As an athlete and a student, I know that having healthy habits in all areas of life is important for being happy, safe, and successful. I know that good sleep, a balanced diet, and consistent exercise are all necessary to maintain a healthy body and mind that will support a person through anything. It is important to me not only that I care for myself in this way, but that I am able to help others care for themselves. For this reason, I want to go into the healthcare field of Physical Therapy to guide patients through their healing process or protect them from issues that will hinder their physical abilities. As a young woman, I know that it is important to have female role models in all areas. I hope to help other young women to live healthy lives and be someone who they can talk to when they have questions or concerns. I have been blessed to have a sister, mother and several aunts who model healthy life choices and who I know I can talk to when there are things that I am wondering about. As I work with young athletes in my career as a physical therapist, I hope to make a positive impact on others in their health and recovery journeys. In athletics, I am a leader. I am an Irish Dancer at the Open Championship level, which is the highest level of dance. I have competed against the best dancers in the world at competitions across the US. I also instruct younger dancers during dance classes and private lessons. During my volleyball season, I was named as a Captain of my varsity team. Each of these experiences have helped solidify my desire to work with athletes to improve their functioning and performance as a Physical Therapist. As a student, I will need to complete 6 years of schooling. Being a Physical Therapist requires at least 6 years of school, with an undergraduate degree of a Bachelor of Science in Health Science, then continuing to a Doctor of Physical Therapy. These degrees are a challenging combination of science classes, including Anatomy and Physiology, Organic Chemistry and Physics. I am confident that I can be successful in these courses since I have already completed college level Chemistry and Physics classes. I appreciate your consideration for this scholarship to help me pay the cost of my education.

Community service and volunteering are values that have been instilled in me since I was young. My actions have demonstrated these values in a variety of ways as I learn, grow, and get ready to start my college education. I go to LaFayette Junior-Senior High School. My graduating class is under fifty students, so we are a tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone. While that creates a supportive environment, it also means we do not have as many opportunities as larger schools. As a result, we are an “all-hands-on-deck” type of environment, where everyone works together. If you have ever been to the Apple Festival in LaFayette each fall, you may have noticed that the whole community pitches in to help support the clubs and organizations of the school and town. I have been volunteering at the Apple Festival since age 6, selling apple milkshakes to support my brother’s lacrosse team, making candy apples for the Yearbook Club, and serving breakfast in the barn to fundraise for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Every year, children, teens, and adults in LaFayette spend the whole weekend serving their community, and although it is demanding work, it is fun because all your friends are there. This experience has taught me so many skills, but most importantly, I have learned that service to your community is important, valuable, and fun! I also volunteer through my school by participating in many clubs aimed at reducing the stigma around asking for help with mental health struggles. Morgan’s Message is an organization that focuses on the student-athlete population and aims to equalize the treatment of physical and mental health. I have worked with the Morgan’s Message group in my school by fundraising, organizing events, and acting as a leader by presenting the mission and story behind this group to the fans and athletes at several sports games and community events. After two students in our small school took their own life, we started another effort called “Sources of Strength”, which is an active suicide prevention program aimed at promoting positive outcomes such as improving well-being, encouraging help-seeking, resilience, and healthy coping, while promoting a sense of belonging. After attending a full day of training, staff and students have been planning events to give students authentic feelings of strength and belonging. I have been active in both of these groups since my sophomore year of high school and feel that I have learned many valuable lessons about service and leadership while making a difference for others in my school. Myself and my classmates who volunteer in our community don’t look for recognition or fame as a result of our efforts. We aim to make our school and community a better place through our time, service and effort. Like many organizations, we are trying to address inequities that occur within our community and lead our peers to a stronger sense of well-being and health. My career goal is to become a physical therapist who works with athletes to heal from their injuries while learning to cope with the impact that these injuries have had on their overall well-being. I see this as a combination of what I have learned through my service to these two clubs and hope to carry these skills on to the next stage of my life.

I am an Irish Dancer. That’s what I’ve been telling people ever since my mom enrolled me in classes when I was three years old. It’s my response when someone asks me what sport I play, why I’m so strong, why I’m always tapping my feet, or why my free time is limited. Throughout my life, I’ve watched friends quit dancing because of cruel comments about how “weird” they are for being an Irish dancer, and I’d be lying if I said I haven’t received the same treatment. I’m proud of my heritage and my sport, and it makes me laugh every time someone asks me to “do a jig”. That question belittles my sport and all that it involves. To me, Irish dance is an art and a form of expression. It allows me to forget about everything else going on in my life and feel free. Even on the hardest days, knowing that I can escape to practice brings me peace and strength. I am who I am because of Irish dance. Dance has taught me how to take constructive criticism, something I used to struggle with but am now praised for my ability to do. It has taught me the importance of physical and mental health; I know the difference that weightlifting and mental training can have on performance. It has made me into a hardworking person who finds more joy in going to practice than relaxing at home. But more than that, dance has taught me how to handle adversity and recover from failure and injury. To give some insight, competitive Irish dancing consists of dancing at local competitions and major competitions like the Regional Oireachtas and the North American Nationals. Dancing at majors is the only way to qualify for the World Championships, achieved by placing in the top 10% of all competitors, and this has always been a far-reaching dream of mine. At Oireachtas in 2023, I placed much lower than I had expected - close to last place - and this crushed my confidence. I was frustrated, but the adversity pushed me to work harder than ever to improve for the next competition. Unfortunately, in late May of 2024, two months before I was supposed to compete at my first Nationals, I injured my toe while out with my friends. My foot became purple and swollen, but I held out hope that it would heal quickly. As Nationals got closer, I realized that if I wasn't proactive with my recovery, I would not be able to dance for months and would have no chance of competing that July at Nationals. I decided that going to a physical therapist to get professional advice and help would be my only chance of recovering at the rate that I wanted to. After the first session with my therapist, I was captivated by the work she was doing to help me heal and the science behind it. I realized then that I wanted to become a physical therapist and help other athletes, just like what was done for me. Although my injury prevented me from competing at Nationals, I went on to improve immensely and placed 38th in the region last fall, then 36th at the 2025 Nationals. I am continuing to improve in my skill, strength, and mentality and have set a goal to place in the top 20 and qualify for Worlds at Oireachtas this fall, something I never would have dreamed of achieving 2 years ago. I am the person I am today because of the impact that Irish dancing has had on me.

Hard work and valuing education have been instilled in me since I was young. My actions have demonstrated these values in a variety of ways as I learn, grow, and get ready to start my college education. My education is also something that is valuable to me, and I work hard to achieve all that I can. Two years ago, I was ranked third in my small high school class. I set a goal for myself to improve my grades and try to be Valedictorian. In my day-to-day life, that meant prioritizing my schoolwork, studying harder for tests than I had before, and taking more challenging courses. I saw my grades slowly improve, and at the start of my senior year, my guidance counselor gave me the best news – I was ranked first in my class! I was so proud of myself and was thrilled to see the results of my hard work pay off. I have continued my dedication to my education for the first half of my senior year, and in the coming weeks, my school will officially announce the Valedictorian of my high school. I am confident and hopeful that it will be me. I am an Irish Dancer. That’s what I’ve been telling people ever since my mom enrolled me in classes when I was three years old. It’s my response when someone asks me what sport I play, why I’m so strong, why I’m always tapping my feet, or why my free time is limited. Throughout my life, I’ve watched friends quit dancing because of cruel comments about how “weird” they are for being an Irish dancer, and I’d be lying if I said I haven’t received the same treatment. I’m proud of my heritage and my sport, and it makes me laugh every time someone asks me to “do a jig”. That question belittles my sport and all that it involves. To me, Irish dance is an art and a form of expression. It allows me to forget about everything else going on in my life and feel free. Even on the hardest days, knowing that I can escape to practice brings me peace and strength. I am who I am because of Irish dance. Dance has taught me how to take constructive criticism, something I used to struggle with but am now praised for my ability to do. It has taught me the importance of physical and mental health; I know the difference that weightlifting and mental training can have on performance. It has made me into a hardworking person who finds more joy in going to practice than relaxing at home. But more than that, dance has taught me how to handle adversity and recover from failure and injury. To give some insight, competitive solo Irish dancing consists of dancing both individually and in teams at local competitions and major competitions like the Regional Oireachtas and the North American Nationals. Dancing with a team of 3 or 5 other dancers requires performing in exact synchrony with each other, and as a result, I have learned to work and perform as a team. My preference, however, is to dance in solo competitions. Dancing at majors is the only way to qualify for the World Championships, achieved by placing in the top 10% of all competitors, and this has always been a far-reaching dream of mine. At Oireachtas in 2023, I placed much lower than I had expected - close to last place - and this crushed my confidence. I was frustrated, but the adversity pushed me to work harder than ever to improve for the next competition. Unfortunately, in late May of 2024, two months before I was supposed to compete at my first Nationals, I injured my toe while out with my friends. My foot became purple and swollen, but I held out hope that it would heal quickly. As Nationals got closer, I realized that if I wasn't proactive with my recovery, I would not be able to dance for months and would have no chance of competing that July at Nationals. I decided that going to a physical therapist to get professional advice and help would be my only chance of recovering at the rate that I wanted to. After the first session with my therapist, I was captivated by the work she was doing to help me heal and the science behind it. I realized then that I wanted to become a physical therapist and help other athletes and patients, just like what was done for me. Although my injury did prevent me from competing at Nationals, I went on to improve immensely and placed 38th in the region last fall, then 36th at the 2025 Nationals. I am continuing to improve in my skill, strength, and mentality and have set a goal to place in the top 20 and qualify for Worlds at Oireachtas this fall, something I never would have dreamed of achieving 2 years ago. I am the person I am today because of the impact that Irish dancing has had on me, and I am confident that I will use my college education to become a Physical Therapist and give back to others.

“Boldly, Unapologetically Me” - When I was in sixth grade, my sister studied abroad in Spain for her senior year of high school. I made the decision that I would do the same. I made plans with my guidance counselor to graduate early and told everyone that I would be going away for my senior year. When one friend mentioned to me that maybe studying abroad was not right for me, it made me stop and really think about what I wanted. Was I doing this because it was the right decision for me? After consideration, I realized that I loved the life I was living at home and did not want it to change. I made the choice to stay home and that caused an incredibly fundamental shift in my life. As a senior in high school, I have flourished in my social life, my academics, and my athletics. I worked hard to move myself up to be Valedictorian of my class. My senior volleyball season was successful and cured emotional pains from past seasons. I spent hours each day training for Irish dance and the results reflected my hard work. I was able to complete shadow hours with physical therapists in a variety of settings. I made memories with friends and family. Not going on an exchange year has taught me that what’s right for some may not be right for all. My sister had an amazing experience in Spain, but I am having an amazing experience at home. “Creating Connection” - I go to LaFayette Junior-Senior High School. My graduating class is under fifty students, so we are a tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone. While that creates a supportive environment, it also means we do not have as many opportunities as larger schools. As a result, we are an “all-hands-on-deck” type of environment, where everyone works together. If you have ever been to the Apple Festival in LaFayette each fall, you may have noticed that the whole community pitches in to help support the clubs and organizations of the school and town. I have been volunteering at the Apple Festival since age 6, selling apple milkshakes to support my brother’s lacrosse team, making candy apples for the Yearbook Club, and serving breakfast in the barn to fundraise for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Every year, children, teens, and adults in LaFayette spend the whole weekend serving their community, and although it is demanding work, it is fun because all your friends are there. This experience has taught me so many skills, but most importantly, I have learned that service to your community is important, valuable, and fun! By working together, we can make our community stronger. I plan to bring this same sense of community service to my college environment. As I move on to a new stage in my life, I hope to bring what I have learned to my college community by continuing to work hard for my education, providing service to the school, and being an active part of the community.

I am an Irish dancer. That is what I have told people for as long as I can remember, ever since my mom enrolled me in classes when I was three years old. That simple sentence explains so much about who I am. It is my answer when someone asks what sport I play, why I am so strong, why I am always tapping my feet, or why my free time is limited. Irish dance is not just something I do—it is a part of my identity. Throughout my life, I have seen friends quit dancing because of cruel or dismissive comments about how “weird” it is to be an Irish dancer. I would be lying if I said I had never received the same treatment. People often do not understand the sport, and many fail to recognize the discipline and athleticism it requires. Still, I have never let those opinions change how I feel. I am proud of my heritage and my sport, and it makes me laugh every time someone asks me to “do a jig.” While that question may seem harmless, it minimizes the dedication, training, and effort behind Irish dance. To me, Irish dance is an art form and a powerful means of expression. Irish dance gives me a sense of freedom that nothing else can. When I am dancing, everything else in my life fades away. The music, rhythm, and precision demand complete focus, allowing me to escape stress and pressure. Even on the hardest days, knowing that I can go to practice brings me comfort and peace. Dance has become my outlet, a place where I feel strong, confident, and present. It has taught me how to express emotions that are otherwise difficult to put into words. Beyond expression, dance has taught me essential life skills. One of the most important lessons I have learned is how to accept constructive criticism. When I was younger, criticism felt discouraging and personal. Over time, however, I learned that corrections are opportunities to grow. Now, my ability to take feedback and apply it is something I am praised for, both in dance and in other areas of my life. This skill has helped me academically and socially, making me more resilient and open to improvement. Irish dance has also shown me the importance of caring for both physical and mental health. Competitive dancing demands strength, endurance, and control, which has taught me the value of weightlifting, conditioning, and recovery. Just as important is mental training—learning how to handle pressure, manage nerves, and stay focused. Dance has made me a hardworking person who finds fulfillment in pushing myself and improving every day. Handling adversity has been one of the greatest lessons Irish dance has given me. Competitive solo Irish dancing includes local competitions as well as major events such as the Regional Oireachtas and the North American National Championships. These competitions are the only way to qualify for the World Championships, which requires placing in the top ten percent of dancers. Qualifying for Worlds has always been a distant but meaningful dream of mine. At the 2023 Regional Oireachtas, that dream felt further away than ever. I placed much lower than I expected—close to last place—and the result shattered my confidence. I felt frustrated, embarrassed, and defeated. However, instead of letting that disappointment define me, I used it as motivation. That setback pushed me to work harder than ever to improve my strength, technique, and mindset. Just as I was preparing for my first North American Nationals in 2024, I faced another challenge. In late May, only two months before the competition, I injured my toe while out with friends. My foot became swollen and bruised, and as Nationals approached, I realized that ignoring the injury could prevent me from dancing for months. Determined to recover, I decided to see a physical therapist. That decision became a turning point in my life. From my very first session, I was fascinated by the science behind physical therapy and the way targeted exercises could promote healing. My therapist helped me understand my body in a new way, and through that experience, I realized that I wanted to become a physical therapist myself. I wanted to help athletes and patients recover from injuries and regain confidence, just as I was being helped. Although my injury prevented me from competing at Nationals that summer, it did not stop my progress. I returned stronger and more focused, placing 38th in the region that fall and then 36th at the 2025 Nationals. These results represented resilience and growth, not just rankings. I continue to improve in skill, strength, and mental preparation, and I have set a goal to place in the top 20 and qualify for Worlds at Oireachtas this fall—something I never would have believed possible two years ago. I am the person I am today because of the impact Irish dance has had on my life. While the journey has been challenging, it has been incredibly meaningful. Irish dance taught me that I can overcome adversity, recover from failure and injury, and believe in my own strength. It will always be a part of who I am and a reminder of everything I am capable of achieving. If I am chosen to receive this scholarship, I will use the money to help pay the tuition for the years of undergraduate and graduate work that it takes to get a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Thank you for your consideration.

I am an Irish Dancer. That’s what I’ve been telling people ever since my mom enrolled me in classes when I was three years old. It’s my response when someone asks me what sport I play, why I’m so strong, why I’m always tapping my feet, or why my free time is limited. Throughout my life, I’ve watched friends quit dancing because of cruel comments about how “weird” they are for being an Irish dancer, and I’d be lying if I said I haven’t received the same treatment. I’m proud of my heritage and my sport, and it makes me laugh every time someone asks me to “do a jig”. That question belittles my sport and all that it involves. To me, Irish dance is an art and a form of expression. It allows me to forget about everything else going on in my life and feel free. Even on the hardest days, knowing that I can escape to practice brings me peace and strength. I am who I am because of Irish dance. Dance has taught me how to take constructive criticism, something I used to struggle with but am now praised for my ability to do. It has taught me the importance of physical and mental health; I know the difference that weightlifting and mental training can have on performance. It has made me into a hardworking person who finds more joy in going to practice than relaxing at home. But more than that, dance has taught me how to handle adversity and recover from failure and injury. To give some insight, competitive solo Irish dancing consists of dancing both individually and in teams at local competitions and major competitions like the Regional Oireachtas and the North American Nationals. Dancing with a team of 3 or 5 other dancers requires performing in exact synchrony with each other, and as a result, I have learned to work and perform as a team. My preference, however, is to dance in solo competitions. Dancing at majors is the only way to qualify for the World Championships, achieved by placing in the top 10% of all competitors, and this has always been a far-reaching dream of mine. At Oireachtas in 2023, I placed much lower than I had expected - close to last place - and this crushed my confidence. I was frustrated, but the adversity pushed me to work harder than ever to improve for the next competition. Unfortunately, in late May of 2024, two months before I was supposed to compete at my first Nationals, I injured my toe while out with my friends. My foot became purple and swollen, but I held out hope that it would heal quickly. As Nationals got closer, I realized that if I wasn't proactive with my recovery, I would not be able to dance for months and would have no chance of competing that July at Nationals. I decided that going to a physical therapist to get professional advice and help would be my only chance of recovering at the rate that I wanted to. After the first session with my therapist, I was captivated by the work she was doing to help me heal and the science behind it. I realized then that I wanted to become a physical therapist and help other athletes and patients, just like what was done for me. Although my injury did prevent me from competing at Nationals, I went on to improve immensely and placed 38th in the region last fall, then 36th at the 2025 Nationals. I am continuing to improve in my skill, strength, and mentality and have set a goal to place in the top 20 and qualify for Worlds at Oireachtas this fall, something I never would have dreamed of achieving 2 years ago. I am the person I am today because of the impact that Irish dancing has had on me. It has helped me to build character and work as part of a team and will be a part of me for the rest of my life, a reminder of all that I can achieve.

I am an Irish Dancer. It’s my response when someone asks me what sport I play, why I’m so strong, why I’m always tapping my feet, or why my free time is limited. I’m proud of my heritage and my sport, and it makes me laugh every time someone asks me to “do a jig”. To me, Irish dance is an art and a form of expression. It allows me to forget about everything else going on in my life and feel free. Even on the hardest days, knowing that I can escape to practice brings me peace and strength. Dance has taught me how to take constructive criticism, something I used to struggle with but am now praised for my ability to do. It has taught me the importance of physical and mental health; I know the difference that weightlifting and mental training can have on performance. But more than that, dance has taught me how to handle adversity and recover from failure and injury. To give some insight, competitive solo Irish dancing consists of local competitions and major competitions like the Regional Oireachtas and the North American Nationals. At Oireachtas in 2023, I placed much lower than I had expected - close to last place - and this crushed my confidence. I was frustrated, but the adversity pushed me to work harder than ever to improve for the next competition. Unfortunately, in late May of 2024, two months before I was supposed to compete at my first Nationals, I injured my toe while out with my friends. My foot became purple and swollen, but I held out hope that it would heal quickly. As Nationals got closer, I realized that if I wasn't proactive with my recovery, I would not be able to dance for months and would have no chance of competing that July at Nationals. I decided that going to a physical therapist to get professional advice and help would be my only chance of recovering at the rate that I wanted to. After the first session with my therapist, I was captivated by the work she was doing to help me heal and the science behind it. I realized then that I wanted to become a physical therapist and help other athletes and patients, just like what was done for me. Although my injury did prevent me from competing at Nationals, I went on to improve immensely and placed 38th in the region last fall, then 36th at the 2025 Nationals. I am continuing to improve in my skill, strength, and mentality and have set a goal to place in the top 20 and qualify for Worlds at Oireachtas this fall, something I never would have dreamed of achieving 2 years ago. I am the person I am today because of the impact that Irish dancing has had on me, and I can’t wait to give back to others in the same way that I was supported by my physical therapist.

I love Wicked for so many reasons! The music, the message, the dancing, the story- I could go on and on. I love absolutely everything about it. My mom was a huge fan of the musical right from the start, but she thought that I was too young to go to the show. When the movie came out, I fell in love too! While riding in the car together, we argue about which version of the show to listen to - she loves the traditional Broadway version with Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda. I prefer the movie soundtrack with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. I think that the writer of the original story is a genius as he intertwined so many parts of the story, while linking it accurately to the classic Wizard of Oz. I wish that I could tell stories like that, but for now, I will just have to enjoy the stories that other people tell. Then for other writers and composers to adapt the story to stage and screen - amazing. Finally, the musical came to our small city and my mom took me! I then saw why she loved the Broadway version so much. The movie version is still my favorite, but shhhhh, don't tell my mom!

I am an Irish Dancer. It’s my response when someone asks me what sport I play, why I’m so strong, why I’m always tapping my feet, or why my free time is limited. I consider Irish dance to be part of my identity. I’m proud of my heritage and my sport, and it makes me laugh every time someone asks me to “do a jig”. That question belittles my sport and all that it involves. To me, Irish dance is an art and a form of expression. It allows me to forget about everything else going on in my life and feel free. Even on the hardest days, knowing that I can escape to practice brings me peace and strength. I am who I am because of Irish dance. Dance has taught me how to take constructive criticism, something I used to struggle with but am now praised for my ability to do. It has taught me the importance of physical and mental health; I know the difference that weightlifting and mental training can have on performance. It has made me into a hardworking person who finds more joy in going to practice than relaxing at home. But more than that, dance has taught me how to handle adversity and recover from failure and injury. To give some insight, competitive solo Irish dancing consists of local competitions and major competitions like the Regional Oireachtas and the North American Nationals. Majors are the only way to qualify for the World Championships, achieved by placing in the top 10% of all competitors, and this has always been a far-reaching dream of mine. At Oireachtas in 2023, I placed much lower than I had expected - close to last place - and this crushed my confidence. I was frustrated, but the adversity pushed me to work harder than ever to improve for the next competition. Unfortunately, in late May of 2024, two months before I was supposed to compete at my first Nationals, I injured my toe while out with my friends. My foot became purple and swollen, but I held out hope that it would heal quickly. As Nationals got closer, I realized that if I wasn't proactive with my recovery, I would not be able to dance for months and would have no chance of competing that July at Nationals. I decided that going to a physical therapist to get professional advice and help would be my only chance of recovering at the rate that I wanted to. After the first session with my therapist, I was captivated by the work she was doing to help me heal and the science behind it. I realized then that I wanted to become a physical therapist and help other athletes and patients, just like what was done for me. Although my injury did prevent me from competing at Nationals, I went on to improve immensely and placed 38th in the region last fall, then 36th at the 2025 Nationals. I am continuing to improve in my skill, strength, and mentality and have set a goal to place in the top 20 and qualify for Worlds at Oireachtas this fall, something I never would have dreamed of achieving 2 years ago. I am the person I am today because of the impact that Irish dancing has had on me. It will be a part of me for the rest of my life, a reminder of all that I can achieve.

I am an Irish Dancer. That’s what I’ve been telling people ever since my mom enrolled me in classes when I was three years old. It’s my response when someone asks me what sport I play, why I’m so strong, why I’m always tapping my feet, or why my free time is limitedI’m proud of my heritage and my sport, and it makes me laugh every time someone asks me to “do a jig”. That question belittles my sport and all that it involves. To me, Irish dance is an art and a form of expression. It allows me to forget about everything else going on in my life and feel free. Even on the hardest days, knowing that I can escape to practice brings me peace and strength. I am who I am because of Irish dance. Dance has taught me how to take constructive criticism, something I used to struggle with but am now praised for my ability to do. It has taught me the importance of physical and mental health; I know the difference that weightlifting and mental training can have on performance. It has made me into a hardworking person who finds more joy in going to practice than relaxing at home. But more than that, dance has taught me how to handle adversity and recover from failure and injury. To give some insight, competitive solo Irish dancing consists of local competitions and major competitions like the Regional Oireachtas and the North American Nationals. Majors are the only way to qualify for the World Championships, achieved by placing in the top 10% of all competitors, and this has always been a far-reaching dream of mine. At Oireachtas in 2023, I placed much lower than I had expected - close to last place - and this crushed my confidence. I was frustrated, but the adversity pushed me to work harder than ever to improve for the next competition. Unfortunately, in late May of 2024, two months before I was supposed to compete at my first Nationals, I injured my toe while out with my friends. My foot became purple and swollen, but I held out hope that it would heal quickly. As Nationals got closer, I realized that if I wasn't proactive with my recovery, I would not be able to dance for months and would have no chance of competing that July at Nationals. I decided that going to a physical therapist to get professional advice and help would be my only chance of recovering at the rate that I wanted to. After the first session with my therapist, I was captivated by the work she was doing to help me heal and the science behind it. I realized then that I wanted to become a physical therapist and help other athletes and patients, just like what was done for me. Although my injury did prevent me from competing at Nationals, I went on to improve immensely and placed 38th in the region last fall, then 36th at the 2025 Nationals. I am continuing to improve in my skill, strength, and mentality and have set a goal to place in the top 20 and qualify for Worlds at Oireachtas this fall, something I never would have dreamed of achieving 2 years ago. I am the person I am today because of the impact that Irish dancing has had on me. It will be a part of me for the rest of my life, a reminder of all that I can achieve.

Community, service, and valuing education have been instilled in me since I was young. My actions have demonstrated these values in a variety of ways as I learn, grow, and get ready to start my college education. I go to LaFayette Junior-Senior High School. My graduating class is under fifty students, so we are a tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone. While that creates a supportive environment, it also means we do not have as many opportunities as larger schools. As a result, we are an “all-hand-on-deck” type of environment, where everyone works together. If you have ever been to the Apple Festival in LaFayette each fall, you may have noticed that the whole community pitches in to help support the clubs and organizations of the school and town. I have been volunteering at the Apple Festival since age 6, selling apple milkshakes to support my brother’s lacrosse team, making candy apples for the Yearbook Club, and serving breakfast in the barn to fundraise for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Every year, children, teens, and adults in LaFayette spend the whole weekend serving their community, and although it is demanding work, it is fun because all your friends are there. This experience has taught me so many skills, but most importantly, I have learned that service to your community is important, valuable, and fun! My education is also something that is valuable to me, and I work hard to achieve all that I can. Two years ago, I was ranked third in my small high school class. I set a goal for myself to improve my grades and try to be Valedictorian. In my day-to-day life, that meant prioritizing my schoolwork, studying harder for tests than I had before, and taking more challenging courses. I saw my grades slowly improve, and at the start of my senior year, my guidance counselor gave me the best news – I was ranked first in my class! I was so proud of myself and was thrilled to see the results of my hard work pay off. I have continued my dedication to my education for the first half of my senior year, and in the coming weeks, my school will officially announce the Valedictorian of my high school. I am confident and hopeful that it will be me. As I move on to a new stage in my life, I hope to bring what I have learned to my college community by continuing to work hard for my education, providing service to the school, and being an active part of the community. These values have served me well so far, and I am sure that they will continue to bring benefits to myself and those around me in the future.

I am an Irish dancer. That is what I have told people for as long as I can remember, ever since my mom enrolled me in classes when I was three years old. That simple sentence explains so much about who I am. It is my answer when someone asks what sport I play, why I am so strong, why I am always tapping my feet, or why my free time is limited. Irish dance is not just something I do—it is a part of my identity. Throughout my life, I have seen friends quit dancing because of cruel or dismissive comments about how “weird” it is to be an Irish dancer. I would be lying if I said I had never received the same treatment. People often do not understand the sport, and many fail to recognize the discipline and athleticism it requires. Still, I have never let those opinions change how I feel. I am proud of my heritage and my sport, and it makes me laugh every time someone asks me to “do a jig.” While that question may seem harmless, it minimizes the dedication, training, and effort behind Irish dance. To me, Irish dance is an art form and a powerful means of expression. Irish dance gives me a sense of freedom that nothing else can. When I am dancing, everything else in my life fades away. The music, rhythm, and precision demand complete focus, allowing me to escape stress and pressure. Even on the hardest days, knowing that I can go to practice brings me comfort and peace. Dance has become my outlet, a place where I feel strong, confident, and present. It has taught me how to express emotions that are otherwise difficult to put into words. Beyond expression, dance has taught me essential life skills. One of the most important lessons I have learned is how to accept constructive criticism. When I was younger, criticism felt discouraging and personal. Over time, however, I learned that corrections are opportunities to grow. Now, my ability to take feedback and apply it is something I am praised for, both in dance and in other areas of my life. This skill has helped me academically and socially, making me more resilient and open to improvement. Irish dance has also shown me the importance of caring for both physical and mental health. Competitive dancing demands strength, endurance, and control, which has taught me the value of weightlifting, conditioning, and recovery. Just as important is mental training—learning how to handle pressure, manage nerves, and stay focused. Dance has made me a hardworking person who finds fulfillment in pushing myself and improving every day. Handling adversity has been one of the greatest lessons Irish dance has given me. Competitive solo Irish dancing includes local competitions as well as major events such as the Regional Oireachtas and the North American National Championships. These competitions are the only way to qualify for the World Championships, which requires placing in the top ten percent of dancers. Qualifying for Worlds has always been a distant but meaningful dream of mine. At the 2023 Regional Oireachtas, that dream felt further away than ever. I placed much lower than I expected—close to last place—and the result shattered my confidence. I felt frustrated, embarrassed, and defeated. However, instead of letting that disappointment define me, I used it as motivation. That setback pushed me to work harder than ever to improve my strength, technique, and mindset.

I am an Irish Dancer. That’s what I’ve been telling people ever since my mom enrolled me in classes when I was three years old. It’s my response when someone asks me what sport I play, why I’m so strong, why I’m always tapping my feet, or why my free time is limited. Throughout my life, I’ve watched friends quit dancing because of cruel comments about how “weird” they are for being an Irish dancer, and I’d be lying if I said I haven’t received the same treatment. I’m proud of my heritage and my sport, and it makes me laugh every time someone asks me to “do a jig”. That question belittles my sport and all that it involves. To me, Irish dance is an art and a form of expression. I am who I am because of Irish dance. Dance has taught me how to take constructive criticism, something I used to struggle with but am now praised for my ability to do. It has taught me the importance of physical and mental health; I know the difference that weightlifting and mental training can have on performance. It has made me into a hardworking person who finds more joy in going to practice than relaxing at home. But more than that, dance has taught me how to handle adversity and recover from failure and injury. To give some insight, competitive solo Irish dancing consists of dancing individually at local and major competitions like the Regional Oireachtas and the North American Nationals. Dancing at majors is the only way to qualify for the World Championships, achieved by placing in the top 10% of all competitors, and this has always been a far-reaching dream of mine. At Oireachtas in 2023, I placed much lower than I had expected - close to last place - and this crushed my confidence. I was frustrated, but the adversity pushed me to work harder than ever to improve for the next competition. Unfortunately, in late May of 2024, two months before I was supposed to compete at my first Nationals, I injured my toe while out with my friends. My foot became purple and swollen, but I held out hope that it would heal quickly. As Nationals got closer, I realized that if I wasn't proactive with my recovery, I would not be able to dance for months and would have no chance of competing that July at Nationals. I decided that going to a physical therapist to get professional advice and help would be my only chance of recovering at the rate that I wanted to. After the first session with my therapist, I was captivated by the work she was doing to help me heal and the science behind it. I realized then that I wanted to become a physical therapist and help other athletes and patients, just like what was done for me. Although my injury did prevent me from competing at Nationals, I went on to improve immensely and placed 38th in the region last fall, then 36th at the 2025 Nationals. I am continuing to improve in my skill, strength, and mentality and have set a “pie-in-the-sky” goal to place in the top 20 and qualify for Worlds at Oireachtas this fall, something I never would have dreamed of achieving 2 years ago. I am the person I am today because of the impact that Irish dancing has had on me. It will be a part of me for the rest of my life, a reminder of all that I can achieve.

I am an Irish Dancer. That’s what I’ve been telling people ever since my mom enrolled me in classes when I was three years old. It’s my response when someone asks me what sport I play, why I’m so strong, why I’m always tapping my feet, or why my free time is limited. I consider Irish dance to be part of my identity. Throughout my life, I’ve watched friends quit dancing because of cruel comments about how “weird” they are for being an Irish dancer, and I’d be lying if I said I haven’t received the same treatment. I have never been fazed by what people have said to me though. I’m proud of my heritage and my sport, and it makes me laugh every time someone asks me to “do a jig”. That question belittles my sport and all that it involves. Even on the hardest days, knowing that I can escape to practice brings me peace and strength. I am who I am because of Irish dance. Dance has taught me how to take constructive criticism, something I used to struggle with but am now praised for my ability to do. It has taught me the importance of physical and mental health; I know the difference that weightlifting and mental training can have on performance. But more than that, dance has taught me how to handle adversity and recover from failure and injury. To give some insight, competitive solo Irish dancing consists of local competitions and major competitions like the Regional Oireachtas and the North American Nationals. Majors are the only way to qualify for the World Championships, achieved by placing in the top 10% of all competitors, and this has always been a far-reaching dream of mine. At Oireachtas in 2023, I placed much lower than I had expected - close to last place - and this crushed my confidence. I was frustrated, but the adversity pushed me to work harder than ever to improve for the next competition. Unfortunately, in late May of 2024, two months before I was supposed to compete at my first Nationals, I injured my toe while out with my friends. My foot became purple and swollen, but I held out hope that it would heal quickly. As Nationals got closer, I realized that if I wasn't proactive with my recovery, I would not be able to dance for months and would have no chance of competing that July at Nationals. I decided that going to a physical therapist to get professional advice and help would be my only chance of recovering at the rate that I wanted to. After the first session with my therapist, I was captivated by the work she was doing to help me heal and the science behind it. I realized then that I wanted to become a physical therapist and help other athletes and patients, just like what was done for me. Although my injury did prevent me from competing at Nationals, I went on to improve immensely and placed 38th in the region last fall, then 36th at the 2025 Nationals. I am continuing to improve in my skill, strength, and mentality and have set a goal to place in the top 20 and qualify for Worlds at Oireachtas this fall, something I never would have dreamed of achieving 2 years ago. I am the person I am today because of the impact that Irish dancing has had on me. It will be a part of me for the rest of my life, a reminder of all that I can achieve.