When reflecting upon my life as a whole, I hope to see one lived wholly and vibrantly. As a Christian, I am prevalently passionate about following and glorifying God. My faith is the source of my desire to serve others, which drives my career aspiration of becoming an occupational therapist. I seek to connect with and lift up the people I encounter, and I appreciate that occupational therapy is oriented in a relational way. From a young age, my home life was marked by the turbulence of my parents’ individual actions and their impact on our family as a unit. The crippling effect of instability and unpredictability within our home showed me the vital importance of stability and independence. Moving forward, I hope to channel my own hard and unpredictable experiences into serving others by being the consistent presence I once needed. As an occupational therapist, I want to improve the quality of life for people facing physical, emotional, and financial challenges beyond their control. In a world where decreased functional capacity is often met with disdain, I am eager to maintain an environment where I have the opportunity to instead build my patients up lovingly. I am eager to work with women in affirming their potential, resilience, and dignity. As a woman in healthcare, I hope to use my position to encourage, advocate, and empower other women. Many women are faced with unique challenges, such as recovery after childbirth, caregiving responsibilities, balancing family and personal health, and so on. I hope to show empathy to other women by building trusting relationships where they feel heard and respected. Through occupational therapy, I will not only have the opportunity to meet many people’s physical, functional needs but to empathetically minister to their hearts and minds. I will empower them through my role as an occupational therapist, helping them regain independence, confidence, and even daily functioning after specific setbacks.. Being a woman in the healthcare industry will give me a special opportunity to set an example which demonstrates compassion, resilience, leadership, and service. As I hope to someday be a skilled, empathetic healthcare professional, I am committed to continually growing in my competence and character skills. Daily, I strive to live out my ambition of serving and uplifting others before I am even involved in an official setting. Throughout high school, I have been dedicated to ministries through my church and school community. On multiple occasions, I have visited a local battered women’s safe house with a group of girls from church. Hoping to be a light in a dismal place, we played with the kids and engaged their moms in encouraging conversations. I also have a range of experience on the mission field from going on five separate youth group and choir mission trips. On these, my church served struggling families and individuals, introducing the hope and love of Christ to them. It is my desire to constantly serve as a positive, faith-driven role model for younger women both within and beyond the therapy room. I am exceedingly grateful to be considered for this scholarship, as it would enable my wholehearted pursuit of an education that broadens my ability to create a meaningful, positive impact on women and the rest of the world. I envision making a specific impact by partnering with women and children in occupational therapy, intertwining compassionate connection with professional skill as I employ rehabilitation methods and therapeutic strategies to serve a vulnerable population. Through my work, I hope to make a lasting difference for generations to come.

I believe that success is dependent on the determination one puts forth to reach it, and thus have developed diligence in managing my time in order to give my best effort in each setting. Through this, I have become thoroughly well-rounded in my endeavors towards personal growth and community impact. Now, I hope to help others do the same. Academically, I have exerted persistent effort in order to attain excellence. I have earned high grades and test scores. As the pioneering class at our school, which began in 2018, my peers and I have been leaders in initiating school related volunteer and extracurricular activities. I participated in Student Ambassadors and am now a part of the National Honor Society, both groups in which I have volunteered with different organizations. Additionally, I was a member of the first Mock Trial team, Editor of the Yearbook, and a player on the Varsity Tennis team. Post-graduation, I plan to attend the honors college at a top research university and earn my undergraduate degree in University Scholars before pursuing my doctorate in Occupational Therapy. I am passionate about helping those who are stricken with disabilities, illnesses, and injuries and seek to improve their quality of life. In an effort to demonstrate consistent leadership benefitting the community, I committed to multiple programs and outreach opportunities both individually and with my church. I have gone on five mission trips with my church. On these trips, I have served in many capacities with a variety of organizations. This included helping with community outreach events, leading Bible studies and Vacation Bible Schools, and generally loving on and caring for people as needs arose. In my junior year, I stepped far out of my comfort zone to become a lead vocalist for the worship team in my youth ministry. This experience has been unexpectedly fulfilling and taught me a lot about leadership. On a weekly basis since October 2024, I have served at a nonprofit bakery in my community. I arrive around five on Friday mornings and spend several hours assisting in any way that is needed, be that washing dishes, baking, or receiving customers. My encounters have taught me to prioritize humbly connecting with people by advocating for their best interests – an important aspect to carry into my future career in occupational therapy and mission work. If I could start my own charity, I would base my mission in creating better lives for those who cannot do so for themselves. I would serve underrepresented communities – such as those in poverty, with disabilities, or in drastic circumstances – and seek to advocate for their well-being. Volunteers would perform services that taught people higher functioning capabilities and tangible ways to create better lives. These services might include therapy (such as occupational therapy or emotional counseling), life-skill classes (such as interviewing, budgeting, and time management), and training in healthy living (such as diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices). It could look like classes people attended or weekly, one-on-one mentorship. Most importantly, I would root the mission in living for Christ. I would share the Gospel with people and work towards getting them settled in a church. My charity would serve people by pointing them to Jesus and helping them fulfill their God-given purpose.

My sweet great-granddaddy died one morning peacefully in his sleep. He was 93 years old, and had celebrated his 70th anniversary with his bride just two weeks prior. He called me "Princess," loved to sing and dance, was a jokester and a lover of life. He'd let me ride beside him in his Cadillac and steer the wheel. As I got older, he let me push the gas pedal, too. He gave me Butterfinger candy bars at my piano recitals, and everything I played was just "the best song he'd ever heard me play." Every song. His favorite was Greensleeves. He loved Lawrence Welk and golf. He would rock me and sing, "Little girl, little girl, where did you sleep, where did you sleep last night?" And when we asked him what we were having for supper, he always told us we had to eat a ham-ram-bare-buffalo-beef-sandwich..... with a stalk of bananas. He loved Long John Silver's, Little Debbies, peanut brittle, and Fig Newtons. He taught me to play dominoes and our favorite card game, "Oh Hell," the name of which I was always hesitant to say out loud. He made everyone mad when he'd lead with a heart, and every time he'd innocently grin and act surprised. He kept a black comb in his shirt pocket and a handkerchief in his jeans. He had a long career in the Air Force, and upon retirement went on to work for the Police Department, serving 20 years and retiring from there as well. One might assume that meant he was a tough man, a man who'd seen many painful things in his careers, who'd been hardened through experiences that come with jobs such as those. And maybe he was to some. But to me, he was the tender granddaddy who placed my feet on top of his and danced me joyfully across his living room floor, even when my feet grew way too big for him to do so comfortably. He was the one who sat on his porch waiting for us to walk up his front sidewalk. And the one who walked us out and stood on that same porch watching us get back into our car to go home. Every single time I came into his house or left it, he met me on the front porch. He was there when I came in, he was there when I left, and he stayed there waving until our car was out of sight. As he grew older, he struggled with dementia, but even then, he was still Granddaddy. He would pat my young, tender hands with his crinkly, calloused hands. He'd let me curl up with him in his rocking chair. He still sang the same old songs while we rocked. We have one of his old, rickety rocking chairs sitting in my little brother's bedroom now. There is tape wrapped around one of the spindles that holds the base of the chair together, and often it is filled with my brother's clothes or army men or baseballs. But I empty it out, pick up my brother, and rock him in Granddaddy's rocking chair just like my granddaddy rocked me. Granddaddy never got to meet my little brother. He would have loved him fiercely and delighted in his boyish ways. But I still think there was just something he loved most about the tenderness that came from being a little girl's granddaddy. I'm so glad he was mine. And every time I rock in his chair, I can still hear him singing, "Little girl, little girl, where did you sleep..."

I vividly remember asking Jesus into my heart one summer morning in the sanctuary of what is now my beloved church home. As sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, tears flowed down my face as I felt the Lord so near. I was a second grader at Vacation Bible School, and I had just heard our pastor extend the invitation of salvation. I had always believed in God, but I knew then that I truly wanted to become a Christian. Since that moment, walking by faith has been a choice I make every day. I have learned that there is no room for complacency when pursuing the Lord; faith requires actively choosing God while denying oneself. I believe that God calls me to point people to Christ throughout my life – including by how I set my standards regarding personal values, academic goals, and future vision. I have learned how to trust God even when my path is not straight and clear. I am devoted to letting my faith guide each decision that I make, and I will use my faith to remain rooted in Christ through my educational journey and beyond. I plan to be actively involved in worship and other ministries on campus, intentionally take time to serve those around me, and overall build a strong Christian community. I once heard an impactful sermon about how the lives of Christians may be the only reflection of Jesus’ love that others see. This viewpoint has been integral to shaping my stewardship of the relationships and opportunities that the Lord has placed in my life. I feel called to lead other people in a way that encourages them to do so as well. Five mission trips over the past four years have given me a heart to nurture others and prioritize their needs. Through serving families, leading children’s activities, and helping with community outreach events, I have grown in my compassion for others, deeper empathy, and a stronger commitment to serving them. Relying on God through each moment has strengthened my resolve to serve faithfully. In addition to mission work with my church, I have volunteered at a nonprofit bakery for two years. I am motivated to reflect the light of Jesus through all my life and especially with the people I interact with here. Quiet mornings at the bakery have provided space for meaningful conversations with Glenda, the bakery owner. She always shows the willingness to listen to my thoughts and questions before sharing Biblically-grounded wisdom with me. One influential thing Glenda has told me is to make the most of every opportunity to serve others. She reminds me to make the most of every opportunity to serve and share Christ’s love. Through service and leadership opportunities, I have discovered that there is a unique fulfillment in choosing to selflessly serve others even when you feel physically and emotionally depleted – just as Jesus did all throughout the Bible. My time in mission and volunteer work has allowed for growth in making connections with people who live much differently than I do. Involvement in extracurriculars has broadened my horizons and deepened the connections I make with others. Making the most of each opportunity to impact people by being empathetic has been formative to my character, and it will be integral in my intended healthcare career of occupational therapy. As a leader, I strive to lead with humility and Christ-centered integrity, encouraging others to follow Him. I hope to carry the compassion and servant leadership my faith has developed into every future community I serve.

I have been meaningfully impacted by the process of reshaping after brokenness and leading when the path is unclear. Because of this, I am inspired to be a consistent presence for others and now seek a career oriented in restoring people’s independence. I plan to pursue an Occupational Therapy Doctorate. Throughout enduring family instability and leading out in shaping the first graduating class at my school, I have learned the importance of resilience. Additionally, my extensive time in mission and volunteer work strengthened my ability to connect with diverse groups of people. My interest in the field of occupational therapy was piqued by meaningful encounters with patients as I shadowed a professional. Though I shadowed multiple professionals – an SLP, PT, and OT – my predominant encounters were during my time with an occupational therapist. During one young boy’s therapy session, I was invited to help put together the small pieces of a toy dinosaur. Though the therapist’s goal was to improve the boy’s fine motor skills, I observed that she also intentionally drew him into conversation, strengthening his comprehension and speech in addition to his mobility. She addressed multiple aspects of his development simultaneously. This showed me the effectiveness of truly holistic care. I am passionate about helping individuals affected by illness, injury, or disability improve their quality of life through both functional mobility and empathetic, patient-centered care. Educationally, I plan to pursue my undergraduate degree in the University Scholars honors program at a top research university. This degree path allows me to formulate a specialized selection of fields to study. My studies will primarily focus on three areas: Child and Family Studies, Medical Humanities, and International Studies. I am also considering adding a concentration in Entrepreneurship or Business, as these would give me future opportunities. Child and Family Studies will equip me to better support pediatric patients and their families, Medical Humanities will give me insight into patient-centered care, and International Studies will help me develop cultural competence. I will then pursue a graduate Occupational Therapy program. Although I did not have the opportunity to be taught by Tebra Hopson, I am encouraged by the legacy she left behind. Anyone who knew Ms. Hopson recognized her passion for learning and teaching. One testimonial that I read described her as one who “put her heart and soul into every young child she had the pleasure to teach.” This resonated with me, as her approach to helping others aligns strongly with my own. As a trusted therapy provider, I will impact people similarly to the way that a teacher would. Just as Ms. Hopson cultivated a love of learning in her students, it is my desire to improve the quality of life for my patients. With the completion of my formal education – including undergraduate study, graduate training, and internship experience – I plan to create lasting change that empowers individuals beyond the clinic and into their communities. As an occupational therapist, I aim to expand access to care for underserved families and help individuals regain independence in daily life while instilling hope, courage, and perseverance in others. I will help individuals rediscover what they are capable of. Tebra Hopson has inspired learning, and I will inspire independence.

I am driven to create meaningful change in the lives of others. Throughout enduring family instability, leading out in shaping the first graduating class at my school, and taking overall initiative to conquer my goals, I have learned the importance of resilience. As an occupational therapist, I eagerly anticipate chances to practice humility and high regard for others above myself throughout my life and career. I hope to expand access to occupational therapy for underserved families and help individuals regain independence in daily life, particularly those who lack consistent support systems like the one I once needed. From a young age, I witnessed the turbulence that my parents’ individual actions marked on our home life. I was forced to mature quickly and soon recognized that, although I could not choose my circumstances, I had control over how I responded to them. My experiences at school additionally taught me to be steady amidst shifting situations. I was ten when my family decided to move my little sister and I to a school opening its doors for its first year. From fifth grade on, I have remained a part of the class at the forefront. With each grade that the school added, my peers and I have pioneered previously unpaved paths. With my own life having been quite inconsistent in various aspects, I am inspired to be a consistent presence for others. Thus, my life story has shaped my desire to become an occupational therapist. Time after time, I have been meaningfully impacted by the process of reshaping and rebuilding after facing brokenness and uncertainty. Now, I seek a career oriented in restoring people’s independence. My interest in the field of therapy was piqued when I shadowed an occupational therapist. During one young boy’s time with the OT, I was invited to help them put together the small pieces of a toy dinosaur. Though the therapist’s goal was to target the boy’s fine motor skills, I observed that she also intentionally drew him into conversation, strengthening his comprehension and speech in addition to his mobility. I am passionate about helping individuals stricken by illness, injury, or disability improve their quality of life through both functional mobility and also empathetic emotional care. In order to become an occupational therapist, I plan to pursue my undergraduate degree in Child and Family Studies at a top R1 university. Coursework within Child and Family Studies explores development and relationships, which will prepare me with the insight and experience to best serve my patients. I look forward to learning therapeutic strategies and rehabilitation methods that equip me to be a provider of empathetic and accessible care for those in need. With the completion of my formal education, I will be qualified to meet the growing community need for occupational therapy in healthcare. In a world where the decreased functional capacity of individuals is often met with disdain, I am eager to maintain an environment where I instead can serve and uplift the people around me. I want to diligently pour into others by turning my pain into purpose. In this way, I seek to serve vulnerable populations and advocate for their best interests. I aim to lead people with the purpose of serving them and inspiring them to, in turn, serve others. As an occupational therapist, I will partner with my patients in their healing journeys. By restoring independence in daily life and advocating for accessible therapy resources, I plan to create lasting change that empowers individuals beyond the clinic and into their communities.

Writing changes the world. As a voracious reader and lover of the written word since childhood, I have always been fascinated by how to encapsulate the meanings of words through writing. I believe that words carry significant weight. The act of writing has been transformative throughout my life, and I plan to continue this trajectory as I enter college. I have always loved imagining. My sister and I would pretend when we were younger, creating imaginary stories of people and places. We even made up names and scenarios. I’ve also always enjoyed reading; during the summer and even throughout the year, I read multiple books a week. At some point, I realized my affinity for writing combined these loves: I have the ability to make my imagination readable. I envision worlds in my head that, though I am unable to physically reach them, I could put them in writing. As a little girl, I would get lost for hours in writing. Recently I found letters, diary entries, and short stories that I wrote from a wide array of made-up perspectives, and it was like a glimpse into many lives. Finding these reminded me of my appreciation for creative writing. As I’ve gotten older, my love for writing has taken shape in an academic setting. English, Literature, Great Books, History, and Writing have been my favorite subjects. Because of my position as Editor of Creative Publications, I have had the opportunity to write for our school newspaper on various occasions. I am currently in the process of penning my senior thesis, and the fact that I find a creative outlet in such a serious assignment is unique. Next year as a freshman in college, I dream of attending a top research university. Here, I hope to take interdisciplinary courses in reading and humanities. I look forward to immersing myself among peers and professors who will challenge me in my learning and responses, especially through writing. My years in the specific program will culminate in writing a thesis, and I hope to begin the process of publishing a book – a lifelong aspiration. On a personal note, words and writing have been formative for me. I have journaled for most of high school, which has taught me intentionality in slowing down for part of my day. I’ll write prayers, thoughts, or impactful messages that I read or hear. Looking back at the place I was in my freshman year compared to where I am as a senior shows me growth. It gives me appreciation for what I have gone through and how it has truly changed my life, even when I didn’t realize that at the time. Some of my close relationships have been deepened because of shared letters and handwritten notes, as this form of writing establishes lasting connections between people. I firmly believe that words change the world, and writing them down allows us to reflect upon their impact. Words and their meanings have certainly had a powerful effect on my life. As a little girl typing up short stories, I learned to dream big. As a high school student striving to succeed in learning, writing taught me to love the process. As one navigating relationships and growing throughout different seasons of life, I have been influenced by written words in a multitude of situations. My purpose in writing is to connect with the people I care about. I love to write, and I hope to throughout college and beyond. I hope to transform my experiences with writing into works which make a tangible impact on the world.

Although I will expound my understanding of the underlying meaning of Plato’s entire “The Allegory of the Cave,” the following paragraphs spoken by Socrates in the text are especially significant. Plato's Republic, Book Seven: The Allegory of the Cave 'SOCRATES: Now, dear Glaucon, apply this entire imaginary picture to our previous discussion. The prison-house stands for the visible world; the light of the fire in the cave represents the power of the sun. And you will not miss my intended meaning if you interpret the journey upwards (and the sight of the things that are up above) as the ascent of the soul into the intelligible world, for this is what you wish to hear about. Only God knows if my attempt has been successful, but here is how things seem to me. In the world of knowledge the idea of good appears last of all and we are barely capable of seeing it. However, when we do manage to see it, we conclude that it is the cause of all that is beautiful and right. It gives birth to light and to the lord of light in the visible world, and in the intelligible world it rules itself and is the source of truth and intelligibility. Now anyone who intends to act prudently either in public or private life must have her mind’s eye fixed upon this idea.’ Released Into the Light, by Ella Wier Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” is a symbolic expression of the realities mankind encounters in the effort to perceive some sort of metaphysical calling. The allegory begins with a dark cavern where captives are restrained in chains. Solely, the veracity they rely on is that which has been displayed to them throughout the shadows displayed on the walls. When one of the captives is released to the outside world, he sees the sun for the first time and is soon enlightened with the capacity for reason. Out of the desire to share this newfound comprehension of truth, the free man returns to the cave to share the new discovery with his former fellow prisoners. Allegorically conveyed, the meanings of this work are deeply profound- the story is not as it seems on the surface. Because the story is not about an actual cave, but rather the world itself, the title is emblematic. The prisoners bound in chains represent broken humans- people limited only to the world, held back by their own restrictions with no regard for what might lie beyond. The shadows playing on the walls of the cave depict the lies, illusions, and deceptions that people believe in because they have no recognition of the real truth. Serving as the source of these duplicities, the blazing fire lay behind a partition and provided the light for the shadows. While the escapee personifies the revelation we must go through, the sun epitomizes truth, enlightenment, and rationalization. The freed prisoner’s return to the cave shortly after his epiphany is founded in his desire to illuminate this truth for his companions. Mirroring the definition of an allegory, this story gives explanation and meaning to truths about human existence. Plato argues that all people have this inherent presence of “the ability and the means of learning” already deeply embedded in our souls. This life isn’t all that is in store for humanity– there is something more, something higher than what anyone can physically attain in their lifetime. There is something Good. As Socrates states in the allegory, “As the eye could not turn from darkness to light unless the whole body moved, so it is that the mind can only turn around from the world of becoming to that of Being by a movement of the whole soul.” Plato was not a Christian; he did not hold a Christian worldview. And yet, his main focuses in this allegory are similar to some beliefs held by followers of Christ. Jesus taught that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, that no one could go to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). One of the main questions Plato proposes is this: how does one get to the Good? Christians can only bring their souls from the “darkness” of sin to the “light” of God’s truth if they allow Him to change their hearts. Many theologians refer to Plato’s ideas as “Platonic Christianity” because he came so close to the truth Christianity proclaims. All are held captive by restrictions and believe only what they see, but they must be released into the light to know the truth, the highest calling, the Good.

1. I hope to live abundantly by devoting myself to the stewardship of my time, efforts, and resources in purposeful ways. In attending a school where I am a part of the pioneering class which will be the first to graduate – I have exerted persistent effort to excel in my learning. However, I also pursue many avenues outside of academics in order to actively immerse in my community and truly enjoy life in fullness. I love to spend time with my friends and family, lead worship at church, babysit, play tennis, go on mission trips, work out, volunteer, travel, and participate in outreach activities. With a lack of older role models at school, I have learned the value of stepping into unexpected leadership roles and seeking out ways to serve. Adversities within my home life have shaped my perspective into how we have the choice of how we respond to circumstances outside of our control. Rather than allowing situations to dictate our lives, we can let them form our resilience. I am driven to make a positive influence on and care for others in a transformative way in the human health and wellness industry through becoming an occupational therapist. 2. Every May, administrative leaders and teachers at my school who have built relationships in their classrooms throughout the year recognize every student with a word of commemoration. Three years ago, my word of attribute was “empathetic,” and the formal definition it came with was “understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another.” The fact that such influential people in my life saw empathy in my character was an honor; it instilled in me the desire to demonstrate empathy in all of my encounters. Empathy is epitomized for me through showing intentional regard for, perception of, and genuineness to others. It is serving people with humility, integrity, and grace rather than acting insensitive or uncompassionate. To me, being empathetic is choosing to selflessly meet people where they are, regardless of whatever cost it requires. As I passionately believe that through occupational therapy I can empower others to live an abundant life, I am pursuing this healthcare career. Besides wanting to have a relationally oriented profession so that I can make meaningful connections with others, I recognize a growing need for occupational therapists. By becoming an occupational therapist, I hope to make a tangible impact on those seeking to reclaim their independence. Empathy is of vital importance in this role. Occupational therapy blends problem solving, emotional intelligence, and, perhaps most importantly, compassion in order to nurture those in need. In a world where decreased functional capacity is often met with disdain, I am eager to maintain an environment where I have the opportunity to instead build my patients up lovingly. By consistently affirming their potential, resilience, and dignity, I will ensure that I see my patients as people, not a source of profit. My goal is to not only meet people’s physical, functional needs but to empathetically minister to their hearts and minds as well. I envision providing occupational therapy through a human-centered lens by encouraging people to have a positive outlook on life as I help them improve their functional mobility. A fulfilling life and career is defined for me by the intentionality I put forth to serve and uplift others in a meaningful way. I seek to bear thoughtfulness in all aspects by loving people well and being a light in their lives. I vividly remember a recent afternoon where I had the opportunity to sit with a friend going through an emotional time. I couldn’t provide a specific solution to her struggles, but I could support her by simply showing up and being willing to carefully listen as she poured out her heart. Throughout the future, I hope to embody the quality that influential people saw in me long ago every day. Making the most of each opportunity to impact people by being empathetic has been formative to my character, and it will be integral in my intended healthcare career of occupational therapy.

1. Everything that I do daily – truly, everything that I ever do – flows from the grace that God has abundantly given to me. I believe that, as a Christian, I am to live my life out of love for God and His people. This spring, I went on a spring break mission trip with my youth group. In the reflection service for our church, I felt led to share my testimony about the week. Having “worship” on my heart, I referenced a definition of this word that I found from the C.S. Lewis Institute: “Worshipping God means acknowledging and celebrating His power and perfection in gratitude.” As I pondered over the week, I kept coming back to how we showed worship in a multitude of unique ways – from acts of service, to individual quiet times, to having time every night devoted to worship through song. My experiences on the mission trip, as well as my strong conviction to actively live out my faith, inspired me to remove any confines I had placed around the act of worship. I made it my goal to worship without ceasing. We are called to live all of our lives in worship to God – not just parcel our worship into Sunday morning service or yearly mission trips. I strive daily to worship God through the way I love, serve, and root my joy in Him. 2. “Actions speak louder than words.” Though this may seem cliche, the phrase should be held in high regard because it is true. Created in the Image of God, I bear His witness in my conduct, speech, actions, decisions, and overall treatment of others. It is of utmost importance to me to point others to Christ with my attitude; I wish for them to see Him when they look at me. My desire to steward my gifts and be more like Jesus is what motivates my involvement in service. Though it was initially uncomfortable, I heeded the call to become a youth worship leader at my church when I was a junior. This was an act of obedience – and though I was scared to sing in front of others, I realized that it was vastly more about praising God alongside them than it was about my performance. Weekly, I volunteer at a nonprofit bakery, where all proceeds go towards the aid of Ukrainians. Initially, for many weeks, I was asked to wash dishes instead of baking as I had hoped. However, through this volunteer work, I learned that the value of service is in its impact on others. I decided that if I could be most helpful as a dishwasher, I would perform that work with a cheerful heart. Including the mission trip where the Lord taught me about worship, I have gone on five mission trips with my home church. Among other things, I have served in many capacities with a variety of organizations, helped to host community outreach events, led Bible studies and Vacation Bible School. During these ministry-focused times, I prioritized connections with people, making them feel seen, heard, and loved. I prayed that God would use me as His vessel to shine His light in their lives. 6. I seek to live out the fundamental values of Ed and Aline Patane, and I would be honored to be a recipient of their scholarship. This family’s generous gift would enable me to attend my dream school, which is a Christian university. In its mission statement, the college openly declares it seeks to educate students for worldwide leadership and service through its Christian commitment. In my pursuit of higher learning, I seek the implementation of truth, goodness, and beauty; I am confident that this university will actively cultivate these components in my education and my formation into adulthood. As I grow, I hope that the principles instilled in me will flourish. After college, I plan on serving and connecting with others as an occupational therapist. I hope to get married and raise a family. I want to plug into my community through building relationships, investing in a church, and making the most of every opportunity. I want to travel the world, experience foreign cultures, and see beautiful places. I hope to go on missions while genuinely living my everyday life as a mission field. It is my ambition to uphold the values near to my (and the Patanes’) heart: those of compassion, service, devotion to family and community, and unshakeable faith. God deserves all of my worship and honor, and I am driven to make a Christlike impact on the world. It is my purpose to embody His great love in all that I do. *I submitted a video link in addition to my essay.

When reflecting upon my life as a whole, I hope to see one lived wholly and vibrantly. As a Christian, I am prevalently passionate about following and glorifying God. My faith is the source of my desire to serve others, which drives my career aspiration of becoming an occupational therapist. I seek to connect with and lift up the people I encounter, and I appreciate that occupational therapy is oriented in a relational way. My degree in Child and Family Studies will prepare me to lead as a positive example as I empower others to reclaim what they have lost and live their own fullest lives. From a young age, my home life was marked by the turbulence of my parents’ individual actions and their impact on our family as a unit. The crippling effect of instability and unpredictability within our home showed me the vital importance of stability and independence. Moving forward, I hope to channel my own hard and unpredictable experiences into serving others by being the consistent presence I once needed. My interest in the field of therapy was piqued when I spent hours shadowing multiple professionals, including a PT, an SLP, and an OT. Though I enjoyed all three experiences, the predominant encounters were with the OT. I want to improve the quality of people’s lives that are burdened with heavy physical, emotional, and even financial circumstances out of their control. Occupational therapy blends problem solving, emotional intelligence, and, perhaps most importantly, compassion in order to nurture those in need. In a world where decreased functional capacity is often met with disdain, I am eager to maintain an environment where I have the opportunity to instead build my patients up lovingly. As I hope to someday be a skilled, empathetic healthcare professional, I am committed to continually growing in my competence and character skills. I am eager to work with women in affirming their potential, resilience, and dignity. Through occupational therapy, I will not only have the opportunity to meet many people’s physical, functional needs but to empathetically minister to their hearts and minds. Daily, I strive to live out my ambition of serving and uplifting others before I am even involved in an official setting. Throughout high school, I have been dedicated to ministries through my church and school community. On multiple occasions, I have visited a local battered women’s safe house with a group of girls from church. Hoping to be a light in a dismal place, we played with the kids and engaged their moms in encouraging conversations. I also have a range of experience on the mission field from going on five separate youth group and choir mission trips. On these, my church served struggling families and individuals, introducing the hope and love of Christ to them. It is my desire to constantly serve as a positive, faith-driven role model for younger women both within and beyond the therapy room. I am exceedingly grateful to be considered for this scholarship, as it would enable my wholehearted pursuit of an education that broadens my ability to create a meaningful, positive impact on women and the rest of the world. A fulfilling life and career is defined by the intentionality I put forth to serve and uplift others. I envision making a specific impact by partnering with women and children in occupational therapy, intertwining compassionate connection with professional skill as I employ rehabilitation methods and therapeutic strategies to serve a vulnerable population. Through my work, I hope to make a lasting difference for generations to come.

The person I am today is the coalescence of years of purposeful determination in walking through challenges. Rather than allowing pervading circumstances to set the precedent for my life, I chose to walk in assurance that I grow through what I go through. My experiences have been one factor in planting in me the desire to help people. I am driven to become an occupational therapist. I have empathy for those in need of nurturing, and I seek to meet and walk alongside them. The adversities I have overcome instilled in me the value in walking intentionally regardless of what happens. Our family has gone through personal difficult seasons that are not often discussed outside of our home. My parents, who have been married for over twenty years, have had highs and lows that have impacted the family as a unit. We have dealt with a lot of family instability, which forced me to mature quickly. After my little sister was born, my parents separated. The separation, due to factors including infidelity and alcoholism, placed a strain on our family financially, physically, and emotionally. This season taught me a lot about the impact that our personal choices have: that the consequences that affect far more than just our own lives. Exposure to domestic conflict from a young age showed me the importance of selflessly considering others as I make choices. When I was ten, my family made the decision to move me and my sister from a public elementary school to a university model school which would be opening for its first year. This move was truly life-changing. Along with originally only five others, I became a part of the oldest class at the school. Throughout the last seven years, our class has led out as our school has developed the upper grades. As the class at the forefront, we have truly pioneered in navigating paths that no one else has before. I have constantly been placed in the position of accountability, expectation, and testing. With a lack of older role models, my classmates and I were required to step up and pave the way. We learned to self-advocate, think critically, and set standards for those coming next. With my own life having been quite inconsistent in various aspects, I am inspired to be a consistent presence for others. Instead of allowing my circumstances to set the trajectory of my life, I chose not to be discouraged by the instabilities. I have learned, rather, to diligently pour into others by turning my pain into purpose. As I have discerned in my own life, there are often many things going on in a person’s day to day that you have no idea about. I choose to show up consistently for others, recognizing that while I cannot change their circumstances, I can still make a positive impact on their lives. I showed resilience in choosing to keep stepping forward and maintaining high standards for myself despite what was happening around me. My background has instilled compassion within me for others who suffer alone. I have learned how to lead in places where the path isn’t straight and clear. My family’s financial situation is shaped by the years of instability, and any scholarships I receive significantly alleviate this burden of paying for my college education. Receiving this support will allow me to focus on my ambitions towards becoming an OT and making an impact on others in this field. Beyond assisting me in continuing my education, this scholarship increases the opportunity I have to transform my adversities into meaningful, selfless service of others.