I was born with severe heart defects and needed surgery right away. Over the next 18 years, I would have many doctor visits, therapies, heart surgeries, setbacks, frustrations, and victories. Navigating these challenges from an early age—along with being diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia in third grade—significantly shaped my mental health and personal development. Rather than allowing these experiences to define my limitations, they have inspired me to support others facing similar mental health challenges. As a result, I have learned to prioritize my own mental well-being by engaging in activities that strengthen me both mentally and physically. Because of my heart issues I found ways to help support an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last five years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I participated in making a video for their fundraising events, which tells a bit about the health and mental challenges I have overcome, what I love about camp, and why camp is so important to the children who participate. I have also supported an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. Since I am on the high school varsity golf team and started playing at a young age, I thought this would be a great fit for me. For the last two summers, I have been a mentor and coach for this organization. I love the feeling of accomplishment I get from teaching and mentoring children. I hope my college education, experiences, and passion will enable me to pursue my goal of becoming a motivational speaker focused on mental health advocacy. By sharing my journey of growing up with significant challenges, setbacks, and personal struggles, I aim to help others feel understood and empowered to prioritize their mental well-being. I want to encourage individuals to persevere, believe in themselves, and seek strength even during difficult times. I am confident that my enthusiasm, compassion, and firsthand experience will allow me to make a meaningful impact and succeed in this path.

I was born with severe heart defects and needed surgery right away. Over the next 18 years, I would have many doctor visits, therapies, heart surgeries, setbacks, frustrations, and victories. Having had all those health issues from an early age, including finding out I had ADHD and Dyslexia in third grade, have been the driving force in my life. Along with a strong work ethic, I had several teachers and coaches in high school that were supportive. They encouraged me to try new things and get involved in activities that I enjoy but where I can also make a huge impact. They helped me discover that I have a passion for helping children by trying to motivate and encourage them because I had to overcome many challenges in my life. Because of my congenital heart defects, I found ways to help support an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I have given speeches at fundraising events in person and participated in making a video, which tells a bit about the health challenges I have overcome, what I love about camp, and why camp is so important to the children who participate. Now that I am in college, I hope to be a camp counselor at Roundup River Ranch this summer so that I can inspire and empower other kids with disabilities. During my senior year of high school, I was a member of the ‘Blue Crew’. This team of Seniors helped incoming freshmen with the first days of school and coordinates activities so freshmen can get to know each other. I wanted to be a friendly face to the freshmen and help them overcome the anxiety of being in a new school. I hope to do a similar job next year at the University of Kansas where I am currently a freshman and learning the ropes. In high school I found an opportunity with an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, to get children interested in golf since I was on the high school varsity golf team and started playing at a young age. For two summers, I was a mentor and coach for this organization, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. I enjoyed teaching and encouraging children to play the sport that I have played for over 12 years. I continue to search for activities and organizations where I can be involved with mentoring children while I attend college. I hope my business degree and my passion will allow me to pursue my goal of being a motivational speaker. I want to share my journey of growing up with challenges and encouraging others to work hard and not give up on themselves. I know my enthusiasm, combined with my experience, will help me be successful in my future.

I was born with severe heart defects and needed surgery right away. Over the next 18 years, I would have many doctor visits, therapies, heart surgeries, setbacks, frustrations, and victories. Having had all those health issues from an early age, including finding out I had ADHD and Dyslexia in third grade, have been the driving force in my life. Along with a strong work ethic, I had several teachers and coaches in high school that were supportive. They encouraged me to try new things and get involved in activities that I enjoy but where I can also make a huge impact. They helped me discover that I have a passion for helping children by trying to motivate and encourage them because I had to overcome many challenges in my life. Because of my congenital heart defects, I found ways to help support an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I have given speeches at fundraising events in person and participated in making a video, which tells a bit about the health challenges I have overcome, what I love about camp, and why camp is so important to the children who participate. Now that I am in college, I hope to be a camp counselor at Roundup River Ranch this summer so that I can inspire and empower other kids with disabilities. In high school I found an opportunity with an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, to get children interested in golf since I was on the high school varsity golf team and started playing at a young age. For two summers, I was a mentor and coach for this organization, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. I enjoyed teaching and encouraging children to play the sport that I have played for over 12 years. I continue to search for activities and organizations where I can be involved with mentoring children while I attend college and get my degree in business. My "Pie in the Sky" goal is to be a motivational speaker. I want to share my journey of growing up with challenges and encouraging others to work hard and not give up on themselves. I would like to start my own business that hopefully is successful enough to mentor others to be motivational speakers. I know my enthusiasm, combined with my experience, connections from getting my business degree and future job experience, will help me be successful in my future.

I was born with severe heart defects and needed surgery right away. Over the next 17 years, I would have many doctor visits, therapies, heart surgeries, setbacks, frustrations, and victories. Having had all those health issues from an early age, including finding out I had ADHD and Dyslexia in third grade, have been the driving force in my life. Along with a strong work ethic, I had several teachers and coaches in high school that were supportive. They encouraged me to try new things and get involved in activities that I enjoy but where I can also make an impact in my community. They helped me discover that I have a passion for helping children by trying to motivate and encourage them because I had to overcome many challenges in my life. My passion has led me to support an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases (including congenital heart disease) and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I have given speeches at fundraising events in person and participated in making a video, which tells a bit about the health challenges I have overcome, what I loved about camp, and why camp is so important to the children who participate. Now that I am in college, I hope to be a camp counselor at Roundup River Ranch this summer so that I can inspire and empower other kids with disabilities. In high school I also found an opportunity with an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, to get children interested in golf since I was on the high school varsity golf team and started playing at a young age. For two summers, I was a mentor and coach for this organization, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. I enjoyed teaching and encouraging children to play the sport that I have played for over 12 years. To me, community service means using my own experiences to support and encourage others. I believe it is important to give back by helping people who may be struggling and reminding them that they are not alone. Having faced challenges myself, I understand how meaningful it can be to receive encouragement, and that is what motivates me to serve others. Through my career, I hope to give back by building a motivational speaking business focused on inspiring and mentoring others. By sharing my journey of growing up with challenges, I want to encourage people to work hard, believe in themselves, and not give up when things get difficult. I also hope to mentor others who have similar experiences and help them feel confident sharing their own stories so they can inspire others as well. Now that I am in college, I plan to find activities and organizations that allow me to mentor and support children. I want to connect with people who share the same passion for helping others and work together to make a positive impact. I believe my enthusiasm, combined with my experiences, will help me continue giving back to my community now and in the future.

I was born with severe heart defects and needed surgery right away. Over the next 17 years, I would have many doctor visits, therapies, heart surgeries, setbacks, frustrations, and victories. Having had all those health issues from an early age, including finding out I had ADHD and Dyslexia in third grade, have been the driving force in my life. Along with a strong work ethic, I had several teachers and coaches in high school that were supportive. They encouraged me to try new things and get involved in activities that I enjoy but where I can also make a huge impact. They helped me discover that I have a passion for helping children by trying to motivate and encourage them because I had to overcome many challenges in my life. Because of my congenital heart defects, I found ways to help support an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I have given speeches at fundraising events in person and participated in making a video, which tells a bit about the health challenges I have overcome, what I love about camp, and why camp is so important to the children who participate. Now that I am in college, I hope to be a camp counselor at Roundup River Ranch this summer so that I can inspire and empower other kids with disabilities. During my senior year of high school, I was a member of the ‘Blue Crew’. This team of Seniors helped incoming freshmen with the first days of school and coordinates activities so freshmen can get to know each other. I wanted to be a friendly face to the freshmen and help them overcome the anxiety of being in a new school. I hope to do a similar job next year at the University of Kansas where I am currently a freshman and learning the ropes. In high school I found an opportunity with an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, to get children interested in golf since I was on the high school varsity golf team and started playing at a young age. For two summers, I was a mentor and coach for this organization, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. I enjoyed teaching and encouraging children to play the sport that I have played for over 12 years. I continue to search for activities and organizations where I can be involved with mentoring children while I attend college. I hope my business degree and my passion will allow me to pursue my goal of being a motivational speaker. I want to share my journey of growing up with challenges and encouraging others to work hard and not give up on themselves. I know my enthusiasm, combined with my experience, will help me be successful in my future.

I plan to pursue degrees in Business and Speech Communications because they directly support my dream of becoming a motivational speaker and business owner. My goal is to share my personal journey of growing up with congenital heart disease and dyslexia—two challenges that shaped my life in profound ways. Through my story, I hope to reach individuals who feel discouraged by obstacles in their own lives and remind them that their struggles do not define their limits. One day, I hope to build a successful motivational speaking business that not only allows me to share my story, but also creates opportunities for others to inspire hope through their own experiences. A Business degree will give me the knowledge and confidence to turn my passion into a sustainable and impactful career. Learning how to manage, grow, and lead a business will be essential as I work toward building a company with purpose. My Speech Communications degree will help me develop the skills needed to tell my story with authenticity, clarity, and emotion, allowing me to truly connect with audiences. Together, these degrees will provide both the structure and the voice I need to transform personal hardship into meaningful change. I also believe the relationships and mentorship gained through these programs will be invaluable as I pursue my goals. My desire to motivate others comes from my own experiences with adversity. I have always loved books and learning, yet in third grade—shortly after my second open-heart surgery—I was diagnosed with dyslexia. At a time when I was already struggling physically, I also faced challenges in reading and schoolwork. Recovery from surgery meant I could not lift heavy objects, swim, or continue gymnastics, an activity I had loved for four years. It was an isolating and frustrating period in my life that required more strength than I realized I had. That year taught me how to take life one day at a time and to find joy in other activities. I discovered new things I liked to do such as baking with my mom, making braided bracelets, and finding creative ways to stay positive. These moments, though small, helped me rebuild confidence and resilience. Growing up with medical and learning challenges taught me patience, determination, and the value of perseverance. These qualities continue to shape my strong work ethic and commitment to my education. Helping and encouraging others has become one of my greatest passions. I have been involved in two nonprofit organizations that support children facing challenges. One of these is Roundup River Ranch, an organization that provides camp experiences and year-round programs for children with serious illnesses and disabilities. What began as a place of comfort and joy for me as a camper has grown into a meaningful leadership role. For the past four years, I have served as an ambassador, encouraging new families to attend camp and supporting fundraising efforts. I've spoken in person and created a video for major fundraising events, sharing my health journey and explaining why this organization is so important to the children it serves. Additionally, I was a member and coach with the Youth on Course Drive Club, which introduces children to golf and gives them the opportunity to learn and play regardless of financial barriers. I want to continue motivating individuals who face both visible and invisible challenges by showing them that growth is possible. As I pursue my degrees, I plan to remain involved in organizations that allow me to mentor and support children. With the education, work experience, and professional connections gained through my Business degree, I will be better prepared to build a meaningful career rooted in service and inspiration. I know that my passion, resilience, and life experiences will guide me toward success, and I am committed to using my voice to encourage others to believe in their own strength.

Tell us about any experiences, challenges, or accomplishments that have helped you prepare for this journey toward higher education. I had a passion for books at a young age, but ironically, I learned I had dyslexia and ADHD in third grade, right after my third open heart surgery (due to multiple defects from congenital heart disease) in the summer. That year was a struggle with my reading challenges, schoolwork, and the physical challenges of recovering from heart surgery. I started twice weekly tutoring sessions to help with my dyslexia. I learned to take it one day at a time and focus on the positives of the situation. Such as, participating in other activities I had not done before, like learning how to make bracelets, and making a shark out of a watermelon with my mom. I think having these challenges as a kid has taught me to be patient and has given me a strong work ethic which has had a positive effect on my education and given me the drive to do well in school and go to college. Because of my heart issues I have supported an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I also found an opportunity with an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, to get children interested in golf since I am on the high school varsity golf team and started playing at a young age. For the last two summers, I have been a mentor and coach for this organization, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. Please tell us specifically what subject or area you plan to study in school and explain why this field is important to you. I want to earn both a Bachelor of Science in Business Leadership and Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications, to facilitate someday owning my own business of being a motivational speaker. I want to tell my journey of growing up with congenital heart disease, ADHD and dyslexia and all the challenges I overcame. I want to motivate others who may have to conquer big and small challenges in their life by telling my story. By getting a Business degree, I would have the business knowledge to start my own company so that I can manage my business successfully. With a Speech Communications degree, I would perfect my story and delivery. I believe that both degrees would enable me to make connections that can influence and encourage my goal of motivational speaking.  How do you hope to make an impact in your community or in the field you plan to study? I plan to find activities and organizations where I can be involved with mentoring children while I attend college. I hope my education and my passion will allow me to pursue my goal of being a motivational speaker. I want to tell my journey of growing up with challenges and encouraging others to work hard and not give up on themselves. I know my enthusiasm, combined with my experience, will help me be successful in my future.

I was born with severe heart defects and needed surgery right away. Over the next 17 years, I would have many doctor visits, therapies, heart surgeries, setbacks, frustrations, failures and successes. Having all those health issues from an early age, including finding out I had ADHD and Dyslexia in third grade, have been the driving force in my life and helped me achieve success. When I was younger, I spent hours in tears over assignments and tests that I did not understand or failed. I had to learn how to read in a different way and I worked hard because reading affects all your learning, not just English class. I believe having these hardships and failures from a young age has given me a strong work ethic. I have had several teachers and coaches over the years, that see firsthand how hard I work. They have encouraged me to try new things and get involved in activities that I enjoy but where I can be successful. I found an opportunity with an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. Since I am on the high school varsity golf team and started playing at a young age, I thought this would be a great fit for me. For the last two summers, I have been a mentor and coach for this organization. I love the feeling of accomplishment I get from teaching and mentoring children. Because of my heart issues I also found ways to help support an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I participated in making a video for their fundraising events, which tells a bit about the health challenges I have overcome, what I love about camp, and why camp is so important to the children who participate. This last August I participated in what our high school calls ‘Blue Crew’. This team of Seniors helps incoming freshmen with the first days of school and coordinates activities so freshmen can get to know each other. I wanted to be a friendly face to the freshmen and help them overcome the anxiety of being in a new school. I plan to find activities and organizations where I can be involved with mentoring children while I attend college. I hope my education and my passion will allow me to pursue my goal of being a motivational speaker. I want to tell my journey of growing up with challenges and failures, so that I can encourage others to work hard and not give up on themselves. I know my enthusiasm and passion combined with my experience will help me be successful in my future.

I have always loved to read and had a passion for books, but ironically, I learned I had dyslexia and ADHD in third grade, right after my third open heart surgery in the summer. I was born with several defects that have required surgeries and other procedures over the course of my life. But so far, that year was one of the hardest I had, with the reading challenges, homework struggles, and the physical challenges of recovering from heart surgery. I could not carry anything heavy, swim, or participate in gymnastics which I had done before surgery for four years. I went to special tutoring for my dyslexia at least two times a week for almost three years along with trying to fit in typical kid activities such as golf, volleyball and youth group. I worked through those years by taking one day at a time and being positive. I participated in other activities I had not done before, like learning how to make braided bracelets, and making a shark out of a watermelon with my mom. I think having these challenges as a young kid has taught me to be patient and has given me a strong work ethic which has had a positive effect on my education. I had to try harder and work harder than other kids and though it wasn't always easy, when I accomplished my goals or got an A, it made me realize that I was just as deserving as others and it has inspired me to attend college and pursue a degree. It's also nurtured my passion for helping children who struggle in life by trying to motivate them and encourage them from my experiences. Because of my heart issues I have supported an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I participated in making a video for their fundraising events, which tells a bit about the health challenges I have overcome, what I love about camp, and why camp is so important to the children who participate. I also found an opportunity with an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, to get children interested in golf since I am on the high school varsity golf team and started playing at a young age. For the last two summers, I have been a mentor and coach for this organization, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. I enjoyed teaching and encouraging children to play the sport that I have played for over 12 years. This past August I participated in what our high school calls ‘Blue Crew’. This team of Seniors helps incoming freshmen with the first days of school and coordinates activities so freshmen can get to know each other. I wanted to be a friendly face to the freshmen and help them overcome the anxiety of being in a new school. I plan to find activities and organizations where I can be involved with mentoring children while I attend college at the University of Kansas. I hope my education and my passion will allow me to pursue my goal of being a motivational speaker. I want to tell my journey of growing up with challenges and encouraging others to work hard and not give up on themselves. I know my enthusiasm, combined with my experience, will help me be successful in my future.

I have always loved to read and had a passion for books, but ironically, I learned I had dyslexia in third grade, right after my third open-heart surgery in the summer. That year was a struggle with my reading challenges, schoolwork, and the physical challenges of recovering from heart surgery. I could not carry anything heavy, swim, or participate in gymnastics which I had done before surgery for four years. I worked through that year by taking one day at a time and being positive. I participated in other activities I had not done before, like learning how to make braided bracelets, baking, and making a shark out of a watermelon with my mom. I think having these challenges as a young kid has taught me to be patient and has given me a strong work ethic which has had a positive effect on my education. Over the years, I have developed a passion for helping children who struggle in life by trying to motivate them and encourage them. Because of my heart issues I have supported an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I participated in making a video for their fundraising events, which tells a bit about the health challenges I have overcome, what I love about camp, and why camp is so important to the children who participate. I also found an opportunity with an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, to get children interested in golf since I am on the high school varsity golf team and started playing at a young age. For the last two summers, I have been a mentor and coach for this organization, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. I enjoyed teaching and encouraging children to play the sport that I have played for over 12 years. This past August I participated in what our high school calls ‘Blue Crew’. This team of Seniors helps incoming freshmen with the first days of school and coordinates activities so freshmen can get to know each other. I wanted to be a friendly face to the freshmen and help them overcome the anxiety of being in a new school. I plan to find activities and organizations where I can be involved with mentoring children while I attend college. I hope my education and my passion will allow me to pursue my goal of being a motivational speaker. I want to tell my journey of growing up with challenges and encouraging others to work hard and not give up on themselves. I know my enthusiasm, combined with my experience, will help me be successful in my future.

I was born with severe heart defects and needed surgery right away. Over the next 18 years, I would have many doctor visits, therapies, heart surgeries, setbacks, frustrations, and victories. Having all those health issues from an early age, including finding out I had ADHD and Dyslexia in third grade, have been the driving force in my life. Along with a strong work ethic, I have had several teachers and coaches in high school that have been supportive. They have encouraged me to try new things and get involved in activities that I enjoy but where I can also make a huge impact. I found an opportunity with an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, to get children interested in golf since I am on the high school varsity golf team and started playing at a young age. For the last two summers, I have been a mentor and coach for this organization, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. I enjoyed teaching and encouraging children to play the sport that I have played for over 12 years. Because of my heart issues I also found ways to help support an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I participated in making a video for their fundraising events, which tells a bit about the health challenges I have overcome, what I love about camp, and why camp is so important to the children who participate. This August I participated in what our high school calls ‘Blue Crew’. This team of Seniors helps incoming freshmen with the first days of school and coordinates activities so freshmen can get to know each other. I wanted to be a friendly face to the freshmen and help them overcome the anxiety of being in a new school. I plan to find activities and organizations where I can be involved with mentoring children while I attend college. I hope my education and my passion will allow me to pursue my goal of being a motivational speaker. I want to tell my journey of growing up with challenges and encouraging others to work hard and not give up on themselves. I know my enthusiasm, combined with my experience, will help me be successful in my future.

I was born with severe heart defects and have had three open heart surgeries and many other procedures since I was born. Golf was one sport that I was allowed to play since it wasn't a contact sport and isn't highly cardiovascular in nature. My dad starting teaching me when I was five years old and at first I loved to just hit the ball and ride in the cart. Then as I got older, I wanted to improve my score and wanted to drive the cart. I have really enjoyed playing competitively in high school for the chance to not only improve my game, but also being able to try new courses and meet other girls that love golf as much as I do. As a female golfer, especially in high school, my biggest challenge is realizing that not always everyone believes you are a true golfer and can hold your own. I've seen this when I go to a golf course to hit a bucket of balls or pay for round at the pro shop. Also, when I helped manage the Boys High School Golf Team, I knew they weren't convinced I knew how to play the game and I had to prove myself before I was accepted. Through these challenges, I learned to take it one hole at a time, not to give up even if others don't believe in you. This lesson has fueled me over my life by keeping me motivated to keep going in hard times but by also helping others. To help others, I found an opportunity with an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. Since I am on the high school varsity golf team and started playing at a young age, I thought this would be a great fit for me. For the last two summers, I have been a mentor and coach for this organization. I love the feeling of accomplishment I get from teaching and mentoring children. Because of my heart issues I also found ways to help support an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I participated in making a video for their fundraising events, which tells a bit about the health challenges I have overcome, what I love about camp, and why camp is so important to the children who participate. I plan to find golf related activities or organizations where I can be involved with mentoring children while I attend college. I hope my education and my passion will allow me to pursue my goal of being a motivational speaker. I want to tell my journey of growing up with health issues, so that I can encourage others to work hard and not give up on themselves. I know my enthusiasm and passion combined with my experience will help me be successful in my future.

I was born with several severe heart defects and have had three open heart surgeries since I was born along with other procedures. And in third grade I also found out I have dyslexia. I believe having these hardships from a young age has given me a strong work ethic. My teachers have encouraged me to try new things and get involved in activities that I enjoy but where I can be successful. These activities have led me to make my mental health a priority by doing something that rewards me mentally and physically. Golf was one sport that I was allowed to play since it wasn't a contact sport and isn't highly cardiovascular in nature. Through golf, I learned to take it one hole at a time, not to give up and to keep going even when you had a bad hole or round or day. This lesson has fueled me over my life by keeping me motivated to keep going in hard times but also helping others. I found an opportunity with an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. Since I am on the high school varsity golf team and started playing at a young age, I thought this would be a great fit for me. For the last two summers, I have been a mentor and coach for this organization. I love the feeling of accomplishment I get from teaching and mentoring children. Because of my heart issues I also found ways to help support an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I participated in making a video for their fundraising events, which tells a bit about the health challenges I have overcome, what I love about camp, and why camp is so important to the children who participate. I plan to find activities and organizations where I can be involved with mentoring children while I attend college. I hope my education and my passion will allow me to pursue my goal of being a motivational speaker. I want to tell my journey of growing up with challenges and failures, so that I can encourage others to work hard and not give up on themselves. I know my enthusiasm and passion combined with my experience will help me be successful in my future.

I should be considered for the Samuel D. Hartley Memorial Scholarship because I also enjoy getting involved in my community, helping others and golf. I have a passion for helping children by trying to motivate them and encourage them because I had to overcome many challenges in my life. I was born with severe heart defects and needed surgery right away. Over the next 17 years, I would have many doctor visits, therapies, heart surgeries, setbacks, frustrations, and victories. Having all those health issues from an early age, including finding out I had ADHD and Dyslexia in third grade, have been the driving force in my life. Along with a strong work ethic, I have had several teachers and coaches in high school that have been supportive. They have encouraged me to try new things and get involved in activities that I enjoy but where I can also make a huge impact. I found an opportunity with an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, to get children interested in golf since I am on the high school varsity golf team and started playing at a young age. For the last two summers, I have been a mentor and coach for this organization, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. I enjoyed teaching and encouraging children to play the sport that I have played for over 12 years. Because of my heart issues I also found ways to help support an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I participated in making a video for their fundraising events, which tells a bit about the health challenges I have overcome, what I love about camp, and why camp is so important to the children who participate. This August I participated in what our high school calls ‘Blue Crew’. This team of Seniors helps incoming freshmen with the first days of school and coordinates activities so freshmen can get to know each other. I wanted to be a friendly face to the freshmen and help them overcome the anxiety of being in a new school. I plan to find activities and organizations where I can be involved with mentoring children while I attend college especially with golf. I hope my education and my passion will allow me to pursue my goal of being a motivational speaker. I want to tell my journey of growing up with challenges and encouraging others to work hard and not give up on themselves. I know my enthusiasm, combined with my experience, will help me be successful in my future.

I have a passion for helping children by trying to motivate them and encourage them because I had to overcome many challenges in my life. I was born with severe heart defects and needed surgery right away. Over the next 17 years, I would have many doctor visits, therapies, heart surgeries, setbacks, frustrations, and victories. Having all those health issues from an early age, including finding out I had ADHD and Dyslexia in third grade, have been the driving force in my life. Along with a strong work ethic, I have had several teachers and coaches in high school that have been supportive. They have encouraged me to try new things and get involved in activities that I enjoy but where I can also make a huge impact. I found an opportunity with an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, to get children interested in golf since I am on the high school varsity golf team and started playing at a young age. For the last two summers, I have been a mentor and coach for this organization, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. I enjoyed teaching and encouraging children to play the sport that I have played for over 12 years. Because of my heart issues I also found ways to help support an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I participated in making a video for their fundraising events, which tells a bit about the health challenges I have overcome, what I love about camp, and why camp is so important to the children who participate. This August I assisted in what our high school calls ‘Blue Crew’. This team of Seniors helps incoming freshmen with the first days of school and coordinates activities so freshmen can get to know each other. I wanted to be a friendly face to the freshmen and help them overcome the anxiety of being in a new school. I plan to find activities and organizations where I can be involved with mentoring children while I attend college. I hope my education and my passion will allow me to pursue my goal of being a motivational speaker. I want to tell my journey of growing up with challenges and encouraging others to work hard and not give up on themselves. I know my enthusiasm, combined with my experience, will help me be successful in my future.

I was born with severe heart defects and needed surgery right away and more to come. Having all those health issues from an early age, including finding out I had ADHD and Dyslexia in third grade, has impacted my mental health. When I was younger, I spent hours in tears over assignments and tests that I did not understand or failed. I had to learn how to read in a different way and I worked hard. I believe having these hardships and failures from a young age has given me a strong work ethic. I have had several teachers and coaches over the years, that see firsthand how hard I work. They have encouraged me to try new things and get involved in activities that I enjoy. These activities have led me to make my mental health a priority by doing something that rewards me mentally and physically. One of the activities is with an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. Since I am on the high school varsity golf team, I thought this would be a great fit for me. For the last two summers, I have been a mentor and coach for this organization and really enjoying mentoring the children. Because of my heart issues I also found ways to help support an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities by creating a video that tells a bit about the health and mental challenges I have overcome. I plan to find activities and organizations where I can be involved with mentoring children and making mental health a priority while I attend college. I want to tell my journey of growing up with challenges and failures, so that I can encourage others to work hard and not give up on themselves. I know my enthusiasm and passion combined with my experience will help me be successful in my future.

My parents told me that when I was born, it was anticlimactic, however when I was around nine days old the excitement started. My mom noticed that I was breathing so hard, that I was rocking the bassinet back and forth with a lot of force for a baby that barely weighed five pounds. After two days in the hospital, the doctors figured out I had congenital heart disease with three severe defects and needed surgery right away. Over the next 17 years, I would have many doctor visits, therapies, heart surgeries, setbacks, frustrations, and victories. Having all those health issues from an early age, including finding out I had ADHD and Dyslexia in third grade, has been the driving force in my life to motivate me to work hard in school and help others with the same challenges I have faced. I have always had a passion to help children who struggle with health and learning issues. I have done this by being a friendly face for them to talk to and participating in different support organizations. This year I was a member of Blue Crew, which helps incoming high school Freshmen adjust to high school. I have been involved in two non-profit organizations, including an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them, along with other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last five years I have been an ambassador. This involves encouraging new children to come to camp and helping with fundraising opportunities. I participated in making a video for Roundup River Ranch’s big fundraising events, which tells a bit about my health challenges, what I love about camp and why it is so important to the kids who participate. I am also a member of the Youth on Course Drive Club organization, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. I enjoyed teaching and encouraging children to play the sport that I have enjoyed for 10 years and currently play in high school. I hope to continue to support and mentor children when I am in college. I know there will be plenty of opportunities to continue my passion and I plan to find different ways that I can be involved. This will allow me to pursue my ultimate goal of being a motivational speaker. I would like to tell my physical and mental journey of growing up with health challenges and encouraging others to work hard and not give up on themselves.

I was born with severe heart defects and needed surgery right away. Over the next 17 years, I would have many doctor visits, therapies, heart surgeries, setbacks, frustrations, and victories. Having all those health issues from an early age, including finding out I had ADHD and Dyslexia in third grade, has impacted my mental health from a young age. When I was younger, I spent hours in tears over assignments and tests that I did not understand or failed. I had to learn how to read in a different way and I worked hard because reading affects all your learning, not just English class. I believe having these hardships and failures from a young age has given me a strong work ethic. I have had several teachers and coaches over the years, that see firsthand how hard I work. They have encouraged me to try new things and get involved in activities that I enjoy but where I can be successful. These activities have led me to make my mental health a priority by doing something that rewards me mentally and physically. One of the activities is with an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. Since I am on the high school varsity golf team and started playing at a young age, I thought this would be a great fit for me. For the last two summers, I have been a mentor and coach for this organization. I love the feeling of accomplishment I get from teaching and mentoring the children. Because of my heart issues I also found ways to help support an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I participated in making a video for their fundraising events, which tells a bit about the health challenges I have overcome, what I love about camp, and why camp is so important to the children who participate. This August I assisted in what our high school calls ‘Blue Crew’. This team of Seniors helps incoming high school freshmen with the first days of school (and throughout the year) by coordinating activities so freshmen can get to know each other and feel comfortable in a new school. It helped me with my mental health when I started a new school, so I wanted to be a friendly face to the freshmen and help them overcome anxiety and other pressures. I plan to find activities and organizations where I can be involved with mentoring children and making mental health a priority while I attend college. I hope my education and my passion will allow me to pursue my goal of being a motivational speaker. I want to tell my journey of growing up with challenges and failures, so that I can encourage others to work hard and not give up on themselves. I know my enthusiasm and passion combined with my experience will help me be successful in my future.

I have a passion for helping children by trying to motivate them and encourage them because I had to overcome many challenges in my life. I was born with severe heart defects and needed surgery right away. During the first few months of my life, my parents also found out that I had a blood clotting disorder called Factor V Leiden. This made my heart issues even more challenging. Over the next 17 years, I would have many doctor visits, therapies, heart surgeries, setbacks, frustrations, and victories. Having all those health issues from an early age, including finding out I had ADHD and Dyslexia in third grade, have been the driving force in my life. Along with a strong work ethic, I have had several teachers and coaches in high school that have been supportive. They have encouraged me to try new things and get involved in activities that I enjoy but where I can also make a huge impact and spread awareness. Even by participating in activities not directly related to my health issues helps educate people on what children might be going through. For example, I am a member of a team that helps high school freshmen throughout the year by mentoring them, helping them learn a new school and hopefully giving them less anxiety. I have told my story to several freshmen who have similar health challenges and it helps them make the transition to high school easier by giving them someone they can come to when needed, who relates to what they've been through. Because of my heart and blood clotting issues, I found ways to help support an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I participated in making a video for their fundraising events, which tells a bit about the health challenges I have overcome, what I love about camp, and why camp is so important to the children who participate. I plan to find activities and organizations where I can be involved in spreading awareness about my health issues and mentoring children while I attend college. I hope my education and my passion will allow me to pursue my goal of being a motivational speaker. I want to tell my journey of growing up with challenges and encouraging others to work hard and not give up on themselves. I know my enthusiasm, combined with my experience, will help me be successful in my future.

I have a passion for helping children by trying to motivate them and encourage them because I had to overcome many challenges in my life. I was born with severe heart defects and needed surgery right away. Over the next 17 years, I would have many doctor visits, therapies, heart surgeries, setbacks, frustrations, and victories. Having all those health issues from an early age, including finding out I had ADHD and Dyslexia in third grade, have been the driving force in my life. Along with a strong work ethic, I have had several teachers and coaches in high school that have been supportive. They have encouraged me to try new things and get involved in activities that I enjoy but where I can also make a huge impact. I found an opportunity with an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, to get children interested in golf since I am on the high school varsity golf team and started playing at a young age. For the last two summers, I have been a mentor and coach for this organization, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. I enjoyed teaching and encouraging children to play the sport that I have played for over 12 years. Because of my heart issues I also found ways to help support an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I participated in making a video for their fundraising events, which tells a bit about the health challenges I have overcome, what I love about camp, and why camp is so important to the children who participate. This August I participated in what our high school calls ‘Blue Crew’. This team of Seniors helps incoming freshmen with the first days of school and coordinates activities so freshmen can get to know each other. I wanted to be a friendly face to the freshmen and help them overcome the anxiety of being in a new school. The Blue Crew also hosts other events throughout the year, so it's not just the first days of school, but also activities around final exams and the start and end of the semesters. I plan to find activities and organizations where I can be involved with mentoring children while I attend college. I hope my education and my passion will allow me to pursue my goal of being a motivational speaker. I want to tell my journey of growing up with challenges and encouraging others to work hard and not give up on themselves. I know my enthusiasm, combined with my experience, and my positive attitude will help me be successful in my future.

I was born with severe heart defects and needed surgery right away. Over the next 17 years, I would have many doctor visits, therapies, heart surgeries, setbacks, frustrations, and victories. Having all those health issues from an early age, including finding out I had ADHD and Dyslexia in third grade, have been the driving force in my life and helped me achieve success. When I was younger, I spent hours in tears over assignments and tests that I did not understand or failed. I had to learn how to read in a different way and I worked hard because reading affects all your learning, not just English class. I believe having these hardships and failures from a young age has given me a strong work ethic. I have had several teachers and coaches over the years, that see firsthand how hard I work. They have encouraged me to try new things and get involved in activities that I enjoy but where I can be successful. I found an opportunity with an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. Since I am on the high school varsity golf team and started playing at a young age, I thought this would be a great fit for me. For the last two summers, I have been a mentor and coach for this organization. I love the feeling of accomplishment I get from teaching and mentoring the children. Because of my heart issues I also found ways to help support an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I participated in making a video for their fundraising events, which tells a bit about the health challenges I have overcome, what I love about camp, and why camp is so important to the children who participate. This August I assisted in what our high school calls ‘Blue Crew’. This team of Seniors helps incoming freshmen with the first days of school and coordinates activities so freshmen can get to know each other. I wanted to be a friendly face to the freshmen and help them overcome the anxiety of being in a new school. I plan to find activities and organizations where I can be involved with mentoring children while I attend college. I hope my education and my passion will allow me to pursue my goal of being a motivational speaker. I want to tell my journey of growing up with challenges and failures, so that I can encourage others to work hard and not give up on themselves. I know my enthusiasm and passion combined with my experience will help me be successful in my future.

I should be considered for the Samuel D. Hartley Memorial Scholarship because I also enjoy getting involved in my community, helping others and golf. I have a passion for helping children by trying to motivate them and encourage them because I had to overcome many challenges in my life. I was born with severe heart defects and needed surgery right away. Over the next 17 years, I would have many doctor visits, therapies, heart surgeries, setbacks, frustrations, and victories. Having all those health issues from an early age, including finding out I had ADHD and Dyslexia in third grade, have been the driving force in my life. Along with a strong work ethic, I have had several teachers and coaches in high school that have been supportive. They have encouraged me to try new things and get involved in activities that I enjoy but where I can also make an impact. I found an opportunity with an organization called Youth on Course Drive Club, to get children interested in golf since I am on the high school varsity golf team and started playing at a young age. For the last two summers, I have been a mentor and coach for this organization, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free, with the help of youth coaches. I enjoyed teaching and encouraging children to play a sport that I have played for over 12 years. Because of my heart issues I also found ways to help support an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last four years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new children to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I participated in making a video for their fundraising events, which tells a bit about the health challenges I have overcome, what I love about camp, and why camp is so important to the children who participate. This August I assisted in what our high school calls ‘Blue Crew’. This team of Seniors helps incoming freshmen with the first days of school and coordinates activities so freshmen can get to know each other. I wanted to be a friendly face to the freshmen and help them overcome the anxiety of being in a new school. I plan to find activities and organizations where I can be involved with mentoring children while I attend college. I hope my education and my passion will allow me to pursue my goal of being a motivational speaker. I want to tell my journey of growing up with challenges and encouraging others to work hard and not give up on themselves. I know my enthusiasm, combined with my experience, will help me be successful in my future.

My first science class in high school was taught by Ms. Nichoff. Though science had never been in the forefront of my mind, Ms. Nichoff made it so fun and exciting that it ended up being my favorite class that year and I went on to take another science class that she taught. Since the first day of class, I have always gone to Ms. Nichoff for help, not just when it came to school but also in my personal life. She has guided me through all the ups and downs of high school. I have asked her opinion on what classes I should take and what I might study in college. She has always supported me when I needed advice on how to deal with difficult situations or people. She has strongly influenced how I approached high school and motivated me to work hard, and she also inspired me to participate in several different activities because she saw that I had a passion for helping others. Ms. Nichoff’s trust in me led me to support an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves kids with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last 4 years, I have been an ambassador. As an ambassador, I encouraged new kids to come to camp and helped with fundraising opportunities. I participated in making a video for their fundraising events, which tells a bit about school and health challenges I have overcome, what I love about camp, and why it is so important to the kids who participate. Because Ms. Nichoff had also been a cheerleading coach in high school, she encouraged me to look for opportunities to help kids play golf since I am also on the high school golf team. For the last two summers I have been a mentor and coach for the Youth on Course Drive Club organization, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. I enjoyed teaching and encouraging children to play the sport that I have played for over 10 years. This year, Ms. Nichoff suggested I become part of what our high school calls ‘Blue Crew’. This team of Seniors helps incoming freshmen with the first days of school and coordinates activities so freshmen can get to know each other. Ms. Nichoff knew that I would be a friendly face for the freshmen who are trying to navigate where their classes are and help them overcome the anxiety of being in a new school. Ms. Nichoff gave me the confidence to pursue activities that I’m passionate about and to use my strengths to help others. She has inspired me to continue to look for ways to mentor and encourage others while I am attending college. I know my passion, and the self-assurance that Ms. Nichoff has inspired in me, will help me be successful in my future.

My parents told me that when I was born, it was anticlimactic, however when I was around nine days old the excitement started. My mom noticed that I was breathing so hard, that I was rocking the bassinet back and forth with a lot of force for a baby that barely weighed five pounds. After two days in the hospital, the doctors figured out I had congenital heart disease with three severe defects and needed surgery right away. Over the next 17 years, I would have many doctor visits, therapies, heart surgeries, setbacks, frustrations, and victories. Having all those health issues from an early age, including finding out I had ADHD and Dyslexia in third grade, has been the driving force in my life to motivate me to work hard in school and help others with the same challenges I have faced. I have always had a passion to help children who struggle with health and learning issues. I have done this by being a friendly face for them to talk to and participating in different support organizations. This year I was a member of Blue Crew, which helps incoming high school Freshmen adjust to high school. I have been involved in two non-profit organizations, including an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves children with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them, along with other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last five years I have been an ambassador. This involves encouraging new children to come to camp and helping with fundraising opportunities. I participated in making a video for Roundup River Ranch’s big fundraising events, which tells a bit about my health challenges, what I love about camp and why it is so important to the kids who participate. I am also a member of the Youth on Course Drive Club organization, which enables children new to the sport of golf to learn and play for free with the help of youth coaches. I enjoyed teaching and encouraging children to play the sport that I have enjoyed for 10 years and currently play in high school. I hope to continue to support and mentor children when I am in college. I know there will be plenty of opportunities to continue my passion and I plan to find different ways that I can be involved. This will allow me to pursue my ultimate goal of being a motivational speaker. I would like to tell my physical and mental journey of growing up with health challenges and encouraging others to work hard and not give up on themselves.

This scholarship would help me attend a 4-year college to study Business and Speech Communications because someday, I would like to have my own business where I get to be a motivational speaker. I want to tell my journey of growing up with congenital heart disease and dyslexia and the challenges I overcame, so that I can help motivate other children and adults who must conquer big challenges in their life. I have always loved to read and had a passion for books, but ironically, I learned I had dyslexia in third grade, right after my second open heart surgery in the summer. That time was a struggle with my reading challenges, schoolwork, and the physical challenges of recovering from surgery. I could not carry anything heavy, swim, or participate in gymnastics which I had done for 4 years before. I worked through that year by taking one day at a time and being positive. I participated in other activities I had not done before, like learning how to make braided bracelets, baking, and making a shark out of a watermelon with my mom. I think having these challenges as a kid has taught me to be patient and has given me a strong work ethic which has had a positive effect on my education. I have a passion for helping children who struggle by trying to motivate them and encourage them. I have been involved in two non-profit organizations, including an organization called Roundup River Ranch. This organization serves kids with all kinds of diseases and disabilities by offering a weeklong camp adventure for them and other activities throughout the year. I have not only been a camper at this organization, but for the last 4 years, I have been an ambassador. This involves encouraging new kids to come to camp and helping with fundraising opportunities. I participated in making a video for their big fundraising events, which tells a bit about my health challenges, what I love about camp, and why it is so important to the kids who participate. I am also a member/coach of the Youth On Course Drive Club, which helps kids new to the sport of golf, learn and play for free. I am excited to use my strengths to help motivate others in a professional setting. I will also continue to look for ways to mentor and inspire others while I am attending college. I know my passion, combined with my experience, will help me be successful in my future.