My name is Ava Sennie, and I am currently in my freshman year of college. If I had to sum myself up, I would say I am someone who loves learning new things, meeting new people, and finding ways to give back. I have grown up with sports shaping my determination and volunteer work shaping my heart, and I hope to carry both of these with me as I move forward. Sports have always been part of my life, even if it took me a while to find the ones that I really had a passion for. I started with softball when I was little and stuck with it for 5 or 6 years. I loved it, and it taught me discipline early on, but it wasn’t the right sport for me. After that, my dad had me try basketball at the YMCA. Honestly, I knew quickly that I wouldn’t have a future in basketball, but my dad saw something in me so I stuck with it through my freshman year of high school. It gave me the perseverance to push through things that don’t come naturally to me. The sport that really clicked for me was volleyball. From the moment I started, I felt at home on the court. I didn’t have the same experience that some of the other girls did, but I was determined to catch up quickly. I played competitive volleyball until I couldn’t anymore due to injuries, but I still find some time to play for fun when I can. Volleyball taught me that no matter how far behind you are, if you have a passion for something, you can catch up. If sports shaped my drive, then volunteering shaped my values. As a kid, my dad would take me to the food bank and we would help restock the pantry. This was my first real taste of service, and it made me realize that even small efforts matter. As I got older, I kept volunteering, whether that was at the food bank whenever I could or through my extracurriculars, but I often felt like I wanted to do more. That opportunity came in my senior year, when I enrolled in Family and Community Services (FACS). Through that class I was able to volunteer in more meaningful ways. At food banks, homeless shelters, and even fun events like rodeos. Some of my favorite experiences were working with middle and high school athletes with special needs. We did bowling, basketball, and track events, and I loved being able to see the joy on their faces. Another highlight of FACS was mentoring elementary school students. I was assigned three buddies (one 1st grader, one 2nd grader, and one 4th grader) at two different schools and was able to meet with them individually once a week. Those moments showed me the impact of consistency and encouragement in a child’s life. By the end of the year, I had also earned my Community Health Worker certificate, which I hope to use in the future to keep serving others in meaningful ways. As for this scholarship, I want to be honest. I’m not in a crisis situation financially, but I know college is a big investment. Receiving this scholarship would mean I could focus on my education without worrying that my efforts to build my future are putting extra strain on my family. I can promise that this opportunity would not be wasted. Sports gave me discipline, volunteering fostered my compassion, and this scholarship would give me the chance to become someone who gives back. Thank you for your consideration.