Currently, I am attending Georgia Southern University's Parker College of Business, working towards a major in Marketing and a minor in Broadcast Journalism. After I achieve my bachelor's degree, I would love to have the opportunity to go to grad school for business management and media studies at either the University of Oregon or the University of Miami. I chose this concentration of study because I always knew I would end up in the media industry. I grew up playing sports at the competitive level, including competitive cheer, gymnastics, dance, and ended up sticking with soccer club and school from 4-12th grade. Sports have always been a part of me, and for a minute, playing sports defined me, but after I had an injury in my knee that needed surgery, I reconnected with a part of myself that loved creating. My Senior Year of high School I started my photography business LEESHOTTHIS. I photographed soccer, track, golf, and basketball while still being a captain for my high school soccer team and balancing school with a 3.7 GPA. I have strong leadership qualities and helping others, and I found that one of my gifts is storytelling using a camera. I discovered I didn't just capture images but froze eternal stories, freezing emotions, grit, and resilience behind each moment. These early experiences revealed my strengths in leadership, initiative, and building meaningful connections with others. I stuck with it and grew at a significantly fast rate in only my first semester in college. I ended up being the track team's personal content creator, leading to a position with Gata Productions' creative side. On top of that, I was volunteering for GATA Productions for broadcasting for ESPN, and was hired for the broadcasting side too. Long story short, I am a natural goal getter. I know what I want and have had a plan since day one of what I want to achieve. The difference growing up is that I keep adding. Getting all this experience in my first semester of college led me to the idea that I can do it all. Photography, Videography, Social Media Management and Creation, Journalism, Reporter, Editor, and more. Why not put it all together... My long-term goal is to expand LEESHOTTHIS to a NIL Branding company. That captures athletes espically those overlooked, who need their stories heard to make it to the next level. Athletes are more than just highlight reels; they have strong personalities hidden under the surface. I want to help them build their brands with authenticity and confidence so they have a successful future ahead. I will succeed because my mission is rooted in faith and purpose, not profit. Losing a friend to mental health that influenced this very passion. I have learned only to continue the mountains and valleys I encounter. Pivot when plans change and stay disciplined, even when the future is uncertain. When I lost my "identity," I didn't fall apart; I transformed. I approach my work with a strategy, always thinking about how I can get better and nurturing relationships to get me through the process. Most importantly, I know my "why". To tell people's stories and create opportunities for them. A successful life means to achieve my goals while staying strong, encountering the Mountains and Valleys we will eternally face. Success looks like freedom, creating what works for me while serving others. Living a life where I don't have to worry about financial stability. I am building a future where creativity, entrepreneurship, and purpose work together to uplift others — especially athletes like the girl I once was.

My upbringing in a single-parent and low-income family household influences my understanding of work, sustainability, and opportunity. My mother not only served as a teacher but as a hustler as well; building and securing extra money through real estate and side businesses to provide for our family. I learned from a young age the fallacy of depending solely on one stream of money. In my senior year of high school, I challenged myself with dual enrollment, which allowed me to prepare myself for what I could expect in college. Being in college now, I am managing coursework and also being the primary content creator for GA Southern Track, in addition to being part of the ESPN broadcast crew at GATA Productions. These experiences strenghten my skills in time management, professionalism, and performing under stress. In addition to academic and campus-related commitments, I have maintained my buisness ImagesByLeenicole, a media venture that started as a photo and videography outfit and is currently in the process of developing into a media brand for NIL representation. The venture involves working directly with athletes to shoot images and videos, edit and direct the videos, and compile information on the athletic experience of the athletes, enabling them to develop a personal brand. The revenue generated from the venture is contributing to funding my education and alleviating educational expenses and stress. Moving forward, I will pursue higher education in finance and economics and grow my business venture, “ImagesByLeenicole,” into a comprehensive NIL media management business. This is because I aim to create long-term success for myself while using my success to empower student-athletes from underserved communities just like myself through the lessons my life has instilled within me that resiliency and planning are the keys to making lasting differences through life’s challenges and triumphs.

“You're not just growing herbs, you're growing people.” That is a phrase which stuck with me when I was thirteen years old and watering an herb shelf which I had put together myself on our backyard porch with my dad. Thatwasmorethangardening, and it taught me a lot not only aboutgardeningbutalsoabouthowmuchonesmallactsofcaretowardsanotherperson or thing can make a different in their life when they grow. However, I soon learned that this is exactly how I can make a different in people's lives through media and telling a story. Sports and media have played an integral part in this dream. As a child in Atlanta, sports influenced my personal identity, but setbacks and personal obstacles pushed me to think about a different part of this dream. I understood I can do more on the other side of the lens. In high school, I established my photography company, "Imagesbyleenicole," to highlight student-athletes and local events. Some personal highlights include documenting Charles R. Drew’s boys' soccer team in winning the school’s first state title, capturing Ja'Mya Duckworth during her senior golf season where she lowered her score from a 112 to an 86 and gained recognition with an All-State selection, and recording Madeline Cooper’s record-breaking performance in tying a national record in the 100 meter hurdle event during the 2024 USATF Junior Olympics. Through these experiences, I have learned sports can leave a legacy through storytelling, bring light to a community in need, and lead to a new doorway in life—similar to "my dad’s herb shelf." Now, in college at Georgia Southern University, I am working towards achieving my ‘Pie in the Sky’: becoming a Creative Director for student-athletes, guiding them in seizing opportunities under Name, Image, and Likeness rights, and developing inclusive media channels where underrepresented voices shine. Feeling a bit far-fetched and impossible at times, each step builds a strong groundwork for achieving this goal. I am currently the official track photographer, a part of GATA Productions, and a part of the ESPN broadcast team, dabble in all realms of photography, social media, and videography, and broadcasting. Attaining this objective will not simply require experience but education, resilience, and resourcefulness. Going forward, I intend to major in media production, marketing, broadcasting, and design, all while being proactive in searching for guidance and learning by doing. But I am also very much aware of the fact that personal growth, in this case becoming a better leader, will involve a sense of giving back – mentoring junior students in photography and broadcasting, getting involved in community service projects, and using storytelling for empowerment. "Financial struggles have already tested my resolve. Losing my Pell Grant in my first semester of college at Georgia Southern caused added difficulty, but it just solidified my resolve. I have learned to juggle numerous responsibilities, make the most of opportunities when they arise, and keep pushing forward despite setbacks. Difficulties such as these are not obstacles – they simply serve as a reminder that fulfilling a dream takes a lot of heart." "Pie in the Sky” represents a lofty goal for me: creating a platform in media to inspire and empower these athletes, to showcase their excellence, and to leave a legacy in influencing future generations, all while pushing a new definition of "success" in sports. Similar to the shelf for herbs in a kitchen, I will sow seeds of growth, impact, and representation in these spaces and watch them bloom in ways I can neither see nor imagine.

"You’re not just growing herbs, you’re growing people," he said as I watered our mini-herb shelf, which I had constructed by myself in our backyard when I turned thirteen. While this gardening project for me ended up being a lot more than a simple way to grow herbs, learning all these lessons really did teach me a thing or two when it came to learning to grow. Observing just how simple acts of nurture could make a difference in someone—or something—grow, however, inspired me in a totally different way, taking me in a different path where I can make a difference in a different manner. Athletics, photography, and media collided for me during high school at Charles R. Drew Charter School in Atlanta, where I aimed to tell the stories of athletes in my community. As captain of our varsity soccer team and owner of my photography business, Imagesbyleenicole, I have gained insight into the work involved in each athlete’s path. I began taking photos and videos during games and events, capturing victories and struggles in athletic pursuits. With this platform, I chose to bring light to underrepresented voices, representing athletes and fellow peers not just as capable but worthy and deserving of celebration. Some of my most personal accomplishments include taking pictures for the Charles R. Drew boys soccer team during their record-breaking state championship season, capturing Madeline Cooper in her tying of the national record in the 100 meter hurdle event at the 2024 USATF Junior Olympics, and taking shots for Ja'Mya Duckworth during her senior year of golf, in which she lowered her score from 112 to 86 and made it onto the AA Girls All-State Team. In these projects, I learned that storytelling, much like gardening, can nurture others to grow and provide access to opportunities. I have started working towards this vision at Georgia Southern University. I have become the official photographer of the track team, volunteered at GATA Productions, and become a part of their creative team focusing on social media, videos, and broadcasting. Eventually, this led to a job with the ESPN broadcasting team, where I work with them on event photography and production assistance in setting up cameras and helping with broadcasting. All this adds up to an expansion of skill sets in different production tasks of media in the first semesters of being a freshman. Pursuing a degree in business will make a tangible impact in my life in that I will be able to leverage my media and storytelling abilities in a meaningful way. Pursuing a degree in business will enable me to leverage marketing, management, and entrepreneurial tools in addition to media production in order to create a platform for athletes, assist college athletes in navigating their NIL opportunities, and establish a youth platform which merges arts, storytelling, and leadership. Meanwhile, during this same semester, things in administration affected me in such a way that I lost my Pell Grant. Although this presented a challenge in my life, it actually increased my resolve to work towards achieving my aims because I learned to juggle different responsibilities, keep focused, and make the most out of each experience. With this scholarship, I would be able to continue planting these seeds of growth, impact, and representation, much in the same way this shelf holds these herbs. With this scholarship, I would be able to continue capturing these stories, creating them, and celebrating them, and simultaneously invest in people and in communities which represent exactly those which I hope to impact.

I always thought as a child, I'd be making an impact from the field, literally. Soccer, as a student-athlete, taught me discipline, resiliency, the ability to show up, be it with an ankle injury physically on the field or confidence, emotionally off of it. But as a young adult - and following the loss of my close companion who shared my passion for photography - I've come to understand that my purpose exists away from the intersection of field and lens. Instead, I'd make an impact on youth sports by capturing their moments instead of living my own, from behind the lens. Sports embodies moments that define one's life - growth, emotion, connectivity, challenge, resiliency. The more comfortable I became with my camera, the more I familiarized myself with certain athletes through a different lens. It was less about showcasing athletic performance in the field of play or through the lens of a camera, but capturing moments that would define generations. One of the most defining moments in my life occurred when I was hired to take photos of the first majority Black soccer team from an Atlanta Public School that won a Georgia High School Association (GHSA) state championship. Not only was I there to witness history, but I was there to capture it for generations to come - the essence of legacy, representation, community effort. While I had the wonderful opportunity to capture my friend Madeline Cooper making track history, it wasn't just an athletic achievement but a higher accolade steeped in personal history, resilience, and strength. It was the first time I found someone whose athletic prowess had a ripple effect all around my community. If I'm able to capture someone else's legacy like Madeline's and have everyone rally behind it, I can do the same for thousands in their own right. Through photography and videography from behind my lens, I'd support this community and do for them what was done for me: instill confidence, create opportunity, and empower those whose voices must be heard. My continued presence in sports has transformed my purpose to give back to the community through newfound confidence in giving athletes visibility and pride in their journeys. I'll continue to make an impact through sports by creating a platform for NIL management and media focused on any athlete as just an everyday person; their struggles weigh just as much as their achievements, and so do their failures as their successes. I will empower them to tell their stories, cultivate a brand, and achieve newfound opportunities that will change their lives for the better. I'll promote such efforts through authentic representation, honest storytelling, and mentorship within the community both here in Statesboro during my collegiate career and back home in Atlanta, where my love for community, sports, and representation flourished in the first place. I'll give these young athletes the purpose that sports gave me, along with my own platform to transform their legacies. Any career can be used to help and serve others. My commitment to youth sports and community endeavors is to build up the next generation. I might have a different perspective behind the lens of a camera; continuing his legacy would be easier than you'd think.

I always dreamed as a child that I'd be making an impact in the field, literally. Soccer, as a student-athlete, taught me discipline, resilience, and the ability to show up, whether physically on the field with a meniscus injury or emotionally off the field with confidence. But as a young adult - and following the loss of my friend who shared my passion for photography - I've come to understand that my personal purpose exists away from the intersection of field and lens. Instead, I'd make an impact on youth sports by capturing their moments instead of living my own, from behind the lens. Sports embody moments that define one's life - growth, emotion, connectivity, challenge, resiliency. The more comfortable I became with my camera, the more I familiarized myself with certain athletes through a different lens. It was less about showcasing athletic performance in the field of play or through the lens of a camera, but capturing moments that would define generations. One of the most defining moments in my life occurred when I took team portraits of the first majority Black soccer team from an Atlanta Public School that won a Georgia High School Association (GHSA) state championship. Not only was I there to witness history, but I was there to capture it for generations to come - the essence of legacy, representation, and community effort. While I had the wonderful opportunity to capture my friend Madeline Cooper making track history, it wasn't just an athletic achievement but a higher accolade steeped in personal history, resilience, and strength. It was the first time I found someone whose athletic prowess had a ripple effect all around my community. If I'm able to capture someone else's legacy like Madeline's and have everyone rally behind it, I can do the same for thousands in their own right. Through photography and videography from behind my lens, I'd support this community and do for them what was done for me: instill confidence, create opportunity, and empower those whose voices must be heard. My continued presence in sports has transformed my purpose to give back to the community through newfound confidence in giving athletes visibility and pride in their journeys. I'll continue to make an impact through sports by evolving my media business, ImagesbyLeeNicole, for NIL management and media focused on any athlete as just an everyday person; their struggles weigh just as much as their achievements, and so do their failures as their successes. I will empower them to tell their stories, cultivate a brand, and achieve newfound opportunities that will change their lives for the better. I'll promote such efforts through authentic representation, honest storytelling and mentorship within the community both here in Statesboro during my collegiate career and back home in Atlanta, where my love for community, sports, and representation flourished in the first place. I'll give these young athletes the purpose that sports gave me, along with my own platform to transform their legacies. Jimmie "DC" Sullivan championed commitment to youth sports and community endeavors, and building up the next generation. While I might have a different perspective from behind the lens of a camera, continuing his legacy is achievable.

"You're not just growing herbs, you're growing people." That’s what my dad told me as we watered the herb shelf I built from scratch in our front yard. I was thirteen, and what started as a simple quarantine DIY project became a foundation for how I live: growth takes patience, care, and intention. My dad had turned to gardening to heal after losing his grandmother. I didn’t realize it then, but through building that shelf with him, I was also learning how to nurture—with love, with loss, and with vision. At Charles R. Drew Charter School in Atlanta, I’ve carried that same mindset into everything I do, from managing social media for our principal to running Imagesbyleenicole, my photography business, and volunteering with Horizons at Georgia Tech. These experiences taught me practical skills such as visual storytelling, digital media strategy, and time management but they also helped me discover my purpose: creating spaces where others feel seen, valued, and empowered. That purpose was shaped most during moments of challenge. Freshman year, I tore my meniscus playing soccer. For someone whose identity was tied to sports, being injured felt like losing a part of myself. I struggled with self-worth and purpose. But that setback pushed me to discover another side of who I was—one that wasn’t just tied to athletic performance. I began leaning into creative expression, using photography to reconnect with myself and with others. Then, senior year, I experienced a different kind of loss my close friend, who also loved photography, passed away. That grief ran deep. But instead of stepping back, I stepped forward. I picked up my camera in his honor and committed to carrying our shared passion forward. That choice gave me purpose again—using my art not only to process my emotions, but to celebrate others. With Imagesbyleenicole, I’ve captured the stories of my peers and community. One of my proudest moments was photographing our boys’ soccer team as they made history, becoming the first Atlanta Public School to win a state championship. I also captured Ja’Mya Duckworth’s senior night, documenting a joyful, hard-earned moment in her journey as a student-athlete. These weren’t just photo ops; they were moments that reminded me of the beauty in showing up for others, especially when the spotlight isn’t always on them. These experiences, along with the resilience I developed through injury and grief, are exactly what I’ll carry into my future. I plan to study marketing and design so I can launch youth programs that combine creative media, storytelling, and leadership development. I want to teach young people how to use tools like photography and digital platforms to express their truths, build confidence, and advocate for themselves and their communities. Every skill I’ve developed, from organizing shoots and managing content to mentoring peers, has prepared me to create programs rooted in access, representation, and self-expression. This scholarship would allow me to keep nurturing what I’ve started. Like that herb shelf, I’m rooted in care, resilience, and purpose. And what I’m building isn’t just about me, it’s about creating platforms where others can bloom too. In the end, it's not just one achievement, it's all the little things that made me what I am today.

“You're not just growing herbs, you're growing people.” That’s what my dad told me as we watered the herb shelf I built from scratch in our front yard. I was thirteen, and what started as a DIY quarantine project turned into something far more something that made my father and I's connection stronger, who had begun gardening after losing his grandmother, and something that grounded me in the power of nurturing. In many ways, that shelf became a symbol of how I live: intentionally, creatively, and genuinely care for others. I attend Charles R. Drew Charter School in Atlanta, where community is our core. It's where I’ve explored how design, storytelling, and service intersect. Whether I'm managing social media for my principal, running my own photography business, or volunteering with Horizons at Georgia Tech, I'm constantly planting seeds of representation, access, and inspiration. My photography isn’t just about images. It’s about impact. After a close friend who also loved photography was no longer here, I committed to carrying his passion through my actions. Through Imagesbyleenicole, I've highlighted underrepresented voices—in particular, our athletes and athletics at my school. I want people to see themselves as worthy, beautiful, and powerful. That’s the same reason I hope to pursue a degree in marketing and design: to build inclusive campaigns that uplift and humanize. One of the proudest moments in my journey was capturing the Charles R. Drew Charter School boys soccer team throughout their season as they made history by becoming the first Atlanta Public School team to win a soccer state championship. Being part of documenting this milestone was not just about photography; it was about preserving an eternal moment in Black history and celebrating our community's excellence on and off the field. I was honored to capture the story of my friend and teammate, Madeline Cooper, who attends our predominantly Black 2A school. She soared to become the national champion in the 100-meter hurdles at the 2024 USATF Junior Olympics, tying the national record with a time of 13.33 seconds. Through my photography, I celebrated her incredible resilience and excellence, showing the strength and talent coming from our community, East Lake. I also had the privilege of being there for Ja’Mya Duckworth’s senior night, a special moment for our dedicated golfer. Over five months, she improved her score from 112 to 86 and earned a spot on the "AA Girls All-State Team." Creating a video to highlight her journey and celebrate her success with our school community was truly inspiring. After college, I plan to launch creative youth programs that combine arts, storytelling, and leadership development to empower young people in underrepresented communities. These programs will focus on building confidence through creative expression, whether through photography, design, or digital media, and providing mentorship opportunities to help youth discover their own voice and passions. In addition, I want to support and collaborate with nonprofits that focus on equity and access, particularly those addressing educational disparities and social justice. Ultimately, I envision growing my photography business into a platform for advocacy, using visual storytelling to highlight issues that matter and amplify marginalized voices. I’m fueled by a deep belief: growth comes from care, and the world changes when we invest in others. This scholarship would allow me to keep planting, keep creating, and keep growing not just for me, but for every person I hope to impact. Like that herb shelf, I am rooted in love and purpose, and I’m building something that will feed futures beyond my own.