attorney. Education, leadership, and school pride run deep in my family. My parents, grandparents, and siblings are all Terrell High School alumni. My father was the starting quarterback for the Terrell Tigers during the 1988 season, my mother was a Terrell Tigerette for four years, and my sister served as captain of the Tigerettes. All three earned college degrees, and I am proud to continue that tradition. Through the dual credit program, I will earn my associate degree before graduating high school, taking an important step toward my future academic and professional goals. I strongly believe in not being a one-trick pony. Throughout my four years at Terrell High School, I made it a priority to remain involved in a variety of organizations and activities. In addition to serving as captain of the varsity football team, I work as an office aide, serve as a Campus Ambassador, and volunteer with Special Olympics, where I assist students with special needs during athletic events. These roles have allowed me to develop leadership skills, compassion, and a strong sense of responsibility to my school community. As a lineman on the football field, I was not the player scoring touchdowns or receiving individual recognition. Instead, my role required discipline, toughness, and teamwork—qualities that are essential both on and off the field. Football taught me how to lead by example, put the team before myself, and remain committed even when the spotlight is elsewhere. That same mindset carried over into my academic and service commitments as I balanced being a dual credit student, an honor student, and an active participant in football, band, and track. During my senior year, I participated in varsity football while completing both high school and college coursework, maintained a 3.6 GPA, and was inducted into the National Honor Society. This spring, I will graduate with both my high school diploma and an associate degree. Balancing college classes with football, band, track, leadership responsibilities, and service was not easy, but it taught me valuable lessons in time management, resilience, and focus. Overcoming early health challenges, managing a demanding schedule, and committing myself fully to academics, athletics, and service have shaped me into a determined and disciplined individual. These experiences reflect my character, work ethic, and dedication to excellence. For these reasons, I believe I am an excellent candidate for the Coach Doc Ryan Memorial Scholarship and am eager to continue building a future rooted in leadership, perseverance, and service at Hardin Simmons University.

Hello, my name is Alexis States, and I was born and raised in the heart of Terrell, Texas. With both of my parents being proud alumni of Terrell High School, it only felt right that I, too, would walk the same halls and follow in their footsteps. Terrell has been a part of my life from the very beginning, and it has played a huge role in shaping the person I am today. Being a student-athlete is like having a full-time job, and I’ve embraced every second of it. Throughout my four years at Terrell High School, I’ve been a varsity cheerleader, earning the honor of serving as captain during my senior year. I’ve also been a dedicated powerlifter for four years and a two-time regional qualifier. On top of those roles, I support our athletic department as a student athletic trainer. Balancing these responsibilities has taught me the importance of time management, teamwork, and perseverance. While I love being active and involved, one of the things I’m most proud of is my commitment to service. Over the past few years, I have volunteered more than 1,500 hours to my school, other schools and the local community. I know that might sound a little crazy for a high school student, but to me, it’s one of the most rewarding parts of my life. Giving back to others whether they’re in need or not fills me with a sense of purpose and peace. One of my favorite ways to give back is by pouring into our younger students. Helping to build up the next generation of Terrell leaders is my way of leaving a legacy behind. My dedication doesn't just stop when I'm not participating in my extracurriculars. Inside the classroom, I put just as much effort into my academics. I am a proud member of the National Honor Society and have worked hard to maintain my grades while taking college-level courses. I am currently a dual credit student at Trinity Valley Community College and will be graduating this spring with my associate’s degree—before I even receive my high school diploma. I’ve also been inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, which recognizes academic excellence and leadership. Looking ahead, I’m thrilled to share that I will be attending my dream school, Texas Tech University, this fall. There, I plan to earn my bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology, followed by a master's degree in Athletic Training. My goal is to combine my passion for sports, service, and health to make a positive impact in the world of athletics and beyond. Terrell has given me so much and I’m proud to carry everything I’ve learned here with me as I take the next step in my journey. As I put my time into Terrell it put its time into me.

How did I go above and beyond? I went above and beyond by pushing myself to do better and by maintaining a strong image of who I wanted to be. In other words, I am a student-athlete who managed to maintain all A’s throughout high school while also participating in extracurricular activities such as soccer and volleyball. In addition, I held three jobs and still attended school clubs like Student Council and the National Honor Society. Despite what others say is impossible, I managed to make the impossible possible. “How did I do it?” they ask. Well, I managed my time, stayed organized, and kept my priorities straight. Don’t get me wrong—it definitely wasn’t easy. But hey, it was worth it. Did I know what to expect when I started high school? No. I am the oldest daughter and have two younger brothers. I had no one to show me the way, so I had to take it step by step. When I entered my freshman year, my only goal was to get all A’s. That’s all I knew. Fun fact: when I started, I thought freshmen were called “sophomores.” That just shows how little I knew! Furthermore, as I mentioned, I was involved in sports like soccer and volleyball. I was a student-athlete throughout all four years. Did I really know what I was getting into? At first, I thought I did—but in reality, I didn’t. I thought I would just play sports, bond with teammates, and compete. That wasn’t the case. There were time sacrifices, missed school days, mental challenges, and a whole lot of hard work. There were levels to it. Levels to help make our school successful and known. It wasn’t just for fun—it was for a purpose. I had to stay organized, do extra work on the side to stay caught up, and always stay on my toes. I was dedicated to never falling behind. Most importantly, I wanted to be a role model to my younger brothers—to show them that you can do it all, as long as you’re willing to put in the extra work. For example, I played varsity soccer my freshman year. I was the top scorer, named District MVP, received Honorable Mention, and was selected for First Team All-District. Volleyball was a bit harder for me since it wasn’t my main sport, but I still made the JV A team and eventually made varsity by my junior year. On top of that, I participated in Student Council and attended meetings after practice. I was also nominated for the National Honor Society at the end of junior year. At that moment, I realized—I can do it. I can do it all. I ended up in the top 10% of my class. And the best part? I got into every college I applied to. In conclusion, the impossible is possible—I made it possible. I started out knowing nothing, and that’s okay. There were many ups and downs, many learning moments, and many obstacles to overcome. Life comes with risks and sacrifices. Sometimes things get harder before they get better. But I managed. And I’m still not done, because life keeps going.