Throughout my life, I have pushed myself to navigate complex challenges in and out of school, extracurriculars, and personal pursuits. High school culminated those experiences, which helped me hone my academic capabilities. I embraced my coursework and extracurriculars, which proved particularly demanding. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and stretched to learn and grow. The most difficult academic challenge I faced was relocating from Rhode Island to Massachusetts in late August, which I learned about just two weeks before my Junior year. I barely had time to adjust, understand how the school worked, or pack my belongings. Things were rushed, and my new course schedule included some challenging classes. It was very rigorous, and I had to study for the SAT, try new extracurriculars, adjust to new surroundings, and (hopefully) make new friends. At times, it felt like I was drowning, but I learned to tread just enough water to survive - and eventually to thrive. Looking back on last year, I am proud of how much I have grown through that experience. I made it through the year and exceeded my expectations. I made amazing new friends, started clubs, and worked hard in my classes. I am now a senior captain for my lacrosse team and continue to challenge myself in school. In the end, my primary focus was excelling in academics. Despite the significant personal disruption, I achieved my goals and have grown from that challenging experience which has made me more resilient, responsible, and robust as a student. I will use the money from this scholarship to help myself and my family afford college expenses, where I will continue to learn new skills and grow as a person.

Throughout my life, I have pushed myself to navigate complex challenges in and out of school, extracurriculars, and personal pursuits. High school culminated those experiences, which helped me hone my academic and athletic capabilities. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and stretched to learn and grow. Still, everything fell out of focus when I discovered I was moving sophomore year. My future at this new school was unknown. Something I would often think about in the moments before I moved was lacrosse. I had already established myself as a contributing player on my current high school varsity team. I play club for Mass Elite, so I know the lacrosse teams in Massachusetts are very competitive. I was nervous I would not make varsity, and all the hard work I had put in for the last ten years was a waste. When the lacrosse season came around, I pushed all my doubtful thoughts away and went into the season with a fresh mind. During tryouts, I put in 110% effort. I pushed myself, tried new strategies and positions, and took initiative. Before tryouts, my future in lacrosse was up in the air. Once I stepped on the field and met all the amazing teammates I cherish today, I knew things would be okay. Last year, I learned to step up and take responsibility for my mistakes, support others, and work hard. Most of all, I realized as an upperclassman that I would be looked up to as a role model for the younger kids on the team. I thought about the past captains I had in lacrosse. My friend Tess was the perfect example of a good leader and friend. When the 2022 lacrosse season started, I constantly asked myself, "What would Tess do?" I tried to emulate her by putting in 100% effort and being someone the underclassmen could come to for advice. I worked harder and was motivated to be the best version of myself. From my team, I learned the importance of bringing each other up. We have this saying we whisper to each other in our 'hype up' circle before a game, "Good, better, best, never let it rest, till your good is better than you best," or in short, GBB (good, better, best). Sharing this small phrase with my teammates is something that brings us together. As a senior lacrosse captain for this 2023 season, I get nervous that people will see my co-captains and me as a separate group. But by enforcing a sense of belonging to new and returning players, we will remain a united team that plays to bring each other up. For this upcoming season and beyond what next year may hold for my future, I will never forget what I have learned from the Needham lacrosse program. If I work hard, stay focused, and believe in myself, anything is achievable on and off the field.