If you had asked me in middle and high school if I was a Christian and knew God, I would have told you yes: that I was a good person, I was baptised, and I went to church. But if you asked me now, I would tell you that the Lord met me the summer after my freshman year of college, saved my life, and I have been walking closely with him ever since. For the majority of my life, I thought I knew myself to be a Christian. I grew up in church, hearing the sermons and living my life based on what I thought was right or wrong. I was a good person, and I thought that was enough, but I was wrong. Two years ago, I came to college and had what might have been the worst year of my life. I had placed my identity completely in sports and school, and it had consumed me. My mental health was the worst it had ever been, and I was starting to lose myself in what I was doing. I thought school and softball were all of who I was, and I didn’t know myself apart from them. Despite calling myself a Christian, my life did not reflect it. I wanted so badly for peace and for my circumstances to be better, but I was looking what seemed like everywhere except where I needed to — Jesus. When my freshman year ended, I thought everything would get better, since both school and softball had ended. I was wrong. Everything was still just as bad, and at that point, I was also struggling with things I never thought I would. One day, after trying and failing to fix my life on my own, I surrendered to the Lord. In that moment, the Lord met me right where I was, and I gave my life completely to him, and it was the best decision I have ever made. Since beginning my walk with Christ, he has grown me in ways I could never have imagined. I have been pushed out of my comfort zone, sharing my faith on my campus, with my roommates, and even in another country on mission. The Lord has given me a peace about tough situations in my life that surpasses all understanding, and I know that my identity is in him, and not what I do. The Lord is my rock, and is the foundation upon which my life is built. My faith gives me an unwavering hope and joy that does not depend on my circumstances. My life is completely in the Lord's hands, and what a relief that is. His plans are infinitely better than anything I could ever desire, and knowing that allows me to walk in confidence in whatever he calls me to.

It took me a long time to feel worthy. Worthy of the blessings I have received, the life that I live, the opportunities I have–and for a while, I based my worth on my performances. Whether it was my grades in school, how well I played out on a softball field, or how other people see me, how I felt about myself depended on how good I was doing in areas of my life that, looking at it now, don’t matter all that much. Now, I’m not saying that these things don’t matter at all–of course they do. Doing well in school, being a kind person, and excelling in my sport are all things that I am very proud of. However, they don’t determine my worth, and that was something I had to find out very recently. True worth and true identity are only found through Jesus Christ. He has changed my life, and made me realize that it is because of who He is and what He did, not anything I could ever do, that I am worth it. My dream is to one day, use my compassion, empathy, and love for animals to improve their well-being through quality veterinary care. I have always adored animals, and have had the privilege of growing up with some wonderful pets that have inspired me. My very first dog was a yellow lab named Gus. He was my parents first dog together, and they got him a little before I was born. He lived until I was 7 years old, when he sadly passed from hip issues. He was such a gentle and loving dog, and he really made an impact on my life in the short time I knew him. About 6 or 7 years after Gus passed, and after months of my sister and I begging our parents, we finally got our Bailey. She is a black lab who is currently 7 years old. While my sister and I both wanted a dog, I was the one who really pushed. When we brought her home, I fell in love with her. I taught her all of her commands, took her for walks, played with her as much as I could, and spent nearly all of my time with her. She very quickly became my best friend. She has such a big personality, loves to play, go on walks, swim, and explore. Bailey was with me through the good and bad, the hard teenage years, and eventually, when I went off to college. Leaving her was so hard, but it made me realize how lucky I was to have something so hard to say goodbye to. Seeing the unconditional love that Bailey has on a day to day basis, and how much she enjoys life is so beautiful to me. Every animal deserves to have a life like that, and it starts with proper care, which I hope to one day give. I truly feel that God gave me a compassionate and empathetic heart for a reason, and I fully plan to use it for the better. He has a plan for my life, and whether that is the track I am currently on, majoring in biology and wanting to attend veterinary school, or a completely different path, I am worth it because He says I am.

Softball was one of my first loves, and I have my Dad to thank for that. He played baseball growing up and instilled his love of the game into me early on, inspiring me to start playing as well. When I was 8 years old, I played for my first travel team where my Dad was the head coach. I was both the youngest and smallest on the team, and it definitely showed early on. Because of my age and size, I wasn’t completely ready to be out on the field, so I didn’t play much in the beginning. At the time, I didn’t understand why, but now, I am grateful for the motivation it gave me. I played for my Dad until I was 17 years old, and it was the best thing I could’ve done. I was able to commit to playing Division One softball while playing for him, and it was one of my biggest accomplishments. He was always fair, pushed me to be the best I could be, and helped grow me into the player I am today. He has always been my biggest fan. While softball has taught me things like the value of hard work and how to be a team player, what I have learned the most from the sport is mental toughness and how to deal with failure. I didn’t realize how much of a mental game softball was until my freshman year of college. I didn’t go into my freshman season with the expectation of playing, just with the expectation of working as hard as I could. So, when I got to school, I worked hard and earned a starting spot. However, when the season came, something changed. I lost my confidence in the field and started making errors. I made more errors in half a season than in my entire high school career, and this had a massive impact on my confidence. For the first time in my life, I had to take a step back and separate myself from softball. I realized that I had equated my self-worth to my performance on the field, and it was impacting my mental health. I thought about younger me, and realized that even though I wasn’t having the season I had hoped for, she would be so proud of me. I remembered that the point of playing wasn’t to be perfect all the time, but to grow, play hard, and have fun. When I realized this, I was able to shift my mindset and play like myself again. I found my worth outside of softball, and fell back in love with the game in the process. While I know I can’t play forever, I plan to continue to make softball a part of my life well after my playing days are over. My hometown is small, and a good distance away from any good facilities or instructors. Quality lessons were hard to come by growing up, and when we did find them, they were at least 40 minutes away. I know some girls are in the same position I once was in, so I plan to use what I learn throughout my time playing Division I softball at USC Upstate to give lessons to athletes in my hometown. I want to instill the passion and love for the game that I have into others. I’ve been so blessed to have been able to play the sport that I love for so many years. Softball has become a part of me, and I pray that it always will be.

When I was in fifth grade, I was diagnosed with scoliosis. I didn’t think much of it, as I didn’t even realize anything was wrong. However, a couple of weeks before I started sixth grade, I was told I had to wear a back brace. Not only that, but I had to wear it 23 hours a day, every day of the week. That was incredibly overwhelming for a 12-year-old, and I was absolutely terrified. It was daunting enough getting ready to start middle school, let alone with a bulky piece of plastic squeezing me under my clothes. It was the most uncomfortable thing I had ever worn–hot, tight, and often leaving rashes and bruises. While the physical pain and discomfort were hard to bear, the emotional turmoil was worse. I deeply struggled with self-esteem and confidence issues, and the brace seemed to exaggerate my every insecurity, serving as a constant reminder of my limitations. I had never felt so helpless, defeated, and vulnerable as I did when I wore the brace. Those feelings got worse when I reached out to one of the founders of a website supposedly made for girls with scoliosis. I thought sending an email sharing my story would help me connect with others who had scoliosis and gather some support, but unfortunately, I was wrong. I waited for months, but never heard back. I was absolutely devastated. This experience was my inspiration to pursue computer science and web development. Now, you may be thinking: How in the world does this experience relate to computer science? Well, aside from my goal to one day work at a large-scale company like Apple and passion for being a part of the ever-advancing technology present in our society, I want to create my own website. With the web development and design skills I gain from my computer science degrees, I plan to create an accessible and active website dedicated to connecting, supporting, and empowering individuals with scoliosis–something I deeply needed in my own journey. I believe that even a simple acknowledgment of someone’s struggles can make a difference, but I aim to offer more. I want to give everyone with scoliosis the opportunity to connect with others in similar situations and to learn from those who have faced challenges they may experience in the future. This is a plan I have the intention of carrying out either during or after college, and has been a passion of mine for a while now. It is how I wish to make my mark on the world, and have a positive impact in my community.

Softball and making an impact on my community are things I am equally passionate about. Softball has always been more than just a sport–it has been one of my greatest teachers, instilling in me the value of hard work, how to deal with failure, and how to be a leader. As I transition to college, I am excited to continue pursuing my love for the game at the Division One level. Beyond the field, I am equally dedicated to serving my community. Through monthly volunteering at the local food bank, Christmas shopping for those in need, and coaching the next generation of softball players at my high school's youth camp, I am committed to making a difference. I demonstrated the most perseverance in my life at the age of 12 when I was diagnosed with scoliosis. I didn’t think much of it, as up until that point, I didn’t even know something was wrong. However, about two weeks before I started middle school, my condition worsened. The doctors told me that I had to wear a brace 23 hours a day, every day, for at least three years. That was a lot for a 12-year-old to take in, and I was absolutely terrified. The brace was the most uncomfortable thing I had ever worn in my life. It was hot, and often left rashes and bruises on my skin from the pressure. It also restricted my motion, rendering me unable to do something as simple as tying my shoes. Despite knowing its benefits, I hated wearing it. However, there was a pivotal moment in my journey when I sat down with my mom and had a heartfelt conversation about the brace that completely shifted my perspective. Tears were shed, but from that moment forward, I approached every challenge head-on and found it within myself to push through the hard days. I was determined to adapt and overcome and eventually found ways to work around the restrictions. I was still able to do everything I loved to do and refused to let the challenges of my back brace define me. Through it all, I persevered and emerged stronger on the other side. While there is no doubt that I plan to make an impact on the world through my future career in computer science, whether at a leading company like Apple or a smaller company, I am most passionate about making an impact through something that holds personal value to me. With the web development and design skills I gain from my computer science degrees, I aim to have a positive impact on the world by creating an accessible website dedicated to connecting, supporting, and empowering individuals with scoliosis–something I deeply needed in my journey. When I was diagnosed, there weren’t many resources available for me to connect with others who had scoliosis. I felt so alone and out of place, with no one to relate to. My hopes grew when I found a website specifically made for girls with scoliosis, believing I had finally found people I could connect with. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out. I reached out to a leading member but never heard back. This experience inspired me to want to create my own website–one that is active and consistently provides support to those who reach out. I believe that even a simple acknowledgment of their struggles can make a difference, but I aim to offer more. I want to give everyone with scoliosis the opportunity to connect with others in similar situations and to learn from those who have faced challenges they may experience in the future.

Hello, my name is Georgia Preddy. I am dually enrolled in High School and Community College, and I am set to graduate in May with both my high school diploma and associate's degree. Education has always been something I deeply value, and I have always set high standards for myself, making doing my best in school a top priority. I have a strong work ethic, having maintained a straight-A average and a 4.0 unweighted GPA throughout high school and community college. I have been accepted to the University of South Carolina at Upstate to play Division One college softball while pursuing a degree in Computer Science. After college, I plan to attend graduate school and receive my master's degree, with the hopes of one day working as a software developer at the upcoming Apple campus in Raleigh, NC. With the web development and design skills I learn in college, I would love to create an accessible and active website for all people with scoliosis. As someone who has scoliosis and wore a brace for five years, I know exactly what it is like to feel out of place and different from everyone else, but I also know that I would have been a lot more comfortable if I had been able to connect with others who also had scoliosis. Outside of the classroom, softball has been my passion for the past 13 years. Not only has it been my passion, but it has been one of my greatest teachers. It has taught me how to overcome adversity, the value of hard work, and how to deal with failure. Much of what I have learned through softball has been applied to my everyday life and has shaped me into the person I am today. I am so fortunate to be able to continue my softball career in college, but I would love to extend my involvement in softball after I graduate by giving low-cost to free lessons in my community. Furthermore, my passion extends to helping others in the community, which I do through volunteering. One of the main places I volunteer is at my local Area Congregation in Ministry Food Bank. The first Monday of every month, I travel there with my church’s youth group to help pack food boxes, backpack buddies, stock shelves, and perform any other necessary tasks. In addition to volunteering at the food bank, I work to make an impact in my community during the Christmas season. For the past two years, I have volunteered to shop for Christmas gifts for a family in need. Also, as a part of youth group, I have had the opportunity to help with Vacation Bible School, cook at senior luncheons, lead the worship service on Youth Sunday, and participate in the Samaritans Purse Shoebox Operation. I am also very thankful to be a part of a high school softball team that gives back to the community through low-cost softball camps where I can share my love of the game with the upcoming generation of players. If I were fortunate enough to win this scholarship, any money I receive will help pay for college textbooks and necessary school supplies. Despite my parents' generosity towards my education, textbooks can be expensive on top of an already costly out-of-state tuition. I have worked part-time as a tutor throughout my junior and senior years of high school, so I have some money saved for some personal and non-tuition-related expenses, but winning this scholarship would help alleviate some of the financial burden college can cause and allow me to focus on my studies.

I used to be someone who thought just believing in God was enough. I knew He sent his only son to die for my sins, I went to church on Sundays, and I prayed before every meal. I did the bare minimum. This went on for a while, before one day, I had a change of heart. I decided to pick up my Bible and actually read. I had seen and heard so many people talk about how changed they were when they started building their personal relationship with the Lord, and a part of me really wanted that. So, I read. After a while of reading, studying scripture, and praying, I realized faith is nothing without action. Just acknowledging God’s existence and going to church was simply not enough. You have to live for him and embody his teachings. I know I am not perfect. I sin and fall into temptation, but my desire to live for the Lord is stronger than those things. So, that is exactly what inspires me. I believe by getting involved in the community, I can make a profound difference in people's lives by acting as a vessel of God's grace. My journey of community involvement began when I started volunteering with my church youth group. One of the very first times I volunteered with them was at my local Area Congregations in Ministry Food Bank. I was given jobs such as stocking the shelves, taking donations, and packing up boxes full of food for those in need. It was there at the food bank that I first realized how challenging it is to deal with a fluctuating food supply. There were times when it seemed like the food would never end, and other times when we barely had enough food to pack 20 boxes. Witnessing this firsthand was a harsh reminder of the reality that some people face in our community. Knowing this, I became more motivated to address the issue of food insecurity and contribute to improving the lives of those in need. With this passion for making a difference in the community, my volunteering efforts extended beyond the food shelter. A particularly important initiative to me has been my involvement in “Operation Christmas Child.” This is a program run by Samaritan's Purse that my church participates in every Christmas. We go to the store with a list of items that contain both “wants” and “needs,” for children of certain ages, and fill shoeboxes with as much as we can buy. We include the things on the list as well as a message about the Lord. These boxes are then shipped around the world to boys and girls in need, spreading joy and the word of God. Hunger and scarcity present significant challenges to our society, but also provide opportunities to witness God's love in action. At our local food shelter and through our church's Christmas box program, I've seen the mission to break down these strongholds put into action. As a volunteer, I've had the privilege of experiencing the transformative power of love, generosity, and community. The impact of my efforts, alongside those in my community, whether it be packing boxes at the food shelter or sending shoeboxes to children worldwide, has been immeasurable. By embracing God's love, we are not only breaking down strongholds, but also making a substantial difference in the lives of those we serve. These acts of volunteering are a testament to my collective commitment to spreading love, support, and God’s word to those in need, both in my local community and places across the world.

A strong, hardworking, successful woman who pushes the boundaries, and who radiates a sense of happiness that inspires others to say, "Wow, I can really see the Lord working through her."

If I could have everyone in the world read just one book, it would undoubtedly be "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" by John Boyne. My journey with this book began in my eighth-grade English class, a subject I never really enjoyed. Especially so on the days we had to read assigned books I couldn’t connect with. I would much rather write an essay on a book I actually enjoy, like a fantasy novel, or a murder mystery. I remember walking into my English class the day after we had finished our final test on the book we just read. There was a new book at each desk. I silently groaned, knowing we were about to start another long book that would end in another long test. As I sat down, I looked at its cover. “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas,” by John Boyne. I had heard of the book from its movie adaptation, but had no idea how different it was from every other book about the Holocaust. That day, we started reading a book that changed my life, and a book that has the potential to change everyone’s lives. “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” is absolutely a book everyone should read at least once in their life. It is emotionally charged and explores themes of friendship, innocence, and blissful ignorance. Historical accounts of the Holocaust often focus on the horrors from an adult point of view. Rarely do we ever get to see the bleak reality from the lens of a child. This book stands out as it portrays the story through the eyes of Bruno, a nine-year-old boy. Through Bruno’s character, Boyne juxtaposes the coexistence of innocence and horror, a theme rarely explored in books about the Holocaust. He masterfully portrays Bruno’s perspective, making it heartbreaking for readers who know the harsh reality while Bruno sees his Jewish friend simply as wearing pajamas. From this book, we should all learn to be so compassionate towards each other's circumstances and recognize the inherent worth of every individual. “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” is not just another book for education about the Holocaust; It is a book that challenges us to see the world through eyes of innocence and compassion. This book has the potential to foster empathy, understanding, and compassion on a global scale, making it the book I would choose for everyone to read.

Growing up as the daughter of an English teacher, the love of reading was instilled in me at an early age. Instead of watching television or playing video games, I was on the couch reading my favorite books. My idea of rebellion as a child was not to stay up past my bedtime playing games, but rather hide under the covers with a flashlight and read until I was caught. Even my form of punishment as a child involved reading. I didn’t get electronics taken away, or grounded, but instead, my parents would take my books. My love of reading was just that deep. To this day, my love of reading is still strong. As an avid reader, I have explored many different genres, each of which has impacted me in a unique way. However, there was one book that moved me more deeply than others. “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green is one of the most emotionally charged books I have ever read. The raw descriptions of the main character's fight with cancer, and her attitude toward life really hit me hard. As someone who knows firsthand how cancer can impact someone's life, this book deeply resonated with me and captured the complex emotions and moments of beauty that come with such an overwhelming diagnosis. “The Fault in Our Stars” taught me several valuable lessons about life and love. What really stuck out to me in this book was when the main character, Hazel, read out the eulogy she wrote to her boyfriend, Augustus. The way she spoke about how even though their time together was going to be cut short, she was so grateful for the time they did share. This part of the book specifically, taught me how fragile life is. As cliche as it sounds, you do only get one life, so, be fearless in what you do, and don’t let your circumstances stop you from living life to the fullest. Another thing this book taught me was how powerful love can be. I saw this the most in the way Augustus changed Hazel’s outlook on life. Before she met Augustus, she wanted to mitigate the harm caused by her existence. She was so worried about how her death would impact others, and referred to herself as a “grenade.” However, over the course of the book, as she grows closer to Augustus, her outlook begins to change, especially when his cancer comes back. As she falls in love with him and learns of the diagnosis, she realizes that now, it is he who is the “grenade.” Despite knowing that, she does not regret loving him, or spending time with him. The way love changed her throughout this book was really moving. This book shaped my goals in two profound ways. One, I have a newfound appreciation for life, and how it should be lived. There is no time to worry about what might happen, or what people might think of you. After reading this book, I had a mindset change, which prompted me to make a list of things I would like to accomplish before college. The list included both small and big tasks, some of which I have already accomplished. Two, I have a new goal to love a lot harder. I spend so much time worrying and not enough time appreciating those in my life. Through this book, I have strengthened my goals and learned how to live my life to the fullest.

As an avid reader and moviegoer, I have watched and read many different genres and taken away different things from each genre. While each movie and book impacted me in some way, one specific movie deeply moved me, and affected the goals I set for myself - ”Whiplash.” The film is a testimony to the relentless pursuit of excellence and the ambition, hard work, and sacrifices it requires. I relate to the lead in the movie, Andrew Neiman, as he struggles to become “great”. As he progresses through the movie, he displays unwavering passion and a desire to prove others wrong, which drives him to achieve greatness. I was raised on the notion that you should work hard for everything you want, so I share this belief with him. After watching Whiplash and witnessing Neiman’s pursuit of excellence, I applied his relentlessness to my life and goals. The characters' faces at the end, when they both achieved their excellence, ignited my desire to work harder toward my own goals. With this newfound passion, I set many goals for myself, some of which I have already completed, and others I am continually striving for today. I am a dual-enrolled senior attending Granville Early College High School and Vance Granville Community College. I love nature and being outdoors, spending time with my friends and family, and playing softball. I take my education very seriously and set high expectations for myself. My immediate post-graduate plan is to enroll in a 4-year school and major in Computer Science. I also plan on playing softball while pursuing my bachelor's degree. After graduating, I would like to earn my master's degree in Computer Science or a specific concentration in it. Ideally, I would like to work at a medium to large tech company as a software developer while still volunteering in the ministry and completing my passion projects. Ultimately, I hope to work as a software developer at a large corporation such as Apple or Google while still dedicating time to volunteering and passion projects. I believe that being able to take both high school and college courses during my high school career has equipped me with valuable knowledge I can contribute to my community. In addition to the knowledge I will gain at a four-year school, this could help me make a significant impact. I volunteer with my local Area Congregation in Ministry on the first Monday of each month to help organize the shelves of our local food pantry and pack food boxes for those in need. The most recent time I went, the shelves were severely understocked. There is a food shortage for those in need, while fast food chains and large restaurants throw away good food because it doesn't sell. Not only do people suffer from food waste, but the environment also suffers. When wasted food ends up in a landfill, it can rot and produce methane, which is unhealthy for the environment. Through an education in computer science, I can make a positive impact on my community and the world as a whole. While technology might seem unable to solve hunger, recent advancements have shown that it has the potential to accomplish some remarkable feats. I plan to achieve one of those feats. Using coding and programming languages, I plan on creating a working system that minimizes food waste and creates effective food distribution in a healthy way for the environment. That way, restaurants and fast food chains could implement them in their businesses, and food would not go to waste.