She's tough. She's smart. She glides across the ice on 1/8th of an inch of steel with the greatest of ease. My favorite team USA athlete is Hillary Knight from the USA Women's National Ice Hockey Team. I grew up playing hockey and I had a dream to become an NCAA hockey player. Unfortunately, hockey in general and women's hockey in particular don't get a lot of attention in the national media. Despite the lack of well-deserved recognition I always tried to watch Team USA play at every opportunity. These are the best women's players in the world and Hillary Knight and Team USA are my role models in every way. Hillary Knight is a legend in the sport and yet she's not well known outside the hockey community. Not only has she gone to college and managed the demands of being a student athlete, but she worked her way up to the national team at the same time. After college the opportunities for women to play professionally were extremely limited, but Hillary and other players fought to establish a professional league that treated these women like the world class athletes that they are. She really is a hall of fame player on the ice and she's worked tirelessly to give the next generation of players better opportunities to pursue a career in the game far beyond what was imaginable just a few years ago. What is not love about that? In just a few short weeks I will be stepping on the ice for my first NCAA hockey game which will fulfill the dream that I've had since I was 10 years old. While I may never reach the level of Hillary and the Team USA players, they have given me and thousands of other girls a real dream to chase. I strongly believe in the concept of "If you see it, you can be it," and thanks to Hillary Knight and Team USA I've had an amazing group of women to look up to as an athlete and as a woman. Regardless of where my playing days end, I'm pursuing a degree in Sports Leadership so that I may play a role in the world of professional sports and perhaps provide some representation for other girls that may want to follow on my path, just like I've chosen to follow Ms. Hillary Knight.

When it is forty below zero in Fairbanks, Alaska, you are sure to find most people hunkered down at home, trying to stay warm as they wish for warmer weather. Throughout my childhood, as my family cranked up the wood stove and settled in on many of those long winter nights, rather than turning on the television, more often than not, my family chose to turn to reading to pass the time on those frigid winter nights. I’m so thankful my parents set that example for me and encouraged me to read as I know that is less and less common these days. While reading was a great way to escape and pass the time, I eventually realized that my love of reading had taught me many valuable lessons and influenced many other areas of my life. Like many kids, my reading started early on with story books, which lead to chapter books, and then full fledged novels. By the time I was in middle school I had read the entire Harry Potter series, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit and many other stories. While fiction books were always a great escape, I eventually discovered non-fiction books and quickly learned that I could explore any topic that I wished. I read books about historical figures and other topics and quickly fell in love with biographies and stories of sports teams and players that I admired. Ultimately, I discovered that reading was the key for unlocking my education and my ability to self-educate on any topic I chose. As I got closer to finishing high school and thinking about attending college, I turned to books about potential careers, about self-improvement and personal growth and it has proven to be a huge asset for me as I begin my life after high school. My love of reading had another unexpected benefit that I never could have imagined. In elementary school I started doing some peer tutoring and helping younger students with their reading skills. This proved to be very rewarding and I often felt I gained more from the experience than the students I was helping. This continued for several years and eventually I was offered a chance to help with a STEM-based summer camp run by our school district that served disadvantaged and at risk students. We had access to amazing technology and STEM educational resources, but we started each day with 30 minutes of reading time and I was asked to read to some 2 and 3rd graders each morning. The books we read often had a STEM-aligned plot and I could see the kids' eyes light up as the book became the concrete link between the STEM camp and all the possibilities that lie before them. Working at that camp was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Now that I am in college, I am working to adjust to the busy schedule of an NCAA student-athlete, while I study business and economics with the goal of working in public education. I don’t have as much time to read for pleasure as I had earlier in my life. Despite this reality, I still carry around a novel in my backpack, ready to open up and give me an escape whenever I have the time. It seems strange to say, but my love of reading really has helped me in so many ways, it’s been one of the most impactful parts of my life and it makes me thankful for those cold winter nights and appreciative of my parents who shared their love of reading with me.

Growing up on the ice, I knew I looked different than most of the other kids playing hockey, but I knew I was where I belonged. My name is Cassidy Morrison, a first-year student at UMass - Boston, from Fairbanks, Alaska. As a sports management major and NCAA hockey player, I plan on letting my love of hockey lead me into my professional life following graduation. Ultimately, I would like to work in professional or collegiate hockey in either management or hockey operations, where I think it would be great to provide more representation for minority women in an industry that is still largely dominated by men. My passion for hockey started when I was young, and it has grown stronger over the years. Playing hockey at the collegiate level has been a goal of mine for many years and it is incredibly motivating to have finally reached that goal after many years of hard work and dedication. Reaching my goal hasn't been easy, especially coming from Alaska which is so away from the rest of the hockey world. It was hard to have the same opportunities as many other players, but I never wavered in my focus in reaching my goal. Along the way I’ve had to learn many lessons about hard work, leadership, and perseverance. My experiences as an athlete have shaped my desire to pursue a career in sports management. I believe that my background as a competitive athlete and honor student will give me the skills I need to succeed in competitive field. In the future, I see myself working with a professional or collegiate hockey team, helping to manage operations, develop strategies, and promote the sport. I am particularly interested in the business side of sports as well as community relations. It would be an honor to help grow the game by bringing new players and fans to the game, particularly among our underrepresented communities. One of my main goals is to increase representation for minority women in hockey. Growing up, I did not see many athletes or professionals who looked like me in the sport. I want to be a role model for young girls who share my passion for hockey and show them that they can achieve their dreams, no matter their background. They should know that there is a place for them in the sport. They can be welcomed and find the same sense of community in the game that I found as I grew up. By working in the hockey industry, I hope to inspire more diversity and inclusion in the sport and make it easier for othes to follow in path. This scholarship will help me achieve my goals by providing financial support for my education. As a rising college freshman, I am committed to excelling in my studies and gaining the knowledge and experience I need to succeed in the sports management field. The Bright Lights Scholarship will allow me to focus on my academics and hockey career without the added stress of financial burden. It will also enable me to take advantage of opportunities such as internships, networking events, and professional development programs that will further my career aspirations. In conclusion, my plans for the future involve working in professional or collegiate hockey, using my skills and passion to help teams succeed and promote diversity in the sport. The Bright Lights Scholarship will be instrumental in helping me achieve these goals by providing the financial support I need to excel in my studies and pursue my dreams. Thank you for considering my application.

I would like to break down doors and barriers so that all people are free to follow their dreams in life. For me, the idea of being a minority woman in a sport like ice hockey, where the vast majority of participants are white, is both challenging and inspiring. The change I would make to the world is to make sports, especially ice hockey, more accessible and welcoming to everyone, regardless of their background. Growing up as an Asian and Hispanic woman, I often felt out of place in many spaces, especially in sports. I was always passionate about ice hockey, but I rarely saw anyone who looked like me on the ice. This lack of representation made it hard to feel like I truly belonged. However, it also fueled my desire to change the narrative and create opportunities for others who might feel the same way. I am currently a rising freshman at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, majoring in Business Administration, Economics, Management, and Sports Management. I believe that my studies will equip me with the skills needed to make a real impact in the world of sports. I want to become involved in team or league management within the NHL and help spearhead diversity and inclusion initiatives. The first step in making sports more accessible is to create programs that introduce underrepresented communities to ice hockey. This means providing affordable equipment, access to rinks, and mentorship programs. Many children from minority backgrounds do not have the financial means or exposure to try out a sport like ice hockey. By removing these barriers, we can open up a world of opportunities for them. Another important aspect is fostering a welcoming environment within the sport. This involves educating current players, coaches, and fans about the importance of diversity and inclusion. It is crucial to create a culture where everyone feels valued and respected. This can be achieved through workshops, training sessions, and community events that promote understanding and acceptance. I also believe that representation matters. Seeing someone who looks like you in a position of success can be incredibly motivating. By working towards a more diverse and inclusive NHL, we can inspire the next generation of players from all backgrounds. Representation can break down stereotypes and show that anyone can excel in any field, regardless of their race or gender. In conclusion, the change I would make to the world is to make sports, particularly ice hockey, more accessible and welcoming to everyone. My goal is to break down barriers and create opportunities for underrepresented communities to follow their dreams. Through my studies and future career in sports management, I hope to lead initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion within the NHL. This change is not only important for the growth of the sport but also for the empowerment of individuals who, like me, have often felt out of place. By working together, we can create a world where everyone is free to follow their dreams.

My name is Cassidy Morrison, a senior from Fairbanks, Alaska and I would appreciate your consideration for the Bettis Memorial Scholarship. I will be attending UMass Boston in the fall of 2024 to play hockey and study business. My desire to major in business was inspired by two sources, my Uncle James, and the kindness that the Fairbanks community has shown me. My Uncle James immigrated to the United States with nothing. He lived in poverty for many years while working to get himself on his feet in America. James believed in the American dream and eventually, he was able to purchase a small corner store where he worked 7 days a week for decades. Growing up, I loved to visit his store and he loved to tell us about the local causes he was sponsoring. It meant the world to him. Even though he worked tirelessly, he gave so freely within the community. He taught us that it was important to give back and owning a business allowed him to do that. He said, “How can I not give back, this country has given me so much.” I was also impacted by the kindness and generosity of business owners in my community. My parents are both public school teachers, and we all know that teachers are not exactly highly paid. As I gained opportunities to play hockey at higher levels, it quickly became more than my parents could handle. They did all they could to support me, but when trips to Anchorage became trips to the lower 48, they just couldn’t afford it. Faced with the reality of either quitting or playing at a level far below my ability, I had a conversation with my coaches and they offered to help me find support. Eventually, the community of Fairbanks stepped up and allowed me to continue chasing my dream. My teams did a lot of fundraisers and I worked tirelessly to earn every penny possible. I also walked into over one hundred Fairbanks businesses, (everything from doctors' offices to welding shops) and I told my story and asked for support. Amazingly, the business community of Fairbanks saved my dream when it seemed lost. Not only did they help me fund my season payments and travel, but they also helped me go to several USA Hockey camps that I was individually selected for. It was the business community, as well as countless coaches and parents who gave so generously to our teams, that allowed me to achieve my goal of playing NCAA hockey. I could not have done it without them. I’ve worked hard to reach my goals on and off the ice. I’ve maintained a 4.0+ GPA, I’m in the top 5 of my graduating class and it was the inspiration of my Uncle James and his tireless work ethic, combined with the generosity of my community that allowed me to reach my goals. It was also the inspiration of my Uncle and the business community that led me to choose business as a major with the hopes that someday my success might allow me to pay it forward, or in this case, pay it back to the next generation. The only thing that would make me happier than to be coaching the next generation of hockey players would be to find success in business that would allow me to help some little boy or girl save their chance at living their dreams. As my Uncle would say, after all the blessings I’ve received in my life, how could I not want to give back?

Few films resonate as deeply as "The Shawshank Redemption," an adaptation of Stephen King's novella of the same name. Beyond the captivating story of Andy Dufresne escaping a life sentence, the film serves as a powerful testament to the enduring human spirit and the timeless power of hope. For me, this film holds a particular significance, not only as a source of inspiration but also as a bridge that connects the worlds of literature and film in a meaningful way. On its surface, "The Shawshank Redemption" depicts the harsh realities of prison life and the struggle for survival. Andy, falsely convicted of murder, navigates the treacherous waters of Shawshank, befriending fellow inmate Ellis "Red" Redding and clinging to the faint flicker of hope for freedom. The film, directed by Frank Darabont, masterfully translates the essence of King's story, capturing not just the bleakness of incarceration but also the quiet resilience of the human spirit. While the film deviates from the novella in specific details, the core themes of hope, perseverance, and redemption remain central. The film's brilliance lies in its ability to evoke a profound emotional response while remaining loyal to King’s original work. Tim Robbins portrays Andy with a quiet strength and unwavering determination, while Morgan Freeman's Red narrates the story with a gravitas that resonates deeply. The film's pacing allows the audience to invest in the characters, witnessing the emotional toll of imprisonment and the gradual erosion of hope for many inmates. Yet, Andy's unwavering belief in himself and his relentless pursuit of freedom serve as a beacon in the darkness, inspiring both Red and the audience to hold onto hope. The power of the adaptation lies in its ability to enhance one's understanding of the story. While the book offers a more introspective glimpse into Andy's thoughts and motivations, the film uses powerful visuals and subtle silences to communicate his emotions. The symbolic use of music, particularly the operatic piece played over the PA system, serves as a powerful reminder of Andy's connection to a world beyond prison walls, a world where freedom and beauty still exist. More importantly, "The Shawshank Redemption" instilled in me a profound appreciation for both literature and cinema. The film ignited my curiosity to explore the original novella, allowing me to delve deeper into the complexities of the characters and the nuances of King's prose. The experience enriched my understanding of the story, revealing the emotional depth that the film captured so eloquently. Conversely, revisiting the film after reading the book adds a layer of appreciation for the cinematic craftsmanship and the powerful performances that brought the story to life. "The Shawshank Redemption" serves as a testament to the powerful synergy between literature and film. It is a story that transcends the medium in which it is experienced, its message of hope and perseverance leaving a lasting impact. Moreover, it stands as a reminder that the gap between reading and viewing experiences can be beautifully bridged by stories that resonate with the very core of our being. Just like Andy's determination to escape the confines of Shawshank, the film continues to inspire and motivate me, reminding me of the power of hope and the importance of fighting for what we believe in.