Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

My future goal is to help others learn they don't have to be a victim of their circumstances, and that we as individuals have the power to make our lives better and in turn, change the world.

I believe it is each individual who needs to find the strength to better their circumstances and not become a victim of past. In doing so, one by one we can change society. Let me share my story how I I overcame my struggles and how that has led me to a passion of helping others. Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, I take pride in knowing people can count on me. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel for success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to a degree in Psychology, I believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

Many things in life are meant to be taken slowly, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes to come out of college sports, on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic father that impacted my personal life. By age 12 I had been through a custody battle, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental health and learned different techniques to manage and cope allowing me to focus on my goals and my game. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school to make a name for myself, one that didn’t have “my father's daughter” attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery from tear after tear was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I can push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. When I look at myself, I see a high school student-athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choose a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others manage trauma, especially as children.

My youngest cousin was born with a form of eye cancer, Retinoblastoma. He started chemo at only 2 weeks old. After watching him and our family go thru years of treatments and surgeries, having to travel out of state every two weeks for 6 years, we became involved in giving time and donations to The Ronald Mcdonald House which supported his journey and gave the family a place to stay during his treatments. My aunt then started a non-profit foundation making patient pouches filled with activities to keep children occupied during their chemo and radiation treatments. This had a big impact on me knowing that we could make a major difference in such a small way for children. I organized donations of the materials needed and helped make pouches as well. Throughout my Highschool years, I have participated in many volunteer opportunities for children with special needs, as well as coaching young girls in volleyball for my non-profit volleyball club that I have played for since I was 9. I enjoy watching kids fall in love with a sport that I fell in love with at such a young age and had an impact on my life. Helping kids find an outlet for some of life's struggles is important to me. I grew up in a home with an abusive father, at age 8, my mother and he separated and I have lived with her ever since. Due to the abuse I went thru with him, I spent a great deal of my younger years in counseling and learned so much about coping skills and how to focus my energy on my goals. I believe that everyone goes thru hardships for a reason. After a great deal of work, I learned that I am in control of my future and that I do not have to live as a victim of my circumstances. I have pushed myself to excel in an IB program thru HighSchool all while playing at a high level of Volleyball and helping kids grow along the way. I have decided to pursue my MA Degree in Psychology, specializing my focus on childrens mental health. Coming from a low-income single-family household, with no support from my father makes expenses difficult. I have been accepted to Mercer University for my academics and volleyball achievements but will continue to have additional costs and expenses for books and living expenses that could impact my ability to complete my goals. I would be grateful to have a little support along my journey.

My youngest cousin was born with a form of eye cancer, Retinoblastoma. He started chemo at only 2 weeks old. After watching him and our family go thru years of treatments and surgeries, having to travel out of state every two weeks for 6 years, we became involved in giving time and donations to The Ronald Mcdonald House which supported his journey and gave the family a place to stay during his treatments. My aunt then started a non-profit foundation making patient pouches filled with activities to keep children occupied during their chemo and radiation treatments. This had a big impact on me knowing that we could make a major difference in such a small way for children. I organized donations of the materials needed and helped make pouches as well. Throughout my Highschool years, I have participated in many volunteer opportunities for children with special needs, as well as coaching young girls in volleyball for my non-profit volleyball club that I have played for since I was 9. I enjoy watching kids fall in love with a sport that I fell in love with at such a young age and had an impact on my life. Helping kids find an outlet for some of life's struggles is important to me. I grew up in a home with an abusive father, at age 8, my mother and he separated and I have lived with her ever since. Due to the abuse I went thru with him, I spent a great deal of my younger years in counseling and learned so much about coping skills and how to focus my energy on my goals. I believe that everyone goes thru hardships for a reason. After a great deal of work, I learned that I am in control of my future and that I do not have to live as a victim of my circumstances. I have pushed myself to excel in an IB program thru HighSchool all while playing at a high level of Volleyball and helping kids grow along the way. I have decided to pursue my MA Degree in Psychology, specializing my focus on education and treatments for low-income communities and children's mental health. Coming from a low-income single-family household, with no support from my father makes expenses difficult. I have been accepted to Mercer University for my academics and volleyball achievements but will continue to have additional costs and expenses for books and living expenses that could impact my ability to complete my goals. I would be grateful to have a little support along my journey.

My youngest cousin was born with a form of eye cancer, Retinoblastoma. He started chemo at only 2 weeks old. After watching him and our family go thru years of treatments and surgeries, having to travel out of state every two weeks for 6 years, we became involved in giving time and donations to The Ronald Mcdonald House which supported his journey and gave the family a place to stay during his treatments. My aunt then started a non-profit foundation making patient pouches filled with activities to keep children occupied during their chemo and radiation treatments. This had a big impact on me knowing that we could make a major difference in such a small way for children. I organized donations of the materials needed and helped make pouches as well. Throughout my Highschool years, I have participated in many volunteer opportunities for children with special needs, as well as coaching young girls in volleyball for my non-profit volleyball club that I have played for since I was 9. I enjoy watching kids fall in love with a sport that I fell in love with at such a young age and had an impact on my life. Helping kids find an outlet for some of life's struggles is important to me. I grew up in a home with an abusive father, at age 8, my mother and he separated and I have lived with her ever since. Due to the abuse I went thru with him, I spent a great deal of my younger years in counseling and learned so much about coping skills and how to focus my energy on my goals. I believe that everyone goes thru hardships for a reason. After a great deal of work, I learned that I am in control of my future and that I do not have to live as a victim of my circumstances. I have pushed myself to excel in an IB program thru HighSchool all while playing at a high level of Volleyball and helping kids grow along the way. I have decided to pursue my MA Degree in Psychology, specializing my focus on childrens mental health. Coming from a low-income single-family household, with no support from my father makes expenses difficult. I have been accepted to Mercer University for my academics and volleyball achievements but will continue to have additional costs and expenses for books and living expenses that could impact my ability to complete my goals. I would be grateful to have a little support along my journey.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes in sports, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy sessions, and a toxic father that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, scheduled visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. Thankfully I had a strong independent mother that wouldn’t give up on me. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and use them as fuel to lead me to success. Now, I am a high school student athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim of my circumstances, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choosing a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes in sports, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy sessions, and a toxic father that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, scheduled visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. Thankfully I had a strong independent mother that wouldn’t give up on me. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and use them as fuel to lead me to success. Now, I am a high school student athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim of my circumstances, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choosing a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

I will prosper with purpose! There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes in sports, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy sessions, and a toxic father that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, scheduled visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. Thankfully I had a strong independent mother that wouldn’t give up on me. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and use them as fuel to lead me to success. And now I will GET IT DONE! I am a high school student athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim of my circumstances, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choosing a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes in sports, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy sessions, and a toxic father that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, scheduled visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. Thankfully I had a strong independent mother that wouldn’t give up on me. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and use them as fuel to lead me to success. Now, I am a high school student athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim of my circumstances, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choosing a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes in sports, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy sessions, and a toxic father that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, scheduled visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. Thankfully I had a strong independent mother that wouldn’t give up on me. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and use them as fuel to lead me to success. Now, I am a high school student athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim of my circumstances, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choosing a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experience to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes in sports, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy sessions, and a toxic father that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, scheduled visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. Thankfully I had a strong independent mother that wouldn’t give up on me. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and use them as fuel to lead me to success. Now, I am a high school student athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim of my circumstances, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choosing a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children. I believe this scholarship will aid in my ability to complete my Masters in the field so that I can pursue a business career in helping children through difficulties and traumas just like me.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes in sports, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy sessions, and a toxic father that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, scheduled visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. Thankfully I had a strong independent mother that wouldn’t give up on me. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and use them as fuel to lead me to success. Now, I am a high school student athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim of my circumstances, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choosing a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes in sports, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy sessions, and a toxic father that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, scheduled visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. Thankfully I had a strong independent mother that wouldn’t give up on me. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and use them as fuel to lead me to success. Now, I am a high school student athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim of my circumstances, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choosing a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes in sports, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy sessions, and a toxic father that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, scheduled visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. Thankfully I had a strong independent mother that wouldn’t give up on me. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and use them as fuel to lead me to success. Now, I am a high school student athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim of my circumstances, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choosing a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes in sports, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy sessions, and a toxic father that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, scheduled visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. Thankfully I had a strong independent mother that wouldn’t give up on me. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and use them as fuel to lead me to success. Now, I am a high school student athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim of my circumstances, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choosing a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes in sports, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy sessions, and a toxic father that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, scheduled visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. Thankfully I had a strong independent mother that wouldn’t give up on me. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and use them as fuel to lead me to success. Now, I am a high school student athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim of my circumstances, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choosing a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes in sports, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy sessions, and a toxic father that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, scheduled visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. Thankfully I had a strong independent mother that wouldn’t give up on me. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and use them as fuel to lead me to success. Now, I am a high school student athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim of my circumstances, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choosing a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes in sports, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy sessions, and a toxic father that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, scheduled visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. Thankfully I had a strong independent mother that wouldn’t give up on me. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and use them as fuel to lead me to success. Now, I am a high school student athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim of my circumstances, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choosing a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes in sports, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy sessions, and a toxic father that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, scheduled visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. Thankfully I had a strong independent mother that wouldn’t give up on me. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his actions, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow twice, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at life from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and use them as fuel to lead me to success. Now, I am a high school student athlete, committed to play D1 volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim of my circumstances, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choosing a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes around, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to be a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic parent that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, visitations, and therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his whereabouts, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started off my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at setbacks from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. I’m proud to say that now, I see a high school student athlete, verbally committed to play Division volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of unfair treatment and hardships to get to where I am. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life led me to a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes around, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to be a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic parent that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, visitations, and therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his whereabouts, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started off my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at setbacks from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. I’m proud to say that now, I see a high school student athlete, verbally committed to play Division volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of unfair treatment and hardships to get to where I am. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life led me to a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes around, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to be a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic parent that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, visitations, and therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his whereabouts, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started off my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at setbacks from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. I’m proud to say that now, I see a high school student athlete, verbally committed to play Division volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of unfair treatment and hardships to get to where I am. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life led me to a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes around, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to be a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic parent that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, visitations, and therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his whereabouts, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started off my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at setbacks from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. I’m proud to say that now, I see a high school student athlete, verbally committed to play Division volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of unfair treatment and hardships to get to where I am. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life led me to a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes around, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to be a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic parent that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, visitations, and therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his whereabouts, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started off my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at setbacks from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. I’m proud to say that now, I see a high school student athlete, verbally committed to play Division volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of unfair treatment and hardships to get to where I am. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life led me to a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes around, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to be a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic parent that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, visitations, and therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his whereabouts, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started off my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at setbacks from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. I’m proud to say that now, I see a high school student athlete, verbally committed to play Division volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of unfair treatment and hardships to get to where I am. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life led me to a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes around, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to be a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic parent that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, visitations, and therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his whereabouts, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started off my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at setbacks from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. I’m proud to say that now, I see a high school student athlete, verbally committed to play Division volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of unfair treatment and hardships to get to where I am. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life led me to a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes around, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to be a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic parent that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, visitations, and therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his whereabouts, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started off my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at setbacks from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. I’m proud to say that now, I see a high school student athlete, verbally committed to play Division volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of unfair treatment and hardships to get to where I am. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life led me to a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes around, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to be a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic parent that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, visitations, and therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his whereabouts, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started off my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at setbacks from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. I’m proud to say that now, I see a high school student athlete, verbally committed to play Division volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of unfair treatment and hardships to get to where I am. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life led me to a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes around, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to be a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic parent that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, visitations, and therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his whereabouts, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started off my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. Thanks to watching my strong independent mother that refused to give up, I choose now to look at setbacks from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. I’m proud to say that now, I see a high school student athlete, verbally committed to play Division volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of unfair treatment and hardships to get to where I am. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life led me to a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes around, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to be a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic parent that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, visitations, and therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his whereabouts, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started off my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at setbacks from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. I’m proud to say that now, I see a high school student athlete, verbally committed to play Division volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of unfair treatment and hardships to get to where I am. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life led me to a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes around, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to be a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic parent that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, visitations, and therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his whereabouts, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started off my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at setbacks from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. I’m proud to say that now, I see a high school student athlete, verbally committed to play Division volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of unfair treatment and hardships to get to where I am. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life led me to a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes around, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to be a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic parent that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, visitations, and therapy sessions all because of a father figure who used his manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with the challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his whereabouts, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my dads name attached to it. I started off my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow, tore my Labrum, both Patellar Tendons, and my MCL. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me to this day is the inability to let myself, or others down. I choose to look at setbacks from a different perspective. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficult situations and turn them into fuel to lead me to success. I’m proud to say that now, I see a high school student athlete, verbally committed to play Division volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of unfair treatment and hardships to get to where I am. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim, someone who is hungry for more, and willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life led me to a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.

There are many things in life that are meant to be taken slow, maturing being one of them. Most kids have their whole childhood to figure out the process of becoming an adult, but my timeline was cut short. I grew up in the shadow of a professional basketball player by day, but an abuser by night. On one hand, I was grateful to learn from one of the best athletes around, but on the other hand, I wished I had the opportunity to experience being a kid without being exposed to mental abuse, therapy, and a toxic parental relationship that carried into my personal life. By the age of 12 I had been through custody battles, visitations, and weekly therapy sessions all because of a father who used manipulation to make me fall into a false sense of security. I was faced with challenges of living up to his athletic expectations as well as training my brain to mature at an early age to cope with the mental abuse. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade to shift my focus. Because of my background, I put in an immense amount of dedication into this sport, and eventually grew into a very talented player. Although all contact with my dad had been cut off, he still made an appearance at some of my games. Since I was still young, his presence affected my performance. After accepting that I had no control over his whereabouts, I decided to tackle my mental situation and learn different techniques to put me at ease that way I could truly give my all to this sport. Even though my father played a big role in my mental maturity, he wasn’t the only challenge I faced. I went into high school with the intention of making a name for myself, one that didn’t have my father attached to it. I started off my high school career strong, but then came the injuries. By the age of 17, I had broken my elbow, torn my shoulder and both knees. Recovery was exhausting, but my end goal sat prominently in the front of my head. I wanted to be just as successful as my father, but prove to myself and others that although having good genes was helpful, accomplishing your dreams was something only you had control over. One thing from my trauma that I proudly carry with me is the inability to let myself, or others down. Because of this, I am able to push myself to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be, and I take pride in knowing people can count on me in any situation. I’ve learned to take difficulty and turn it into fuel to lead me to success. I know that when writing college essays, you are supposed to show how you’ve reached your full potential and why you deserve to be at that school but when I look at myself, I see a high school student athlete, verbally committed to play Division volleyball at Mercer University who pushed through years of unfair treatment and hardships to get to where I am now. But that’s not the only thing in my vision. On top of my accomplishments, I see a person who is not a victim of my circumstances, someone who is hungry for more, and is willing to give my all in every situation. My experiences in life are what led me to choosing a degree in Psychology, I truly believe that I can use my experiences to help others cope and manage trauma, especially as children.