When I think of my future self I am confident that I will be successful, healthy, and happy because my passion for living a great life will propel me into making every one of my dreams come true.

What is the one thing that has taught me how to be a leader, how to never give up, and how to overcome obstacles? Nothing has taught me these valuable lessons more than wrestling. The wins have been great, but the losses and obstacles I have encountered have propelled me and motivated me to further elevate myself. Personal triumph, two individual words, yet when put together, they hold so much weight. The sport I chose to fall in love with happens to be one of the most physically, emotionally and mentally demanding sports, but I would never change a thing. While the glory has been great, the lessons learned through the blood, sweat and tears are what is priceless. Wrestling has given me some of my highest highs and lowest lows, my greatest low coming at the young age of twelve. Being raised by an encouraging family, I was always taught to accept challenges and adversity head-on and never back down. So when challenged to wrestle a person who weighed substantially more than me, of course, I eagerly agreed. This stressful match pushed into double overtime, a single leg was the move, a sprawl was the response, and it was followed by an awkward fall that changed my life. Every spectator in that gymnasium witnessed me screaming in agony as concerned adults surrounded me. It was a devastating scene for my family, friends, coaches and the wrestling community. I saw a tear in my mom’s eye as I glanced up at her heartbroken and horrified face. At that moment I told her, “I know this hurts you more than me mom, I’ll be okay.” However, I knew that I may have just told her a terrible lie because I truly did not know if I was actually okay. Being lifted onto a stretcher and thrown into the back of an ambulance with numbness overcoming my body was the scariest moment of my life. After numerous days of medical treatment, it was confirmed that I had broken my lower back. Three vertebrates were crushed, and in that dark time, so was my spirit. I was a prisoner in my own body, trapped in a metal brace for months. My heart broke at the thought of never wrestling again. However, after extensive physical therapy, appointments with specialists, and time to heal, I gave wrestling another attempt. I attacked my rehabilitation to get back to 100% because I was not about to give up on my dream. Finally, after two long years, I was able to return to the sport that has taught me so much. Since that day, I have wrestled vigorously and received numerous accolades, thus demonstrating my dedication and resiliency. Throughout my years of competition, I have endured a few severe setbacks, making a bigger comeback each time. The rewarding theme of overcoming barriers is consistent in my lifelong journey. My passion drives me to places I never expected, the most recent of which is signing as a collegiate athlete at my top school. This is something I have trained for and dreamed of. I am grateful for the experiences I have had, because they have helped shape me into the resilient leader I have become. I would never change a thing. This scholarship would mean so much to me. I am an active member of the community and I am a volunteer coach for youth wrestlers. I am proud of where I have been, and I am excited about my future. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.

What is the one thing that has taught me how to be a leader, how to never give up, and how to overcome obstacles? Nothing has taught me these valuable lessons more than wrestling. The wins have been great, but the losses and obstacles I have encountered have propelled me and motivated me to further elevate myself. Personal triumph, two individual words, yet when put together, they hold so much weight. The sport I chose to fall in love with happens to be one of the most physically, emotionally and mentally demanding sports, but I would never change a thing. While the glory has been great, the lessons learned through the blood, sweat and tears are what is priceless. Wrestling has given me some of my highest highs and lowest lows, my greatest low coming at the young age of twelve. Being raised by an encouraging family, I was always taught to accept challenges and adversity head-on and never back down. So when challenged to wrestle a person who weighed substantially more than me, of course, I eagerly agreed. This stressful match pushed into double overtime, a single leg was the move, a sprawl was the response, and it was followed by an awkward fall that changed my life. Every spectator in that gymnasium witnessed me screaming in agony as concerned adults surrounded me. It was a devastating scene for my family, friends, coaches and the wrestling community. I saw a tear in my mom’s eye as I glanced up at her heartbroken and horrified face. At that moment I told her, “I know this hurts you more than me mom, I’ll be okay.” However, I knew that I may have just told her a terrible lie because I truly did not know if I was actually okay. Being lifted onto a stretcher and thrown into the back of an ambulance with numbness overcoming my body was the scariest moment of my life. After numerous days of medical treatment, it was confirmed that I had broken my lower back. Three vertebrates were crushed, and in that dark time, so was my spirit. I was a prisoner in my own body, trapped in a metal brace for months. My heart broke at the thought of never wrestling again. However, after extensive physical therapy, appointments with specialists, and time to heal, I gave wrestling another attempt. I attacked my rehabilitation to get back to 100% because I was not about to give up on my dream. Finally, after two long years, I was able to return to the sport that has taught me so much. Since that day, I have wrestled vigorously and received numerous accolades, thus demonstrating my dedication and resiliency. Throughout my years of competition, I have endured a few severe setbacks, making a bigger comeback each time. The rewarding theme of overcoming barriers is consistent in my lifelong journey. My passion drives me to places I never expected, the most recent of which is signing as a collegiate athlete at my top school. This is something I have trained for and dreamed of. I am grateful for the experiences I have had because they have helped shape me into the resilient leader I have become. I would never change a thing.

What is the one thing that has taught me how to be a leader, how to never give up, and how to overcome obstacles? Nothing has taught me these valuable lessons more than wrestling. The wins have been great, but the losses and obstacles I have encountered have propelled me and motivated me to further elevate myself. Personal triumph, two individual words, yet when put together, they hold so much weight. The sport I chose to fall in love with happens to be one of the most physically, emotionally and mentally demanding sports, but I would never change a thing. While the glory has been great, the lessons learned through the blood, sweat and tears are what is priceless. Wrestling has given me some of my highest highs and lowest lows, my greatest low coming at the young age of twelve. Being raised by an encouraging family, I was always taught to accept challenges and adversity head-on and never back down. So when challenged to wrestle a person who weighed substantially more than me, of course, I eagerly agreed. This stressful match pushed into double overtime, a single leg was the move, a sprawl was the response, and it was followed by an awkward fall that changed my life. Every spectator in that gymnasium witnessed me screaming in agony as concerned adults surrounded me. It was a devastating scene for my family, friends, coaches and the wrestling community. I saw a tear in my mom’s eye as I glanced up to her heartbroken and horrified face. At that moment I told her, “I know this hurts you more than me mom, I’ll be okay.” However, I knew that I may have just told her a terrible lie because I truly did not know if I was actually okay. Being lifted onto a stretcher and thrown into the back of an ambulance with numbness overcoming my body was the scariest moment of my life. After numerous days of medical treatment, it was confirmed that I had broken my lower back. Three vertebrates were crushed, and in that dark time, so was my spirit. I was a prisoner in my own body, trapped in a metal brace for months. My heart broke at the thought of never wrestling again. However, after extensive physical therapy, appointments with specialists, and time to heal, I gave wrestling another attempt. I attacked my rehabilitation to get back to 100% because I was not about to give up on my dream. Finally, after two long years, I was able to return to the sport that has taught me so much. Since that day, I have wrestled vigorously and received numerous accolades, thus demonstrating my dedication and resiliency. Throughout my years of competition, I have endured a few severe setbacks, making a bigger comeback each time. The rewarding theme of overcoming barriers is consistent in my lifelong journey. My passion drives me to places I never expected, the most recent of which is signing as a collegiate athlete at my top school. This is something I have trained for and dreamed of. I am grateful for the experiences I have had, because they have helped shape me into the resilient leader I have become. I would never change a thing. I plan on making a positive impact on the world around me. I will continue to be the best inspiration and leader I can be now and in the future. I will use my degree in business to help and lead many. I look forward to being a positive force in the work world.

What is the one thing that has taught me how to be a leader, how to never give up, and how to overcome obstacles? Nothing has taught me these valuable lessons more than wrestling. The wins have been great, but the losses and obstacles I have encountered have propelled me and motivated me to further elevate myself. Personal triumph, two individual words, yet when put together, they hold so much weight. The sport I chose to fall in love with happens to be one of the most physically, emotionally and mentally demanding sports, but I would never change a thing. While the glory has been great, the lessons learned through the blood, sweat and tears are what is priceless. Wrestling has given me some of my highest highs and lowest lows, my greatest low coming at the young age of twelve. Being raised by an encouraging family, I was always taught to accept challenges and adversity head-on and never back down. So when challenged to wrestle a person who weighed substantially more than me, of course, I eagerly agreed. This stressful match pushed into double overtime, a single leg was the move, a sprawl was the response, and it was followed by an awkward fall that changed my life. Every spectator in that gymnasium witnessed me screaming in agony as concerned adults surrounded me. It was a devastating scene for my family, friends, coaches and the wrestling community. I saw a tear in my mom’s eye as I glanced up at her heartbroken and horrified face. At that moment I told her, “I know this hurts you more than me mom, I’ll be okay.” However, I knew that I may have just told her a terrible lie because I truly did not know if I was actually okay. Being lifted onto a stretcher and thrown into the back of an ambulance with numbness overcoming my body was the scariest moment of my life. After numerous days of medical treatment, it was confirmed that I had broken my lower back. Three vertebrates were crushed, and in that dark time, so was my spirit. I was a prisoner in my own body, trapped in a metal brace for months. My heart broke at the thought of never wrestling again. However, after extensive physical therapy, appointments with specialists, and time to heal, I gave wrestling another attempt. I attacked my rehabilitation to get back to 100% because I was not about to give up on my dream. Finally, after two long years, I was able to return to the sport that has taught me so much. Since that day, I have wrestled vigorously and received numerous accolades, thus demonstrating my dedication and resiliency. Throughout my years of competition, I have endured a few severe setbacks, making a bigger comeback each time. The rewarding theme of overcoming barriers is consistent in my lifelong journey. My passion drives me to places I never expected, the most recent of which is signing as a collegiate athlete at my top school. This is something I have trained for and dreamed of. I am grateful for the experiences I have had because they have helped shape me into the resilient leader I have become. I would never change a thing.