My name is Audrey Echols. A quality I value most about myself is that I have such a big heart. I always try to be the best version of myself and help as many people as possible. I want to influence people to be kind and to always have an open mind. I always try to have a smile on my face and no matter if someone has done me wrong, I will always be there for them. Throughout life so far, this value that I use every day in my life has affected my school life, work life, and home life. At school, with having a bright face and always being nice, it was easy to get partnered up with a random student and become friends with them. At work, I have to deal with customers all day and even my fellow employees. Everyone has bad days but I know if I get them to laugh or just let them know everything is going to be okay, their day will not be so bad. I want to be the good that's left in this world. There are so many bad things that happen. At home, I have three brothers and they are not the easiest to get along with at times but I know if I am nice and help them when they need it, It won't be so bad. I will continue using this value when I pursue my dream as an athletic trainer. I want to help people as I was helped in the past. I want to see athletes at their worst and help them get better. I want to help relieve their pain, whatever it may be. I just want to see people smile and help them be the best versions of themselves. Having such a big heart, I care for everyone, no matter who they are. I want people to know they always have someone in their corner supporting them whatever situation it is.

My name is Audrey Echols. I am the first in my family to attend college. I have one of four children, I have three brothers. With three brothers, it is hard at times for my parents to pay for my college. Ever since I started college, I have worked while going to school to take that weight off my parent's shoulders. I imagine myself as an athletic trainer for either a high school, college, or even a professional team. I want to help others and be the good in the world. With basically being on my paying for my college, I have to transfer to a bigger university to chase my dreams and to do what I want. This means it costs more. I am working two jobs while being a full-time student. It is a lot, but if it takes that to do what I want to, then I must do it. Everyone in this world has different challenges and different obstacles to face. Some are far greater than others but I know if I work hard, apply for scholarships, and never give up, I can chase my dreams of being an athletic trainer and helping so many people. This scholarship would help my chances of being able to have my dream become a reality.

Family is what matters most to me. I enjoy family time and seeing my family as much as possible. When I was about ten, my family and I picked up everything and moved from Arizona to Florida. My father's family lives in Arizona and my mother's family lives in Florida. It was hard for me at a young age to leave everything I know. My family, my friends, and my home. Even though so far some of my family has passed, they have shown me life lessons that I will never forget because I use those lessons every day. In 2018, my grandmother got sick. Then she started to get better, but then she passed away. She lived in Utah and it was just tough because I could have called more and done more. So after she passed, I worked hard in high school. I worked so hard that I got straight A's in my senior year. My grandfather was so proud of me. He would tell me over and over again how proud he is of me. Then I received a scholarship for cross country. He was even more proud. Then he passes away in 2020. It was not Covid-19 related but he was just sick. After he passes, I wanted to make him proud even if he wasn't here. I wanted to make my grandma and papa proud of everything I can accomplish even if they are not physically here. Even though I know they are always watching over me to make sure I am okay. In 2022, My uncle passed away from Covid-19. It was very hard because he and my aunt were both in the hospital and it was scary to lose them both. He was my favorite uncle, he always supported me and loved me no matter what. He was always sweet, kind, and understanding. Everything I would like to be. He was there when I graduated high school. He helped push me to be the best me. He helped me know that I am worth it and that all I can do is try my best. When I started college, he was very supportive and when he passed it was hard. I felt like I did not have a lot of people in my corner. My dream or what I want to achieve is an athletic trainer. I want to help athletes and just people to see the good in the world. I want to help them get better. I want to work hard, love what I do, and do everything I can do to become an athletic trainer. I want people to know they have someone to help them get better and have someone they can talk to. My grandparents owned their own business, they had a security business. They showed me up until they passed what hard work is. How if you put the time and effort in, you can do anything you put your mind to. My uncle relieved milk and ice cream. He would wake up at 4 am and go to work all day. He would work even with my aunt having MS. He would do anything for his wife and kids. They showed me hard work has results and that family comes first. Providing for your family is also most important. Losing all these important people in my life has pushed me to work harder and to keep going. No matter how hard the challenge is, I know they are here supporting me through it all. They helped me realize I need to keep the people I love most close. I need to go to every birthday party, or holiday party, and go visit my family whenever I have the time. I make more time for my family ever since my grandma passed. I learned I need to reach out, I need to call them, and I need to be there for them. I love my family. I still have not gotten over their passing, I am still grieving. But I am taking that grieving and using it as motivation to be the best version of myself. I just want to make them proud and I want them to see we are still a family. That even with them gone, we still miss them and love them. My family is the reason I work so hard to get to my dreams, so they can be proud of me.