When my friends think of my ADHD, they think of my high energy level that is constantly present. They think of the various outbursts I have that make them laugh and the erratic behavior that jumps out of my body and entertains them when hanging out. The people in my life see my ADHD as some comical personality quirk that I have always had. While these people may not even think twice about what effect ADHD truly has on me, I cannot say the same goes for me. My mind is constantly speeding way over the posted speed limit in my brain, with thousands of thoughts racing through with each second that goes by. I'm constantly moving, which is an immense struggle since my high school runs on a schedule with four 90-minute classes a day. For 90-minutes straight I must contain myself, sit silent, and try to focus on whatever subject I am currently being lectured about. ADHD is exhausting to live with every day, but masking the symptoms in class is on another level. So, I was just myself in school because people found it entertaining and it was too tiring to mask everything I was feeling. This only resulted in teachers leaving comments on report cards about being too hyper, having too much energy, and talking too much but what they didn’t know was that none of it was on purpose, I was just showing my ADHD symptoms. This led to doctor appointments and tests and the grand diagnosis of ADHD. The fix-all solution was medication; taking Adderall twice a day. At first glance, it sounded like the one thing that was going to help me feel normal. I admit that my medication helps me focus substantially better and reverts my energy towards tasks that I can complete, but all medications have their side effects. Feeling like a zombie with no appetite and increased irritability hit like a truck. I went from thinking my problems were fixed to finding myself with more mental health conflicts, but this time I wasn’t going to go to some doctor that would just put me on another medication. I wanted to truly feel better. And that’s when I realized the importance of mental health. ‘Normalcy’ is nothing more than a mere concept. Each person is going through their own battles, facing their own problems, and feeling all sorts of conflicting emotions. I made it my goal to start small when working toward making my mental health one of my top priorities, so I don’t get overwhelmed and give up. I started simply by sticking to a routine; waking up at the same time each morning, getting enough sleep. I began eating my favorite breakfast – two hard-boiled eggs and avocado toast, exercising regularly, and meditating. Taking time for myself without feeling guilty truly was the turning point in making my mental health my priority. It went from feeling like a chore to something I look forward to each day. And here I am today, prioritizing my mental health by doing the simple things that make me happy, the things that make me feel alive. Not every day is sunshine and rainbows, and that is something I have also learned on this journey it is just as important to feel whatever I am feeling rather than force myself into thinking I am okay. As cliche as it is, it truly is okay to not be okay, and journaling the way I feel throughout the day is one of the biggest steps I have taken to prioritize my mental health.

Basketball has been a huge part of my life ever since I first picked up a ball as a young child. I've spent countless hours honing my skills on the court, constantly striving to improve my game and countless nights covered in my own sweat trying to make an endless amount of shots in a row or endless layups. I managed to letter in varsity as a sophomore, junior, and senior, as well as earn a starting position in my junior and senior years. Although I wasn't the highest scorer on the stat sheets, the work I did for my team off the stat sheets is insurmountable. I was the best team player I could be, consistently racking up assists, steals, and blocks, and stopping penetration from opposing players. I was a reliable defensive and offensive player who could play any position on the court. My head coach can vouch for my efforts towards our team that have gone unnoticed on stat sheets but are visibly apparent on the court. Because of these efforts, I have accepted an offer from Chatham University to play on their Women's Basketball team and I could not be more grateful. But all these accomplishments came with a price. I had to undergo two major surgeries - one on my ankle to remove a bone and fix torn ligaments and one on my shoulder to repair a torn labrum as well as various surrounding ligaments. My ankle injury occurred in my sophomore year of high school while I was playing in a club soccer league. I ended up missing all of the preseason and the first two months of the regular season. The recovery process was grueling, both physically and mentally, as I worked tirelessly to regain my strength and mobility. For those months I could only watch from the sidelines as my teammates played on without me which is a pain I cannot even begin to describe. However, I refused to let those setbacks keep me down. I rehabed and was able to come back and play the rest of the season, becoming the leading scorer on the junior varsity team in addition to getting varsity playing time and earning a varsity letter. In my junior year, I played injury-free as the only starter who was not a senior. But after my regular season ended, I injured my shoulder while playing in a travel basketball league. My world came crashing down when I learned I completely tore my labrum as well as the surrounding ligaments and would need reconstruction surgery that had a recovery time of 9-12 months, meaning I would miss my entire senior season of basketball. Despite these odds, I was determined to come back healthy for the full season. All odds were against me, doctors left and right were telling me it was nearly impossible. However, I refused to accept that fate and pushed myself into physical therapy every single day. This rehabilitation process was like no other I have faced before, it was devastating physically, but emotionally I couldn't be fazed as I was set on making it back healthy. I was on the court for the first day of preseason, practicing with zero restrictions. Now that I'm back to full health, I appreciate being able to play the game I love more than ever before. Basketball has molded me into the person I am today by instilling in me the principles of hard work, resilience, and teamwork. These core values will undoubtedly help me achieve continued success in all my future endeavors, both on and off the court.

The Morgan Levine Dolan Community Service scholarship will be instrumental in helping me pursue my future career goal of becoming a dermatologist. As someone passionate about serving vulnerable populations and advocating for social justice, receiving this scholarship focused on community service would affirm that I am on the right path. The financial support provided by the scholarship would allow me to focus more of my time and energy on my studies and fieldwork rather than working extra jobs to pay for school. This would enable me to take full advantage of impactful learning opportunities that will prepare me to be an effective doctor who can help anyone who walks through the door. The scholarship's emphasis on community service also aligns well with the community-focused nature of dermatology. My hometown lacks dermatologists and the people are in need of an office that is available to them. By rewarding my dedication to serving others, the scholarship would give me confidence that my skills and values are a good fit for this profession. Ultimately, the Morgan Levine Dolan Community Service scholarship would not only provide financial assistance but also reassurance that my career aspirations of helping people through dermatology are worthwhile. This affirmation and support would empower me to wholeheartedly pursue this meaningful career path. The Morgan Levine Dolan Community Service Scholarship is more than just a financial aid opportunity for me, it is a chance to further my career goals and make a positive impact in my community. As a dedicated student with a passion for helping others, this scholarship will also provide me with the necessary resources to continue my education and pursue my dream. With a strong belief in the power of community service, I am confident that this scholarship will not only benefit me but also those around me. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to focus more on my studies and gain valuable experience through internships and volunteer opportunities. This will not only enhance my knowledge and skills but also allow me to give back to my community in a meaningful way. Additionally, the financial support provided by the scholarship will alleviate the financial burden on my family and allow me to fully immerse myself in my studies without the added stress of financial constraints. The Morgan Levine Dolan Community Service Scholarship will not only help me achieve my academic and career goals, but it will also allow me to make a positive impact in the lives of others, which is something that I am truly passionate about. I am grateful for this opportunity and I am determined to use this scholarship to its fullest potential to make a difference in the world.

As a young athlete, I experienced firsthand the importance of proper injury treatment and prevention. My passion for sports and medicine led me to pursue a career in sports medicine, where I could help others overcome injuries and achieve their athletic goals. With my education in both sports science and medicine, I am equipped with the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the world. I envision a future where every athlete, from youth to professional, has access to the best possible care and guidance for their physical and mental well-being. Through my work in sports medicine, I hope to contribute to this vision and help individuals reach their full potential, both on and off the field. It is not just about treating injuries, but also empowering individuals to lead healthy and active lifestyles. I am committed to making a difference in the world, one athlete at a time. However, all this cannot be achieved without paying the cost of countless years of schooling. I must mention that my family is currently facing some financial challenges. My father recently lost his job, and we are now relying solely on my mother's income. As a result, I am in need of financial assistance to help cover the costs of my education. I am determined to make the most out of my college experience and am willing to work hard to achieve my goals, but I am also aware of the financial burden it may place on my family. This scholarship will help me afford the price that comes with my dreams. I believe students should never have to give up their careers and ambitions solely because of a financial problem. It would help me cover the costs of not only tuition, but also housing costs, food costs, and so much more. It would be unfortunate to witness this dream of mine slip away from my grasp before I could even attempt it due to not being able to afford the education. If I were to be selected for this scholarship, I could pursue my dreams of helping athletes of all ages treat and overcome the injuries they are presented with. In the future, I hope to use my education and love for sports to pursue a career in either sports nutrition, physical therapy, or orthopedic medicine. I am passionate about helping others improve their health and well-being and assisting athletes in overcoming their injuries will not only fuel my dream, but it will cause their own dreams to flourish.

I am writing to introduce myself and provide some details about my background and interests. I have been involved in various sports for a significant portion of my life, including basketball, softball, soccer, volleyball, cross country, and track & field. Sports have always been a passion of mine, and I have dedicated much of my time and effort to honing my skills in these areas. I have played basketball for ten years, softball for six years, soccer for nine years, volleyball for three years, cross country for three years, and track & field for three years. Aside from my athletic pursuits, I also have a strong desire to give back to my community. I find joy in helping others and have made it a priority to volunteer at animal shelters whenever I can. Being able to make a positive impact on the lives of animals brings me a sense of fulfillment and purpose. I believe in putting my full effort into everything I do, whether it be on the court or field, in the classroom, or in my community. I strive not only to excel in my athletics and academics but also to become the best possible version of myself. As a young athlete, I experienced firsthand the importance of proper injury treatment and prevention. My passion for sports and medicine led me to pursue a career in sports medicine, where I could help others overcome injuries and achieve their athletic goals. With my education in both sports science and medicine, I will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the world. I envision a future where every athlete, from youth to professional, has access to the best possible care and guidance for their physical and mental well-being. Through my work in sports medicine, I hope to contribute to this vision and help individuals reach their full potential, both on and off the field. It is not just about treating injuries, but also empowering individuals to lead healthy and active lifestyles. I am committed to making a difference in the world, one athlete at a time. Being able to assist and guide athletes through their toughest battles is what I hope to do someday through my career in sports medicine. Because of the injuries I have faced throughout my athletic career, I can give athletes a sense of comfort and understanding since I can relate to the very feelings they experience.