One of the great things about the human mind is that you can always learn new things no matter how much you think you know. This past semester I have done a lot of learning not only from the curriculum provided by my professors but purely out of my own curiosity. As a kinesiology major looking to become a Physical Therapist, I have recently learned so many new things about the human body and how it works all together. It is quite the creation really from how our nervous system sends signals to our brain and back to our muscles within light speeds as it seems. My entire perspective on why we as humans move the way we do not only physically but from a mental aspect as well. Every aspect of our lives influence us in some shape or form, from the food we eat to the activities we partake in. We have the power to literally shape our own future depending on the choices we make at this very moment. The downside I have seen to this is our generations need for a quick dopamine hit which has fried our brains in so many ways we can not function properly or perhaps as efficiently as we would like. Apps like TikTok and other short form content has conditioned our brains to having a short attention span and disregarding things as "boring" if it isn't causing a certain level of excitement. One of the main problems I have noticed from this is that people often say they are "overstimulated" where before we had the technology we do now, most people would have their imagination and quietness, now you can receive so much information in a short amount of time it can be overwhelming. Another form of quick dopamine would be the influx of ultra processed foods we as Americans eat too much of as shown by our Obesity Population. As of 2023, 40% of Americans are considered obese which is a substantial amount and cause various issues to each individual. As I dove deeper into researching the problem, I came across many different studies which touch on why we have this problem and how it could be fixed. The main issues related to obesity is over eating when not necessary and living a sedentary lifestyle. It is recommended by the "Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans" that adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of Moderate-Intensity exercise per week while according to data from the CDC in a study from 2020, only 47% of the U.S. adult population do so which leaves out almost half of the country. My passion for seeing a healthy future in all people has pushed me to continue learning and help ushering new ways to better our population. As a Physical Therapist I can not only help people recover from physical traumas, but teach preventative techniques to avoid them. No matter what makes us different, at the end of the day we are all human and a better future for one of us is a better future for all os us as we continue in inspire and influence one another.

As a kinesiology major, I have a passion for being in healthcare and helping people heal as both of my parents are nurses. My goal is to become a licensed physical therapist and use my education to help restore not only physical strength in others, but also hope and confidence in their recovery from whatever they may be dealing with. I believe I am a strong candidate because my purpose goes far beyond just earning a degree. I am committed to serving those in my community, breaking barriers in healthcare, and being a voice of encouragement for those who feel as if they have lost all hope. Growing up, I witnessed so many people deal with different injuries from being a football player in high school to even family members dealing with chronic pain, injuries, and limited mobility. Most of my teammates were out for long periods of time dealing with ACL & MCL injuries often not being able to come back the same. My grandmother deals with some chronic back pains and lacked the access or knowledge to seek proper rehabilitation for a while before finding a place to give her advice. It opened my eyes to a gap in healthcare that isn’t just physical, but emotional and educational. Kinesiology has taught me that healing the body isn’t just about muscles or joints, it’s about movement being a form of medicine. My studies have deepened my understanding of how the human body works, how it compensates when injured, and how the proper care can prevent long-term sustained damage. As I transition into a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, I intend to specialize in sports and orthopedic rehabilitation, with a focus on preventative care and community outreach. With this scholarship, I will be able to pursue graduate school with less of a financial burden, which means I can devote more energy toward clinical experiences, community service, and further education. I plan to partner with local organizations, schools, and faith-based groups to help people not only recover from injuries, but also avoid them altogether through education and early intervention. As a future physical therapist, I also hope to break stereotypes within the medical field. Far too often, healthcare can feel distant or disconnected, and even something that does not seem helpful. I want to be a provider who listens, who sees the whole person, and who builds trust through compassion and consistency to assist those who have goals to reach them. This scholarship would not just support my academic journey but it would be an investment in a lifelong mission to make rehabilitation more accessible and more effective. I am determined to give back, to educate, and to advocate. Thank you for considering me.

Pain is a reality that none of us can escape. At some point in our lives, we all go through some form of pain and even more as we continue to age. As a former athlete, I have experienced it all too well and have seen my peers go through things even worse than myself. I am an aspiring Physical Therapist because I’ve come to understand that pain doesn’t just affect the body it impacts our confidence, our mindset, and our ability to fully live. I want to be someone who helps people not only recover, but regain their strength, their hope, and their quality of life. Growing up, I was always physically active and sports gave me structure, purpose, and identity. But with that came injuries, physical strain, and the pain of mental frustration I have seen all too much from my teammates. Seeing how this affected those around me sparked something inside of me to want to help others. That experience lit a fire in me to pursue a career where I could combine science, movement, and empathy to help others in the same way. As a kinesiology major, I’ve committed myself to understanding the human body and how it functions under stress, movement, and recovery. The journey hasn’t always been easy. I've worked two jobs while being a full-time student to support myself financially. It’s been an uphill climb balancing work, school, and life but it’s also shown me the value of hard work, perseverance, and self-discipline. I know that the grit I’ve built through these challenges is going to serve me well not only in physical therapy school, but in my career. My ultimate goal is to open a clinic in an underserved community; specifically in areas where access to quality care is often limited or unaffordable. Too many people live in chronic pain simply because they don’t have access to physical rehabilitation services. I want to break down those barriers by creating a space that is welcoming, affordable, and centered around education, healing, and prevention. I believe recovery should be a right, not a privilege. I also plan to be involved in community outreach to empower individuals to take control of their health, and to see their bodies not as broken but as capable of healing. Beyond hands-on care, I want to be a voice for change in the healthcare system. I believe physical therapy can play a larger role in preventative care, especially in marginalized communities. My long-term vision includes advocating for policy changes that increase funding for rehab services, improve insurance coverage, and expand access to holistic care for those who need it most. I want to be more than a physical therapist, I want to be a healer, a leader, and a builder in my community. Pain may be a reality, but with the right support and knowledge, healing can be too. That’s the legacy I hope to leave.

Balancing life as a full-time college student while working two jobs was one of the most difficult challenges I’ve ever faced. As a kinesiology undergraduate striving to get into physical therapy school, my schedule became very demanding. With that, the pressure of working back-to-back shifts just to cover my living expenses and tuition felt like there weren’t enough hours in the day or enough energy in me to get through them. There were moments I considered stepping away from school but I had already committed to completing my degree. I continued to remind myself of the bigger picture: I’m doing this not just for myself, but for the future patients I want to serve especially in underserved communities where compassionate, educated healthcare providers are most needed. Discipline is a big part of what I need to succeed and I implemented it by creating detailed schedules every week, sacrificing weekends and late nights to make sure I kept up with both work and coursework. I studied during lunch breaks and whenever I had the free time I did my homework. This experience has tested me in every way but it also built mental toughness and taught me how to manage pressure and prioritize what truly matters. Even while managing two jobs and full-time classes, I still found opportunities to demonstrate leadership. At one of my jobs, I was often selected as a candidate to train the new associates on how to complete our daily tasks and show them the ropes. I took initiative to make sure all of our duties were taken care of in a timely manner when our managers weren’t able to put much effort into directly managing. Rather than just doing the bare minimum, I saw an opportunity to lead through consistency and reliability. I also was a great leader in group projects and class labs, I made sure to keep everyone organized and on track. I didn’t try to control everything unless it was specifically needed but instead, I led by example: showing up on time, staying accountable, and encouraging others to do their best. When roles were given I helped delegate them to the people who best fit the criteria of that role. My goal was always to create a space where others felt supported, not judged, no matter how much they were juggling behind the scenes. Through it all, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about titles or recognition but it is about showing up, pushing through, and helping others rise to the occasion. Overcoming obstacles isn’t always dramatic; sometimes it’s found in the quiet, everyday decision to keep going when no one’s watching. These experiences have shaped the kind of physical therapist and leader I hope to become one who understands hard work, values service, and knows how to guide others through both pain and progress.