Over the last year, my educational journey has been shaped by one of the most difficult experiences my family has ever faced. In November of 2024, right in the middle of my volleyball season, my dad suffered a life-altering stroke. Everything changed in an instant. I was juggling practices, games, classes, and the normal pressures of being a student-athlete, but suddenly I was also trying to process the fear and uncertainty of what was happening back home. It was extremely difficult on my mental health. I struggled to stay focused during matches, and often found myself breaking down alone after practices because I felt torn between my responsibilities on campus and my family’s crisis at home. Whenever I returned home during school breaks, I stepped into the role of a caretaker—helping my dad with mobility, daily tasks, medication, and anything else he couldn’t manage on his own. Watching someone who has always been strong and independent suddenly need help with even the simplest things was emotionally overwhelming. At the same time, I felt a responsibility to be strong for him and for my mom, even when I felt mentally exhausted myself. Balancing school, athletics, and caregiving forced me to grow up quickly and learn how to manage stress in ways I never expected to at this point in my life. The stroke also impacted us financially. My mom had to take a significant amount of time off work to care for my dad, and because he is retired, our household income became very limited. We had to adjust everything—from medical expenses to everyday bills—and it made me more aware than ever of how fragile financial stability can be. This added another layer of stress, because I didn’t want my education to become a burden on my family during an already challenging time. Still, these experiences strengthened my resilience and deepened my motivation to pursue my goals. One of those goals is completing a summer internship with the Dallas Wings. It’s an opportunity that would give me hands-on experience in the professional sports world and help shape my future career. But to participate, I need to take a specific class, and paying for it has become difficult given our financial circumstances. Receiving this scholarship would not only help cover the cost of that required course, but it would also support me at a time when I am working hard to balance family challenges with my academic and career ambitions. Despite everything I’ve faced, I am committed to continuing my education, supporting my family, and making the most of every opportunity that moves me forward.

I am still in between what I want to do but I know I want to help people. Whether it is being an Athletic Trainer, an Pediatric Oocupational Therapist or a Collegiate Volleyball coach I will be fulfullied in my career because I will be helping people. I have always loved helping people whether it was helping people in need, helping my dad recover from his stroke ir teachung young kids how to play volleyball. Being black in America today means so much to me. I love all of the culture and history behind black people in America especially with the way times are today. There is so many influential black people who have made differences no matter how big or small and this has honestly inspired me to do the same. I chose to go to an HBCU because I grew up in a predominantly white environment up until I transferred to a predominantly black hugh school my junior year. It opened my eyes to embracing my blackness and to not be ashamed of who I am. I also realized that I wanted to benaround smart like minded black people in college and to be taught by mostly black professors. Absolutely love attending an HBCU because of the history, culture and family like feeling it has especially being a collegiate athlete.

If given the opportunity, I would work to improve my community by expanding access to support, resources, and opportunities for underprivileged children and families. This goal is important to me not only because I am passionate about helping children, but also because I have seen firsthand how powerful guidance, compassion, and stability can be in shaping a child’s future. Through my volunteer work at food banks, homeless shelters, and with kids from many different backgrounds, I have come to understand how deeply unequal access to basic resources can affect a child’s development, confidence, and sense of possibility. My hope is to help bridge that gap. One of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had is working directly with kids from diverse and often challenging circumstances. Many of them carry burdens well beyond their years financial instability, inconsistent access to food, or the absence of a supportive adult at home. Yet despite these obstacles, they are bright, creative, and full of potential. What they often lack is someone to encourage them, to listen to them, and to remind them that their dreams matter. Spending time with these kids has shown me that even small gestures helping with homework, playing a game, offering a kind word can make a significant impact. Given the opportunity, I would work to create more accessible after-school programs, mentorship opportunities, and safe spaces where they can learn, grow, and simply be kids. My volunteer work at food banks and homeless shelters has also shaped my understanding of the struggles families face. Hunger and homelessness are not abstract issues; they affect real people, parents doing everything they can to support their children, young adults trying to get back on their feet, and elderly individuals with nowhere else to turn. Through volunteering, I’ve witnessed how essential community support is, and how even a few hours of service can make someone feel seen and valued. If given the chance, I would work to strengthen these support systems by improving access to nutritious food, expanding shelter resources, and raising awareness about local programs so more people can receive the help they need. Improving my community matters to me because I believe that every child and every family deserves the chance to thrive. Inequality should never dictate someone’s future, and no one should feel alone in their struggles. When we support children, we invest in their future and the future of the entire community. When we lift up families, we build a stronger, more compassionate environment for everyone. Ultimately, my goal is to help create a community where children feel supported, families feel hopeful, and no one is overlooked. I want to use my time, energy, and heart to make a difference whether that means hands-on volunteering, developing youth programs, or advocating for resources. Improving my community is important to me because I’ve seen what can happen when people are given the support they deserve: they gain confidence, they find strength, and they begin to believe in what’s possible. That is the kind of impact I hope to make.

For the past couple of years, I found myself torn between pursuing a career in Athletic Training or Physical Therapy. I have always been interested in both fields for various reasons, but I couldn’t quite decide which path felt more meaningful.This all changed in November 2024, when my dad suffered a life changing stroke. The stroke left him completely unable to walk or talk, and our whole family dynamic changed. He spent 50 days in an inpatient rehabilitation center and he continues to attend outpatient therapy sessions to this day. Watching my dad go through this journey, I found myself in the world of physical therapy in a very personal way. I spent hours by his side as he worked with multiple physical therapists, each with their own techniques and styles even getting to assist them at times. Their dedication, patience, and compassion had a profound impact on me. It was inspiring to see how they motivated my dad and helped him regain strength, function, and hope. Observing their efforts and assisting during a few of his sessions sparked a deep interest in me. I realized how impactful this work truly is and how essential passionate, skilled therapists are to people’s recovery.Through conversations with his therapists, I learned more about what the field involves and what it takes to be successful. I began to picture myself in their shoes, making a difference in someone’s life every single day. My interest evolved from a general knowledge about the medical field to a focused passion for physical therapy. I’ve always wanted to help people, but experiencing my dad’s rehabilitation firsthand gave me a deeper purpose and passed for the field because it became personal for me. Now, I’m committed to pursuing a career in physical therapy. While I haven’t decided whether I want to specialize in sports physical therapy or rehabilitation with a focus on stroke victims. I’m confident that this is the right field for me. I want to be someone who helps others find strength in their recovery, just like my dad’s therapists helped him. Having experienced the impact physical therapy can make in someone’s life, I feel driven to be that source of support and healing for others. No one realizes how much of an impact a physical therapist makes on your life just like people do not realize how much a patient can impact their therapist. My dad’s journey has shown me my calling, and I’m ready to explore this passion of mine.