October 10th, 2021 was a day that changed my life forever. I lost my best friend, my biggest supporter, and my favorite shoulder to cry on. As a senior in high school, I knew my world would change forever. My mom was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, two weeks after quarantine began. The term was “Stage 4 breast cancer metastasized to the brain”. I remember Google searching what the word ‘metastatic’ meant in my bed later that night. Ever since then, our world has been filled with anxiety. After a year of continuous chemotherapy, brain surgeries, and the cancer spreading to her spinal cord, my mom was given less than a year to live. I remember when we toured the University of South Carolina, my dream school, each student was accompanied by their healthy parent. Each parent was able to keep up with the walking tour, pointing out new sights for their child to see. But for me, my mother put in every breath into that tour. It was the simplest task, but she had to take frequent breaks to catch her breath and to diminish her red face from exhaustion. After the visit concluded, she spent 12 hours in the backseat of the car in agonizing pain. She could not move and could barely lift her head. As a result, I drove 12 hours straight home and we brought her to the hospital. From this moment on, my mom never lived at home again. She spent the rest of her life in that hospital bed, slowly dying. Because of my mother’s death, I knew I was not ready to venture the world and move away to college. I knew that anxiety consumed me, and I had to sacrifice my dream and choose a school close to home to heal with my family. Instead, I attended Rutgers University, back home in New Jersey. I tried my best to make this my dream school, but no school could compare to USC. It’s been two years since my mom passed away. After a long year of healing, I knew I was ready to take the leap of faith and transfer to USC. I have finally made it. I am grateful I took a year to myself to heal, but USC has not supported me financially. Because I am an out-of-state transfer student, any financial aid opportunities are cancelled. I do not earn any scholarships, any grants, or financial aid from the school, causing me to pay upwards of $50,000 a year. This has caused me immense stress and anxiety, because my life obstacles keep setting me further and further back. Losing my mother during one of the most important periods of my life has been extremely hard to navigate. This has caused me to join various therapy and mentorship programs in school. These have been very helpful during my healing process, as I feel I am slowly picking up the pieces of my fully healed self. I have found more comfort in my journey by meeting new people, such as my roommates, other transfer students, and students who also struggle with anxiety. I am now still in the process of building myself back up better than before. Any scholarship, large or small, is a massive help for myself to get back on my feet and live the life I’ve always wanted to live, and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity. Most importantly, thank you for allowing me to share my story. I hope to inspire others in the same situation as myself.

Golf has always been more than just a sport for me; it has been a journey of personal growth, challenge, and triumph. Playing golf allows me to immerse myself in a world where precision, patience, and perseverance are key. The serene landscape of a golf course provides a sanctuary where I can focus, strategize, and hone my skills. My love for golf stems from the perfect balance it offers between physical activity and mental acuity, making every game a unique and rewarding experience. One of the primary reasons I enjoy playing golf is the mental challenge it presents. Golf requires intense concentration and strategic thinking. Each swing is a test of skill, patience, and mental fortitude. The game teaches me to stay calm under pressure, to analyze situations carefully, and to make calculated decisions. The satisfaction of a well-executed shot or a perfectly read putt is unparalleled. Golf has taught me the importance of mental resilience, a skill that extends beyond the course and into my everyday life. However, my journey as a female golfer has not been without its challenges. One of the most significant obstacles I've faced is the gender disparity that exists in the world of golf. Despite the progress made in recent years, golf remains a male-dominated sport. As a female golfer, I've often encountered skepticism and underestimated abilities. Early in my golfing journey, I found myself constantly striving to prove my worth and demonstrate that I belonged on the course. Overcoming this challenge required not only honing my technical skills but also developing a strong sense of self-confidence. I focused on improving my game, dedicating countless hours to practice and learning from every experience on the course. I sought mentorship from experienced golfers, both male and female, who provided guidance and encouragement. Their support helped me to believe in my abilities and to push past the barriers of doubt and prejudice. Another challenge I've faced is the lack of representation and support for female golfers, especially at the grassroots level. Access to resources, training, and competitive opportunities is often limited for young girls interested in golf. To address this issue, I became actively involved in advocating for and promoting women's golf. I joined local golf clubs and organizations that support female golfers, participating in initiatives aimed at increasing visibility and opportunities for women in the sport. By sharing my experiences and mentoring younger girls, I hope to inspire the next generation of female golfers and contribute to a more inclusive and supportive golfing community. Physical challenges have also been a part of my journey. Golf demands a high level of physical fitness, endurance, and technical precision. To excel, I had to commit to a rigorous training regimen, focusing on strength, flexibility, and overall conditioning. Overcoming physical challenges has taught me the value of discipline, hard work, and perseverance. Each time I step onto the course, I am reminded of the dedication and effort required to compete at a high level. In conclusion, my passion for golf is rooted in the unique blend of mental and physical challenges it presents. The sport has taught me valuable life lessons about resilience, confidence, and perseverance. Despite the challenges I've faced as a female golfer, I have found strength in overcoming obstacles and advocating for greater inclusivity in the sport. Golf has not only provided me with a platform for personal growth but has also allowed me to contribute to a more equitable and supportive community for future female golfers.

Neal Hartl was a dedicated family man and car enthusiast who passed too soon. In his lasting legacy, Neal is known for his devotion to being an inspirational and successful sales representative for BeaconMedaes. His passion for continuous growth and his ability to form genuine connections with many people around him are qualities I deeply admire and strive to imitate on my own professional journey. My name is Gabriella Pinto, and I am currently an undergraduate student at University of South Carolina, pursuing a degree in Operations and Supply Chain. Just as a car enthusiast sees endless potential in every vehicle, I see immense possibilities in the world of sales - a field where one's drive and passions can fuel both personal and professional development. The sales industry, much like Neal's love for cars, offers an exponential room for growth. Just as a car can be continuously enhanced for better performance, a career in sales allows for continuous learning and improvement. The potential salary advancement and personal development is immense, making it a field where my ambition and devotion to success truly pay off. My own ambition to achieve my life goals fuels my lifestyle, and this scholarship would provide the financial support I need to continue my education and turn my aspirations into a reality. I have previous sales experience, having worked part-time at Pandora Jewelry. Throughout this position, I have learned the importance of creating personal connections with customers. Each interaction felt like a new opportunity to learn someone's story. The joy I feel when a customer leaves satisfied is immense, knowing I left a lasting impact on those around me. This satisfaction is akin to the thrill Neal must have felt when he created personal connections with his clients and made a positive impact on their lives. I aim to apply this mentality every day in life. After conducting further research about Neal's lifestyle, I discovered that donations to the American Cancer Society were accepted in lieu of flowers at his funeral. As a 20 year old daughter of a mother who passed away from breast cancer, words cannot describe the deep compassion and respect I give to the Hartl family. Battling cancer is a devastating experience that no one deserves, as life is full of obstacles and challenges. However, the way we respond to these obstacles is what fuels our ambitions to live a lasting life. We can compare driving a car to living a fulfilling life. We may not know all of the directions of the GPS or the final destination of where we are headed, but we can enjoy each day with the windows down, listening to our favorite songs, and being surrounded by those who we love. As I am sure Neal would agree, enjoying each day and accepting uncertainty is what makes life complete. My passion for achieving my life goals comes from the satisfaction of creating personal connections with those around me. The sales industry, much like an open road, creates an endless vast of opportunity for personal growth and drive. Neal's story deeply inspires me to approach my career with the same enthusiasm and dedication he demonstrated throughout his life. Receiving the Neal Hartl Memorial Scholarship would not only honor his memory but also fuel my ambition to excel in the sales industry. It would provide me with the necessary resources to further my education while developing into an empathetic individual. With your support, I am eager to continue this journey, making a lasting impact on those around me. Thank you for your consideration and time.