My father lost his life in a tragic work-related accident after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest event on November 21, 2016. He never regained consciousness due to the anoxic brain injury he suffered from. He ultimately passed away on January 17, 2017 after months in the hospital with no progress and the decision to place him on hospice. His unexpected passing was not only devastating to me emotionally as a 10 year old child but it also brought significant financial hardship to our family. Shattered the innocence of my childhood and thrusted me into a world where resilience became a necessity. A void that seemed insurmountable at first, but through the pain emerged a resolve to honor his memory by embracing life with vigor and purpose. Not only navigating this was difficult for my mom but also to see her bravely fight for his death to be acknowledge by his employer was also hard to digest. It is only now that I understand why she was so mad and upset over this. No phone calls to inquire how he was, no representation from the company at his funeral. The union to which he belong did not been know about this until after mom called them. In hindsight it did not matter, not a card or a call would bring him back. Losing him in such a sudden and preventable way has inspired me to pursue a career in the healthcare and STEM fields, with a focus on Neurology, advancing cardiac research, emergency response systems, and workplace health and safety. I want to dedicate my future to developing technologies and medical solutions that can detect early warning signs, improve emergency intervention, and ultimately save lives. My father's passing has given me a strong sense of purpose—to turn pain into progress and ensure that other families do not have to endure the same loss. Receiving any financial support will greatly help ease the burden, and a tremendous help in allowing me to pursue higher education without adding more financial stress to my mom. She unfortunately has been battling health issues and has recently been laid off from work. It would give me the opportunity to focus fully on my academic and career goals, participate in meaningful research, and gain the skills I need to make a lasting impact in healthcare. This scholarship would not only support my future and it would also help me honor my father’s memory through a life of service, innovation, and hope.

1. I am resilient, determined, and driven by perseverance. My experiences overcoming challenges fuel my ambition. The YGIG Scholarship will support my education, empowering me to reach my goals and inspire other young girls to never ever give up. 2. I have been rowing since Fall of 2020, my freshman year. I was named Junior Captain, my junior year, and then Captain, my senior year. I was also selected for the Olympic Development Program in 2022, and then again was selected and participated in 2023. Also in 2023 served as US Rowing Ambassador for Stem to Stern. My senior year was a very rewarding one for me academically to be honored by the US Rowing for Class of 2024, Honor Roll Honorable Mention. I also was blessed to granted several other scholarships, Bill Braxton Memorial Regatta; SRAA Bronze; Catholic Philopatrian - Stotesbury runner up. Finally, I was featured in a newpaper article in The Philadelphia Inquirer - https://www.inquirer.com/high-school-sports/stotesbury-cup-regatta-high-school-rowing-st-joes-prep-villa-marie-20240517.html. 3. As a sophomore in the 2nd varsity 8, I faced a challenging situation when our coxswain threatened to quit just one night before lineups were finalized for medal races. Knowing the decision would affect not only me but the entire boat, I turned to my mom for advice. As she reminded me that I already knew what had to be done, I realized I needed to step up and take action. I created a group chat with my oarswomen to address the issue directly. I acknowledged the coxswain’s frustration and reassured her that she wasn’t alone—everyone shared similar concerns. I encouraged her to channel those emotions into determination, framing the race as an opportunity for all of us to prove ourselves. Despite her continued reluctance and even threats to quit after lineups were submitted, I stayed compassionate but firm. I explained that if she didn’t speak to our coach that evening, I would, because I had to advocate not only for myself but for the team. This wasn’t about authority—I didn’t have much as a sophomore—it was about passion and protecting the integrity of our team. Quitting under pressure couldn’t be the example we set. Fortunately, she chose to stay, and our season continued. That moment taught me the importance of courage, communication, and standing up for the team, even when it’s uncomfortable. It also showed my coach that I was ready for leadership, which ultimately earned me the honor of becoming junior captain the following year. 4. I admire my mom for her strength, kindness, and perseverance. She inspires me with her ability to overcome challenges, support others selflessly, and remain resilient, motivating me to pursue my goals with determination and compassion. She has been the rock of my foundation and our family since my father passed away 8 years ago. Keep moving forward! 5. Any scholarships received are going directly to offset costs associated with tuition. Although I have been fortunate to receive some aid, it only covers about half of my tuition, and the rest is thru student loans. I am planning to attend medical school after my undergraduate studies and would like to ease that burden as much as possible since my families' financial circumstances do not allow contribution. 6. I am student-athlete with a documented learning disability - was born maturely at 34.5 weeks, as well as having a diagnosis of vocal cord disorder, asthma, and was just recently diagnosed with Axial Spondyloarthritis requiring me to take Enbrel, a weekly self administered injection to decrease the inflammation in my body. I participated in physical therapy all summer to become stronger version of myself. 7. Rowing has played an important role in my growth/development as a student-athlete as well in my personal development/relationships that have been established because of my involvement in rowing as well as outside of rowing. Rowing has contributed to my success in the classroom and has given me the ability to succeed greater than I had ever imagined. Despite the challenges faced, I excelled academically, earning recognition for my achievements and defying expectations. Rowing provided me with a sense of purpose and belonging, fueling my determination to succeed both on the water and in the classroom. The sport instilled in me a resilience that transcended the boundaries of competition, empowering me to confront academic challenges with courage and tenacity. I am rowing at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, a DII school,NCAA 2025 Rowing Champions. I am on athletic scholarship. Although, I was unable to compete last spring due to an illness, I am looking forward to making a come back and being a part of the action on the water and in the endless pursuit of happiness! Go Eagles!