As an advocate golfer, the game of golf has shaped me into the person I am today. From starting at age 2, to now going on to play college golf, I have been through the most highs of highs and lows of lows. Out of all the sports I have played, golf to me, works for me the most mentally. Being a perfectionist, golf has taught me unwillingly how to accept defeat and I cannot wait to keep growing as a person and on the course. In all other sports the goal is to beat the game, but in golf, the course tries to beat you. No matter how many times a person plays a particular course, the outcome is always different. That's what I love about golf. I have to be mentally prepared that everyday is going to be a different outcome. How I react to that, changes my game. When I was younger, I did not understand how I could be great one day, and struggled the next. I was so hard on myself because I just expected myself to be great. That was my first problem. Specifically in golf, I cannot expect myself to be great everyday. I can put hours on end into the game, but that might not change the last number on the scorecard at the end of the day. This transfers into life as well. Not everyday is going to be a great day, but how people react to it, will determine the outcome of that day. This was and still is, the key to my success on the golf course. In the past, if I had one bad shot or hole, it would ruin the rest of the round. I would dwell so much on the one mistake, that I made triple the amount of mistakes I should have. Today I have successfully figured out how to be kind to myself in my mind and it has shown on the course. From golf, I have learned how to react to the highs and most importantly how to accept the lows. Although golf is just a sport, it has changed my perspective on life and has made me a well-rounded student and athlete. In my field of interest, Cardiac Sonography, is not a flat line type of field. There could be so many curves and loops in this particular workforce and how I react to it, will determine how successful I'll be. As my mom always says "You are only really hitting a golf ball for 3 minutes total. The other 237 minutes of golf is between you and your mind. Be kind to yourself and play like you know how to." I am so thankful for the game of golf, not only because of the game, but from the life lessons it has given me as well. I deserve this scholarship because of the type of work ethic I have attained and because of the bright future I have ahead of me. I will work for every penny I am given to become the most successful version of myself I physically can. I cannot wait to continue my golf career in college, and take everything I have learned from golf, and carry it on to my future profession.

As an advocate golfer, the game of golf has shaped me into the person I am today. From starting at age 2, to now going on to play college golf, I have been through the most highs of highs and lows of lows. Out of all the sports I have played, golf to me, works for me the most mentally. Being a perfectionist, golf has taught me unwillingly how to accept defeat and I cannot wait to keep growing as a person and on the course. In all other sports the goal is to beat the game, but in golf, the course tries to beat you. No matter how many times a person plays a particular course, the outcome is always different. That's what I love about golf. I have to be mentally prepared that everyday is going to be a different outcome. How I react to that, changes my game. When I was younger, I did not understand how I could be great one day, and struggled the next. I was so hard on myself because I just expected myself to be great. That was my first problem. Specifically in golf, I cannot expect myself to be great everyday. I can put hours on end into the game, but that might not change the last number on the scorecard at the end of the day. This transfers into life as well. Not everyday is going to be a great day, but how people react to it, will determine the outcome of that day. This was and still is, the key to my success on the golf course. In the past, if I had one bad shot or hole, it would ruin the rest of the round. I would dwell so much on the one mistake, that I made triple the amount of mistakes I should have. Today I have successfully figured out how to be kind to myself in my mind and it has shown on the course. In the world of golf, women are underestimated and out-numbered. When I first started playing golf seriously, I hated the way men treated me on the course. They always seemed shocked or surprised that I could hit a flush shot. It became more apparent to me that men would always compliment me on one of the simplest shots, but if a guy would have done it, they would have just expected a good shot. This infuriated me. Today, I now take advantage of the stereotypical mindset of men. I do not want men to compliment my game just because I am decent, I want them to compliment my game because I am the best they have seen. I want to break open the assumption that women golfers are just "average" and open their eyes on what women golfers can be capable of. Each and everyday, I am one drive, one chip, and one putt closer to proving every man wrong.

As an advocate golfer, the game of golf has shaped me into the person I am today. From starting at age 2, to now going on to play college golf, I have been through the most highs of highs and lows of lows. Out of all the sports I have played, golf to me, works me the most mentally. Being a perfectionist, golf has taught me unwillingly how to accept defeat and I cannot wait to keep growing as a person and on the course. In all other sports the goal is to beat the game, but in golf, the course tries to beat you. No matter how many times you play a particular course, the outcome is always different. That's what I love about golf. You have to be mentally prepared that everyday is going to be a different outcome. How I react to that, changes my game. When I was younger, I did not understand how I could be great one day, and struggled the next. I was so hard on myself because I just expected myself to be great. That was my first problem. Specifically in golf, you cannot expect yourself to be great everyday. You can put hours on end into the game, but that might not change the last number on the scorecard at the end of the day. This transfers into life as well. Not everyday is going to be a great day, but how you react to it, will determine the outcome of that day. This was and still is, the key to my success on the golf course. In the past, if I had one bad shot or hole, it would ruin the rest of the round. I would dwell so much on the one mistake, that I made triple the amount of mistakes I should have. Today I have successfully figured out how to be kind to myself in my mind and it has shown on the course. From golf, I have learned how to react to the highs and most importantly how to accept the lows. In my field of interest, Cardiac Sonography, is not a flat line type of field. There could be so many curves and loops in this particular workforce and how I react to it, will determine how successful I'll be. As my mom always says "You are only really hitting a golf ball for 3 minutes total. The other 237 minutes of golf is between you and your mind. Be kind to yourself and play like you know how to." I am so thankful for the game of golf, not only because of the game, but from the life lessons it has given me as well. I cannot wait to continue my golf career in college, and take everything I have learned from golf, and carry it on to my future profession.

I am a driven and dedicated individual who refuses to take "no" for an answer. I believe that success is achieved through hard work and perseverance. When it comes to sports or academics, my drive and determination shows me the success that I deserve. I am eager to excel in college in the upcoming months. I am a person who puts forth my best effort no matter what challenges I face. In my eyes, success was finally being cleared to play sports after nine months of rehabilitation from ACL reconstruction surgery. Day in and day out, there I was pushing myself, even though I did not know what the future held for me. I easily could have given up knowing I had some long painful days ahead of me, but the fire in me never let me stop. The fire in me never let me slow down because of a single phrase; "What if?" Most people want an individual to limit saying the phrase "what if" because they would wish things happened in the past. I looked at the future. "What if in 3 months, I will be able to jump off of one leg again." "What if I will finally be able to become a starter for my basketball team again." I focus on things that are in my reach, the future. With my drive and determination, I can make my future as successful as I want it to be. Knowing that my future can be limitless success I will never take an easy way out because, "what if I can be great?" Receiving any type of help for college funding would be incredible. This scholarship would help to make my unlimited future of possibilities closer to reach. I am determined to make a difference in the field of Echocardiography. With the drive and dedication I have, I will work and study for every little penny I am given. This scholarship would help me purchase the materials I need to be successful in my classes. With this money I will receive, my "what if" phrase will flourish in college. After receiving this scholarship, I will now be able to say, "What if I can change the way ultrasound images are collected?" It would open the door for more opportunities in my field of study, as well as pursuing my college goals. In college, my goal is to be well known throughout my field. Whether there are group activities outside of class, or class funding for a trip, I will be participating in everything I can. I want to be known as a well-rounded student both academically and vocally. My voice will be heard in everything I participate in to either help someone or promote good in any community. Any other person can wish all they want to receive scholarship money, but I know what I am worth and what I deserve. With this money, I will challenge myself academically to become the best version of myself I can possibly be. I can not wait to see my "what if" list expand.

Cary Adkins was a stranger and leader of a program. He still is remembered to this day, and will continue to be. Cary Adkins was a leader in a program called Veteran X. Cary was a veteran who came home and felt lost. He decided to create a program where every week, veterans can get together to comfort each other. Once I learned about this program I was invested with the idea of support veterans could lend to each other; I decided I wanted to help out in any way I could. I got to know Cary and instantly felt a sense of comfort in the tone of his voice. Every month I would go to a meeting and help the organization as a volunteer. Listening to everyone’s stories was extremely touching and something I will never forget. Cary unexpectedly passed away in 2022. His legacy will stick with me forever and I will always carry on his drive to help other veterans. I started playing the game of golf when I was three. My grandparents would always take me out to the links while my parents were at work. Ever since I was younger I always have thought of golf as a family sport. As an only child, I was able to spend countless hours out on the course almost every weekend. Over the years I have fallen more and more in love with the game and I knew I wanted to play in college. As my senior year in high school is coming to an end, I am proud to say that I placed 9th in the State in PA for the golf championships. I plan to continue playing at Mount Aloysius College. I plan on becoming the best golfer I can possibly be while excelling in my degree. If I were awarded the scholarship, I would use any chance I get in college to help promote and bring as much awareness as possible to veteran’s mental health coming home. I would join or start a program at Mount Aloysius to help veterans easily adjust to their environment when they are home. Learning from Cary, I have the tools and connections to help veterans who are in need. Becoming a collegiate athlete, I will use my platform to grow and bring awareness to a program for veterans coming home. Cary Adkins will always have a special place in my heart, and I will carry his movement with me to my new golf platform.

"You didn't cheat, but you're still a traitor" hit my heartstrings as I heard the song Traitor by Olivia Rodrigo. Coming from a very toxic relationship, I didn't realize at the time how I should have been treated. Traitor, healed my heart to be able to start respecting myself again. In the bleak relationship, I took all the blame and did anything in my power to impress or make my boyfriend at the time show affection to me. The way he lied and mistreated me was something that will stick with me forever. As my first-ever relationship, I held on to the handful of bright colors and ignored all the gray around me. I wanted everything to be perfect and it was completely far from it.  Five months into the tie-up I was “blind-sided”. I was sent a text message from him saying that we needed a break. He said he was falling out of love with me. Looking back on it now, I should have seen this from the beginning. But the person I was then, was distraught. I could not believe that after everything I had done and sacrificed, I was never enough. I took this to heart and blamed it all on myself. Little did I know that he had an interest in another girl, broke things off, and immediately started dating her. Two weeks after to be exact.  At this moment in my life, I started to turn to music. The GUTS album was the first album that I could relate to. For weeks I was trying to suppress my feelings and pretend that I was okay. Once I heard the song Traitor, I instantly cried. It was my whole relationship wrapped into a melody. This song allowed me to open my heart and heal over the undesirable relationship. I belted out the song and unlatched all the hurt from my core. Without music, I would not have been able to heal the way I did. I have now been able to love myself and put myself first. I will never again bend over backward for someone who does not even care to try. I am so proud of myself and who I have become. Today, I still listen to Traitor, but not to heal. I listen to remind myself of how far I have come. I am so proud of the person I am today and will always put myself first. “You didn’t cheat, but you’re still a traitor” will always remind me of how I have evolved.