Growing up my father left me, my mother, and siblings, and we were left without a man in our life. But once I got into high school, I found a teacher that pushed me to be my best every day just like my father. My first year of high school was a hard transition for me. I was new to the school program and did not have any friends or know any teachers. But because I played volleyball, I was able to get close to my strength and condition teacher who became like a father figure for me. Throughout the summer before high school, we had workouts for volleyball. Because of him I was able to become more confident in myself on and off the court. The teacher was very similar to my father because he loved sports, liked to work out, and was a big encourager. Ever since freshmen year I have looked up to him like a father. Throughout my high school career, we have gotten closer. Besides being a father figure in my life, he has influenced and encouraged me many other ways. First, he is a very disciplined man. Throughout my life I have struggled with discipline especially in sports. He has influenced me to never skip a rep because you are cheating yourself. Even in my life outside of sports, I have gotten better at being disciplined because of him. Second, he has a very good work ethic. I used to struggle on how to better myself in school and volleyball. He has influenced me to figure out what works best for myself and continue working in that way. Third, he shows up every day no matter what. This is a big one for me because there are many days I do not want to do anything because I am in a mood or just simply do not want to do anything. But he has encouraged me that no matter what is going on at home, emotionally, or physically to always show up. If you do show up, you tend to be in a better mood and get past the slump you are in. But if you do not show up you are not bettering yourself. This deeply influenced me because he reminds me that everyone is dealing with their own problems. Lastly, he takes care of his body. Although being an athlete I am forced to work out every day and be active, most of the time I do not want to. But he encourages me that my body is my temple and I need to give fuel to flourish in life. Going into college I will always remember how he shaped me to become the person I am today. His tips and tricks on how to be successful as a student and an athlete will impact my life deeply.

Everyone's life is full of dreams while being surrounded by their loved ones. I once had so many dreams as a little kid. But then I moved from Wisconsin to Indiana and in the process my dreams drifted while my parents got divorced and I was barely able see my father. I had to adapt to a new environment while living without a loved one. In the movie "Up" by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson it emphasizes how daily life is the greatest adventure. The old man in this movie named Carl Fredrickson lost his wife named Ellie. Carl experiences grief and loyalty to his wife. While Carl fulfills his late wife's promise of flying his house to South Africa with thousands of balloons, he uncovers many moral lessons that had a great impact on my life. Pete and Bob uncover life lessons such as realizing that every day is a new adventure. Although Carl and Ellie had an adventure of going to Paradise Falls, Carl realized once Ellie passed that the real adventure was within the simple days they had spent together. Another lesson I learned was to not wait for certain day to fulfil a promise or goal you have but do it now. Carl and Ellie did not know how many days they had together. This reminded me to cherish the moment you are in and start your dream now because you do not know the number of days you have with your loved ones. Lastly, I learned how important companionship is and how that helps heal one's isolation. Carl became friends with a little boy named Russell who was a boy scout. Russell was so caring and intentional towards Carl that there was a new meaning to life for him. The movie "Up" has a big impact on my life. Throughout my life I have had changes of scenery and separation of family. I grew up in Wisconsin but then my parents were having trouble in their marriage and got divorced. After this I moved to Indiana with my mom and two siblings while leaving my father behind. Throughout the process of my parents' divorce, I went through many emotional roller coasters just like Carl. Carl encouraged me to respect my loved ones more and cherish the times we have together. It was a very hard transition from seeing my father daily to only visiting him a few times a year. I had to deal with my grief and move forward just like Carl. Once I moved to Indiana, I was not confident in my dreams anymore because I was in a different environment. But by watching a childhood movie, I was inspired to not give up just because I did not have a family member in my life anymore. I had felt isolated just like Carl because I was the new girl at school and had no friends. My relationship with my father started to drift apart. But after seeing "Up" I started to be more intentional with him because I do not know they days we have left. The relationship of Carl and Russel inspired me to get a mentor in my life or become close to someone who I knew would always be there. So, like the movie I was able to get close to someone which helped me bring a new meaning into my life, that someone was my mother. The movie made me realize that I can find joy and happiness in my life regardless of the circumstance, this is something that has changed my perspective on life.

Ever since I was little, I have competed in almost every sport I could. This began to grow my confidence at a young age. But then my family and I moved from Wisconsin to Indiana when I was in 6th grade. I felt like I had to start all over again and build up my confidence. I had to tell myself every day to have confidence and that I was good enough. I knew my worth was in the Lord, so I was able to strive and become my confident self again, but it was a draining process. I am a very driven individual who loves to compete and get better every day. If I have the honor to achieve this scholarship, this will help me with my colligate volleyball career at Grace College. I have had the honor to commit to playing volleyball in college, and I just know my little self would be so proud that I found my confidence again. I have played volleyball since 4th grade and will continue playing until I graduate from college. I also competed in basketball from 4th grade to 9th grade. I played softball from 6th grade to 8th grade. I competed in lacrosse from 4th grade to 6th grade. I ran cross country from 4th grade to 6th grade. Lastly, I played tennis from 9th grade to 12th grade. I was a pretty busy kid always running around trying to get to all my games and practices. This is where my discipline and commitment started to grow. By the time I was in 4th grade I learned that if I commit to a sport I need to go to every practice and do my very best even if I am not in the mood to. Throughout high school I became a setter in volleyball, and this is where I started to receive some awards. My junior year of volleyball I received all conference, broke a school record for assists, got 1,000 assists, won sectionals and regionals in the post season, was a scholar athlete, and received 2nd team all-state. My senior year of volleyball I received all conference, reached 2,000 assists, received 1st team all-state, won sectionals and regionals in the post season, received all district, was a scholar athlete, and had the honor to play in the Indiana All Star game. During my high school career there were a lot of things going on in my family. I had to learn how to live without my father because when I moved from Wisconsin to Indiana my parents got divorced and my father stayed in Wisconsin. This was very challenging for me because he was my biggest cheerleader in sports and always pushed me. Without my biggest cheerleader I had to be my own cheerleader. Throughout my parents’ divorce I started to get close to my mother. She was the one who always stood by my side and never left. My mother is a go getter. She will not give up until she is satisfied. No matter what is going on in her life she is still confident, kind, and intentional. My mother truly inspires me to push myself every day and to show up no matter what and do my best. This scholarship would support my journey in life because it would aid me financially to play the sport I love in college. Since my mother is a single parent and does not have the money financially to pay for my college I need to come up with the money myself. This scholarship would give me even more confidence that other organizations and athletes believe in me and support me throughout my college career. Next year I plan to attend Grace College and continue my volleyball career. I have an athletic scholarship for $3,500 and an academic scholarship for $13,000. This still leaves me with around $20,000 to cover each year of college. With knowing this I have applied for scholarships, and I am working as much as I can while balancing sports. A student athlete is the definition of commitment and discipline. By balancing school, family, friends, work, and sports it takes a lot of discipline to still succeed. Throughout my experience I have learned so many life lessons such as avoiding procrastination, being responsible, and how important sleep is. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to have played sports all my life because I can now help others who may struggle. Although I know I will still struggle I will remind myself to have confidence and continue to find my worth in the Lord.