When I was eight years old, I remember having a family movie night where my dad chose "Cool Runnings" as the movie. This was a movie about a Jamaican bobsled team who had dreams of entering the 1988 Olympics. I remember everyone in my family laughing at several parts, but more than anything I was inspired by the ambition and drive of those athletes to try to compete on a national stage even though the logistics of their country and climate did not make sense to people watching. I never forgot the feeling I had when they actually made it to the Olympics and even though the movie made it look funny because they were not really competitive with the teams who could practice with real equipment and ice, they still deserved a space to be there. Fast forward to my junior year in high school, after lacrosse had been a year-round constant in my life for seven years. Lacrosse has helped me develop confidence, strength, speed, friendships, teamwork, and balance in my life. I love everything about the sport and became inspired to share my love of the game to people just learning the sport. It was announced that the 2028 Olympics will include lacrosse and I started researching to learn that many countries will be trying to create Olympic teams. It made me think back to that movie night with my family and the Jamaican bobsled team putting together resources with whatever they could find. I’ve seen how expensive equipment can be and realize that the equipment could be a barrier for many people or organizations just starting out. I realized that I am part of a large network of local youth, high school, and club lacrosse organizations and everyone I know seems to have more equipment than they need and replace a lot of it each season. So I created a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called OneLAX. Then I hosted my first big event, which was a really big used gear drive to support the Ghana Lacrosse Association. When my father and sister went to Africa last spring, they brought hundreds of items that we collected along with some new equipment that was donated through corporate sponsorships and private donations. I’m really proud of the professional connection I built with the President of the Ghana Lacrosse Association. In December, he posted that their organization’s highlight of 2025 was the love they received from OneLAX in Massachusetts. Then this fall, a devastating hurricane hit Jamaica and it reminded me of the "Cool Runnings" bobsled team. I decided to host a youth lacrosse clinic as a fundraiser for the Jamaica Lacrosse Association. When I reached out to that organization they were so grateful that I recognized they still had fundraising needs for their lacrosse teams even though most people were only sending funding for humanitarian and rebuilding efforts on the island. The clinic raised $1,500 for OneLAX to donate to Jamaica Lacrosse Association, which allowed them to maintain normalcy and play while they were suffering personal traumas. I’m really proud of the professional connections I built with the Presidents of the lacrosse associations in Ghana and Jamaica. Both organizations have hopes of putting together 2028 Olympic teams and they were each so grateful for my support. It makes me feel good that I have been able to make an impact on these two international organizations with things I was able to build with my own network and initiative. Who knew that a family movie night ten years ago could inspire so much.

My name is Griffin Ferrick. I am a student-athlete and someone who has always believed in using my time and talents to help others. Volunteering has been a constant in my life—not just a box to check, but a way to connect with my community and make a real difference. Aside from family volunteer projects, my first official service experience in high school was being selected to join The Medfield Foundation Inc. (MFi), a local nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of Medfield residents. Being part of MFi has given me insight into how grassroots efforts can create lasting change. I’ve helped organize events, supported fundraising efforts, and worked directly alongside a group of dedicated volunteers. In addition to my work with MFi, I’ve also volunteered with the Miss Amazing pageant, an event that gives girls and young women with developmental disabilities a platform to showcase their abilities, talents, and individuality. Helping with Miss Amazing has been one of the most eye-opening experiences for me. It reminded me how powerful encouragement and inclusion can be, and how everyone deserves to feel celebrated for who they are. Perhaps the most meaningful volunteer effort I’ve been involved in is founding my own nonprofit, an organization that repurposes gently used lacrosse gear and donates it to programs and athletes in need. As a lacrosse player myself, I’ve seen how expensive equipment can be a barrier for many. I wanted to help remove that obstacle for others who love the game. When my dad traveled to Ghana to help open a medical clinic, I reached out to the Ghana Lacrosse Association. Together, we organized a major equipment drive, and this spring, I was able to send hundreds of items overseas to help grow the sport in communities that had the passion but lacked the resources. These experiences have taught me that giving back isn’t just about charity—it’s about opportunity, equity, and using whatever you have to uplift others. Whether it’s time, gear, or energy, we all have something to offer. In the future, I plan to continue this work by expanding my nonprofit, building more partnerships with organizations both locally and abroad, and possibly creating a mentorship program that connects younger athletes to community service. I also hope to continue volunteering wherever I go, including in college, where I’ll seek out leadership and service opportunities that align with my values. This scholarship will help me reach my college goals so I may continue to build upon my strengths and grow in new ways. Volunteering has helped shape who I am today: a committed, compassionate, and action-oriented person. I’m excited to continue growing that part of myself—and to keep making a difference wherever I can.

As a student-athlete at a school known for its highly competitive sports programs and state championships, I’ve always been aware of the pressure that comes with wearing a team jersey. What’s talked about far less, however, is the emotional toll that pressure can take on young athletes. That’s why, when my lacrosse teammate and I had the opportunity to work on a group project aimed at promoting mental wellness, we both jumped in with full commitment. Together, we focused our efforts on introducing an app called NDUR For Athletes to our school community—an app designed to support the mental and emotional health of student-athletes through peer-to-peer support and daily wellness tools. We spent months researching, collecting feedback, and raising awareness. One of the most powerful moments in our project was the survey we conducted among our classmates and teammates. The results were sobering: 93% of students reported feeling signs of burnout related to the stress of their sport. That number stuck with us—it proved what we suspected all along: even the most successful athletes struggle silently with mental and emotional strain. As we were nearing the end of the project and the school year, our lacrosse team won our league and entered the divisional state championship playoffs. Our schedule was demanding, the pressure was building among the team, and finals were around the corner. Then, tragedy struck. His close friend, a classmate at our school, passed away suddenly. It was a devastating loss, and it hit him hard. While I did my best to support him as a friend—being there to talk, offering him space when he needed it, and checking in regularly—I realized something else: the work we had done together on the NDUR project was helping him cope. It gave him a healthy outlet to channel his grief and a space to stay focused on the importance of mental wellness, even while he was hurting. This experience changed me. I learned that prioritizing mental health isn’t something that happens only after a breakdown—it’s something we need to build into our lives daily, just like strength training or practicing for a game. I also learned that support systems matter—whether it's an app, a teammate, or a trusted friend. I continue to use the NDUR App, myself and check in regularly on my friends and teammates. I saw firsthand how mental health support can’t wait until college or adulthood—it has to start now.

My name is Griffin Ferrick. I am a student-athlete and someone who has always believed in using my time and talents to help others. Volunteering has been a constant in my life—not just a box to check, but a way to connect with my community and make a real difference. Aside from family volunteer projects, my first official service experience in high school was being selected to join The Medfield Foundation Inc. (MFi), a local nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of Medfield residents. Being part of MFi has given me insight into how grassroots efforts can create lasting change. I’ve helped organize events, supported fundraising efforts, and worked directly alongside a group of dedicated volunteers. In addition to my work with MFi, I’ve also volunteered with the Miss Amazing pageant, an event that gives girls and young women with developmental disabilities a platform to showcase their abilities, talents, and individuality. Helping with Miss Amazing has been one of the most eye-opening experiences for me. It reminded me how powerful encouragement and inclusion can be, and how everyone deserves to feel celebrated for who they are. Perhaps the most meaningful volunteer effort I’ve been involved in is founding my own nonprofit, an organization that repurposes gently used lacrosse gear and donates it to programs and athletes in need. As a lacrosse player myself, I’ve seen how expensive equipment can be a barrier for many. I wanted to help remove that obstacle for others who love the game. When my dad traveled to Ghana to help open a medical clinic, I reached out to the Ghana Lacrosse Association. Together, we organized a major equipment drive, and this spring, I was able to send hundreds of items overseas to help grow the sport in communities that had the passion but lacked the resources. These experiences have taught me that giving back isn’t just about charity—it’s about opportunity, equity, and using whatever you have to uplift others. Whether it’s time, gear, or energy, we all have something to offer. In the future, I plan to continue this work by expanding my nonprofit, building more partnerships with organizations both locally and abroad, and possibly creating a mentorship program that connects younger athletes to community service. I also hope to continue volunteering wherever I go, including in college, where I’ll seek out leadership and service opportunities that align with my values. Volunteering has helped shape who I am today: a committed, compassionate, and action-oriented person. I’m excited to continue growing that part of myself—and to keep making a difference wherever I can.