Throughout my life, I've always been the underdog. Whether it was being the only girl on the boys' wrestling team or the only girl on the football team, I’ve never had the luxury of blending in with the crowd. As the sole female athlete in male-dominated spaces, I faced challenges others didn’t understand. Though the underdog role was never easy to embrace, I eventually learned to use it to my advantage. Wrestling has been a part of my life for the past 13 years, and from the beginning, I was the only girl on the team. Competing against boys who were often bigger and stronger was difficult, but it pushed me to prove myself. I wasn’t just fighting to win matches—I was fighting to show that I could compete at the same level as anyone else. There were times when people doubted my abilities or questioned my place on the mat. But instead of letting that criticism discourage me, I used it to fuel my determination. I worked harder than anyone else to earn respect from my coaches and teammates. I learned to embrace my underdog role, knowing that it made every victory feel even sweeter. In high school, my underdog status continued when I joined the football team. I had already been wrestling for years, but I wanted a new challenge. For six years, I played alongside boys, working even harder to prove myself. I faced stares and doubts, but I also felt pride when I made plays and showed everyone that being a girl didn’t mean I couldn’t keep up. Eventually, I had to step down from football to save my body for wrestling, but the lessons I learned in football stayed with me. What I’ve realized through these experiences is that being the underdog doesn’t have to be a disadvantage. It can be a strength. Showing people that the underdog can, and will, come out on top if they put in 110% effort is something I will never forget. The underdog has something others might not: compassion and strength—a relentless drive to succeed because they’ve had to work harder than anyone else. It’s not about the best opportunities or physiques; it’s about the determination to push through and succeed despite the odds. These experiences have shaped me into the person I am today. I’ve learned that, no matter the challenge, I can always come out on top if I give my all. Embracing the underdog role made me stronger, more resilient, and more determined to reach my goals. As I continue my education and pursue my nursing career, I know that the lessons I’ve learned will guide me through any challenge. If you put in the effort, never back down, and embrace the struggle, you can always come out on top.

What Wrestling Means to Me Wrestling has always been a constant in my life, and for as long as I can remember, it’s been my world. I’ve been wrestling for 13 years, and when I was younger, it was the only thing that truly felt stable and reliable. Growing up, I never came from the best family, nor did I have a stable home environment. People would come and go in my life, but wrestling was always there. No matter what was happening outside of the gym, I knew I could count on wrestling to be a source of strength, discipline, and consistency. I’ve put everything I had into wrestling. I paid attention to every detail, whether it was learning new techniques, watching other matches, or staying updated on the latest in the wrestling world. The sport became more than just a physical activity to me—it was a passion and a way of life. It helped me build the resilience and work ethic that I carry with me today. This year, however, is the first time I haven’t been able to wrestle, and the reason is something I never saw coming—a terrible accident that changed everything. After the injury, I went through countless doctors' appointments, and the prognosis was devastating: I was told that I would never be able to do sports again. Losing wrestling felt like losing a piece of myself, a piece that had been with me through every challenge and every struggle. Why, of all things, was wrestling—the one constant in my life—being ripped away from me? It was a hard pill to swallow, and the emotional impact of that news took a toll on me in ways I never expected. Despite all of this, my passion for wrestling hasn’t lessened. If anything, it’s only grown. I can’t explain how happy it makes me to see women’s wrestling tournaments and teams gaining more recognition. When I was younger, I had to wear a boys’ singlet, which never quite fit right. I remember competing in boys’ tournaments and never having a girl to share the experience with. It always felt like it was me against the boys—and me against the world. But that adversity built confidence in me. It proved that I could do anything I set my mind to. I didn’t just want to be good at wrestling—I wanted to be the best. And for me, it was about more than just winning matches. It was about proving to myself that I was strong, capable, and determined. Wrestling gave me a sense of empowerment that I carry with me every day. It reinforced the belief that I am the strongest woman I know, and that I can overcome anything life throws at me. Even though I’m no longer competing this season, the lessons I’ve learned on the mat are still with me. Wrestling has taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of pushing through obstacles, no matter how impossible they may seem. I will always hold wrestling close to my heart. It’s been my constant, my foundation, and it shaped me into the person I am today. Even though I can’t wrestle this year, my love for the sport remains unshaken, and I look forward to seeing how the world of women’s wrestling continues to grow and evolve. No matter where life takes me, I’ll always carry the lessons and confidence wrestling gave me.

Overcoming Adversity in My Life Throughout my life, I’ve faced many challenges, and while they haven’t always been easy, they’ve shaped me into the person I am today. Growing up, I always felt a little different than my classmates. While many of the kids around me came from financially stable backgrounds, I was one of the few with divorced parents. My community seemed to have everything, yet my reality was much different. I didn’t always have the newest clothes or gadgets, often wearing hand-me-downs from my older brothers. I got made fun of at school for the things I didn’t have, but I never let it bother me too much. I knew my mom was doing her best, and that meant more to me than anything else. Financial struggles were a constant in my life. I grew up living paycheck to paycheck, and there were many times when we had to make sacrifices just to keep the bills paid. I remember days when the electricity or hot water was shut off, and I’d do whatever I could to help my mom keep things together. When I got older, I had to dip into my college savings to keep the lights on. It wasn’t ideal, but I was willing to do whatever I could to support my family. One of the toughest times was when my mom tore ligaments and broke her ankle. She couldn’t work for several months, and I had to step up. At just 17 years old, I found myself paying bills, buying groceries, and taking care of my younger sister while helping my mom recover. Watching her struggle both physically and emotionally was difficult, but I had to be strong for her. I reminded her that we could make it through this tough time, even when it felt like everything was falling apart. In high school, I faced adversity in sports. I wrestled for 13 years on a boys' team and played football for six years until my sophomore year. As the only girl on both teams, I knew I had to work harder than everyone else. I had to prove myself to the coaches and my teammates, showing them that I deserved as much playing time as anyone else. Being a girl in a male-dominated environment wasn’t always easy, but I refused to back down. I gave 110% effort in everything I did and made sure to never give up, no matter how tough things got. These challenges have shaped me into the woman I am today, and I don’t look back with self-pity. Instead, I see them as moments that made me the strongest person I could be. They’ve taught me valuable lessons about resilience, strength, and compassion. I understand that everyone faces their own battles, and my experiences have made me more empathetic and determined to help others. As I prepare to start my nursing education at Rhodes State College, I look back on everything I’ve overcome with pride. The work ethic and compassion I’ve developed will help me succeed in my future career. The scholarship I’m applying for will give me the opportunity to put myself first and focus on my education. For so long, I’ve sacrificed my own needs for the benefit of others, and now I’m ready to invest in myself and take the next step toward achieving my dreams. My experiences have prepared me to become a nurse, and I hope to make a difference in the lives of others, just as I’ve done for my family.

Creating a Legacy and Building My Future As I look toward the future, I am excited about the legacy I want to create. My journey will be shaped by my passion for helping others, my commitment to education, and my desire to build a business that makes a meaningful impact. I plan to create a lasting legacy by obtaining my master’s degree in the accelerated practice of nursing, which will allow me to achieve financial stability and give back to my community and family. In addition, I have dreams of opening my own at-home aesthetician clinic, where I can help women feel their best without the financial burden often associated with beauty treatments. Through these pursuits, I aim to shine my light by being compassionate and understanding of the struggles that others face, always striving to make a positive difference. A core part of my future plans involves advancing my education in nursing. After earning my bachelor's degree, I am determined to pursue my master’s in the accelerated practice of nursing. This will allow me to not only grow in my career but also achieve the financial stability that will enable me to help those who have supported me throughout my life. My family has been a constant source of encouragement, especially during tough times, and I am motivated to give back to them as a token of my gratitude. Being financially stable will also allow me to contribute to my community in meaningful ways, whether it’s through charitable donations or offering my services to those who cannot afford them. In addition to my nursing career, I aspire to create a business that reflects my passion for self-care and empowerment. I want to open my own at-home aesthetician clinic or treatment room, where women can come to feel like their best selves. In this space, I envision offering beauty services that make people feel pampered, relaxed, and rejuvenated, all without breaking the bank. Far too often, women feel pressure to spend large amounts of money on beauty treatments, but I believe that self-care should be accessible to everyone. My clinic will offer affordable options while maintaining high-quality services, ensuring that women can feel confident and beautiful without financial stress. I shine my light by embodying compassion and empathy in everything I do. I understand that everyone faces their own battles, whether they are personal, professional, or emotional, and I strive to create an environment where people feel seen, heard, and supported. Whether it’s a patient I care for in my nursing practice or a client seeking self-care services, my goal is to make them feel comfortable and valued. I am dedicated to putting in the effort to ensure that others feel their best, knowing that the smallest gestures can make a big difference in someone's day. It is this commitment to kindness and understanding that I believe will leave a lasting impact on those I serve. Ultimately, my legacy will be built on a foundation of education, compassion, and empowerment. By continuing my studies in nursing, creating a business that fosters self-care, and always striving to help others feel their best, I hope to make a positive difference in the lives of those around me. I believe that through my work, I can leave a lasting impression that helps others feel confident, cared for, and valued.

Education is incredibly important to me because it is the foundation for personal growth and success. It provides the tools to pursue your dreams and empowers you to create the life you want. For me, education isn’t just about getting good grades; it’s about gaining knowledge, developing critical thinking, and learning how to adapt to challenges. As I work toward my nursing degree, I know that the more I learn, the more I will be able to give back to others. Education opens up opportunities that allow me to contribute to the world in meaningful ways. What excites me most about my future is the potential to set a comfortable life for myself and everyone around me. I want to be able to support my family, help others when they’re in need, and provide stability and peace of mind to those I care about. I believe that the work I put into my education will help me reach my career goals and, ultimately, allow me to create a life that gives back to those who have supported me along the way. Education will be the key to helping me make a positive impact on others, whether it’s through my work in healthcare, or by mentoring and supporting those who need guidance. I also have a strong desire to prove others wrong when they doubt me. When people say, "You can't do this," or "That's too hard for you," it fuels my drive even more. I believe that overcoming those doubts is part of what will make me stronger and more resilient in the long run. I want to show that with hard work, determination, and a willingness to take risks, I can succeed despite the obstacles or expectations placed on me. In the long run, I want to be remembered as someone who worked hard and was never afraid to take risks for the sake of personal and professional growth. I want people to remember me as a woman who wasn’t afraid to step outside of her comfort zone in order to achieve something better, and who did so with a commitment to hard work and perseverance. I want my legacy to be one of resilience, and someone who, above all, was always willing to help. Whether it’s assisting someone in need or making a difference through my career, I hope to be known for being selfless, driven, and determined to make the world a better place. Ultimately, I hope that when people think of me, they will think of someone who was always ready to lend a hand, never gave up, and worked tirelessly to achieve the best outcome for everyone. I want my legacy to be one of kindness, strength, and the drive to create a positive impact wherever I go.

I have always wanted to help people, and I believe that nursing is the perfect way to do so. I’m passionate about becoming a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) and earning my APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) license because I want to make a real difference in people’s lives. Currently, I am a STNA (State Tested Nursing Assistant), which has given me a chance to work closely with patients and experience firsthand how important it is to not only provide medical care, but also to offer comfort and compassion during difficult times. While giving them the most outstanding medical care, this will build trust up between me and my patients. This upcoming semester, I will be attending Rhodes Community College to begin my nursing degree, and I’m excited to take the next step toward becoming a nurse and eventually a CRNA. The ICU is an area I’m particularly interested in because it involves critical care, which will allow me to build on my skills and knowledge. In the ICU, I’d be able to support patients when they are most vulnerable, helping them feel safe and cared for in stressful situations. I truly believe that a nurse’s ability to provide reassurance and empathy is just as important as the medical treatment they offer. I want to be that person for my patients, someone they can trust to not only help them physically but also to comfort them emotionally. As a future CRNA, I hope to offer high-quality anesthesia care while ensuring that patients are comfortable and confident in their procedures. Anesthesia is a specialized field that requires a lot of knowledge and skill, and I’m excited about the challenge it presents. I know that I will have to continue learning throughout my career, but I am ready for that. Becoming a CRNA will allow me to use my nursing knowledge in a new way and to make a real impact in the operating room and when offering comfort for expecting mothers by epidurals. Ultimately, my goal is to become a nurse who not only provides excellent medical care but also offers a sense of comfort and support to patients when they need it most. Whether I’m working in the ICU or eventually as a CRNA, I want to make a positive impact on the lives of my patients and help them feel reassured and cared for, no matter what they’re going through. I am excited to begin my journey and look forward to making a difference in healthcare.

I’ve always been passionate about science, especially when it comes to understanding the human body and how we can use that knowledge to improve health and well-being. My interest in STEM really grew after taking the Human Body Systems class in high school, which was part of my school's STEM program. In that class, I had the opportunity to explore how the body’s organs and systems work together to keep us healthy. We learned about everything from the respiratory system to the nervous system, and I was fascinated by how intricate and connected everything is. What stood out to me the most was how small changes in one part of the body can have such a big impact on overall health. This made me realize how important it is to not just understand science in theory but also apply it in real-life situations, especially in healthcare. Building on that experience, I’m currently taking Medical Interventions, which is another STEM class that has deepened my passion for the medical field. This class focuses on how medical professionals diagnose and treat different diseases, using technology and interventions like medical imaging, prosthetics, and surgical procedures. We’ve had hands-on projects where we’ve simulated diagnosing different conditions using lab tests and developing treatment plans. What I love most about this class is how it ties together what I’ve learned in biology, chemistry, and anatomy into real-world applications. It’s one thing to learn about diseases in textbooks, but it’s a whole new experience to think critically about how we can use that knowledge to actually help people. In addition to these classes, I’m also taking an online Medical Terminology course to further educate myself on the language of healthcare. Understanding medical terminology is essential for working in the medical field, and I’ve found that this course is helping me gain a deeper understanding of the content I’m learning in my high school classes. It’s not only giving me a strong foundation in the terms I’ll need as I move forward in my education, but it’s also boosting my confidence in understanding medical documentation and communication. These classes and the extra work I’ve put into learning medical terminology have shown me just how powerful a STEM education can be—not only for solving complex problems but also for making a tangible difference in people’s lives. Whether it’s understanding how the body works, developing medical technologies, or finding new treatments for illnesses, STEM is at the heart of every advancement in healthcare. I’m excited about the possibilities that a STEM education opens up, especially as I pursue a career in nursing and eventually become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I’ve learned that in healthcare, there’s always something new to learn, and technology is constantly changing how we approach patient care. I want to be part of that future, helping to improve patient outcomes and make healthcare more accessible and efficient. Ultimately, taking these classes has made me even more excited about the role STEM plays in our daily lives and in shaping the future of healthcare. I’m passionate about continuing my education in this field because I know it will give me the tools and knowledge I need to make a real difference in people’s lives.

I want to pursue a degree in nursing because I’ve always felt a deep passion for helping others, especially when they are facing difficult or vulnerable times. My experience working as an STNA at Saint Rita’s Hospital and The Medows of Ottawa has shown me that nursing is about much more than just treating physical ailments. It's about truly caring for people, not just as patients, but as individuals with unique stories, fears, and needs. It has made me realize how essential it is to provide not only medical care but also emotional support. One experience that stands out to me happened while I was working with a patient who had dementia. She would often become confused and anxious, struggling to recognize her surroundings or the people around her. I could see how distressing it was for her, especially when she couldn’t remember why she was in the hospital. While many of the other staff focused primarily on her physical care, I began to realize that her emotional well-being was just as important. I would sit with her, talk to her calmly, and gently hold her hand, even if she couldn’t recognize me. Over time, I saw that these small acts of comfort made a big difference. She seemed to relax more and even began to smile, which was so rewarding to see. It taught me that sometimes the most important thing you can do for a patient is to listen, be patient, and show them that they’re not alone. This experience has strengthened my desire to become a nurse. I want to be someone who not only helps people heal physically but also provides emotional support and comfort. I understand that every patient is different, and it’s so important to see them as whole people—taking the time to understand their needs, fears, and hopes. As a nurse, I want to be there for my patients in the same way I was for that dementia patient, offering not just medical care but also compassion and kindness. I want to make sure that my patients feel heard and valued, especially during their most vulnerable moments. Nursing is a profession that allows you to make a real difference in people’s lives. I’ve seen firsthand how a caring touch or a kind word can brighten someone’s day and help them feel more at ease. I hope to contribute to my community by providing care that goes beyond just physical treatment. I want to help people heal in every way possible—emotionally, mentally, and physically—by offering them the same level of care and compassion that I would want for my own family.