Faith has been one of the most important sources of strength in my life, especially during one of the most difficult periods I have ever faced. As I struggled with anxiety and depression, there were days when it felt impossible to see a way forward. The uncertainty, fear, and emotional weight often made even simple tasks seem overwhelming. During that time, my relationship with God became my foundation. While my circumstances did not change overnight, my faith gave me the hope and courage to keep moving forward one day at a time. Prayer became a daily source of comfort, allowing me to express my fears and worries honestly while trusting that God was listening. Reading Scripture reminded me that I was never alone, even when I felt isolated. Verses about God's love, faithfulness, and strength encouraged me to believe that my struggles did not define my future. Instead of giving up, I learned to rely on God's guidance and to trust that He had a purpose for my life, even when I could not see it myself. Overcoming anxiety and depression has taught me lessons that I carry with me every day. I have developed resilience, patience, and compassion for others who may be facing challenges that are not immediately visible. I understand the importance of listening without judgment and offering encouragement when someone feels discouraged. My faith has shown me that true strength is not pretending to have all the answers but trusting God through life's uncertainties. As I pursue my college education and future career, I believe my faith will continue to guide my decisions and actions. As a Physical Therapist, I want to be known as someone who demonstrates integrity, kindness, and a strong work ethic. My faith reminds me to treat every person with dignity and respect, to approach challenges with perseverance, and to make decisions based on honesty and compassion. These values will help me build meaningful relationships with coworkers, clients, and the people I serve throughout my career. I also know that there will be future obstacles and moments of self-doubt. College and the workplace will continue to present new responsibilities and challenges, but my experience has shown me that I do not have to face them alone. The same faith that carried me through anxiety and depression will continue to provide hope, wisdom, and confidence as I work toward my goals. Rather than allowing fear to control my future, I choose to trust that God will continue to lead me in the direction He has planned for my life. Receiving this scholarship would not only help me achieve my educational goals but also allow me to continue growing into the person God has called me to be. My journey has taught me that faith is more than a belief—it is a source of strength that transforms hardship into perseverance and hope into purpose. I am confident that the values my faith has instilled in me will help me make a positive difference in both my career and my community.

One of the global health issues I feel most passionate about is mental health, particularly the rising rates of anxiety and depression among young people. Although conversations about mental health have become more common in recent years, millions of individuals still struggle to access the support they need. The consequences extend beyond emotional well-being, affecting academic performance, relationships, physical health, and future opportunities. I care deeply about this issue because mental health is just as important as physical health, yet it is often misunderstood, overlooked, or surrounded by stigma. My interest in mental health has grown because it is something that personally affects me. I suffer from anxiety and depression. I have seen how much of an impact emotional well-being can have on not only mine, but others’ daily lives. During my own experiences as a student, I have seen classmates, friends, and even myself face the pressures that come with balancing academics, responsibilities, and personal expectations. There have been times when the stress of meeting deadlines, preparing for exams, and trying to maintain a sense of balance felt overwhelming. These experiences helped me understand that mental health struggles are not always visible. Someone can appear successful while privately dealing with anxiety, stress, or feelings of being overwhelmed. The mental health crisis has become increasingly visible, especially among teenagers and young adults. Academic pressure, financial stress, social media, and uncertainty about the future all contribute to higher levels of anxiety and depression. While technology has made it easier to stay connected, it has also created unrealistic expectations and constant comparison. Many people feel pressure to appear successful and happy online, even when they are struggling privately. This disconnect can make individuals feel isolated and discourage them from asking for help. I have personally noticed how important it is to have supportive people around me who encourage honest conversations rather than expecting everyone to handle challenges alone. I care about this issue because mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or income. Many people suffer in silence because they fear being judged or viewed as weak. Unfortunately, this stigma can prevent individuals from seeking treatment until their symptoms become severe. Through my own experiences, I have learned that simply having someone willing to listen and offer support can make a difference. Early intervention, supportive communities, and access to affordable mental health care can help people feel understood and give them the resources they need to recover. I also believe improving mental health benefits society as a whole. When people receive appropriate treatment and support, they are more likely to succeed in school, perform well at work, maintain healthy relationships, and contribute positively to their communities. Investing in mental health services, school counselors, and public education campaigns is not only compassionate but also practical. Preventing mental health crises reduces long-term healthcare costs and improves overall quality of life. Personally, I am passionate about promoting empathy and encouraging open conversations about mental health. My experiences have shown me that small acts of kindness, patience, and understanding can have a meaningful impact on someone who is struggling. In the future, I hope society continues to treat mental health with the same seriousness as physical health. Expanding access to counseling, reducing stigma, and teaching coping skills from an early age can help build healthier communities around the world. While no single solution will eliminate the mental health crisis, greater awareness, education, and compassion can make a lasting difference. By recognizing that mental well-being is an essential part of overall health, we can create a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

I lost my grandpa, whom I called Pops, three years ago but it feels just like yesterday. My Pops moved in with my family when I was in kindergarten and lived with us for 12 years. I do not remember a time that he did not live us, which made losing him that much harder. When I was little he was there to put me on the bus in the morning and get me off in the afternoon if my mom was not home yet. He would always get my sister and me ice cream when we brought home good grades and when we won whatever sporting event we played that day. I really think it was just an excuse for him to get some ice cream, but I was okay with that. Losing him is the hardest thing I have ever experienced. He was my person and always tried to make things better when I was having a rough day. I am just happy that I was able to spend so much quality time with him and create so many memories that cannot be taken away from me. Losing Pops reinforced that I should not take anything for granted. Your loved ones can be here one day and gone the next. For this reason I cherish my loved ones, hold on to them tight, and make as many memories as I can. The time I get to spend with those I love is priceless and Pops definitely cherished his time with his immediate and extended family. Those who were friends of our family quickly took on Pops as their father and grandfather figure. He not only impacted me but also so many of my friends that he impacted in his time living with my family. Pops was a fighter his entire life. He never gave up on anything or anyone. Pops worked hard for everything he had. He taught me how to be tough and to live in every moment of my life. It was extremely hard to say goodbye but losing him pushed me, even more, to do the things I had discussed with him and that he knew I could achieve when I doubted myself. He would never want me to give up because he believed there was always a way to reach your goals. Pops was a Godly man and taught me a lot about having a personal relationship with Christ. This is the most important thing he could have shared with me. With God all things are truly possible and Pops has always reminded me that things happen in God’s time. You have to work hard for those goals but if what I am working towards does not happen when I think it should I am always reminded that it is in God’s time and to not give up but to work harder. This lesson has come into play several different times in my life and I am grateful of this important message Pops taught me. Most recently I had been working on getting recruited to play volleyball in college. There was a school I really wanted to attend but they went with another player. This was hard on me, but I trust in the Lord. I did end up at another school playing volleyball, but it was far from home and I decided to transfer somewhere closer to home. Once again this is not what I set out for but there is a greater plan for me and I am happy with the path I am on and the decisions that have been made. Without this important lesson Pops taught me I may have lost my faith, but I know that God has control and I can be at peace with that because I watched Pops stay calm through so many storms. Through the lessons I have learned from Pops the most important are that God and family are the two most important things in life. These are the things you fight for and that matter. No matter what else is going on in my life I know that God and my family will always be there for me and I cannot thank Pops enough for reinforcing this within my life. I fight for who and what matters and I will never stop fighting for those things because I know Pops would never stop fighting for the things that really matter. I love and miss you Pops!

Depression and anxiety tried to take me away from the people and things I love, but I conquered them. This is my story. I have always been someone that lightens the mood or makes everyone laugh, but I was crumbling on the inside. I started to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID shut everything down and then it became much worse. During that time I also lost a former teammate in a horrific car accident and another classmate to suicide. I did not know that it was possible to feel that empty on the inside and I began to distance myself from my family and friends. I shut everyone out. There were countless evenings that I would not come out of my room to interact with my family or friends. I felt so alone and began to believe that no one cared about me or what I was going through. Dark thoughts began to enter my mind and I could only hear voices saying terrible things to me and about me. The voices grew louder and louder and the thoughts of hurting myself were growing more intense. I did not realize at the time how much this was also hurting my family as they watched me become a shell of who I was. No longer was I that fun-loving, funny, and energetic girl that they knew. This went on for about a year before I went to my parents and told them it was time for me to talk to a counselor about the thoughts I was having. After my first session, I knew I was in the right place. I then decided that I want to try some medication in addition to counseling. Slowly I began to feel more like myself. I also began to realize that everyone I cared about never left my side because when I was ready they were all there for me. They all wanted me back as badly as I wanted out of the darkness. While working through this the bond between my family and I grew stronger. My faith in the Lord also grew deeper. God and family are everything to me and this just reinforced how much I need them. Mental illness is an ongoing battle that I deal with daily, but it has gotten easier for me to manage. I have learned to take advantage of the things offered to me to help me with my struggles. I was able to qualify for a 504 to help with my anxiety at school. I continue to take my medication and see my counselor when needed. While going through my darkest days many of my friends did not understand why I was behaving the way I was. This got me thinking about all of the people who suffer from mental illness and how different it looks from one individual to another. I began to speak out about my mental illness in hopes that it would make others feel comfortable to talk about what they are going through and to let them know that they are not alone. I know how hard it can get and I do not want anyone to feel alone when they are going through their darkest times. Through my experience, I hope that I can help others. No one should be ashamed of their mental health struggles and the more we can talk about it the more individuals will get the help they need. I hope that my story, my journey, and my ability to talk about my darkest days help someone through their tough days.

Depression and anxiety tried to take me away from the people and things I love, but I conquered them. This is my story. I have always been someone that lightens the mood or makes everyone laugh, but I was crumbling on the inside. I started to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID shut everything down and then it became much worse. During that time I also lost a former teammate in a horrific car accident and another classmate to suicide. I did not know that it was possible to feel that empty on the inside and I began to distance myself from my family and friends. There were countless evenings that I would not come out of my room to interact with my family or friends. I felt so alone and began to believe that no one cared about me or what I was going through. Dark thoughts began to enter my mind and I could only hear voices saying terrible things to me and about me. The voices grew louder and louder and the thoughts of hurting myself were growing more intense. My mom and dad grew very concerned about me and talked to me on several occasions about going and talking to someone and/or seeing about getting on some medication. At that time I was not ready to seek out help and denied that it was as bad as it was. I did not realize at the time how much this was also hurting my family as they watched me become a shell of who I was. No longer was I that fun-loving, funny, and energetic girl that they knew. This went on for about a year before I went to my parents and told them it was time for me to talk to a counselor about the thoughts I was having. I remember feeling so anxious and trying to figure out what I was going to say to the counselor. After my first session, I knew I was in the right place, and continued to see her weekly. I then decided that I might want to try some medication in addition to counseling. We worked with my doctor and found the right dose of medication for me. Slowly I began to feel more like myself. I also began to realize that everyone I cared about never left my side because when I was ready they were all there for me. They all wanted me back as badly as I wanted out of the darkness. While working through this the bond between my family and I grew stronger. My faith in the Lord also grew deeper. God and family are everything to me and this just reinforced how much I need them. Mental illness is an ongoing battle that I deal with daily, but it has gotten easier for me to manage. I have learned to take advantage of the things offered to me to help me with my struggles. My mom helped me to get a 504 to help with my anxiety when I am at school. I continue to take my medication and see my counselor when needed. While going through my darkest days many of my friends did not understand why I was behaving the way I was. This got me thinking about all of the people who suffer from mental illness and how different it looks from one individual to another. I began to speak out about my mental illness in hopes that it would make others feel comfortable to talk about what they are going through and to let them know that they are not alone. I know how hard it can get and I do not want anyone to feel alone when they are going through their darkest times. Through my experience, I hope that I can help others. No one should be ashamed of their mental health struggles and the more we can talk about it the more individuals will get the help they need. I hope that my story, my journey, and my ability to talk about my darkest days help someone through their tough days. I plan on pursuing a degree in Health Sciences and continuing to be a Physical Therapist. Sports have always been a huge part of my life. During this difficult time in my life, it became very clear to me how much the sport of volleyball also meant to me. Outside of God and my family, I credit volleyball for saving my life. It is an outlet for me, a place I can go and play the game I love and get away from everything else. I also realized what losing this sport would do to me and have seen firsthand how injuries and not being able to play the sport you love can feed one's negative mental health. Two seasons ago my teammate went up to hit a ball in our volleyball game and when she landed she went straight to the floor. I just remember running over to her and trying to calm her down, while my heart hurt for her because I knew it was a bad injury. As she was recovering from the injury I watched her work so hard to get back to the sport she loves and how much stronger she was becoming. As a Physical Therapist, I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. When athletes are sidelined it can take away a part of who they are or where they feel they belong and bring on or exacerbate poor mental health. I want to be able to give them the encouragement and the belief that they still belong on the court or field and can get back to that piece of who they are. Through being a Physical Therapist I can help pull them out of a place of despair and help them to grow stronger physically and mentally.

“Out of the thousands of MRI pictures taken there is one picture that looks like there is a spot that is about 1 millimeter in length and we think it may be a tear in her labrum. Surgery would be needed to fix this.” This is the phone call my mom received after I was complaining of hip pain and had an MRI to rule out any major concerns. I was a volleyball player and my position was Libero/DS, so I spent a lot of time squatting and on the ground. It made sense that after years of this that my hip may hurt, but we were not expecting a phone call that did not definitively tell us what was going on. I definitely was not having surgery based on a picture that showed something that was 1 millimeter in length. After this phone call my mom and I reached out to my high school Strength and Conditioning Coach. He worked with me to strengthen muscles around that area to improve any pain and prevent me from having unnecessary surgery. This is when my love for strength and conditioning really grew. I worked hard and started feeling better. My movements became easier and quicker and I never had surgery. Due to the knowledge people now have of the benefits of strength and conditioning this field is going to continue to grow. There are several reasons for the growth, but people are learning just how important this is for your body as an athlete and for your health in general. As athletes become more sport specific at younger ages and muscles are overused there is a greater need for strength and conditioning to help prevent injuries and surgeries. People are starting to listen to their bodies and realize that surgery is not necessarily always the answer and strength and conditioning is a great means to prevent many of those injuries. This is a field that is in demand and I am passionate about keeping young athletes healthy and in the sport they love. To contribute to the evolution I will continue to spread the word of the importance of strength and conditioning for our minds and bodies. It is important that I share my own experiences and that sometimes surgery is not necessary and is not the only answer or solution. It is important for people of all ages to understand the importance of strength and conditioning and the true benefits it has for our bodies. Encouraging high school programs to put a strength and conditioning program in place for their athletes so they can be educated as well as trained to help prevent injuries. Strength and conditioning is about prevention and that is important for everyone to learn and understand.

My name is Grace Lowery. My parents have been married for 20 years and I have a younger sister, Hailey. God and family are the most important things to me. I am a firm believer that with God all things are possible and that He has a plan for me, so I need to trust in His timing. This belief and the support of my family are what get me through the good and bad times in life. Many do not understand my strong belief system and set of morals that I live my life by, but that does not make me waiver because I have goals that I want to achieve. My parents have always taught me that there is no other way to reach goals other than through hard work. They have instilled in me what a good work ethic is to help me achieve my goals, whether in the classroom, on the court or in life in general. Through hard work, I have been able to achieve a 3.93 out of a 4.0 GPA while taking honors and dual credit courses in high school and this carried over to my first year of college. I have also excelled in the sport I love, volleyball. My parents have taught me that nothing will be given to me and that I have to work hard for what I want in life. T Academically, I want to excel to my greatest potential. I also would like to graduate from college with the least amount of debt as possible. My mom went to college and then on to get her Master’s Degree. I have watched her and my father struggle to pay her student loans. My dad and she have talked to me about excelling academically so I do not have to have the burden of debt like they have had. As long as I continue to excel academically I know that I can achieve my dream of becoming a Physical Therapist. Paying for college is definitely a challenge that I will have to overcome. Earning scholarship money would be extremely helpful in reaching my goals. I have very good grades and I participate in several extracurricular activities, unfortunately the need for tuition assistance is determined by my parents’ income and not my accomplishments. Both of my parents work very hard to provide for my sister and me, but they will not be able to help me pay for college. The FAFSA determines how much my family can pay, but this is just not accurate. I cannot afford what they determine to be the family contribution. Whatever I am not able to earn through scholarships I will have to try and finance myself. I have goals and I am hopeful that the cost of my education does not keep me from reaching these goals. I am not a quitter and I am willing to apply to as many scholarships as it takes in order for me to reach my goals.

I plan on pursuing a degree in Health Sciences and continuing to be a Physical Therapist. Sports have always been a huge part of my life and have taught me so many valuable lessons. Sports have taught me how to be a good teammate, leadership skills, teamwork, how to give and receive constructive criticism, and so many other great skills. Throughout my years of playing sports, it is always heartbreaking when one believes they have an injury or watches a teammate go down with an injury. Three years ago my best friend tore her ACL while playing volleyball. As she was recovering from the injury I watched her work so hard to get back to the sport she loves and how much stronger she was becoming. As a Physical Therapist, I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. When athletes are sidelined it can take away a part of who they are or where they feel they belong. I want to be able to give them the encouragement and the belief that they still belong on the court or field and can get back to that piece of who they are. I know that many individuals may find this to be trivial with everything going on in our world, but to these athletes, this is their world. This is a way that they identify who they are. Does the sport define them or who they are? No, but they have spent hours in the gym, training and becoming the best athlete they can be for their team. An injury that sidelines this athlete is devastating. I want to bring the knowledge, drive and hope that they can get back on the court or the field and once again be that athlete. I know there are many different types of jobs a Physical Therapist can have, but my passion is with athletes. I believe that I can make a positive impact on the world through my chosen career. Many may be confused by this because I am not going into some type of environmental, life-saving, or economic field. Those fields have a definite impact on our world, but so does my career path. Becoming a Physical Therapist makes small changes in individuals' lives that then impact others and the greater community. When someone loses a piece of who they are or their mobility, even if for just a short time, it can lead to depression and less involvement within their community. As a Physical Therapist, I can help restore their belief that they can get back to being that athlete or back to moving around independently. This gives the individual hope and determination and keeps them from falling into a place of despair. If I can help these individuals believe in a positive outcome it helps them to stay involved in their community and contribute positively. This continued involvement makes their community a better place and in turn, can have a positive impact on those around the individual or community. It creates a ripple effect, positively impacting individuals outside of our community. Helping individuals keep a positive mindset and get stronger so that they can get back to what they love, ultimately positively impacts everyone around them.

Depression and anxiety tried to take me away from the people and things I love, but I conquered them. This is my story. I have always been someone that lightens the mood or makes everyone laugh, but I was crumbling on the inside. I started to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID shut everything down and then it became much worse. During that time I also lost a former teammate in a horrific car accident and another classmate to suicide. I did not know that it was possible to feel that empty on the inside and I began to distance myself from my family and friends. There were countless evenings that I would not come out of my room to interact with my family or friends. I felt so alone and began to believe that no one cared about me or what I was going through. Dark thoughts began to enter my mind and I could only hear voices saying terrible things to me and about me. The voices grew louder and louder and the thoughts of hurting myself were growing more intense. My mom and dad grew very concerned about me and talked to me on several occasions about going and talking to someone and/or seeing about getting on some medication. At that time I was not ready to seek out help and denied that it was as bad as it was. I did not realize at the time how much this was also hurting my family as they watched me become a shell of who I was. No longer was I that fun-loving, funny, and energetic girl that they knew. This went on for about a year before I went to my parents and told them it was time for me to talk to a counselor about the thoughts I was having. I remember feeling so anxious and trying to figure out what I was going to say to the counselor. After my first session, I knew I was in the right place, and continued to see her weekly. I then decided that I might want to try some medication in addition to counseling. We worked with my doctor and found the right dose of medication for me. Slowly I began to feel more like myself. I also began to realize that everyone I cared about never left my side because when I was ready they were all there for me. They all wanted me back as badly as I wanted out of the darkness. While working through this the bond between my family and I grew stronger. My faith in the Lord also grew deeper. God and family are everything to me and this just reinforced how much I need them. Mental illness is an ongoing battle that I deal with daily, but it has gotten easier for me to manage. I have learned to take advantage of the things offered to me to help me with my struggles. My mom helped me to get a 504 to help with my anxiety when I am at school. I continue to take my medication and see my counselor when needed. While going through my darkest days many of my friends did not understand why I was behaving the way I was. This got me thinking about all of the people who suffer from mental illness and how different it looks from one individual to another. I began to speak out about my mental illness in hopes that it would make others feel comfortable to talk about what they are going through and to let them know that they are not alone. I know how hard it can get and I do not want anyone to feel alone when they are going through their darkest times. I plan on pursuing a degree in Health Sciences and continuing to be a Physical Therapist. Sports have always been a huge part of my life. During this difficult time in my life, it became very clear to me how much the sport of volleyball also meant to me. Outside of God and my family, I credit volleyball for saving my life. It is an outlet for me, a place I can go and play the game I love and get away from everything else. Through COVID I realized what losing this sport would do to me and have also seen firsthand how injuries and not being able to play the sport you love can feed one's negative mental health. During my junior season my teammate went up to hit a ball and when she landed she went straight to the floor. I just remember running over to her and trying to calm her down, while my heart hurt for her because I knew it was a bad injury. As she was recovering from the injury I watched her work so hard to get back to the sport she loves and how much stronger she was becoming. As a Physical Therapist, I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. When athletes are sidelined it can take away a part of who they are or where they feel they belong and bring on or exacerbate poor mental health. I want to be able to give them the encouragement and the belief that they still belong on the court or field and can get back to that piece of who they are. Through being a Physical Therapist I can help pull them out of a place of despair and help them to grow stronger physically and mentally. Through my experience, I hope that I can help others. No one should be ashamed of their mental health struggles and the more we can talk about it the more individuals will get the help they need. I hope that my story, my journey, and my ability to talk about my darkest days help someone through their tough days.

Depression and anxiety tried to take me away from the people and things I love, but I conquered them. This is my story. I have always been someone that lightens the mood or makes everyone laugh, but I was crumbling on the inside. I started to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID shut everything down and then it became much worse. During that time I also lost a former teammate in a horrific car accident and another classmate to suicide. I did not know that it was possible to feel that empty on the inside and I began to distance myself from my family and friends. There were countless evenings that I would not come out of my room to interact with my family or friends. I felt so alone and began to believe that no one cared about me or what I was going through. Dark thoughts began to enter my mind and I could only hear voices saying terrible things to me. The voices grew louder and the thoughts of hurting myself were growing more intense. I did not realize at the time how much this was also hurting my family as they watched me become a shell of who I was. No longer was I that fun-loving, funny, and energetic girl that they knew. This went on for about a year before I went to my parents and told them it was time for me to talk to a counselor about the thoughts I was having. After my first session, I knew I was in the right place, and continued to see her weekly. I then decided that I might want to try some medication in addition to counseling. Slowly I began to feel more like myself. I also began to realize that everyone I cared about never left my side because when I was ready they were all there for me. They all wanted me back as badly as I wanted out of the darkness. While working through this the bond between my family and I grew stronger. My faith in the Lord also grew deeper. God and family are everything to me and this just reinforced how much I need them. Mental illness is an ongoing battle that I deal with daily, but it has gotten easier for me to manage. I have learned to take advantage of the things offered to me to help me with my struggles. My mom helped me to get a 504 to help with my anxiety when I am at school. I continue to take my medication and see my counselor when needed. While going through my darkest days many of my friends did not understand why I was behaving the way I was. This got me thinking about all of the people who suffer from mental illness and how different it looks from one individual to another. I began to speak out about my mental illness in hopes that it would make others feel comfortable to talk about what they are going through and to let them know that they are not alone. I know how hard it can get and I do not want anyone to feel alone when they are going through their darkest times. Through my experience, I hope that I can help others. No one should be ashamed of their mental health struggles and the more we can talk about it the more individuals will get the help they need. I hope that my story, my journey, and my ability to talk about my darkest days help someone through their tough days.

I plan on pursuing a degree in Health Sciences and continuing to be a Physical Therapist. This is the perfect career for me for several reasons. Sports have always been a huge part of my life and have taught me so many valuable lessons. Sports have taught me how to be a good teammate, leadership skills, teamwork, how to give and receive constructive criticism, and so many other great skills. Throughout my years of playing sports, it is always heartbreaking to watch an athlete or teammate go down with an injury. Two seasons ago my best friend and teammate tore her ACL. As she was recovering from the injury I watched her work so hard to get back to the sport she loves and how much stronger she was becoming. As a Physical Therapist, I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. When athletes are sidelined it can take away a part of who they are or where they feel they belong. I want to be able to give them the encouragement and the belief that they still belong on the court or field and can get back to that piece of who they are. I do hope to make a positive impact as a woman in the healthcare field. My plan is to be a successful Physical Therapist that can help those in need and positively impact their lives. I know that many individuals may find this to be trivial with everything going on in our world, but to these athletes, this is their world. This is a way that they identify who they are. They have spent hours in the gym, training and becoming the best athlete they can be for their team. An injury that sidelines this athlete is devastating. I want to bring the knowledge, drive and hope that they can get back on the court or the field and once again be that athlete. I know there are many different types of jobs a Physical Therapist can have, but my passion is with athletes. I believe that I can make a positive impact my chosen career. Becoming a Physical Therapist makes small changes in individuals' lives that then impact others and the greater community. When someone loses a piece of who they are or their mobility, even if for just a short time, it can lead to depression and less involvement within their community. As a Physical Therapist, I can help restore their belief that they can get back to being that athlete or back to moving around independently. This gives the individual hope and determination and keeps them from falling into a place of despair. If I can help these individuals believe in a positive outcome it helps them to stay involved in their community and contribute positively. Helping individuals keep a positive mindset and get stronger so that they can get back to what they love, ultimately positively impacts everyone around them.

Driving down the rolling road surrounded by beautiful colored trees. Surrounded by rich auburn, orange and yellow leaves with the crisp smell of fall in the air. Nothing better than a pumpkin spiced latte goes with this scenery. Not only does this drink remind me of such a beautiful time of year but it reminds me of my mama. Fall is one of my mom's favorite seasons not only because of the beauty you find in nature but also because it is pumpkin spice season. This drink reminds me of my mom and the time we spend together. Walking trails with our drinks or just sitting at the Starbucks and sharing stories from our week. These are the memories that I am flooded with when I think about my favorite drink from Starbucks. For this reason alone the pumpkin spiced latte holds a special place in my heart. This drink has become a character in my fall narrative because when I think of fall I think of pumpkin spiced everything. A pumpkin spiced latte can be enjoyed at any time of day. It could be in the morning or afternoon while meeting friends for brunch or taking a morning hike. A pumpkin spiced latte can be enjoyed in the evening while sitting by a camp fire roasting marshmallows. In any of these settings the Starbuck’s pumpkin spice latte is definitely a main character that brings happiness to some and brings everyone together. The pumpkin spiced latte becomes the character that represents fall in my narrative. It represents togetherness, family, friends, and the outdoors. All of the good memories I have and who I like to spend my time with are represented in this narrative. The Starbuck’s pumpkin spice latte brings the story together and is the unifying factor within my story. The warm creamy taste, along with the pumpkin spice smell that emulates fall takes me back to the great memories I have in my narrative, while also providing the excitement of what this next chapter will bring. It represents the past, present and future all in one sip. The warmth it wraps me in just like the arms of my loved ones brings me the comfort I need to get through my day. For all of the reasons above the pumpkin spiced latte will always have a special place in my heart and be an important character in my narrative. It represents so many wonderful things in my life, and the feelings it produces in me are unexplainable. It brings me happiness and comfort, like wrapping me in a warm hug from those I love. The pumpkin spiced latte holds a special place in my heart and narrative.

There are many different types of disabilities that can affect individuals within the course of their life. Personally I suffer from a disability. It is not visible to most, but it is something I struggle with every day. I feel like I am in battle every day and work so hard to be successful within my academics and everyday life. Although my disability is not visible to others many suffer from a physical disability for the entire world to see. I am currently a Health Science major with the dream of continuing on to Physical Therapy school. By becoming a Physical Therapist I can help all types of individuals to become stronger and reach their individual goals. To be able to help those with mobility issues become more mobile and/or flexible, so they can find comfort in their life is something that I would love to be a part of. As a Physical Therapist not only would their physical wellbeing be important to me but so would their mental wellbeing. Helping individuals to achieve their goals and helping with a positive mind set is something I find very important when working with those with disabilities.

I plan on pursuing a degree in Health Sciences and continuing to be a Physical Therapist. This is the perfect career for me for several reasons. Sports have always been a huge part of my life and have taught me so many valuable lessons. Sports have taught me how to be a good teammate, leadership skills, teamwork, how to give and receive constructive criticism, and so many other great skills. Throughout my years of playing sports, it is always heartbreaking when one believes they have an injury or watches a teammate go down with an injury. As a Physical Therapist, I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. When athletes are sidelined it can take away a part of who they are or where they feel they belong. I want to be able to give them the encouragement and the belief that they still belong on the court or field and can get back to that piece of who they are. I know that many individuals may find this to be trivial with everything going on in our world, but to these athletes, this is their world. This is a way that they identify who they are. They have spent hours in the gym, training and becoming the best athlete they can be for their team. An injury that sidelines this athlete is devastating. I want to bring the knowledge, drive and hope that they can get back on the court or the field and once again be that athlete. I know there are many different types of jobs a Physical Therapist can have, but my passion is with athletes. I believe that I can make a positive impact in my chosen career. Becoming a Physical Therapist makes small changes in individuals' lives that then impact others and the greater community. When someone loses a piece of who they are or their mobility, even if for just a short time, it can lead to depression and less involvement within their community. As a Physical Therapist, I can help restore their belief that they can get back to being that athlete or back to moving around independently. This gives the individual hope and determination and keeps them from falling into a place of despair. If I can help these individuals believe in a positive outcome it helps them to stay involved in their community and contribute positively. Helping individuals keep a positive mindset and get stronger so that they can get back to what they love, ultimately positively impacts everyone around them. My drive to succeed will help me achieve my professional passion. As an athlete and student I have always pushed myself to do the best that I can do and I am not afraid of hard work. With my drive and any scholarship money I can earn, I will be unstoppable in achieving my professional passion.

The sport of volleyball has taught me many important lessons in life. Through volleyball I have learned leadership skills, how to work with other people and advocate for myself, what it means to work hard for something, and to be thankful for those who support me. I began playing this amazing sport when I was eight and immediately fell in love with it, but I could have never imagined where volleyball would take me. I began playing competitive club volleyball when I was ten. Throughout the years I missed a lot of “kid” things, such as skate nights and sleepovers but that never bothered me. I got to meet people from all over and travel to different states playing the game I loved. Nothing seemed better than that. I did work hard though. Several practices a week, private lessons, camps, clinics and physical training. I did these things to be the best player/athlete I could be. All of the sacrifice and hard work paid off for me. As a high school student, I played Varsity Volleyball all four years. Winning All-District, All-Conference and Academic All-State awards all four years. Finishing 4th at State my freshman year and winning State my senior year. My leadership on the court spilled over into the classroom and I was recognized by my teachers and awarded the Windsor Way Award for exemplifying: Respect, Integrity, Leadership, Kindness, Responsibility, and Cooperation. In the spring of my freshman year in high school, COVID shut everything down. I started to struggle with anxiety and depression. Throughout COVID I continued to train at home so I would be ready to get back onto the court. I feel unstoppable on the court and it has become my second home. Volleyball has given me a place to get away and a way to strengthen my mental health. Not only has volleyball helped me to become a leader, but it has taught me about the rewards of hard work. It takes hard work to be successful in life. The hours of work I put into volleyball I also put into the classroom. I have earned honor roll every semester and in my senior year received AVCA Academic 1st Team for my academic accomplishments. Volleyball taught me how to be a better teammate and person. Volleyball is not an individual sport. To be successful you have to be able to work as a team and trust one another. Without the trust of my teammates, I would not be as successful as I am as a Libero/DS. Being loyal and trustworthy are two important components of building relationships with those around you. My goal was always to be able to play volleyball in college. I am excited that my dream has come true and I am now a Collegiate Athlete. Due to my hard work, determination, coachability and leadership, I am now getting the opportunity to play the sport that has taught me so much at the collegiate level. Everything I have learned playing volleyball will help me to find success in my college career. You have to work hard for success, take initiative and be willing to grow and learn. Persevering through the difficult times and celebrating the rewards of hard work with those who have supported you. I am determined to become a Physical Therapist and the lessons I have learned through playing volleyball will help me reach my goal. I know what it means to never give up and to work hard for what you want. Through utilizing all of these skills I know I will find success in my college career.

@gracelowery_1

Depression and anxiety tried to take me away from the people and things I love, but I conquered them. This is my story. I have always been someone who lightens the mood or makes everyone laugh, but I was crumbling on the inside. I started to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID shut everything down and then it became much worse. During that time I also lost a former teammate in a horrific car accident and another classmate to suicide. I did not know that it was possible to feel that empty on the inside and I began to distance myself from my family and friends. I shut everyone out. There were countless evenings that I would not come out of my room to interact with my family or friends. I felt so alone and began to believe that no one cared about me or what I was going through. Dark thoughts began to enter my mind and I could only hear voices saying terrible things to me and about me. The voices grew louder and louder and the thoughts of hurting myself were growing more intense. My mom and dad grew very concerned about me and talked to me on several occasions about going and talking to someone and/or seeing about getting on some medication. At that time I was not ready to seek out help and denied that it was as bad as it was. I did not realize at the time how much this was also hurting my family as they watched me become a shell of who I was. No longer was I that fun-loving, funny, and energetic girl that they knew. This went on for about a year before I went to my parents and told them it was time for me to talk to a counselor about the thoughts I was having. I remember feeling so anxious and trying to figure out what I was going to say to the counselor. After my first session, I knew I was in the right place, and continued to see her weekly. I then decided that I might want to try some medication in addition to counseling. We worked with my doctor and found the right dose of medication for me. Slowly I began to feel more like myself. I also began to realize that everyone I cared about never left my side because when I was ready they were all there for me. They all wanted me back as badly as I wanted out of the darkness. While working through this the bond between my family and I grew stronger. My faith in the Lord also grew deeper. God and family are everything to me and this just reinforced how much I need them. I plan on pursuing a degree in Kinesiology and continuing to be a Physical Therapist. Sports have always been a huge part of my life. During this difficult time in my life, it became very clear to me how much the sport of volleyball also meant to me. Outside of my family, I credit volleyball for saving my life. It is an outlet for me, a place I can go and play the game I love and get away from everything else. I also realized what losing this sport would do to me and have seen firsthand how injuries and not being able to play the sport you love can feed one's negative mental health. Two seasons ago my teammate went up to hit a ball in our volleyball game and when she landed she went straight to the floor. I just remember running over to her and trying to calm her down, while my heart hurt for her because I knew it was a bad injury. As she was recovering from the injury I watched her work so hard to get back to the sport she loves and how much stronger she was becoming. As a Physical Therapist, I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. When athletes are sidelined it can take away a part of who they are or where they feel they belong and bring on or exacerbate poor mental health. I want to be able to give them the encouragement and the belief that they still belong on the court or field and can get back to that piece of who they are. Through being a Physical Therapist I can help pull them out of a place of despair and help them to grow stronger physically and mentally. Mental illness is an ongoing battle that I deal with daily, but it has gotten easier for me to manage. I have learned to take advantage of the things offered to me to help me with my struggles. My mom helped me to get a 504 to help with my anxiety when at school. I continue to take my medication and see my counselor when needed. While going through my darkest days many of my friends did not understand why I was behaving the way I was. This got me thinking about all of the people who suffer from mental illness and how different it looks from one individual to another. I began to speak out about my mental illness in hopes that it would make others feel comfortable to talk about what they are going through and to let them know that they are not alone. I know how hard it can get and I do not want anyone to feel alone when they are going through their darkest times. Through my experience, I hope that I can help others. No one should be ashamed of their mental health struggles and the more we can talk about it the more individuals will get the help they need. I hope that my story, my journey, and my ability to talk about my darkest days help someone through their tough days.

I started to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID shut everything down and then it became much worse. During that time I lost a former teammate in a horrific car accident and another classmate to suicide. I did not know that it was possible to feel that empty on the inside and I began to distance myself from my family and friends. I felt so alone and began to believe that no one cared about me or what I was going through. My parents grew very concerned about me and talked to me about going and talking to someone and/or seeing about getting on some medication. At that time I was not ready to seek out help. I did not realize how much this was also hurting my family as they watched me become a shell of who I was. This went on for about a year before I admitted it was time for me to talk to a counselor. After my first session, I knew I was in the right place, and continued to see her weekly. It was a very positive experience for me. I then decided that I wanted to try medication in addition to counseling. Slowly I began to feel more like myself. I also began to realize that everyone I cared about never left my side. They all wanted me back as badly as I wanted out of the darkness. While working through this the bond between my family and I grew stronger. My faith in the Lord also grew deeper. God and family are everything to me and this just reinforced how much I need them. I am pursuing a degree in Kinesiology and continuing to be a Physical Therapist. During this difficult time in my life, it became clear how much the sport of volleyball meant to me. Outside of God and my family, I credit volleyball for saving my life. I realized what losing this sport would do to me and have seen firsthand how injuries and not being able to play the sport you love can feed one's negative mental health. I watched a friend and teammate recover from ACL surgery. She worked so hard to get back to the sport she loved. As a Physical Therapist, I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. When athletes are sidelined it can take away a part of who they are and bring on or exacerbate poor mental health. Through being a Physical Therapist I can help them to grow stronger physically and mentally. Mental illness is an ongoing battle that I deal with daily, but it has gotten easier for me to manage. I have learned to take advantage of the things offered to me to help me with my struggles. I continue to take my medication and see my counselor when needed. While going through my darkest days many of my friends did not understand why I was behaving the way I was. I began to speak out about my mental illness to let others know that they are not alone. I know how hard it can get and I do not want anyone to feel alone when they are going through their darkest times. No one should be ashamed of their mental health struggles and the more we can talk about it the more individuals will get the help they need. I hope that my story, my journey, and my ability to talk about my darkest days help someone through their tough days.

From the time I was a young child, my mother would tell me every single day to be a “leader, not a follower”. This has stuck with me throughout elementary, middle, high school, and now college. Although it is not always easy to be a leader it is a very important role in one’s community, club, group and team. Without effective leadership, progress can stall and one often falls short on the road to success. Leadership is a role that I have taken on in many different instances throughout my life, whether it be in the classroom, on the court or within my group of friends. Great leadership allows others to excel and become the best version of themselves, but being a great leader is not always easy. There have been instances in my life that being a leader has cost me friendships due to my set of morals, the fact that I hold others accountable, or jealousy because of the success being a leader has afforded me. Great leadership from within cannot be faked and it helps to build others up and not tear them down. It allows others to shine their light but at the same time holds them accountable for not doing their part. To be a great leader does not mean that you are in charge or the boss, but it means you can lead others to their greatest potential. You are helping others to shine. When you are led by a great leader you find success within your endeavor. I have led in the classroom by belonging to Leadership, STUCO and NHS. I have taken on roles that require taking initiative and supporting others in these groups. The volleyball court has been my second home and as a Libero/DS, I have taken on the leadership role on the court, constantly talking, directing and cheering on my teammates whether I am on the court or the bench. Within my friend groups, I have made decisions to be dedicated to my schoolwork and sports, not doing things that can jeopardize my future. This has been the most difficult area to lead because people do not want to feel like you are judging them and you don’t want to miss out because they stop inviting you. Despite the difficulties of being a great leader, the rewards outweigh the struggles. Great leadership is important in every aspect of life. Without great leadership we cannot grow as a nation, country, group, club, team, etc. Great leadership pushes us to be our best and contribute our best for the common good and success of the whole. Great leadership causes progress and growth to occur. Behind every success, there is a great leader who inspires others to be and do their best.

Mental health is important because it impacts every area of your life. Poor mental health can impact your physical health and your social interactions. I started to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID shut everything down and then it became much worse. I did not know that it was possible to feel this empty on the inside and I began to distance myself from my family and friends. I shut everyone out. There were countless evenings that I would not come out of my room to interact with my family or friends. I felt so alone and began to believe that no one cared about me or what I was going through. Dark thoughts began to enter my mind and I could only hear voices saying absolutely terrible things to me and about me. The voices grew louder and louder and the thoughts of hurting myself were growing more intense. My mom and dad grew very concerned about me and talked to me on several occasions about going and talking to someone and/or seeing about getting on some medication. At that time I was not ready to seek out help and denied that it was as bad as it was. This went on for about a year before I went to my parents and told them it was time for me to talk to a counselor about the thoughts I was having. I remember feeling so anxious and trying to figure out what I was going to say to the counselor. After my first session, I knew I was in the right place, and continued to see her weekly. I then decided that I might want to try some medication in addition to the counseling. We worked with my doctor and found the right dose of medication for me. Slowly I began to feel more like myself. I also began to realize that everyone I cared about never left my side because when I was ready they were all there for me. They all wanted me back as badly as I wanted out of the darkness. I currently see a therapist to help with my mental health and I regularly work out with a personal trainer for my physical health. As I continue into college it will be important for me to take advantage of the services that are offered to me. As far as physical health I will be on a regular exercise and strength and conditioning plan, but it will be important that I give my body enough rest and sleep to prevent injury. I will need to continue to work with counselors in college to help maintain my mental health and help with my anxiety, so I can perform at my best in the classroom and on the court. Communication with my coaches, trainers and professors will be imperative or my success and to maintain a healthy mind and body. Throughout my highs and lows, God and family have been a constant for me. God has a plan for me and as long as I trust in Him I know I will maintain a healthy soul. I cannot conquer the tasks ahead of me without a partnership with God, I cannot do it on my own. My faith in the Lord has drug me out of some lows and has helped me get this far. As long as I trust in the Lord, reach out to those who care about me, and advocate for myself I believe I will maintain a healthy body, mind and soul amidst any challenges I face.

I am so excited to go away to school and in a sense start fresh. I do not know anyone I am going to college with, so that is very exciting and scary at the same time. Although I do not yet know anyone I have been recruited to play volleyball, so I will have an instant family among my volleyball teammates which is comforting. It has been my dream to go away to college and play volleyball collegiately. I have reached both of these goals and cannot wait for the experience. I have heard over and over again that being a college athlete is not easy, but that it is so fun and rewarding. There are a lot of demands placed on you because you are there to receive an education and get a degree, but you are also there to play a sport and help achieve a successful season record. Grades are important to keep your scholarships and continue to play your sport, so I know there will be a lot of pressure on me. I must find a balance and make sure I take care of myself so I can find success. I currently see a therapist to help with my mental health and I regularly work out with a personal trainer for my physical health. As I continue into college it will be important for me to take advantage of the services that are offered to me. As far as physical health I will be on a regular exercise and strength and conditioning plan, but it will be important that I give my body enough rest and sleep to prevent injury. I will need to continue to work with counselors in college to help maintain my mental health and help with my anxiety, so I can perform at my best in the classroom and on the court. Communication with my coaches, trainers and professors will be imperative for my success and to maintain a healthy mind and body. Throughout my highs and lows, God and family have been a constant for me. God has a plan for me and as long as I trust in Him I know I will maintain a healthy soul. I cannot conquer the tasks ahead of me without a partnership with God, I cannot do it on my own. My faith in the Lord has drug me out of some lows and has helped me get this far. As long as I trust in the Lord, reach out to those who care about me, and advocate for myself I believe I will maintain a healthy body, mind and soul amidst any challenges I face.

Exercise, eat healthy, and get a good night's sleep… these are three things that I have consistently heard in my life when people have talked with me about a healthy lifestyle. All things as a teenager you take for granted. I have always been in shape and felt I was healthy because I played multiple sports at a high level. When COVID hit I realized just how much those sports meant to me and my health. During that time I had to figure out other ways to keep myself in good physical and mental shape. This is when I realized how much the mental aspect was part of a healthy lifestyle. I began to struggle with my mental health and this affected my overall healthy lifestyle. I simply did not want to do anything. With the help of God and my family, I realized that this was not who I was or who I wanted to be. I began to train/exercise on my own because this helped me be in a better mental state as well. After the Pandemic restrictions were lifted I felt I came back to my sports in great physical shape, except for some hip pain I was having and still battling some mental blocks. I was informed that a doctor believed I had a small tear in the labrum of the hip and suggested I had surgery. This was not an option for me because I was determined to play volleyball in college and this would cut into my recruiting that was already tough enough because of COVID. After much research and talking to different professionals, it was decided I would strengthen my muscles around and forgo surgery. This was the best decision because I gained so much strength and was moving better than I had in a long time. I continued with personal training to build muscle and gain speed in my footwork. I began to work on my mental health as well, but was still struggling with this peace of my healthy lifestyle. Physically I was in the best shape I had been. My mental health began to take more of a toll on me and I slowly began to creep into some bad eating and exercise habits. I began to see weight gain, even though I was remaining active in volleyball. I saw the weight gain and my clothes were fitting tighter. I was upset but still couldn’t seem to make the changes I needed to. After getting recruited to play volleyball in college I knew I had to make some real changes. Although the weight hasn’t moved as much as I would like I am stronger, mentally and physically. I returned to personal training and watched what I am putting into my body. I have also become more active in my mental health and understanding how to help myself. My future coach has sent several workout plans and I am using those to help me prepare for my collegiate career and to become healthier and more fit in general. I know that in the next few months, my lifestyle will make another positive healthy change in the right direction as I train at the collegiate volleyball level. Not only is my physical health but my mental health is progressing positively. I feel I have come so far, but I am excited to see how much further I can push myself to grow within a healthy lifestyle.

“Grace are you okay?” This is a question I have been asked too many times to count in my life. Am I okay? Well, that depends on the day, the season, and what is happening in my life at that moment. That question is filled with so many varying factors for me. There are days I do not want to get out of bed and honestly, there have been days I just wish things would end. Then there are days I am up with the sun and am so grateful for everything I have. Living with a chronic illness is full of ups and downs, good days and bad days. Battling through my illness has taught me what is important and brought me closer to my loved ones. It has also helped me realize who my true friends are and what it means to get up and fight for what I want. At this point the only one who can put limits on me is myself and on most days I have figured out how to overcome any self-defeating thoughts or beliefs. Throughout this battle, I have learned that my belief and God, the love from my family, and believing in myself can help to excel despite my limitations. I have always had big dreams and goals for myself before my chronic illness came into play. This has been a setback for me but nothing that I cannot overcome. The drive I once had slowly returned and I realized that I can excel and that I have a large support system that is there to pick me up and encourage me. I also believe that God truly has a plan for me and that I was not placed on this earth to not excel. Through prayer and family, I began to realize that I am so much more than my illness and that I am capable of whatever I put my mind to. I am determined to reach my goals and the dreams I had before being diagnosed with my illness. I am inspired to show others that they can overcome their illness to achieve their dreams and goals despite their limitations. I need to talk about my illness to show others that they should not feel ashamed of their limitations and that they are not alone. I know it sounds cliché but if I can help even one other person feel more comfortable in their skin and inspired to overcome their illness then I feel like I have impacted the world and empowered others. Talking about my illness and not being ashamed is a way I feel called to help others.

I plan on pursuing a degree in Kinesiology and continuing to be a Physical Therapist. Sports have always been a huge part of my life and have taught me so many valuable lessons. Sports have taught me how to be a good teammate, leadership skills, teamwork, how to give and receive constructive criticism, and so many other great skills. Throughout my years of playing sports, it is always heartbreaking when one believes they have an injury or watches a teammate go down with an injury. Two seasons ago my best friend and teammate went up to hit a ball in our volleyball game and when she landed she went straight to the floor. I just remember running over to her and trying to calm her down, while my heart hurt for her because I knew it was a bad injury. As she was recovering from the injury I watched her work so hard to get back to the sport she loves and how much stronger she was becoming. As a Physical Therapist, I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. When athletes are sidelined it can take away a part of who they are or where they feel they belong. I want to be able to give them the encouragement and the belief that they still belong on the court or field and can get back to that piece of who they are. I know that many individuals may find this to be trivial with everything going on in our world, but to these athletes, this is their world. This is a way that they identify who they are. Does the sport define them or who they are? No, but they have spent hours in the gym, training and becoming the best athlete they can be for their team. An injury that sidelines this athlete is devastating. I want to bring the knowledge, drive and hope that they can get back on the court or the field and once again be that athlete. I know there are many different types of jobs a Physical Therapist can have, but my passion is with athletes. I believe that I can make a positive impact on the world through my chosen career. Many may be confused by this because I am not going into some type of environmental, life-saving, or economic field. Those fields have a definite impact on our world, but so does my career path. Becoming a Physical Therapist makes small changes in individuals' lives that then impact others and the greater community. When someone loses a piece of who they are or their mobility, even if for just a short time, it can lead to depression and less involvement within their community. As a Physical Therapist, I can help restore their belief that they can get back to being that athlete or back to moving around independently. This gives the individual hope and determination and keeps them from falling into a place of despair. If I can help these individuals believe in a positive outcome it helps them to stay involved in their community and contribute positively. This continued involvement makes their community a better place and in turn, can have a positive impact on those around the individual or community. It creates a ripple effect, positively impacting individuals outside of our community. Helping individuals keep a positive mindset and get stronger so that they can get back to what they love, ultimately positively impacts everyone around them.

My name is Grace Lowery. My parents have been married for 19 years and I have a younger sister, Hailey. God and family are the most important things to me. I am a firm believer that with God all things are possible and that He has a plan for me, so I need to trust in His timing. This belief and the support of my family are what get me through the good and bad times in life. I do think that my deep relationship with the Lord and my family tends to set me apart from many of my friends and peers. Many do not understand my strong belief system and set of morals that I live my life by, but that does not make me waiver because I have goals that I want to achieve This scholarship will help me to be able to achieve my long-term goals and career aspirations. My journey to becoming a Physical Therapist will not be easy. It will require hard work, dedication, determination, and financial obstacles. Unfortunately, the amount of money I can be awarded through FAFSA looks at my parent's finances, but they are not able to help me pay for college. I know they wish they could help me, but they have scraped by and sacrificed for many years while still trying to pay off my mom's student loans. To help finance college I am applying to as many of these types of scholarships as I can in hopes that I will be awarded a few of them. With these scholarships, I will be able to pursue my dream of becoming a Physical Therapist. School is so expensive unless you score extremely high on your ACT. I have a 3.93 GPA out of 4.0 and take several honors and dual credit courses yet I am only receiving around $4000 a year from schools that cost from $25,000 - $30,000 a year because I only scored a 20 on my ACT. If I am in so much debt from undergraduate school it will make it difficult for me to attend graduate school. I am a hard worker and I promise that this scholarship money will not go to waste. It will help me to achieve my dreams. I have experienced both physical and emotional weakness in my life. I began to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID shut everything down and then it became much worse. During that time I also lost a former teammate in a horrific car accident and another classmate to suicide. It was a dark time for me and even after COVID restrictions were lifted I struggled to come out of the darkness. There were times I didn’t want to be alive anymore and I just felt worthless. My belief and trust in God helped me to get through this dark time, as did my family and the game of volleyball. My parents did take me to see a counselor and I was put on medication, but being able to play volleyball was my ultimate lifesaver. Every time I felt like I no longer wanted to be alive I would turn to God and then to the sport I love to play and my mind would get to a much healthier place. Sports have always been a positive outlet for me. Athletics have given me an outlet, a place to get away, and a way to turn around my mental health. It would not have been possible to overcome this situation without God, my family and my athletics.

My name is Grace Lowery. My parents have been married for 19 years and I have a younger sister, Hailey. God and family are the most important things to me. I am a firm believer that with God all things are possible and that He has a plan for me. This belief and the support of my family are what get me through the good and bad times in life. Many do not understand my strong belief system and set of morals that I live my life by, but that does not make me waiver because I have goals that I want to achieve. My parents have always taught me that there is no other way to reach goals other than through hard work. Through hard work, I have been able to achieve a 3.93 out of a 4.0 GPA while taking honors and dual credit courses. I have also excelled in the sport I love, volleyball. My parents have taught me that nothing will be given to me and that I have to work hard for what I want in life. The skills that my parents have taught me have helped me to be successful and will continue to help me find success throughout my life. Sports are also a big part of my and my family’s life. I started playing sports when I was in first grade. I tried every sport I could but stuck with volleyball and basketball and I play golf for fun. Volleyball became my passion and I started playing Club volleyball when I was 8 years old. My sister and I both play on competitive club volleyball teams so my family spends a lot of time in the gym. Sports have taught me so much about leadership, teamwork, determination and hard work. Nothing is given to you and you have to work hard to earn what you want. As long as I continue to excel academically I know that I can achieve my dream of becoming a Physical Therapist. Sports have always been a huge part of my life and have taught me so many valuable lessons. As a Physical Therapist, I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help young athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. When young athletes are sidelined it can take away a part of who they are or where they feel they belong. I want to be able to give them the encouragement and the belief that they still belong there and can get back to that piece of who they are. Paying for college is a challenge that I will have to overcome. Earning scholarship money will be extremely helpful in reaching my goals. I have very good grades and I participate in several extracurricular activities, unfortunately, the need for tuition assistance is determined by my parent’s income and not my accomplishments. The FAFSA determines how much my family can pay, but this is just not accurate. My parents are not able to pay for my college and I cannot afford what they determine to be the family contribution. Whatever I am not able to get covered by scholarships like this I will have to try and finance myself. I have goals for myself and I am hopeful that the cost of my education does not keep me from reaching these goals. I am not a quitter and I am willing to apply to as many scholarships as it takes in order for me to reach my goals.

As I am sitting here thinking about who my biggest role model is I realize that I keep overlooking one of the most important people in my life, my mother. Katy Lowery is my mother and she is one of the most influential people in my life, but I often overlook or take advantage of her importance in my life. As I think about her I realize that my mom is a superhero. She is the glue that holds my family together. She works for the local public school district and works with kids all day, but always has energy for us when she gets home. My mom will come home from a long day of work to make us dinner and then take my sister and me to our sports practice or other events. She does it without complaining and is always our biggest cheerleader. I honestly do not know how she does it all but she does. She wants the best for my sister and me, and she will do whatever she can to support us. My mom knows how to be a light in someone’s darkness and knows how to walk away from something she does not want to be involved in. My mom is a true woman of God and tries to lead my sister and me by God’s word and love. Her love of the Lord has inspired me to dig deeper into my relationship with God and live by His will. It is hard to put into words how much I love and respect my mom. She gave me life and would do anything to protect me. My mom has given me the tools to go off to college and spread my wings. As hard as it is to go away to school I know I will be successful because of the foundation she has provided for me. My mom is always trying to equip me for the world and provides for me the best she can. Every single day she worries about me and if she has been a good mom and given me what I need. I am here to say that my mom is and has been an amazing mother. She leads me and wants me to have the best life. She makes sure of it through her love and guidance. My mom has told me on several occasions that she learns a lot from me and my faith, but in reality, I have been watching her my entire life, learning from everything she does and how she lives her life. I would be lost without my mother. She is my whole heart. My mom is my biggest fan and the best role model I could have. Growing up watching how she handles her life and situations that arise has been such a blessing in life. She has taught me about the type of woman I want to be. I inspire to be like my mother, Katy Lowery.

My name is Grace Lowery. My parents have been married for 19 years and I have a younger sister, Hailey. God and family are the most important things to me. I am a firm believer that with God all things are possible and that He has a plan for me. This belief and the support of my family are what get me through the good and bad times in life. Many do not understand my strong belief system and set of morals that I live my life by, but that does not make me waiver because I have goals that I want to achieve. My parents have always taught me that there is no other way to reach goals other than through hard work. Through hard work, I have been able to achieve a 3.93 out of a 4.0 GPA while taking honors and dual credit courses. I have also excelled in the sport I love, volleyball and will be playing in college. My parents have taught me that nothing will be given to me and that I have to work hard for what I want in life. The skills that my parents have taught me have helped me to be successful and will continue to help me find success throughout my life. Sports are also a big part of my and my family’s life. I started playing sports when I was in first grade. I tried every sport I could but stuck with volleyball and basketball and I play golf for fun. Volleyball became my passion and I started playing Club volleyball when I was 8 years old. My sister and I both play on competitive club volleyball teams so my family spends a lot of time in the gym. Sports have taught me so much about leadership, teamwork, determination and hard work. Nothing is given to you and you have to work hard to earn what you want. As long as I continue to excel academically I know that I can achieve my dream of becoming a Physical Therapist. Sports have always been a huge part of my life and have taught me so many valuable lessons. As a Physical Therapist, I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help young athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. When young athletes are sidelined it can take away a part of who they are or where they feel they belong. I want to be able to give them the encouragement and the belief that they still belong there and can get back to that piece of who they are. Paying for college is a challenge that I will have to overcome. Earning scholarship money will be extremely helpful in reaching my goals. I have very good grades and I participate in several extracurricular activities, unfortunately, the need for tuition assistance is determined by my parent’s income and not my accomplishments. The FAFSA determines how much my family can pay, but this is just not accurate. My parents are not able to pay for my college and I cannot afford what they determine to be the family contribution. Whatever I am not able to get covered by scholarships like this I will have to try and finance myself. I have goals for myself and I am hopeful that the cost of my education does not keep me from reaching these goals and attending graduate school. I am not a quitter and I am willing to apply to as many scholarships as it takes for me to reach my goals. Heavy Metal music can take you away from all of your worries. I can get in my car, turn up my radio and release all of my stress head banging as I drive. It transports me to a place of release. Heavy Metal music allows me to be free and reset. There is nothing like a good jam session to reset your mood and outlook on what is to come.

Depression and anxiety tried to take me away from the people and things I love, but I conquered them. This is my story. I have always been someone that lightens the mood, but I was crumbling on the inside. I started to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID and then it became much worse. During that time I lost a former teammate in a horrific car accident and another classmate to suicide. I did not know that it was possible to feel that empty on the inside and I began to distance myself from my family and friends. I shut everyone out. I felt so alone and began to believe that no one cared about me or what I was going through. Dark thoughts began to enter my mind and I heard voices saying terrible things to and about me. The voices grew louder and the thoughts of hurting myself were growing more intense. My parents grew very concerned about me and talked to me about talking to someone and/or seeing about getting on some medication. At that time I was not ready to seek out help and denied that it was as bad as it was. I did not realize at the time how much this was also hurting my family as they watched me become a shell of who I was. This went on for about a year before I decided it was time for me to talk to a counselor. I remember feeling so anxious and trying to figure out what I was going to say to the counselor. After my first session, I knew I was in the right place. I then decided to try some medication in addition to counseling. Slowly I began to feel more like myself. I also began to realize that everyone I cared about never left my side because when I was ready they were all there for me. They all wanted me back as badly as I wanted out of the darkness. While working through this the bond between my family and I grew stronger. My faith in the Lord also grew deeper. God and family are everything to me and this just reinforced how much I need them. Mental illness is an ongoing battle that I deal with daily, but it has gotten easier for me to manage. I have learned to take advantage of the things offered to me to help me with my struggles. I have a 504 to help with my anxiety when I am at school. I continue to take my medication and see my counselor when needed. While going through my darkest days many of my friends did not understand why I was behaving the way I was. This got me thinking about all of the people who suffer from mental illness and how different it looks from one individual to another. I began to speak out about my mental illness in hopes that it would make others feel comfortable to talk about what they are going through and to let them know that they are not alone. I know how hard it can get and I do not want anyone to feel alone when they are going through their darkest times. Through my experience, I hope that I can help others. No one should be ashamed of their mental health struggles and the more we can talk about it the more individuals will get the help they need. I hope that my story, my journey, and my ability to talk about my darkest days help someone through their tough days.

Depression and anxiety tried to take me away from the people and things I love, but I conquered them. This is my story. I have always been someone that lightens the mood or makes everyone laugh, but I was crumbling on the inside. I started to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID shut everything down and then it became much worse. During that time I also lost a former teammate in a horrific car accident and another classmate to suicide. I did not know that it was possible to feel that empty on the inside and I began to distance myself from my family and friends. I shut everyone out. There were countless evenings that I would not come out of my room. I felt so alone and began to believe that no one cared about me or what I was going through. Dark thoughts began to enter my mind and I could only hear voices saying terrible things to me and about me. The voices grew louder and louder and the thoughts of hurting myself were growing more intense. My mom and dad grew very concerned about me and talked to me on several occasions about going and talking to someone and/or seeing about getting on some medication. At that time I was not ready to seek out help and denied that it was as bad as it was. I did not realize at the time how much this was also hurting my family as they watched me become a shell of who I was. No longer was I that fun-loving, funny, and energetic girl that they knew. This went on for about a year before I went to my parents and told them it was time for me to talk to a counselor about the thoughts I was having. I remember feeling so anxious and trying to figure out what I was going to say to the counselor. After my first session, I knew I was in the right place, and continued to see her weekly. I then decided that I might want to try some medication in addition to counseling. We worked with my doctor and found the right dose of medication for me. Slowly I began to feel more like myself. I also began to realize that everyone I cared about never left my side because when I was ready they were all there for me. They all wanted me back as badly as I wanted out of the darkness. While working through this the bond between my family and I grew stronger. My faith in the Lord also grew deeper. God and family are everything to me and this just reinforced how much I need them. Mental illness is an ongoing battle that I deal with daily, but it has gotten easier for me to manage. I have learned to take advantage of the things offered to me to help me with my struggles. My mom helped me to get a 504 to help with my anxiety when I am at school. I continue to take my medication and see my counselor when needed. While going through my darkest days many of my friends did not understand why I was behaving the way I was. This got me thinking about all of the people who suffer from mental illness and how different it looks from one individual to another. I began to speak out about my mental illness in hopes that it would make others feel comfortable to talk about what they are going through and to let them know that they are not alone. I know how hard it can get and I do not want anyone to feel alone when they are going through their darkest times. I plan on pursuing a degree in Kinesiology and continuing to be a Physical Therapist. Sports have always been a huge part of my life. During this difficult time in my life, it became very clear to me how much the sport of volleyball meant to me. Outside of God and my family, I credit volleyball for saving my life. It is an outlet for me, a place I can go and play the game I love and get away from everything else. Through COVID I realized what losing this sport would do to me and have also seen firsthand how injuries and not being able to play the sport you love can feed one's negative mental health. Two seasons ago my teammate went up to hit a ball in our volleyball game and when she landed she went straight to the floor. I just remember running over to her and trying to calm her down, while my heart hurt for her because I knew it was a bad injury. As she was recovering from the injury I watched her work so hard to get back to the sport she loves and how much stronger she was becoming. As a Physical Therapist, I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. When athletes are sidelined it can take away a part of who they are or where they feel they belong and bring on or exacerbate poor mental health. I want to be able to give them the encouragement and the belief that they still belong on the court or field and can get back to that piece of who they are. Through being a Physical Therapist I can help pull them out of a place of despair and help them to grow stronger physically and mentally. Through my experience, I hope that I can help others. No one should be ashamed of their mental health struggles and the more we can talk about it the more individuals will get the help they need. I hope that my story, my journey, and my ability to talk about my darkest days help someone through their tough days.

There is so much pressure to fit in nowadays. Often throughout my high school career, I have battled with what people saw to be cool or popular and what I believed to be right and/or wrong. With everything teenage and young adults have put in front of us every day on social media, it is hard to do what you know is right and not what is the latest trend. It is hard to stand by your convictions and not give in to the daily pressures. My story is probably very similar to many others, but so often I feel alone because of the life I choose to live and the path I choose to walk. This decision has cost me friendships, invites to parties, and a huge part of my social life in high school because people did not think I would be interested in going to different events. The sad reality is that I would have loved to go to that party or been asked to hang out because I could do those things and still stay true to my beliefs, but so many people judged me based on my beliefs and because of that never even invited me. Being a teenage girl is hard enough but then adding in a faithful, Christian, teenage girl and things become even more complicated. I am not perfect, I like to go out and I have made some bad decisions but I do not make those same decisions over and over again. I am not seen as the party girl and because of that, I think that people feel judged by me, even though that is the very last thing I would do. I have a strong belief in celibacy and always being able to be in control and aware of what is happening around me. Many of my friends have struggled to understand my decisions and it has caused many of them to stop asking me to hang out with them. It is as if they think I cannot talk to them about life and relationships because they don’t think I will understand, but I am still a teenage girl struggling with relationships just like everyone else. My choices have resulted in people who I thought were my good friends not including me anymore because I do not do the same things they do. This has hurt but it has not changed my beliefs. It has been hard to stay true to myself because I yearn to have so many of those friendships back, but I will not waiver in my faith and my beliefs so people want to be around me. My hope is that in college I can find “my people” and form lasting relationships. As far as giving back to my community I do not have some grand plan. My plan and my goal are to just be kind to everyone I interact with. To support those who choose to follow a path that is less traveled so they know they are not alone. Kindness, support, understanding and friendship are what can make any community I am involved in a better place. Many just want to feel heard and respected and I can do that for those that I am around. I can be a positive support to help someone through their day. We can choose to make the community we live in a better place, and I chose to do that through kindness and love.

I plan on pursuing a degree in Kinesiology and continuing on to be a Physical Therapist. Sports have always been a huge part of my life and have taught me so many valuable lessons. Sports have taught me how to be a good teammate, leadership skills, teamwork, how to give and receive constructive criticism, and so many other great skills. Throughout my years of playing sports, it is always heartbreaking when one believes they have an injury or watches a teammate go down with an injury. Two seasons ago my best friend and teammate went up to hit a ball in our volleyball game and when she landed she went straight to the floor. I just remember running over to her and trying to calm her down, while my heart hurt for her because I knew it was a bad injury. As she was recovering from the injury I watched her work so hard to get back to the sport she loves and how much stronger she was becoming. As a Physical Therapist, I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. When athletes are sidelined it can take away a part of who they are or where they feel they belong. I want to be able to give them the encouragement and the belief that they still belong on the court or field and can get back to that piece of who they are. I know that many individuals may find this to be trivial with everything going on in our world, but to these athletes, this is their world. This is a way that they identify who they are. Does the sport define them or who they are? No, but they have spent hours in the gym, training and becoming the best athlete they can be for their team. An injury that sidelines this athlete is devastating. I want to bring the knowledge, drive and hope that they can get back on the court or the field and once again be that athlete. I know there are many different types of jobs a Physical Therapist can have, but my passion is with athletes. I believe that I can make a positive impact on the world through my chosen career. Many may be confused by this because I am not going into some type of environmental, life-saving, or economic field. Those fields have a definite impact on our world, but so does my career path. Becoming a Physical Therapist makes small changes in individuals' lives that then impact others and the greater community. When someone loses a piece of who they are or their mobility, even if for just a short time, it can lead to depression and less involvement within their community. As a Physical Therapist, I can help restore their belief that they can get back to being that athlete or back to moving around independently. This gives the individual hope and determination and keeps them from falling into a place of despair. Helping these individuals believe in a positive outcome is another fulfilling part of this job. This continued involvement with athletes will keep me involved in the sports world and the community. Being a Physical Therapist will keep me in a world that has helped to form who I am and allow me to positively impact someone's life

Depression and anxiety tried to take me away from the people and things I love, but I conquered them. I have always been someone that lightens the mood or makes everyone laugh. But on the other side of that mask, I was slowly crumbling on the inside. I started to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID shut everything down and then it became much worse. During that time I also lost a former teammate in a horrific car accident and another classmate to suicide. I did not know that it was possible to feel this empty on the inside and I began to distance myself from my family and friends. I felt so alone and began to believe that no one cared about me or what I was going through. Dark thoughts began to enter my mind and I could only hear voices saying terrible things to me and about me. My mom and dad grew very concerned about me and talked to me on several occasions about going and talking to someone and/or seeing about getting on some medication. At that time I was not ready to seek out help and denied that it was as bad as it was. I did not realize at the time how much this was also hurting my family as they watched me become a shell of who I was. No longer was I that fun-loving, funny, and energetic girl that they knew. This went on for about a year before I went to my parents and told them it was time for me to talk to a counselor about the thoughts I was having. I remember feeling so anxious and trying to figure out what I was going to say to the counselor. After my first session, I knew I was in the right place, and continued to see her weekly. I then decided that I might want to try some medication in addition to the counseling. Slowly I began to feel more like myself. I also began to realize that everyone I cared about never left my side because when I was ready they were all there for me. They all wanted me back as badly as I wanted out of the darkness. While working through this the bond between my family and I grew stronger. Family is everything to me and this just reinforced how much I need them. Mental illness is an ongoing battle that I deal with daily, but it has gotten easier for me to manage. I continue to take my medication and see my counselor when needed. While going through my darkest days many of my friends did not understand why I was behaving the way I was. This got me thinking about all of the people who suffer from mental illness and how different it looks from one individual to another. I began to speak out about my mental illness in hopes that it would make others feel comfortable to talk about what they are going through and to let them know that they are not alone. I know how hard it can get and I do not want anyone to feel alone when they are going through their darkest times. Through my experience, I hope that I can help others. No one should be ashamed of their mental health struggles and the more we can talk about it the more individuals will get the help they need. I hope that my story, my journey, and my ability to talk about my darkest days help someone through their tough days.

I have always been someone that lightens the mood or makes everyone laugh. But I was slowly crumbling on the inside. I started to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID shut everything down and then it became much worse. During that time I also lost a former teammate in a horrific car accident and another classmate to suicide. I did not know that it was possible to feel this empty on the inside and I began to distance myself from my family and friends. I felt so alone and began to believe that no one cared about me or what I was going through. Dark thoughts began to enter my mind and I could only hear voices saying terrible things to me and about me. The voices grew louder and louder and the thoughts of hurting myself were growing more intense. My mom and dad grew very concerned about me and talked to me about going and talking to someone and/or seeing about getting on some medication. At that time I was not ready to seek out help and denied that it was as bad as it was. I did not realize how much this was also hurting my family as they watched me become a shell of who I was. No longer was I that fun-loving, funny, and energetic girl that they knew. This went on for about a year before I went to my parents and told them it was time for me to talk to a counselor. After my first session, I knew I was in the right place, and continued to see her weekly. I then decided that I might want to try some medication in addition to counseling. Slowly I began to feel more like myself. I also began to realize that everyone I cared about never left my side because when I was ready they were all there for me. They all wanted me back as badly as I wanted out of the darkness. While working through this the bond between my family and I grew stronger. Family is everything to me and this just reinforced how much I need them. Mental illness is an ongoing battle that I deal with daily, but it has gotten easier for me to manage. I have learned to take advantage of the things offered to me to help me with my struggles. My mom helped me to get a 504 to help with my anxiety when I am at school. I continue to take my medication and see my counselor when needed. While going through my darkest days many of my friends did not understand why I was behaving the way I was. This got me thinking about all of the people who suffer from mental illness and how different it looks from one individual to another. I began to speak out about my mental illness in hopes that it would make others feel comfortable to talk about what they are going through and to let them know that they are not alone. I know how hard it can get and I do not want anyone to feel alone when they are going through their darkest times. Through my experience, I hope that I can help others. No one should be ashamed of their mental health struggles and the more we can talk about it the more individuals will get the help they need. I hope that my story, my journey, and my ability to talk about my darkest days help someone through their tough days.

I have always been someone that lightens the mood, but I was crumbling on the inside. I started to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID shut everything down and then it became worse. During that time I also lost a former teammate in a horrific car accident and another classmate to suicide. I did not know that it was possible to feel that empty on the inside and I began to distance myself from my family and friends. I felt so alone and began to believe that no one cared about me or what I was going through. Dark thoughts began to enter my mind and I could only hear voices saying terrible things to me and about me. The voices grew louder and the thoughts of hurting myself were growing more intense. My family grew concerned about me and talked to me on several occasions about going and talking to someone. At that time I was not ready to seek out help and denied that it was as bad as it was. I did not realize at the time how much this was hurting my family as they watched me become a shell of who I was. No longer was I that fun-loving, funny, and energetic girl that they knew. This went on for about a year before I went to my parents and admitted it was time for me to talk to a counselor. After my first session, I knew I was in the right place, and continued to see her weekly. I then decided that I might want to try some medication in addition to counseling. We worked with my doctor and found the right dose of medication for me. Slowly I began to feel more like myself. I also began to realize that everyone I cared about never left my side because when I was ready they were all there for me. They all wanted me back as badly as I wanted out of the darkness. While working through this the bond between my family and I grew stronger. My faith in the Lord also grew deeper. God and family are everything to me and this just reinforced how much I need them. Mental illness is an ongoing battle that I deal with daily, but it has gotten easier for me to manage. I have learned to take advantage of the things offered to me to help me with my struggles. My mom helped me to get a 504 to help with my anxiety when I am at school. I continue to take my medication and see my counselor when needed. While going through my darkest days many of my friends did not understand why I was behaving the way I was. This got me thinking about all of the people who suffer from mental illness and how different it looks from one individual to another. I began to speak out about my mental illness in hopes that it would make others feel comfortable to talk about what they are going through and to let them know that they are not alone. I know how hard it can get and I do not want anyone to feel alone when they are going through their darkest times. Through my experience, I hope that I can help others. No one should be ashamed of their mental health struggles and the more we can talk about it the more individuals will get the help they need. I hope that my story and my ability to talk about my darkest days help someone through their tough days.

Depression and anxiety tried to take me away from the people and things I love, but I conquered them. This is my story. I have always been someone that lightens the mood or makes everyone laugh, but I was crumbling on the inside. I started to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID shut everything down and then it became much worse. During that time I also lost a former teammate in a horrific car accident and another classmate to suicide. I did not know that it was possible to feel that empty on the inside and I began to distance myself from my family and friends. I shut everyone out. There were countless evenings that I would not come out of my room to interact with my family or friends. I felt so alone and began to believe that no one cared about me or what I was going through. Dark thoughts began to enter my mind and I could only hear voices saying terrible things to me and about me. The voices grew louder and louder and the thoughts of hurting myself were growing more intense. My mom and dad grew very concerned about me and talked to me on several occasions about going and talking to someone and/or seeing about getting on some medication. At that time I was not ready to seek out help and denied that it was as bad as it was. I did not realize at the time how much this was also hurting my family as they watched me become a shell of who I was. No longer was I that fun-loving, funny, and energetic girl that they knew. This went on for about a year before I went to my parents and told them it was time for me to talk to a counselor about the thoughts I was having. I remember feeling so anxious and trying to figure out what I was going to say to the counselor. After my first session, I knew I was in the right place, and continued to see her weekly. I then decided that I might want to try some medication in addition to counseling. We worked with my doctor and found the right dose of medication for me. Slowly I began to feel more like myself. I also began to realize that everyone I cared about never left my side because when I was ready they were all there for me. They all wanted me back as badly as I wanted out of the darkness. While working through this the bond between my family and I grew stronger. My faith in the Lord also grew deeper. God and family are everything to me and this just reinforced how much I need them. Mental illness is an ongoing battle that I deal with daily, but it has gotten easier for me to manage. I have learned to take advantage of the things offered to me to help me with my struggles. My mom helped me to get a 504 to help with my anxiety when I am at school. I continue to take my medication and see my counselor when needed. While going through my darkest days many of my friends did not understand why I was behaving the way I was. This got me thinking about all of the people who suffer from mental illness and how different it looks from one individual to another. I began to speak out about my mental illness in hopes that it would make others feel comfortable to talk about what they are going through and to let them know that they are not alone. I know how hard it can get and I do not want anyone to feel alone when they are going through their darkest times. Through my experience, I hope that I can help others. No one should be ashamed of their mental health struggles and the more we can talk about it the more individuals will get the help they need. I hope that my story, my journey, and my ability to talk about my darkest days help someone through their tough days. I plan on pursuing a degree in Kinesiology and continuing to be a Physical Therapist. Sports have always been a huge part of my life. During this difficult time in my life, it became very clear to me how much the sport of volleyball also meant to me. Outside of my family, I credit volleyball for saving my life. It is an outlet for me, a place I can go and play the game I love and get away from everything else. I also realized what losing this sport would do to me and have seen firsthand how injuries and not being able to play the sport you love can feed one's negative mental health. Two seasons ago my teammate went up to hit a ball in our volleyball game and when she landed she went straight to the floor. I just remember running over to her and trying to calm her down, while my heart hurt for her because I knew it was a bad injury. As she was recovering from the injury I watched her work so hard to get back to the sport she loves and how much stronger she was becoming. As a Physical Therapist, I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. When athletes are sidelined it can take away a part of who they are or where they feel they belong and bring on or exacerbate poor mental health. I want to be able to give them the encouragement and the belief that they still belong on the court or field and can get back to that piece of who they are. Through being a Physical Therapist I can help pull them out of a place of despair and help them to grow stronger physically and mentally.

The movie that has had the greatest impact on my life is “God’s Not Dead”. This movie is about a college professor encouraging his students to say that God is dead, He is not real. One of his students, Josh, is a devout Christian and he makes the argument that God’s not dead. Josh begins the journey of proving his professor wrong or he fails the class. Along the way, Josh loses some of his close relationships and people question the stand he is making. At the same time, Josh begins to form relationships and change others' hearts and minds about their belief in God. Throughout this time he never gave up. Josh is proud to be a follower of Christ and he would not let anyone change his views or cause him to waiver from his assignment. As he shares the word of God more people begin to follow the Word. "God's Not Dead" supports the story of Christians being oppressed while also sharing a story of victory in God’s word. This movie has had a great impact on my life. I try to be a strong teenage Christian, not perfect but I strive to live faithfully. This is not always easy for me and I have lost friends and boyfriends because of my views. Many do not understand my relationship with God and why I live my life the way I do. I truly could connect with the main character in this movie. The movie just reassured my belief that I should never give up on my beliefs no matter how many people ridicule me and question my beliefs and the way I want to live my life. Those “friends” who cannot support me or accept me for my Christian beliefs and morals, I have realized, are not my real friends. I do not push my beliefs onto them or judge them for their decisions, but I am judged for not doing many of the things that they are doing. This was hard for me to accept at first, but God has given me the strength to continue to live by the moral standards I believe I should be living by. In dealing with this adversity I have learned that as long as I have my family, a few good friends, and most importantly God on my side my life is complete and I can achieve my goals. Although I have lost several relationships because of my beliefs I have gained so many more relationships that support me and my beliefs. The movie “God’s Not Dead” ultimately helped give me the strength to continue to live my life celebrating my love for God and my faith.

My mom is a Public School employee and I have watched her and my dad struggle to pay her student loans, which they are still paying on. She had to finance much of her undergraduate and all of her graduate school. My dad and she have talked to me about excelling academically so I do not have to have the burden of debt they have had. My parents have always taught me that there is no other way to reach goals other than through hard work. They have instilled in me what a good work ethic is to help me achieve my goals, whether in the classroom, on the court or in life in general. Through hard work, I have been able to achieve a 3.93 out of a 4.0 GPA while taking honors and dual credit courses. I have also excelled in the sport I love, volleyball. My parents have taught me that nothing will be given to me and that I have to work hard for what I want in life. Although I have excelled in the classroom and on the volleyball court I have still not earned enough scholarship to cover my college tuition. I have also not been able to have a job during high school because I have been involved in athletics, so saving up money for college has not been a possibility for me. My parents have educated me on the cost of college and how taking out large student loans will be a financial burden to me before I can even graduate from college. To help ease this burden I am learning about different scholarships and other ways I can finance my college career rather than taking out loans. I do not want to be paying my student loans off into my 40s and 50s like my parents are. I need to manage my finances as a student so that when I graduate I do not start my life in a lot of debt. I am currently coaching a volleyball team to make a little money and will pet sit and babysit over the summer. The little bit of money I make will help me get through my freshman year of college. It is important for me to not spend money on unnecessary items and to not spend money on what I cannot afford. To educate me and become more financially responsible I plan on learning as much as I can from organizations and free resources available to me. I currently have a checking and savings account and am responsible for balancing my accounts. The credit union that my family is a part of does offer financial workshops for teens and I will be signing up for one of these. My parents do not want me to make the mistakes they have made and want me to have as much information and exposure to these topics as I can. My ultimate goal is to graduate from undergraduate and graduate school with little to no debt, so I want to learn as much as I can and find as many ways as I can to make this a reality. These skills I learn will benefit me throughout the rest of my life and help me to continue to be as financially responsible and literate as possible. It is through the help of organizations like this one that I can start and continue my road to responsibly managing my finances and graduating debt free.

Athletics have not only positively impacted my life, but I can say that athletics have saved my life. My family is a big sports family. As far back as I can remember we had Notre Dame Football game days at our house every Saturday. My Pops raised my dad on Notre Dame Football and it has always been a day to bring everyone in the family together. These are some of my favorite memories of growing up. As my sister and I got older we were more involved in our sports and it got harder to continue Notre Dame game days. My parents let me try every sport when I was younger but I stuck with volleyball and basketball. Volleyball became my passion and I began playing club volleyball when I was eight years old. I started playing on a competitive travel team when I was 11 years old. Traveling for volleyball has given my family a great opportunity to travel and spend a lot of time together. My goal has been to play volleyball at the collegiate level, and I am excited that I am being given the opportunity to play the sport that has become such a big piece of my life at the collegiate level. This sport has offered me so many opportunities, but I love this sport because I credit volleyball for saving my life. I started to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID shut everything down and then it became much worse. The sports I love and my teammates were taken away from me. During that time I also lost a former teammate in a horrific car accident and another classmate to suicide. It was a dark time for me and even after COVID restrictions were lifted I struggled to come out of the darkness. There were times I didn’t want to be alive anymore and I just felt worthless. Throughout COVID I continued to train at home so I would be ready when I was able to get back onto the volleyball court. Every time I felt like I no longer wanted to be alive I would turn to the sport I love to play and my mind would get to a much healthier place. I feel unstoppable on the court and it has become my second home. Sports have always been a positive outlet for me and I cannot imagine not being able to play, Athletics have given me a place to get away and a way to strengthen my mental health. So, although it may sound dramatic, athletics saved my life. I plan on pursuing a degree in Kinesiology and continuing to be a Physical Therapist. Two seasons ago my friend and teammate went to hit a ball in our volleyball game and when she landed she went straight to the floor. I remember trying to calm her down, while my heart hurt for her because I knew it was a bad injury. As she was recovering I watched her work so hard to get back to the sport she loves and how much stronger she was becoming. As a Physical Therapist, I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. When athletes are sidelined it can take away a part of who they are or where they feel they belong. I want to be able to give them the encouragement and the belief that they still belong on the court or field and can get back to that piece of who they are.

My name is Grace Lowery. My parents have been married for 19 years and I have a younger sister, Hailey. God and family are the most important things to me. I am a firm believer that with God all things are possible and that He has a plan for me, so I need to trust in His timing. This belief and the support of my family are what get me through the good and bad times in life. Many do not understand my strong belief system and set of morals that I live my life by, but that does not make me waiver because I have goals that I want to achieve. I plan on pursuing a degree in Kinesiology and continuing to be a Physical Therapist. Sports have always been a huge part of my life and have taught me so many valuable lessons. Sports have taught me how to be a good teammate, leadership skills, teamwork, how to give and receive constructive criticism, and so many other great skills. Throughout my years of playing sports, it is always heartbreaking when one believes they have an injury or watches a teammate go down with an injury. Two seasons ago my best friend and teammate went up to hit a ball in our volleyball game and when she landed she went straight to the floor. I just remember running over to her and trying to calm her down, while my heart hurt for her because I knew it was a bad injury. As she was recovering from the injury I watched her work so hard to get back to the sport she loves and how much stronger she was becoming. As a Physical Therapist, I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. I believe that I can make a positive impact on the world through my chosen career. Many may be confused by this because I am not going into some type of environmental, life-saving, or economic field. Those fields have a definite impact on our world, but so does my career path. To the athletes I would be working with, their sport is their world. This is a way that they identify who they are. An injury that sidelines this athlete is devastating. I want to bring the knowledge, drive and hope that they can get back on the court or the field and once again be that athlete. Becoming a Physical Therapist makes small changes in individuals' lives that then impact others and the greater community. When someone loses a piece of who they are or their mobility, even if for just a short time, it can lead to depression and less involvement within their community. As a Physical Therapist, I can help restore their belief that they can get back to being that athlete or back to moving around independently. This gives the individual hope and determination and keeps them from falling into a place of despair. If I can help these individuals believe in a positive outcome it helps them to stay involved in their community and contribute positively. This continued involvement makes their community a better place and in turn, can have a positive impact on those around the individual or community. It creates a ripple effect, positively impacting individuals outside of our community. Helping individuals keep a positive mindset and get stronger so that they can get back to what they love, ultimately positively impacts everyone around them.

I have always been someone that lightens the mood or makes everyone laugh, but slowly I was crumbling on the inside. I started to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID shut everything down and then it became much worse. During that time I also lost a former teammate in a horrific car accident and another classmate to suicide. I did not know that it was possible to feel this empty on the inside and I began to distance myself from my family and friends. I felt so alone and began to believe that no one cared about me or what I was going through. Dark thoughts began to enter my mind and I could only hear voices saying terrible things to me and about me. The voices grew louder and the thoughts of hurting myself were growing more intense. My mom and dad grew very concerned about me and talked to me on several occasions about going and talking to someone and/or seeing about getting on some medication. At that time I was not ready to seek out help and denied that it was as bad as it was. I did not realize at the time how much this was also hurting my family as they watched me become a shell of who I was. No longer was I that fun-loving, funny, and energetic girl that they knew. This went on for about a year before I went to my parents and told them it was time for me to talk to a counselor about the thoughts I was having. My mom set up my first counseling appointment . After my first counseling session I knew I was in the right place. I then decided that I might want to try some medication in addition to the counseling. Slowly I began to feel more like myself. I also began to realize that everyone I cared about never left my side because when I was ready they were all there for me. They all wanted me back as badly as I wanted out of the darkness. While working through this the bond between my family and I grew stronger. Family is everything to me and this just reinforced how much I really need them. Mental illness is an ongoing battle that I deal with daily, but it has gotten easier for me to manage. I have learned to take advantage of the things offered to me to help with my struggles. This would not have been possible though without the help of my family. My mom helped me to get a 504 to help with my anxiety when I am at school. I continue to take my medication and see my counselor when needed. While going through my darkest days many of my friends did not understand why I was behaving the way I was. This got me thinking about people who suffer from mental illness and how different it looks from one individual to another. I began to speak out about my mental illness in hopes that it would make others feel comfortable to talk about what they are going through and to let them know that they are not alone. I know how hard it can get and I do not want anyone to feel alone when they are going through their darkest times. No one should be ashamed of their mental health struggles and the more we are able to talk about it the more individuals will get the help they need. Through my experience, I hope that I can help others.

This is the story of how I impacted my own life and showed bravery by accepting help from others when I was at my lowest. My hope in sharing my story is that it can save someone else. Depression and anxiety tried to take me away from the people and things I love, but I conquered them. This is my story. I have always been someone that lightens the mood or makes everyone laugh. But on the other side of that mask, I was slowly crumbling on the inside. I started to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID shut everything down and then it became much worse. During that time I also lost a former teammate in a horrific car accident and another classmate to suicide. My mental illness really took a toll during this time. I fell into the darkest hole. I did not know that it was possible to feel this empty on the inside and I began to distance myself from my family and friends. I shut everyone out. There were countless evenings that I would not come out of my room to interact with my family or friends. I felt so alone and began to believe that no one cared about me or what I was going through. Dark thoughts began to enter my mind and I could only hear voices saying absolutely terrible things to me and about me. The voices grew louder and louder and the thoughts of hurting myself were growing more intense. My mom and dad grew very concerned about me and talked to me on several occasions about going and talking to someone and/or seeing about getting on some medication. At that time I was not ready to seek out help and denied that it was as bad as it was. I did not realize at the time how much this was also hurting my family as they watched me become a shell of who I was. No longer was I that fun-loving, funny, and energetic girl that they knew. This went on for about a year before I went to my parents and told them it was time for me to talk to a counselor about the thoughts I was having. My mom set up my first counseling appointment for me and drove me there. I remember feeling so anxious and trying to figure out what I was going to say to the counselor. After my first session, I knew I was in the right place, and continued to see her weekly. I then decided that I might want to try some medication in addition to the counseling. We worked with my doctor and found the right dose of medication for me. Slowly I began to feel more like myself. I also began to realize that everyone I cared about never left my side because when I was ready they were all there for me. They all wanted me back as badly as I wanted out of the darkness. While working through this the bond between my family and I grew stronger. Family is everything to me and this just reinforced how much I really need them. Mental illness is an ongoing battle that I deal with daily, but it has gotten easier for me to manage. I have learned to take advantage of the things offered to me to help me with my struggles. This would not have been possible though without the help of my family. My mom helped me to get a 504 to help with my anxiety when I am at school. I continue to take my medication and see my counselor when needed. While going through my darkest days many of my friends did not understand why I was behaving the way I was. This got me thinking about all of the people who suffer from mental illness and how different it looks from one individual to another. I began to speak out about my mental illness in hopes that it would make others feel comfortable to talk about what they are going through and to let them know that they are not alone. I know how hard it can get and I do not want anyone to feel alone when they are going through their darkest times. Through my experience, I hope that I can help others. None should be ashamed of their mental health struggles and the more we are able to talk about it the more individuals will get the help they need. My hope is that my story, my journey, my ability to talk about my darkest days helps someone through their tough days.

I plan on pursuing a degree in Kinesiology and continuing to be a Physical Therapist. Sports have always been a huge part of my life and have taught me so many valuable lessons. Sports have taught me how to be a good teammate, leadership skills, teamwork, how to give and receive constructive criticism, and so many other great skills. Throughout my years of playing sports, it is always heartbreaking when one believes they have an injury or watches a teammate go down with an injury. Two seasons ago my best friend and teammate went up to hit a ball in our volleyball game and when she landed she went straight to the floor. I just remember running over to her and trying to calm her down, while my heart hurt for her because I knew it was a bad injury. As she was recovering from the injury I watched her work so hard to get back to the sport she loves and how much stronger she was becoming. As a Physical Therapist, I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. When athletes are sidelined it can take away a part of who they are or where they feel they belong. I want to be able to give them the encouragement and the belief that they still belong on the court or field and can get back to that piece of who they are. I know that many individuals may find this to be trivial with everything going on in our world, but to these athletes, this is their world. This is a way that they identify who they are. Does the sport define them or who they are? No, but they have spent hours in the gym, training and becoming the best athlete they can be for their team. An injury that sidelines this athlete is devastating. I want to bring the knowledge, drive and hope that they can get back on the court or the field and once again be that athlete. I know there are many different types of jobs a Physical Therapist can have, but my passion is with athletes. I believe that I can make a positive impact on the world through my chosen career. Many may be confused by this because I am not going into some type of environmental, life-saving, or economic field. Those fields have a definite impact on our world, but so does my career path. Becoming a Physical Therapist makes small changes in individuals' lives that then impact others and the greater community. When someone loses a piece of who they are or their mobility, even if for just a short time, it can lead to depression and less involvement within their community. As a Physical Therapist, I can help restore their belief that they can get back to being that athlete or back to moving around independently. This gives the individual hope and determination and keeps them from falling into a place of despair. If I can help these individuals believe in a positive outcome it helps them to stay involved in their community and contribute positively. This continued involvement makes their community a better place and in turn, can have a positive impact on those around the individual or community. It creates a ripple effect, positively impacting individuals outside of our community. Helping individuals keep a positive mindset and get stronger so that they can get back to what they love, ultimately positively impacts everyone around them.

My mom is a Public School employee and I have watched her and my dad struggle to pay her student loans, which they are still paying on. She had to finance much of her undergraduate and all of her graduate school. My dad and she have talked to me about excelling academically so I do not have to have the burden of debt like they have had. My parents have always taught me that there is no other way to reach goals other than through hard work. They have instilled in me what a good work ethic is to help me achieve my goals, whether in the classroom, on the court or in life in general. Through hard work, I have been able to achieve a 3.93 out of a 4.0 GPA while taking honors and dual credit courses. I have also excelled in the sport I love, volleyball. My parents have taught me that nothing will be given to me and that I have to work hard for what I want in life. Although I have excelled in the classroom and on the volleyball court I have still not earned enough scholarship to cover my college tuition. I have also not been able to have a job during high school because I have been involved in athletics, so saving up money for college has not been a possibility for me. My parents have educated me on the cost of college and how taking out large student loans will be a financial burden to me before I can even graduate from college. To help ease this burden I am learning about different scholarships and other ways I can finance my college career rather than taking out loans. I do not want to be paying my student loans off into my 40’s and 50’s like my parents are. In order to educate myself and become more financially literate I plan on learning as much as I can from organizations and free resources available to me. While in high school I was required to take a personal finance class, but honestly that only scratched the surface and I took it the summer going into my junior year, so I don’t know that I fully grasped the financial information and guidance that was being presented. The credit union family that my family is a part of does offer financial workshops for teens and I will be signing up for one of these. My parents do not want me to make the mistakes they have made and want me to have as much information and exposure to these topics as I can. The majority of my friends will also not have help from their parents when paying for their college so any information that I learn or workshops that I attend will also be important to many of them. My hope is to get some of my friends to participate in the workshops with me. My ultimate goal is to graduate from undergraduate and graduate school with little to no debt, so I want to learn as much as I can and find as many ways as I can to make this a reality. These skills I learn will benefit me throughout the rest of my life and help me to continue to be as financially responsible and literate as possible. It is through the help of organizations like this one that I can start and continue my road to being financially literate and debt free.

If I could have everyone in the world read just one book, the book I would choose is “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover. "It Ends with Us" is a book that follows a girl named Lily through an abusive relationship. She has just moved and is ready to start her life after college. During this time Lily becomes interested in a man named Ryle. As she and Ryle grow closer Lily's first love, Atlas, makes a surprise return and complicates Lily's feelings for Ryle. The novel takes on the topic of domestic violence and the vicious cycle that often goes along with domestic violence. Lily’s mother and then Lily herself becomes involved in toxic, violent relationships. Ryle becomes physically and mentally abusive to Lily, as he becomes threatened by the return of Atlas into Lily’s life. The novel follows Lily’s perspective and the ups and downs of the emotions of someone experiencing abuse by their partner. "It Ends with Us" is a heartbreaking novel that will make you smile, laugh, and cry because it allows you to truly experience and feel what Lily goes through. It depicts Lily’s journey to finally deciding to stop the cycle of violence so her daughter can have a better life. This book helped me understand why women experiencing domestic violence may feel conflicted about leaving their abuser. Lily felt she was protecting those she loved by staying with Ryle until her daughter was born and she knew the cycle of violence had to “end with us”. Lily exhibits a great deal of resilience throughout the novel. She also grows in her understanding of what love looks like and that there is no end to this violent cycle unless she ends it. She is a character you want to cheer for and celebrate when she decides to take her life back. If you read one book this year I would read, “It Ends with Us”.

When I was 8 years old I tried out for my first club volleyball team. I had no idea at that time how this sport would change my life. The sport of volleyball became my passion. I would give up almost anything just to be able to play volleyball. There have been numerous times throughout my volleyball career that I have missed sleepovers, getting together with friends, parties, etc. because I chose to play this sport at a competitive level. The thought of not competing at this level was not something that ever crossed my mind. I have always been driven to compete and play at the collegiate level. My passion and dedication to this sport have earned me a spot on a collegiate team. To compete at this level and find success one has to have a tough mindset. My mindset has helped me achieve many goals and has become so strong because of my personal experiences. From sports, to losing loved ones to being bullied in school I developed a tough mindset to help me push through these difficult times to come out better and stronger on the other side. It was never an option for me to quit but rather grow mentally, believing I would be stronger due to the adversity I was facing. Without this mindset, I would not be where I am today. Instead, I would have believed that I was not good enough and slipped away giving up on things that were important to me. I would not let that belief win because I believed I could reach my goals and do amazing things despite what others thought. I know I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. Part of success is drowning out the negative and believing in yourself and your ability. A strong mindset has helped me navigate my way through the negative and become more driven in reaching my goals. It will help me to continue to overcome any obstacles that get in the way of my success. I plan on going into the field of Kinesiology and continuing into Physical Therapy. I would love to stay involved in the sports world and help those who become sidelined from the sport they love and are passionate about. Through this career and my love of sports, I can give back to those less fortunate than myself and make a positive impact. Many may be confused by this because I am not talking about charity work or organizing some type of drive to benefit those less fortunate in my community. Becoming a Physical Therapist makes small changes in individuals' lives that then impact others and the greater community. When someone loses a piece of who they are or their mobility, even if for just a short time, it can lead to depression and less involvement within their community. As a Physical Therapist, I can help restore their belief that they can get back to being that athlete or back to moving around independently. This gives the individual hope and determination and keeps them from falling into a place of despair. If I can help these individuals believe in a positive outcome it helps them to stay involved in their community and contribute positively. This continued involvement makes their community a better place and in turn, can have a positive impact on those around the individual or community. Helping individuals keep a positive mindset and get stronger so that they can get back to what they love, ultimately positively impacts everyone around them.

I have always been someone that lightens the mood or makes everyone laugh. But what others did not know was that I was slowly crumbling on the inside. I started to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID shut everything down. During that time I also lost a former teammate in a horrific car accident and another classmate to suicide. I fell into the darkest hole. I did not know that it was possible to feel this empty on the inside and I began to distance myself from my family and friends. I shut everyone out. I felt so alone and began to believe that no one cared about me. Dark thoughts began to enter my mind and I could only hear voices saying terrible things to me and about me. The voices grew louder and louder and the thoughts of hurting myself were growing more intense. My mom and dad grew very concerned about me and talked to me about talking to someone. At that time I was not ready to seek out help and denied that it was as bad as it was. I did not realize at the time how much this was also hurting my family as they watched me become a shell of who I was. No longer was I that fun-loving, funny, and energetic girl that they knew. This went on for about a year before I admitted to my parents that I needed to talk to a counselor. My mom set up my first counseling appointment and drove me there. I remember feeling so anxious about what I was going to say to the counselor. After my session, I knew I was in the right place, and continued to see her weekly. I then decided that I might want to try some medication in addition to the counseling. We worked with my doctor and found the right dose of medication for me. Slowly I began to feel more like myself. I also began to realize that everyone I cared about never left my side because when I was ready they were all there for me. While working through this the bond between my family and I grew stronger. Family is everything to me and this just reinforced how much I need them. Mental illness is an ongoing battle that I deal with daily, but it has gotten easier for me to manage. I have learned to take advantage of the things to help me with my struggles. My mom helped me to get a 504 to help with my anxiety when I am at school. I continue to take my medication and see my counselor when needed. While going through my darkest days many of my friends did not understand why I was behaving the way I was. This got me thinking about all of the people who suffer from mental illness and how different it looks from one individual to another. I began to speak out about my mental illness in hopes that it would make others feel comfortable to talk about what they are going through and to let them know that they are not alone. I know how hard it can get and I do not want anyone to feel alone when they are going through their darkest times. No one should be ashamed of their mental health struggles and the more we can talk about it the more individuals will get the help they need. I hope that my story, my journey, and my ability to talk about my darkest days help someone through their tough days.

Athletics have not only positively impacted my life, but I can say that athletics have saved my life. My family is a big sports family. From as far back as I can remember we had Notre Dame Football game days at our house. My Pops raised my dad on Notre Dame Football and it has always been a day to bring everyone in the family together. When Notre Dame would score a touchdown my dad would play the fight song and all of us kids would run around the garage with Notre Dame Flags. These are some of my favorite memories growing up. As my sister and I got older we were more involved in our sports and it got harder to continue Notre Dame game days every Saturday. My parents let me try every sport when I was younger but I stuck with volleyball and basketball. I also like to play golf for fun with my family. Volleyball became my passion and I began playing club volleyball when I was eight years old. I started playing on a competitive travel team when I was 11 years old. Traveling for volleyball has given my family a great opportunity to travel and spend a lot of time together. My mom will tell you that is her favorite thing about me playing this sport because she loves the quality time we get to spend together. My goal has been to play volleyball at the collegiate level, and I am excited that I am being given the opportunity to play the sport that has become such a big piece of my life at the collegiate level. This sport has offered me so many opportunities, but I love this sport because I credit volleyball for saving my life. Athletics or specifically volleyball saved my life. I started to struggle with anxiety and depression right before COVID shut everything down and then it became much worse. The sports I love and my teammates were taken away from me. During that time I also lost a former teammate in a horrific car accident and another classmate to suicide. It was a dark time for me and even after COVID restrictions were lifted I struggled to come out of the darkness. There were times I didn’t want to be alive anymore and I just felt worthless. Throughout COVID I continued to train at home so I would be ready when I was able to get back onto the volleyball court. My mom would take my sister and me to the sand volleyball courts near our house to get us out of the house and into the sunshine. This allowed my sister and I to not only work on our skills but to get outside to work out and help with our mental health during that time. Every time I felt like I no longer wanted to be alive I would turn to the sport I love to play and my mind would get to a much healthier place. It was as if my problems would just disappear because I was playing the game I love with some of my best friends. I feel unstoppable on the court and it has become my second home. Sports have always been a positive outlet for me and I cannot imagine not being able to play, Athletics have given me an outlet, a place to get away, and a way to turn around my mental health. So, although it may sound dramatic athletics saved my life.

I lost my grandpa whom I called Pops just a short year and a half ago. My Pops moved in with my family when I was in kindergarten and lived with us for 12 years. I do not remember a time that he did not live with us, which made losing him that much harder. When I was little he was there to put me on the bus in the morning and got me off in the afternoon if my mom was not home yet. He would always get my sister and me ice cream when we brought home good grades and when we won whatever sporting event we played that day. I think it was just an excuse for him to get some ice cream. Losing him is the hardest thing I have ever experienced. I am just happy that I was able to spend so much quality time with him and create so many memories that cannot be taken away from me. Losing Pops reinforced that I should not take anything for granted. I should cherish my loved ones, hold on to them tight, and make as many memories as I can. Pops was a fighter his entire life. He never gave up on anything or anyone. Pops worked hard for everything he had. He taught me how to be tough and to live in every moment of my life. It was hard to say goodbye but losing him pushed me, even more, to do things in his name and fight for him. He would never want me to give up because he believed there was always a way to reach your goals. Pops was a Godly man and taught me a lot about my relationship with Christ. This is the most important thing he could have shared with me. With God, things are truly possible and Pops has always reminded me that things happen in God’s time. You have to work hard for those goals but if what I am working towards does not happen when I think it should I am always reminded that it is in God’s time and to not give up but to work harder. This definitely came into play this past year. I have been working on getting recruited to play volleyball in college. There was this school I fell in love with and I was led to believe they wanted me to come to play for them. After a year of talking to this school, they decided that they would not be offering me a position. Needless to say, I was devastated and thought about giving up. I knew I did not want to give up but I felt defeated, but then I thought about Pops and what he would have said to me. He would have told me to trust in the Lord and not give up on my dream. I persevered and continued to email coaches believing that I would find my home. I am happy to say that I did receive an offer to play and will have the opportunity to continue my volleyball career at the collegiate level. Without the “fight” and determination I may have given up on my dream, but I knew that was not how Pops would expect me to respond. I love and miss Pops so much, but I know he is with me fighting for what is most important to me and what I want to achieve.

I plan on pursuing a degree in Kinesiology and continuing to be a Physical Therapist. Sports have always been a huge part of my life and have taught me so many valuable lessons. Sports have taught me how to be a good teammate, leadership skills, teamwork, how to give and receive constructive criticism, and so many other great skills. Throughout my years of playing sports, it is always heartbreaking when one believes they have an injury or watches a teammate go down with an injury. Two seasons ago my best friend and teammate went up to hit a ball in our volleyball game and when she landed she went straight to the floor. I just remember running over to her and trying to calm her down, while my heart hurt for her because I knew it was a bad injury. As she was recovering from the injury I watched her work so hard to get back to the sport she loves and how much stronger she was becoming. As a Physical Therapist, I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. When athletes are sidelined it can take away a part of who they are or where they feel they belong. I want to be able to give them the encouragement and the belief that they still belong on the court or field and can get back to that piece of who they are. I know that many individuals may find this to be trivial with everything going on in the world we live in, but to these athletes, this is their world. This is a way that they identify who they are. Does the sport define them or who they are? No, but they have spent hours in the gym, training and becoming the best athlete they can be for their team. An injury that sidelines this athlete is devastating. I want to bring the knowledge, drive and hope that they can get back on the court or the field and once again be that athlete. I know there are many different types of jobs a Physical Therapist can have, but my passion is with athletes. I believe that I can make a positive impact on the world through my chosen career. Many may be confused by this because I am not going into some type of environmental, life-saving, or economic field. Those fields have a definite impact on our world, but so does my career path. Becoming a Physical Therapist makes small changes in individuals' lives that then impact others and the greater community. When someone loses a piece of who they are or their mobility, even if for just a short time, it can lead to depression and less involvement within their community. As a Physical Therapist, I can help restore their belief that they can get back to being that athlete or back to moving around independently. This gives the individual hope and determination and keeps them from falling into a place of despair. If I can help these individuals believe in a positive outcome it helps them to stay involved in their community and contribute positively. This continued involvement makes their community a better place and in turn, can have a positive impact on those around the individual or community. It creates a ripple effect, positively impacting individuals outside of our community. Helping individuals keep a positive mindset and get stronger so that they can get back to what they love, ultimately positively impacts everyone around them.

Success is when I set a goal and I reach that goal. Success can occur in many different parts of one’s life. My most recent success is earning a spot on a collegiate volleyball team. I have been working hard for this opportunity for several years. My mindset has helped me achieve many goals and this goal specifically. My mindset is different from my peers because of my personal experiences that helped me develop a strong mindset. From demeaning coaches to being bullied in school I developed a tough mindset to help me push through these difficult times to come out better and stronger on the other side. It was never an option for me to quit but rather grow mentally, believing I would be stronger due to the adversity I was facing. Without this mindset, I would not be where I am today. Instead, I would have believed that I was not good enough and slipped away giving up on things that were important to me. I would not let that belief win because I believed I could reach my goals and do amazing things despite what others thought. I have reached many goals because of my strong mindset and now it is time I set more goals for my success. Part of success is drowning out the negative and believing in yourself and your ability. A strong mindset has helped me navigate my way through the negative and become more driven in reaching my goals.

My name is Grace Lowery. I am the oldest of two girls and the daughter of two hard-working parents. My mom has been employed in the Public Education System for 19 years and my dad is an Electrician. My parents have always taught me that there is no other way to reach goals other than through hard work. They have instilled in me what a good work ethic is to help me achieve my goals, whether in the classroom, on the court or in life in general. Through hard work, I have been able to achieve a 3.93 out of a 4.0 GPA while taking honors and dual credit courses. I have also excelled in the sport I love, volleyball. My parents have taught me that nothing will be given to me and that I have to work hard for what I want in life. The skills that my parents have taught me have helped me to be successful and will continue to help me find success throughout my life. I am pursuing my degree in Kinesiology or Pre-Physical Therapy because my goal is to become a Physical Therapist. Sports have always been a huge part of my life and have taught me so many valuable lessons. Throughout my years of playing it is always heartbreaking when you believe you have an injury or to watch a teammate go down with an injury. As a Physical Therapist, I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help young athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. When young athletes are sidelined it can take away a part of who they are or where they feel they belong. I want to be able to give them the encouragement and the belief that they still belong there and can get back to that piece of who they are. I know that many individuals may find this to be trivial with everything going on in the world we live in, but to these athletes, this is their world. This is a way that they identify who they are. Does the sport define them? Does being an athlete define who they are? No, but they have spent hours in the gym, training and becoming the best athlete they can be for their team. An injury that sidelines this athlete is devastating. I want to bring the knowledge, drive and hope that they can get back on the court or the field and once again be that athlete. I know there are many different types of jobs a Physical Therapist can have, but my passion is with young athletes. My journey to becoming a Physical Therapist will not be easy. It will require hard work, dedication, determination, and financial obstacles. Unfortunately, the amount of money I can be awarded through FAFSA looks at my parents' finances because they will not be able to help me out with college. I understand that this was difficult for them to tell me and they wish they could help me, but they have scraped by and sacrificed for many years to give my sister and me the chance to experience so many things. They don't have high paying, luxurious jobs and what the FAFSA says they can afford is not even close. To help finance college I am applying to as many of these types of scholarships as I can in hopes that I will be awarded a few of them. With these scholarships, I will be able to pursue my dream of becoming a Physical Therapist.

Sports are a big part of my life and have been for as long as I can remember. I started playing sports when I was in first grade. I tried every sport I could but stuck with volleyball, basketball and play golf for fun. Volleyball became my passion and I started playing Club ball when I was 8 years old. When I was younger I was so shy and getting involved in sports helped me to come out of my shell. I have become a leader on and off the court and I am not sure I would have gained such a strong leadership mindset without sports. I have also gained the skills of being a great teammate on and off the court. My communication skills have developed because of playing sports and I am able to advocate for myself. From the age of 13 years old and on my parents made me approach coaches and if I couldn't find the answer then they would step in and help, but they have always made me do the talking for myself. This skill has helped me tremendously throughout my recruiting process. I would love to play volleyball in college, as it as been a goal of mine since a young age. My career goal is to become a Physical Therapist. Sports have always been a huge part of my life and have taught me so many valuable lessons. Throughout my years of playing it is always heartbreaking when you believe you have an injury or to watch a teammate go down with an injury. As a Physical Therapist I hope to stay involved in the sports world and help young athletes come back better and stronger than they were before their injury. When young athletes are sidelined it can take away a part of who they are or where they feel they belong. I want to be able to give them the encouragement and the belief that they still belong there and can get back to that piece of who they are. I know that many individuals may find this to be trivial with everything going on in the world we live in, but to these athletes this is their world. This is a way that they identify who they are. Does the sport define them? Does being an athlete define who they are? No, but they have spent hours in the gym, training and becoming the best athlete they can be for their team. An injury that sidelines this athlete is devastating. I want to bring the knowledge, drive and hope that they can get back on the court or the field and once again be that athlete. I know there are many different types of jobs a Physical Therapist can have, but my passion is with the young athletes.