The first identity I remember carrying was not daughter, athlete, or student. It was “the girl whose mom uses meth.” I did not choose that label, but it followed me quietly through classrooms, friendships, and even church pews. When my mother chose addiction over me, I did not just lose stability. I lost a sense of belonging. At eight years old, I was removed from her care because of her drug abuse and neglect. While other children worried about homework or birthday parties, I learned how to read adult tension in a room and how to shrink myself so I would not be “too much” for anyone. Growing up as the daughter of a meth addict shaped my identity in ways that were invisible but heavy. I struggled with questions that felt impossible to answer. If my own mother could walk away from me for a substance, what did that say about my worth? I often felt like I did not fully belong anywhere. Not in families that seemed stable. Not in conversations about mothers and daughters. Not even inside myself. Addiction is not only a personal disease. It reshapes everyone around it. But it also sharpened my voice. Writing became the one place where I could tell the truth without being interrupted. On paper, I could untangle the confusion, anger, grief, and complicated love that comes with addiction. I could say the things I was too afraid to say out loud. Writing helped me realize that my mother’s choices were not a reflection of my value. They were a reflection of a disease that distorts priorities and destroys connection. In 2025, I faced another life-altering challenge when I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes after a medical emergency. Again, I felt different. Again, I felt marked. But by then, I had writing. I had already learned how to process pain and transform it into purpose. I created Beyond the Spikes, a platform to support teens navigating chronic illness and identity. Through storytelling, I began to understand that sharing truth creates belonging. I am passionate about pursuing writing because it gives language to experiences that are often hidden. Children of addiction often grow up in silence. We are told to protect family secrets or to be grateful we survived. But silence isolates. Writing connects. Through journalism and creative writing, I want to tell stories that sit in the uncomfortable spaces. Stories about addiction, resilience, identity, and the people who feel invisible in their own homes. Justin Burnell’s legacy as a writer and advocate reminds me that words are not small things. They document injustice. They create empathy. They challenge systems. And sometimes, they save lives. My identity has been shaped by loss, instability, and questions about belonging. But it has also given me empathy, determination, and a fierce commitment to truth. Writing is not just a career path for me. It is how I reclaim my narrative and help others reclaim theirs

Sports have always been more than games to me. They are classrooms where discipline is learned, communities where belonging is built, and platforms where stories of perseverance are written every day. My experiences as an athlete, combined with personal challenges that reshaped my life, have inspired me to pursue a career connected to sports where I can make a meaningful difference beyond the scoreboard. As a volleyball player, sports taught me accountability, teamwork, and resilience. I learned how to show up consistently, even when conditions were not ideal, and how to rely on others while also taking responsibility for my role. Athletics gave me confidence at times when I struggled to find it elsewhere and provided structure and purpose during seasons of uncertainty. Being part of a team showed me the power of shared goals and mutual encouragement, lessons that continue to shape how I approach challenges. In 2025, my relationship with sports took on a deeper meaning when I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes following a life-threatening medical emergency. Overnight, the way I trained, competed, and cared for my body changed. Managing a chronic illness while remaining involved in athletics required discipline, education, and self-advocacy. Through that experience, I realized how many athletes face invisible challenges that are rarely acknowledged. Sports inspired me not only to push through difficulty, but to speak up for others navigating similar obstacles. That realization led me to create Beyond the Spikes, a platform dedicated to sharing stories of athletes dealing with chronic illness, identity struggles, and adversity. Through storytelling and advocacy, I began to understand the impact sports media can have when it highlights real experiences instead of just highlights. I discovered that sports journalism and media have the power to humanize athletes, reduce stigma, and create space for conversations that matter. This is why I am inspired to pursue a career in sports through mass media and journalism. I want to tell the stories that often go unheard, especially those of athletes who overcome challenges behind the scenes. I hope to contribute to a sports culture that values mental and physical health, inclusion, and honesty as much as performance. By using my voice and education, I want to help reshape how athletes are represented and supported. In the future, I hope to work in sports media in a way that bridges competition and compassion. Whether through reporting, storytelling, or advocacy, my goal is to use sports as a vehicle for awareness, empowerment, and connection. Sports inspired me to grow stronger through adversity, and I hope to give back by helping others feel seen, supported, and encouraged through the stories I share.

My life has been shaped by challenges that forced me to grow up earlier than most people my age. I grew up in rural Alabama, where opportunities can feel limited and college is not always expected. I will be a first-generation college student, and pursuing higher education represents more than earning a degree. It represents creating a different future for myself and breaking cycles that have existed in my family for generations. One of the earliest obstacles I faced was losing contact with my biological mother due to her struggle with addiction. When I was eight years old, the court ordered no contact while she worked toward rehabilitation and drug testing requirements. She chose to pursue her addiction and I have not had contact with her since. Growing up without that relationship was confusing and painful, and it left many unanswered questions. At the same time, it taught me independence and resilience at a young age. I learned how silence and stigma can affect families, especially in small communities, and how important it is for people to feel seen and understood. Those early experiences are what first made me interested in storytelling and the power of sharing real experiences. In 2025, I faced another major challenge when I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes after a life-threatening medical emergency. Overnight, my daily life changed. I had to learn how to manage insulin, monitor my blood sugar, and advocate for my health while still being a student and an athlete. Managing a chronic illness has not been easy, and there are days when it feels overwhelming. However, this experience taught me discipline, responsibility, and perseverance. It also helped me understand how isolating a diagnosis can feel, especially for young people. Instead of letting my diagnosis hold me back, I chose to turn it into something meaningful. I created Beyond the Spikes, a digital platform focused on raising awareness and supporting young athletes living with chronic illness, especially Type 1 diabetes. Through sharing stories and creating content, I aim to show others that a diagnosis does not define their abilities or limit their goals. Building this platform helped me discover my passion for media and confirmed my desire to pursue a degree in Mass Media and Communications with a focus in journalism. I want to use storytelling to give a voice to people whose experiences are often overlooked or misunderstood. Despite health challenges, hospitalizations and limited resources, I have remained committed to defying my circumstances through education. I have maintained a strong high school GPA while also earning college credit through dual enrollment. I am proud of the work I have done, but continuing my education will require significant financial support. Without scholarships, the cost of a four year college could be out of reach for me. I have been accepted to the University of North Alabama in the fall of 2026 and hope to attend and live on campus. This scholarship would be meaningful to me because it would allow me to focus on my education, continue growing Beyond the Spikes, and develop the skills I need to become a responsible and compassionate journalist as well as an example to others who come from similar circumstances in our state. I want to represent communities like my own in rural Alabama and tell stories that create understanding, awareness, and change. Receiving this support would not only help me reach my goals, but also allow me to use my education to make a positive impact on others.