Samuel D. Hartley Memorial Scholarship

I am deeply honored and consider myself lucky to have an opportunity to apply for the Samuel D. Hartley Memorial Scholarship, since this scholarship represents not only financial support but also an acknowledgment of values within me as a person. This scholarship enables me to further my education while continuing to enhance and develop life skills that have molded me into the person I am today. I started playing golf about five years ago as a hobby where I later joined my high school team as a junior in high school. It is through golf that I learned the basic values of being honest, responsible, and trustworthy. The values that golf has taught me will follow me throughout my college years and all my life. When I picked up a golf club for the first time five years ago, I never would have guessed how much it would shape my character. First, it was just a way to have some fun that could give me the chance to be in the outdoors. But after some progress was made and after I started to take this game seriously, I realized that golf is not just a sport; it's a means of personal growth. Golf, as a game against oneself and with its own self-discipline. Golf became a game that allowed me to test myself physically and mentally. Success, I quickly learned, was as much about skill as personal integrity. Joining the high school golf team as a junior was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It was a further refinement of my game, but it also carried with it a sense of belonging to something greater than myself. Unlike many team sports, golf requires a high degree of individual accountability. There were no teammates on which to count for an extra point or game-winning play. Each and every shot I took was a direct reflection of my own focus, preparation, and effort. This taught me honesty about my own abilities and trust in my preparation. These values I learned on the golf course flowed smoothly into life off the fairways. First and foremost, honesty was necessary to make the golf team function. We were held to the highest standards of integrity, no one could cheat or cut corners in a game that was innately self-governing. This single-minded concentration on truthfulness brought home the lesson to me that I should always do the right thing even if nobody was watching. Trustworthiness ranked second to none, for I needed my teammates to take responsibility for their performance and vice-versa. These qualities of honesty and trustworthiness are so vital that I will carry them into college and beyond. As I get ready for the uncertainty of college, the one thing I am sure about is that these lessons will keep building my success. Being able to trust in myself and others, being able to act with integrity, and to approach the many challenges with dedication and honesty will be added values in my progress through higher education. The discipline I had from golf helped teach me the values of perseverance, self-motivation, and a hard work ethic traits that will make me stand out both on and off the course.

As I consider my next steps beyond graduation, I know a few things for certain. First, I know that my passion for learning more about the vast world of computer science and technology will continue to grow. Through the coursework at high school, my independent study, my love for gaming and the endless possibilities in the technology world (not to mention the influence of my dad, who is a software engineer), I know that I am on a path to becoming more confident and competitive in this field. I am excited about what lies ahead for me in college and beyond, as I pursue a degree in Computer Science with an emphasis on Game Design and Development. Second, my love of golf will continue to be a huge part of my life. Golf gives me a connection to my family. My parents, my sister, my Nana, and aunt and uncle all play. My parents introduced me to golf at a very young age by enrolling me in Operation 36, a golf program designed to teach beginners. I took additional lessons recently to help me improve my golf game, and as a result, I made the varsity golf team for Gettysburg High School in my junior year. I’m preparing for the upcoming golf season by playing regularly with my family and teammates. I have found that golf can be a release from a stressful day at school or work, and can strengthen me in body and spirit. It can lift me up and humble me in the same round. It is a great way to spend quality time with family and friends. As demonstrated by my Pappy before he passed away, and by my Nana who continues to play, golf is a sport that lasts a lifetime. My whole family has some connection to this sport, and I know it will remain a part of who I am. I will continue to play golf for as long as possible, and one day, hope to share my passion for golf with my children. Lastly, I am proud of how I have balanced challenging classes, sports, a job, community service and church commitments while maintaining a 3.96 GPA and fulfilling my obligations as a member of the National Honor Society. I have consistently signed up for classes in high school that will benefit me in college, and ultimately, in the future. When I enter the workforce I plan to pursue my dream of becoming a video game developer. I sincerely hope that I have been able to share a narrative of myself that shows I am committed to improving myself in the classroom, on the golf course and in my future. I am thankful for the opportunity to apply to the Samuel D. Hartley Memorial Scholarship and appreciate your consideration.