Maverick Grill and Saloon Scholarship

Do you know what makes me unique? I'm like one in a million people who have the 2q31.1 microdeletion syndrome, plus autism, ADHD, a growth hormone deficiency, and a lazy eye! The deletion causes developmental delay, short stature, and some limb defects - like my crooked thumb! I've been taking growth hormone shots since I was about ten years old and when I was little I had to wear a patch over my good eye so my lazy eye would get stronger. My mom even put a patch on my favorite elephant so I wouldn't feel different. When I was a freshman in high school, I was on the cross country team even though I am not very athletic. I was able to persevere and run a 5k with my teammates and help cheer them on during practices. I had so much fun that I asked to join the tennis team and help be the manager. I like to help the coach to open all the new cans and help pick up all the supplies and stuff for my teammates. I used to be a Boy Scout so I learned how to volunteer and had fun working at the Food Pantry sorting all the cans and boxes. I like to give back to people who aren't able to take care of themselves. I like to spread awareness for kids with disabilities. I am participating in San Antonio's Fiesta Especial Royal Court and I was able to fundraise and earn the title of Count for this year. I got to dress up in a tux and go on stage and I got a sash and a Fiesta princess girl put a crown on me. I will go to school with the other court members and help spread awareness for people with disabilities and it's helping me not be shy and help me get ready for college. I have been accepted and I am going to go to Texas A&M University in Kingsville and be an Ag Teacher. I am raising my final project in FFA - my Berkshire breeding gilt named Maple. I also have her littermate and I showed her in the market show in Wilson County. I even made it to the sale so I had to go on stage while buyers bid on my project. I was on the Quiz and Wool team last year and this year I'm on the Farm Business Management team and hopefully, we'll go to state. I want to be an ag teacher so that I can help other kids like me to find a place where they belong and can be brave around animals and go to college.

As I exit the car many, many years I recall hearing my mom say, “Be the Light, Be the Joy” as she left me off at school. It wasn’t until I started high school that I truly understood what that meant. My name is McKynna Moxley and I’m a senior at East Central High School. I am a person who genuinely cares and values education. Throughout my school career, I’ve always applied myself to take the hardest classes. I feel that this will only prepare me for what’s most likely going to be the level in most college classes. I’m proud to say that I’ve worked hard to get great grades and have a respectable 3.6 GPA. But classes weren’t the only thing I wanted to be a part of in high school. I wanted to be a part of much more and that’s when I started joining programs. I started playing club volleyball outside of school when I was in 4th grade. I fell in love with it and knew I wanted to be a part of it when I got to high school. Being a part of the volleyball program allowed me to bring “Joy” to my teammates, coaches and community because it brought me such JOY to be a part of a team and be on the court competing. It has brought me “Joy” to have so many ties to my community since a lot of the members in our community would support us and come watch us play home games. What also came along with the program was the “Joy” of participating in many community service projects. One time we worked with Habitat For Humanity for a man in our community that was not living in the best conditions during the heat in Texas, in August. All of us got either a paintbrush, a drill, a rake or some brooms and made his life easier just by fixing some of the issues his house had. This project helped me realize how important it is to help out because of the “Joy” the person you're helping out is left with. I understand now what my mom meant by, “Be the Joy, Be the Light” no other feeling like it. In addition, I am proud to be the VP of a club called PALS (Peer Assistance Leadership and Service). We do multiple leadership events on campus, go to our elementary schools twice a week and mentor children who struggle at school socially and emotionally. I've been in the PALS for 2 years. It's made such a huge impact on my life by making such a difference and bringing “JOY” to kids' lives. I am a proud member of the NHS and BETA club and we give back to the community every month by serving. I also volunteer for VITAS Healthcare, a Hospice where my mom works as a pediatric Social Worker. You see both of my parents work in helping fields, my dad is a high school teacher at my high school where he teaches leadership courses. I see firsthand the positive impact he makes every day with my peers. I have seen the impact my parents make on others and the “light” that they are in others' lives and I want that and I am that. I bring Joy and Light wherever I am. As I pursue my dream of becoming a Pediatric Emergency/Trauma Nurse Practitioner, I want to continue to give back to my community and bring “Joy/Light” to others every day and I know I will.