As the daughter of a very dominate 82nd Airborne Veteran , I’ve inherited the grit and determination genes honestly. Right after 9/11, my father fast tracked his high school career so that he could graduate early to enter the army. My father has always worked hard for everything he has. He’s always taught my siblings and myself that with determination and hard work you can achieve your dreams. Being raised this way has definitely shaped how I’ve tackled life both in school and out. I have always set high standards for myself, and tried to be the best version of myself through my entire high school career. I definitely have had challenges that have been difficult. I struggled , at a young age, in the first few years of elementary school. My parents and I learned that I had two learning disabilities. I have a memory deficit and a language barrier. Through resource, I have learned how to study and what works best for me in the classroom. This is where the grit and determination comes into play! Although, I’ve had to study more than my peers, I’ve maintained a 4.0 and am honored to be a National Beta Club member. I’ve also not let my hardships limit me. It’s been embarrassing as a young kid having to go to resource and be accommodated, but I’ve not let others opinions hold me back. It’s made me realize everyone has hardships, even though they might not be the same as mine, and with that drive and determination I have, I can still reach my goals. It has just made me more determined. My challenges have resulted in me putting in the work to achieve. I am a triathlete for my high school. I have played 6 years of soccer, 2 on junior varsity, and 4 on varsity. I’ve won a lot of awards. I’ve won the Golden Boot several times, made the All Region team several times, was Region Player of The Year nominee, Selected for the North South Classic, awarded Soccer Player of The Year , awarded 2025 Female Athlete of The Year, picked for All Tournament Team twice, awarded the Hustle Award, and awarded the Playmaker Award. I have also ran Cross Country for my high school for several years. I’ve made the All-Region team for 3 years, been awarded the MVP award, hold the school record, and was the first and only cross country runner to take my team solely to state for the first time in 7 years. This last year, I decided to give track and field a try. I ran track during my soccer season whenever I was able to, and enjoyed every second of it. I also played club soccer outside of school for the past two years. Last , but not least, I just won the Most Athletic superlative , being picked and voted for out of all students in my school. Playing three sports in high school, playing a club sport, and being expected to maintain good grades to remain on these teams , and to reach my goals , has absolutely made me a stronger person. It’s helped me to not only balance and prioritize my life, but to believe in my abilities and my sheer strength no matter how hard it is at times. I’ve learned that , just like my father, I can achieve anything . That is also why I’m proud to be attending and playing soccer for The Citadel. Because of the challenges I’ve already faced, I’m excited to push myself more and become a Citadel Cadet!

As the daughter of a very dominate 82nd Airborne Veteran , I’ve inherited the grit and determination genes honestly. Right after 9/11, my father fast tracked his high school career so that he could graduate early to enter the army. Men often dominate the world in a lot of areas, but my father has always worked hard for everything he has. He’s always taught my siblings and myself that with determination and hard work you can achieve your dreams. Being raised this way has definitely shaped how I’ve tackled life both in school and out. I have always set high standards for myself, and tried to be the best version of myself through my entire high school career. I struggled , at a young age, in the first few years of elementary school. My parents and I learned that I had two learning disabilities. I have a memory deficit and a language barrier. Through resource, I have learned how to study and what works best for me in the classroom. This is where the grit and determination comes into play! Although, I’ve had to study more than my peers, I’ve maintained a 4.0 and am honored to be a National Beta Club member. I’ve also not let my hardships limit me. I am a triathlete for my high school. I have played 6 years of soccer, 2 on junior varsity, and 4 on varsity. I’ve won a lot of awards. I’ve won the Golden Boot several times, made the All Region team several times, was Region Player of The Year nominee, picked to represent the South team in the North South Classic, awarded Soccer Player of The Year , awarded 2025 Female Athlete of The Year, picked for All Tournament Team twice, awarded the Hustle Award, and awarded the Playmaker Award. I have also ran Cross Country for my high school for several years. I’ve made the All-Region team for 3 years, been awarded the MVP award, hold the school record, and was the first and only cross country runner to take my team solely to state for the first time in 7 years. This last year, I decided to give track and field a try. I ran track during my soccer season whenever I was able to, and enjoyed every second of it. I also played club soccer outside of school for the past two years. Last , but not least, I just won the Most Athletic superlative , being picked and voted for out of all students in my school, even the male athletes. Playing three sports in high school, playing a club sport, and being expected to maintain good grades to remain on these teams , and to reach my goals , has absolutely made me a stronger female. It’s helped me to not only balance and prioritize my life, but to believe in my abilities and my sheer strength no matter my sex. I’ve learned that , just like my father, I can achieve anything . That is also why I’m proud to be attending and playing soccer for The Citadel. Grit and determination aren’t just male genes.