A good teacher instructs a student to gain knowledge about a subject that you may remember for a test. A great teacher inspires a student to feel enthusiastic and motivates them to learn about something that will be etched into their mind for a lifetime. As a member of the All-State Chorus, I developed a passion for music thanks to an inspiring teacher, Miss Price. Of course, she taught us about music lyrics, tones, and songs, but she also inspired us to explore our emotions of happiness, sadness, tenderness, anger, and anxiousness through music. One song that she taught us to sing and understand the meaning was “See Me” by Raymond Wise, a composer of a unique blend of gospel and spiritual music. The song shares a powerful meaning about bringing the diversity of our communities together. My favorite lyrics of the song are, “Can’t you see beneath the color of my skin to see that I am just like you. Can’t you hear beyond the words that I say to hear that I have dreams too, until we see beneath, hear beyond, face the truth, that I’m just like you. We can’t come together until you see me.” These words emphasize a message that we all need to unite and come together. What makes this song unique is its ability to convey that we all desire to be seen. Miss Price always made us feel seen. She was our mentor, our leader, our advisor, our supporter, and our confidant. She was trustworthy and always available to listen to her students whether they were struggling with a bad grade, teenage drama, academic challenges, family tension or relationship issues. Her classroom door and her heart were always open. High school is a difficult period for students due to academic challenges, social pressures, and personal growth changes. Ms. Price was a teacher who demonstrated interest in her students’ lives as well as their music. She made the class fun, exciting, interesting, thought-provoking as we learned the meanings behind each song we sang. She pushed us to do our best, sing loudly, express our feelings, and be kind to each other. Miss Price, who is bi-racial, faced moments of adversity from people who were often unkind. She inspired me and others to be true to ourselves at a time in our lives when we all want to be socially accepted. Miss Price used music as a catalyst to teach us that we are all one and we each deserve to be seen, supported, and loved despite our skin color, religion, ethnicity, or sexuality. The lessons Miss Price taught me are invaluable. They have strengthened me and created building blocks for my future. She has been a wonderful role model. She encouraged me to be strong in the face of criticism and remember I am a vocalist, an athlete, an academic scholar, a compassionate friend, a community volunteer, and I am worthy to be seen.

A Full-Circle Journey Three years ago, beneath a beautiful blue sky and scorching yellow sun on a softball field, my knee took a turn for the worse, but my life took a turn for the better. In front of me was a pitcher with a rocket arm and blazing fastball. Like an out-of-control firecracker at a Fourth of July celebration, the ball buzzed toward me at lightning speed. I dodged the wild pitch, but at a steep cost as I fell to the ground with an agonizing and severely dislocated knee. The abrupt end to my summer softball season initially presented a bleak future. My dreams of playing college sports were crushed! Fortunately, during my junior year of high school, I began taking a class in Human Anatomy & Physiology, the study of the internal and external structure of the human body including the bones, organs, muscles, and nerves and how they operate together so perfectly to sustain life. I was fascinated by what I learned about how the human body is structured, how it functions, and how it can be repaired when injured. The Human Anatomy & Physiology class combined with my sports related injury fueled my passion to learn more and became instrumental in my academic pursuit of an education in health science, my journey toward becoming a physical therapist, and my dream of opening my own physical therapy practice began! My strengths of resilience, perseverance, and determination gave me the drive to overcome the adversity of my physical injury and refocus my efforts toward healing and helping others by becoming a physical therapist. Additional accomplishments include maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 4.35, which illustrates my academic excellence. As the student body vice president, student council class secretary, National Honor Society treasurer, Tri-M Music Honor Society secretary, I have established myself as a leader. I am also musically talented, earning All-State Chorus honors multiple times. As the captain and point guard for my high school basketball team and the third baseman for my high school softball team, I also value athletic opportunities. It was an honor being selected to attend the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Pilgrimage for Youth trip to New England and Canada during the summer of 2023. This life event gave me the opportunity to see numerous historical sites, stunning scenery, make lifelong friends and memories I will cherish forever. As a community volunteer and student council member, I assisted at American Red Cross blood drives by registering donors and monitoring their health. I also helped Boone Memorial Health employees and volunteers distribute approximately 5,000 Thanksgiving meals to the residents of my hometown in November 2024. Helping the hospital in its mission of overcoming food insecurity in rural communities was a heart-warming experience, like the rewarding opportunities I received twice a month when I assist at the food pantry at my church, the McCorkle Baptist Church. As a two-sport athlete who loves the camaraderie and competition that sports provide, I also enjoy volunteering in the concession stands at youth league games by serving food and collecting money. As evidenced by my academic, athletic, and artistic endeavors as well as my school, church, and community service, I am an emerging leader. In addition to providing high-quality healthcare, supporting food insecurity initiatives, and extracurricular youth programs, my hope is that others who face adversity will witness my perseverance and determination to overcome physical injury and become an example of resilience to my community. It will cap a full-circle journey that started on that fateful summer day three years ago.

Service to our country is a family tradition for me. As the niece of a military veteran, I am inspired by my aunt Sara, who enlisted in the United States Army at the age of seventeen to proudly serve her country for 10 years. She was deployed to Iraq and was willing to give her life for our country. During her military service, she was also stationed in Korea, Kuwait, and Germany where she helped build bridges, serviced as a military police officer, and recruiter for the United States Army. I have witnessed the sacrifice and commitment of service that our veterans unselfishly make to preserve the freedoms we enjoy. For my aunt and other military personnel like her, their unselfish acts of service continue when they return home. After serving her country, Sara became a devoted wife and mother of two sons. She resided in Florida for a few years, returned to college, and became a registered nurse at the height of the COVID pandemic. It is a front-line role she still fills today as a healthcare professional. Later, she and her family returned to her home state of West Virginia to be near aging parents and family. Recently, she began her pursuit of yet another higher educational goal. As a person who recognizes the value of education, she is currently studying to become a Nurse Practitioner and will graduate in August of 2025. Aunt Sara has taught me that serving our country also includes significant contributions from first responders, educators, community leaders, business owners, and regular citizens. People serve our country to honor the land and preserve the rights we have fought so hard to obtain. As average citizens, we can contribute in multiple ways, including performing community service, being law-abiding citizens, and simply being kind to one another. Even the average person who contributes to our nation in small ways makes a dramatic difference, and their efforts are not overshadowed. No matter how known or unknown you are, your generosity and support of our nation are incredibly valuable in many aspects. Stronger communities, a healthier environment, and increased national stability are all achieved by lending a helping hand. I may not become a military hero like my aunt, but I am truly inspired by her service and dedication to our country, to her community, to her patients, and to our family. As a small-town citizen, I will continue supporting my community by helping at our church food pantry, distributing Thanksgiving meals to the underprivileged, and volunteering at local events. We must never forget those who sacrificed their lives to ensure our freedom. The citizens who serve our country love this land more than themselves. I plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in health science and a master’s degree in physical therapy at Marshall University, allowing me to accomplish my goal of owning and operating Safe Haven Physical Therapy in the future. Like my aunt Sara, I am proud to be an American who is willing to serve!

As someone who has been fortunate to grow up in West Virginia, I have lived a simple life in a small rural town with a family that has instilled in me a strong work ethic, a thirst for education, a moral compass that values integrity, honesty, loyalty, kindness, respect, compassion, and a profound sense of community. Holidays are for gathering at my grandparents’ home where fascinating stories are told, smiles are abundant, laughter echoes, delicious food is devoured, children are cherished, and chaos becomes precious memories. As West Virginians, patriotism, service to others, and a strong work ethic are encouraged in our schools, our communities, and our state. Our majestic mountains, gorgeous valleys, streams, sunrises, and sunsets are celebrated by all who love and appreciate the natural beauty of our state. Whether you are a fan of the WVU Mountaineers, Marshall’s Thundering Herd, or a fan of the local school athletic team, the comradery of being an athlete in West Virginia is unmatched! My dream is to become a licensed physical therapist and provide much-needed, high-quality healthcare to my future patients. I want to make a positive difference in my hometown, where although my strong family support system provided a high-quality life, the spread of the opioid epidemic and the decline of the coal industry combined to devastate others in our community and decimate the economy. I love and appreciate my hometown despite its issues. I am grateful to my community and its people because they encouraged and supported me, shaping me into the person I am today. Witnessing the economic decline, unemployment, food insecurity, and health issues in my community motivated me to become a leader. I serve as the student body vice president, student council class secretary, National Honor Society treasurer, and Tri-M Music Honor Society secretary. I am musically talented, earning All-State Chorus honors multiple times. I am athletically inclined, serving as the captain of my basketball team and a member of my softball team. My most rewarding accomplishment is attending the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Pilgrimage for Youth summer expedition to New England and Canada in 2023. The challenges in my hometown also inspired me to become a volunteer. I assisted at American Red Cross blood drives by registering donors and monitoring their health. I also helped Boone Memorial Health employees and volunteers distribute approximately 5,000 Thanksgiving meals to residents in 2024. Helping the hospital in its mission of overcoming food insecurity in rural communities was a heart-warming experience, and I plan to make it an annual tradition. Influenced by my family, community, and state of West Virginia, and evidenced by my academic, athletic, and artistic endeavors and community service, I am an emerging leader. I am both a little anxious and yet optimistic about the world we live in. I am anxious about economic uncertainty that lies ahead, yet I’m hopeful that if I utilize my greatest strengths of leadership, compassion, and multi-tasking, pursue a bachelor’s degree in health science and a master’s degree in physical therapy at Marshall University, I will accomplish my goal of owning and operating Safe Haven Physical Therapy in the future. Becoming a physical therapist will enable me to make a positive impact on my community by providing much-needed, high-quality healthcare and supporting volunteerism, the arts, and youth sports.

Volunteerism Shaped My Goal of Pursuing Higher Education As someone who lives a simple life in a small rural town in West Virginia, my dream is to become a licensed physical therapist and provide much-needed, high-quality healthcare to my future patients. I want to make a positive difference in my hometown, where the spread of the opioid epidemic and the decline of the coal industry combined to devastate our community and decimate our economy. I love and appreciate my hometown despite its issues. I am grateful to my community and its people because they encouraged and supported me, shaping me into the person I am today. Witnessing the economic decline, unemployment, food insecurity, and health issues in my community motivated me to become a leader. I serve as the student body vice president, student council class secretary, National Honor Society treasurer, and Tri-M Music Honor Society secretary. I am musically talented, earning All-State Chorus honors multiple times. I am athletically inclined, serving as the captain of my basketball team and a member of my softball team. My most rewarding accomplishment is attending the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Pilgrimage for Youth summer expedition to New England and Canada in 2023. The challenges in my hometown also inspired me to become a volunteer. I assisted at American Red Cross blood drives by registering donors and monitoring their health. I also helped Boone Memorial Health employees and volunteers distribute approximately 5,000 Thanksgiving meals to local residents in 2024. Helping the hospital in its mission of overcoming food insecurity in rural communities was a heart-warming experience, and I plan to make it an annual tradition. Volunteering to support Special Olympic athletes, elementary school field day, coordinating children’s games during The Witches Ride Fall Festival, assisting with community ice-skating rink registration and hot chocolate distribution, and opportunities to Read Aloud to elementary students are fun and rewarding moments I have shared with the youth of Boone County! Life lessons learned during my community service activities include the value of teamwork, empathy toward others, and the power of community. These experiences have taught me how a diverse group of people with various skills can effectively work with others as a team toward a common goal, completing multiple tasks, which require coordination, communication, and the willingness to assume responsibility can result in huge success and benefit so many people. It was very humbling to witness the difficulties others face such as unemployment or food insecurity. Community service has taught me to be more empathetic and kinder toward those who are less fortunate and forever grateful and appreciative of the things I have such as a lovely home, an abundance of food, and a supportive family. By volunteering in various community services activities, I have learned the value of community and how small contributions by a group of people can add up to make a profound impact in the lives of others. Not one person can change the world, but the combined efforts of a group can have a significant impact on the life of another, and if those who are impacted pay it forward the fruits of volunteerism are endless. Inspired by my community and reflected in my academic, athletic, artistic pursuits and community service, I am an emerging leader. My experience as a volunteer has provided me with valuable insight into the importance of pursuing a higher education. College is my path to knowledge, empowerment, personal development, and the ability to help others by providing much needed, high-quality healthcare to my future patients, advocating for community growth, supporting volunteerism, the arts, and youth sports.

Three years ago, my knee took a turn for the worse, but my life took a turn for the better. It was the beginning of summer, beneath a beautiful blue sky and scorching yellow sun on a softball field at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In front of me was a pitcher with a rocket arm and blazing fastball. Like an out-of-control firecracker at a Fourth of July celebration, it buzzed toward me at lightning speed. I dodged the wild pitch, but at a steep cost. I fell to the ground with a dislocated knee, which would require months of physical therapy to heal. Unfortunately, I had to sit out the remaining of the season. Although heartbreaking and painful, this was the beginning of my journey toward my future goals. My physical therapist and his team had a treatment plan specifically for me and my complete healing. I had therapy three days a week for several months. They used different techniques, hands-on therapy, exercises, and equipment to help me reach my end goal and return to the softball field. I truly enjoyed the atmosphere at the office and immediately knew this was the career path that I wanted to pursue. As a patient, I witnessed many patients suffering from the pain that resulted from traumatic injuries and neurological diseases. Their ability to walk, run, lift objects, and do everyday tasks was extremely impaired. Watching therapists collaborate with patients and seeing the progress they made, as well as experiencing my progress, invoked empathy and was produced inspiration. I have always had a love for sports since I was a child. Being a multi-athlete, physical therapy is a career that I know I will enjoy the rest of my life. I will have the opportunity to help injured athletes return to the sport that they love, help surgical patients improve their movement and return to their everyday tasks, and help all other patients manage their pain and prevent injuries.

My Aunt Sara, My Inspiration Service to our country is a family tradition for me. As the niece of a military veteran, I am inspired by my aunt Sara, who enlisted in the United States Army at the age of seventeen to proudly serve her country for 10 years. She was deployed to Iraq during the Iraq War, and she was willing to give her life for our country. During her military service she was also stationed in Korea, Kuwait, and Germany where she helped build bridges, serviced as a military police officer, and recruiter for the United States Army. I have witnessed the sacrifice and commitment of service that our veterans unselfishly make to preserve the freedoms we enjoy. For my aunt and other military personnel like her, their unselfish acts of service continue when they return home. After serving her country, Sara became a devoted wife and mother of two sons. She resided in Florida for a few years, returned to college, and became a registered nurse at the height of the COVID pandemic. It is a front-line role she still fills today as a healthcare professional. Later, she and her family returned to her home state of West Virginia to be near aging parents and extended family. Recently, she began her pursuit of yet another higher educational goal. As a person who recognizes the value of education, she is currently studying to become a Nurse Practitioner and will graduate in the Summer of 2025. Aunt Sara has taught me that serving our country also includes significant contributions from first responders, educators, community leaders, cultural figures, business owners, and regular citizens. People serve our country to honor the land and preserve the rights we have fought so hard to obtain. As average citizens, we can contribute in multiple ways, including performing community service, helping small local businesses, being law-abiding citizens, and simply being kind to one another. Even the average person who contributes to our nation in small ways makes a dramatic difference, and their efforts are not overshadowed. No matter how known or unknown you are, your generosity and support of our nation are incredibly valuable in many aspects. Stronger communities, better wellness, a healthier environment, increased national stability, and richer cultural heritage are all achieved by lending a helping hand. I may not become a military hero like my aunt, but I am truly inspired by her service and dedication to our country, to her community, to her patients, and to our family. She has encouraged me to pursue my dream of becoming a physical therapist. As a small-town citizen, I will continue supporting my community by helping at our church food pantry, distributing Thanksgiving meals to the underprivileged, and volunteering at local events. We must never forget those who sacrificed their lives to ensure our freedom. The citizens who serve our country love this land more than themselves. Like my aunt Sara, I am proud to be an American who is willing to serve!

“According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, there are about three million people nationwide who are affected by bleeding disorders. These disorders share the inability to form a proper blood clot. The body produces thirteen clotting factors. If any of them are defective or deficient, blood clotting is affected; a mild, moderate, or severe bleeding disorder can result.” Two years ago, my dad was diagnosed with the following multiple blood disorders: 1) Lupus anticoagulant (a clotting disorder common in lupus patients). 2) Factor VIII a blood clotting protein that if too high results in an increased risk for clotting fivefold (his level was 145 when normal range is 56-140). 3) MTHFR-a gene mutation that increases risk of clotting. The diagnosis resulted in him being temporarily disabled and unable to work for months and prescribed antithrombotic (blood thinning) medication for the remainder of his life. My family struggled financially during this time and spent most of the money we had saved to survive and meet our financial obligations. My biggest fear is that his blood disorders will worsen, become dire, and cause him to become permanently disabled in the future. This would make it incredibly challenging, if not impossible, to meet the monetary responsibility of paying for my college tuition and expenses. This is why I am requesting your consideration for the Tim Dunham Blood Disorder Awareness scholarship, to ensure that I will be able to pursue my dreams of obtaining my college degree regardless of my family medical or financial circumstances. My dad’s prognosis and the abrupt end to my summer softball season initially presented a bleak future. A severely dislocated knee resulted in an extremely painful, both physically and emotionally, car ride home to my hometown in rural southern West Virginia. Although my dreams of playing college sports were crushed because of my knee injury, my journey toward becoming a Physical Therapist began! As a highly motivated student-athlete-vocalist who is Treasurer of the National Honor Society, Vice President of the Student Body, Captain of the varsity basketball team, member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, and summer lifeguard, I plan to pursue an undergraduate degree in Health Science, and master’s in Physical Therapy. Becoming a Physical Therapist is my primary goal and will enable me to achieve my principal objectives of making a positive impact on my local community by providing much needed high-quality healthcare as well as spread awareness through the healthcare community of the inheritable blood disorders which affected my family. Since 2016, the month of March has been designated Blood Disorder Awareness Month, a national health observance by the US Department of Health and Human Services. “BDAM aims to increase awareness of inheritable blood and bleeding disorders among the public, as well as bring them to the attention of policymakers, public authorities, industry representatives, scientists, and health professionals.” In addition to spreading awareness in my local community, I hope to either provide financial support in the form of donations to the National Bleeding Disorder Foundation or become an advocate by participating in the Run Red program, a National Bleeding Disorder Foundation event that allows participants to raise funds by either running or walking in a virtual event from the treadmill of their home, tracking miles, and submitting through Charity Miles app. Hopefully, through increased awareness and advocacy by myself and others, medical advances will continue to be made to aid those, like my dad, who are affected by blood disorders to fully live their lives possible.

Be kind, you never know the hidden struggles someone is facing! Mental health is a challenge to students in many areas of their personal and academic life. It affects our self-esteem, our relationships with friends and family, and how well we perform academically. Mental health also impacts our physical health. Good mental health can keep one healthy and prevent serious health issues. Whereas poor mental health may lead to depression and unhealthy lifestyles which may cause serious health issues. Many factors affect our mental health including emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Some are biological traits that are inherited. Other factors include the environment or life experiences people are exposed to such as physical or mental abuse. The most devastating example of mental abuse that had an enormous impact on me involved one of my classmates. He was like most teens who had dreams, goals, and visions of going to college and beginning a career. However, also like many teens, he suffered from peer pressure, struggled with self-esteem, was somewhat of a loner, from a broken home and lived with his grandparents who attempted to provide stability and structure in his life. However, despite their love and effort to provide a safe and secure home, he became a victim of mental abuse from some of his peers. Tragically, he committed suicide leaving behind a devastated family, broken-hearted friends, and guilt in the minds of those who added to this young man’s mental anguish. Unfortunately, my classmates and I were taught a very painful yet vital lesson regarding mental health, when our fellow classmate suffered such mental anguish that death was the answer. I realized just how important it was to protect my mental health while raising awareness and motivating others to prioritize theirs as well. Fortunately, I have a strong family, faculty and athletic support system which has enabled me to maintain academic excellence with a current average GPA of 4.13/4.00 despite the mental health challenges I have faced as a student. Below are ways I strive to maintain my mental wellness and make it a priority: • Actively participate in sports. As a student athlete, playing basketball, softball and jogging alleviates stress and improves my mood. • Eat a well-balanced diet. Healthy choices at mealtimes including lots of fruits, vegetables, healthy carbohydrates, and lean meat lead to better physical and mental health. • Get adequate quantity and quality sleep. Resting the mind and body through quality sleep is imperative. • Sing. As a vocalist and member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, music is therapeutic and helps me to express my emotions and allows me to de-stress. • Socialize with family and friends. When life seems overwhelming, socialization with family and friends reminds me I am not alone. • Volunteer and help others in the community. As a community volunteer for various non-profit organizations, assisting with local blood drives and food pantries provides me with a sense of purpose and fulfillment. • Encourage others to prioritize their mental well-being. Fostering a supportive community with my friends and offering confidential support to those being bullied or struggling with self-esteem, stressful situations, sports or academic validation or sensitive home predicaments is gratifying. Life is a journey with many twists and turns. To truly appreciate the journey, it is imperative that we prioritize and strengthen our mental and physical health, safeguard our academic interests, and secure our personal livelihood as well as show compassion to those we interact with along the way.

Be kind, you never know the hidden struggles someone is facing! In my opinion, mental health is important at every age or stage of life, from childhood, through adolescence, to adulthood or elderly. It affects our self-esteem, our relationships with friends and family, and how well we perform in school or work. Mental health also impacts our physical health. Good mental health can keep you healthy and prevent serious health issues. Whereas poor mental health may lead to depression and unhealthy lifestyles which may cause serious health issues. There are many factors which affect our mental health. These include emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Some are biological traits that are inherited. Other factors include the environment or life experiences people are exposed to such as physical or mental abuse. The most devastating example of mental abuse that had an enormous impact on me involved one of my classmates. He was like most teens who had dreams, goals, and visions of going to college and beginning a career. However, also like many teens, he suffered from peer pressure, struggled with self-esteem, was somewhat of a loner, from a broken home and lived with his grandparents who attempted to provide stability and structure in his life. However, despite their love and effort to provide a safe and secure home, he became a victim of mental abuse from some of his peers. Tragically, he committed suicide leaving behind a devastated family, broken-hearted friends, and guilt in the minds of those who added to this young man’s mental anguish. Unfortunately, my classmates and I were taught a very painful yet vital lesson regarding mental health, when our fellow classmate suffered such mental anguish that death seemed to be the answer. I realized just how important it was to protect my mental health while raising awareness and motivating others to prioritize theirs as well. Below are ways I strive to maintain my mental wellness: • Actively participate in sports. As a student athlete, playing basketball, softball and jogging alleviates stress and improves my mood. • Eat a well-balanced diet. Healthy choices at mealtimes including lots of fruits, vegetables, healthy carbohydrates, and lean meat lead to better physical and mental health. • Get adequate quantity and quality sleep. Resting the mind and body through quality sleep is imperative. • Sing. As a vocalist and member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society member, music is therapeutic and helps me to express my emotions and allows me to de-stress. • Socialize with family and friends. When life seems overwhelming, socialization with family and friends reminds me I am not alone. • Volunteer and help others in the community. As a community volunteer for various non-profit organizations, assisting with local blood drives and food pantries provides me with a sense of purpose and fulfillment. • Encourage others to prioritize their mental well-being. Fostering a supportive community with my friends and offering confidential support to those being bullied or struggling with self-esteem, stressful situations, sports or academic validation or sensitive home predicaments is gratifying. Life is a journey with many twists and turns. To enjoy the journey, it is imperative that we nurture and strengthen our bodies and our minds, our physical and mental health. We must be kind to ourselves and to others!

Be kind, you never know the hidden struggles someone is facing! In my opinion, mental health is important at every age or stage of life but is particularly important for students. Mental health affects our self-esteem, confidence, our relationships with friends and family, and how well we perform in school or work. Mental health also impacts our physical health. Good mental health can keep you healthy and prevent serious health issues. Whereas poor mental health may lead to depression and unhealthy lifestyles which may cause serious health issues. There are many factors which affect a student’s mental health. These include academic pressure to perform and compete with other students, social issues such as peer pressure, bullying, effects of increased social media, family conflicts, unstable home, lack of support, mental or physical abuse, or personal challenges such as inherited biological traits, poor health, food insecurity, or depression. The most devastating example of mental health distress that had an enormous impact on me involved one of my classmates. He was like most teens who had dreams, goals, and visions of going to college and beginning a career. However, also like many teens, he suffered from peer pressure, struggled with self-esteem, was somewhat of a loner, from a broken home and lived with his grandparents who attempted to provide stability and structure in his life. However, despite their love and effort to provide a safe and secure home, he became a victim of mental abuse from some of his peers. Tragically, he committed suicide leaving behind a devastated family, broken-hearted friends, and guilt in the minds of those who added to this young man’s mental anguish. Unfortunately, my classmates and I were taught a very painful yet vital lesson regarding mental health, when our fellow classmate suffered such mental anguish that death seemed to be the answer. I realized just how important it was to raise awareness and advocate for mental health. Below are ways I believe I can help raise awareness and advocate for mental health in my community and at home: • Always be respectful and kind to others • Foster a supportive online community with my friends • Collaborate with school administrators and parents to raise awareness of mental health • Speak up to a trusted adult if I feel uncomfortable with comments or actions of someone else • Be aware of changes in my friends’ behavior (such as sad, depressed, anti-social) • Check in on friends who may have become victims of abuse • Offer confidential support to those being bullied or struggling with self-esteem, stressful situations such as challenging school assignments, sports or academic validation or sensitive home predicaments Life’s journey is full of ups and downs. It is imperative we show compassion, support and empower each other as we face adversity or become overwhelmed by life experiences. We must be kind and advocate for each other!

LeBron James has accomplished a lot in his life, but he has been able to do so because he is persistent and never gives up on his goal of improving continuously. This is why I am a fan of LeBron James. It takes me just three hours to get to Akron, Ohio, where he was raised. He played basketball in high school and was an elite player. Since he guided his high school team to three state titles and one national championship, he was labelled Ohio's Mr. Basketball. He was the first pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, which was held after high school. Later, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers. After struggling through the first two years, the Cavaliers made their first trip back to the playoffs since 1998 in 2005. Once again, two years later, the Cavaliers made it to their first NBA Finals appearance. In 2010, LeBron left and joined the Miami Heat. From 2010 to 2014, LeBron played for four seasons with the Miami Heat. During their four NBA Finals shows, he and his team won two NBA championships in 2012 and 2013. James's career peaked at this point, and it proceeded to shape his future. Following his last defeat with the Miami Heat, LeBron left the team and returned to Cleveland after a week of false theories from the media and fans. He stayed with the Cleveland Cavaliers through 2018 after his second return. Being close to his hometown during those years was beneficial and made him feel at home. In 2018, he ended up joining the Los Angeles Lakers, where he is still currently. In his first season of play, they did not even meet the criteria for the playoffs; in his second season, they defeated his former team, the Miami Heat, to become NBA champions; in the 2019–2020 season, they missed the playoffs again; in the 2022–2023 season, they did make the playoffs again; and in this most recent season, they made the playoffs but did not advance. LeBron James has worked tirelessly to get here and has had a phenomenal basketball career. He is, in my opinion, the greatest basketball player of all time because of this. He faces challenges, has a strong work ethic, and has achieved success by setting his mind to it. Among his other achievements are four MVP trophies, two Olympic gold medals, four NBA titles, and four final MVP awards. LeBron James's strengths are influenced by several attributes. He is quick, tall, in excellent physical condition, constantly works out, and acquires immense talent. He is devoted to and loves his family, which consists of two sons and a young girl. He has an endless love for his mother in addition to his children. His oldest son, Bronny James, is currently playing with him in the NBA, and both of his boys are involved in basketball. Outside of the game of basketball, LeBron James enjoys having fun and assisting others. He inspires students to pursue education outside of the classroom and created initiatives to address the epidemic of high school dropouts. He likes to have fun by adding a sense to his style and during the Olympics opening for athletes in Paris, he was the bearer of the flag. LeBron James is a multi-talented man who has an unwavering love for his family, his supporters, and the game of basketball.

It was at the beginning of Summer, in June 2021, under the beautiful sunny skies of Myrtle Beach, when I was playing travel softball for the Tsunami Softball Organization, that I soon found myself in an ambulance racing toward the hospital in excruciating pain. While dodging a wild pitch, I twisted my knee and fell to the ground with a dislocated knee. The end results were loose ligaments, a very painful trip by car back to my hometown in rural Madison, WV, the end of travel softball for the summer, and months of physical therapy. As tragic as the above scenario appears, it was the beginning of my journey toward setting the goals for my future. I witnessed so many patients come and go through the Physical Therapy Department at Boone Memorial Health, suffering from the pain which resulted from traumatic injuries (similar to mine) or neurological diseases. Their ability to walk, run, lift objects, and do everyday tasks were very impaired. Observing the therapists work with patients and the progress each of them made, as well as my progress, inspired me to set both short-term and long-term goals. Below are some of the goals I set that painful summer: Goal # 1- Focus on my health to regain the strength in my leg muscles while the ligaments healed. Goal #2 - Maintain good academic performance throughout high school, in order to further my education at an accredited college. Goal # 3 - Pursue a career in Physical Therapy, in order to provide financial security for myself and my family. Goal #4 - Help people in my community feel better. As a Physical Therapist, I will be able to help people with traumatic injuries and neurological disease manage their movements and reduce their pain. As for reaching my goals, with the help of knowledgeable therapists, disciplined effort in following their instruction and lots of exercise, my leg healed and my strength was restored. Six months after the knee dislocation, I resumed sports, playing basketball in the fall and softball in the spring at Scott High School. During the Summer of 2022, I returned to the Tsunami Travel Softball Team. I have continued to maintain good academic credentials and as of May 2024, my GPA is 4.42. In order to prepare for the financial burden of college and pursue a career in physical therapy, I have been working as a lifeguard for the past two summers and job shadowing with Physical Therapists. Despite my academic achievements and hard work, I fear that managing my financial responsibilities and focusing on my studies may prove challenging. As such, I respectfully request your consideration for the North Star Dreamers Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship will help fulfill my dream of becoming a Physical Therapist, which will enable me to provide financial stability for myself and my family. Most importantly, it will help me help others in my community with traumatic injuries and neurological disease manage their movements, reduce their pain and live life to the fullest.