Life is nothing without love, and through her story, it is abundantly clear that Kalia D. Davis brought love into every life she touched, making each one worth living. To lose a soul full of such grace and care is an unparalleled travesty. Yet, Kalia's impact on the world and those around her is a strong-standing legacy. I am moved by Kalia’s story, and I’m inspired to carry her living, loving, laughing, and learning legacy. Like Kalia, I am dedicated not only to my schoolwork and athletics but also to making a meaningful difference within my community. Throughout high school I worked to excel in all these areas, emulating the same work ethic Kalia embodied. I consistently practiced softball, contributing to my team’s first State Sectional title in over 50 years. As a Captain, I carried the responsibility of leadership, learning to balance the demands of a Varsity sport while maintaining the Honor Roll all four years. This same dedication has earned me a place on the President’s List at the University of South Carolina. I give back by volunteering - packing meals for underprivileged children, helping them through their weekends in the absence of school-provided lunches. Just as importantly, I made time for my loved ones, ensuring we had quality time every week and making certain I was home for dinner more nights than not. Even now, 600 miles away at school, I’m sure to call every day to check in. My passion for maintaining what matters most fuels this challenging schedule. Kalia’s academic achievements, dedication to athletics, and heartfelt service resonate with me deeply. But what stood out to me most was her love for those around her. This unrequited love is the type that lives on, that inspires. Her spirit lives on in laughter, in the kindness shared throughout the world, and in the joy of small moments. She lives on in the crash of the waves as they hit the shore, calling out to those resting on the warm sand as colors paint the sky. She’s there with my little cousins and me as we dance around to the Moana soundtrack. I strive to leave an imprint on the world the way Kalia has. My friends have always told me I am someone they can rely on to understand how they are feeling without even needing to exchange words. My greatest moments are those where I’ve made someone smile. I imagine Kalia would feel the same. I am inspired by Kalia to continue giving back through service and volunteering and to continue succeeding in my academics. Giving back is a value I hold close to my heart, and this scholarship would allow me to do so in Kalia's name. It would also alleviate a substantial amount of stress from my financial situation, allowing me to continue my studies at my dream university. Even if I am not selected, simply applying for the Kalia D. Davis scholarship has been an honor. Kalia's story - one of undying love, hard work, meaningful contributions to her community, and the sheer kindness of a beautiful soul – has left a lasting impact on me. Being able to relate to Kalia on any scale - from our shared love for traveling, to our parallel passion-fueled work - is a true blessing. I can only hope to be even half the woman Kalia was. To be considered for the Kalia D. Davis scholarship is a privilege. Her remarkable impact has just reached one more soul: mine. The next beach sunset I watch, I’ll know it was Kalia who painted the sky.

I have never been sure of what I want to do with my life. One day it was becoming a professional softball player. The next, a florist. Then maybe a journalist. With all of these options - and me being incredibly indecisive - I've never had a path I was positive I wanted to go down. However, through all of my vastly different dreams, I never doubted that I could achieve them. I knew I was worthy of each one. I grew up in a loving, supportive family. My parents took fantastic care of me, ensuring I never had to worry about things out of my control. They taught me many lessons, but the most important one was this: my success is my responsibility. I could not rely on others to achieve my dreams for me, nor do the hard work that was needed to do so. They inspired me to work hard in elementary, middle, and high school, and are still motivating me to do so in college, even if they're nearly 600 miles away at home. But my hard work applies to more than just my academics. It extends every part of my life: my softball career, my ability to maintain and foster relationships, and the way I approach challenges. Although sometimes challenging, this self-reliance they instilled in me fostered my self-confidence. They made sure that I knew that even if no one else believed in me, I always would. That is why I know I'm worth the dreams I aspire to achieve. Now that I'm older, I've experienced various majors, classes, and career paths. Due to this, have a much more solid idea of what I want my future to look like. My dreams are: to create my own PR firm in New York City; to find success in not just money but in love; and to raise a family on the same principles that my parents raised my siblings and me with. I am sure I am worthy of these dreams, and I am sure I still will be if they change. I know my limit... which is nothing. I have to tell myself this, or the world will try to convince me of the opposite. Women in all corners of the world have been told that they are not worthy of their dreams. Insecurity, inferiority, and the belief that we are not self-reliant have been shoved down our throats - by the media, by society, by tradition, by stereotypes. We are conditioned to believe that our dreams are unachievable simply because we are women. It affects how we see ourselves, diminishing our self-confidence and setting constraining limits on our potential. It is vital that we fight against those who say "You can't". For too long we have been under the control of individuals who think themselves superior to us, crushing our dreams that we are more than worthy of. I know how hard it is to erase that inherited sense of inadequacy. The truth is, it may never really go away. But we can limit its power over us by trusting ourselves to be limitless. We can be our own encouragement and our own support system - as long as we know our worth. We are irreplaceable. Not only do I know I am deserving of all my dreams - I know every woman is as well.