There are many different ways this scholarship would help me, but the most important is to achieve my goals and continue following my dreams. One day I would like to open up my own Bed and Breakfast/ Inn in my hometown, Ligonier Pennsylvania. Ahead of this dream, ever since I was a little girl I have wanted to play college volleyball at the division one level. Up until this year I was pursuing that to my best ability. I was in contact with many different college coaches, attending different showcases and camps, and even participating in daily off season workout plans. During my senior season I was diagnosed with severe asthma and told that I cannot continue playing after college because it would put too much stress on my heart valves. I have never felt so helpless and heartbroken in my life. Not only would I be able to fulfill the goal I've been working so hard for, for many years, but I also wouldn't be able to receive an athletic scholarship to attend one of the schools I've applied to. Coming from a very large family (I am the youngest of 9), almost all of my siblings played sports in college, and most that did received an academic scholarship. My brother Aaron went on to play division one college football on a full ride. With the hope and plan to play in college and receive an athletic scholarship, I would've been able to fulfill both of my dreams. Now, I am not able to play volleyball in college but, I am still working so hard towards receiving scholarships so I can attend a great business school to help me someday achieve my other goal, opening my own bed and breakfast. Because I can't play volleyball in college, I am now hoping that one day I can coach high school volleyball and help aspiring females one day achieve their own goals. Receiving this scholarship would help me to attend one of the colleges that I have been recently admitted to. If I got to attend one of the colleges from my list I would major in business and minor in either hospitality or sports management. All of those curricular majors and minors would lead me to get the education necessary to open my own bed and breakfast, and one day coach. To conclude, I would be very grateful to receive this scholarship to help me achieve my once changed goals and dreams.

When you Google "Who are the most famous business people in the world?" you will come across a list of 24 business people. The first five were recognized as Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Warren Buffet, Larry Page, and Steve Jobs. All being respectable household names that the school system taught us about. Now if you Google " What makes you successful in business?" you will be given the terms "risk-taker" or "passion" and even "self-confidence", all attributes that many females persuing business possess. I like to think of myself as being a risk taker, very passionate, and even a female with a healthy amount of self-confidence. Being from a small rural town in Pennsylvania, I may not be able to change the world, but I can change the younger females around me's perceptions of themselves and of what they are capable of. In today's generation, females grow up around many male counterparts who are not only given more opportunities than them but they are given more recognition for the things they have accomplished. When an aspiring young female researches the most successful business people, she will be given the list I previously mentioned. She won't learn about Zhang Xin and how she founded a development firm that led to her being known in China as "The woman who built Beijing." She won't see articles published about Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw who started her biopharmaceutical company out of a shed in her backyard that ended up generating $1 billion on its first trading day. She won't even know that Oprah Winfrey grew up in poverty and as a rape survivor built her media empire and co-founded Oxygen Media. Oprah Winfrey will only be the lady on the "Talk" to her. My point is, that female business leaders aren't given the recognition that they deserve. Young impressionable females will only see these successful women as what the media perceives them to be, placeholders who can't think their thoughts and can't become successful on their own. Once I complete my business degree, the future is unknown and the possibilities are endless. Even if I pursue my profession of business in the small town of Ligonier, I will still be making a change in many young female lives. When they are in middle and elementary school, they will hear about me and my business profession that will accompany success. This will inspire them to pursue their goals that should no longer be seen as dreams. That is why I am pursuing business, and that is how I will make an impact. I may not pioneer multiple worldwide manufacturing processes like Carnegie Mellon or progress the computer technology world like Steve Jobs, but when one little girl in class hears my story on career day, she will have her revelation that will change her life and the lives of many others.

There are many different ways that I plan to make an impact on the world, but I would have to say the impact I would like to make most of all is through love. I know many people around me and my peers struggle with mental health. This upcoming school year I’m making it my own personal mission to watch for the signs of depression from those around me. If I notice any, I will talk to them myself or have a guidance counselor. That is now thought. There are so many other people around the world struggling with their mental health and losing the battle . Once I graduate college if I’m not loaded with student debt I would like to travel around the world and visit minority school districts to discuss mental health. I chose minority school districts because that is where suicide rates are the highest. And then, one day I would start a non profit to give these kids and districts better guidance and resources such as an in school therapy session. Or things just to make their lives a little easier such as new clothes, electronics, school supply’s, food, etc. That is how I will change the world. This mission of mine comes from a personal background. Last year I struggled with my own depression and was blessed enough to win the battle. I had people around me to help and therapists to talk to. My school district was very understanding and gave me time off allowing me to go remote while still doing my class work. Knowing that I had these resources helped me realize that I am not alone. People love me. People care about me. People want me to be around. People have a better day when they see me. People are happy I’m here. And that’s the message I want to spread to others. Sometimes it feels like you can’t live for yourself. So don’t. Live for those who would be sad to see you gone. And if it comes to that point, you will realize that you are loved for a reason. You have so much worth. Win this battle. Get through this. And once you do, help others who were once like you win their battle too. To conclude, I want to travel the world to create a non profit for depression in students. But for now, I’ll start with helping those around me.

Anthony Andrew Tutino, a full blooded and strong hearted Italian, is my father figure. My father (as we call him Tony) has many attributes that make him special. But there is one that stands out the most, and that has passed on to me and my 8 older siblings. His love for all things family. As clingy as it may sound, my father taught me that when you have lost all, you are never alone. There will always be family there for you. As a young girl going into her last year of high school, I have had my up and downs when it comes to friendships. My father has taught me to always keep those I love close to me. And when someone is rude, to always stay humble and kind, no matter what. Close friends are equal to family, because they will be there for you in a matter of need. It doesn’t matter the situation, they will be there for you. And throughout learning all of this, I have learned that my father has put this quality into my everyday life. I watch my father do many small acts of kindness in his everyday life, but when it comes to his family and friends, that is all that matters to him. Every holiday my house is packed with blood relatives and those close to my family and father. A gift for everyone around Christmas, and a cake for every birthday. All supplied by my father. And when someone fails or disappoints, it doesn’t take anytime for my father to embrace them and lead them into healing with the words “if you never bleed you are never going to grow”. All right before he lightens the mood with a “but don’t let it happen again” followed by a light smack on the back. Things like that have taught me to persevere through hard times, because I know my father will always be there for me, through the good and bad. He hold me accountable but always reminds me of my worth because as he says “I am family”. But as the years go on, I have come to realize that my father treats everyone as if they are family. With a gentle love and soft words of encouragement. Family, friends, strangers, I truly believe they all hold the same spot in my fathers wholesome heart. And the same for me. As my father once said, “family doesn’t end in blood, and it doesn’t start there either.”