On November 21, 2021, my life was forever changed. I traveled to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, but I awoke six days later in a hospital bed, intubated and connected to a ventilator. I had been ejected from a moving car through the windshield, suffering a traumatic brain injury, a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and rib fractures. Despite the overwhelming challenges, I demonstrated strength and determination to fight through this life-altering trauma. During those first five days in intensive care, I relied on the unwavering care of an incredible team of doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and therapists. Their skill, compassion, and resilience inspired me. I observed firsthand how nurses advocate for their patients, educate families, and provide emotional support during critical moments. Their dedication and empathy fostered hope and healing, especially for someone like me facing both physical and emotional recovery. That experience sparked within me a profound desire to serve others as a pediatric nurse, with a particular focus on youth athletes. Before my accident, I was already passionate about health, sports, and helping others, and had attended summer camps in sports medicine and physical therapy. My recovery revealed the vital role nurses play in caring for young people, especially athletes who face injuries and setbacks. I now understand that pediatric nursing, particularly in sports medicine, is a specialized field that combines my love for youth, athletics, and compassionate care. I am excited about the challenge of helping young athletes recover from injuries, implement preventative strategies, and foster resilience, both physically and emotionally. My determination has only strengthened through this journey. I am committed to overcoming obstacles, continually expanding my knowledge, and providing empathetic, patient-centered care. I aspire to support young athletes not only in their physical recovery but also in building the mental and emotional resilience needed to return to their passions confidently. I believe every injury offers an opportunity to teach, empower, and uplift, a principle I plan to uphold as a pediatric sports nurse. Additionally, I am eager to serve underserved communities in Liberia, my home country, where access to pediatric sports rehabilitation and comprehensive healthcare is limited. I envision creating programs that train local healthcare providers and promote youth sports safety, ensuring that children and adolescents receive proper care and injury prevention resources. This global perspective fuels my dedication to making a difference both here in the United States and at home. Beyond my personal recovery, I founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and resilience among youth. Our successful basketball camps in Liberia have inspired many to stay active despite hardships. These experiences reflect my commitment to uplifting young people and demonstrating strength in the face of adversity, values I will bring to my career as a pediatric sports nurse. Every step of my journey has tested and strengthened my resolve. I have learned that resilience, empathy, and perseverance are essential qualities in healthcare. As a pediatric nurse specializing in sports medicine, I will leverage these traits to support young athletes through injuries and setbacks, providing them with hope, encouragement, and expert care. I want to be the caregiver and advocate who helps children and adolescents regain their confidence and continue pursuing their passions. Choosing nursing is more than a career, it is a calling rooted in my lived experience, empathy, and passion for youth sports. I am eager to embrace the challenges and rewards of pediatric sports nursing, transforming my strength and determination into a lifelong mission of care, healing, and empowerment, one young athlete at a time.

My name is Adem Byrdsell, a rising junior majoring in Exercise and Sports Science at the University of Georgia. I am also the founder of the Byrd Basketball Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement among youth. While my passions revolve around service and community, the most profound lesson I’ve learned is the critical importance of prioritizing my own well-being, a lesson forged in the crucible of a near-fatal car accident. As a high school junior in 2021, I launched the Foundation with a vision rooted in personal experience. Having spent nine formative years living in Liberia, West Africa, I witnessed the passion for basketball among talented kids who lacked resources. I planned our first basketball and wellness camp for December 2021 in Monrovia, Liberia. However, in November 2021, everything changed. While visiting family in Oklahoma for Thanksgiving, I was in a serious car accident. Our car swerved to avoid a drunk driver. I was ejected from the backseat, through the front windshield. I sustained a traumatic brain injury, C5 spinal fracture, broken ribs and severely bruised lungs. I spent 17 days in the hospital, six of those in the ICU, and five on a ventilator. It was a near-death experience, but it was also a catalyst for a transformative shift and a second chance. Initially, my focus was solely on physical recovery. The road was arduous, involving intense physical therapy and cognitive rehabilitation, and emotional processing. However, I soon realized that my mental and emotional health were equally, if not more, crucial. The accident left me with anxiety, PTSD, and a profound sense of vulnerability. It was challenging to confront my vulnerabilities, but I recognized that neglecting my mental and emotional needs would hinder my overall healing. This experience taught me invaluable lessons about the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and emotional health. I learned that true healing requires a holistic approach, addressing the whole person, not just the physical body. This realization has profoundly shaped my perspective and future goals. As a result, my focus in Exercise and Sports Science shifted from just physical performance to a broader understanding of wellness. My goal of becoming a Sports Medicine Physician has evolved to encompass not only injury prevention and rehabilitation but also mental and emotional support for athletes and patients. I want to lead injury prevention programs that integrate mental health education, conduct research on the psychological impact of injuries, and develop training exchanges between U.S.-trained professionals and Liberian medical providers that strengthen holistic healthcare systems and athletic care. The accident also made me re-evaluate my approach to leadership and service. While I remain committed to the Byrd Basketball Foundation, welcoming 24 youth athletes daily in Monrovia in July 2022, I recognize the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing my own well-being. I now understand that sustainable service requires self-care. To further these efforts, this summer, I'm interning with the athletics department at my former high school, assisting with injury prevention programs, learning firsthand how to create a supportive environment for young athletes, and gaining experience in applying my academic knowledge to real-world situations. Furthermore, I am now committed to incorporating wellness initiatives into the Foundation’s programming, teaching youth athletes the importance of mental and emotional health alongside physical fitness. Moving forward, I am committed to prioritizing my physical, mental, and emotional health in all aspects of my life. I recognize that self-care is not selfish; it's essential for sustained success and service. Through my education, nonprofit work, and future career goals, I aim to integrate this holistic approach, lifting others while honoring my own well-being.

My name is Adem Byrdsell, a rising junior majoring in Exercise and Sports Science at the University of Georgia. I am also the founder of the Byrd Basketball Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement among youth. While my passions revolve around service and community, the most profound lesson I’ve learned is the critical importance of prioritizing my own well-being, a lesson forged in the crucible of a near-fatal car accident. As a high school junior in 2021, I launched the Foundation with a vision rooted in personal experience. Having spent nine formative years living in Liberia, West Africa, I witnessed the passion for basketball among talented kids who lacked resources. I planned our first basketball and wellness camp for December 2021 in Monrovia, Liberia. However, in November 2021, everything changed. While visiting family in Oklahoma for Thanksgiving, I was in a serious car accident. Our car swerved to avoid a drunk driver. I was ejected from the backseat, through the front windshield. I sustained a traumatic brain injury, C5 spinal fracture, broken ribs and severely bruised lungs. I spent 17 days in the hospital, six of those in the ICU, and five on a ventilator. It was a near-death experience, but it was also a catalyst for a transformative shift and a second chance. Initially, my focus was solely on physical recovery. The road was arduous, involving intense physical therapy and cognitive rehabilitation, and emotional processing. However, I soon realized that my mental and emotional health were equally, if not more, crucial. The accident left me with anxiety, PTSD, and a profound sense of vulnerability. It was challenging to confront my vulnerabilities, but I recognized that neglecting my mental and emotional needs would hinder my overall healing. This experience taught me invaluable lessons about the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and emotional health. I learned that true healing requires a holistic approach, addressing the whole person, not just the physical body. This realization has profoundly shaped my perspective and future goals. As a result, my focus in Exercise and Sports Science shifted from just physical performance to a broader understanding of wellness. My goal of becoming a Sports Medicine Physician has evolved to encompass not only injury prevention and rehabilitation but also mental and emotional support for athletes and patients. I want to lead injury prevention programs that integrate mental health education, conduct research on the psychological impact of injuries, and develop training exchanges between U.S.-trained professionals and Liberian medical providers that strengthen holistic healthcare systems and athletic care. The accident also made me re-evaluate my approach to leadership and service. While I remain committed to the Byrd Basketball Foundation, welcoming 24 youth athletes daily in Monrovia in July 2022, I recognize the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing my own well-being. I now understand that sustainable service requires self-care. To further these efforts, this summer, I'm interning with the athletics department at my former high school, assisting with injury prevention programs, learning firsthand how to create a supportive environment for young athletes, and gaining experience in applying my academic knowledge to real-world situations. Furthermore, I am now committed to incorporating wellness initiatives into the Foundation’s programming, teaching youth athletes the importance of mental and emotional health alongside physical fitness. Moving forward, I am committed to prioritizing my physical, mental, and emotional health in all aspects of my life. I recognize that self-care is not selfish; it's essential for sustained success and service. Through my education, nonprofit work, and future career goals, I aim to integrate this holistic approach, lifting others while honoring my own well-being.

From Monrovia to Medicine: Building a Future Through Resilience My family's journey to the US began with an escape. On June 1, 1990, my mother boarded the last international flight out of Monrovia, Liberia, 2 days before the airport was bombed and civil war erupted. A one-month escape turned into a 16-year displacement, and the greatest challenge my family faced upon arriving in the US was rebuilding our lives, while navigating the complexities of being African immigrants. My mother arrived with little support, facing a new culture, complex immigration, and financial strain. Leaving behind her home and family, she faced the daunting task of creating a new life for herself and her future children. She balanced college with work, worrying for family back in Liberia. She encountered prejudice and stereotypes, common hurdles for African immigrants striving to integrate into American society. Financial constraints loomed large. Linguistic challenges and unfamiliar academic expectations created obstacles. Securing aid and navigating the system proved difficult. Despite this, she persevered, earning her degree and creating a stable home. She instilled in me the value of education, hard work, and resilience. She showed me it was possible to thrive despite adversity. Witnessing her strength shaped who I am today. I appreciate opportunities others take for granted. As the child of an African immigrant, I connect deeply with the Cyrilla Olapeju Sanni scholarship, recognizing its focus on the unique hurdles African students face, compounded by cultural barriers and limited resources. Growing up, I saw the wide gap between the privileged few and the majority who lived on less than a dollar a day. My mother instilled in me a deep appreciation for what we had and a strong sense of responsibility to serve those with less. The combination of her example and the poverty around me instilled in me a commitment to equity and justice. That truth hit me hard in 2021, when I survived a near-fatal car accident in the U.S. I sustained a traumatic brain injury, fractured my spine, and suffered internal injuries. I spent six days in the ICU, dependent on a team of doctors and nurses for survival. If that accident had happened in Liberia, I likely wouldn’t be alive. That experience gave me clarity: I was given a second chance at life, and I intend to use it to help others. I am currently pursuing a degree in Exercise Science, with plans to become a Sports Medicine Physician. My career goals are rooted in global service. I hope to work in both the U.S. and Liberia, advancing sports medicine, preventing injuries, and creating systems that improve access to care. My vision includes building a teaching and practice forum that allows U.S.-trained professionals to rotate through Liberia and train local practitioners. In addition to my academic path, I founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring underprivileged youth through sports. In July 2022, I hosted our first fully-sponsored basketball camp in Liberia, free for all participants. My foundation is committed to teaching not just athletic skills, but leadership, education, and resilience. Like so many immigrants, I’ve also inherited the strength to push through barriers and build something meaningful. Receiving the Cyrilla Olapeju Sanni Scholarship would alleviate the financial strain on my education and honor the resilience of my mother. My story is still being written, but its foundation is one of survival, sacrifice, and the unshakable belief that purpose grows from perseverance. I want to build a better future, not just for myself, but for the communities I come from and the ones I will serve.

"From Patient to Physician: A Journey of Purpose" My aspiration to become a medical doctor was forged in a near-death experience, fundamentally transforming my perspective on life, health, and purpose. In November 2021, a near fatal car accident left me with a traumatic brain injury, spinal fracture, and severely bruised lungs. For the first five days a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of machines and the unwavering dedication of medical professionals, including my doctors, nurses and therapists. This experience was not just a brush with mortality; it was a revelation. I realized I wanted to be like those who saved me, skilled, compassionate, and committed to restoring health and inspiring hope. This solidified my path toward medicine, providing a profound 'why' that fuels my ambition. Before the accident, my interests led me to sports medicine, physical therapy and engineering camps. While sparking interest, the accident provided the clarity I needed. I chose to major in Exercise Science, aiming to become a Sports Medicine Physician, blending my love for athletics with my passion for health. My goal is to help athletes not only recover from injuries but also prevent them, returning stronger and more mindful. This goal is deeply intertwined with my understanding of hardship and resilience. My journey hasn’t been without challenges, notably financial hardship. Coming from a family with limited resources, the cost of medical school looms large. Yet, I am determined to overcome these obstacles because I know my lived experiences, the trauma of my accident and the perseverance it instilled, will make me a better, more empathetic doctor. I understand the vulnerability patients face, enabling a deeper connection. Growing up in Liberia, West Africa, for nine years, I witnessed the stark reality of limited access to basic healthcare. I saw countless individuals suffer needlessly due to scarce resources. This instilled in me that healthcare is not a luxury but a right. I also learned that financial hardship, whether in Liberia or under-resourced communities in the United States, severely limits access to care. These experiences shaped my commitment to practicing medicine with equity and empathy, prioritizing the underserved. Following my recovery, I founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation, a nonprofit that mentors underprivileged youth athletes. In July 2022, our first basketball camp became a source of profound meaning. One camper shared that he had been contemplating suicide after the sudden death of his brother and best friend. The camp gave him hope and community. This reinforced that healing is not merely physical; it's emotional, mental, and social. It reaffirmed my commitment to becoming a doctor who treats the whole person. This summer, I’m also interning at my former high school’s athletics department, helping student-athletes train, recover, and build mental resilience. I offer not only physical support but also a listening ear and an understanding heart. I know what it feels like to struggle and still show up, and I want to show others that their pain doesn’t define them. Ultimately, I want to be a doctor who listens deeply, leads boldly, and serves selflessly. My experiences with trauma, financial hardship, and healthcare disparities have prepared me to approach each patient with empathy and a commitment to their well-being. I plan to practice in the United States and Liberia, contributing to medical missions and training programs in underserved areas. Given a second chance at life, I intend to use it to give others a better chance at theirs, advocating for equitable access to quality healthcare, making a lasting impact on the lives I serve.

From Monrovia to Medicine: How a Single-Parent Household Shaped My Dreams Growing up in a single-parent household has shaped every part of who I am and the career I’m pursuing. My mother is a survivor, resilient, resourceful, and determined. She fled Liberia in 1990, just two days before the airport was bombed at the start of a brutal 14-year civil war. What was supposed to be a one-month escape turned into a 16-year displacement. During that time, she put herself through college, married, and had me. Then in 2011, following her divorce, she returned to Liberia with just me and a one-way ticket, determined to rebuild our lives. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the courage it took for her to raise me alone, especially in a country still recovering from war. But now I realize how much she sacrificed to give me a foundation of strength, faith, and purpose. Watching her work full-time while managing a household on her own taught me discipline, empathy, and how to keep going even when things seem impossible. Those nine years in Monrovia transformed me. I saw what it meant to live with limited access to basic healthcare, education, and opportunities. I also saw my mother stretch every resource to ensure I never felt like I had less. Her example planted the seed of service and showed me the power of education. Living in Liberia helped me understand global inequality, especially in healthcare, where your birthplace can literally determine whether you live or die. That truth became painfully real in 2021 when I survived a near-fatal car accident in the U.S. I sustained a traumatic brain injury, C5 spinal fracture, and suffered internal injuries. I spent six days in the ICU, completely dependent on a team of doctors, nurses, and therapists. Had that accident happened in Liberia, I might not have survived. That experience clarified my purpose: I was given a second chance at life, and I want to use it to help others live healthier, fuller lives. I’m now pursuing a degree in Exercise Science, with plans to become a Sports Medicine Physician. This career path allows me to combine my love for sports with my desire to help others recover and thrive. I want to prevent injuries, guide athletes through recovery, and help underserved communities gain access to care. Long-term, I hope to work in both the U.S. and Liberia, helping build a teaching and practice platform where U.S.-trained doctors can train and work alongside local practitioners. Even during recovery, I held onto the idea of giving back. In 2021, before my accident, I founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation to mentor underprivileged youth through sports. Our first camp was scheduled for December 2021, but my accident forced a delay. By July 2022, I was well enough to host it in Monrovia, fully sponsored and free for all participants. That camp wasn’t just about basketball, it was about hope, leadership, and resilience. Living in a single-parent household gave me more than responsibility; it gave me purpose. It taught me how to lead, how to serve, and how to turn pain into progress. Financial challenges were real, but they made me resourceful. I know what it means to push through, to work twice as hard, and to dream bigger than my circumstances. My mother’s story and my own journey have made me who I am, a future physician who believes in healing, equity, and the power of second chances. Through medicine, I hope to carry forward her legacy of resilience and make a lasting impact in both my local and global communities.

Restored to Restore: My Calling to Sports Medicine My journey toward becoming a medical doctor is deeply rooted in both personal experience and a passion for sports and healing. In 2021, I founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation to mentor and train underprivileged youth athletes in Liberia, where I spent nine formative years of my life. Our first camp was planned for December 2021, but everything changed in November of that year when I was involved in a near-fatal car accident. The accident left me with a Traumatic Brain Injury, a C5 spinal fracture, fractured sternum, broken ribs, and severely bruised lungs. For five days, I was on a ventilator, completely dependent on a dedicated team of medical professionals who fought to save my life. That experience gave me clarity and a renewed purpose. I realized I wanted to become a physician—specifically, a Sports Medicine doctor who could help athletes not only recover from injuries but prevent them, enhance their performance, and sustain their passion for the sport they love. My foundation’s first camp was delayed, but after my recovery, I hosted it in July 2022. What began as a basketball training program became a powerful lesson in the holistic nature of healing. One camper, struggling with the loss of his brother and best friend, shared that the camp saved his life and gave him hope. That moment affirmed my belief that medicine must address not only physical wounds but emotional and mental well-being. I want to be a doctor who supports the whole person, body, mind, and spirit. My passion for medicine also stems from a personal loss. I lost my grandmother to ovarian cancer, a terminal illness that profoundly affected my family. Watching her battle the disease and feeling powerless to help deepened my desire to pursue a medical career. Her strength and grace inspire me to be a physician who provides compassionate care to patients and their families facing life’s toughest challenges. Choosing Sports Medicine as my specialty allows me to merge my love of athletics with my commitment to health and wellness. I have attended Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy, and Engineering camps, but it was my accident that solidified my path. Exercise Science, my current major, provides me the foundation to understand the human body, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. I want to empower athletes to recover fully and perform at their best by combining medical knowledge with practical training. My experiences growing up in Liberia have also shaped my commitment to equitable healthcare. Many communities lack access to quality medical services and sports development programs. Through my foundation and future medical work, I aim to bridge that gap, and practice in both the United States and Liberia, participating in medical missions and internship programs to strengthen healthcare in underserved areas. Financial challenges have made my journey more difficult. Medical education is expensive, and my family has limited resources. However, these obstacles have only fueled my determination. I want to be a physician who heals with empathy and inspires resilience. I was given a second chance at life, and I am determined to use it to help others overcome their obstacles—whether physical, emotional, or social. By combining my passion for sports, my personal experiences, and my medical training, I will work to improve not only athletes’ physical health but their overall wellness and confidence. My journey has taught me that healing is more than fixing injuries; it’s restoring hope. I am ready to dedicate my life to that mission.

Resilience Beyond Recovery In November 2021, my life was split in two: before the accident and after. I was in a severe car crash that left me with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, and multiple internal injuries. I was ejected through a windshield, woke up six days later on a ventilator, and spent months rebuilding my body and my mind. While the physical injuries eventually healed, the mental and emotional effects of my TBI are still with me. I deal with occasional brain fog, slower processing, and the frustration of feeling like my mind doesn’t always keep up with my ambition. For a while, I kept these challenges to myself, afraid that people would see me as “less than” or limited. But over time, I’ve realized that facing these aftereffects openly has made me stronger, and more human. Mental health is often an invisible struggle. On the outside, I looked like I was making a strong comeback. But inside, I was learning how to navigate anxiety, memory lapses, and the mental fatigue that followed therapy sessions, classwork, and even social interactions. I had to relearn how to focus, how to process stress, and how to accept that recovery isn’t a straight line. This experience has dramatically reshaped my goals. Before the accident, I was exploring careers in health and sports but lacked direction. After living through trauma, and living with its aftermath, I found clarity. I’m now majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a nurse with a focus on sports health and injury recovery. I want to help athletes and trauma patients not just heal physically, but also manage the mental toll of recovery. I don’t just want to help them get back on the field, I want to equip them with tools to reclaim their confidence and identity. My relationships have also changed. I’m more empathetic, more patient, and more aware of the emotional battles others might be silently fighting. My own experiences have made me a better listener and supporter. When friends are overwhelmed, I don’t just offer advice, I offer presence. I’ve learned that sometimes the greatest help isn’t a solution, but understanding. In 2022, I founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation to support underprivileged youth through sports and mentorship. At our first summer camp, one participant confided in me that he had contemplated suicide after the death of his brother, who was also his best friend. He said the camp gave him a reason to keep going. That moment reminded me that mental health isn’t just personal, it’s communal. When we create safe spaces for others to feel seen and supported, we multiply healing. This summer, I’m interning with the athletics department at my former high school, helping student-athletes train, recover, and thrive. It’s given me a chance to apply my own lessons in resilience to support others who are just beginning their journeys. My understanding of the world has shifted. I now see strength not as perfection, but persistence. I see healing not as something that happens overnight, but over time, with patience, support, and care. And I see mental health not as a weakness, but as one of the most important parts of our well-being. My TBI changed my brain. But it also changed my heart, and it gave me the purpose I carry with me today.

Whole-Person Healing: How Holistic Health Gave Me a Second Chance In November 2021, I survived a catastrophic car crash that fractured my spine, caused a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and left me on a ventilator for six days. When I woke up, my life was forever changed, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. I quickly learned that recovery would take more than medicine. Healing required a deeper kind of care, one that treated my body and my spirit. At first, I relied only on traditional rehabilitation: physical therapy, pain medications, and medical checkups. But it wasn’t enough. I still struggled with anxiety, brain fog, mood swings, and fatigue. That’s when my father, who’s been a dedicated yogi for years, stepped in. Though I used to laugh at his early-morning yoga sessions and quiet meditations, it was those very practices that began to make a difference. He guided me through breathing exercises, stretches, and mindfulness routines that helped me calm my nervous system and feel more connected to my body. The experience opened my eyes to the power of holistic health. It taught me that healing doesn’t happen in pieces. It happens when the mind, body, and spirit are treated as one. That’s why I’ve chosen to major in Exercise Science, with plans to become a nurse focused on injury recovery, trauma-informed care, and integrative wellness. I want to become a provider who doesn’t just address symptoms, but listens deeply, to pain, to silence, and to what’s happening beneath the surface. My goal is to expand access to holistic healing, especially in under-resourced communities, where mental health and natural healing are often ignored or stigmatized. I’ve already started this work through the Byrd Basketball Foundation, a nonprofit I founded in 2022 to support underprivileged youth through sports, mentorship, and emotional development. At our first summer camp, one camper confided in me that he had contemplated suicide after losing his brother. He told me the camp gave him a reason to keep going. That moment reminded me that healing isn't just medical, it’s emotional, communal, and spiritual. In addition to my foundation, I am a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and participated in the Alpha Leadership Academy. I also serve in the African American Student Alliance at my college. In these roles, I work to support my peers not only through advocacy and mentorship, but also by encouraging conversations around emotional resilience, identity, and balance. Long-term, I hope to launch a rotating healthcare initiative connecting U.S. trained professionals with communities in Liberia, where I spent nine formative years of my childhood and saw firsthand the effects of untreated trauma and poor healthcare access. I want to blend traditional medical care with mindfulness, movement, and community-based support. Receiving this scholarship would mean everything to me. Financial aid is critical for me to continue my studies, my family cannot afford tuition without help, and I am doing everything I can to apply for scholarships so that student debt won’t prevent me from reaching my goals. But beyond that, this scholarship would validate the vision I have: that holistic health isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. It would allow me to keep moving forward with my education, so that I can continue to serve and heal others through compassion, presence, and whole-person care. I used to laugh at my father’s yoga. Now, I live by its lessons. Because healing doesn’t just fix what’s broken, it helps us grow stronger, deeper, and more complete than before.

Healing Through Service: My Mission to Uplift Youth Through Mental Health and Sports By Adem J. Byrdsell My life changed in November 2021 when I survived a near-fatal car accident. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, and internal injuries. I was placed on a ventilator and woke up six days later, unsure of what came next. Recovery wasn’t just physical, it became an emotional and psychological journey that reshaped how I see the world and my purpose in it. As I battled through rehabilitation, I began to notice how invisible mental health challenges often are. Although my body healed over time, I struggled with anxiety, brain fog, memory issues, and overwhelming fatigue. These effects weren’t always visible, and for a while, I was afraid to speak up. But that silence felt isolating, and I realized how many young people, especially those in underserved communities, are quietly suffering in the same way. That realization ignited a fire in me. I decided to use my second chance at life to make a difference, not only for myself, but for youth who feel unseen, unheard, or misunderstood. In 2022, I founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation, a nonprofit organization that uses sports and mentorship to empower underprivileged youth, many of whom face daily challenges ranging from poverty to trauma. At our first summer camp, one camper told me he had contemplated suicide after losing his brother. He said the camp gave him a reason to keep going. That one conversation reminded me why this work matters: safe spaces can save lives. My foundation focuses on more than just basketball. We provide a support system, mentors, role models, and programs that build emotional strength, teamwork, and self-worth. Our goal is to uplift young people who are often overlooked or underestimated and give them tools to thrive in all areas of life. Beyond my nonprofit, I serve through leadership and advocacy. I am a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men. In June of last year, I participated in the Alpha Leadership Academy, a weeklong experience focused on ethical leadership, academic excellence, and service. The program strengthened my dedication to servant leadership, and I aspire to hold leadership roles within the fraternity to continue giving back on a larger scale. In addition, I am an active member of the African American Student Alliance (AASA) at my college. I plan to take on future leadership positions within the organization to uplift the voices of Black students, promote academic success, and foster a strong sense of community on campus. This summer, I’m also interning at my former high school’s athletics department, helping student-athletes train, recover, and build mental resilience. I offer not only physical support but also a listening ear and an understanding heart. I know what it feels like to struggle and still show up, and I want to show others that their pain doesn’t define them. I’m currently majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a nurse, focusing on sports injury recovery and trauma-informed care. My long-term goal is to create a model where U.S. trained healthcare professionals provide rotational care and mentorship in underserved communities like Liberia, where I lived for nine years and witnessed the effects of extreme poverty and limited access to care. If awarded the Our Destiny Our Future Scholarship, I will carry forward the legacy of compassion and service by continuing to serve, uplift, and advocate for youth. This is not just my plan: it’s my purpose.

Addressing the Mental Health Crisis Among Underserved and Misunderstood Youth By Adem J. Byrdsell The specific social issue I am working to address is the lack of access to mental health support for underserved and misunderstood youth, particularly those impacted by trauma, neurodiversity, or socioeconomic challenges. These young people are often mislabeled as defiant, difficult, or disinterested when in reality, they are silently coping with unaddressed psychological and emotional struggles. In November 2021, I was in a devastating car accident. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, and internal bleeding. I was ejected through the windshield, placed on a ventilator, and woke up six days later to the painful beginning of a long recovery. While my body eventually healed, I continued battling brain fog, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion. The outside world saw a miracle; inside, I was overwhelmed, slow to process, and afraid of being perceived as less capable. During my rehabilitation, I experienced the stigma and isolation that so many young people endure. I didn’t know how to explain what I was feeling, and I was afraid to ask for help. It was then that I realized how invisible mental health challenges can be—especially for youth who don’t fit traditional molds. These challenges often go unnoticed until they erupt in ways misunderstood by parents, teachers, or peers. This realization fueled my purpose. I am now majoring in Exercise Science with the goal of becoming a nurse focused on trauma-informed care and youth mental health. I want to be someone who sees beyond the surface, who helps kids heal not only physically but mentally and emotionally. My career will focus on building bridges between physical recovery and mental well-being, especially for young people affected by trauma or labeled unfairly due to their differences. To take action now, I founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation in 2022. Our mission is to use sports and mentorship as tools for healing and empowerment. At our first summer camp, a participant confided that he had contemplated suicide after the death of his brother. He said the camp gave him a reason to keep going. That moment affirmed everything I believe: sometimes, all a young person needs is to feel seen, heard, and safe. My foundation provides under-resourced youth with free access to basketball training, mental health check-ins, and mentorship. These programs create environments where gifted but misunderstood children can thrive without judgment. We don't just teach sports—we teach confidence, discipline, emotional resilience, and self-worth. Currently, I’m interning at my former high school’s athletics department. I assist with strength training and conditioning, but I also create space for conversations about identity, stress, and mental health. Many of these students are managing silent battles, academic pressure, family stress, grief. I use my experience to meet them with empathy and support. Though I wasn’t homeschooled traditionally, my education has never been confined to a classroom. My recovery taught me emotional intelligence. My community work taught me leadership. My trauma taught me compassion. These life lessons are the foundation of my mission: to ensure that no child struggling mentally or emotionally feels invisible or alone. Mental health is not a luxury, it is a necessity. My accident changed the course of my life, but it gave me clarity. I am committed to being part of the solution for misunderstood youth who need someone to see their potential, not just their pain. I will spend my life advocating, mentoring, and healing in the spaces where they’ve been forgotten for too long.

Reclaiming the Misunderstood: A Future in Healing Minds By Adem J. Byrdsell In November 2021, a near-fatal car accident left me with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, and multiple internal injuries. I was ejected through the windshield, placed on a ventilator, and woke up six days later into a world that suddenly felt unfamiliar. Physically, I faced a long road of surgeries, rehab, and healing. But it was the invisible wounds—the brain fog, anxiety, mental fatigue, and emotional upheaval—that challenged me most. My recovery journey brought me face-to-face with a truth our society still struggles to embrace: mental health is complex, often misunderstood, and deeply personal. On the outside, I looked like a miracle. Inside, I was relearning how to think clearly, focus in class, and manage the psychological toll of trauma. For months, I questioned my own ability to keep up, to learn, and to be "myself" again. I was gifted—driven, capable, and curious—but temporarily misaligned with what people expected of me. I had become, in some ways, a version of the children I now want to help: gifted, but misunderstood. This clarity has reshaped my life. I am now majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to a career in nursing, with a focus on sports health, psychological recovery, and long-term trauma support. My goal is to become a mental health advocate for children and adolescents who, like I once was, are struggling to express complex internal experiences in environments that do not always recognize their gifts. I want to pursue graduate studies in psychology or social work to bridge the gap between physical recovery and emotional wellness—especially for children who are wired differently, process the world uniquely, or feel isolated by their own minds. Gifted children like Lieba are too often mislabeled—called “difficult,” “distracted,” “sensitive,” or “odd.” But what if we approached them with curiosity instead of correction? My accident taught me that we are more than what we show on the surface. A child who zones out might be overwhelmed, not disobedient. A child who talks to themselves might be processing complex emotions, not being disruptive. A gifted child can look like many things—and in a world focused on standardization, they often go unseen. I know what it’s like to be cognitively out of sync with your environment—to feel like your thoughts are racing or crawling while the world moves at a fixed pace. That lived empathy is what I bring to my future in psychology. I want to develop individualized, compassionate support systems that affirm neurodivergent minds and help traditionally misunderstood children feel validated, not pathologized. In 2022, I founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation, a nonprofit that uses sports and mentorship to empower under-resourced youth. At our first camp, one young athlete shared that he had contemplated suicide after losing his brother. He told me the camp gave him a reason to keep going. That conversation stayed with me. It reinforced something I now know deeply: misunderstood children aren’t broken. They’re often just waiting to be seen. My role as a mentor, coach, and future mental health professional is to be that presence—to help them feel understood, valued, and capable of thriving in their own way. This summer, I’m interning with my former high school’s athletics department. I train and guide student-athletes, many of whom are experiencing identity shifts, academic stress, or invisible struggles they can’t articulate. I don’t just focus on performance—I listen, observe, and encourage self-awareness and emotional safety. These moments, however small, shape how young people view themselves. They are chances to intervene before someone gives up, lashes out, or shuts down. Though I was not homeschooled in the traditional sense, my education has never been confined to a classroom. My accident taught me emotional intelligence. My work with underserved youth taught me leadership. And my recovery taught me patience, vulnerability, and the power of community. These are the lessons I will carry into a career devoted to mental wellness. Children like Lieba deserve more than labels and behavioral plans—they deserve professionals who see their brilliance, even when it shows up in nontraditional ways. I want to be that professional. My experience navigating trauma, recovery, and misunderstood potential has shaped a mission rooted in empathy, advocacy, and healing. My ultimate goal is to create mental health programs that center on equity, creativity, and personalized support—especially for children who think differently, feel deeply, and too often go unheard. My traumatic brain injury changed my brain. But it also gave me clarity, compassion, and purpose. I intend to use all three to build a career that affirms the misunderstood, uplifts the gifted, and ensures no child has to face their complexity alone.

Essay: The Knife on the Bonds That Held Us Together Paragraph from Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart: “The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.” Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart (1958), while not ancient, is a significant literary work exploring the impact of colonialism on an African community, which also engages with the value of African history and culture. Thesis: This passage from Things Fall Apart reveals the profound and tragic disruption that colonialism and cultural imperialism inflicted upon indigenous communities, breaking the bonds of unity, identity, and tradition. The metaphor of the “knife” striking at the foundation of a society encapsulates how external forces can dismantle cohesion, leading to fragmentation and loss. Through my personal journey growing up amid the scars of Liberia’s civil war, a direct consequence of similar disruptions, I have come to deeply understand how external conflict and internal division echo Achebe’s warning about societal disintegration. This essay explores Achebe’s metaphor as a lens to reflect on cultural upheaval, resilience, and the imperative of rebuilding fractured communities. Exploring Achebe’s “Knife”: The Silent, Disruptive Force Achebe’s observation is deceptively simple but loaded with painful irony. The “white man” arrives “quietly and peaceably,” disarming the community with a veneer of goodwill, religion, education, trade, presented as gifts. Yet beneath this facade lies a strategy that “won our brothers” by enticing some members of the community to abandon their shared traditions and loyalties. This fracture within the clan is not a mere political or military conquest but a deeper, psychological and cultural conquest. The “knife” Achebe refers to is a brutal metaphor for this severing. Unlike a direct attack, it is an insidious force that cuts through the social fabric, leaving wounds that bleed over generations. The knife does not merely disrupt power structures; it attacks the collective identity, shared values, and mutual trust that hold a community together. Achebe’s lament that “we have fallen apart” captures not just a loss of unity but a profound existential crisis. Parallel Reflections: Liberia’s Civil War as a Modern “Knife” Reading Achebe’s words, I cannot help but see the painful parallel with Liberia’s history, especially the moment when my mother fled the country on June 1, 1990, just before the Monrovia airport was bombed and a 14-year civil war erupted. The war tore Liberia apart like a knife through its social cohesion. Families were split, neighbors turned against neighbors, and long-standing social bonds were shattered under the weight of political greed, ethnic tensions, and external meddling. My mother’s departure was meant to be temporary, a mere pause until the fighting stopped. But like Achebe’s clan that “could no longer act like one,” my family and I were dispersed, our unity fractured. It took sixteen years before my mother could return. Those years were filled with survival, rebuilding, and the painful reality of displacement. The hope that the “white man’s religion” or external influences would bring peace was replaced by the harsh reality that these external forces, whether colonial or political, often left communities fragmented and vulnerable. Understanding the Broader Implications of Fragmentation Achebe’s metaphor extends beyond the historical moment of colonial conquest. It invites us to consider the lasting legacy of cultural fragmentation, the loss of shared narratives and collective purpose that undergirds a functioning society. When “brothers” are won over by alien ideas or foreign powers, internal conflicts often erupt. The Igbo clan’s disunity mirrors Liberia’s civil strife where tribal, ethnic, and political divisions undermined the nation’s integrity. Living in Liberia as a young boy, I experienced firsthand the consequences of such fragmentation. Over 60% of the population lived on less than one dollar a day, and the systemic inequalities and limited access to education and healthcare reflected a society still healing from its “knife wounds.” The challenges were not only economic but deeply social, limited access to development, sports, and opportunity meant that many young people felt disconnected from a future they could shape. Rebuilding from the Ruins: Resilience and Hope However, Achebe’s passage, while mourning the fall, also implicitly underscores the possibility of awareness and resistance. Recognizing the “knife” is the first step toward healing. This awareness has shaped my personal mission. After surviving a near-fatal car accident in the US, a “second chance” I believe fate granted me, I committed myself to giving back to the community I came from. Through founding the Byrd Basketball Foundation, I aim to rebuild, in a small but meaningful way, the social bonds Achebe described as broken. Sports, like the shared customs of the Igbo clan, offer a unifying language, promoting teamwork, confidence, and achievement. These efforts serve as a modern antidote to the divisions that war and poverty have deepened. They help young Liberian children experience community and hope beyond their immediate struggles. ________________________________________ Education and Medicine: Mending the Social Fabric Furthermore, my pursuit of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine is informed by the recognition that the social wounds Achebe describes are also physical and mental. Liberia’s medical infrastructure, still recovering from the devastation of war and poverty, reflects how deeply the “knife” has cut into everyday life. Access to healthcare, especially specialized care like sports medicine, is limited, exacerbating the cycle of hardship and limiting opportunities for young people. My hope is to not only practice medicine but to establish a system where US-trained doctors rotate in Liberia, sharing knowledge and improving care. This model represents an effort to stitch together global resources and local needs, restoring community strength in a country once fractured by violence and neglect. Financial Barriers and the Need for Support Like Achebe’s clan struggling to maintain unity amid external pressures, I face the challenge of bridging worlds. My parents’ sacrifices and my own determination underscore the drive to succeed, but financial obstacles threaten to undermine this journey. Just as external forces once threatened to dismantle my community, the lack of financial support threatens my ability to continue my education and make a lasting impact. Scholarships and aid are not merely resources; they are lifelines, knives, ironically, that can cut through barriers instead of bonds. They enable students like me, born into disrupted societies, to transform fragmentation into opportunity, division into unity. Conclusion: From Fragmentation to Unity Chinua Achebe’s metaphor of the “knife” is a searing indictment of colonial and external forces that sever the threads of community and identity. It echoes far beyond the pages of Things Fall Apart, illuminating the real-world consequences in places like Liberia, where the legacy of division still demands healing. My personal narrative, shaped by displacement, survival, and a commitment to community rebuilding, embodies the hope that, despite the “knife,” unity can be restored. Through education, medicine, and youth empowerment, it is possible to mend the wounds Achebe describes, to turn the pain of falling apart into the strength of coming together. This is the ongoing work of generations who, like Achebe’s clan, must learn not just to survive, but to thrive once again.

Resilience Beyond Recovery By Adem J. Byrdsell In November 2021, my life was split in two: before the accident and after. I was in a severe car crash that left me with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, and multiple internal injuries. I was ejected through a windshield, woke up six days later on a ventilator, and spent months rebuilding my body and my mind. While the physical injuries eventually healed, the mental and emotional effects of my TBI are still with me. I deal with occasional brain fog, slower processing, and the frustration of feeling like my mind doesn’t always keep up with my ambition. For a while, I kept these challenges to myself, afraid that people would see me as “less than” or limited. But over time, I’ve realized that facing these aftereffects openly has made me stronger, and more human. Mental health is often an invisible struggle. On the outside, I looked like I was making a strong comeback. But inside, I was learning how to navigate anxiety, memory lapses, and the mental fatigue that followed therapy sessions, classwork, and even social interactions. I had to relearn how to focus, how to process stress, and how to accept that recovery isn’t a straight line. This experience has dramatically reshaped my goals. Before the accident, I was exploring careers in health and sports but lacked direction. After living through trauma, and living with its aftermath, I found clarity. I’m now majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a nurse with a focus on sports health and injury recovery. I want to help athletes and trauma patients not just heal physically, but also manage the mental toll of recovery. I don’t just want to help them get back on the field, I want to equip them with tools to reclaim their confidence and identity. My relationships have also changed. I’m more empathetic, more patient, and more aware of the emotional battles others might be silently fighting. My own experiences have made me a better listener and supporter. When friends are overwhelmed, I don’t just offer advice, I offer presence. I’ve learned that sometimes the greatest help isn’t a solution, but understanding. In 2022, I founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation to support underprivileged youth through sports and mentorship. At our first summer camp, one participant confided in me that he had contemplated suicide after the death of his brother, who was also his best friend. He said the camp gave him a reason to keep going. That moment reminded me that mental health isn’t just personal, it’s communal. When we create safe spaces for others to feel seen and supported, we multiply healing. This summer, I’m interning with the athletics department at my former high school, helping student-athletes train, recover, and thrive. It’s given me a chance to apply my own lessons in resilience to support others who are just beginning their journeys. My understanding of the world has shifted. I now see strength not as perfection, but persistence. I see healing not as something that happens overnight, but over time, with patience, support, and care. And I see mental health not as a weakness, but as one of the most important parts of our well-being. My TBI changed my brain. But it also changed my heart, and it gave me the purpose I carry with me today.

Second Chances, Stronger Purpose By Adem J. Byrdsell Life has tested me in ways I never could’ve imagined. But I’ve learned that adversity doesn’t define you, how you rise from it does. I’m a survivor of a near-fatal car accident, and I’ve used that experience not just to rebuild my life, but to lead, serve, and lift others along the way. In November 2021, I was thrown through the windshield of a car while trying to avoid a drunk driver. I sustained a traumatic brain injury, a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and broken ribs. For five days, a ventilator kept me alive. I woke up six days later, unable to speak or move, confused and terrified. But from that terrifying moment came clarity, purpose, and direction. Before the accident, I was interested in athletic healthcare, but unsure of what career path to pursue. I had attended summer camps in Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy, and Engineering, trying to figure out how I could combine my interests in science, health, and sports. The accident made it clear: I didn’t just want to be involved in recovery, I wanted to lead it. I wanted to heal, advocate, and guide. Now, I am majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a nurse specializing in sports health. Nursing speaks to me not only because of my love for health and wellness, but because of what I experienced firsthand. The nurses during my recovery were more than caregivers, they were encouragers, protectors, and lifelines. They didn’t just help me survive; they gave me hope. As a future nurse, I want to work with athletes not only to guide them through recovery, but also to help them prevent injuries and enhance performance. I want to support them holistically, physically, mentally, and emotionally, so they can return to the sport they love stronger and more confident than before. While recovering, I realized that my second chance at life had to be used for something greater. That’s when I founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation, a nonprofit offering free basketball training and mentorship to underserved youth. In 2022, we hosted our first fully funded summer camp, raising over $7,000 through donations. Dozens of kids came, not just to play basketball, but to find community, confidence, and purpose. One camper had dropped out of school and was grieving the loss of his brother and best friend. He told us that attending the camp “saved his life.” That moment showed me the power of compassion, mentorship, and creating safe spaces for healing. It also reinforced my desire to work in healthcare, where I can do that every day. This summer, I’m interning with the athletics department at my former high school, working alongside trainers and supporting young athletes through rehab and performance programs. It’s given me real-world exposure to the kind of work I want to do, blending clinical care with mentorship and trust-building. I’ve proven that I don’t just recover from adversity, I grow from it. I don’t just survive, I build. I’ve used my pain to create purpose, and I’ve turned a tragic moment into a mission that’s already changing lives. I’ve been tested, and I didn’t just bounce back, I built something better from the pieces. That’s resilience. That’s success. And I’m just getting started.

I come from a family of survivors, people who have sacrificed comfort and security for the possibility of a better future. On June 1, 1990, my mother boarded what would become the last international flight out of Monrovia, Liberia, just two days before the airport was bombed and a 14-year civil war ignited. What was supposed to be a one-month escape turned into a 16-year displacement. In those years away, she had to rebuild her life from the ground up in a foreign country with almost no support. She put herself through college, met my father, got married, and had me. Then, in April 2011, after her divorce, she packed up everything, including me, and bought us one-way tickets back to Liberia. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the weight of that decision, but I now know how much courage it took. She was returning to a country still recovering from war, as a single mother, with nothing guaranteed. The nine years I spent growing up in Monrovia changed my life. I learned how to live with less, how to respect diversity, and how to find joy and purpose amid hardship. I saw the wide gap between the privileged few and the majority who lived on less than a dollar a day. My mother instilled in me a deep appreciation for what we had and a strong sense of responsibility to serve those with less. Living in one of the world’s Least Developed Countries exposed me to fragile systems, especially in healthcare, and taught me that where you are born can often determine whether you live or die. That truth hit me hard in 2021, when I survived a near-fatal car accident in the U.S. I sustained a traumatic brain injury, fractured my spine, and suffered internal injuries. I spent six days in the ICU, dependent on a team of doctors and nurses for survival. If that accident had happened in Liberia, I likely wouldn’t be alive. That experience gave me clarity: I was given a second chance at life, and I intend to use it to help others. I am currently pursuing a degree in Exercise Science, with plans to become a Sports Medicine Physician. My career goals are rooted in global service. I hope to work in both the U.S. and Liberia, advancing sports medicine, preventing injuries, and creating systems that improve access to care. My vision includes building a teaching and practice forum that allows U.S.-trained professionals to rotate through Liberia and train local practitioners. In addition to my academic path, I founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring underprivileged youth through sports. In July 2022, I hosted our first fully-sponsored basketball camp in Liberia, free for all participants. My foundation is committed to teaching not just athletic skills, but leadership, education, and resilience. My identity as an immigrant has shaped every aspect of my journey, my beliefs, my drive, and my vision. I’ve experienced the challenges: cultural divides, economic instability, and the pressure to succeed not just for myself, but for my family and community. But like so many immigrants, I’ve also inherited the strength to push through barriers and build something meaningful. The Carlos F. Garcia Muentes Scholarship would honor the resilience of my mother and support my continued commitment to education and service. I want to build a better future, not just for myself—but for the communities I come from and the ones I will serve. My story is still being written, but its foundation is one of survival, sacrifice, and the unshakable belief that purpose grows from perseverance.

My journey toward becoming an educator and healer began with a traumatic experience, but it’s rooted in a lifetime of resilience, identity, and service. I grew up in Monrovia, Liberia, a country shaped by post-war challenges but also by community, perseverance, and dreams. As a child, I developed a deep love for sports and a fascination with how the body works. I pursued this passion through Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy camps in the U.S., exploring the science behind athletic performance. But it wasn’t until a life-threatening car accident in November 2021 that my purpose became clear. I was ejected from a vehicle after it swerved to avoid a drunk driver. I suffered a traumatic brain injury, a spinal fracture, and multiple internal injuries. I woke up six days later in the ICU, on a ventilator, uncertain of what recovery would look like. That moment changed everything. The doctors, nurses, and therapists who surrounded me didn’t just treat my injuries, they believed in my potential to heal and return stronger. Their care reignited a sense of possibility that had almost been lost. That experience solidified my calling: I want to become a Sports Medicine Physician and an educator who helps others heal—physically, mentally, and emotionally. I plan to major in Exercise Science with a minor in Teaching, a combination that reflects my commitment to both healing and educating. I believe that health and education go hand in hand, especially in underserved communities. My long-term goal is to serve youth through prevention-focused care, while teaching them how to take ownership of their bodies, their goals, and their futures. Whether I’m leading a classroom or mentoring on the court, I want students to understand how strength, science, and self-belief can open doors. As a proud African-American male, I also understand how powerful it is for students to see themselves in their educators. Too often, young Black boys go through school without ever being taught by someone who looks like them or shares their background. That lack of representation sends a message, that success isn’t meant for them. I want to be part of changing that message. That’s why I’m deeply honored to be considered for the Mark A. Jefferson Teaching Scholarship, which uplifts ambitious Black male educators working toward a more equitable future. Through my nonprofit, the Byrd Basketball Foundation, I’ve already started doing this work. I mentor underserved youth in both academics and athletics, helping them build discipline, leadership, and vision. I plan to expand this model by incorporating health literacy and wellness education into the programming. I also hope to create an international teaching exchange, connecting U.S.-trained educators and sports medicine professionals with communities in Liberia. My goal is to build local capacity while increasing global equity in healthcare and education. My identity as a survivor, Liberian-American, and aspiring educator drives me to build bridges, between cultures, between disciplines, and between young people and their potential. I want to teach students not just how to prevent injuries, but how to understand their worth. I want them to know that success isn’t about avoiding struggle, it’s about rising through it. I know this firsthand. The Mark A. Jefferson Teaching Scholarship would not only help me afford my education; it would affirm that my path matters. I am committed to becoming a new kind of educator: one who teaches through care, leads by example, and builds spaces where healing and learning happen together. I was given a second chance at life. With it, I will teach, mentor, and lead others toward a future they never thought possible.

"From Patient to Physician: A Journey of Purpose" My desire to become a medical doctor was born from a near-death experience that transformed my perspective on life, health, and purpose. In November 2021, I was involved in a devastating car accident that left me with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, fractured sternum, rib fractures, and severely bruised lungs. I spent the first five days on a ventilator, relying on machines and a team of dedicated doctors, nurses, and therapists to survive. That experience changed my life and clarified my future: I wanted to be like the people who saved me, someone whose skills, compassion, and commitment could restore health and inspire hope. Before the accident, I was already interested in health and athletics, having attended Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy, and Engineering summer camps. Still, I wasn’t certain of my path. The accident gave me clarity. I realized that I didn’t just want to work near medicine, I wanted to be fully immersed in it. I chose to major in Exercise Science as the first step toward becoming a Sports Medicine Physician. This field combines my love of athletics with my passion for health, and I now aim to help athletes not only recover from injuries, but prevent them and return to their sport stronger and more mindful of their bodies. My journey has not been without significant challenges. Financial hardship is one of the greatest obstacles I face in pursuing this dream. My family has limited resources, and medical school is notoriously expensive. Still, I am committed to pushing through these difficulties because I know my lived experiences—both the trauma and the perseverance, will make me a better doctor. Growing up, I spent nine formative years living in Liberia, West Africa. The lack of access to basic healthcare services there made a deep impression on me. Many people, including children and athletes, suffered needlessly due to limited medical resources. Witnessing this firsthand taught me that healthcare should not be a luxury. I also learned that financial hardship, whether in Liberia or in under-resourced communities in the United States, can block access to both care and opportunity. These experiences have shaped my commitment to practice medicine with equity and empathy. After recovering from my injuries, I felt compelled to give back. I founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation, a nonprofit that mentors and trains underprivileged youth athletes. In July 2022, I hosted our first basketball camp, completely funded through a campaign I launched. What began as a sports training event turned into something more meaningful. One camper, grieving the recent loss of his brother and best friend, revealed that he had been contemplating suicide. He said the camp gave him hope, a renewed sense of purpose, and a community. That moment confirmed for me that healing isn’t just physical, it’s emotional, mental, and social. And it reaffirmed why I want to become a doctor who sees and treats the whole person. Ultimately, I want to be the kind of doctor who listens deeply, leads boldly, and serves selflessly. I plan to practice in both the United States and Liberia, contributing to medical missions and training programs that build capacity in underserved areas. My experiences with trauma, recovery, and financial hardship will help me approach each patient with empathy and purpose. I was given a second chance at life, and I intend to use it to give others a better chance at theirs.

Title: “Healing Through Heritage, Leading Through Service” I am a proud second-generation African American, born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised for nine formative years in Liberia, my mother’s homeland, after my parents’ divorce. My dual upbringing between two continents shaped how I see the world and my responsibility in it. In Liberia, I witnessed the daily impact of limited healthcare, under-resourced schools, and the lack of structured youth programs. These experiences shaped my core values: perseverance, service, and the belief that everyone, regardless of geography or income, deserves access to opportunity and care. In November 2021, a devastating car accident nearly ended my life. I sustained a traumatic brain injury, a fractured C5 vertebra, broken ribs, and severely bruised lungs. I spent five days on a ventilator and months in recovery. During this time, I was cared for by an incredible team of nurses, therapists, and doctors whose dedication not only saved my life but also clarified my purpose. Before the accident, I had an interest in healthcare. After it, I knew I wanted to become a Sports Medicine Doctor, someone who helps people heal physically and mentally, especially young athletes from underserved backgrounds who lack access to proper care. Driven by that mission, I founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation in 2022. The organization offers free basketball training, mentorship, and life skills development to youth in under-resourced communities. Our inaugural summer camp raised over $7,000 through grassroots fundraising and welcomed dozens of young athletes at no cost. One camper—who had dropped out of school and was struggling with depression after the loss of his brother and best friend—told us, “Coming to this camp saved my life. I had given up. Now I have hope again.” That moment confirmed that we hadn’t just held a camp—we had created a lifeline. Since then, I've expanded programming and plan to launch another camp in Liberia, using sports as a bridge to healing, education, and community. My African heritage is central to who I am. Liberian culture instilled in me a deep respect for education and service, even in the face of adversity. I carry the stories of my family, many of whom worked hard with limited resources, and the spirit of a nation that values resilience and community. These values continue to guide me through my academic journey and my work in service-based leadership. As a STEM student majoring in Exercise Science, my long-term goal is to earn a doctorate in Sports Medicine and work across the U.S. and Liberia. I plan to help bridge disparities in healthcare by leading medical missions, developing injury prevention programs, and mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals in both countries. I want to be the kind of healer and leader who doesn’t just treat injuries but transforms lives. Receiving the Dr. Soronnadi Nnaji Legacy Scholarship would directly support this vision. It would ease the financial burden of my studies, allowing me to focus more deeply on research, community engagement, and academic excellence. More importantly, it would affirm the power of heritage, resilience, and service in creating change, not only for myself but for those I aim to serve. Through my foundation, my faith, and my future in STEM, I remain committed to honoring my African roots and creating lasting impact, one athlete, one student, and one community at a time.

“Rooted in Resilience, Growing Through Service” I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and spent nine formative years living in Liberia, my mother’s birthplace. Growing up between two cultures gave me a unique perspective on resilience, family, and community. In Liberia, I saw firsthand the challenges underprivileged communities face: limited access to education, healthcare, and sports development. These experiences shaped my values and inspired a lifelong commitment to giving back. In November 2021, my life changed forever when I was involved in a severe car accident. I suffered a traumatic brain injury, fractured my C5 vertebra, multiple broken ribs, and bruised lungs. I was on a ventilator for five days and faced a long road to recovery. The care I received, from nurses, therapists, and doctors, was more than medical treatment; it was a lifeline that restored my hope. This experience clarified my career path. Before the accident, I had explored sports medicine and physical therapy camps but was unsure about my future. Now, I know I want to become a Sports Medicine Doctor. I am passionate about helping athletes recover from injuries and prevent them, especially those in underserved communities who lack access to quality healthcare and training. In 2022, I launched the Byrd Basketball Foundation, a nonprofit that offers training, mentorship, and personal development for underprivileged youth. Our first summer camp, funded entirely through community donations, raised over $7,000 and welcomed dozens of young athletes, all at no cost. We didn’t just build skills; we built a community. One camper, who had dropped out of school and was battling depression after losing his brother and best friend, shared something profound at the end of the camp. Holding the MVP trophy, he said, “Coming to this camp saved my life. I had given up. Now I have hope again.” In that moment, I realized we hadn’t just hosted a basketball camp, we had created a lifeline. That experience reaffirmed my purpose: to serve, to lead, and to heal. I want to be a Sports Medicine Doctor who helps athletes recover, stay healthy, and regain confidence. I am especially committed to supporting young people from underserved communities, in both Liberia and the U.S., so they can achieve their fullest potential on and off the court. After college, I plan to deepen my community involvement by working both in the U.S. and Liberia. I want to create sustainable healthcare programs that blend sports medicine, education, and mentorship. I envision internships and medical missions that bring U.S.-trained practitioners to Liberia on rotational bases, strengthening healthcare and training new professionals. Through the Byrd Basketball Foundation, I will continue expanding free camps and mentorship programs that empower youth academically, athletically, and personally. I want to create a pipeline of leaders who understand resilience, purpose, and service—people who will uplift their communities for generations to come.

Healing with Heart: Lessons from My Recovery and Caring for Children Like Rebecca Rebecca Lynn Seto’s story is both inspiring and humbling. Despite her rare and complex condition, she lived a life full of joy, connection, and meaningful relationships. Her journey highlights the importance of personalized care, innovative teaching, and the profound role family plays in the growth and happiness of children with disabilities. If given the opportunity to work and care for with a child with a rare disorder similar to Rebecca’s , I would center my approach on understanding, communication, and collaboration, lessons I have come to deeply appreciate through my own experience with adversity and recovery. In November 2021, I survived a near-fatal car accident that left me with a traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures. During my long recovery, I was surrounded by nurses, therapists, and family members whose patience, compassion, and unwavering support helped me heal—not only physically but mentally and emotionally. This experience taught me firsthand how critical it is to see the whole person, to adapt care to individual needs, and to involve family as a vital part of the healing process. These lessons shape how I would approach working with the child. Understanding and Connecting Each child with a rare disorder is unique, so my first priority would be to learn as much as possible about the child’s personality, preferences, strengths, and challenges. Like the professionals who worked with Rebecca, I would invest time in building a genuine relationship based on patience, respect, and empathy. Observing the child’s responses to different stimuli and activities would guide me to tailor teaching methods that spark engagement and joy. Innovative, Multi-Sensory Teaching Methods Since children with rare disorders often face challenges in traditional communication and learning, I would use multi-sensory and creative techniques to reach them. This might include visual aids, tactile experiences, music, movement, and technology-assisted communication tools. For a non-verbal child, I would incorporate picture exchange systems, gesture-based communication, or devices designed to give them a voice. Celebrating small milestones and using positive reinforcement would be key to building confidence and motivation. Collaborating Closely with Family Family is the cornerstone of a child’s education and progress, especially for children with disabilities. Rebecca’s happiness at family gatherings and the unwavering support from her loved ones demonstrate this beautifully. I believe the family’s insights are invaluable, they know the child best. From my own recovery, I witnessed how critical family support is, not only for physical healing but also for emotional resilience. I would actively involve family members in setting goals, sharing strategies, and celebrating achievements. Their emotional support and advocacy empower the child and create a consistent, loving environment that bridges home and school. Teamwork with Professionals Following Rebecca’s example, I would work as part of a dedicated team including special educators, therapists, and social workers. Open communication and shared understanding among professionals and family members ensure that the child’s needs are met holistically. This collaborative approach fosters innovative programming tailored to the child’s evolving abilities and interests. Conclusion Working with a child with a disorder similar to Rebecca’s requires more than expertise, it demands heart. My personal journey through recovery has taught me the power of individualized care, the importance of patience and empathy, and the indispensable role of family. By combining personalized, creative teaching methods with deep respect for family’s role and continuous collaboration, I would strive to help the child not just learn but thrive. Inspired by Rebecca’s life and my own experience, I hope to create joyful, supportive spaces where every child’s unique light can shine.

When I opened my eyes on that fateful day in November 2021, I vividly remember thinking, “I’m alive.” I tried to say it out loud, “WOW, I AM ALIVE,” but I couldn’t speak or move my head. I was intubated, paralyzed by medication, and held in place by a neck brace. Still, I could move my eyes, and what I saw next changed my life. The first face I saw was my nurse. She stood at my bedside grinning, her expression a mix of surprise, relief, and something even more powerful: warmth. Without saying a word, she assured me I would be okay. In that moment, I knew I had been given a second chance, and the person standing beside me would help me fight to make the most of it. A few days earlier, I had been in a near-fatal car accident. I was ejected from a moving vehicle and sustained a traumatic brain injury, a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and multiple rib fractures. For five days, a ventilator was my lifeline. When I finally awoke, I began a long and painful road to recovery, with nurses as my constant companions and protectors. Before that experience, I didn’t understand the full scope of nursing. Growing up in a family of intellectuals: lawyers, engineers, teachers, and business professionals, I knew I could pursue anything, but nursing was never on my radar. I once thought nurses simply followed doctors’ orders. I now know how wrong I was. During my time in the ICU, Stepdown, and rehab, I came to see nurses as so much more. They were prayer warriors who comforted my family, snack-bringers who celebrated my return to solid food, cheerleaders who stood beside me during my first unsteady steps, and firm supporters when I needed motivation. They infused my recovery with skill, compassion, and presence. And when I needed hope, they gave it to me freely. Through that experience, I also gained clarity about my own path. I had previously explored working with athletes in the medical field, but hadn’t figured out how. Now, I am confident in my decision. I plan to major in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a nurse with a focus on sports health and injury prevention. This discipline blends my love for athletics with my passion for health and healing. I want to help athletes recover, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, and return to the sport they love with greater strength and a renewed sense of purpose. In 2022, inspired by my second chance, I launched the Byrd Basketball Foundation, a nonprofit that provides basketball training, mentorship, and personal development for underprivileged youth. Our first summer camp, funded through community donations, raised over $7,000 and welcomed dozens of young athletes, all at no cost to campers! Today, as I approach my junior year, I look forward to my clinical courses and stepping fully into the calling that emerged from my accident. In ten years, I see myself working in both the USA and Liberia, where I lived for 9 years. My vision is to establish a teaching and practice forum where U.S.-trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train practitioners in Liberia, sharing expertise, strengthening infrastructure, and expanding care. I hope to be a face of trust and reassurance for my patients, just like the nurse who smiled at me when I first opened my eyes. I was given a second chance, and I intend to spend my life giving that same hope to others. I heard about this scholarship through Bold.org.

Building a Healing Legacy in Sports Medicine By Adem J. Byrdsell My journey to medicine began with a near-fatal accident, but my interest in the field started earlier. Before the crash, I had already made the decision to explore careers related to athletic health. I attended Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy camps and was drawn to the science behind athletic performance. But I wasn’t yet certain where I fit. Then, in November 2021, everything changed. I was ejected from a moving vehicle after it swerved to avoid a drunk driver. I suffered a traumatic brain injury, spinal fracture, and multiple internal injuries. I woke up six days later in the ICU, on a ventilator, lucky to be alive. That experience, losing control of my body, depending on a team of doctors and therapists to help me heal, solidified my path. I knew then I wanted to become a Sports Medicine Physician. Today, I plan to major in Exercise Science, a field that perfectly blends my love for athletics with health and wellness. My goal is not just to treat injuries, but to help athletes prevent them. I want to equip them with natural, holistic strategies to improve their performance and protect their bodies. I understand the mental and emotional toll that injuries take, and I want to help others return to the sport they love with even more purpose and confidence. But my vision extends beyond the clinic. In ten years, I see myself working in both the United States and Liberia, advancing sports medicine through cutting-edge research while helping build stronger healthcare systems in underserved regions. My goal is to create a teaching and practice forum where U.S.-trained athletic and medical professionals work rotationally in Liberia to train local practitioners and expand access to care. Through my nonprofit, the Byrd Basketball Foundation, I will also continue mentoring youth and supporting their academic and athletic aspirations, especially those who, like me, are searching for guidance and purpose. Equally important to my medical goals is my commitment to increasing racial diversity in healthcare. As a young Black man who has been both a patient and an aspiring professional, I’ve seen how representation can change lives. When patients see doctors who look like them, speak their language, and understand their lived experience, trust is built, and outcomes improve. In communities of color, medical mistrust runs deep, and access to culturally competent care is too often lacking. Increasing diversity isn’t just about numbers, it’s about connection, advocacy, and justice. It’s about making sure the next young Black boy who walks into a clinic sees someone who not only treats him, but believes in him. Someone who reminds him of what’s possible. I want to be that someone. My second chance at life showed me what healing looks like when a team believes in you. Now, I want to build a career doing the same for others, by treating their injuries, protecting their dreams, and helping to shape a more equitable healthcare system that reflects the communities it serves.

When I think about community, I think about recovery, resilience, and hope, and how all three came together when I needed them most. In November 2021, I nearly lost my life in a devastating car accident. I was ejected from a vehicle while trying to avoid a drunk driver and suffered a traumatic brain injury, a spinal fracture, and several broken ribs. I spent days on a ventilator, uncertain if I’d ever walk or breathe on my own again. What carried me through wasn’t just medical care, it was the unwavering support of a community that surrounded me with love, prayer, and encouragement. Family, friends, coaches, and neighbors reminded me that I wasn’t alone. Their belief in me gave me the strength to push through pain and uncertainty. It also taught me that healing is not just physical—it’s deeply rooted in connection. As I recovered, I felt called to give back. I thought about the nine years I spent living in Liberia after my mother and I moved there following her divorce. I remembered the kids who loved sports but had no access to training, mentorship, or even equipment. I saw similar barriers in parts of the U.S., and I knew I could do something to bridge that gap. In 2022, I launched the Byrd Basketball Foundation, a nonprofit that offers free basketball training, mentorship, and personal development for underprivileged youth. Our first summer camp, funded through community donations, raised over $7,000 and welcomed dozens of young athletes—all at no cost. We didn’t just build skills, we built a community. One camper had dropped out of school and was battling depression after losing his brother and best friend. At the end of the camp, he stood holding the MVP trophy and said, “Coming to this camp saved my life. I had given up. Now I have hope again.” In that moment, I realized we hadn’t just hosted a camp, we had created a lifeline. That experience reaffirmed my purpose: to serve, to lead, and to heal. I plan to become a Sports Medicine Doctor to help athletes recover and stay healthy, especially those in underserved communities. In ten years, I will be working in both the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession through cutting-edge research and helping to rebuild Liberia’s healthcare system. My vision is to establish a teaching and practice forum where U.S.-trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train practitioners in Liberia, sharing expertise, strengthening infrastructure, and expanding care. Through my foundation, I will also continue mentoring youth and supporting their dreams of athletic and academic achievement. I want to build a model where health, education, and sport work together to uplift the next generation, so that no young person’s potential is limited by where they live or what they can afford. Being part of a community, whether as a patient, mentor, or advocate, has taught me that connection creates resilience, and that service is a powerful source of hope. It showed me that even in the face of tragedy, we can create something lasting, something healing, something bigger than ourselves. That’s the future I believe in. And that’s the future I intend to build.

I am a survivor, servant leader, and aspiring changemaker. On November 21, 2021, I was in a near-fatal car accident that left me with a traumatic brain injury, a C5 spinal fracture, broken ribs, and a collapsed lung. I woke up six days later on a ventilator, unsure of where I was, but profoundly grateful to be alive. That experience reshaped how I see my purpose. It taught me that time is a gift, and that I must use mine to create meaningful change in the lives of others. I plan to major in International Public Policy with a minor in Criminal Justice because I am deeply committed to transforming the systems that shape justice, opportunity, and human dignity, both in the United States and globally. My career will focus on three main areas: (1) advocating for global equity and governance reform, (2) pushing for domestic criminal justice reform, and (3) creating pathways for underrepresented youth to lead and thrive. First, through my studies in international public policy, I hope to address the systemic inequities that plague low-income nations like Liberia, where I lived for 9 years. Growing up in Liberia gave me a front-row view of what happens when public systems: health, education, and law, are underfunded and inaccessible. I want to work with global organizations to develop more equitable policy frameworks that give vulnerable populations access to quality education, healthcare, and justice. My long-term goal is to serve in a policy advisory or diplomatic role, using my voice to represent African and diasporic interests on the world stage. Second, my minor in Criminal Justice supports my interest in domestic policy reform, particularly around youth justice and sentencing. As a Black male in America, I understand how the criminal justice system disproportionately targets people who look like me. I want to use data-driven policy, community-based programs, and advocacy to change that reality. My goal is to support reform initiatives that replace punishment with restoration and incarceration with opportunity. Third, I believe policy must be people-centered, and that includes empowering young people to lead. In 2022, I founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation, a nonprofit organization that mentors underprivileged youth in Liberia through basketball, leadership training, and educational support. What began as a 12-student camp in Monrovia quickly doubled in size. Thanks to a fundraising campaign I led, we covered all participant costs and are planning a second camp for Summer 2025. My foundation is a tangible way I am already making an impact, and I plan to expand its mission to include civic education and leadership development. Beyond the classroom, I am fully engaged in leadership and service. I am a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where I live by our core values of advocacy, manly deeds, and scholarship. I participated in the Alpha Leadership Academy from June 8–14 last year, a transformative experience that prepared me to lead with character and vision. I plan to continue in leadership roles within the fraternity. This summer, I am interning with the Athletics Department at St. Pius X Catholic School to gain experience in program coordination, youth mentorship, and community engagement. These hands-on experiences complement my academic goals and reflect my long-term commitment to public service. My journey, from surviving trauma to building platforms for youth, has shown me the power of resilience and responsibility. With a degree in International Public Policy and a minor in Criminal Justice, I am preparing to be a global advocate for justice, equity, and opportunity. This is not just my career path, it is my mission.

On November 21, 2021, my life changed forever. I had traveled to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with family, but instead, I woke up six days later in a hospital bed, intubated and hooked to a ventilator. My first words to my dad, “Did you call Coach to tell him I’ll be late to basketball practice?” My father replied, “You’re lucky to be alive.” I had been ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. For five days, I relied on machines and the constant care of an incredible team of medical professionals: doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and physical and occupational therapists. Their skill and compassion carried me through the darkest moments of my recovery. Today, I am on my way to a full recovery by the grace of God. That experience didn’t just change my body; it transformed my outlook and gave me clarity about my future. Before the accident, I had an interest in the medical field, attending summer camps in sports medicine, engineering, and physical therapy, not sure what I wanted to pursue. My accident provided clarity. Witnessing firsthand the critical role nurses played in my care sparked a deep respect and desire to follow in their footsteps. Nurses aren’t just caregivers, they are advocates, educators, and the emotional anchor for patients and families. Nursing, especially in the field of sports medicine, is the perfect fusion of my love for health, athletics, and service. As a sports medicine nurse, my goal is to help athletes recover from injury and implement preventive care strategies to reduce their risk of re-injury. I want to empower people, especially youth, to maintain physical, emotional, and mental wellness. My long-term vision includes working both in the United States and in Liberia, West Africa, where access to quality healthcare and sports rehabilitation is severely limited. I want to use my education and experience to create a teaching and practice exchange where U.S. trained nurses and medical professionals rotate through Liberia, offering both treatment and training. To gain practical experience, this summer I am interning with the Athletics Department at my high school, St. Pius X Catholic School. This hands-on opportunity allows me to observe athletic training, learn basic injury assessment, and understand how athletic departments support student wellness. It’s also a chance to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom and through past camps in a real-world setting. My accident also ignited a stronger sense of purpose in community service. I founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youth. In 2022, we hosted our first free basketball camp in Monrovia, Liberia, where I lived for 9 years. Although we planned for 12 campers, the program grew to accommodate 24 each day, thanks to a successful fundraising campaign that exceeded its goal. A second camp is planned for Summer 2025. My foundation is one way I give back and uplift youth, as I was uplifted during my recovery. I want to be the reason someone keeps fighting, just as others were that reason for me. Whether through mentoring, nursing, or community service, I am committed to transforming my second chance into a lifelong mission of care and empowerment. In choosing nursing, I am not only choosing a career, I am embracing a calling rooted in experience, empathy, and purpose. I know the impact compassionate care can have on someone’s life. I’ve lived it. And now, I’m ready to pay it forward.

I was tested mentally and physically on November 21, 2021, when my life nearly went to shambles. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. I woke up six days later on a ventilator, intubated. My first question to my Dad was “Did you call Coach to tell him I’ll be late to basketball practice?” I was told, “You are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. For the first 5 days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists. I was given a second chance, one that many people involved in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. Today I am on my way to a full recovery, only by the Grace of God. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged kids, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body. Before the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I had attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. Through this experience I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of nursing. Nurses are the primary care givers in most hospitals, and from firsthand experience, I understand the pivotal role they play in a patient’s care and recovery. My specialization as a sports medicine nurse combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to help prevent future injuries. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Growing up in Liberia, West Africa, I understand the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for underprivileged youth in 2022 in Monrovia, Liberia. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign I initiated, that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone. There was no cost to campers! A second camp is planned for Summer 2025. I believe my accident propelled a work ethic that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes their own battles, much like I did. It’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune. My professional goal is to work in the US and Liberia as a Sports Medicine Nurse. I plan to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address the disparity in Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained nurses and other medical professionals rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

I was tested mentally and physically on November 21, 2021, when my life nearly went to shambles. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, I was completely perplexed, wondering what happened. My first question to my Dad was “Did you call Coach to tell him I’ll be late to basketball practice”. I was then told, “You are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I learned that for the first 5 days, a ventilator had been my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for life. I was given a second chance, one that many people involved in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. Before the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in Exercise Science as a pathway to advancing to a profession as a Sports Medicine Nurse , with a focus on working with athletes. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Growing up in Liberia, West Africa, I understand the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host a fully funded inaugural basketball camp for underprivileged youth in 2022 in Monrovia, Liberia. A second camp is planned for Summer 2025. My professional goal is to work in the US and Liberia as a Sports Medicine Nurse. I plan to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address the disparity in Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained nurses and other medical professionals rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement. I believe my accident propelled a work ethic that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes their own battles, much like I did. It’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune. I plan to dedicate my career to medical research, teaching and mentoring, which aligns with Robert F. Lawson’s philosophy. Receiving the scholarship will assist me in funding my education, the first major step towards this goal.

I am a hardworking and personable scholar-athlete who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners. My accident caused me to be unable to continue to play basketball, the sport I love most. With my second chance I chose to give back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia for nine formative years I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens in Liberia who play sports, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youth. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for these kids in July 2022. This is my greatest achievements to date. The fortitude to not only bounce back after what could have been a fatal accident, but to actualize a project and raise more than the cost to host the program is something I am proud of. With a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, there was no cost to campers! Donations exceeded our budget which allowed me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and other empowerment initiatives. I am especially proud that I could raise all the funds and more, so that money would not be an impediment to the kids’ participation. Through the help of a mentor, I was introduced to the NBA Africa. Following his recommendation and introduction I personally engaged the office of NBA Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa for their participation and to support the basketball camp. After exchanges with the staff and leadership, NBA Africa accepted my proposal. Most notable, was what the NBA Africa had to say about me; “…an impressive young man with a well thought out initiative and a worthwhile effort…” – Victor Williams, CEO, NBA Africa; ... “great to hear that he is giving back to the community…” – Mthoko Madonda, Social Responsibility & Player Programs Lead, NBA Africa and Former Player, South Africa National Basketball Team. I am humbled. I am also proud to say I did not stop there, I started a GoFundMe, which was generously supported by not only strangers, but my family and friends around the world. Following my return to Liberia, I engaged corporate donors who further endorsed our program and provided cash and in-kind support. I was truly overwhelmed by the level of support and good will I received. This made me even more determined that this program would not only succeed but expand. There was a true need and there were organizations and individuals who were ready and able to help. Many were simply waiting for someone to take the initiative. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may not have the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it in a little way. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. I am so humbled that my project has inspired hope in my generation and my community. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession in the US through cutting edge research and also buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US trained medical professions rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and athletic achievement.

I was tested mentally and physically on November 21, 2021, when my life nearly went to shambles. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, I was completely perplexed, wondering what happened. My first question to my Dad was “Did you call Coach to tell him I’ll be late to basketball practice”. I was then told, “You are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I learned that for the first 5 days, a ventilator had been my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for life. I was given a second chance, one that many people involved in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. Before the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in Exercise Science as a pathway to advancing to a profession as a Sports Medicine Nurse , with a focus on working with athletes. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Growing up in Liberia, West Africa, I understand the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host a fully funded inaugural basketball camp for underprivileged youth in 2022 in Monrovia, Liberia. A second camp is planned for Summer 2025. My professional goal is to work in the US and Liberia as a Sports Medicine Nurse. I plan to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address the disparity in Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained nurses and other medical professionals rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement. I am a strong candidate for the Andrea Worden Scholarship for Tenacity and Timeless Grace because I am a testament to tenacity and ambition. I believe my accident propelled a work ethic that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes their own battles, much like I did. It’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune. I plan to dedicate my career to medical research, teaching and mentoring, which aligns with Andrea Worden’s philosophy. Receiving the scholarship will assist me in funding my education, the first major step towards this goal.

I was tested mentally and physically on November 21, 2021, when my life nearly went to shambles. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. I woke up six days later on a ventilator, intubated. My first question to my Dad was “Did you call Coach to tell him I’ll be late to basketball practice?” I was told, “You are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. For the first 5 days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists. I was given a second chance, one that many people involved in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. Today I am on my way to a full recovery, only by the Grace of God. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged kids, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body. Before the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I had attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. Through this experience I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of nursing. Nurses are the primary care givers in most hospitals, and from firsthand experience, I understand the pivotal role they play in a patient’s care and recovery. My specialization as a sports medicine nurse combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to help prevent future injuries. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Growing up in Liberia, West Africa, I understand the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for underprivileged youth in 2022 in Monrovia, Liberia. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign I initiated, that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone. There was no cost to campers! A second camp is planned for Summer 2025. I believe my accident propelled a work ethic that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes their own battles, much like I did. It’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune. My professional goal is to work in the US and Liberia as a Sports Medicine Nurse. I plan to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address the disparity in Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained nurses and other medical professionals rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

When I opened my eyes on that fateful day in November 2021, I vividly remembered thinking to myself, “I’m alive.” Then it hit me, and I tried to exclaim out loud, “WOW, I AM ALIVE.” I couldn’t speak or move my head (due to a neck brace, ventilator and a paralytic), but I managed to scan my peripheral and saw an angelic figure grinning at me. Her expression was a mixture of surprise, excitement, relief and most of all, warmth. The first face I saw that fateful day was my nurse and the look on her face assured me that I would be okay. I come from a family of intellectuals and professionals. We are lawyers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, teachers, engineers, and more, but very few of us are clinicians. So, although I knew growing up that I could be anything I wanted to be, the idea of being a nurse never crossed my mind. Perhaps because I did not know what nursing entailed. Before my experience in the ICU (and later Stepdown then rehab), I thought of nurses simply as physicians’ helpmates, individuals who followed orders and distributed medications; boy was I wrong. During my not so brief hospitalization, I came to see nurses as so much more; the nurses I was privileged to encounter were friends, counselors, therapists, prayer warriors, cheerleaders, snack bringers and more. A little backstory: I was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am determined to be the kind of nurse who infuses his patients with hope, in addition to being a healing, helping hand. My nurses held me up when I took my first shaky steps, they cheered me on when I insisted on feeding myself, they prayed with my mom and dad when I was unconscious, and they brought me snacks when I was permitted solid foods (which was very exciting following a liquid diet). My nurses were compassionate, competent and stern (when needed), and while I know that every single member of the healthcare team played a vital role in my recovery, my nurses gave me that extra push I needed when times were low. They never let me forget that I would be okay. Before the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. Through this experienced I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in Exercise Science as a pathway becoming a Nurse, with a focus on working with athletes. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries and equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance. Today, as I near completion of my sophomore year, I look forward to starting my nursing courses so that one day I will be the first face a patient sees when they open their eyes, and I pray I will always exude the compassion and competence patients need to rest assured that they too will be okay.

When I opened my eyes on that fateful day in November 2021, I vividly remembered thinking to myself, “I’m alive.” Then it hit me, and I tried to exclaim out loud, “WOW, I AM ALIVE.” I couldn’t speak or move my head (due to a neck brace, ventilator and a paralytic), but I managed to scan my peripheral and saw an angelic figure grinning at me. Her expression was a mixture of surprise, excitement, relief and most of all, warmth. The first face I saw that fateful day was my nurse and the look on her face assured me that I would be okay. I come from a family of intellectuals and professionals. We are lawyers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, teachers, engineers, and more, but very few of us are clinicians. So, although I knew growing up that I could be anything I wanted to be, the idea of being a nurse never crossed my mind. Perhaps because I did not know what nursing entailed. Before my experience in the ICU (and later Stepdown then rehab), I thought of nurses simply as physicians’ helpmates, individuals who followed orders and distributed medications; boy was I wrong. During my not so brief hospitalization, I came to see nurses as so much more; the nurses I was privileged to encounter were friends, counselors, therapists, prayer warriors, cheerleaders, snack bringers and more. A little backstory: I was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am determined to be the kind of nurse who infuses his patients with hope, in addition to being a healing, helping hand. My nurses held me up when I took my first shaky steps, they cheered me on when I insisted on feeding myself, they prayed with my mom and dad when I was unconscious, and they brought me snacks when I was permitted solid foods (which was very exciting following a liquid diet). My nurses were compassionate, competent and stern (when needed), and while I know that every single member of the healthcare team played a vital role in my recovery, my nurses gave me that extra push I needed when times were low. They never let me forget that I would be okay. Before the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. Through this experienced I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in Exercise Science as a pathway becoming a Nurse, with a focus on working with athletes. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries and equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance. Today, as I near completion of my sophomore year, I look forward to starting my nursing courses so that one day I will be the first face a patient sees when they open their eyes, and I pray I will always exude the compassion and competence patients need to rest assured that they too will be okay.

When I opened my eyes on that fateful day in November 2021, I vividly remembered thinking to myself, “I’m alive.” Then it hit me, and I tried to exclaim out loud, “WOW, I AM ALIVE.” I couldn’t speak or move my head (due to a neck brace, ventilator and a paralytic), but I managed to scan my peripheral and saw an angelic figure grinning at me. Her expression was a mixture of surprise, excitement, relief and most of all, warmth. The first face I saw that fateful day was my nurse and the look on her face assured me that I would be okay. I come from a family of intellectuals and professionals. We are lawyers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, teachers, engineers, and more, but very few of us are clinicians. So, although I knew growing up that I could be anything I wanted to be, the idea of being a nurse never crossed my mind. Perhaps because I did not know what nursing entailed. Before my experience in the ICU (and later Stepdown then rehab), I thought of nurses simply as physicians’ helpmates, individuals who followed orders and distributed medications; boy was I wrong. During my not so brief hospitalization, I came to see nurses as so much more; the nurses I was privileged to encounter were friends, counselors, therapists, prayer warriors, cheerleaders, snack bringers and more. A little backstory: I was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am determined to be the kind of nurse who infuses his patients with hope, in addition to being a healing, helping hand. My nurses held me up when I took my first shaky steps, they cheered me on when I insisted on feeding myself, they prayed with my mom and dad when I was unconscious, and they brought me snacks when I was permitted solid foods (which was very exciting following a liquid diet). My nurses were compassionate, competent and stern (when needed), and while I know that every single member of the healthcare team played a vital role in my recovery, my nurses gave me that extra push I needed when times were low. They never let me forget that I would be okay. Before the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. Through this experienced I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in Exercise Science as a pathway becoming a Nurse, with a focus on working with athletes. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries and equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance. Today, as I near completion of my sophomore year, I look forward to starting my nursing courses so that one day I will be the first face a patient sees when they open their eyes, and I pray I will always exude the compassion and competence patients need to rest assured that they too will be okay.

When I opened my eyes on that fateful day in November 2021, I vividly remembered thinking to myself, “I’m alive.” Then it hit me, and I tried to exclaim out loud, “WOW, I AM ALIVE.” I couldn’t speak or move my head (due to a neck brace, ventilator and a paralytic), but I managed to scan my peripheral and saw an angelic figure grinning at me. Her expression was a mixture of surprise, excitement, relief and most of all, warmth. The first face I saw that fateful day was my nurse and the look on her face assured me that I would be okay. I come from a family of intellectuals and professionals. We are lawyers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, teachers, engineers, and more, but very few of us are clinicians. So, although I knew growing up that I could be anything I wanted to be, the idea of being a nurse never crossed my mind. Perhaps because I did not know what nursing entailed. Before my experience in the ICU (and later Stepdown then rehab), I thought of nurses simply as physicians’ helpmates, individuals who followed orders and distributed medications; boy was I wrong. During my not so brief hospitalization, I came to see nurses as so much more; the nurses I was privileged to encounter were friends, counselors, therapists, prayer warriors, cheerleaders, snack bringers and more. A little backstory: I was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am determined to be the kind of nurse who infuses his patients with hope, in addition to being a healing, helping hand. My nurses held me up when I took my first shaky steps, they cheered me on when I insisted on feeding myself, they prayed with my mom and dad when I was unconscious, and they brought me snacks when I was permitted solid foods (which was very exciting following a liquid diet). My nurses were compassionate, competent and stern (when needed), and while I know that every single member of the healthcare team played a vital role in my recovery, my nurses gave me that extra push I needed when times were low. They never let me forget that I would be okay. Before the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. Through this experienced I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in Exercise Science as a pathway becoming a Nurse, with a focus on working with athletes. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries and equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance. Today, as I near completion of my sophomore year, I look forward to starting my nursing courses so that one day I will be the first face a patient sees when they open their eyes, and I pray I will always exude the compassion and competence patients need to rest assured that they too will be okay.

I was tested mentally and physically on November 21, 2021, when my life nearly went to shambles. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. I woke up six days later on a ventilator, intubated. My first question to my Dad was “Did you call Coach to tell him I’ll be late to basketball practice?” I was told, “You are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. For the first 5 days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists. I was given a second chance, one that many people involved in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. Today I am on my way to a full recovery, only by the Grace of God. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged kids, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Before the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I had attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. Through this experienced I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in Exercise Science as a pathway to advancing to a Doctor of Physical Therapy, with a focus on working with athletes. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for underprivileged youth in 2022 in Monrovia, Liberia. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone, at no cost to campers! A second camp is planned for Summer 2025. I believe my accident propelled a work ethic that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes their own battles, much like I did. It’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune. My professional goal is to work in the US and Liberia as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. I plan to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address the disparity in Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained doctors and other medical professionals rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

I was tested mentally and physically on November 21, 2021, when my life nearly went to shambles. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. I woke up six days later on a ventilator, intubated. My first question to my Dad was “Did you call Coach to tell him I’ll be late to basketball practice?” I was told, “You are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. For the first 5 days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists. I was given a second chance, one that many people involved in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. Today I am on my way to a full recovery, only by the Grace of God. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged kids, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Before the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Doctor, with a focus on athletic strength and conditioning, combining my passion for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I experienced first-hand the evolution of athletic strength and conditioning through my rehabilitation which involved physical, occupational and speech therapy. In the next 5-10 years I envision a profession that continues to promote practical teachings but with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the first semester of my junior year, I will intern with the athletics department at my university, the College of Charleston. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for underprivileged youth in 2022 in Monrovia, Liberia. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone, at no cost to campers! A second camp is planned for Summer 2025. My professional goal is to work in the US and Liberia as a Sports Medicine Doctor. I plan to dedicate my career to medical research, teaching and mentoring, and begin to do my part to address the disparity in Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained nurses and other medical professionals rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

I am a hardworking and personable college freshman who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am playing basketball at full intensity. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged teens, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Prior to the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I am majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Doctor. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for nine formative years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. A second camp is planned for July 2025. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. I believe my accident was an adversity that set forth my quest to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the recent death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession through cutting edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

I am a hardworking and personable college sophomore who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors, nurses and social worker. Prior to the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I am majoring in Social Work as a pathway to becoming a Sports Counselor. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to support their mental health and socialization. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. During my freshman year I immersed myself in classes not only to prepare me for my major, including: Social Work, Anatomy, Biology, and Foundations of Exercise Science and Physical Education, but also studies focused on social sciences, which will support my philanthropic endeavors as I pursue not only career aspirations but, based on the experience of my accident, reach out and help those less fortunate. As I prepare for my sophomore year, I am again focused on a combination of scientific and social classes in furtherance of my goals and future aspirations. Winning the Disability in Social Work Scholarship Program will support my financial journey and I will use the opportunity and platform to connect with other underrepresented groups in the healthcare industry where we can network and support each other through our college journey and beyond. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for nine formative years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youth. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. I am currently fundraising to host a second camp in summer of 2025. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Social Worker, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession through cutting edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US trained professionals rotationally work and train practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation, Byrd Basketball, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

Friday, June 1, 1990, my mother boarded what would be the last international flight, out of the international airport in Monrovia, Liberia West Africa. The airport was bombed two days later, and a 14-year civil ignited. My mother and her family had to rebuild their lives in a foreign country, starting from scratch with barely any resources or support. No one expected to not return home. They left Liberia for what many assumed was a 1-month vacation, while the scrimmage ended. It took my mother 16 years to return to Liberia. In that time, life happened. She went to college, met my father, got married and had me. In April 2011, now a divorcee, she packed me up and bought our one-way tickets back to Liberia. The nine years I spent growing up in Monrovia will forever leave an impact on my life. Those years shaped me into the young man I am today, a global citizen of the world who is not afraid to embrace culture and respect diversity. My mother taught me the importance of appreciating what you have and not forgetting those who are less fortunate. Growing up in a place such as Liberia, where the social economic strata are so divergent, you can forget that more than 60 percent of the country lives on less than $1 per day. During those years I also experienced what it truly means to live in a Least Developed Country (LDC) with all of its challenges, especially in the medical field. I was given a second chance at life when I survived a car accident in the US that would have been fatal had I been in Liberia. The country has just 298 medical doctors to care for Liberia’s 5.54 million population, a doctor/patient ratio of 1:15,000 (WHO report). Liberia needs doctors. Liberia also needs to respond to the needs of the youth. With my second chance, I learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play sports, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youth. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for these kids in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign, at no cost to the campers. I am majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician. I hope to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address this disparity by also buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system, through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained doctors rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement. I am unable to afford to attend my college of choice, the College of Charleston, without financial aid. My parents do not have the funds to pay the estimated out of state tuition of $40,000 I will need exclusive of the merit and need based scholarships I’ve currently been awarded. They also do not want me to amass a large financial burden as a result of student loans. I know I have the drive and determination to thrive, and I am putting in hours of work applying for scholarships, so that money won’t be a hinderance to my success.

I was tested mentally and physically on November 21, 2021, when my life nearly went to shambles. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. My first question to my Dad was “Did you call Coach to tell him I’ll be late to basketball practice”. I was then told, “You are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I learned that for the first 5 days, a ventilator had been my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for life. I was given a second chance, one that many people involved in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. Before the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in Exercise Science as a pathway to advancing to a profession in Sports Medicine, with a focus on working with athletes. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Growing up in Liberia, West Africa, I understand the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host a fully funded inaugural basketball camp for underprivileged youth in 2022 in Monrovia, Liberia. My professional goal is to work in the US and Liberia as a Sports Medicine Medical Professional. I plan to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address the disparity in Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained nurses and other medical professionals rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement. I cannot afford to attend the College of Charleston without financial aid. My parents do not have the funds to pay the estimated $35,000 I need exclusive of the merit and need-based scholarships I’ve currently been awarded. They also do not want me to amass a large financial burden as a result of student loans. I know I have the drive and determination to thrive, and I am putting in hours of work applying for scholarships so that money won’t be a hindering factor to my success. I am thankful for the opportunity to apply for your scholarship, which will provide funding to support my undergraduate college pursuit.

I am a hardworking and personable college freshman who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am playing basketball at full intensity. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged teens, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Prior to the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I am majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Doctor. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for nine formative years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. A second camp is planned for July 2024. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. I believe my accident was an adversity that set forth my quest to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the recent death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession through cutting edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

I am a hardworking and personable college freshman who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am playing basketball at full intensity. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged teens, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Prior to the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I am majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Doctor. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for nine formative years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. A second camp is planned for July 2024. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. I believe my accident was an adversity that set forth my quest to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the recent death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession through cutting edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement

Friday, June 1, 1990, my mother boarded what would be the last international flight, out of the international airport in Monrovia, Liberia West Africa. The airport was bombed two days later, and a 14-year civil ignited. My mother and her family had to rebuild their lives in a foreign country, starting from scratch with barely any resources or support. No one expected to not return home. They left Liberia for what many assumed was a 1-month vacation, while the scrimmage ended. It took my mother 16 years to return to Liberia. In that time, life happened. She went to college, met my father, got married and had me. In April 2011, now a divorcee, she packed me up and bought our one-way tickets back to Liberia. The nine years I spent growing up in Monrovia will forever leave an impact on my life. Those years shaped me into the young man I am today, a global citizen of the world who is not afraid to embrace culture and respect diversity. My mother taught me the importance of appreciating what you have and not forgetting those who are less fortunate. Growing up in a place such as Liberia, where the social economic strata are so divergent, you can forget that more than 60 percent of the country lives on less than $1 per day. During those years I also experienced what it truly means to live in a Least Developed Country (LDC) with all of its challenges, especially in the medical field. I was given a second chance at life when I survived a car accident in the US that would have been fatal had I been in Liberia. The country has just 298 medical doctors to care for Liberia’s 5.54 million population, a doctor/patient ratio of 1:15,000 (WHO report). Liberia needs doctors. Liberia also needs to respond to the needs of the youth. With my second chance, I learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play sports, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youth. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for these kids in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign, at no cost to the campers. I am majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician. I hope to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address this disparity by also buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system, through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained doctors rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement. I am unable to afford to attend my college of choice, the College of Charleston, without financial aid. My parents do not have the funds to pay the estimated out of state tuition of $40,000 I will need exclusive of the merit and need based scholarships I’ve currently been awarded. They also do not want me to amass a large financial burden as a result of student loans. I know I have the drive and determination to thrive, and I am putting in hours of work applying for scholarships, so that money won’t be a hinderance to my success.

Friday, June 1, 1990, my mother boarded what would be the last international flight, out of the international airport in Monrovia, Liberia West Africa. The airport was bombed two days later, and a 14-year civil ignited. My mother and her family had to rebuild their lives in a foreign country, starting from scratch with barely any resources or support. No one expected to not return home. They left Liberia for what many assumed was a 1-month vacation, while the scrimmage ended. It took my mother 16 years to return to Liberia. In that time, life happened. She went to college, met my father, got married and had me. In April 2011, now a divorcee, she packed me up and bought our one-way tickets back to Liberia. The nine years I spent growing up in Monrovia will forever leave an impact on my life. Those years shaped me into the young man I am today, a global citizen of the world who is not afraid to embrace culture and respect diversity. My mother taught me the importance of appreciating what you have and not forgetting those who are less fortunate. Growing up in a place such as Liberia, where the social economic strata are so divergent, you can forget that more than 60 percent of the country lives on less than $1 per day. During those years I also experienced what it truly means to live in a Least Developed Country (LDC) with all of its challenges, especially in the medical field. I was given a second chance at life when I survived a car accident in the US that would have been fatal had I been in Liberia. The country has just 298 medical doctors to care for Liberia’s 5.54 million population, a doctor/patient ratio of 1:15,000 (WHO report). Liberia needs doctors. Liberia also needs to respond to the needs of the youth. With my second chance, I learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play sports, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youth. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for these kids in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign, at no cost to the campers. I am majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician. I hope to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address this disparity by also buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system, through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained doctors rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement. I am unable to afford to attend my college of choice, the College of Charleston, without financial aid. My parents do not have the funds to pay the estimated out of state tuition of $40,000 I will need exclusive of the merit and need based scholarships I’ve currently been awarded. They also do not want me to amass a large financial burden as a result of student loans. I know I have the drive and determination to thrive, and I am putting in hours of work applying for scholarships, so that money won’t be a hinderance to my success.

When I opened my eyes on that fateful day in November 2021, I vividly remembered thinking to myself, “I’m alive.” Then it hit me, and I tried to exclaim out loud, “WOW, I AM ALIVE.” I couldn’t speak or move my head (due to a neck brace, the ventilator and a paralytic…more on that later), but I managed to scan my peripheral and saw an angelic figure grinning at me. She was standing in front of the window, as if she had just opened the blinds, and turned abruptly to gaze at me. Her expression was a mixture of surprise, excitement, relief and most of all, warmth. The first face I saw that fateful day was my nurse and the look on his face assured me that I would be okay. I am blessed to come from a family of intellectuals and professionals. We are lawyers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, teachers, engineers and the list goes on and on, but very few of us are clinicians. So, although I knew growing up that I could be anything I wanted to be, the idea of being a nurse had never crossed my mind. Perhaps it is because I did not know what nursing entailed. Before my experience in the ICU (and later Stepdown then rehab), I thought of nurses simply as physicians’ helpmates, individuals who followed orders and distributed medications; boy was I wrong. During my not so brief hospitalization, I came to see nurses as so much more; the nurses I was privileged to encounter were friends, counselors, therapists, prayer warriors, cheerleaders, snack bringers and more. A little backstory: I was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am determined to be the kind of nurse who infuses his patients with hope, in addition to being a healing, helping hand. My nurses held me up when I took my first shaky steps, they cheered me on when I insisted on feeding myself, they prayed with my mom and dad when I was unconscious, and they brought me snacks when I was permitted solid foods (which was very exciting following a liquid diet). My nurses were compassionate, competent and stern (when needed), and while I know that every single member of the healthcare team played a vital role in my recovery, my nurses gave me that extra push I needed when times were low. They never let me forget that I would be okay. I plan to study pediatric nursing because of my passion for children. Particularly, I plan to become a pediatric ICU nurse because I want to work with those children who need the most care. Today, as I near completion of my freshman year of college, I eagerly look forward to starting my nursing courses so that one day I will be the first face a patient sees when they open their eyes, and I pray I will always exude the compassion and competence patients need to rest assured that they too will be okay.

When I opened my eyes on that fateful day in November 2021, I vividly remembered thinking to myself, “I’m alive.” Then it hit me, and I tried to exclaim out loud, “WOW, I AM ALIVE.” I couldn’t speak or move my head (due to a neck brace, the ventilator and a paralytic…more on that later), but I managed to scan my peripheral and saw an angelic figure grinning at me. She was standing in front of the window, as if she had just opened the blinds, and turned abruptly to gaze at me. Her expression was a mixture of surprise, excitement, relief and most of all, warmth. The first face I saw that fateful day was my nurse and the look on his face assured me that I would be okay. I am blessed to come from a family of intellectuals and professionals. We are lawyers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, teachers, engineers and the list goes on and on, but very few of us are clinicians. So, although I knew growing up that I could be anything I wanted to be, the idea of being a nurse had never crossed my mind. Perhaps it is because I did not know what nursing entailed. Before my experience in the ICU (and later Stepdown then rehab), I thought of nurses simply as physicians’ helpmates, individuals who followed orders and distributed medications; boy was I wrong. During my not so brief hospitalization, I came to see nurses as so much more; the nurses I was privileged to encounter were friends, counselors, therapists, prayer warriors, cheerleaders, snack bringers and more. A little backstory: I was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am determined to be the kind of nurse who infuses his patients with hope, in addition to being a healing, helping hand. My nurses held me up when I took my first shaky steps, they cheered me on when I insisted on feeding myself, they prayed with my mom and dad when I was unconscious, and they brought me snacks when I was permitted solid foods (which was very exciting following a liquid diet). My nurses were compassionate, competent and stern (when needed), and while I know that every single member of the healthcare team played a vital role in my recovery, my nurses gave me that extra push I needed when times were low. They never let me forget that I would be okay. I plan to study pediatric nursing because of my passion for children. Particularly, I plan to become a pediatric ICU nurse because I want to work with those children who need the most care. Today, as I near completion of my freshman year of college, I eagerly look forward to starting my nursing courses so that one day I will be the first face a patient sees when they open their eyes, and I pray I will always exude the compassion and competence patients need to rest assured that they too will be okay.

When I opened my eyes on that fateful day in November 2021, I vividly remembered thinking to myself, “I’m alive.” Then it hit me, and I tried to exclaim out loud, “WOW, I AM ALIVE.” I couldn’t speak or move my head (due to a neck brace, the ventilator and a paralytic…more on that later), but I managed to scan my peripheral and saw an angelic figure grinning at me. She was standing in front of the window, as if she had just opened the blinds, and turned abruptly to gaze at me. Her expression was a mixture of surprise, excitement, relief and most of all, warmth. The first face I saw that fateful day was my nurse and the look on his face assured me that I would be okay. I am blessed to come from a family of intellectuals and professionals. We are lawyers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, teachers, engineers and the list goes on and on, but very few of us are clinicians. So, although I knew growing up that I could be anything I wanted to be, the idea of being a nurse had never crossed my mind. Perhaps it is because I did not know what nursing entailed. Before my experience in the ICU (and later Stepdown then rehab), I thought of nurses simply as physicians’ helpmates, individuals who followed orders and distributed medications; boy was I wrong. During my not so brief hospitalization, I came to see nurses as so much more; the nurses I was privileged to encounter were friends, counselors, therapists, prayer warriors, cheerleaders, snack bringers and more. A little backstory: I was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am determined to be the kind of nurse who infuses his patients with hope, in addition to being a healing, helping hand. My nurses held me up when I took my first shaky steps, they cheered me on when I insisted on feeding myself, they prayed with my mom and dad when I was unconscious, and they brought me snacks when I was permitted solid foods (which was very exciting following a liquid diet). My nurses were compassionate, competent and stern (when needed), and while I know that every single member of the healthcare team played a vital role in my recovery, my nurses gave me that extra push I needed when times were low. They never let me forget that I would be okay. I plan to study pediatric nursing because of my passion for children. Particularly, I plan to become a pediatric ICU nurse because I want to work with those children who need the most care. Today, as I near completion of my freshman year of college, I eagerly look forward to starting my nursing courses so that one day I will be the first face a patient sees when they open their eyes, and I pray I will always exude the compassion and competence patients need to rest assured that they too will be okay.

When I opened my eyes on that fateful day in November 2021, I vividly remembered thinking to myself, “I’m alive.” Then it hit me, and I tried to exclaim out loud, “WOW, I AM ALIVE.” I couldn’t speak or move my head (due to a neck brace, the ventilator and a paralytic…more on that later), but I managed to scan my peripheral and saw an angelic figure grinning at me. She was standing in front of the window, as if she had just opened the blinds, and turned abruptly to gaze at me. Her expression was a mixture of surprise, excitement, relief and most of all, warmth. The first face I saw that fateful day was my nurse and the look on his face assured me that I would be okay. I am blessed to come from a family of intellectuals and professionals. We are lawyers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, teachers, engineers and the list goes on and on, but very few of us are clinicians. So, although I knew growing up that I could be anything I wanted to be, the idea of being a nurse had never crossed my mind. Perhaps it is because I did not know what nursing entailed. Before my experience in the ICU (and later Stepdown then rehab), I thought of nurses simply as physicians’ helpmates, individuals who followed orders and distributed medications; boy was I wrong. During my not so brief hospitalization, I came to see nurses as so much more; the nurses I was privileged to encounter were friends, counselors, therapists, prayer warriors, cheerleaders, snack bringers and more. A little backstory: I was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am determined to be the kind of nurse who infuses his patients with hope, in addition to being a healing, helping hand. My nurses held me up when I took my first shaky steps, they cheered me on when I insisted on feeding myself, they prayed with my mom and dad when I was unconscious, and they brought me snacks when I was permitted solid foods (which was very exciting following a liquid diet). My nurses were compassionate, competent and stern (when needed), and while I know that every single member of the healthcare team played a vital role in my recovery, my nurses gave me that extra push I needed when times were low. They never let me forget that I would be okay. Today, as I near completion of my freshman year of college, I eagerly look forward to starting my nursing courses so that one day I will be the first face a patient sees when they open their eyes, and I pray I will always exude the compassion and competence patients need to rest assured that they too will be okay. I plan to study pediatric nursing because of my passion for children. Particularly, I plan to become a pediatric ICU nurse because I want to work with those children who need the most care.

I am a hardworking and personable college freshman who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am playing basketball at full intensity. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged teens, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Prior to the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I am majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Doctor. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for nine formative years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. A second camp is planned for July 2024. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. I believe my accident was a setback that set forth my quest to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the recent death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession through cutting edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

I am a hardworking and personable college freshman who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am playing basketball at full intensity. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged teens, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Prior to the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I am majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Doctor. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for nine formative years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. A second camp is planned for July 2024. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. I believe my accident was a setback that set forth my quest to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the recent death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession through cutting edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

I was tested mentally and physically on November 21, 2021, when my life nearly went to shambles. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, I was completely perplexed, wondering what happened. My first question to my Dad was “Did you call Coach to tell him I’ll be late to basketball practice”. I was then told, “You are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I learned that for the first 5 days, a ventilator had been my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for life. I was given a second chance, one that many people involved in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. Before the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in Exercise Science as a pathway to advancing to a profession as a Sports Medicine Nurse , with a focus on working with athletes. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Growing up in Liberia, West Africa, I understand the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host a fully funded inaugural basketball camp for underprivileged youth in 2022 in Monrovia, Liberia. My professional goal is to work in the US and Liberia as a Sports Medicine Nurse. I plan to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address the disparity in Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained nurses and other medical professionals rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement. I am a strong candidate for the Robert and Suzi DeGennaro Scholarship for Disabled Students because I am a testament to tenacity and ambition. It is critical to understand that there is always opportunity in misfortune. I plan to dedicate my career to medical research, teaching and mentoring, which aligns with Nordson Builds foundational philosophy. Receiving the scholarship will assist me in funding my education, the first major step towards this goal.

I am a hardworking and personable college freshman who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am playing basketball at full intensity. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged teens, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Prior to the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I am majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Doctor. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for nine formative years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. A second camp is planned for July 2024. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. I believe my accident was a setback that set forth my quest to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the recent death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession through cutting edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

When I opened my eyes on that fateful day in November 2021, I vividly remembered thinking to myself, “I’m alive.” Then it hit me, and I tried to exclaim out loud, “WOW, I AM ALIVE.” I couldn’t speak or move my head (due to a neck brace, the ventilator and a paralytic…more on that later), but I managed to scan my peripheral and saw an angelic figure grinning at me. She was standing in front of the window, as if she had just opened the blinds, and turned abruptly to gaze at me. Her expression was a mixture of surprise, excitement, relief and most of all, warmth. The first face I saw that fateful day was my nurse and the look on his face assured me that I would be okay. I am blessed to come from a family of intellectuals and professionals. We are lawyers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, teachers, engineers and the list goes on and on, but very few of us are clinicians. So, although I knew growing up that I could be anything I wanted to be, the idea of being a nurse had never crossed my mind. Perhaps it is because I did not know what nursing entailed. Before my experience in the ICU (and later Stepdown then rehab), I thought of nurses simply as physicians’ helpmates, individuals who followed orders and distributed medications; boy was I wrong. During my not so brief hospitalization, I came to see nurses as so much more; the nurses I was privileged to encounter were friends, counselors, therapists, prayer warriors, cheerleaders, snack bringers and more. A little backstory: I was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am determined to be the kind of nurse who infuses his patients with hope, in addition to being a healing, helping hand. My nurses held me up when I took my first shaky steps, they cheered me on when I insisted on feeding myself, they prayed with my mom and dad when I was unconscious, and they brought me snacks when I was permitted solid foods (which was very exciting following a liquid diet). My nurses were compassionate, competent and stern (when needed), and while I know that every single member of the healthcare team played a vital role in my recovery, my nurses gave me that extra push I needed when times were low. They never let me forget that I would be okay. Today, as I near completion of my freshman year of college, I eagerly look forward to starting my nursing courses as a pediatric nurse so that one day I will be the first face a patient sees when they open their eyes, and I pray I will always exude the compassion and competence patients need to rest assured that they too will be okay.

When I opened my eyes on that fateful day in November 2021, I vividly remembered thinking to myself, “I’m alive.” Then it hit me, and I tried to exclaim out loud, “WOW, I AM ALIVE.” I couldn’t speak or move my head (due to a neck brace, the ventilator and a paralytic…more on that later), but I managed to scan my peripheral and saw an angelic figure grinning at me. She was standing in front of the window, as if she had just opened the blinds, and turned abruptly to gaze at me. Her expression was a mixture of surprise, excitement, relief and most of all, warmth. The first face I saw that fateful day was my nurse and the look on his face assured me that I would be okay. I am blessed to come from a family of intellectuals and professionals. We are lawyers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, teachers, engineers and the list goes on and on, but very few of us are clinicians. So, although I knew growing up that I could be anything I wanted to be, the idea of being a nurse had never crossed my mind. Perhaps it is because I did not know what nursing entailed. Before my experience in the ICU (and later Stepdown then rehab), I thought of nurses simply as physicians’ helpmates, individuals who followed orders and distributed medications; boy was I wrong. During my not so brief hospitalization, I came to see nurses as so much more; the nurses I was privileged to encounter were friends, counselors, therapists, prayer warriors, cheerleaders, snack bringers and more. A little backstory: I was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am determined to be the kind of nurse who infuses his patients with hope, in addition to being a healing, helping hand. My nurses held me up when I took my first shaky steps, they cheered me on when I insisted on feeding myself, they prayed with my mom and dad when I was unconscious, and they brought me snacks when I was permitted solid foods (which was very exciting following a liquid diet). My nurses were compassionate, competent and stern (when needed), and while I know that every single member of the healthcare team played a vital role in my recovery, my nurses gave me that extra push I needed when times were low. They never let me forget that I would be okay. Today, as I near completion of my freshman year of college, I eagerly look forward to starting my nursing courses so that one day I will be the first face a patient sees when they open their eyes, and I pray I will always exude the compassion and competence patients need to rest assured that they too will be okay. I wish to specialize in pediatric nursing because I am passionate about children and understand the shortage of this particular specialization. Furthermore, I wish to become a Pediatric ICU nurse because of my experience in the ICU and the immense respect I have for those nurses who spent countless hours caring for me and helping me to heal.

I am a hardworking and personable college freshman who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am playing basketball at full intensity. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged teens, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Prior to the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I am majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Doctor. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for nine formative years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. A second camp is planned for July 2024. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. I believe my accident was a setback that set forth my quest to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the recent death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession through cutting edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

I am a hardworking and personable college freshman who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am playing basketball at full intensity. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged teens, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Prior to the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I am majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Doctor. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for nine formative years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. A second camp is planned for July 2024. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. I believe my accident was a setback that set forth my quest to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the recent death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession through cutting edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

I am a hardworking and personable college freshman who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am playing basketball at full intensity. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged teens, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Prior to the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I am majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Doctor. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for nine formative years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. A second camp is planned for July 2024. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. I believe my accident was a setback that set forth my quest to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the recent death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession through cutting edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

I am a hardworking and personable college freshman who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am playing basketball at full intensity. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged teens, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Prior to the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I am majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Doctor. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for nine formative years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. A second camp is planned for July 2024. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. I believe my accident was a setback that set forth my quest to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the recent death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession through cutting edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

I am a hardworking and personable college freshman who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am playing basketball at full intensity. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged teens, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Prior to the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I am majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Doctor. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for nine formative years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. A second camp is planned for July 2024. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. I believe my accident was a setback that set forth my quest to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the recent death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession through cutting edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

I am a hardworking and personable college freshman who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Today I am fully recovered, only by the Grace of God, and am playing basketball at full intensity. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged teens, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Prior to the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I am majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Doctor. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for nine formative years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. A second camp is planned for July 2024. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. I believe my accident was a setback that set forth my quest to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the recent death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession through cutting edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

I am Adem Byrdsell, the founder of Byrd Basketball Foundation, a non-profit organization, with mission to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young teens. I am also a college freshman who loves basketball. I conceived this Foundation to help underprivileged youth, who like myself, love the game, but don’t have access to the trainers and equipment to fully develop their skills. From personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for 10 years, I’ve met and played with many talented kids who simply don’t have the opportunities to truly excel in this sport. The Foundation planned to host its first community event, an intensive boys’ basketball camp in Liberia. The camp was initially planned for December 2021. On November 21, 2021, I was in a bad car accident, and hospitalized for 17 days, the first 6 in ICU. I was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, and two rib fractures. For the first 5 days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, and therapists. Surviving my accident continues to make me much more grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as severe as mine were not fortunate to receive. Today I am on my way to a full recovery, only by the Grace of God. I am playing basketball at full intensity. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged kids, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal. With my second chance I also learned the importance of giving back. I was determined to not only host the first camp, but build it into a program combining healthy living and sports. The camp was held from June 27-July 2nd, in Monrovia, Liberia. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone. There was no cost to campers! We made a call for donations through a GoFundMe campaign and corporate sponsorships. The camp was budgeted at $5,000 USD and raised $7, 349 USD, with support of 44 donations! The commitment of individuals and organizations allowed us to carry out our mission to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youth. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession through cutting edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

I am Adem Byrdsell, the founder of Byrd Basketball Foundation, a non-profit organization, with mission to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young boys. I am also a college freshman who loves basketball. I conceived this Foundation to help underprivileged boys, who like myself, love the game, but don’t have access to the trainers and equipment to fully develop their skills. From personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for 10 years, I’ve met and played with many talented boys who simply don’t have the opportunities to truly excel in this sport. The Foundation planned to host its first community event, an intensive boys’ basketball camp in Liberia. The camp was initially planned for December 2021. On November 21, 2021, I was in a bad car accident, and hospitalized for 17 days, the first 6 in ICU. I was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, and two rib fractures. For the first 5 days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, and therapists. Surviving my accident continues to make me much more grateful for the life I am living I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as severe as mine were not fortunate to receive. Today I am on my way to a full recovery, by the Grace of God, and with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, and therapists. My experience piqued my interest in studying Exercise Science as a pathway to Sports Medicine, a discipline that combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. Professionally, I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to help prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love but I want to equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance even more, and ideally, with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I believe I can provide meaningful insights to their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality and to not be able to play the sport you love. The experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged boys, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to change someone's life, even in a minute way With my second chance I also learned the importance of giving back. I was determined to not only host the first camp, but build it into a program combining healthy living and sports. The camp was held from June 27-July 2nd, in Monrovia, Liberia. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone. There was no cost to campers! It is my goal to work both in the US and Liberia as a Sports Medicine Doctor, advancing the profession and supporting my passion for mentoring young people to achieve scholastic and academic excellence.

I was tested mentally and physically on November 21, 2021, when my life nearly went to shambles. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, I was completely perplexed, wondering what happened. My first question to my Dad was “Did you call Coach to tell him I’ll be late to basketball practice”. I was then told, “You are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I learned that for the first 5 days, a ventilator had been my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for life. I was given a second chance, one that many people involved in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. Before the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in Exercise Science as a pathway to advancing to a profession as a Sports Medicine Nurse , with a focus on working with athletes. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I experienced first hand the evolution of athletic strength and conditioning through my rehabilitation which involved physical, occupational and speech therapy. In the next 5-10 years I envision a profession that continues to promote practical teachings but with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the second semester of my freshman year, I will be interning with the athletics department at my university, the College of Charleston. I am elated to begin this next phase of my academic journey as an exercise science major, working with the sports teams. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Growing up in Liberia, West Africa, I understand the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host a fully funded inaugural basketball camp for underprivileged youth in 2022 in Monrovia, Liberia. My professional goal is to work in the US and Liberia as a Sports Medicine Nurse. I plan to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address the disparity in Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained nurses and other medical professionals rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

I was tested mentally and physically on November 21, 2021, when my life nearly went to shambles. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, I was completely perplexed, wondering what happened. My first question to my Dad was “Did you call Coach to tell him I’ll be late to basketball practice”. I was then told, “You are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I learned that for the first 5 days, a ventilator had been my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for life. I was given a second chance, one that many people involved in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. Before the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in Exercise Science as a pathway to advancing to a profession as a Sports Medicine Nurse , with a focus on working with athletes. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I experienced first hand the evolution of athletic strength and conditioning through my rehabilitation which involved physical, occupational and speech therapy. In the next 5-10 years I envision a profession that continues to promote practical teachings but with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the second semester of my freshman year, I will be interning with the athletics department at my university, the College of Charleston. I am elated to begin this next phase of my academic journey as an exercise science major, working with the sports teams. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Growing up in Liberia, West Africa, I understand the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host a fully funded inaugural basketball camp for underprivileged youth in 2022 in Monrovia, Liberia. My professional goal is to work in the US and Liberia as a Sports Medicine Nurse. I plan to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address the disparity in Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained nurses and other medical professionals rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

I was tested mentally and physically on November 21, 2021, when my life nearly went to shambles. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, I was completely perplexed, wondering what happened. My first question to my Dad was “Did you call Coach to tell him I’ll be late to basketball practice”. I was then told, “You are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I learned that for the first 5 days, a ventilator had been my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for life. I was given a second chance, one that many people involved in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. Before the accident I explored working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. I previously attended Sports Medicine, Engineering and Physical Therapy camps during the summers before my junior and senior years. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in Exercise Science as a pathway to advancing to a Doctor of Physical Therapy, with a focus on working with athletes. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I experienced first hand the evolution of athletic strength and conditioning through my rehabilitation which involved physical, occupational and speech therapy. In the next 5-10 years I envision a profession that continues to promote practical teachings but with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the second semester of my freshman year, I will be interning with the athletics department at my university, the College of Charleston. I am elated to begin this next phase of my academic journey as an exercise science major, working with the sports teams. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Growing up in Liberia, West Africa, I understand the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host a fully funded inaugural basketball camp for underprivileged youth in 2022 in Monrovia, Liberia. Through a fundraising campaign I initiated, there was no cost to the campers. My professional goal is to work in the US and Liberia as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. I plan to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address the disparity in Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained therapists and other medical professionals rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

I am a scholar and an athlete who was tested mentally and physically on November 21, 2021, when my life nearly went to shambles. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. I woke up six days later, intubated and completely perplexed, wondering what happened. My first question to my Dad was “Did you call Coach to tell him I’ll be late to basketball practice”. I was then told, “You are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I learned that for the first 5 days, a ventilator had been my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for life. I was given a second chance, one that many people involved in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. Day in and day out, I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, West Africa. Given the poor healthcare system, I ruminated on what would have happened if this accident had been in Liberia. Bluntly, I would be dead, just like so many others who have been injured and received poor medical care. With the critical lack of trained medical professionals, their chances of surviving and thriving after an accident such as mine are slim to none. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing Kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine optimization and mechanics as a profession, combining my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but to prevent future injuries. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back and I have recommitted to investing my skills and talents where I feel they are sorely needed and can make the biggest impact. Based on my personal experience of nine formative years living in Liberia, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for these kids in July 2022. With a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the funds needed, there was no cost to campers. A second camp is planned for December 2023. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who cannot harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to positively impact someone's life, even in a minute way. My accident propelled a work ethic that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes their battles, much like I did. My professional goal is to work in the US and Liberia as a Sports Medicine Doctor. I plan to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address the disparity in Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained doctors and other medical professionals rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind, by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, is the autobiography of William Kamkwamba, a young African teen who built a windmill from junkyard scraps to generate electricity for his community of Masitala, a small village located on the outskirts of the town of Wimbe, in the Central Region of Malawi, South East Africa. The book is a tale of perseverance in the face of challenging obstacles, the most prevalent being pervasive poverty. William is fascinated with science and is enthusiastic about learning. When his family was too poor to pay his tuition and he could not stay in school he asked his friend Gilbert “Can I get your notes” so that he could study. He had a creative mind, which led him to build a windmill out of scrap metal which was used to provide energy to power an irrigation system that helped his poor rural community to avoid starvation. This is a story of survival and the drive for a better life and a way out of poverty. William, unable to attend school, studied at the library, taught himself to speak English, and graduated from one of Africa’s most prestigious schools. The author presents an inspirational account of how you can achieve anything with hard work and determination, no matter where you come from. William Kamkwamba teaches us that no matter how big your dreams are never give up until you realize them. As a young African-American teen, I was drawn to William’s story. I spent nine formative years growing up in Liberia, West Africa, the home of my mother. Liberia, like Malawi, is a very poor country and while I did not live in a rural village, I saw vestiges of poverty every day. I am not a scientist but I too experienced a major challenge in my life and I overcame it much like William did, with perseverance, determination and strong family support. On November 21, 2021, I was in a bad car accident. I was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, and two rib fractures. For the first 5 days in the ICU, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as severe as mine were not fortunate to receive. Like William, with my second chance, I chose to also give back and founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young boys. I was proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for these kids in July 2022, which was fully funded through a fundraising campaign I initiated, with no cost to the campers. A second camp is planned for December 2023. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may not have the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to positively impact someone's life and like William, support my community through innovation, determination and hope. I am majoring in Exercise Science as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Doctor. I plan to work both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession in the US through cutting-edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement.

The ability to inspire others through your courage, ethics, perseverance, respect, empathy and determination even in the wake of obstacles or setbacks makes a great leader. These are some of the core values that I, as a young man aspire to and have helped to shape me into the person I am today. According to the 2006 National Civic and Political Health Survey, seven percent of 15- to 25-year-old Americans participated in 10 or more volunteer activities within the previous year. When compared to their peers who report volunteer activities, this group was more likely to be African-American, urban, attend church regularly, from a family with parents who volunteer, a current student (in college or high school), and from a college-educated home. These findings encapsulate me. My church and my family have shaped me into the young man I am today. I am a scholar-athlete who was given a second chance at life. I survived what could have been a fatal car accident in November 2021, and with the help of an amazing team of medical professionals, I returned to full health and athletics. With my second chance, I chose to give back to my community through non-political civic engagement. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia for nine formative years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural camp for these kids in July 2022, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, there was no cost to campers! Donations exceeded our budget, which allowed me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and empowerment initiatives. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. I am so humbled that my project has inspired hope in my generation and my community. I also wanted to give back and empower my local community in Atlanta. I attend Victory Church in Norcross and volunteer with the Children’s Ministry. I employ my love for basketball and athletics as a coach for the little ones. I believe it is important to instill values in children starting at a young age and use my platform at church to do so. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may not have the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of hardships and setbacks. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if in a minute way. I empower my core values of ethics, respect and perseverance, many of which I attribute to my upbringing in the church, in my work with my Foundation and with my church family.

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind, by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, is the autobiography of William Kamkwamba, a young African teen who built a windmill from junkyard scraps to generate electricity for his community of Masitala, a small village located on the outskirts of the town of Wimbe, in the Central Region of Malawi, South East Africa. The book is a tale of perseverance in the face of challenging obstacles, the most prevalent being pervasive poverty. William is fascinated with science and is enthusiastic about learning. He had a creative mind, which led him to building a windmill out of scrap metal which was used to provide energy to power an irrigation system which helped his community to avoid starvation. This is a story of survival and the drive for a better life and a way out of poverty. William, unable to attend school, studied at the library, taught himself to speak English, and graduated from one of Africa’s most prestigious schools. The author presents an inspirational account of how you can achieve anything with hard work and determination, no matter where you come from. William Kamkwamba teaches us that no matter how big your dreams are never given up until you realize them. As a young African-American teen, I was drawn to William’s story. I spent nine formative years in Liberia, West Africa, the home of my mother. Liberia, like Malawi, is a very poor country and while I did not live in a rural village, I saw vestiges of poverty every day. I am not a scientist but I too experienced a major challenge in my life and I overcame it much like William did, with perseverance, determination and strong family support. On November 21, 2021, I was in a bad car accident. I was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, and two rib fractures. For the first 5 days in ICU, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as severe as mine were not fortunate to receive. Like William, with my second chance, I chose to also give back and founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation, a non-profit organization with mission to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young boys.

The ability to inspire others through your work ethic, courage, perseverance, respect, empathy and determination even in the wake of obstacles or setbacks defines leadership. I am a hardworking and personable scholar-athlete who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners. “Text Coach Ron and tell him I’ll be late to practice.” I see my parents smile presumably, for the first time in several days, as they see their son speak as if nothing is wrong. I was then told, “You are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I pondered on how I was still breathing. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. Today I am on my way to a full recovery, only by the Grace of God. I am playing basketball at full intensity. This experience made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged boys that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Before the accident I decided to explore working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. I was determined to not only host the first camp but build it into a program combining healthy living and sports. The camp was held from June 27-July 2nd, in Monrovia, Liberia. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone. There was no cost to campers! A second camp is planned for December 2023. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession in the US through cutting-edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement. Overcoming the trauma of my accident and reaching back to help others epitomizes leadership. I learned that there is always an opportunity, even in what we perceive as misfortune or obstacles.

The ability to inspire others through your work ethic, courage, perseverance, respect, empathy and determination even in the wake of obstacles or setbacks defines leadership. I am a hardworking and personable scholar-athlete who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners. “Text Coach Ron and tell him I’ll be late to practice.” I see my parents smile presumably, for the first time in several days, as they see their son speak as if nothing is wrong. I was then told, “you are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I pondered on how I was still breathing. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. Today I am on my way to a full recovery, only by the Grace of God. I am playing basketball at full intensity. This experience made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged boys that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Before the accident I decided to explore working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. I was determined to not only host the first camp but build it into a program combining healthy living and sports. The camp was held from June 27-July 2nd, in Monrovia, Liberia. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone. There was no cost to campers! A second camp is planned for December 2023. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession in the US through cutting-edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement. Overcoming the trauma of my accident and reaching back to help others epitomizes leadership. I learned that there is always an opportunity, even in what we perceive as misfortune or obstacles.

The ability to inspire others through your work ethic, courage, perseverance, respect, empathy and determination even in the wake of obstacles or setbacks defines leadership. I am a hardworking and personable scholar-athlete who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners. “Text Coach Ron and tell him I’ll be late to practice.” I see my parents smile presumably, for the first time in several days, as they see their son speak as if nothing is wrong. I was then told, “You are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I pondered on how I was still breathing. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. Today I am on my way to a full recovery, only by the Grace of God. I am playing basketball at full intensity. This experience made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged boys that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Before the accident I decided to explore working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. I was determined to not only host the first camp but build it into a program combining healthy living and sports. The camp was held from June 27-July 2nd, in Monrovia, Liberia. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone. There was no cost to campers! A second camp is planned for December 2023. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession in the US through cutting-edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement. Overcoming the trauma of my accident and reaching back to help others epitomizes leadership. I learned that there is always an opportunity, even in what we perceive as misfortune or obstacles.

I am Adem Byrdsell, the founder of Byrd Basketball Foundation, a non-profit organization, with a mission to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youth. I am also a college freshman who loves basketball. I conceived this Foundation to help underprivileged boys, who like myself, love the game, but don’t have access to the trainers and equipment to fully develop their skills. From personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for 10 years, I’ve met and played with many talented boys who simply don’t have the opportunities to truly excel in this sport. The Foundation planned to host its first community event, an intensive boys’ basketball camp in Liberia. The camp was initially planned for December 2021. On November 21, 2021, I was in a bad car accident, and hospitalized for 17 days, the first 6 in ICU. I was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, and two rib fractures. For the first 5 days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, and therapists. Surviving my accident continues to make me much more grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as severe as mine were not fortunate to receive. Today I am on my way to a full recovery, only by the Grace of God. I am playing basketball at full intensity. This experience made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged boys that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Before the accident I decided to explore working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. I was determined to not only host the first camp but build it into a program combining healthy living and sports. The camp was held from June 27-July 2nd, in Monrovia, Liberia. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone. There was no cost to campers! A second camp is planned for December 2023. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession in the US through cutting-edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement. Overcoming the trauma of my accident and reaching back to help others is a life lesson. I learned that there is always an opportunity, even in what we perceive as misfortune or obstacles.

I am Adem Byrdsell, the founder of Byrd Basketball Foundation, a non-profit organization, with a mission to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youth. I am also a college freshman who loves basketball. I conceived this Foundation to help underprivileged boys, who like myself, love the game, but don’t have access to the trainers and equipment to fully develop their skills. From personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for 10 years, I’ve met and played with many talented boys who simply don’t have the opportunities to truly excel in this sport. The Foundation planned to host its first community event, an intensive boys’ basketball camp in Liberia. The camp was initially planned for December 2021. On November 21, 2021, I was in a bad car accident, and hospitalized for 17 days, the first 6 in ICU. I was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, and two rib fractures. For the first 5 days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, and therapists. Surviving my accident continues to make me much more grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as severe as mine were not fortunate to receive. Today I am on my way to a full recovery, only by the Grace of God. I am playing basketball at full intensity. This experience made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged boys that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. Before the accident I decided to explore working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. I was determined to not only host the first camp but build it into a program combining healthy living and sports. The camp was held from June 27-July 2nd, in Monrovia, Liberia. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone. There was no cost to campers! A second camp is planned for December 2023. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession in the US through cutting-edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for athletic and scholastic achievement. Overcoming the trauma of my accident and reaching back to help others is a life lesson. I learned that there is always an opportunity, even in what we perceive as misfortune or obstacles.

I am Adem Byrdsell, the founder of Byrd Basketball Foundation, a non-profit organization, with a mission to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young boys. I am also a college freshman who loves basketball. I conceived this Foundation to help underprivileged boys, who like myself, love the game, but don’t have access to the trainers and equipment to fully develop their skills. From personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for 10 years, I’ve met and played with many talented boys who simply don’t have the opportunities to truly excel in this sport. The Foundation planned to host its first community event, an intensive boys’ basketball camp in Liberia. The camp was initially planned for December 2021. On November 21, 2021, I was in a bad car accident, and hospitalized for 17 days, the first 6 in ICU. I was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, and two rib fractures. For the first 5 days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, and therapists. Surviving my accident continues to make me much more grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as severe as mine were not fortunate to receive. Today I am on my way to a full recovery, only by the Grace of God. I am running track and playing basketball at full intensity. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged boys, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. I was determined to not only host the first camp but build it into a program combining healthy living and sports. The camp was held from June 27-July 2nd, in Monrovia, Liberia. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone. There was no cost to campers! A second camp is planned for December 2023. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may not have the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of hardships and setbacks. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if in a minute way. I believe my accident propelled a work ethic that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes their own battles, much like I did. It’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune. My goal is to work in the US and Liberia as a Pediatric Doctor, advancing the profession and mentoring young people. I am unable to afford to attend the College of Charleston, without financial aid. My parents do not have the funds to pay the estimated $40,000 I need exclusive of the merit and need-based scholarships I’ve currently been awarded. They also do not want me to amass a large financial burden as a result of student loans. I know I have the drive and determination to thrive, and I am putting in hours of work applying for scholarships so that money won’t be a hindering factor to my success. I am thankful for the opportunity to apply for your scholarship.

I am Adem Byrdsell, the founder of Byrd Basketball Foundation, a non-profit organization, with a mission to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young boys. I am also a college freshman who loves basketball. I conceived this Foundation to help underprivileged boys, who like myself, love the game, but don’t have access to the trainers and equipment to fully develop their skills. From personal experience living in Liberia, West Africa, for 10 years, I’ve met and played with many talented boys who simply don’t have the opportunities to truly excel in this sport. The Foundation planned to host its first community event, an intensive boys’ basketball camp in Liberia. The camp was initially planned for December 2021. On November 21, 2021, I was in a bad car accident, and hospitalized for 17 days, the first 6 in ICU. I was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, and two rib fractures. For the first 5 days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, and therapists. Surviving my accident continues to make me much more grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as severe as mine were not fortunate to receive. Today I am on my way to a full recovery, only by the Grace of God. I am running track and playing basketball at full intensity. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged boys, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. I was determined to not only host the first camp but build it into a program combining healthy living and sports. The camp was held from June 27-July 2nd, in Monrovia, Liberia. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone. There was no cost to campers! A second camp is planned for December 2023. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may not have the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of hardships and setbacks. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if in a minute way. I believe my accident propelled a work ethic that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes their own battles, much like I did. It’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune. My goal is to work in the US and Liberia as a Sports Medicine Doctor, advancing the profession and mentoring young people. I am unable to afford to attend the College of Charleston, without financial aid. My parents do not have the funds to pay the estimated $40,000 I need exclusive of the merit and need-based scholarships I’ve currently been awarded. They also do not want me to amass a large financial burden as a result of student loans. I know I have the drive and determination to thrive, and I am putting in hours of work applying for scholarships so that money won’t be a hindering factor to my success. I am thankful for the opportunity to apply for your scholarship.

Knowledge is power. This is a saying that resonates with all people of color. Whether you are African-American, African, Native-American, Latin-American and the like, it is a must that you equip yourself with the tools to thrive. This tool is a college education. I argue that this is the strongest competitive advantage that we have as a collective people to succeed. Yes, there are movie stars, musicians, professional sports players and others who have succeeded, but for every NBA player, you have 1,000 African Americans who make a living more traditionally. This traditional way has been a long road for our people. During the years of slavery, it was illegal to teach slaves to read or write. We were at a distinct disadvantage post-emancipation. Many African Americans were illiterate and relegated to doing the same work they did as slaves. The rise in the socioeconomic status of African Americans can be attributed to a rise in the educational levels, particularly attributed to Black colleges and universities. This education not only gave us a voice but began to build a solid foundation for future generations. In my generation, the importance of a college education was cemented with the election of President Barack Obama. Here was an African-American, who had ascended to the highest office through dedication, tenacity, and yes, a solid college education. One of my favorite proverbs is from Western Africa. “When you educate a child, you educate a nation”. Education, and specifically a college education is the key that unlocks positive change in our lives and in our communities. In November of 2021, I was in what could have been a fatal accident; but received a second chance. This accident left me with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. The accident piqued my interest in Kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine, which combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I will work with athletes to help them recover from injury, prevent future injury and provide them with natural methods of enhancing their athletic performance. With my second chance, I was also determined to give back and established the “Byrd Basketball Foundation'', a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship and achievement in teens. I was proud to raise funds and host a fully sponsored inaugural basketball camp for kids in Liberia in the summer of 2022. A second camp is planned for December 2022. That is just the beginning, a college education is a fundamental stage of my pathway to success. I cannot change the world and impact lives if I don’t have the essential tools to do so. I plan to be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia. I hope to advance the profession through cutting-edge research in America and through a teaching and practice forum to support US-trained medical practitioners to rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams of academic success. I am unable to afford to attend the College of Charleston, without financial aid. My parents do not have the funds to pay the estimated $40,000 I will need exclusive of the merit and need-based scholarships I’ve currently been awarded. They also do not want me to amass a large financial burden as a result of student loans. I know I have the drive and determination to thrive, and I am putting in hours of work applying for scholarships so that money won’t be a hindering factor to my success.

I am a college freshman who was given a second chance. I survived what could have been a fatal car accident in November 2021. This was the biggest challenge my family and I have faced. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. I was told that I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car, and I was lucky to be alive. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I pondered on how I was still breathing. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for life. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. I was tested mentally, emotionally and physically, and tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war-torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been Liberia. To put it bluntly, I would be dead. With the critical lack of trained medical professionals, including doctors, nurses and therapists, their chances of surviving and thriving after an accident such as mine are slim to none. Before the accident, I decided to explore working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to working with athletes in Sports Optimization as a Sports Medicine Doctor. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love. but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I believe I can provide meaningful insights into their recovery experience because I’ve experienced the effects of limited mobility, and being unable to play the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Growing up in Liberia, I understand the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. I decided to help underprivileged teens in Liberia who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youth. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. Excess funds allowed me to expand the program and host empowerment initiatives. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even in a minute way. I plan to be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia. I hope to advance the profession through cutting-edge research in America and will begin to do my part to address the disparity in Liberia’s healthcare system, through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained medical practitioners rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic success.

I was tested mentally and physically on November 21, 2021, when my life nearly went to shambles. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to walk, I was completely perplexed, wondering what happened. I was then told, “You are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I was given a second chance, one that many people involved in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. Day in and day out, I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. This was a trying time of both physical and emotional weakness. Waking up in a hospital bed unable to function on your own was not an easy predicament to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia. Given the poor healthcare system, I ruminated on what would have happened if this accident had been in Liberia. Bluntly, I would be dead, just like so many others who have been injured and received poor medical care. With the critical lack of trained medical professionals, their chances of surviving and thriving after an accident such as mine are slim to none. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in Kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine as a profession, combining my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but to help prevent future injuries. I believe I can provide meaningful insight into their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality, unable to play the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Growing up in Liberia, I understand the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. I decided to help underprivileged teens in Liberia who play sports, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host a fully sponsored inaugural basketball camp for underprivileged youth in 2022 in Monrovia, Liberia. A second camp is planned for December 2023. I believe my accident propelled a work ethic that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes their own battles, much like I did. It’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune. My goal is to work in the US and Liberia as a Sports Medicine Doctor, advancing the profession and mentoring young people. I am unable to afford to attend the College of Charleston, without financial aid. My parents do not have the funds to pay the estimated $40,000 I need exclusive of the merit and need-based scholarships I’ve currently been awarded. They also do not want me to amass a large financial burden as a result of student loans. I know I have the drive and determination to thrive, and I am putting in hours of work applying for scholarships so that money won’t be a hindering factor to my success. I am thankful for the opportunity to apply for your scholarship.

Everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, confused and perplexed, wondering what happened. I was then told, “You are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car when we swerved to avoid a drunk driver. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for life. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. Waking up in a hospital bed and unable to function on your own is not an easy predicament to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war-torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia. To put it bluntly, I would be dead, just like many others in Liberia who have been injured and received poor medical care due to the egregious healthcare system in Liberia. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in nursing. Nurses are the primary caregivers in most hospitals, and from firsthand experience, I understand the pivotal role they play in a patient’s care and recovery. My specialization as a sports medicine nurse combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to help prevent future injuries. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens in Liberia who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young Liberian boys. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Nurse, working in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession in the US through cutting-edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for scholastic and athletic achievement. My accident as a result of a drunk driver was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes the battle and perseveres.

Everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, confused and perplexed, wondering what happened. I was then told, “You are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car when we swerved to avoid a drunk driver. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for life. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. Waking up in a hospital bed and unable to function on your own is not an easy predicament to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war-torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia. To put it bluntly, I would be dead, just like many others in Liberia who have been injured and received poor medical care due to the egregious healthcare system in Liberia. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in nursing. Nurses are the primary caregivers in most hospitals, and from firsthand experience, I understand the pivotal role they play in a patient’s care and recovery. My specialization as a sports medicine nurse combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to help prevent future injuries. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens in Liberia who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young Liberian boys. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Nurse, working in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession in the US through cutting-edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for scholastic and athletic achievement. My accident as a result of a drunk driver was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes the battle and perseveres.

I am a scholar-athlete who was given a second chance at life. I survived what could have been a fatal car accident. I have God and my exceptional doctors, nurses, therapists, technicians and other medical practitioners to thank. On November 26, 2021, I woke up in the Trauma One Unit of Oklahoma Medical Center to learn that, for five days a ventilator had been my lifeline after I was ejected from the back seat of a moving vehicle when our car swerved out of the way to avoid a drunk driver. I sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 Spinal Fracture, two broken ribs and severely bruised lungs. My first question to my Dad was “Did you call Coach Ron to tell him I’ll be late to basketball practice”. Before the accident I decided to explore working with athletes in the medical field, but unsure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back and I have recommitted to investing my skills and talents where they can make the biggest impact. Based on my personal experience of nine formative years living in Liberia, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding this limitation, I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization created to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for these kids in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. Excess funds were realized, which allowed me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and other empowerment initiatives. A second camp is planned for December 2023. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to change someone's life, even in a minute way. Maybe that means they want to train on their own or even help others in their endeavors as well-rounded athletes. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. I am humbled that a project inspired as a result of an auto accident inspired hope in my generation and my community In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession US through cutting-edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for scholastic and athletic achievement. My accident was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes the battle and perseveres.

Knowledge is power. This is a saying that resonates with all people of color. Whether you are African-American, African, Native-American, Latin-American and the like, it is a must that you equip yourself with the tools to thrive. This tool is a college education. I argue that this is the strongest competitive advantage that we have as a collective people to succeed. Yes, there are movie stars, musicians, professional sports players and others who have succeeded, but for every one NBA player, you have 1,000 African Americans who make a living more traditionally. This traditional way has been a long road for our people. During the years of slavery, it was illegal to teach slaves to read or write. We were at a distinct disadvantage post-emancipation. Many African Americans were illiterate and relegated to doing the same work they did as slaves. The rise in the socioeconomic status of African Americans can be attributed to a rise in the educational levels, particularly attributed to Black colleges and universities. This education not only gave us a voice but began to build a solid foundation for future generations. In my generation, the importance of a college education was cemented with the election of President Barack Obama. Here was an African-American, who had ascended to the highest office through dedication, tenacity, and yes, a solid college education. One of my favorite proverbs is from Western Africa. “When you educate a child, you educate a nation”. Education, and specifically a college education is the key that unlocks positive change in our lives and in our communities. In November of 2021, I was in what could have been a fatal accident; but received a second chance. This accident left me with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. The accident piqued my interest in Kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine, which combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I will work with athletes to help them recover from injury, prevent future injury and provide them with natural methods of enhancing their athletic performance. With my second chance, I was also determined to give back and established the “Byrd Basketball Foundation'', a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship and achievement in teens. I was proud to raise funds and host an inaugural basketball camp for kids in Liberia in the summer of 2022. That is just the beginning, a college education is a fundamental stage of my pathway to success. I cannot change the world and impact lives if I don’t have the essential tools to do so. College is a must for me. I am unable to afford to attend the College of Charleston, without financial aid. My parents do not have the funds to pay the estimated $40,000 I will need exclusive of the merit and need-based scholarships I’ve currently been awarded. They also do not want me to amass a large financial burden as a result of student loans. I know I have the drive and determination to thrive, and I am putting in hours of work applying for scholarships so that money won’t be a hindering factor to my success. I am thankful for the opportunity to apply for your scholarship.

I am a scholar-athlete who was given a second chance at life. I survived what could have been a fatal car accident. I have God and my exceptional doctors, nurses, therapists, technicians and other medical practitioners to thank. On November 26, 2021, I woke up in the Trauma One Unit of Oklahoma Medical Center to learn that, for five days a ventilator had been my lifeline after I was ejected from the back seat of a moving vehicle when our car swerved out of the way to avoid a drunk driver. I sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 Spinal Fracture, two broken ribs and severely bruised lungs. My first question to my Dad was “Did you call coach to tell him I’ll be late to basketball practice”. Before the accident I decided to explore working with athletes in the medical field, but unsure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Nurse. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back and I have recommitted to investing my skills and talents where they can make the biggest impact. Based on my personal experience of nine formative years living in Liberia, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding this limitation, I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization created to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for these kids in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. Excess funds were realized, which allowed me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and other empowerment initiatives. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to change someone's life, even in a minute way. Maybe that means they want to train on their own or even help others in their endeavors as well-rounded athletes. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. I am so humbled that a project inspired as a result of an auto accident inspired hope in my generation and my community In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Nurse, working in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession in the US through cutting-edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for scholastic and athletic achievement. My accident as a result of a drunk driver was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes the battle and perseveres.

It all started in first grade. New country, new school, new life. My family had repatriated to Liberia, West Africa, the birthplace of my mother. I was fresh out of Montessori school in Atlanta and unprepared for the reality of a Liberian private school. I became friends with this kid named Timothy, the first person to tell me “ hi”. Tim and I were inseparable, he became my best friend. Although Timothy and I were best friends, we are very different. Simply said, I was far more privileged (from my old perspective) than Timothy. I lived in a bigger house, I had traveled the world, Tim had never left Liberia, I had a car and driver to take me to school, Tim came on public transportation, and I could go on and on. I wouldn’t know Tim was underprivileged until I visited his home. Even though he didn’t have as much as I did materially, he was still just as happy as I was. Every day Timothy taught me to be grateful for a blessing that went unnoticed. Like hot running water in the shower, 24-hour electricity, or even just air conditioning to relieve the intense West African heat. Being an only child, I did not have any siblings, only friends, Tim and I became brothers, when you saw Timothy, you saw me. In 2019 Timothy’s mother became very sick. Constantly being hospitalized for months at a time. She was unable to care for Tim. I asked my mom if my best friend and brother and his mom could come and live with us. She said yes, and Tim and his mom came to live with my family, who embraced him. My Mom became a caregiver to Tim’s Mom, Karen. I was amazed that my mother could show such love and care for someone she did not know very well. She did it because of her love for me and my friendship with Tim. I was so grateful. When his mom was well enough to live on her own, she moved away. But Tim stayed with us. My grandfather became his granddad. My aunts and uncles became his. Tim could’ve wallowed in self-pity, but he did not. He chose to remain hopeful and appreciative. When I should’ve been the one encouraging him, he was my source of inspiration. Tim coming from so little made me realize the superficial things I took for granted as a “privileged” kid. Tim’s quiet calm balances my exuberance. He has the uncanny ability with a simple statement to readjust my focus, typically from an insular lens to a more open-minded outlook. As we have grown into young adults, Tim’s humility, drive and calm spirit have been a source of strength and inspiration. Today he is in university in Kigali, Rwanda. He continues to tell me that I and my family give him a second chance when his own family would not help him or his mother. I am excited about what the future holds for both of us as we navigate college, work and life. I am thankful for a lifelong friend and brother, Timothy Andrews. My new perspective is that privilege and happiness are not about what you have but more about how much you appreciate your place in life. My friendship and bond with Tim made me realize that goodness comes from within and is not based on the material things you possess, or have access to. I am a better person because of him. So, while I know I helped a friend in need, he helped me as well.

The ability to inspire others through your courage, ethics, perseverance, respect, empathy and determination even in the wake of obstacles or setbacks makes a great leader. These are some of the core values that I, as a young man aspire to and have helped to shape me into the person I am today. According to the 2006 National Civic and Political Health Survey, seven percent of 15- to 25-year-old Americans participated in 10 or more community engagements within the previous year. When compared to their peers who report no civic engagement activities, this group was more likely to be African-American, urban, attend church regularly, from a family with parents who volunteer, a current student (in college or high school), and from a college-educated home. These findings encapsulate me. My church and my family have shaped me into the young man I am today. I am a scholar-athlete who was given a second chance at life. I survived what could have been a fatal car accident in November 2021, and with the help of an amazing team of medical professionals, I returned to full health and athletics. With my second chance, I chose to give back to my community through non-political civic engagement. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia for nine formative years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural camp for these kids in July 2022, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, there was no cost to campers! Donations exceeded our budget, which allowed me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and empowerment initiatives. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. I am so humbled that my project has inspired hope in my generation and my community. I also wanted to give back and empower my local community in Atlanta. I attend Victory Church in Norcross and volunteer with the Children’s Ministry. I employ my love for basketball and athletics as a coach for the little ones. I believe it is important to instill values in children starting at a young age and use my platform at church to do so. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may not have the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of hardships and setbacks. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if in a minute way. I empower my core values of ethics, respect and perseverance, many of which I attribute to my upbringing in the church, in my work with my Foundation and with my church family.

Friday, June 1, 1990, my mother boarded what would be the last international flight, out of the international airport in Monrovia, Liberia West Africa. The airport was bombed two days later, and a 14-year civil ignited. My mother and her family had to rebuild their lives in a foreign country, starting from scratch with barely any resources or support. No one expected to not return home. They left Liberia for what many assumed was a 1-month vacation, while the scrimmage ended. It took my mother 16 years to return to Liberia. In that time, life happened. She went to college, met my father, got married and had me. In April 2011, now a divorcee, she packed me up and bought our one-way tickets back to Liberia. The nine years I spent growing up in Monrovia will forever leave an impact on my life. Those years shaped me into the young man I am today, a global citizen of the world who is not afraid to embrace culture and respect diversity. My mother taught me the importance of appreciating what you have and not forgetting those who are less fortunate. Growing up in a place such as Liberia, where the socioeconomic strata are so divergent, you can forget that more than 60 percent of the country lives on less than $1 per day. During those years I also experienced what it truly means to live in a Least Developed Country (LDC) with all of its challenges, especially in the medical field. I was given a second chance at life when I survived a car accident in the US that would have been fatal had I been in Liberia. The country has just 298 medical doctors to care for Liberia’s 5.54 million population, a doctor/patient ratio of 1:15,000 (WHO report). Liberia needs doctors. Liberia also needs to respond to the needs of the youth. With my second chance, I learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play sports, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youth. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for these kids in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign, at no cost to the campers. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician. I hope to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address this disparity by also buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system, through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained doctors rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement. I am unable to afford to attend the College of Charleston, without financial aid. My parents do not have the funds to pay the estimated out-of-state tuition of $40,000 I will need exclusive of the merit and need-based scholarships I’ve currently been awarded. They also do not want me to amass a large financial burden as a result of student loans. I know I have the drive and determination to thrive, and I am putting in hours of work applying for scholarships so that money won’t be a hindrance to my success.

The ability to inspire others through your work ethic, courage, perseverance, respect, empathy and determination even in the wake of obstacles or setbacks makes a great leader. I am a hardworking and personable scholar-athlete who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Prior to the accident, I decided to explore working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to working with athletes in Sports Optimization as a Sports Medicine Doctor. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love. but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I believe I can provide meaningful insights into their recovery experience because I’ve experienced the effects of limited mobility, being unable to play the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on personal experience living in Liberia for nine years I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. Excess funds allowed me to expand the program and host empowerment initiatives. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I believe my disability was a setback that set forth my quest to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. I am so humbled that my community service inspired hope in my generation and my community. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession in the US through cutting-edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement.

It all started in first grade. New country, new school, new life. My family had repatriated to Liberia, West Africa, the birthplace of my mother. I was fresh out of Montessori school in Atlanta and unprepared for the reality of a Liberian private school. I became friends with this kid named Timothy, the first person to tell me “ hi”. Tim and I were inseparable, he became my best friend. Although Timothy and I were best friends, we are very different. Simply said, I was far more privileged (from my old perspective) than Timothy. I lived in a bigger house, I had traveled the world, Tim had never left Liberia, I had a car and driver to take me to school, Tim came on public transportation, and I could go on and on. I wouldn’t have known Tim was underprivileged until I visited his home. Even though he didn’t have as much as I did materially, he was still just as happy as I was. Every day Timothy taught me to be grateful for a blessing that went unnoticed. Like hot running water in the shower, 24-hour electricity, or even just air conditioning to relieve the intense West African heat. Being an only child, I did not have any siblings, only friends, Tim and I became brothers, when you saw Timothy, you saw me. In 2019 Timothy’s mother became very sick. Constantly being hospitalized for months at a time. She was unable to care for Tim. I asked my mom if my best friend and brother and his mom could come and live with us. She said yes, and Tim and his mom came to live with my family, who embraced him. My Mom became a caregiver to Tim’s Mom, Karen. I was amazed that my mother could show such love and care for someone she did not know very well. She did it because of her love for me and my friendship with Tim. I was so grateful. When his mom was well enough to live on her own, she moved away. But Tim stayed with us. My grandfather became his granddad. My aunts and uncles became his. Tim could’ve wallowed in self-pity, but he did not. He chose to remain hopeful and appreciative. When I should’ve been the one encouraging him, he was my source of inspiration. Tim coming from so little made me realize the superficial things I took for granted as a “privileged” kid. Tim’s quiet calm balances my exuberance. He has the uncanny ability with a simple statement to readjust my focus, typically from an insular lens to a more open-minded outlook. As we have grown into young adults, Tim’s humility, drive and calm spirit have been a source of strength and inspiration. Today he is attending a university in Kigali, Rwanda. He continues to tell me that I and my family gave him a second chance when his own family would not help him or his mother. I am excited about what the future holds for both of us as we navigate college, work and life. I am thankful for a lifelong friend and brother, Timothy Andrews. Privilege and happiness are not about what you have but more about how much you appreciate your place in life. My friendship and bond with Tim made me realize that goodness comes from within and is not based on material things. I am a better person because of him. So, while I know I helped a friend in need, he helped me as well.

The ability to inspire others through your work ethic, courage, perseverance, respect, empathy and determination even in the wake of obstacles or setbacks makes a great leader. I am a hardworking and personable scholar-athlete who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Before the accident, I decided to explore working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to working with athletes in Sports Optimization as a Sports Medicine Doctor. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love. but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I believe I can provide meaningful insights into their recovery experience because I’ve experienced the effects of limited mobility, and being unable to play the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on personal experience living in Liberia for nine years I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. Excess funds allowed me to expand the program and host empowerment initiatives. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I believe my disability was a setback that set forth my quest to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. I am so humbled that my community service inspired hope in my generation and my community. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession in the US through cutting-edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement.

The ability to inspire others through your work ethic, courage, perseverance, respect, empathy and determination even in the wake of obstacles or setbacks makes a great leader. I am a hardworking and personable scholar-athlete who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my therapists, doctors and nurses. Prior to the accident, I decided to explore working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to working with athletes in Sports Optimization as a Sports Medicine Doctor. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love. but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I believe I can provide meaningful insights into their recovery experience because I’ve experienced the effects of limited mobility, being unable to play the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on personal experience living in Liberia for nine years I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I founded the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. Excess funds allowed me to expand the program and host empowerment initiatives. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I believe my disability was a setback that set forth my quest to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. I am so humbled that my community service inspired hope in my generation and my community. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession in the US through cutting-edge research and buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained athletic and medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement.

Friday, June 1, 1990, my mother and her family boarded, what would be the last international flight, out of Liberia, West Africa. The airport was bombed two days later, and a 14-year civil war started. My mother and her family had to rebuild their lives in a foreign country. They had to start from scratch with barely any resources. No one expected to not return home. They left Liberia for what many assumed was a 1-month vacation, while the scrimmage ended. It took my mother 16 years to return to Liberia. During that time, life happened. She went to college, met my father, got married and had me. In April 2011, now a divorcee, she packed me up and moved us to Liberia. The nine years I spent growing up in Monrovia will forever leave an impact on my life. Those years shaped me into the young man I am today, a global citizen of the world who is not afraid to embrace culture and respect diversity. My mother taught me the importance of appreciating what you have and not forgetting those who are less fortunate. Growing up in a place such as Liberia, where the social economic strata are so divergent, you can forget that more than 60 percent of the country lives on less than $1 per day. It was so easy for me to become a spoiled, self-absorbed teenager. My mother did not allow that to happen. She worked hard each day for what we had and showed me the value of hard work and yes, sacrifice. There were times she struggled, but her grit and tenacity pushed through. These traits I learned from my mother. During those years I also experienced what it truly means to live in a Least Developed Country (LDC) with all of its challenges, especially in the medical field. I was given a second chance at life when I survived a car accident in the US that would have been fatal had I been in Liberia. The country has just 298 medical doctors to care for Liberia’s 5.54 million population, a doctor/patient ratio of 1:15,000 (WHO report). Liberia needs doctors. Liberia also needs to respond to the needs of the youth. With my second chance, I learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play sports, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for these kids in July 2022. My mother was the driving force behind my success in this endeavor. She was my primary fundraiser and camp director, even taking time off work to make sure the camp succeeded. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign, at no cost to the campers. Excess funds allowed me to expand the program and host empowerment initiatives. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia. I hope to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address this disparity by also buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system, through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained doctors rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement.

Collective, communality, unification. These are a few words that describe the word community. In the traditional sense, community refers to a unified body of individuals: people with common interests living in a particular area (Merrian Webster). Today, the vision of community is changing across the world. Globally the definition of community now includes people who may not have common interests living together. This dynamic of the very diverse peoples and cultures that make up today’s communities has both opportunities and challenges. Embracing diversity and inclusion can be a challenge, but also an opportunity. How we, as a collective community, commit to addressing these changes will either strengthen or break down our community structures. To build strong, healthy communities we must be cognizant of the shifting dynamics and develop ways to mitigate challenges and celebrate the wins. What does this mean? First, it means we must realize that our version of what makes a community is changing, and that change is okay. Yes, we lived together as one family, one connection, be it religion, culture, etc., in past years. However, with the globalization of the world, people from different religions, cultural backgrounds, countries, etc., find themselves living together. To build strong communities, we must respect this diversity, try to understand how we live with each and make deliberate efforts to be inclusive, supportive and impactful. I will use my personal experiences to illustrate one way I’ve worked to strengthen my community. I am proud to be both Liberian and American. My father is American and my mother’s birthplace is Liberia, West Africa. When they divorced, I lived with my mother in Liberia for 9 years, returning to the US in 2020 to complete high school. I am a scholar athlete and based on my experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for these kids in July 2022. Through a fundraising campaign I initiated, which raised more than 100% of the cost, there was no cost to campers! Donations exceeded our budget which allows me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and other empowerment initiatives. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp became an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. We must understand where there is a need and strive, through our actions, big or small to improve that need. This is how we build strong, healthy communities. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may have not had the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. This is how I am an upstander.

Friday, June 1, 1990, my mother and her family boarded, what would be the last international flight, out of the international airport in Monrovia, Liberia West Africa. The airport was bombed two days later, and a 14-year civil war started. My mother and her family had to rebuild their lives in a foreign country. No one expected to not return home. They left Liberia for what many assumed was a 1-month vacation, while the scrimmage ended. It took my mother 16 years to return to Liberia. During that time, life happened. She went to college, met my father, got married and had me. In April 2011, now a divorcee, she packed me up and bought our one-way tickets back to Liberia. The nine years I spent growing up in Monrovia will forever leave an impact on my life. Those years shaped me into the young man I am today, a global citizen of the world who is not afraid to embrace culture and respect diversity. My mother taught me the importance of appreciating what you have and not forgetting those who are less fortunate. Growing up in a place such as Liberia, where the social economic strata are so divergent, you can forget that more than 60 percent of the country lives on less than $1 per day. It was so easy for me to become a spoiled, self-absorbed teenager. My mother did not allow that to happen. She worked hard each day for what we had and showed me the value of hard work and yes, sacrifice. There were times she struggled, but her grit and tenacity pushed through. These traits I learned from my mother. During those years I also experienced what it truly means to live in a Least Developed Country (LDC) with all of its challenges, especially in the medical field. I was given a second chance at life when I survived a car accident in the US that would have been fatal had I been in Liberia. The country has just 298 medical doctors to care for Liberia’s 5.54 million population, a doctor/patient ratio of 1:15,000 (WHO report). Liberia needs doctors. Liberia also needs to respond to the needs of the youth. With my second chance, I learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play sports, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for these kids in July 2022. My mother was the driving force to my success at this endeavor. She was my primary fundraiser and camp director, even taking time off work to make sure the camp succeeded. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign, at no cost to the campers. Excess funds allowed me to expand the program and host empowerment initiatives. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia. I hope to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address this disparity by also buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system, through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained doctors rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement.

It is not every day that one gets a second chance. I received mine after surviving what could have been a fatal car accident in 2021. With my second chance, I chose to give back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia for nine years I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for these kids in July 2022. Planning and executing this camp was the most meaningful summer experience I’ve had to date. With a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the funds needed, there was no cost to campers! I am especially proud that I could raise all the funds and more so that money would not impede the kids’ participation. Through the help of a mentor, I engaged the office of NBA Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa for sponsorship. After exchanges with the leadership, my proposal was endorsed and accepted. NBA Africa signed on to the camp to provide resources and materials. Most notable, was what NBA Africa had to say about me; “…an impressive young man with a well thought out initiative and a worthwhile effort…” – Victor Williams, CEO, NBA Africa; ... “great to hear that he is giving back to the community…” – Mthoko Madonda, Social Responsibility & Player Programs Lead, NBA Africa and Former Player, South Africa National Basketball Team. I am also proud to say I did not stop there, I started a GoFundMe, which was generously supported by not only strangers but my family and friends. In Liberia, I engaged corporate donors who further endorsed our program and provided cash and in-kind support. A typical camp day started with breakfast, an “empowerment jam” session, followed by basketball drills, training sessions, and workouts. Campers took a break for lunch, participated in additional training sessions, and ended each day with a scrimmage. Empowerment jams were hosted by coaches and professionals who presented various topics: sportsmanship, the importance of education, basketball fundamentals, healthy living, and wellness. Each camper received a camp t-shirt, backpack, water bottle, shorts and a one-year membership to the YMCA. Many of the campers had never been to a sports facility, this was a new and exciting opportunity. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. I am so humbled that my project has inspired hope in my generation and my community. I believe my accident propelled a work ethic that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes their own battles, much like I did. It’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune or setbacks

Friday, June 1, 1990, my mother and her family boarded, what would be the last international flight, out of the international airport in Monrovia, Liberia West Africa. The airport was bombed two days later, a 14-year civil war had started. My mother and her family had to rebuild their lives in a foreign country. No one expected to not return home. They left Liberia for what many assumed was a 1-month vacation, while the scrimmage ended. It took my mother 16 years to return to Liberia. In that time, life happened. She went to college, met my father, got married and had me. In April 2011, now a divorcee, she packed me up and bought our one-way tickets back to Liberia. The nine years I spent growing up in Monrovia will forever leave an impact on my life. Those years shaped me into the young man I am today, a global citizen of the world who is not afraid to embrace culture and respect diversity. My mother taught me the importance of appreciating what you have and not forgetting those who are less fortunate. Growing up in a place such as Liberia, where the social economic strata are so divergent, you can forget that more than 60 percent of the country lives on less than $1 per day. It was so easy for me to become a spoiled, self-absorbed teenager. My mother did not allow that to happen. She worked hard each day for what we had and showed me the value in hard work and yes, sacrifice. There were times she struggled, but her grit and tenacity pushed through. These traits I learned from my mother. During those years I also experienced what it truly means to live in a Least Developed Country (LDC) with all of its challenges, especially in the medical field. I was given a second chance at life when I survived a car accident in the US that would have been fatal had I been in Liberia. The country has just 298 medical doctors to care for Liberia’s 5.54 million population, a doctor/patient ratio of 1:15,000 (WHO report). Liberia needs doctors. Liberia also needs to respond to the needs of the youth. With my second chance, I learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play sports, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for these kids in July 2022. My mother was the driving force behind my success in this endeavor. She was my primary fundraiser and camp director, even taking time off work to make sure the camp succeeded. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign, at no cost to the campers. Excess funds allowed me to expand the program and host empowerment initiatives. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia. I hope to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address this disparity by also buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system, through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained doctors rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement.

I am a hardworking and personable scholar-athlete who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners. My accident was the biggest failure of my life, as it caused me to be unable to continue to play basketball, the sport I love most. Prior to the accident, I decided to explore working with athletes in the medical field with a focus on community support, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to working with athletes in Sports Optimization with a minor in community development. These disciplines combine my love for athletics with health, wellness and community service. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I believe I can provide meaningful insights into their recovery experience because I’ve experienced the effects of limited functionality, being unable to play the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia for 9 formative years I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limited access, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for these kids in July 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. Excess funds allowed me to expand the program and host empowerment initiatives. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who are unable to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. I believe my accident was a failure that set forth my quest to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. In 10 years, I will be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia, advancing the profession in the US through cutting-edge research and also buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained medical professionals rotationally work and train medical practitioners in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement while continuing to support community-driven development initiatives.

I am a hardworking and personable student who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners; doctors, nurses, and therapists at Oklahoma Medical Center, a leading research and teaching hospital. Before the accident, I decided to explore working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Nurse. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance even more, and ideally, with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I believe I can provide meaningful insights into their recovery experience because I’ve experienced the effects of limited functionality, being unable to play the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back and have recommitted to investing my skills and talents where I feel they are sorely needed and can make the biggest impact. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia for 9 formative years I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limited access, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may have not had the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. I believe my accident was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. I believe it’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune. In my professional career as a Sports Medicine Physician, I plan to work both in the US and Liberia and buttress Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained nurses and doctors rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement. I am unable to afford to attend my college of choice, the College of Charleston, without financial aid. My parents do not have the funds to pay the estimated $40,000 I will need exclusive of the merit and need-based scholarships I’ve currently been awarded. They also do not want me to amass a large financial burden as a result of student loans. I know I have the drive and determination to thrive, and I am putting in hours of work applying for scholarships so that money won’t be a hindering factor to my success. I am thankful for the opportunity to apply for your scholarship.

I am a hardworking and personable student who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners; doctors, nurses, and therapists at Oklahoma Medical Center, a leading research and teaching hospital. Before the accident, I decided to explore working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance even more, and ideally, with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I believe I can provide meaningful insights into their recovery experience because I’ve experienced the effects of limited functionality, being unable to play the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back and have recommitted to investing my skills and talents where I feel they are sorely needed and can make the biggest impact. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia for 9 formative years I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limited access, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may have not had the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. I believe my accident was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes their obstacles, much like I did. I believe it’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune. In my professional career as a Sports Medicine Physician, I plan to work both in the US and Liberia and buttress Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained doctors rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement. I am unable to afford to attend my college of choice, the College of Charleston, without financial aid. My parents do not have the funds to pay the estimated $40,000 I will need exclusive of the merit and need-based scholarships I’ve currently been awarded. They also do not want me to amass a large financial burden as a result of student loans. I know I have the drive and determination to thrive, and I am putting in hours of work applying for scholarships so that money won’t be a hindering factor to my success. I am thankful for the opportunity to apply for your scholarship.

The ability to inspire others through your courage, ethics, perseverance, respect, empathy and determination even in the wake of obstacles or setbacks makes a great leader. These are some of the core values that I, as a young man aspire to and have helped to shape me into the person I am today. According to the 2006 National Civic and Political Health Survey, seven percent of 15- to 25-year-old Americans participated in 10 or more community engagement or political activities within the previous year. When compared to their peers who report no civic engagement activities, this group was more likely to be African-American, urban, attend church regularly, from a family with parents who volunteer, a current student (in college or high school), and from a college-educated home. These findings encapsulate me. I am a scholar-athlete who was given a second chance at life. I survived what could have been a fatal car accident in November 2021, and with the help of an amazing team of medical professionals, I returned to full health and athletics. With my second chance, I chose to give back to my community through non-political civic engagement. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia for nine formative years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural camp for these kids in July 2022, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, there was no cost to campers! Donations exceeded our budget, which allowed me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and empowerment initiatives. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation” with two primary goals in mind: 1. To bring a quality training program to kids that provides a blend of high-quality basketball training with personal development including general health and wellness. 2. To provide a train-the-trainer program where my annual project is just the beginning of a holistic program initiative. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may not have the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if in a minute way. I empower my core values of ethics, respect and perseverance in my work with my Foundation. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. I am so humbled that my project has inspired hope in my generation and my community.

I am a hardworking and personable student who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners; doctors, nurses, and therapists at Oklahoma Medical Center, a leading research and teaching hospital. Prior to the accident, I made a decision to explore working with athletes in the medical field, but not really sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance even more, and ideally, with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I believe I can provide meaningful insights to their recovery experience because I’ve experienced the effects of limited functionality, being unable to play the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back and have recommitted to investing my skills and talents where I feel they are sorely needed and can make the biggest impact. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia for 9 formative years I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limited access, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may have not had the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. I believe my accident was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. I believe it’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune. In my professional career as a Sports Medicine Physician, I plan to work both in the US and Liberia and buttress Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained doctors rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement. I am unable to afford to attend my college of choice, the College of Charleston, without financial aid. My parents do not have the funds to pay the estimated $40,000 I will need exclusive of the merit and need-based scholarships I’ve currently been awarded. They also do not want me to amass a large financial burden as a result of student loans. I know I have the drive and determination to thrive, and I am putting in hours of work applying for scholarships so that money won’t be a hindering factor to my success. I am thankful for the opportunity to apply for your scholarship.

The ability to inspire others through your courage, ethics, perseverance, respect, empathy and determination even in the wake of obstacles or setbacks makes a great leader. These are some of the core values that I, as a young man aspire to and have helped to shape me into the person I am today. According to the 2006 National Civic and Political Health Survey, seven percent of 15- to 25-year-old Americans participated in 10 or more community engagement or political activities within the previous year. When compared to their peers who report no civic engagement activities, this group was more likely to be African-American, urban, attend church regularly, from a family with parents who volunteer, a current student (in college or high school), and from college-educated home. Thes findings encapsulate me. I am a scholar athlete who was given a second chance at life. I survived what could have been a fatal car accident in November 2021, and with the help of an amazing team of medical professionals I returned to full health and athletics. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. The core values I affirm, including my courage, determination and tenacity helped me on what has been the most difficult journey of my life. With my second chance, I chose to give back to my community through non-political civic engagement. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia for nine formative years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural camp for these kids in July 2022, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, there was no cost to campers! Donations exceeded our budget, which allowed me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and empowerment initiatives. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation” with two primary goals in mind: 1. To bring a quality training program to kids that provides a blend of high-quality basketball training with personal development including general health and wellness. 2. To provide a train-the-trainer program where my annual project is just the beginning of a holistic program initiative. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may not have the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if in a minute way. I empower my core values of ethics, respect and perseverance in my work with my Foundation. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. I am so humbled that my project has inspired hope in my generation and my community.

I am Adem Byrdsell, a high school senior scholar athlete and the founder of Byrd Basketball Foundation, a non-profit organization, with a mission to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young people. I conceived this Foundation to help underprivileged teens, who like myself, love the basketball, but don’t have access to the trainers and equipment to fully develop their skills. From personal experience growing up in Liberia, West Africa, where I lived for 10 years, I’ve met and played with many talented youth who simply don’t have the opportunities to truly excel. The camp was initially planned for December 2021 in Liberia. However, on November 21, 2021 everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and in the ICU, I was completely confused and perplexed, wondering what happened. I was then told “you are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I was given a second chance at life. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia with its deplorable healthcare system and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia. Bluntly speaking, I would be dead, just like many others in Liberia who have been injured and received poor medical care due to the egregious healthcare system. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in Kinesiology, as a pathway to sports medicine. Becoming a sports medicine physician combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to help prevent future injuries. Today I am on my way to a full recovery by the Grace of God, and the help of an amazing team of doctors, nurses, and therapists. I am running track and playing basketball at full intensity. This experience made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged kids that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. I was determined to not only host the first camp but build a program combining healthy living and sports. I was proud to host the camp last summer. With a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, there was no cost to campers! I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may have not had the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. My accident was a challenge that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. I believe it’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune and life's challenges.

The ability to inspire others through your courage, ethics, respect, empathy and determination even in the wake of adversity makes a great leader. On November 21, 2021, everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to get out of the hospital bed and walk, I was completely perplexed, wondering what happened. “Text Coach Ron and tell him I’ll be late to practice.” I see my parents smile, presumably, for the first time in several days, as they hear their son speak as if nothing is wrong. I was then told, “You’re lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I am grateful to be alive. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. My accident taught me to value life and to use my second chance to make a difference in this world. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of Kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine, a profession that combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to help prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance even more, and ideally, with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back and have recommitted to investing my skills and talents where I feel they are sorely needed and can make the biggest impact. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia for 9 formative years I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limited access, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. Through a fundraising campaign I initiated, which raised more than 100% of the cost, there was no cost to campers! Donations exceeded our budget which allows me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and other empowerment initiatives. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may have not had the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. I believe my accident was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes their own obstacles, much like I did. I believe it’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune. In my professional career as a Sports Medicine Physician, I plan to work both in the US and Liberia, and buttress Liberia’s healthcare system through a teaching and practice forum where US trained doctors rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement.

I am a scholar athlete who was given a second chance at life. In my junior year, I survived what could have been a fatal car accident in November 2021, and with the help of an amazing team of medical professionals I returned to full health and athletics. With my second chance, I chose to give back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia for nine formative years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural camp for these kids in July 2022, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, there was no cost to campers! Donations exceeded our budget, which allowed me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and empowerment initiatives. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation” with two primary goals in mind: 1. To bring a quality training program to kids that provides a blend of high-quality basketball training with personal development including general health and wellness. 2. To provide a train the trainer program where my annual project is just the beginning of a holistic program initiative. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may not have the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if in a minute way. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. I am so humbled that my project has inspired hope in my generation and my community. This experience quickly opened my eyes and encouraged research that brought about a 3rd personal goal. According to The World Health Organization (WHO) a 1:1,000 doctor to patient ratio is recommended for adequate healthcare, yet according to a 2016 report by the Liberia Medical and Dental Council, the country has just 298 medical doctors to care for Liberia’s 4.5 million population, a doctor/patient ratio of 1:15,000. This is not acceptable. In 10 years, I plan to be a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia. I hope to advance the profession and address this disparity by buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system, through a teaching and practice forum where US trained doctors rotationally work in Liberia.

Money matters. Yet, I concur with Robin S. Baker, who quoted: “I'm looking at the bigger picture. longevity and legacy.” Investopedia defines generational wealth as financial assets passed from one generation of a family to another. This definition is essentially the same across multiple platforms and includes the acquisition of cash, investments, stocks, jewelry, etc. However, as a young African-American man, my definition of generational wealth is broader than the financial aspect. When I reflect on generational wealth, I think about resources in addition to cash, bonds, and investments. I think about tangibles and intangibles that can be transferred from one generation to another. Wealth can encompass many things. In addition to those we readily refer to, generational wealth for me means legacy. Transferring a legacy from one generation to the next. It includes the intellectual property, education, respect, tradition and values that my grandfather instilled in me as a child. This transfer also includes conveying the sense of responsibility to not only care for what has been left to you but nurture, preserve and grow it for generations that will come after you. I plan to achieve generational wealth by first equipping myself with the tools necessary to succeed financially, spiritually, morally and in good health. I will expound on each one. Financial success means giving myself the best chance to succeed by pursuing higher education and arming myself with the skill sets by earning a degree and pursuing a career path. To pass down wealth you must first have some yourself. Building my own net worth is a major first step. Having a strong education is essential to this first step. Spiritual and moral wealth are also key ingredients to generational wealth. The transition of knowledge and respect for culture and tradition enables one to honor the past, respect the present and plan for the future. I plan to major in Kinesiology, as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician. Good health is wealth. If I am healthy, I have a better chance of pursuing the other goals that strengthen the other facets of generational wealth. As a physician, I will also work to ensure that my family remains healthy, thereby, allowing us all to acquire generational wealth, in all its forms, that will sustain future generations to come. While historical and ongoing barriers to economic opportunity have made it challenging for African-Americans to create generational wealth, there are still ways to overcome these obstacles and build wealth for future generations. I will not be a victim; I will invest time, money, energy and intention to create both financial and non-financial assets to create a more well-rounded and sustainable approach to building generational wealth for my family.

It is not every day that one gets a second chance at life. With my second chance, I have recommitted to investing my skills and talents where I feel they are sorely needed and can make the biggest impact. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia for 9 formative years I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limited access, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone. There was no cost to campers! Donations exceeded our budget which allows me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and other empowerment initiatives. I am especially proud that I could raise all the funds and more, so that money would not be an impediment to the kids’ participation. Through the help of a mentor, I was introduced to the NBA Africa. Following his recommendation and introduction I personally engaged the office of NBA Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa for their participation and to support the basketball camp. After exchanges with the staff and leadership, my proposal was endorsed and accepted. NBA Africa signed on to the camp to provide resources and materials. Most notable, was what the NBA Africa had to say about me; “…an impressive young man with a well thought out initiative and a worthwhile effort…” – Victor Williams, CEO, NBA Africa; ... “great to hear that he is giving back to the community…” – Mthoko Madonda, Social Responsibility & Player Programs Lead, NBA Africa and Former Player, South Africa National Basketball Team. I am humbled. I am also proud to say I did not stop there, I started a GoFundMe, which was generously supported by not only strangers, but my family and friends around the world. Following my return to Liberia, I engaged corporate donors who further endorsed our program and provided cash and in-kind support. I was truly overwhelmed by the level of support and good will I received. This made me even more determined that this program would not only succeed but expand. There was a true need and there were organizations and individuals who were ready and able to help. Many were simply waiting for someone to take the initiative. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may have not had the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. I am so humbled that my project has inspired hope in my generation and my community. This makes me unique.

It is not every day that one gets a second chance at life. With my second chance, I have recommitted to investing my skills and talents where I feel they are sorely needed and can make the biggest impact. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia for 9 formative years I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limited access, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone. There was no cost to campers! Donations exceeded our budget which allows me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and other empowerment initiatives. I am especially proud that I could raise all the funds and more, so that money would not be an impediment to the kids’ participation. Through the help of a mentor, I was introduced to the NBA Africa. Following his recommendation and introduction I personally engaged the office of NBA Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa for their participation and to support the basketball camp. After exchanges with the staff and leadership, my proposal was endorsed and accepted. NBA Africa signed on to the camp to provide resources and materials. Most notable, was what the NBA Africa had to say about me; “…an impressive young man with a well thought out initiative and a worthwhile effort…” – Victor Williams, CEO, NBA Africa; ... “great to hear that he is giving back to the community…” – Mthoko Madonda, Social Responsibility & Player Programs Lead, NBA Africa and Former Player, South Africa National Basketball Team. I am humbled. I am also proud to say I did not stop there, I started a GoFundMe, which was generously supported by not only strangers, but my family and friends around the world. Following my return to Liberia, I engaged corporate donors who further endorsed our program and provided cash and in-kind support. I was truly overwhelmed by the level of support and good will I received. This made me even more determined that this program would not only succeed but expand. There was a true need and there were organizations and individuals who were ready and able to help. Many were simply waiting for someone to take the initiative. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may have not had the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. I am so humbled that my project has inspired hope in my generation and my community. This was my impact.

It is not every day that one gets a second chance at life. With my second chance, I have recommitted to investing my skills and talents where I feel they are sorely needed and can make the biggest impact. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia for 9 formative years I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limited access, I decided to help underprivileged teens who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in youths. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone. There was no cost to campers! Donations exceeded our budget which allows me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and other empowerment initiatives. I am especially proud that I could raise all the funds and more, so that money would not be an impediment to the kids’ participation. Through the help of a mentor, I was introduced to the NBA Africa. Following his recommendation and introduction I personally engaged the office of NBA Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa for their participation and to support the basketball camp. After exchanges with the staff and leadership, my proposal was endorsed and accepted. NBA Africa signed on to the camp to provide resources and materials. Most notable, was what the NBA Africa had to say about me; “…an impressive young man with a well thought out initiative and a worthwhile effort…” – Victor Williams, CEO, NBA Africa; ... “great to hear that he is giving back to the community…” – Mthoko Madonda, Social Responsibility & Player Programs Lead, NBA Africa and Former Player, South Africa National Basketball Team. I am humbled. I am also proud to say I did not stop there, I started a GoFundMe, which was generously supported by not only strangers, but my family and friends around the world. Following my return to Liberia, I engaged corporate donors who further endorsed our program and provided cash and in-kind support. I was truly overwhelmed by the level of support and good will I received. This made me even more determined that this program would not only succeed but expand. There was a true need and there were organizations and individuals who were ready and able to help. Many were simply waiting for someone to take the initiative. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may have not had the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I want to be able to change someone's life, even if it is in a little way. One camper had dropped out of school and was on the verge of suicide due to the death of his brother and best friend. In his words, “Coming to this camp, saved my life. I had given up on life, and being here has given me hope. I’ve found brothers and lifelong friends”. He shared this in an impassioned speech upon receiving the MVP trophy at the end of the camp. What started as a routine camp turned into an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. I am so humbled that my project has inspired hope in my generation and my community. This was my impact.

The ability to inspire others through your courage, ethics, respect, empathy and determination even in the wake of obstacles or setbacks makes a great leader. On November 21, 2021, everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to get out of the hospital bed and walk, I was completely perplexed, wondering what happened. “Text Coach Ron and tell him I’ll be late to practice.” I see my parents smile, presumably, for the first time in several days, as they hear their son speak as if nothing is wrong. I was then told, “You’re lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I am grateful to be alive. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. My accident taught me to value life and to use my second chance to make a difference in this world. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war-torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia. To put it blatantly, I would be dead, just like many others who receive poor medical care due to the country’s egregious healthcare system. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of Kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine, a profession that combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to help prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance even more, and ideally, with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I believe I can provide meaningful insights into their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality, incapable of playing the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia, I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign I initiated and there was no cost to the campers. Excess funds were realized, which allowed me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and other empowerment initiatives. My professional career as a Sports Medicine Physician and my philanthropic work through my foundation will allow me to continue to make a positive impact and support my community while continuing to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement. I plan to work both in the US and Liberia, advancing the profession through work in the US and also buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system, through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained doctors rotationally work in Liberia.

Friday, June 1, 1990, my mother and her family boarded, what would be the last flight, out of the international airport in Monrovia, Liberia West Africa. The airport was bombed two days later, and a 14-year civil war started. My mother and her family had to rebuild their lives in a foreign country. No one expected to not return home. They left Liberia for what many assumed was a 1-month vacation, while the scrimmage ended. It took my mother 16 years to return to Liberia. During that time, life happened. She went to college, met my father, got married and had me. In April 2011, now a divorcee, she packed me up and bought our one-way tickets back to Liberia. The nine years I spent growing up in Monrovia will forever leave an impact on my life. Those years shaped me into the young man I am today, a global citizen of the world who is not afraid to embrace culture and respect diversity. During those years I also experienced what it truly means to live in the least Developed Country (LDC) with all of its challenges, especially in the medical field. I survived a car accident in the US that would have been fatal had I been in Liberia. The country has just 298 medical doctors to care for Liberia’s 4.5 million population, a doctor/patient ratio of 1:15,000 (WHO report). Liberia needs doctors. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician, working both in the USA and Liberia. I hope to advance the profession through work in America and I will begin to do my part to address this disparity by also buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system, through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained doctors rotationally work in Liberia.

I am a scholar-athlete who has been blessed. I survived what could have been a fatal car accident, and after 17 days of being hospitalized in an ICU, followed by intensive rehabilitation, I walked out without medication. I have God and my exceptional doctors, nurses, therapists, technicians and other medical practitioners to thank. I was given a second chance. On November 26, 2021, I woke up in the Trauma One Unit of Oklahoma Medical Center to learn that, for five days a ventilator had been my lifeline after I was ejected from the back seat of a moving vehicle. I sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 Spinal Fracture, two broken ribs and severely bruised lungs. My first question to my Dad was “Did you call Coach Ron to tell him I’ll be late for basketball practice”. Before the accident, I decided to explore working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance even more, and ideally, with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I believe I can provide meaningful insights into their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality, incapable of playing the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience of nine formative years living in Liberia, I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. Excess funds were realized, which allowed me to continue to expand the program. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may not have the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I hope my story and life experience can inspire others to give back. As an African-American male, born in Atlanta, Ga, and raised in Liberia, West Africa, the birthplace of my mother, I understand and appreciate diversity and culture. As a Sports Medicine doctor, I will promote the inclusion of young people and use my platform to mentor those under-represented in the profession. In addition, through my philanthropic work with my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement. I plan to work both in the US and Liberia, advancing the profession through work in the US and also buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system, through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained doctors rotationally work in Liberia.

The ability to inspire others through your courage, ethics, respect, empathy and determination even in the wake of obstacles or setbacks makes a great leader. On November 21, 2021, everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to get out of the hospital bed and walk, I was completely perplexed, wondering what happened. “Text Coach Ron and tell him I’ll be late to practice.” I see my parents smile, presumably, for the first time in several days, as they hear their son speak as if nothing is wrong. I was then told, “You’re lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I am grateful to be alive. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. My accident taught me to value life and to use my second chance to make a difference in this world. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war-torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia. To put it blatantly, I would be dead, just like many others receive poor medical care due to the country’s egregious healthcare system. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of Kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine, a profession that combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to help prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance even more, and ideally, with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I believe I can provide meaningful insights into their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality, incapable of playing the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia, I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign I initiated and there was no cost to the campers. Excess funds were realized, which allowed me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and other empowerment initiatives. My professional career as a Sports Medicine Physician and my social services work through my foundation will allow me to continue to make a positive impact and support my community. I plan to work both in the US and Liberia, advancing the profession through by work in the US and also buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system, through a teaching and practice forum where US trained doctors rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement.

The ability to inspire others through your courage, ethics, respect, empathy and determination even in the wake of obstacles or setbacks makes a great leader. On November 21, 2021, everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to get out of the hospital bed and walk, I was completely perplexed, wondering what happened. “Text Coach Ron and tell him I’ll be late to practice.” I see my parents smile, presumably, for the first time in several days, as they hear their son speak as if nothing is wrong. I was then told, “You’re lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I am grateful to be alive. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. My accident taught me to value life and to use my second chance to make a difference in this world. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war-torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia. To put it blatantly, I would be dead, just like many others receive poor medical care due to the country’s egregious healthcare system. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of Kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine, a profession that combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to help prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance even more, and ideally, with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I believe I can provide meaningful insights into their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality, incapable of playing the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia, I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign I initiated and there was no cost to the campers. Excess funds were realized, which allowed me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and other empowerment initiatives. My professional career as a Sports Medicine Physician and my philanthropic work through my foundation will allow me to continue to make a positive impact in the world and support my community. I plan to work both in the US and Liberia, advancing the profession through by work in the US and also buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system, through a teaching and practice forum where US trained doctors rotationally work in Liberia. Through my foundation I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement. These are accomplishments that I will be proud to achieve in the next 30 years.

It all started in first grade. New country, new school, new life. My family had repatriated to Liberia, West Africa, the birthplace of my mother. I was fresh out of Montessori school in Atlanta and unprepared for the reality of a Liberian private school. I became friends with this kid named Timothy, the first person to tell me “ hi”. Tim and I were inseparable, he became my best friend. Although Timothy and I were best friends, we are very different. Simply said, I was far more privileged (from my old perspective) than Timothy. I lived in a bigger house, I had traveled the world, Tim had never left Liberia, I had a car and driver to take me to school, Tim came on public transportation, and I could go on and on. I wouldn’t know Tim was underprivileged until I visited his home. Even though he didn’t have as much as I did materially, he was still just as happy as I was. Every day Timothy taught me to be grateful for a blessing that went unnoticed. Like hot running water in the shower, 24-hour electricity, or even just air conditioning to relieve the intense West African heat. Being an only child I did not have any siblings, only friends, Tim and I became brothers, when you saw Timothy you saw me. In 2019 Timothy’s mother became very sick. Constantly being hospitalized for months at a time. She was unable to care for Tim. I asked my mom if my best friend and brother could come and live with us. She said yes, and Tim came to live with my family, who embraced him. My grandfather became his granddad. My aunts and uncles became his. Tim could’ve wallowed in self-pity, but he did not. He chose to remain hopeful and appreciative. When I should’ve been the one encouraging him, he was my source of inspiration. Tim coming from so little made me realize the superficial things I took for granted as a “privileged” kid. Tim’s quiet calm balances my exuberance. He has the uncanny ability with a simple statement to readjust my focus, typically from an insular lens to a more open-minded outlook. As we have grown into young adults, Tim’s humility, drive and calm spirit have been a source of strength and inspiration. Today he is preparing to enroll in a university in Kigali, Rwanda. He continues to tell me that I and my family give him a second chance when his own family would not help him or his mother. I am excited about what the future holds for both of us as we navigate college, work and life. I am thankful for a lifelong friend and brother, Timothy Andrews. My new perspective is that privilege and happiness are not about what you have but more about how much you appreciate your place in life and that eagerness to grow from a place of appreciation is a much happier path than feeling the need to grow from a feeling of lack. My friendship and bond with Tim made me realize that goodness comes from within and is not based on the material things you possess, or have access to. I am a better person because of him. So, while I know I helped a friend in need, he helped me as well.

The ability to inspire others through your courage, ethics, respect, empathy and determination even in the wake of obstacles or setbacks makes a great leader. On November 21, 2021, everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to get out of the hospital bed and walk, I was completely perplexed, wondering what happened. “Text Coach Ron and tell him I’ll be late to practice.” I see my parents smile, presumably, for the first time in several days, as they hear their son speak as if nothing is wrong. I was then told, “You’re lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I am grateful to be alive. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. My accident taught me to value life and to use my second chance to make a difference in this world. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. Being unable to function on your own is not an easy predicament to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war-torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia. To put it blatantly, I would be dead, just like many others who have been injured and received poor medical care due to the egregious healthcare system. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of Kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine, a profession that combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to help prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance even more, and ideally, with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I believe I can provide meaningful insights into their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality, incapable of playing the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia, I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens who love sports, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign I initiated and there was no cost to the campers. Excess funds were realized, which allowed me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and other empowerment initiatives. My accident was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes the same battle as I did. I believe it’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune and setbacks.

I am proud to be both Liberian and American. My father is from the US and my mother is from Liberia. When they divorced, I lived with my mother in Liberia for 9 years, returning to the US in 2020 to complete high school. Salaries in Liberia are not comparable to the US, so while my mother is a college educated urban planner, her salary was barely sufficient to make ends meet and we are a working class family. Similarly, my father is an IT engineer and with the high cost of living in Atlanta, we are also considered working class. My parents pool their resources to make sure I am successful and with a need based scholarships, I am able to attend a private Catholic high school. With the rising costs of college today, my family is unable to afford college without significant loans and or financial assistance. I want to reduce the financial burden on them and am seeking merit and need based scholarships to assist with my tuition expenses. I strive to be a leader and an academic scholar as evidenced by my work in the community and my academic achievements. Growing up in Liberia gave me a new perspective on I founded the Byrd Basketball Foundation, a non-profit organization, with mission to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young boys. I am also a high school senior who loves basketball. I conceived this Foundation to help underprivileged boys, who like myself, love the game, but don’t have access to the trainers and equipment to fully develop their skills. From personal experience living in Liberia for 10 years, I’ve met and played with many talented boys who simply don’t have the opportunities to truly excel in this sport. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign; donations exceeded our budget which will now allow me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and other empowerment initiatives. I plan to major in Kinesiology, as a pathway to Sports Medicine, which combines my love for athletics with my passion for health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to help prevent future injuries. As a Sports Medicine Doctor I want to work both in Liberia and the US, promoting sustainable medical practices and mentoring young men to be the best citizens they can be in a global world.

I am a hardworking and personable senior who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners; doctors, nurses, and therapists. Today I am on my way to a full recovery, by the Grace of God. I am on the track team and competed in Georgia Regionals in April 2022. I am proud to have lettered in the Triple Jump category. Surviving my accident continues to make me much more grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as severe as mine were not fortunate to receive. During the ordeal of my recovery and rehab, I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of Kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine as a professional career choice. Sports medicine combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, and provide them with natural methods of enhancing performance in their sport but also to help prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love but I want to equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance even more, and ideally, with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I believe I can provide some meaningful insight into their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality and be unable to play the sport you love. With my second chance, I also chose to give back. Based on personal experience living in Liberia for 9 years, I know the impact of having limited access to sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens in Liberia who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young Liberian boys. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign I initiated with the help of my friends and family. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and because we raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone. There was no cost to campers! My professional education as a Sports Medicine Physician and my philanthropic work through my foundation will allow me to continue to make positive change and support my community through a program to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievements.

I am a hardworking and personable senior who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners; doctors, nurses, and therapists. Today I am on my way to a full recovery, by the Grace of God. I participated in varsity track and field in 2022, where I competed in Georgia Regionals in April 2022. I am proud to have lettered in the Triple Jump category. Surviving my accident continues to make me much more grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as severe as mine were not fortunate to receive. During the ordeal of my recovery and rehab, I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of Kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine as a professional career choice. Sports medicine combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to help prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love but I want to equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance even more, and ideally, with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I believe I can provide some meaningful insight into their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality and be unable to play the sport you love. With my second chance, I also chose to give back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia for 10 years, I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens in Liberia who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young Liberian boys. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign I initiated with the help of my friends and family. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and because we raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone. There was no cost to campers! My professional education as a Sports Medicine Physician and my philanthropic work through my foundation will allow me, in the future, to continue to make positive change and support my community through a program to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievements.

I am Adem Byrdsell, the founder of Byrd Basketball Foundation, a non-profit organization, with mission to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young boys. I am also a high school senior who loves basketball. I conceived this Foundation to help underprivileged boys, who like myself, love the game, but don’t have access to the trainers and equipment to fully develop their skills. From personal experience living in Liberia for 10 years, I’ve met and played with many talented kids who simply don’t have the opportunities to truly excel in this sport. The camp was initially planned for December 2021 in Liberia. On November 21, 2021, I was in a bad car accident, and hospitalized for 17 days, the first 6 in ICU. I was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, and two rib fractures. For the first 5 days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, and therapists. Surviving my accident continues to make me much more grateful for the life I am living I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as severe as mine were not fortunate to receive. Today I am on my way to a full recovery, only by the Grace of God. I am running track and playing basketball at full intensity. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged boys, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. I was determined to not only host the first camp but build it into a program combining healthy living and sports. The camp was held from June 27-July 2nd, in Monrovia, Liberia. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone. There was no cost to campers! We made a call for donations through a GoFundMe campaign and corporate sponsorships. The commitment of individuals and organizations allowed us to carry out our mission to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young Liberian boys. Without this assistance, we would be unable to accomplish the plans to support this camp. It is my goal to work both in the US and Liberia as a Sports Medicine Doctor, advancing the profession and supporting and mentoring young people. I believe my accident propelled a work ethic that set forth my desire to be the reason someone overcomes their battles, much as I did. It’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune and adversity.

I am humbled to be the founder of a non-profit organization, Byrd Basketball Foundation. My organization allows me to combine my love for sports with my quest to change the narrative of young people. Hosting the Foundation’s inaugural event, a week-long basketball camp was a joyful and proud time for me. The initial reason for the camp was based on my personal experience living in Liberia and understanding the limitations to sports development, however, I was given a second chance at life after surviving a near-fatal car accident in 2021. With my second chance, I chose to give back to my community, and I was determined to not only host the first camp but build it into a program combining healthy living, youth empowerment and athletics. The camp was held from June 27-July 2nd at the LTC Mobile Basketball Complex in Monrovia, Liberia. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone, at no cost to the campers. A typical day started with breakfast, an “empowerment jam” session, followed by basketball drills, training stations and workouts. Campers took a break for a full lunch and ended each day with a scrimmage. A transportation stipend was also made available to campers. Empowerment jams were hosted by coaches and professionals who spoke on various topics including, sportsmanship, the importance of education, basketball fundamentals and healthy living/wellness. Campers also toured the Invincible Sports Park, a new athletic facility, and had to opportunity to watch a high school game at the local YMCA. Each camper received a camp t-shirt, backpack, water bottle, shorts and a one-year membership to the YMCA, which will allow them access to the gym, to continue learning the game of basketball, as well as other facilities, including the computer lab. None of the campers had previously had a YMCA membership, which cost only $10/per year. The little things I took for granted were so appreciated by the campers, and I am grateful for the opportunity to introduce these kids to a world outside of their small circle and watch them expand their focus. We made a call for donations through a GoFundMe campaign and corporate sponsorships and received 44 donations! The fundraising efforts surpassed our budget and now there’s seed funding for next year’s camp. The commitment of a community of individuals and organizations allowed us to carry out our mission to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I believe it’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune and setbacks. It is my goal to work as a Sports Medicine Physician, advancing the profession and supporting and mentoring young people.

Everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to get out of the hospital bed and walk, I was completely confused and perplexed, wondering what happened. I was then told, “you are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I pondered on how I was still breathing. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, and especially how excited I was to see my cousin, Aidan. On my first night, we hung out with his friends and had an amazing time. We decided to take two of his friends home, hours before the car accident happened. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. Waking up in a hospital bed and being unable to function on your own, was not an easy predicament to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war-torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia. To put it blatantly, I would be dead, just like many others in Liberia who have been injured and received poor medical care due to the egregious healthcare system in Liberia. My accident taught me to not take the life I am living for granted, a life that can end in the blink of an eye. I experienced what it felt like to be completely dependent. Not being capable of doing simple tasks on my own such as showering, getting dressed, and going to the bathroom unaided, gave me a new perspective on life. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine, which combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to help prevent future injuries. I believe I can provide some meaningful insight into their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality and not be able to play the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens in Liberia who play basketball but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young Liberian boys. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign. My illness was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes the same battle as I did. I believe it’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune and setbacks.

Everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to get out of the hospital bed and walk, I was completely perplexed, wondering what happened. I was then told, “you are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, and a fractured sternum. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, and especially how excited I was to see my favorite cousin, Aidan. On my first night, we hung out with his friends and had an amazing time. We decided to take two of his friends home, hours before the car accident happened. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. Waking up in a hospital bed and being unable to function on your own is not an easy obstacle to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war-torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia. To put it blatantly, I would be dead, just like many others in Liberia who have been injured and received poor medical care due to the egregious healthcare system in Liberia. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in Kinesiology, as a pathway to sports medicine. My specialization as a sports medicine physician combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to help prevent future injuries. I believe I can provide some meaningful insight into their recovery experience because I know how challenging it is to have limited functionality and be unable to play the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia and understanding the impact of having limited access to sports development, I decided to help underprivileged Athletic teens in Liberia who do not have the resources to truly excel. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for teens in July 2022. The camp was fully funded through a fundraising campaign. My illness was an obstacle that unleashed my aspiration to be the reason someone overcomes the same battle as I did. There is always opportunity in misfortune and challenges.

Everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to get out of the hospital bed and walk, I was completely perplexed, wondering what happened. I was then told, “you are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, and a fractured sternum. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, and especially how excited I was to see my favorite cousin, Aidan. On my first night, we hung out with his friends and had an amazing time. We decided to take two of his friends home, hours before the car accident happened. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. Waking up in a hospital bed and being unable to function on your own is not an easy obstacle to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war-torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia. To put it blatantly, I would be dead, just like many others in Liberia who have been injured and received poor medical care due to the egregious healthcare system in Liberia. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in Kinesiology, as a pathway to sports medicine. My specialization as a sports medicine physician combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to help prevent future injuries. I believe I can provide some meaningful insight into their recovery experience because I know how challenging it is to have limited functionality and be unable to play the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia and understanding the impact of having limited access to sports development, I decided to help underprivileged Athletic teens in Liberia who do not have the resources to truly excel. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for teens in July 2022. The camp was fully funded through a fundraising campaign. My illness was an obstacle that unleashed my aspiration to be the reason someone overcomes the same battle as I did. There is always opportunity in misfortune and challenges. It is my goal to work both in the US and Liberia as a Sports Medicine Doctor, advancing the profession and supporting and mentoring young people.

Everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to get out of the hospital bed and walk, I was completely perplexed, wondering what happened. I was then told, “you are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, and a fractured sternum. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, and especially how excited I was to see my favorite cousin, Aidan. On my first night, we hung out with his friends and had an amazing time. We decided to take two of his friends home, hours before the car accident happened. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. Waking up in a hospital bed and being unable to function on your own is not an easy obstacle to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war-torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia. To put it blatantly, I would be dead, just like many others in Liberia who have been injured and received poor medical care due to the egregious healthcare system in Liberia. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in Kinesiology, as a pathway to sports medicine. My specialization as a sports medicine physician combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to help prevent future injuries. I believe I can provide some meaningful insight into their recovery experience because I know how challenging it is to have limited functionality and be unable to play the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia and understanding the impact of having limited access to sports development, I decided to help underprivileged Athletic teens in Liberia who do not have the resources to truly excel. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for teens in July 2022. The camp was fully funded through a fundraising campaign. My illness was an obstacle that unleashed my aspiration to be the reason someone overcomes the same battle as I did. There is always opportunity in misfortune and challenges.

Everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to get out of the hospital bed and walk, I was completely perplexed, wondering what happened. I was then told, “you are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, and a fractured sternum. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, and especially how excited I was to see my favorite cousin, Aidan. On my first night, we hung out with his friends and had an amazing time. We decided to take two of his friends home, hours before the car accident happened. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. Waking up in a hospital bed and being unable to function on your own is not an easy obstacle to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war-torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia. To put it blatantly, I would be dead, just like many others in Liberia who have been injured and received poor medical care due to the egregious healthcare system in Liberia. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing a major in Kinesiology, as a pathway to sports medicine. My specialization as a sports medicine physician combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to help prevent future injuries. I believe I can provide some meaningful insight into their recovery experience because I know how challenging it is to have limited functionality and be unable to play the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia and understanding the impact of having limited access to sports development, I decided to help underprivileged Athletic teens in Liberia who do not have the resources to truly excel. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for teens in July 2022. The camp was fully funded through a fundraising campaign. My illness was an obstacle that unleashed my aspiration to be the reason someone overcomes the same battle as I did. There is always opportunity in misfortune and challenges. The Voila Natural Lifestyle Scholarship will help fund my college education and allow me to continue to give back and share my love for physical and mental wellness. It is my goal to work both in the US and Liberia as a Sports Medicine Doctor, advancing the profession and supporting and mentoring young people.

I am a hardworking and personable student who was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, a fractured sternum and two rib fractures, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners; doctors, nurses, and therapists. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. Waking up in a hospital bed and unable to function on your own is not an easy predicament to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a sports medicine doctor. This profession combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to help prevent future injuries. I believe I can provide some meaningful insight to their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality and unable to play the sport you love. With my second chance I chose to give back. Living in Liberia, West Africa, for 10 years, and cognizant of the limited access to comprehensive sports development, I decided to help underprivileged teens in Liberia who play basketball, but don’t have the resources to fully develop their skills. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation'', a non-profit whose mission is to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. This summer I was proud to host the Foundation's inaugural basketball camp in Liberia. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign; donations exceeded our budget which will now allow me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and other empowerment and health and wellness activities. The Andrea M Taylor Future Doctors Scholarship will help fund my college education and allow me to continue to give back and share my love for physical and mental wellness. I have been accepted into Morehouse College and plan to enroll in the Fall of 2023. It is my goal to work both in the US and Liberia as a Sports Medicine Doctor, advancing the profession and supporting and mentoring young people. From an early age, reading has been a hobby of mine. A few books that have inspired my journey include: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (William Kamkwamba) Pulse of PerserveranceL Three Doctors on Their Journey to Success (Joseph Semien, Maxime Madhere and Pierre Johnson I Am Not Your Negro (James Baldwin) Things Fall Apart (Chinua Achebe) Breaking Ground: My Life in Medicine (Louis W. Sullivan) These books are some of the few that have shaped me into the young man I am today in very different ways. Some through inspiration to pursue my vocation, others as I grappled with my identity as a young black man in America and others as I harmonized by dual heritage as an African (Liberian) and an African American, striving to understand my place in this global world.

I am Adem Byrdsell, the founder of Byrd Basketball Foundation, a non-profit organization, with a mission to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young people. I am a rising high school senior who loves basketball. I conceived this Foundation to help underprivileged boys, who like myself, love the game, but don’t have access to the trainers and equipment to fully develop their skills. From personal experience living in Liberia for 10 years, I’ve met and played with many talented boys who simply don’t have the opportunities to truly excel in this sport. The camp was initially planned for December 2021 in Liberia. On November 21, 2021, I was in a bad car accident, and hospitalized for 17 days, the first 6 in ICU. I was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, and two rib fractures. For the first 5 days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, and therapists. Surviving my accident continues to make me much more grateful for the life I am living I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as severe as mine were not fortunate to receive. Today I am on my way to a full recovery, only by the Grace of God. I am running track and playing basketball at full intensity. This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and tell underprivileged boys, who love the game, that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. I was determined to not only host the first camp but build it into a program combining healthy living and sports. The camp was held from June 27-July 2nd, in Monrovia, Liberia. Initially planned for twelve campers, we expanded to 24 campers daily, and with a fundraising campaign that raised more than 100% of the cost, we accommodated everyone. There was no cost to campers! A typical day started with breakfast, an “empowerment jam” session, followed by basketball drills, training stations and workouts. Campers took a break for a full Liberian lunch and ended each day with a scrimmage. A transportation stipend was paid to campers. Empowerment jams were hosted by coaches and professionals who spoke on various topics including, sportsmanship, the importance of education, basketball fundamentals and healthy living/wellness. Each camper received a camp t-shirt, backpack, water bottle, shorts and a one-year membership to the YMCA, which will allow them access to the gym, to continue learning the game of basketball, as well as other facilities, including the computer lab. We made a call for donations through a GoFundMe campaign and corporate sponsorships. The camp was budgeted at $5,000 USD and raised $7, 349 USD, with the support of 44 donations! The commitment of individuals and organizations allowed us to carry out our mission to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young Liberian boys. Without this assistance, we would be unable to accomplish the plans to support this camp. It is my goal to work both in the US and Liberia as a Sports Medicine Doctor, advancing the profession and supporting and mentoring young people. I have been accepted into Morehouse College and will enroll in Fall 2023, majoring in Kinesiology.

Everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to get out of the hospital bed and walk, I was completely confused and perplexed, wondering what happened. I was then told “you are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I pondered on how I was still breathing. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, and especially how excited I was to see my cousin, Aidan. My first night, we hung out with his friends and had an amazing time. We decided to take two of his friends home, hours before the car accident happened. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. Waking up in a hospital bed and unable to function on your own is not an easy predicament to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia? To put it blatantly, I would be dead, just like many others in Liberia who have been injured and received poor medical care due to the egregious healthcare system in Liberia. My accident taught me to not take the life I am living for granted, a life that can end in the blink of an eye. I experienced what it felt like to be completely dependent. To not be capable of doing simple tasks on my own such as showering, getting dressed, and going to the bathroom unaided, gave me a new perspective on life. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine, which combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to help prevent future injuries. I believe I can provide some meaningful insight to their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality and to not be able to play the sport you love. With my second chance I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens in Liberia who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young Liberian boys. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign. My illness was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes the same battle as I did. I believe it’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune and setbacks.

I was given a second chance at life after surviving a severe car accident in November 2021. Diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, and a fractured sternum, for the first five days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners. I learned the importance of mental and physical wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of Kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a sports medicine physician, combining my love for athletics with my passion for health and wellness.

Everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to get out of the hospital bed and walk, I was completely confused and perplexed, wondering what happened. I was then told “you are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I pondered on how I was still breathing. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, and especially how excited I was to see my cousin, Aidan. My first night, we hung out with his friends and had an amazing time. We decided to take two of his friends home, hours before the car accident happened. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. Waking up in a hospital bed and unable to function on your own is not an easy predicament to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia? To put it blatantly, I would be dead, just like many others in Liberia who have been injured and received poor medical care due to the egregious healthcare system in Liberia. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of nursing. Nurses are the primary care givers in most hospitals, and from firsthand experience, I understand the pivotal role they play in a patient’s care and recovery. My specialization as a sports medicine nurse combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to help prevent future injuries. I believe I can provide some meaningful insight to their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality and to not be able to play the sport you love. With my second chance I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens in Liberia who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young Liberian boys. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign. My illness was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes the same battle as I did. I believe it’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune and setbacks.

Everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to get out of the hospital bed and walk, I was completely confused and perplexed, wondering what happened. I was then told “you are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I pondered on how I was still breathing. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, and especially how excited I was to see my cousin, Aidan. My first night, we hung out with his friends and had an amazing time. We decided to take two of his friends home, hours before the car accident happened. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. Waking up in a hospital bed and unable to function on your own is not an easy predicament to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia? To put it blatantly, I would be dead, just like many others in Liberia who have been injured and received poor medical care due to the egregious healthcare system in Liberia. My accident taught me to not take the life I am living for granted, a life that can end in the blink of an eye. I experienced what it felt like to be completely dependent. To not be capable of doing simple tasks on my own such as showering, getting dressed, and going to the bathroom unaided, gave me a new perspective on life. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine, which combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to help prevent future injuries. I believe I can provide some meaningful insight to their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality and to not be able to play the sport you love. With my second chance I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens in Liberia who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young Liberian boys. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign. My illness was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes the same battle as I did. I believe it’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune and setbacks.

Everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to get out of the hospital bed and walk, I was completely confused and perplexed, wondering what happened. I was then told “you are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I pondered on how I was still breathing. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, and especially how excited I was to see my cousin, Aidan. My first night, we hung out with his friends and had an amazing time. We decided to take two of his friends home, hours before the car accident happened. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. Waking up in a hospital bed and unable to function on your own is not an easy predicament to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia? To put it blatantly, I would be dead, just like many others in Liberia who have been injured and received poor medical care due to the egregious healthcare system in Liberia. My accident taught me to not take the life I am living for granted, a life that can end in the blink of an eye. I experienced what it felt like to be completely dependent. To not be capable of doing simple tasks on my own such as showering, getting dressed, and going to the bathroom unaided, gave me a new perspective on life. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine, which combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to help prevent future injuries. I believe I can provide some meaningful insight to their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality and to not be able to play the sport you love. With my second chance I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens in Liberia who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young Liberian boys. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign. My illness was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes the same battle as I did. I believe it’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune and setbacks.

I am proud to be both Liberian and American. My father is from the US and my mother is from Liberia. When they divorced I lived with my mother in Liberia for 9 years, returning to the US in 2020 to complete high school. Salaries in Liberia are not comparable to the US, so while my mother is a college educated urban planner, her salary was barely sufficient to make ends meet and we are a working class family. Similarly, my father is an IT engineer and with the high cost of living in Atlanta, we are also considered working class. My parents pool their resources to make sure I am successful and with a need based scholarships, I am able to attend a private Catholic high school. With the rising costs of college today, my family is unable to afford college without significant loans and or financial assistance. I want to reduce the financial burden on them and am seeking merit and need based scholarships to assist with my tuition expenses. I strive to be a leader and an academic scholar as evidenced by my work in the community and my academic achievements. It is my hope that the combination of these attributes will assist me as I seek scholarships to alleviate the need to apply for student loans and /or to pay for loans that I may have to acquire in pursuit of higher education. I am thankful for the opportunity to seek assistance provided by your organization.

Everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to get out of the hospital bed and walk, I was completely confused and perplexed, wondering what happened. I was then told “you are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I pondered on how I was still breathing. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, and especially how excited I was to see my favorite cousin, Aidan. My first night, we hung out with his friends and had an amazing time. We decided to take two of his friends home, hours before the car accident happened. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. Waking up in a hospital bed and unable to function on your own is not an easy predicament to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia? To put it blatantly, I would be dead, just like many others in Liberia who have been injured and received poor medical care due to the egregious healthcare system in Liberia. My accident taught me to not take the life I am living for granted, a life that can end in the blink of an eye. I experienced what it felt like to be completely dependent. To not be capable of doing simple tasks on my own such as showering, getting dressed, and going to the bathroom unaided, gave me a new perspective on life. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine, which combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to help prevent future injuries. I believe I can provide some meaningful insight to their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality and to not be able to play the sport you love. With my second chance I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I decided to help underprivileged teens in Liberia who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young Liberian boys. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign. My illness was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes the same battle as I did. I believe it’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune.

Everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to get out of the hospital bed and walk, I was completely confused and perplexed, wondering what happened. I was then told “you are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I pondered on how I was still breathing. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, and especially how excited I was to see my cousin, Aidan. My first night, we hung out with his friends and had an amazing time. We decided to take two of his friends home, hours before the car accident happened. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. Waking up in a hospital bed and unable to function on your own is not an easy predicament to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia? To put it blatantly, I would be dead, just like many others in Liberia who have been injured and received poor medical care due to the egregious healthcare system. My accident taught me to not take life for granted, a life that can end in the blink of an eye. I experienced what it felt like to be completely dependent. To not be capable of doing simple tasks on my own such as showering, getting dressed, and going to the bathroom unaided, gave me a new perspective on life. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine, which combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to help prevent future injuries. I believe I can provide some meaningful insight to their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality and to not be able to play the sport you love. As a Sport Medicine doctor I plan to work in US and Liberia saving lives and mentoring young men. With my second chance I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limited access, I decided to help underprivileged teens in Liberia who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young Liberian boys. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign. My illness was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes the same battle as I did.

Everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to get out of the hospital bed and walk, I was completely confused and perplexed, wondering what happened. I was then told “you are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I pondered on how I was still breathing. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, and especially how excited I was to see my favorite cousin, Aidan. My first night, we hung out with his friends and had an amazing time. We decided to take two of his friends home, hours before the car accident happened. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. Waking up in a hospital bed and unable to function on your own is not an easy predicament to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia? To put it blatantly, I would be dead, just like many others in Liberia who have been injured and received poor medical care due to the egregious healthcare system in Liberia. My accident taught me to not take the life I am living for granted, a life that can end in the blink of an eye. I experienced what it felt like to be completely dependent. To not be capable of doing simple tasks on my own such as showering, getting dressed, and going to the bathroom unaided, gave me a new perspective on life. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine, which combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to help prevent future injuries. I believe I can provide some meaningful insight to their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality and to not be able to play the sport you love. With my second chance I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limited access, I decided to help underprivileged teens in Liberia who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young Liberian boys. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign. My illness was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes the same battle as I did. I believe it’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune and setbacks.

Everything went black. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. Intubated, and unable to get out of the hospital bed and walk, I was completely confused and perplexed, wondering what happened. I was then told “you are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I pondered on how I was still breathing. Surviving my accident continues to make me so grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, and especially how excited I was to see my favorite cousin, Aidan. My first night, we hung out with his friends and had an amazing time. We decided to take two of his friends home, hours before the car accident happened. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. Waking up in a hospital bed and unable to function on your own is not an easy predicament to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war torn country with a deplorable healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia? To put it blatantly, I would be dead, just like many others in Liberia who have been injured and received poor medical care due to the egregious healthcare system in Liberia. My accident taught me to not take the life I am living for granted, a life that can end in the blink of an eye. I experienced what it felt like to be completely dependent. To not be capable of doing simple tasks on my own such as showering, getting dressed, and going to the bathroom unaided, gave me a new perspective on life. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing the major of kinesiology as a pathway to sports medicine, which combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery, but also to help prevent future injuries. I believe I can provide some meaningful insight to their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality and to not be able to play the sport you love. With my second chance I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limited access, I decided to help underprivileged teens in Liberia who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young Liberian boys. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign. My illness was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes the same battle as I did. I believe it’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune.

I was tested mentally and physically on November 21, 2021, when my life nearly went to shambles. I remember going to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, and especially how excited I was to see my favorite cousin, Aidan. I woke up six days later on a ventilator. With big blue sleeves around my shins, intubated, and unable to walk, I was completely confused and perplexed, wondering what happened. I was then told “you are lucky to be alive.” I was ejected from the back seat through the front windshield of a moving car. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, fractured sternum, and two rib fractures. I ponder on how I am still breathing. Surviving my accident continues to make me much more grateful for the life I am living. I was given a second chance, a chance that many people who have been in accidents as lethal as mine were not fortunate to receive. My road to recovery tested me day in and day out. I tried to stay positive, not just for my parents, but also for myself. Waking up in a hospital bed and not being able to function on your own is not an easy predicament to overcome. During my days in the ICU, through the ordeal of recovery and rehab, I often reflected on growing up in Liberia, a war torn country that does not have a good healthcare system, and would ruminate on what would have happened to me if this accident had been in Liberia? To put it blatantly, I would be dead, just like many others in Liberia who have been injured and received poor medical care due to the egregious healthcare system in Liberia. With the critical lack of trained medical professionals, including doctors, nurses and therapists, their chances of surviving and thriving after an accident such as mine are slim to none. My accident taught me to not take the life I am living for granted, a life that can end in the blink of an eye. I learned the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellness, which piqued my interest in pursuing Kinesiology, as a pathway to sports medicine as a professional career choice. Sports medicine combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I believe I can provide meaningful insights to their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality, unable to play the sport you love. With my second chance I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience living in Liberia I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. I decided to help underprivileged teens in Liberia who play basketball, but do not have the funds to pay for a trainer. I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in young Liberian boys. I was very proud to host an inaugural week-long basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully paid for through a fundraising campaign; donations exceeded our budget which will now allow me to continue to expand the program and host additional camps and other empowerment initiatives. My accident was a setback that set forth my burning desire to be the reason someone overcomes the same battle as I did. I believe it’s critical to know that there is always opportunity in misfortune.

I am a rising high school senior who loves basketball. I am also an athlete who was injured and fully recovered, against the odds, with the help of an exceptional team of medical professionals. I am also a community organizer, and the founder of Byrd Basketball Foundation, a non-profit organization. I conceived this Foundation to help underprivileged boys, who like myself, love the game, but don’t have access to the trainers and equipment to fully develop their skills. From personal experience living in Liberia for 10 years, I’ve met and played with many talented boys who simply don’t have the opportunities to truly excel in this sport. I'd planned to host first camp during the Christmas Holiday, December 2021 in Liberia. On November 21, 2021, I was in a bad car accident, and hospitalized for 17 days, the first 6 in ICU. I was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, C5 spinal fracture, severely bruised lungs, and two rib fractures. For the first 5 days, a ventilator was my lifeline as my body fought to heal itself with the help of an amazing team of medical practitioners, including my doctors, nurses, and therapists. Today I am on my way to a full recovery, only by the Grace of God. I am running track and playing basketball at full intensity. My C5 spinal fracture is healed (after 6 weeks in a neck brace). This experience has made me more determined to not only elevate my game, but also share my story and foster positive change by helping young,, underprivileged boys, who love the game, to know that they can overcome any obstacle with hope, faith, and a healthy body, some of the traits that helped me to heal as miraculously as I did.

Money management is critical to financial freedom. As a young man, I've come to realize that if you are not careful with how you spend money, you will not see the fruits of your labor. It is hard to sometimes be responsible when you take for granted that your parents will provide for you. However, I've learned from my parents the importance of appreciating how money is earned. That appreciation translates into respecting how it is used and managed. Money management includes not only using money wisely, but saving with a purpose. Too often we save for the wrong reasons and or/ use money in very unproductive ways. Understanding how to effectively manage your funds is key to building generational wealth one penny at at time. I've learned that through efficient money management, at an early age, you can begin to build financial freedom. I've watched my parents deny themselves in order to provide for me. This level of unselfish money management has enabled me to attend a private school and has provided all of my needs, allowing me to focus on my academic achievements. I strive to emulate their example and be an efficient and effective money manager as I learn to manage my personal finances and build a life and a career.

1. Why have you chosen your specific professional healthcare field of interest? On November 26, 2021, I woke up in the Trauma One Unit of Oklahoma Medical Center to learn that, for five days a ventilator had been my lifeline, as my body fought to repair itself. I was involved in a car accident that could have ended by life. I sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 Spinal Fracture, two broken ribs and severely bruised lungs. My first question to my Dad was “Did you call coach to tell him I’ll be late to basketball practice”. I am an athlete who has been blessed. I survived a car crash and after 17 days of being hospitalized in an ICU, followed by intensive rehabilitation, I walked out on no medication. I have the exceptional doctors, nurses, therapists, technicians and other medical practitioners to thank for my miraculous recovery. Prior to the accident I made a decision to explore working with athletes in the medical field. I was not sure what I really wanted to pursue. Now, I am sure. I plan to study Kinesiology as a pathway to Sports Medicine. My goal is to with athletes who have been injured and support their physicality, helping them to get back to their previous physical abilities or be in better health than they were before their injury. 2. How will you commit yourself to diversity within your respective choice of profession? As an African-American male who was born in Atlanta, Ga, and raised in Liberia, West Africa, the birthplace of my mother, I understand and appreciate diversity and culture. As a Sports Medicine doctor, I will promote inclusion of young people, such as myself, and use my platform to mentor those under-represented in the profession. I was encouraged from childhood to embrace diversity and celebrate my culture. I will endeavor to share these ideals with young people through by professional work as a Sports Medicine Physician and also as the Founder of Byrd Basketball Foundation, a non-profit, which I founded in 2021 to host basketball camps for underprivileged youth in Liberia. 3. What are your financial needs, and how will you use this scholarship to support your future endeavors? My parents are hardworking middle income professionals. While they will do all they can to finance my education, with the rising costs of college today, it will be a challenge. I will use this scholarship towards my college tuition and associated expenses, thereby relieving some of the burden off my parents. 4. What goals do you aspire to accomplish within the next 10 years? By 2033 I aspire to be a Sports Medicine doctor who has completed his residency and is working with a sports team as team doctor. I want to proudly celebrate the 12th anniversary of the Byrd Basketball Foundation, which will have expanded from hosting basketball camps in Liberia to impacting the lives of boys around the world through sports.