My name is Elijah Jones and I am graduating high school June 11, 2026. I will be headed off to college August 7th. During my undergraduate year I will be majoring in Kinesiology where I will set the groundwork for applying to physical therapy school. I currently hold a 3.7 GPA in high school. I will be entering college as a honor student where I plan to focus on education and preparing my future to be a physical therapist. I have been playing varsity football since the 9th grade as a running back. Football has taught me more than just the sport of football. Football has taught me leadership and teamwork. During spring training my senior year of football I suffered a minor injury which led me to receiving physical therapy. This is where I met a physical therapist and knew right then this is what I wanted to be. Becoming a physical therapist will give me the ability to help heal people and educate them on proper body mechanics. This scholarship will help me achieve this goal. I have been accepted into college and the tuition will definitely be a burden to my mother. I have two younger siblings that will still need to be financially taken care of. I know my mom always says “don’t worry I will find a way” but I am determined to find a way for her. I always hear stories about what a great experience college is and I can not wait to experience the great feeling of becoming an adult with other like minded people. Going to college you meet people from all over the world with the same goal of obtaining an education while meeting new people. This is the time to build life long friendships while networking with people who may one day be someone you can collaborate with as an adult. I look forward to being a physical therapist and providing the care that people need. To be able to mesh body mechanics with healthcare is the best of both worlds. I never knew physical therapy was a career, but after having to receive physical therapy and build a great relationship with my physical therapist I knew immediately this was what I wanted to do. I would like to thank you for considering me for this scholarship as it would greatly be appreciated. Scholarships are a great opportunity to provide students like me the opportunity to make dreams come true.

Growing up in a two-parent household grounded in strong morals and high expectations has shaped me into the person I am today. From an early age, I understood the weight of responsibility, not only to myself, but also to my parents, who sacrificed to give me opportunities, and to my two younger siblings, who look up to me for guidance. While I always knew that disappointing my parents was difficult, I also knew their support was unwavering. This balance of accountability and encouragement has been one of the greatest influences in my life. Throughout school, I have challenged myself academically by taking honors courses and maintaining a GPA of 3.8. These classes were never easy, but they taught me the value of discipline and consistency. The example I set at home, coupled with the standards I hold for myself in school, has made me a role model for my siblings as they navigate their own challenges. Another defining part of my life has been football, which I started playing at age five. Football has been more than a sport for me—it has been a classroom of its own. From the many coaches who have guided me, I’ve learned leadership, perseverance, and teamwork. Being part of a team taught me how to lead when others were watching, and even more importantly, how to lead by example when they were not. Senior year has been especially demanding as I balanced academics, football, and a job at Top Golf. Managing all three showed me the importance of time management, hard work, and resilience. However, it was during my junior year that I faced one of my biggest setbacks. A groin injury forced me into physical therapy and off the field for a time. Initially, it felt like everything I had worked for was slipping away, but that challenge turned into a turning point. Physical therapy not only helped me recover, but it also sparked a new passion: sports physical therapy. I became fascinated with the process of healing the body and supporting athletes in returning to their best selves. This experience transformed my perspective—what I first saw as a setback became a source of inspiration for my future career. My journey so far has taught me that success is not just about achievements, but about growth, adaptability, and purpose. I want to carry forward the values my parents instilled in me, the leadership I developed through football, and the resilience I built through injury as I pursue a career in sports physical therapy. My hope is not only to be successful for myself, but also to continue being a source of support and inspiration for my siblings and others who may one day look to me for guidance. This scholarship will help relieve the financial burden my mom will carry with me going to college while still supporting my younger siblings and the household. I don’t want my education to affect the household making it difficult for them to financially live. Even though we are not finally unstable me going to college will put a huge damper on my families lives. We all make sacrifices for each other to prosper, however receiving this scholarship would be an honor.

My name is Elijah Jones and my journey has been shaped through hard work, discipline, and growth. Throughout high school I have maintained strong academics through taking AP and honors courses with a 3.7 GPA. I have learned the value of consistency and pushing through challenges when times were not as easy. Maintaining a strong academics alongside playing football and running track was not always easy but I made it through. My mom is a strong lady who instilled the importance of being a positive person and striving for the best in life. My experiences both in and out of the classroom have guided me through life lessons of perseverance. I have learned I want to make an impact on other people lives as I have been impacted throughout my life. Every step of my journey has prepared me to take my next chapter in life attending an HBCU seriously to becoming the best version of myself. Attending an HBCU to me means being apart of a legacy of excellence and culture. My mom attended an HBCU and always talks about the amazing experiences and knowledge she gained through her time at an HBCU. I know that I can thrive in an environment with people who look like me and inspire me to succeed in life. An HBCU is more than just a school, it is a community that will celebrate me and my future. An HBCU will provide me with confidence and prepare me to be a leader in all that I do as an adult. For me, it means responsibility, pride, and an opportunity to grow into a successful adult. After learning the history about HBCUs I am honored to continue the legacy while working towards my goal of becoming a physical therapist. Through my studies at NCCU in kinesiology I plan to continue my education into physical therapy school. I first learned about physical therapy after suffering from an injury in football which took me out of the sport I loved for 2 months. When attending physical therapy I not only learned how to take care of my body but I received mentorship from a black physical therapist. He explained to me the importance of stretching, eating healthy, and nourishing me prior to stepping foot on the field. He showed me that while there are limited black male physical therapists the position was greatly needed in our community to educate the black community. I received his education in greater ways he would ever know. I thank him for taking his time with me every day. With this education I plan to give back to my community by helping others recover, stay active, and live healthier lives. This is especially important in the black community. I want to work with athletes and people in the community who may not always have access to healthcare and education about injury prevention and rehabilitation. Beyond my career I plan to be active in the community through mentorship and community outreach. Younger students need guidance and encouragement and someone positive to look up to. I want to show them that hard work pays off and nothing in life is given to you that you have to work for it. I want them to know if they focus and work hard they can achieve their goals. Making a difference to me means using my knowledge and skills to improve lives of others can create ever lasting impact on my community. Thank you for your time in allowing me the opportunity to apply for this scholarship to assist in my tuition cost to make my dreams of impacting my community possible.

My name is Elijah Jones, and I am currently a senior at Northeast Guilford High School. I am currently ranked 33 out of 200 seniors with a 3.7 GPA. Throughout my high school journey, I have developed a strong passion for athletics, particularly football and track and field. Being actively involved in sports has shaped not only my physical abilities but also my character, discipline, and work ethic. The lessons I have learned on the field are teamwork, perseverance, leadership, and resilience which have prepared me for both academic and personal success beyond high school. After graduation, I plan to attend college and major in Kinesiology. I am drawn to this field because it focuses on the science of human movement and performance, which directly connects to my love for sports. Earning a degree in Kinesiology will provide me with the academic foundation needed to apply to physical therapy school. My ultimate goal is to become an athletic physical therapist who works specifically with athletes. I want to help individuals recover from injuries, rebuild strength, and safely return to the sports they are passionate about. After experiencing an injury in football, I understand firsthand how devastating injuries can be for athletes, both physically and mentally. Being able to guide someone through recovery and watch them regain confidence and return stronger than before would be incredibly rewarding. Currently, I volunteer as an athletic performance training assistant with the Pop Warner team I played for as a child. In this role, I help younger athletes improve their agility, coordination, and strength so they can perform at their highest potential. Working with these children has strengthened my desire to pursue a career in sports medicine and physical therapy. I enjoy mentoring young athletes, encouraging them to push themselves, and teaching them proper techniques to prevent injuries. Seeing their growth and development reminds me of how influential positive support and opportunity can be in a young athlete’s life. Sports have played a major role in shaping who I am today. They have provided me with structure, motivation, and a sense of belonging. I have also witnessed how financial barriers can prevent talented and passionate kids from participating. If I were to start a charity, I would create an organization called “Every child plays.” This charity would raise funds to support children whose families cannot afford the costs associated with sports participation. Registration fees, uniforms, equipment, and even athletic shoes can create financial strain for many households. “Every child plays” would attempt to remove those barriers so that every child has the opportunity to compete, grow, and thrive through sports. Too many of my friends were unable to play or were turned away simply because their families could not afford the fees. By covering these expenses, the charity would relieve financial stress and allow families to focus on enjoying their child’s athletic experience. Every child deserves the chance to step onto the field, build confidence, and pursue their passion without being limited by financial hardship. I know this may be considered a small impact on the world but to some little kids this could be life changing. It will lead them in the right path of success with or without the sport.

My name is Elijah Jones, and I am currently a senior at Northeast Guilford High School. Throughout my high school journey, I have developed a strong passion for athletics, particularly football and track and field. Being actively involved in sports has shaped not only my physical abilities but also my character, discipline, and work ethic. The lessons I have learned on the field are teamwork, perseverance, leadership, and resilience which have prepared me for both academic and personal success beyond high school. After graduation, I plan to attend college and major in Kinesiology. I am drawn to this field because it focuses on the science of human movement and performance, which directly connects to my love for sports. Earning a degree in Kinesiology will provide me with the academic foundation necessary to apply to physical therapy school. My ultimate goal is to become an athletic physical therapist who works specifically with athletes. I want to help individuals recover from injuries, rebuild strength, and safely return to the sports they are passionate about. I understand firsthand how devastating injuries can be for athletes, both physically and mentally. Being able to guide someone through recovery and watch them regain confidence and return stronger than before would be incredibly rewarding. Currently, I volunteer as an athletic performance training assistant with the Pop Warner team I once played for as a child. In this role, I help younger athletes improve their agility, coordination, and strength so they can perform at their highest potential. Working with these children has strengthened my desire to pursue a career in sports medicine and physical therapy. I enjoy mentoring young athletes, encouraging them to push themselves, and teaching them proper techniques to prevent injuries. Seeing their growth and development reminds me of how influential positive support and opportunity can be in a young athlete’s life. Sports have played a major role in shaping who I am today. They have provided me with structure, motivation, and a sense of belonging. However, I have also witnessed how financial barriers can prevent talented and passionate kids from participating. If I were to start a charity, I would create an organization called “Every child plays.” This charity would raise funds to support children whose families cannot afford the costs associated with sports participation. Registration fees, uniforms, equipment, and even athletic shoes can create financial strain for many households. “Every child Plays” would aim to remove those barriers so that every child has the opportunity to compete, grow, and thrive through sports. Too many of my friends were unable to play or were turned away simply because their families could not afford the fees. By covering these expenses, the charity would relieve financial stress and allow families to focus on enjoying their child’s athletic experience. Every child deserves the chance to step onto the field, build confidence, and pursue their passion without being limited by financial hardship.

My experience as a football player influenced my overall character in so many ways. The football team is more than just a sport. You build comrades with your teammates and coaches. It is a feeling deep in your heart that is difficult to explain. Your football team becomes your second family. People from all different backgrounds come together and bond over the sport we all love together, football. From early morning practices, late practices, bus rides, team meals, locker room shenanigans, practices, and most importantly game days, all influenced the person I am today. Football builds a foundation of a great man. I have learned so much from playing football since the age of 5 years old. I have learned discipline, teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship. Life has a way of throwing curve balls your way and it up to you to make the right decisions. I have friends who I grew up with and we have gone in different paths. I give an honor to football for keeping me grounded and focused in my academics. I have been able to maintain a 3.7 gpa while playing football. My coaches made us turn in our grades every week. There was no excuses. If your grades were bad you were not allowed to play. I had to be sure I was on that field. My teammates and coaches counted on me. I worked hard. I did it for me and I did it for my team. There is never an I in team I learned that early on. You need your team to be great. We celebrate each other and we celebrate together. As a senior when I played my last game I cried, I cried because the sport I loved for so many years was over. It felt like a family member died. A piece of my heart was missing and it hurt so bad. I was sad for 2 weeks like a lost puppy trying to find my new purpose. The football field is magical. Great things happen on the field. I am forever grateful for football. Football you made me who I am today. A strong resilient young man with goals and ambitions. I strive to be an athletic physical therapist. With that career I will continue to feel the love football gave me through the players I will be able to treat on and off the field. To football I say thank you.