What "rugby family" means to me is to feel like I’m part of something greater than myself. It means I’m surrounded by people who have my back no matter what the scoreboard says, weather circumstances, or what’s going on. From the very first time I stepped onto a rugby field, I realized something was very important. A team may win, but until they become a family, they haven’t really achieved anything. That’s what makes rugby more than just a sport; it’s a home. But before I ever had a rugby family, I had my real family. My family is the foundation of my life. My mom is my greatest inspiration. As a single mother, she works hard for me and my two younger siblings. She is the epitome of strength, independence, and resilience. She has sacrificed her comfort for the sake of me and my siblings, so that we never miss a meal, never go without support, and never stop believing in ourselves. My siblings look up to me the way I look up to my mom, and that inspires me to be better every single day of my life. Whatever I do, every practice, every class, every game, is for them. As a first-generation college student and a proud Latina, being recruited to play Division I rugby for La Salle University was one of the proudest moments of my life. It represented more than athletic achievement. It was a dream come true, it was a dream realized because of the years of hard work, faith, and unspoken sacrifices of my family. Rugby is not just something that I play, it is my dream. It is something that gives me the motivation to move forward when I feel tired. It is something that makes me feel alive and makes me feel like myself. While I have successfully completed my dream of playing rugby in college, my dream does not end here. My dream is to become a captain of my team one day, not to seek glory, but to give back to my team what rugby has given to me: discipline, responsibility, courage, and unity. My dream is also to earn a spot in a USA Rugby camp, to challenge myself to play at the highest level that I can. La Salle’s rugby program is still developing our systems, our culture, our identity. That excites me. I did not choose La Salle to simply join something established; I chose it to help build something meaningful. I want to be part of creating a legacy that future women will be proud to join. That is what rugby family truly means: commitment to growth, belief in one another, and a shared vision for something greater than ourselves. This award is not just about my family, as it will alleviate my mother’s financial burden. It is about giving myself the opportunity to succeed in my academic and athletic journey. It is about giving myself the opportunity to train hard, to focus hard, and to take advantage of USA Rugby camps without any hesitation. Most of all, this award is about bringing me one step closer to creating a future where I can give back to my family as they have always given to me. Rugby family shaped who I am. My real family is the reason I fight for every opportunity. Together, they define my identity resilient, determined, and driven by love. This scholarship is not just financial support; it is an investment in my dream, my family’s sacrifices, and the legacy I am determined to build.