My name is Addison Williams, and I’m a senior at Hobart High School. Throughout my high school journey, I’ve committed myself to excellence both inside and outside the classroom. With a GPA of 4.3, a strong involvement in sports, leadership in student organizations, and consistent volunteer work, I’ve worked hard to become someone my peers and younger students can look up to, just like Kalia D. Davis was to so many. As a student-athlete, I’ve participated in both soccer and tennis, where I’ve learned the value of teamwork, time management, and perseverance. These experiences have helped shape my character and taught me how to lead with kindness and determination. In addition to sports, I’ve served in leadership roles through clubs like Key Club, Business Professionals of America, and Confront the Climate Crisis, where I’ve engaged in community service projects that range from organizing school-wide drives to volunteering at local events and helping students during school functions. These opportunities have allowed me to give back to my community while also growing as a person. My passion lies in marketing and sports. I hope to pursue a career in sports business marketing or management, and I’d like to focus on promoting diversity and inclusion in media. Growing up biracial in a predominantly white town, I often struggled to find people around me and in the media who looked like me or shared my experiences. But through sports, I found a sense of belonging and empowerment. It made me realize how powerful representation can be and how sports can bring unity, change, and a sense of belonging. To increase my chances of success in this field, I’ve made the decision to attend college out of state. While this choice will offer more job opportunities, internships, and connections in the sports and marketing industries, it also comes with significantly higher costs for tuition, travel, and living expenses. This scholarship would help ease that financial burden and allow me to focus more fully on my education, personal growth, and community involvement. I want to work for companies that uplift underrepresented voices, particularly women and people of color, whose stories often go untold. My goal is to amplify those voices, challenge stereotypes, and create media that reflects the true diversity of our world. I am inspired by Kalia’s legacy, her drive, her dedication to excellence, and her ability to uplift those around her. Like her, I strive to be someone others can count on for support, for a good laugh, or for motivation to keep going. I’m committed to living out her values through my work ethic, my kindness, and my ambition to make a meaningful impact. Thank you for considering me for this honor. I hope to carry forward the Living, Loving, Laughing, Learning Legacy of Kalia D. Davis in all that I do.

I am thrilled to be applying for this scholarship opportunity. Chidubè’s values of academic excellence, personal and spiritual growth, and dedication to uplifting the community deeply resonate with my own values and aspirations. I believe that I embody these values through my pursuit of academic excellence, desire for personal growth and spirituality, and commitment to community service. From a young age, I’ve always taken pride in my academic performance. I’ve consistently pushed myself to excel in my studies. In high school, I enrolled in honors and dual credit courses to further challenge myself and to prepare for college. Through these rigorous classes, I’ve developed a strong sense of discipline, organization, and perseverance that will serve me well in my college career and beyond. In recent years, I’ve also begun exploring my spiritual side further by attending church. I hadn’t since I was young, and have to admit I was slightly nervous to go back. This journey has not only helped me cultivate my own sense of inner peace and purpose, but it has also taught me the importance of empathy, compassion, and community. Throughout my life, I’ve sought out opportunities to give back to my community, whether through volunteering at local events or participating in service projects. I was taught at a young age to care for people and put the energy out into the world that you want to receive. Through my experiences, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of working together to support and uplift those around me. Despite facing challenges such as my parents’ divorce, difficulties in school, and navigating mental health issues, I have persevered and grown stronger as a result. These experiences have shaped me into a resilient and empathetic individual who is committed to making a difference in the world. As I look towards the future, I plan to major in marketing in college. Through this field, I hope to work with companies to promote diversity and women in sports. I want to use my skills and knowledge to make a meaningful impact on the world. I want to push into the media, good role models and the diversity I wished to see as a young girl. In this career field, I plan to constantly seek out opportunities for growth. I am grateful for the opportunity to be considered for this scholarship, and will forever work to make my mark on the world.

My favorite athlete to cheer on from Team USA is Trinity Rodman, a forward for the Women's Soccer Team. From the moment I first watched her play, I was drawn to her unique style on the field. Trinity combines athleticism with a sharp strategic mind, and it's clear that every move she makes is deliberate and impactful. Her ability to read the game and create opportunities for her team shows her high level of intelligence and skill. What stands out the most about Trinity is the sheer joy she brings to the game. You can see that she loves what she does, and that passion is contagious. Whether she’s scoring goals or setting up a play, her excitement and energy make the game enjoyable to watch. I admire how she plays with such confidence, always looking for ways to elevate her team, yet never losing sight of her love for the sport. She’s a role model for perseverance, teamwork, and dedication. She serves as a good role model for young girls. Growing up and playing soccer myself, I enjoy seeing her, someone who looks like me, excelling in the sport and inspiring future generations. Cheering for Trinity Rodman is more than just rooting for a talented athlete; it’s about celebrating someone who brings heart and soul to every match. Her presence on the field reminds me of the power of passion and hard work in achieving success and being a role model for young girls across the nation.

If I had to pick a favorite song on the Brat album, it would be Guess. Not only is it fun and upbeat, but it explores deeper meanings that may not be noticed from the first listen. In life, uncertainty is inevitable—whether in relationships, personal aspirations, or the pursuit of knowledge. The song "Guess" by Charli XCX resonates deeply with me because it highlights the constant guessing and questioning we face when navigating both the complexities of human connections and our own internal growth. As Charli sings about trying to figure out someone's feelings, I’m reminded of how we often find ourselves in similar situations, questioning the path ahead and trying to make sense of the unknown. As I reflect on my own journey, I realize that embracing uncertainty is a crucial part of personal growth. Just as Charli XCX discusses on the ambiguity of relationships, I have encountered moments where I didn’t have all the answers—whether it was choosing a career path, adapting to new environments, or striving to understand my own identity. In these moments, I have learned to trust myself and embrace the process, knowing that the answers will come with time and experience. I will forever be a Brat fan.

My name is Addison Williams, a senior at Hobart High School, where I've been heavily involved in extracurricular activities such as sports and leadership roles in various clubs. Through my experiences, I've developed a passion for marketing and sports, which has inspired me to pursue a career in sports business marketing or management. I aim to use my skills to promote diversity and inclusiveness in the media, particularly by amplifying the voices and stories of underrepresented communities in sports. Growing up in a predominantly white town as a biracial individual, I often found myself searching for role models and representation in media that reflected my own experiences. This search was often fruitless, leaving me feeling invisible and unrepresented in the world around me. However, my love for sports provided a refuge where I could not only feel empowered but also find common ground with others regardless of our differences. Through sports, I recognized the unique potential they hold to bring people together and create positive change. It became clear to me that increasing diverse representation in sports media could have an effect on society as a whole by challenging stereotypes and fostering a greater sense of inclusivity and understanding. My personal experiences have fueled my determination to be a part of this change. I aspire to work for a company or organization that actively values and celebrates athletes from diverse backgrounds, particularly women and people of color who have historically been underrepresented in sports media. By amplifying the voices and stories of these individuals, I believe we can create a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. In addition to my career goals, I also hope to immerse myself in the diverse community of my college campus and continue developing my interpersonal skills and cultural awareness. My leadership experiences in high school have prepared me for this journey and fueled my desire to make a positive impact on the world. My cousin, who has overcome significant adversity to achieve her own goals, has been a major inspiration in my life. Her dedication to helping others has shown me the importance of determination and purpose in pursuing one's dreams. With this in mind, I am eager to continue my education and develop the skills necessary to make a meaningful impact in the marketing industry and beyond. Ultimately, I believe that my passion for sports, leadership experiences, and commitment to promoting diversity will allow me to make a positive impact on the world through my future career in sports business marketing.