I believe I embody “You Got It Girl” through my resilience, independence, and ability to grow through adversity. My journey has been shaped by personal challenges that forced me to mature quickly, stay disciplined, and keep showing up even when life felt overwhelming. Growing up in a household impacted by my father’s alcoholism taught me how to carry responsibility at a young age and continue moving forward through uncertainty and emotional hardship. Over time, I have learned that true strength is not just handling everything alone, but also recognizing when to seek support and allowing myself to grow. I originally came to North Central College as a soccer player, excited to continue my athletic career at the collegiate level. However, following my father’s passing, I arrived on campus carrying a significant amount of emotional weight and personal struggle. The transition into college during such a difficult time made it hard for me to adjust and perform at the level I expected of myself. After recognizing how much I was struggling, my coach encouraged me to step away from the team and focus on my mental and emotional well-being. Although that decision was difficult, it helped me realize that I needed to prioritize my health before anything else. I also came to understand that returning to that environment was not the best fit for where I was at that point in my life. During this period of adjustment, I began building new relationships on campus and met friends who were part of the lacrosse program. Through those connections, I found a new sense of community and belonging. Eventually, I made the decision to join the lacrosse team, which became a turning point in my college experience. It allowed me to rediscover the value of being part of a team while continuing to focus on my personal growth and healing. I am currently a collegiate lacrosse player, a sport I have now been involved in for several years in total between both sports. Lacrosse has taught me discipline, accountability, leadership, and resilience. As a student-athlete, I have learned how to balance demanding academic expectations with athletic commitments while continuously striving to improve. Being part of a team has also shown me the importance of trust and support, both on and off the field. One of the most defining challenges in my life was navigating my father’s addiction while growing up and continuing into college. His struggle began when I was in middle school and worsened throughout high school. During those years, I lived in a constant cycle of school, practice, and worry about my dad’s health. I carried emotional stress silently, especially during milestones like senior night and graduation where his absence was deeply felt. A particularly difficult moment came when I was on a school trip to Paris and discovered on my own that my father had been admitted to the ICU while I was thousands of miles away. I felt powerless, overwhelmed with fear, guilt, and frustration. When I transitioned into college, I continued to rely heavily on myself and believed I had to handle everything alone because of what I had already endured. However, balancing academics, athletics, extracurricular involvement, and financial responsibilities eventually became overwhelming and began to affect my mental health. It was not until my junior year of college, after encouragement from my coach and support system, that I began attending counseling. Through that experience, I learned that seeking help is not weakness, but a necessary part of growth. A major influence in my life is my father. Despite his struggles, he taught me resilience, perseverance, and the importance of showing up for the people you love. His life ultimately encouraged me to pursue healthcare, as I want to support others facing difficult and overwhelming circumstances. I am also deeply influenced by my coaches and teammates, who consistently emphasize mental health, balance, and support within athletics. This scholarship would significantly support my journey by easing the financial burden of college and allowing me to focus more fully on academics, athletics, and my career in healthcare and athletic training. As someone independently funding my education, this support would reduce stress and allow me to continue developing both personally and professionally. Being a student-athlete means more than competing—it means discipline, leadership, and resilience in every part of life. I plan to continue competing in collegiate lacrosse while pursuing a career as an athletic trainer in women’s collegiate athletics, where I hope to support athletes physically and mentally so they are prepared not only for sport, but for life beyond it. Overall, my experiences have shaped me into someone who is resilient, empathetic, and driven. I carry everything I have learned into my goals, and I am committed to using my journey to uplift and support others in meaningful ways.

I have chosen to pursue a degree in healthcare because of the experiences that have shaped my understanding of both physical and mental well-being. Growing up in a household impacted by my father’s alcoholism, I witnessed firsthand how deeply health extends beyond the physical body. My father’s addiction not only affected his own life, but also had a profound emotional and mental impact on my family. Watching him struggle—and ultimately losing him—deeply influenced my desire to help others facing similar battles. It made me realize that I want to be someone who supports people through some of the most difficult and vulnerable moments in their lives, especially when they feel like they have nowhere to turn. That experience also exposed me to the importance of communication, advocacy, and compassion within healthcare. I often felt powerless watching doctors, hospitals, and treatment decisions from the outside, which made me realize how essential it is for healthcare professionals to not only treat patients, but also support families through uncertainty and emotional stress. Those moments shaped my understanding that healthcare is not just about diagnosis or recovery, but about guiding people through complex human experiences with empathy and clarity. My passion for healthcare has also been influenced by my involvement in athletics. As a student-athlete, I have seen the critical role that athletic trainers and healthcare professionals play in keeping athletes healthy, confident, and able to perform at their best. However, their impact goes far beyond injury prevention and rehabilitation. They serve as mentors, advocates, and support systems—especially during times when athletes may be struggling physically or mentally. As a future athletic trainer working with women in collegiate athletics, I hope to create an environment where athletes feel both physically prepared and mentally supported. I want to work alongside physicians, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure that each athlete receives comprehensive, collaborative care. I am especially interested in how physical injury and mental health intersect in athletes, and I hope to be someone who recognizes when an athlete needs more than just physical treatment. My goal is not only to help athletes succeed on the field, but also to prepare them for life beyond sports by emphasizing long-term health, education, and resilience. As a woman in the healthcare field, I also recognize the importance of representation and advocacy. Female athletes often face unique challenges that can be overlooked or misunderstood, and I want to be someone who understands those experiences and provides care that is both informed and empathetic. I hope to help bridge gaps in communication and ensure that women feel heard, respected, and supported in healthcare settings. Ultimately, my goal is to make a positive impact by combining my personal experiences, passion for athletics, and commitment to healthcare. My father’s addiction and the challenges my family faced because of it ultimately encouraged me to want to help people—especially those who feel overwhelmed, unheard, or unsupported. I want to be a professional who not only helps athletes return to play, but also helps them grow into strong, healthy, and confident individuals prepared for the future.

Mental health and suicide prevention are critical topics among my age group because many young adults are navigating overwhelming pressures while often feeling expected to handle them alone. Academic expectations, athletic commitments, financial stress, and personal challenges can quickly build up, yet there is still a stigma around asking for help. As a result, many individuals internalize their struggles, which can lead to isolation, burnout, and in severe cases, thoughts of self-harm. My perspective on mental health has been deeply shaped by my personal experiences growing up in a household impacted by my father’s alcoholism. For years, I lived in a constant state of worry, uncertainty, and emotional exhaustion. I learned to suppress my feelings and rely entirely on myself because I believed I had to be the strong one. While this mindset helped me stay focused and driven, it also created unhealthy patterns that followed me into college. When I began balancing academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, and financial responsibilities, I quickly became overwhelmed. However, I resisted seeking help because I believed I should be able to handle everything on my own. This internal pressure negatively affected my mental health and made it difficult for me to maintain balance in my life. It was not until my junior year of college that I finally sought counseling, after encouragement from my coach. A major turning point for me has also been the support from my lacrosse team and coaches. They consistently emphasize that our mental health comes before our performance as athletes, creating an environment where it is okay to step back, ask for help, and prioritize well-being. Being surrounded by teammates and coaches who openly advocate for mental health has helped me begin to break out of my “handle it alone” mindset and recognize the importance of support systems. Through counseling and the support of my team, I learned that my tendency to avoid asking for help was not a sign of strength, but rather a habit formed from years of living in survival mode. I began to understand that it is okay to feel overwhelmed and that seeking support is a necessary part of growth. This realization reshaped my beliefs about mental health and reinforced the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding it. My experiences have also influenced my relationships. I have become more open, empathetic, and aware of what others may be going through, even when it is not visible. I now value honest communication and support systems, recognizing that no one should have to navigate challenges alone. I strive to be someone who shows up for others in meaningful ways, just as mentors in my life have done for me. These experiences have strongly shaped my career aspirations. I am passionate about pursuing a path in health and wellness, where I can support individuals not only physically but also mentally. I have seen firsthand how deeply connected mental and physical health are, and I want to help others who may feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unmotivated. My goal is to create an environment where individuals feel supported, understood, and empowered to take control of their well-being. Mental health and suicide prevention matter because they address struggles that are often hidden but deeply impactful. My journey has taught me that acknowledging those struggles and seeking help is not a weakness, but a powerful step toward healing and growth. I hope to use my experiences to advocate for mental health awareness and to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Losing my father to alcoholism just two days after graduating high school changed the trajectory of my life. His struggle began when I was in middle school and progressively worsened, and by high school, his addiction had taken over our home. What should have been exciting and formative years became defined by constant worry, emotional exhaustion, and instability. For over two years leading up to his passing, my life followed a routine: go to school, attend practice, come home, and worry about my dad. On the surface, everything appeared normal—I was a committed student-athlete—but internally, I was carrying fear, frustration, and uncertainty every day. One of the most difficult moments occurred while I was on a school trip to Paris. I discovered on my own that my father had been admitted to the ICU. I was thousands of miles away, in an unfamiliar environment, without anyone I trusted for support, while he was fighting for his life. During that time, I felt powerless. I feared losing him, but I also struggled with guilt over the last thing I had said to him out of frustration. When I returned home, my emotions were complex—I felt anger, sadness, and even moments where I just wanted the situation to end so the uncertainty would stop. His absence at milestones like my graduation left a lasting impact and forced me to confront grief in ways I never expected. Growing up in that environment taught me to rely entirely on myself. I avoided asking for help because I believed I had to be the strong one. While this independence made me driven, it followed me into college in unhealthy ways. I took on academics, athletics, extracurriculars, and financial responsibilities all at once, believing I could handle everything alone. This mindset ultimately affected my mental health. Although my coach encouraged me to seek support, I resisted until my junior year of college, when I finally began counseling. That experience became a turning point. I learned that my habits were shaped by years of operating in survival mode, and that it takes time to unlearn them. I began to understand that strength is not handling everything alone, but having the courage to ask for help. Journaling has also played an important role in my growth. It has given me a space to process my emotions, reflect on my experiences, and better understand my thoughts rather than suppress them. Through journaling, I have been able to recognize patterns in my mindset and begin to heal. These experiences have shaped my desire to continue my education. I am passionate about health and helping others, particularly individuals who feel stuck or unmotivated due to life circumstances. Watching my father’s struggle and its impact on my family has shown me how deeply connected mental, emotional, and physical health are. I want to use my education to support others in building healthier, more balanced lives. The biggest influences in my life are my parents. My father’s life, despite his struggles, taught me resilience and perspective, while my mother’s strength continues to inspire me. I am also influenced by mentors such as my coach and teachers who have encouraged me to seek growth and support. Although losing my father has been incredibly difficult, it has shaped me into a more resilient, self-aware, and compassionate person. I carry these lessons with me as I continue to grow and pursue a future defined by purpose and impact.

One national health issue I feel deeply passionate about is obesity, especially because of how rapidly it continues to rise and the impact it has on individuals, families, and communities. In my field of exercise science and through my experience working as a fitness attendant, I see firsthand both the struggles people face and the powerful transformations that can happen when they take initiative in their health. In my job, I have witnessed individuals completely change their lives once they commit to improving their fitness. One story that stands out to me is Barb, an older adult I see regularly at work. She has lost 80 pounds since she first began exercising, and it has been amazing to watch her journey. When she first started, she was unsure and hesitant, but over time she built consistency and confidence. Now, she is one of the most positive and bubbly individuals I see each shift. Seeing her walk in excited to work out and knowing how far she has come is incredibly inspiring. I also see many older adults who are passionate about exercising not just for weight loss, but to reduce their risk of chronic diseases and improve their overall quality of life. These interactions genuinely make me smile and reinforce why I am so drawn to this field. At the same time, I also see the other side of this issue through my own family, especially my mom. She wants to continue losing weight and improving her health, but she often struggles with motivation and consistency. Seeing her desire to change but also her difficulty following through has been difficult to watch. It has made this issue feel even more personal to me. I also recognize that her experience is not unique, as I see similar patterns in many individuals I encounter in everyday life, whether at work or out in public. I often find myself wondering why people do not feel motivated to make changes that could improve their long-term health. Over time, I have realized that the answer is complex, influenced by emotional barriers, environment, time constraints, and lack of support rather than simple willpower. Because of this, I wish there was a simple solution that could fix these challenges for everyone, including my mom. However, I have come to understand that meaningful change does not happen overnight. Instead, it requires patience, education, and consistent support. I have learned that my role is not to fix the problem, but to contribute in small, meaningful ways through encouragement and advocacy for healthier lifestyles. One example of this was when I gave a TED Talk in my advanced public speaking class, where I focused on the importance of exercise and emphasized the need to start now. I spoke about how, as college students, we have access to free gym facilities and resources that can help build healthy habits early in life. I encouraged my audience to take advantage of these opportunities rather than postponing their health, since delaying action can lead to serious complications later in life, including obesity and chronic disease. By the end of my presentation, it was clear that I had inspired individuals in the room to consider making changes immediately. While that moment was rewarding, I also recognize it is only one small step in a much larger issue. Reducing obesity requires a collective effort from healthcare professionals, educators, communities, and individuals working together. Still, these experiences continue to motivate me to advocate for healthier lifestyles and contribute to reducing obesity in meaningful ways.

My name is Caitlyn Mitchell, and I’m currently an undergraduate student at North Central College pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. I am in the pre-professional phase of the Master of Athletic Training program and am also pursuing a minor in Strength and Conditioning. I am applying for the Mark Green Memorial Scholarship because I believe deeply in the transformative power of education—and I understand the challenges that can stand in the way of that journey. The day after my high school graduation, I lost my father. That moment marked the beginning of not only emotional grief but also significant financial hardship. My mother, now the sole provider, works incredibly hard but falls into a lower income bracket, making the cost of higher education an ongoing challenge for our family. Despite these circumstances, I have remained committed to my education, leadership, and service, motivated by a desire to build a future that lifts others as I rise. At North Central, I balance a full academic schedule with a 30-hour weekly commitment as a student-athlete on the women’s lacrosse team. I also serve as President of Catholic Cardinals and Secretary of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where I help coordinate service events, faith-based programming, and outreach opportunities. I’ve volunteered through church programs, youth mentorship, and as a Totus Tuus missionary, where I led summer camps for children and teens. Through these experiences, I’ve discovered how meaningful it is to invest in others—and how one person’s encouragement can change someone’s path. In addition to my academic and extracurricular work, I’m a member of the Sports Information team at my college, assisting with behind-the-scenes coverage of athletic events and contributing to school spirit and communication efforts. These opportunities have developed my sense of discipline, time management, and initiative—skills that will serve me well as I pursue a career as a certified athletic trainer. Being selected for the Mark Green Memorial Scholarship would allow me to continue my education without the financial strain that too often deters underprivileged students from finishing their degree. More importantly, it would help me carry forward Mark Green’s legacy of resilience, service, and belief in the power of education. I hope to one day serve in a collegiate setting where I can support student-athletes not only in their recovery from injuries, but also in their personal growth and confidence—just as I’ve been supported. I am determined to create a life rooted in service, compassion, and the belief that hardship does not define our future—it shapes it. With your support, I can continue that mission and, like Mark Green, use education as a tool for transformation—for myself, my family, and my community.

Growing up with a parent struggling with addiction shaped my life in ways that words can barely describe. For a long time, I felt like I had to hide what I was going through—bottling up the pain, stress, and uncertainty that came with living in a household affected by alcoholism. On the outside, I kept things together. But on the inside, I was carrying more than most people ever knew. When my dad passed away in May 2023, I was forced to confront the years of emotional trauma I had pushed down for so long. It was one of the hardest things I have ever experienced, but it also became a turning point. That season of loss, grief, and reflection helped me realize how much strength I had been carrying all along—and how much I wanted to use that strength to help others who are hurting. That realization is what led me to pursue a career in healthcare. I’m currently majoring in Exercise Science at North Central College, with a minor in Strength and Conditioning. I’m also in the Pre-Professional Phase of the Master of Athletic Training program. My goal is to become a certified athletic trainer and work in a collegiate setting, where I can support athletes not only physically but emotionally. I know firsthand how much a caring presence can mean when you're going through something difficult—and I want to be that person for others. Balancing academics with being a student-athlete on the Women’s Lacrosse Team and holding leadership positions—such as President of Catholic Cardinals and Secretary of Fellowship of Christian Athletes—has taught me how to manage pressure, communicate effectively, and care for people in both their highs and lows. Through my involvement in these roles, I’ve learned how to advocate for myself and use the resources around me—skills I once struggled to develop when I felt like I had to carry everything on my own. Today, I am no longer hiding my story. Instead, I use it as fuel to move forward and make a difference. I want to be a healthcare provider who sees people fully—not just their injuries, symptoms, or diagnoses, but their personal battles and emotional needs too. I believe that healing isn’t just physical; it’s mental and spiritual too. And I want to walk with others through that entire journey. Through everything I’ve faced, I’ve grown into someone who is resilient, empathetic, and deeply committed to service. I hope to carry those qualities into my future in healthcare—so I can create space for others to heal, just as I’ve been given space to heal myself.

My mom has been the most unwavering pillar of support in reaching my educational goals through her emotional support and financial sacrifice, by guiding and encouraging me every step of the way, following my father’s passing due to his addiction. Throughout my educational journey, my mother has been my rock since the beginning through the thick and thin moments. No matter the time of day, she always brought positive feelings into my life, making all the negative thoughts disappear. Her constant belief in me has been invaluable, making every challenge seem manageable and every achievement more meaningful. My freshman year of college was nothing like I had anticipated, adapting to a new environment brought challenges which included switching from competitive soccer to lacrosse. Being asked to step away from my deepest passion for soccer was challenging, but my mother encouraged me to get involved in various clubs. When the opportunity to join the lacrosse team arose, my mother urged me to seize it and give it my best effort. Her support in transitioning to lacrosse was instrumental in my academic success, as it helped me effectively balance my studying with practice and games. Without her ongoing support in attending my games and helping me develop in lacrosse, I wouldn't have met the supportive friends and coaches who greatly contributed to my well-being. This network not only enriched my college experience but also reinforced my passion for sports and fitness, aligning perfectly with my educational goal of becoming an athletic trainer. Struggling with a lack of motivation was a significant challenge for me during my freshman year, impacting both my academic performance and well-being. My mother made a point to call and text me regularly, despite her busy schedule, offering encouragement and motivation to help me excel as a student-athlete. Her support kept me positive and focused, enabling me to manage my coursework effectively. This was crucial in excelling in my major and ultimately earning the Freshman of the Year award. These obstacles helped me grow into a stronger individual, leading to greater happiness and bringing me closer to achieving my educational goals. Overcoming these challenges not only reinforced my resilience but also solidified my commitment to becoming an athletic trainer, as I realized the profound impact support and perseverance have on both personal and professional success. My mom provided invaluable financial support and unwavering encouragement throughout my college journey, ensuring that I had the resources and motivation needed to succeed. Despite the ongoing financial restraints my mother was encountering from medical bills and funeral expenses, she assisted in paying for my tuition and other various costs, ensuring I could focus on my studies without the added stress of financial burden. I was so gracious for this support, which not only eased the financial burden but also provided me with the stability and encouragement to thrive academically and socially. In conclusion, my mother’s unwavering support has been a cornerstone of my success, providing me with the strength, encouragement, and guidance needed to overcome challenges and achieve my goals. Her emotional and financial support throughout my struggles following my dad’s passing has been a guiding force in my educational journey. Her involvement in my life has not only facilitated my achievements but has also solidified my commitment to pursuing my goals, particularly in becoming an athletic trainer. Her support has been a source of strength, shaping my path and enabling me to overcome challenges with confidence and optimism.