For as long as I can remember, I have aspired to become a coach or executive at a sports organization on the college or professional level, so it is only appropriate that I chose my major of sports management. Sports have been an intimate part of my life since childhood. I have a talent for understanding how data interfaces with performance on and off the field. I also wish to positively impact as many people as possible through my work and the resources available, and help people achieve their dreams and aspirations through my care and leadership.
I have engaged in many activities throughout high school that have helped develop my leadership skills. That leadership expands across my roles at home, as a big brother, at school, as an ambassador, with my football team, where I am an accountability leader, at church, where I am lead altar server, and in my community where my neighbors and community members rely on me. One of the activities I am proud to contribute to is as the lead Altar Server at church. This role is important to me for so many reasons, most importantly experiencing the joy it brings to parishioners and the impact we have on the growing youth congregation.
Another role I cherish is that of an assistant coach with my father, an experience that has brought me a great sense of pride. While coaching baseball is very enjoyable, it could also be disheartening to learn there are often players who lack a father figure at home. Recognizing how many of these players began to look toward me as a big brother, I realized that my role was more than just a coach. I suddenly found my love of sports and desire to make an impact grow with every practice and game day.
Freshman year I joined my school’s football team and had to work my way on to the field. Many of the players in my position were bigger and had more experience. I had to work harder to learn routes, build more strength in the weight room, and master two positions. Over time my peers noticed this and started being more disciplined in how they approached their routines. It was not long before the coaches recognized my hard work and appointed me accountability leader. This role was very important to me because of the responsibility that was bestowed upon me by my coaches.
Playing varsity football over the has helped me become more resilient and responsible. In addition to the leadership skills, football has helped me become skilled at building and sustaining functional relationships. This skill, which I refer to as team-building, is valuable on and off the field.
In addition to team-building, football has taught me how to face life challenges and adversity. Athletics in general, but football in particular, requires the resolve to overcome the disappointment of failure as well as inherent physical and emotional discomfort. Every practice is an opportunity to venture out of my comfort zone and test my limits as a person.
Scholarships will allow me to attend a university at a cost affordable to me and my parents. The very act of pursuing scholarships has taught me the value of hard work, relationships, and setting high expectations for myself. Receiving this scholarship not only helps with the financial burden of college, but it also helps me understand the level of excellence that is expected of me. If an organization chooses to invest in me, the return on that investment would be me optimizing my talent and becoming a national leader in my field.
As a child, the thought of going to college and becoming an adult felt like a distant dream. Even then, I was somewhat financially conscious, and I wasn’t sure how I would ever be able to afford higher education. One thing was clear: education was expensive, and in my young mind, a thousand dollars might as well have been a million. The kind of thing you see people win on game-shows or in the lottery; a miracle. Coming from a low-income household, money always seemed just out of reach. I knew my parents struggled financially, and I quickly learned how to eat, dress, sleep, and play on a budget.
Despite the challenges, my parents did everything they could to provide what my brother and I needed. We never lacked love or support. My brother was diagnosed with Neurofibromitosis II and autism when he was around two years of age and medical bills for MRI’s, physical therapy, speech therapy, Neurologist visits, Optomologist visits, etc began stacking up. It was more than we could handle. My father worked long, grueling hours and would often sleep through most of the day after returning from physically demanding work. This caused a lapse in the relationship that we had built with him, even though he was pulling those gruesome hours to provide for us. My mother stayed home to care for us, as childcare was far too costly and there were no other family members who could step in.
When I started working at sixteen, I began to understand just how difficult it was to earn and save money—especially while also attending school. I began contributing to household expenses by purchasing my own clothes, gas, meals, toiletries, and other necessities. I viewed firsthand how expensive it is just to live with a basic level of comfort. I tried to save for college, but between daily expenses and limited income, my savings barely made it to triple digits. I considered finding a second job, but given the current employment rate, I was worried I wouldn’t find another employer willing to work around my school and marching band schedule.
I’ve remained committed to the same job since I was sixteen, and now, at nearly eighteen, I’ve recently applied for a part-time position as a phlebotomist at a nearby hospital. I’m hopeful this opportunity will help me get a foot in the door of the healthcare field, support my studies, and provide valuable experience for my future career.
This scholarship could help me in ways I can hardly describe. It would help me to pursue my dream of becoming a registered nurse and ease the financial burden that has always weighed heavily on my family. I aspire to provide compassionate care—the kind that makes patients feel safe, seen, and comforted during some of their most difficult moments. With the support of this scholarship, I could become the first in my family to graduate from both high school and college. Most importantly, I would finally be in a position to give back to my parents, who gave so much despite having so little.
