No Limits Athletic Scholarship

I want to use this scholarship to help pay for college and dental school so I can become an orthodontist. Getting this scholarship would allow me to dedicate myself to school and grow the skills I need to help people in the future. I came into the world really early—just 32 weeks, weighing barely over three pounds, and without a heartbeat. From the start, life wasn’t easy. I owe my life to the doctor who refused to give up on me. Things that were easy for other kids—like eating, crawling, and walking—took me longer to learn. But my mom was always there. She took me to every therapy session and practiced with me every day. She never gave up on me, and I made sure I never gave up on myself. I was also born deaf and hard of hearing. My mom taught me how to lipread, made sure I had hearing aids, and helped me get the support I needed to communicate and learn. My grandma helped too, making feeding-tube meals with healthy foods so I could get strong enough to grow. All of that taught me how important it is to keep going, care about others, and push through even when things are hard. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has been a huge part of my life. It’s taught me discipline, strategy, and how to stay calm under pressure. Competing without my hearing aids makes me rely on focus and awareness. At my first NAGA competition, I had to enter heavier weight classes, and I ended up winning first place in both Gi and No-Gi divisions. Winning felt awesome, but proving to myself that I could push through challenges felt even better. Through BJJ, I’ve been able to guide younger students, teaching them skills and motivating them to persevere through challenges. That showed me what leadership and teamwork really mean. The lessons I’ve learned on the mat—patience, focus, and determination—also help me in school and will continue to guide me as I become an orthodontist. This scholarship would let me keep chasing my goals, push my limits, and hopefully inspire others to do the same. BJJ has made me stronger, more confident, and more determined. It’s taught me lessons I’ll carry with me forever—discipline, focus, and empathy. It’s also shown me the importance of community, and I want to bring that same encouragement everywhere I go. Getting this scholarship would help me keep growing as both an athlete and a student while proving that determination, hard work, and resilience can overcome any obstacle.