I’m pursuing a career in teaching first because I think I would be a good fit for the profession. I've spent most of my life on a sports field playing lacrosse, football, and basketball. My coaches were teachers, whether it was their chosen career or just a passion for the sport, who helped me be a better athlete and person. Each coach had an impact on me and the person I strive to be. They taught me life lessons like how to be a gracious winner, how handle adversity with dignity when things weren't going my way, how to set my priorities and that time spent with my family is just as important as my sport. They taught me to value the teachers I had in the past, even the ones who were not my favorites, and not to neglect my grades. During the pandemic and online school, my coaches and teachers were supportive and guided me when I was my own biggest hurdle to my success. It made me realize that I want to be a teacher and a coach one day. I want to share my interest in history, especially World War II and the Holocaust, and the importance of physical activity and fitness, with high school students. I want to teach high school. I've thought about what would make a good teacher. A good teacher is someone who truly cares for students and makes learning fun. They are engaged in class but also the school community. They want to develop the student, not only in the content area of the class, but as a person. They notice not just the high achieving and high participation student but also the student who is just trying to hide in the back of the classroom. They notice when someone is having a hard time and ask if there something going on in their life that is preventing them from succeeding and get them help, even if they cannot provide the help themselves. A good teacher should be friendly and supportive. They understand when it is time to be relaxed but also when students need them to be firm. The students must understand that they must earn their grade and the teacher’s respect. I believe I can fulfill this role. Even though many teachers are weary and leaving the profession because they feel they are overburdened with administrative demands and parental demands, if you talk to them, they all talk about how rewarding the teaching itself is. When asked to talk about role models (beyond parents), I immediately think of several inspirational teachers and coaches who took an interest in me as a person. I want to be that to students as well and I think I'll be good at it. I chose a small private institution and was blessed to be awarded approximately half of the cost of attendance for my freshman year. This was a stretch for myself and my parents having two younger brothers at home. Unfortunately, this year my financial aid award remained stagnant and cost of attendance increased by $3000. This scholarship would help fill in that gap. I hope you find me deserving of this scholarship.

I’m pursuing a career in teaching first because I think I would be a good fit for the profession. I've spent most of my life on a sports field playing lacrosse, football, and basketball. My coaches were teachers, whether it was their chosen career or just a passion for the sport, who helped me be a better athlete and person. Each coach had an impact on me and the person I strive to be. They taught me life lessons like how to be a gracious winner, how handle adversity with dignity when things weren't going my way, how to set my priorities and that time spent with my family is just as important as my sport. They taught me to value the teachers I had in the past, even the ones who were not my favorites, and not to neglect my grades. During the pandemic and online school, my coaches and teachers were supportive and guided me when I was my own biggest hurdle to my success. It made me realize that I want to be a teacher and a coach one day. I want to share my interest in history, especially World War II and the Holocaust, and the importance of physical activity and fitness, with high school students. I want to teach high school. I've thought about what would make a good teacher. A good teacher is someone who truly cares for students and makes learning fun. They are engaged in class but also the school community. They want to develop the student, not only in the content area of the class, but as a person. They notice not just the high achieving and high participation student but also the student who is just trying to hide in the back of the classroom. They notice when someone is having a hard time and ask if there something going on in their life that is preventing them from succeeding and get them help, even if they cannot provide the help themselves. A good teacher should be friendly and supportive. They understand when it is time to be relaxed but also when students need them to be firm. The students must understand that they must earn their grade and the teacher’s respect. I believe I can fulfill this role. Even though many teachers are weary and leaving the profession because they feel they are overburdened with administrative demands and parental demands, if you talk to them, they all talk about how rewarding the teaching itself is. When asked to talk about role models (beyond parents), I immediately think of several inspirational teachers and coaches who took an interest in me as a person. I want to be that to students as well and I think I'll be good at it. I hope you find me deserving of this scholarship.

I’m pursuing a career in teaching first because I think I would be a good fit for the profession. I've spent most of my life on a sports field playing lacrosse, football, and basketball. My coaches were teachers, whether it was their chosen career or just a passion for the sport, who helped me be a better athlete and person. Each coach had an impact on me and the person I strive to be. They taught me life lessons like how to be a gracious winner, how handle adversity with dignity when things weren't going my way, how to set my priorities and that time spent with my family is just as important as my sport. They taught me to value the teachers I had in the past, even the ones who were not my favorites, and not to neglect my grades. During the pandemic and online school, my coaches and teachers were supportive and guided me when I was my own biggest hurdle to my success. It made me realize that I want to be a teacher and a coach one day. I want to share my interest in history, especially World War II and the Holocaust, and the importance of physical activity and fitness, with high school students. I want to teach high school. I've thought about what would make a good teacher. A good teacher is someone who truly cares for students and makes learning fun. They are engaged in class but also the school community. They want to develop the student, not only in the content area of the class, but as a person. They notice not just the high achieving and high participation student but also the student who is just trying to hide in the back of the classroom. They notice when someone is having a hard time and ask if there something going on in their life that is preventing them from succeeding and get them help, even if they cannot provide the help themselves. A good teacher should be friendly and supportive. They understand when it is time to be relaxed but also when students need them to be firm. The students must understand that they must earn their grade and the teacher’s respect. I believe I can fulfill this role. Even though many teachers are weary and leaving the profession because they feel they are overburdened with administrative demands and parental demands, if you talk to them, they all talk about how rewarding the teaching itself is. When asked to talk about role models (beyond parents), I immediately think of several inspirational teachers and coaches who took an interest in me as a person. I want to be that to students as well and I think I'll be good at it. I chose a small private institution and was blessed to be awarded approximately half of the cost of attendance for my freshman year. This was a stretch for myself and my parents having two younger brothers at home. Unfortunately, this year my financial aid award remained stagnant and cost of attendance increased by $3000. This scholarship would help fill in that gap. I hope you find me deserving of this scholarship.

Mental health is marginalized and often a hidden problem. I would say you can't see it from the outside but in my case, you often can. My middle brother is riddled with anxiety. I can see it in the way he stands, the way he thinks through every interaction in advance so 'if they say, I can say', the way he stammers and stutters. My youngest brother has a diagnosis of ADHD and is explosive with difficulty processing and controlling his behavior when his flight, freeze or fight instinct kicks in. Both have had IEPs in school. My uncle has bipolar disorder, depression, agoraphobia and enochlophobia (fear of crowds). My cousin recently graduated from college and my uncle showing up was a huge accomplishment. He had to suffer through just getting a haircut and then moving through to his seat. He was stimming and had to be constantly distracted, usually by engaging him in conversation where you could see his thoughts racing. Because of seeing how difficult it can be to navigate life with a mental illness, I try and be less judgmental when I see kids acting out or someone who is acting differently than one would expect in a given situation. I find myself more tolerant with those around me. I see a bigger picture. I hope to carry this perspective forward as I train to become an educator. A good teacher is someone who truly cares for students and makes learning fun. They are engaged in class but also the school community. They want to develop the student, not only in the content area of the class, but as a person. They notice not just the high achieving and high participation student but also the student who is just trying to hide in the back of the classroom. They notice when someone is having a hard time and ask if there something going on in their life that is preventing them from succeeding and get them help, even if they cannot provide the help themselves. Sometimes it's finding the connection with the student and not just reacting to a negative behavior. This is where an awareness of mental health issues are important. A good teacher should be friendly and supportive. They understand when it is time to be relaxed but also when students need them to be firm. The students must understand that they must earn their grade and the teacher’s respect. I've spent most of my life on a sports field playing lacrosse, football, and basketball. My coaches were teachers, whether it was their chosen career or just a passion for the sport, who helped me be a better athlete and person. Each coach had an impact on me and the person I strive to be. They taught me life lessons like how to be a gracious winner, how handle adversity with dignity when things weren't going my way, how to set my priorities and that time spent with my family is just as important as my sport. They taught me to value the teachers I had in the past, even the ones who were not my favorites, and not to neglect my grades. During the pandemic and online school, my coaches and teachers were supportive and guided me when I was my own biggest hurdle to my success. It made me realize that I want to be a teacher and a coach one day. I want to share my interest in history, especially World War II and the Holocaust, and the importance of physical activity and fitness, with high school students. I want to keep physically active and coach lacrosse and give future athletes the same guidance and support I received.

A good teacher is someone who truly cares for students and makes learning fun. It doesn't matter if it is during the pre-K time frame, where your work is play or in elementary school when you are getting your foundation, middle school when personal development makes school seem like war, or high school where you need a friendly ear as much as an educator. A good teacher is engaged in class but also the school community. They want to develop the student, not only in the content area of the class, but as a person. They notice not just the high achieving and high participation student but also the student who is just trying to hide in the back of the classroom. They notice when someone is having a hard time and ask if there something going on in their life that is preventing them from succeeding and get them help, even if they cannot provide the help themselves. A good teacher should be friendly and supportive. They understand when it is time to be relaxed but also when students need them to be firm. The students must understand that they must earn their grade and the teacher’s respect. I've spent most of my life on a sports field playing lacrosse, football, and basketball. My coaches were teachers, whether it was their chosen career or just a passion for the sport, who helped me be a better athlete and person. Each coach had an impact on me and the person I strive to be. They taught me life lessons like how to be a gracious winner, how handle adversity with dignity when things weren't going my way, how to set my priorities and that time spent with my family is just as important as my sport. They taught me to value the teachers I had in the past, even the ones who were not my favorites, and not to neglect my grades. During the pandemic and online school, my coaches and teachers were supportive and guided me when I was my own biggest hurdle to my success. It made me realize that I want to be a teacher and a coach one day. I want to share my interest in history, especially World War II and the Holocaust, and the importance of physical activity and fitness, with high school students. I want to keep physically active and coach lacrosse and give future athletes the same guidance and support I received.

A good teacher is someone who truly cares for students and makes learning fun. They are engaged in class but also the school community. They want to develop the student, not only in the content area of the class, but as a person. They notice not just the high achieving and high participation student but also the student who is just trying to hide in the back of the classroom. They notice when someone is having a hard time and ask if there something going on in their life that is preventing them from succeeding and get them help, even if they cannot provide the help themselves. A good teacher should be friendly and supportive. They understand when it is time to be relaxed but also when students need them to be firm. The students must understand that they must earn their grade and the teacher’s respect. I've spent most of my life on a sports field playing lacrosse, football, and basketball. My coaches were teachers, whether it was their chosen career or just a passion for the sport, who helped me be a better athlete and person. Each coach had an impact on me and the person I strive to be. They taught me life lessons like how to be a gracious winner, how handle adversity with dignity when things weren't going my way, how to set my priorities and that time spent with my family is just as important as my sport. They taught me to value the teachers I had in the past, even the ones who were not my favorites, and not to neglect my grades. During the pandemic and online school, my coaches and teachers were supportive and guided me when I was my own biggest hurdle to my success. It made me realize that I want to be a teacher and a coach one day. I want to share my interest in history, especially World War II and the Holocaust, and the importance of physical activity and fitness, with high school students. I want to keep physically active and coach lacrosse and give future athletes the same guidance and support I received.

I want to pursue a career in teaching. I think I would be a good fit for the profession. I've spent most of my life on a sports field playing lacrosse, football, and basketball. My coaches were teachers, whether it was their chosen career or just a passion for the sport, who helped me be a better athlete and person. Each coach had an impact on me and the person I strive to be. They taught me life lessons like how to be a gracious winner, how handle adversity with dignity when things weren't going my way, how to set my priorities and that time spent with my family is just as important as my sport. They taught me to value the teachers I had in the past, even the ones who were not my favorites, and not to neglect my grades. During the pandemic and online school, my coaches and teachers were supportive and guided me when I was my own biggest hurdle to my success. It made me realize that I want to be a teacher and a coach one day. I want to share my interest in history, especially World War II and the Holocaust, and the importance of physical activity and fitness, with high school students. I want to teach high school. I've thought about what would make a good teacher. A good teacher is someone who truly cares for students and makes learning fun. They are engaged in class but also the school community. They want to develop the student, not only in the content area of the class, but as a person. They notice not just the high achieving and high participation student but also the student who is just trying to hide in the back of the classroom. They notice when someone is having a hard time and ask if there something going on in their life that is preventing them from succeeding and get them help, even if they cannot provide the help themselves. A good teacher should be friendly and supportive. They understand when it is time to be relaxed but also when students need them to be firm. The students must understand that they must earn their grade and the teacher’s respect. I believe I can fulfill this role. Even though many teachers are weary and leaving the profession because they feel they are overburdened with administrative demands and parental demands, if you talk to them, they all talk about how rewarding the teaching itself is. When asked to talk about role models (beyond parents), I immediately think of several inspirational teachers and coaches who took an interest in me as a person. I want to be that to students as well and I think I'll be good at it. I'm currently enrolled at Chatham University as an education and history major. I am on the lacrosse team and was recently named Rookie of the Week in our league (President's Athletic League). I am solidly on the path toward my future goals. I hope you find me deserving of this scholarship.

I’m pursuing a career in teaching. I've spent most of my life on a sports field playing lacrosse, football, and basketball. My coaches were teachers, whether it was their chosen career or just a passion for the sport, who helped me be a better athlete and person. Each coach had an impact on me and the person I strive to be. They taught me life lessons like how to be a gracious winner, how handle adversity with dignity when things weren't going my way, how to set my priorities and that time spent with my family is just as important as my sport. They taught me to value the teachers I had in the past, even the ones who were not my favorites, and not to neglect my grades. During the pandemic and online school, my coaches and teachers were supportive and guided me when I was my own biggest hurdle to my success. It made me realize that I want to be a teacher and a coach one day. I want to share my interest in history, especially World War II and the Holocaust, and the importance of physical activity and fitness, with high school students. I was raised with the understanding that I would pursue a degree following in the footsteps of my parents. I believed that education would be universally accessible. However, the reality is that college is beyond expensive. It is becoming less accessible to the middle class. I was recruited to play lacrosse for many Division III private schools. While I was 'assessed' as low Division 1 lacrosse talent, those larger schools were not a good fit for me. I chose Chatham University in Pittsburgh PA because they have great academics but give me the smaller class size that I think will help keep me accountable and focused as I balance being away from home for the first time, playing lacrosse on a higher level, and having less structure to my class schedule and play on the lacrosse team. I was recently named Rookie of the Week in our division (P.A.C.) Unfortunately, Division III does not give any sports scholarships. In looking at the cost of the private DIII schools, the cost of attendance was staggering. Even after being provided with merit aid, there is still a large gap between the full cost and the financial aid that I have been awarded. I want to be clear that my family is willing to pay our fair share. I looked at state universities but was offered no aid at all there. With no aid, the cost of these 'cheaper' universities were the same price as the expensive ones after the merit aid. Unfortunately, the FAFSA seems to think my parents have tens of thousands of dollars available each year to fund my education. I assure you they do not. I know my parents worry about how they will pay for my education and that of my two younger brothers. I see that even thirty years after college, they are still paying their own student loans while also trying to save for retirement. They are concerned that they will not be able to borrow for me since they have large outstanding student loan balances despite living modestly. They don't want me in the same student loan debt hole. The scholarship opportunities available to me are limited as I don't fall into any of the traditional categories such as those based on gender, race, or STEAM careers. I'm trying to do my part in applying for scholarships such as this one to help with the affordability of college.

College is beyond expensive. I was raised with the understanding that I would pursue a degree following in the footsteps of my parents. I was recruited to play lacrosse for many Division III private schools. While I was 'assessed' as low Division 1 lacrosse talent, those larger schools were not a good fit for me. I chose Chatham University in Pittsburgh PA because they have great academics but give me the smaller class size that I think will help keep me accountable and focused as I balance being away from home for the first time, playing lacrosse on a higher level, and having less structure to my class schedule. Unfortunately, Division III does not give any sports scholarships. In looking at the cost of the private DIII schools, the cost of attendance was staggering. Even after being provided with merit aid, there is still a large gap between the full cost and the financial aid that I have been awarded. I want to be clear that my family is willing to pay our fair share. I looked at state universities but was offered no aid at all there. With no aid, the cost of these 'cheaper' universities were the same price and the expensive ones after the merit aid. Unfortunately, the FAFSA seems to think my parents have tens of thousands of dollars available each year to fund my education. I assure you they do not. I know my parents worry about how they will pay for my education and that of my two younger brothers. I see that even thirty years after college, they are still paying their own student loans. They are concerned that they will not be able to borrow for me since they have large outstanding balances. They don't want me in the same student loan debt hole. I'm trying to do my part in applying for scholarships such as this one to help with the affordability of college. I want to be a teacher. I spent my life on sports fields and my coaches were teachers, whether it was their chosen career or just a passion for the sport, who helped me be a better athlete and person. Each coach had an impact on me and the person I strive to be. They taught me life lessons like how to be a gracious winner, how to handle adversity with dignity when things weren't going my way, how to set my priorities and that time spent with my family is just as important as my sport. They taught me to value the teachers I had in the past and not to neglect my grades. During the pandemic and online school, my coaches and teachers were supportive and guided me when I was my own biggest hurdle to my success. It made me realize that I want to be a teacher and a coach one day. I want to share my interest in history, especially World War II and the Holocaust, and the importance of physical education, with high school students. I want to keep physically active and coach lacrosse and give future athletes the same guidance and support I received. To achieve my goals, I need to go to college and get my degree and teaching certification. I am not afraid to work hard and know that I will thrive in college. I just need some help to get there. I hope you find me deserving of this scholarship.

I’m pursuing a career in teaching first because I think I would be a good fit for the profession. I've spent most of my life on a sports field playing lacrosse, football, and basketball. My coaches were teachers, whether it was their chosen career or just a passion for the sport, who helped me be a better athlete and person. Each coach had an impact on me and the person I strive to be. They taught me life lessons like how to be a gracious winner, how handle adversity with dignity when things weren't going my way, how to set my priorities and that time spent with my family is just as important as my sport. They taught me to value the teachers I had in the past, even the ones who were not my favorites, and not to neglect my grades. During the pandemic and online school, my coaches and teachers were supportive and guided me when I was my own biggest hurdle to my success. It made me realize that I want to be a teacher and a coach one day. I want to share my interest in history, especially World War II and the Holocaust, and the importance of physical activity and fitness, with high school students. I want to teach high school. I've thought about what would make a good teacher. A good teacher is someone who truly cares for students and makes learning fun. They are engaged in class but also the school community. They want to develop the student, not only in the content area of the class, but as a person. They notice not just the high achieving and high participation student but also the student who is just trying to hide in the back of the classroom. They notice when someone is having a hard time and ask if there something going on in their life that is preventing them from succeeding and get them help, even if they cannot provide the help themselves. A good teacher should be friendly and supportive. They understand when it is time to be relaxed but also when students need them to be firm. The students must understand that they must earn their grade and the teacher’s respect. I believe I can fulfill this role. Even though many teachers are weary and leaving the profession because they feel they are overburdened with administrative demands and parental demands, if you talk to them, they all talk about how rewarding the teaching itself is. When asked to talk about role models (beyond parents), I immediately think of several inspirational teachers and coaches who took an interest in me as a person. I want to be that to students as well and I think I'll be good at it. I hope you find me deserving of this scholarship.

College is beyond expensive. I was raised with the understanding that I would pursue a degree following in the footsteps of my parents. I was recruited to play lacrosse for many Division III private schools. I chose Chatham University in Pittsburgh PA because they have great academics but give me the smaller class size that I think will help keep me accountable and focused as I balance being away from home for the first time, playing lacrosse on a higher level, and having less structure to my class schedule. In looking at the cost of the private DIII schools, the cost of attendance was staggering. Even after being provided with merit aid, there is still a large gap between the full cost and the financial aid that I have been awarded. I want to be clear that my family is willing to pay our fair share. I looked at state universities but was offered no aid at all there. With no aid, the cost of these 'cheaper' universities were the same price and the expensive ones after the merit aid. Unfortunately, the FAFSA seems to think my parents have tens of thousands of dollars available each year to fund my education. I assure you they do not. I know my parents worry about how they will pay for my education and that of my two younger brothers. I see that even thirty years after college, they are still paying their own student loans. They are concerned that they will not be able to borrow for me since they have large outstanding balances. They don't want me in the same student loan debt hole. I'm trying to do my part in applying for scholarships such as this one to help with the affordability of college. I want to be a teacher. I spent my life on sports fields and my coaches were teachers, whether it was their chosen career or just a passion for the sport, who helped me be a better athlete and person. Each coach had an impact on me and the person I strive to be. They taught me life lessons like how to be a gracious winner, how to handle adversity with dignity when things weren't going my way, how to set my priorities and that time spent with my family is just as important as my sport. They taught me to value the teachers I had in the past and not to neglect my grades. During the pandemic and online school, my coaches and teachers were supportive and guided me when I was my own biggest hurdle to my success. It made me realize that I want to be a teacher and a coach one day. I want to share my interest in history, especially World War II and the Holocaust, and the importance of physical education, with high school students. I want to keep physically active and coach lacrosse and give future athletes the same guidance and support I received. To achieve my goals, I need to go to college and get my degree and teaching certification. I am not afraid to work hard and know that I will thrive in college. I just need some help to get there. I hope you find me deserving of this scholarship.

Teachers, as the mentors and sculptors of future generations, are the ultimate community leaders. My career goal is to be a high school history teacher and to inspire others as my teachers and coaches have inspired me. I've spent most of my life on a sports field playing lacrosse, football, and basketball. My coaches were teachers, whether it was their chosen career or just a passion for the sport, who helped me be a better athlete and person. Each coach had an impact on me and the person I strive to be. They taught me life lessons like how to be a gracious winner, to handle adversity with dignity when things weren't going my way, to set my priorities, and that time spent with my family is just as important as my sport. They taught me to value the teachers I had in the past, even the ones who were not my favorites, and not to neglect my grades. During the pandemic and online school, my coaches and teachers were supportive and guided me when I was my own biggest hurdle to my success. It made me realize that I want to be a teacher and a coach one day. I want to share my interest in history, especially World War II and the Holocaust, and the importance of physical activity and fitness, with high school students. I want to keep physically active, coach lacrosse, and give future athletes the same guidance and support I received. I want to be a good teacher; someone who truly cares for students and makes learning fun. I want to develop students so they are comfortable engaging in class, with the school, and with the community. I want to develop others, not only in the content area of the class but as a person. I want to reach out not just to the high-achieving and high-participation students, but also to the student who is just trying to hide in the back of the classroom. It is important to notice when someone is having a hard time and ask if something is going on in their life that is preventing them from succeeding. To reach out and get them help, even if it is not support that I can provide as a teacher. I strive to be a friendly and supportive teacher. I hope my style will be relaxed but firm so my future students understand that they must earn their grades and my respect. I want to be politically active in my community not just to further my perspective but to make sure others are heard as well. I hope you find me deserving of your scholarship.

Pressure...Anxiety...Racing Thoughts...These are typical feelings of teenagers today. I, and my friends, often feel the overwhelming crush of competing interests. I have lacrosse practice until 8pm but I also have an English paper due on Friday, should I stay up late or can I get it all done if I let it sit another day? I have to babysit my younger brother until my parents get home. I don't have a car so should I find a ride to practice or do I have time to walk? Where will I go to college? Can I afford it? Will I have a ton of student loan debt like my parents and still be paying at age 50? For girls (and boys to a lesser extent), there are increased pressures from social media activity and judgment. There is always the ever-present specter of bullying. Mental health and wellness for my generation have become increasingly important. With no release and/or a reluctance to seek help, too many teens today are turning to substance abuse, self-harm (cutting) or other destructive coping mechanisms to handle stress and anxiety. It is important to normalize self-care and mental health in the same way that physical health is treated. We need to remove the stigma that seeking help for mental health issues, even if there is not a specific diagnosis that you see a doctor for, is weakness and that you need to just 'gut through it' or for boys, 'man up'. No one wants to find out that a friend, acquaintance, or loved one was just putting up a great facade when it's too late to help them because they took the most drastic step of suicide and are no longer there. I play sports and that exercise is often an outlet for my stress. But being a member of a highly competitive team often negates the benefits as it merely shifts the pressure to those late nights and quiet times that I have. As a high school senior, I try and stay away from drugs and alcohol. I don't smoke marijuana like many of my friends and am not part of the party scene. I spend most of limited free time playing video games, watching movies or TV and (as uncool as it sounds) hanging out with my parents. I chose friends with similar mindsets. However, my life is about to significantly change as I graduate and move forward into life as an adult. I have tried to prioritize my mental wellness by choosing a smaller college. I needed to feel like I wasn't just a number and that my professors would actually know me in a way that allows them to notice if I'm not attending class or struggling. I chose Chatham University because I know I will do well there. Not only do they have great academics but give me a smaller class size that I think will help keep me accountable and focused as I balance being away from home for the first time, playing lacrosse on a higher level, and having less structure to my class schedule. I plan to make my mental health a priority and be aware of what services are available to me. It is on me to be proactive with my mental health as I move forward.

I was recruited to play lacrosse for many Division III private schools. All of them are schools where I know I will do well because they have great academics but give me the smaller class size that I think will help keep me accountable and focused as I balance being away from home for the first time, playing lacrosse on a higher level, and having less structure to my class schedule. As I toured schools and met with coaches, I was surprised at how little discussion there was on the cost of attendance. I have concerns that even if I wanted to attend a certain school it may not be affordable as each school is expensive and without athletic scholarships. My grades are good but not at the top of my class where I am being offered full academic scholarships. While I accepted admission to Chatham University in Pittsburgh, there is still a large gap between the full cost and the financial aid that I have been awarded. I want to be clear that my family is willing to pay our fair share. I know my parents worry about how they will pay for my education and that of my two younger brothers. I see that even twenty years after college, they are still paying their own student loans. They are concerned that they will not be able to borrow for me since they have large outstanding balances. They don't want me in the same student loan debt hole. But I know there is a place for me in college. I want to be a teacher. I spent my life on sports fields and my coaches were teachers, whether it was their chosen career or just a passion for the sport, who helped me be a better athlete and person. Each coach had an impact on me and the person I strive to be. They taught me life lessons like how to be a gracious winner, how to handle adversity with dignity when things weren't going my way, how to set my priorities and that time spent with my family is just as important as my sport. They taught me to value the teachers I had in the past and not to neglect my grades. During the pandemic and online school, my coaches and teachers were supportive and guided me when I was my own biggest hurdle to my success. It made me realize that I want to be a teacher and a coach one day. I want to share my interest in history, especially World War II and the Holocaust, and the importance of physical education, with high school students. I want to keep physically active and coach lacrosse and give future athletes the same guidance and support I received. To achieve my goals, I need to go to college and get my degree and teaching certification. I am not afraid to work hard and know that I will thrive in college. I just need some help to get there. I hope you find me deserving of this scholarship.

Some of my earliest memories, are of my mother, holding me on her lap, reading her a book. I spent my time outdoors and playing just about anything under the sun, but in my spare time, my parents encouraged me to read. It helped develop my vocabulary as we did things like Mad Libs and reading '1000 Books Before Kindergarten' chronicled in a notebook to earn a t-shirt and my name on the wall of fame at the local library. This love of reading continued as I got older, although I transitioned into more sports-themed books like those by Mike Lupica, or the Crossover by Kwame Alexander. I find that I excelled in my English classes. I enjoyed my history classes which are reading intensive. These interests, of course, also made me talkative. While I enjoyed my teachers, I'm not sure they always enjoyed me! I took the time to get to know my teachers and thought maybe it was the career choice for me. Further, I've spent most of my life on a sports field playing lacrosse, football, and basketball. My coaches were teachers, whether it was their chosen career or just a passion for the sport, who helped me be a better athlete and person. Each coach had an impact on me and the person I strive to be. They taught me life lessons like how to be a gracious winner, how handle adversity with dignity when things weren't going my way, how to set my priorities and that time spent with my family is just as important as my sport. They taught me to value the teachers I had in the past, even the ones who were not my favorites, and not to neglect my grades. During the pandemic and online school, my coaches and teachers were supportive and guided me when I was my own biggest hurdle to my success. It made me realize that I want to be a teacher and a coach one day. I want to share my interest in history, especially World War II and the Holocaust, and the importance of physical activity and fitness, with high school students. I want to keep physically active and coach lacrosse and give future athletes the same guidance and support I received. I’ve thought about what makes a good teacher and if I can meet that goal. To me, a good teacher is someone who truly cares for students and makes learning fun. They are engaged in class but also in the school community. They want to develop the student, not only in the content area of the class but as a person. They notice not just the high-achieving and high-participation student but also the student who is just trying to hide in the back of the classroom. They notice when someone is having a hard time and ask if something is going on in their life that is preventing them from succeeding and get them help, even if they cannot provide the help themselves. A good teacher should be friendly and supportive. They understand when it is time to be relaxed but also when students need them to be firm. The students must understand that they must earn their grades and the teacher’s respect. This is the teacher that I want to be. Plus, I’ll be the teacher always with a book in his bag!

Some of my earliest memories, are of my mother, holding me on her lap, reading her a book. The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear by Don Wood were books I chose over and over again. I spent my time outdoors and playing just about anything under the sun, but in my spare time, my parents encouraged me to read. My mom is a voracious reader. There is nothing she loves more than a trip to the library or bookstore. So, of course, we were familiar faces at all the local libraries taking advantage of the unique programs and opportunities at each one. I identified them by the fun things they had - the 'blocks' library, the 'steps' library, the 'puppet show' library - and we made our way around the county. I learned that the library is a world of opportunity. A place to read, learn, to have quiet activities but also to play leprechaun mini-golf in the stacks and plant gardens and paint rocks. It helped develop my vocabulary as I read '1000 Books Before Kindergarten' chronicled in a notebook to earn a t-shirt and my name on the wall of fame at the local library. This love of reading continued as I got older, although I transitioned into more sports-themed books like those by Mike Lupica, or the Crossover by Kwame Alexander. I find that I excelled in my English classes. I enjoyed reading plays like '12 Angry Men' in 8th grade. I enjoyed my history classes which are reading intensive. These interests, of course, also made me talkative. While I enjoyed my teachers, I'm not sure they always enjoyed me! I took the time to get to know my teachers and thought maybe it was the career choice for me. A good teacher is someone who truly cares for students and makes learning fun. They are engaged in class but also in the school community. They want to develop the student, not only in the content area of the class but as a person. They notice not just the high-achieving and high-participation student but also the student who is just trying to hide in the back of the classroom. They notice when someone is having a hard time and ask if there is something going on in their life that is preventing them from succeeding and get them help, even if they cannot provide the help themselves. A good teacher should be friendly and supportive. They understand when it is time to be relaxed but also when students need them to be firm. The students must understand that they must earn their grades and the teacher’s respect. This is the teacher that I want to be. Plus, I’ll be the teacher always with a book in his bag!

I spent my life on the sports field as a talented athlete playing pretty much anything with a ball - lacrosse, football, basketball, baseball. My life was fairly adversity free. My father taught me to quietly lead by example with hard work and a willingness to help others. My motto was “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard” and I strove to show I was both. As I headed into high school, COVID and a series of injuries kept me sidelined. I struggled to stay engaged during virtual learning. My high school has competitive sports programs and suddenly, I was watching others taking my spots and having success. My coaches were my teachers. For most, it was their chosen career, and for some, a passion for the sport. Regardless, each had an impact on me; guiding me to be a better athlete and person. I look at the lessons they taught me. Sometimes it was how to be a gracious winner and other times how to handle adversity with dignity when things weren't going my way. They taught me how to set my priorities. They showed me that time spent with my family is just as important as my sport. They taught me to value the teachers I had in the past and not to neglect my grades. As I rehabbed, I had to take all of these things to heart and show my leadership when my talent meant nothing. I had to keep moving forward. I couldn’t let this roadblock stop me. So, I attended all practices, staying the entire time. I supported my team however I was able as a scorekeeper, water boy or manager. Still, when I returned, I had lost my spot as the quarterback and was spending more time on the bench at basketball. There was a new coach on the lacrosse team who had never seen me play. I didn’t let this get me down. I narrowed my focus and decided to prioritize basketball and lacrosse. I took advantage of all off season opportunities available to me. I didn’t complain when I didn’t make the starting lineup. I just kept my head in the game and worked harder. I ended my junior lacrosse season as the leading midfield scorer and the third highest scorer on my team, am now the captain of the team in my senior year and was offered roster spots on three DIII college teams. Maya Angelou said, “I can be changed by what happens to me. I refuse to be reduced by it.” This quote embodies what I’ve been taught about leadership, hard work and service. Whether things are going well, or where I was my own biggest hurdle to my success, I think about what my coaches taught me. It made me realize that I want to be that person. I want to be a teacher and a coach one day. I want to share my interest in history, with high school students. I want to coach lacrosse and give future athletes the same guidance and support I received. I hope you find me deserving.

I spent my life on the sports field as a talented athlete playing pretty much anything with a ball - lacrosse, football, basketball, baseball. My life was fairly adversity free. My father and my coaches taught me to quietly lead by example with hard work and a willingness to help others. My motto was “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard” and I strove to show I was both. As I headed into high school, COVID and a series of injuries kept me sidelined. I struggled to stay engaged during virtual learning. My high school has competitive sports programs and suddenly, I was watching others taking my spots and having success. My coaches were my teachers. For most, it was their chosen career, and for some, a passion for the sport. Regardless, each had an impact on me; guiding me to be a better athlete and person. I look at the lessons they taught me. Sometimes it was how to be a gracious winner and other times how to handle adversity with dignity when things weren't going my way. They taught me how to set my priorities. They showed me that time spent with my family is just as important as my sport. They taught me to value the teachers I had in the past and not to neglect my grades. As I rehabbed, I had to take all of these lessons to heart and show my leadership when my talent meant nothing. I had to keep moving forward. I couldn’t let this roadblock stop me. So, I attended all practices, staying the entire time. I supported my team however I was able as a scorekeeper, water boy or manager. Still, when I returned, I had lost my spot as the quarterback and was spending more time on the bench at basketball. There was a new coach on the lacrosse team who had never seen me play. I didn’t let this get me down. I narrowed my focus and decided to prioritize basketball and lacrosse. I took advantage of all off-season opportunities available to me. I didn’t complain when I didn’t make the starting lineup. I just kept my head in the game and worked harder. I ended my junior lacrosse season as the leading midfield scorer and the third highest scorer on my team, am now the captain of the team in my senior year and was offered roster spots on three DIII college teams. While I chose not to play basketball my senior year, my Varsity coach still is an inspiration and sounding block for me and has stood as a recommendation for me for college admissions and scholarship opportunities. Maya Angelou said, “I can be changed by what happens to me. I refuse to be reduced by it.” This quote embodies what I’ve been taught about leadership, hard work and service. Whether things are going well, or when I am my own biggest hurdle to my success, I think about what my coaches taught me. I decided that I want to take on that role. I want to be a teacher and a coach one day. I want to share my interest in history, with high school students. I want to coach lacrosse and give future athletes the same guidance and support I received. I hope you find me deserving for this scholarship.

I spent my life on the sports field as a talented athlete. My life was fairly adversity free. My father taught me to quietly lead by example with hard work and a willingness to help others. My motto was “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard” and I strove to show I was both. As I headed into high school, COVID and a series of injuries kept me sidelined. I struggled to stay engaged during virtual learning. My high school has competitive sports programs and suddenly, I was watching others taking my spots and having success. As I rehabbed, I had to show my leadership when my talent meant nothing. As stated by Maya Angelou “I can be changed by what happens to me. I refuse to be reduced by it.” It embodies what I’ve been taught about leadership, hard work and service. I had to keep moving forward. I couldn’t let this roadblock stop me. So, I attended all practices, staying the entire time. I supported my team however I was able as a scorekeeper, water boy or manager. Still, when I returned, I had lost my spot as quarterback and was spending more time on the bench at basketball. There was a new coach on the lacrosse team who had never seen me play. I didn’t let this get me down. I narrowed my focus and decided to prioritize basketball and lacrosse. I took advantage of all off season opportunities available to me. I didn’t complain when I didn’t make the starting lineup. I just kept my head in the game and worked harder. I ended my junior lacrosse season as the leading midfield scorer and the third highest scorer on my team, am now the captain of the team in my senior year and have been offered roster spots on three DIII college teams. I always looked to my coaches and teachers who showed me how to be a gracious winner; handle adversity with dignity; how to set priorities and not neglect my grades; and that time spent with my family is just as important as my sport. They supported and guided me during the pandemic when I was my own biggest hurdle to my success. It made me realize that I want to be a teacher and a coach one day. While I was working hard on the field, they focused me to try in classroom as well. This past semester I made high honor roll and anticipate achieving that again this semester. In the meantime, I also stepped up to help my family when childcare fell through for my elementary school brother. I am responsible for picking him up after school and getting him started on homework and engaging with him until my parents arrive home. I take this opportunity to work on my school work as well since practice takes up most of my evenings. As captain, and an upperclassman, I have taken a major leadership role on and off the field by mentoring the younger players. It is my job to help teach the younger players about my high school's winning tradition. We have weekly team dinners to keep our team tight knit and strongly bonded not just through work but fun. Our strength is the connection of the players, not only from seniors to freshman, but also with our youth programs. The high school players run the Little Laxers program for kindergarten through second grade. We help to build the program and keep it strong, following the lead of those who have come before us.