Most people think doing what’s expected is enough. But I’ve learned that greatness doesn’t come from checking boxes, it comes from rising above them, especially when life tries to keep you down. When I tore my ACL playing lacrosse, I lost more than just a season—I lost what I thought was my identity. I could’ve stopped at physical therapy, followed the recovery plan, and waited to be cleared. That would’ve been expected. But I chose something different. I showed up to practices I couldn’t play in, cheered for teammates who had the spot I used to fill, and studied the game like a coach, not just a player. I didn't want to come back the same, I wanted to come back better. Stronger. Wiser. A more complete athlete and person. Lacrosse taught me discipline, but that injury taught me character. It taught me that doing more means showing up with heart when no one’s clapping for you. And that lesson follows me everywhere. When I babysit, I don’t just make sure the kids are safe—I make sure they feel loved. I clean up toys I didn’t take out, leave handwritten notes for the parents, and make every moment matter. Because excellence doesn’t live in the big gestures, it hides in the small, consistent choices to care more than you’re asked to. At church, I’m not just a face in the crowd. I serve in the kids’ ministry, clean up quietly after events, and try to be someone who lives out what they believe, even when it’s inconvenient. Even when no one sees. Faith, to me, means giving more than you take, loving when it’s hard, and stepping up when it’s not your job. “Do what is expected, then do more” isn’t just a phrase or quote to me it’s a compass, a lifestyle. It’s how I turn setbacks into comebacks. It’s how I lead when I’m not in the spotlight. It’s how I love people deeply, even in everyday moments. And it’s why I know I’ll carry this mindset far beyond a scholarship, into the way I live, learn, and lead for the rest of my life. This scholarship wouldn’t just support my education, it would fuel my mission to keep doing more than what’s asked of me. It would recognize not just what I’ve done, but who I’m becoming. I’m not defined by expectations, I’m defined by how far I choose to go beyond them.