Growing up in Florida, my life has been shaped by values of resilience, hard work, and an enduring commitment to family and community. While I do not share Mr. Visaggi’s Italian ancestry, his dedication to family, advocacy for workers’ rights, and love for fishing resonate deeply with me. These values align with the lessons I’ve learned from my family’s sacrifices and the principles they have instilled in me. As a first-generation college student, I am pursuing a degree in business administration with a specialization in pre-law at the University of Florida, where I am also part of the honors program. My academic journey is fueled by a desire to create equitable environments in the workplace and beyond. I am also currently involved in undergraduate research exploring business ethics and management, which combines my passion for leadership and teamwork with my interest in fostering fairness. My education will equip me with skills and perspectives that I aim to apply in roles such as corporate law or organizational leadership, where I can champion fair labor practices and advocate for inclusive workplaces. Mr. Visaggi’s work as a union delegate definitely inspires my commitment to these ideals, as his efforts remind me of the importance of using one’s platform to uplift others and create positive change. Beyond academics, I am passionate about expanding educational opportunities for those who may not have access to them. As a co-founder of Project SPARK (STEM Projects Advancing Real-World Knowledge), I have helped provide STEM learning experiences to over 500 Title I elementary school students in Flagler County, Florida. This initiative allowed me to blend leadership with service, emphasizing my belief in the transformative power of education. Witnessing students engage with hands-on projects reinforced my commitment to fostering curiosity and equal access to opportunities. Education has the ability to transform lives, and I strive to ensure that others benefit from it, much like Mr. Vissagi’s dedication to empowering those around him. My connection to the water also reflects a parallel to Mr. Vissagi’s life. Growing up on the Florida coast, I developed a love for boating and fishing, activities that have strengthened my family bonds and taught me resilience. Early mornings spent casting lines (and hopefully some catching too) or navigating the water have instilled in me patience, teamwork, and an appreciation for the natural world—values I carry into all aspects of my life. His love for fishing resonates with me deeply, as I believe that connecting with nature fosters a sense of peace and responsibility, perspectives that can positively influence personal growth. Additionally, my family’s military background ties me to another facet of Mr. Vissagi’s life. While I do not have immediate family members in the Navy, my grandfather served in the Vietnam War, and close friends have dedicated their lives to military service in all branches. Their examples of sacrifice and perseverance have inspired me to approach my goals with a sense of purpose and gratitude, motivating me to make a meaningful impact in my community and beyond. I now realize that service and dedication to others are key elements of both personal and professional fulfillment. Mr. Visaggi’s life reflects a commitment to creating connections, advocating for others, and valuing the joys that bring people together. These principles align closely with my vision for the future, both personally and professionally. Through my work in education, business, and community engagement, I hope to honor his legacy by building a career dedicated to fostering equity and opportunity. Like Mr. Vissagi, I believe that success is not measured by individual achievements but by the positive change one creates.

My dad’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis transformed my understanding of resilience and inspired my career aspirations. Managing his condition became part of our family’s routine—monitoring blood sugar levels, administering insulin, and preparing for unpredictable challenges. These experiences shaped my perspective, showing me how chronic illness affects not just the individual but the entire family. More importantly, however, it highlighted the opportunities for innovation to ease these burdens. Growing up, I watched my dad navigate the dual challenges of managing his health and running a business. His determination and adaptability inspired me to approach obstacles with a problem-solving mindset. Yet, through his journey, I also noticed systemic gaps—limited access to affordable care, lack of personalized resources, and barriers that left many without adequate support. Witnessing these shortcomings sparked my interest in addressing the broader issues that impact families like mine and inspired me to pursue a path where I could help close these gaps. At the University of Florida, I am pursuing a degree in business administration with a focus on improving systems that impact people’s lives. My fascination with the intersection of business and healthcare stems from a desire to address its systemic inefficiencies and inequities. By leveraging tools like data analytics and strategic planning, I aim to develop innovative solutions that make care more accessible, affordable, and tailored to patients’ needs. This field allows me to combine my analytical skills with a passion for creating meaningful change, particularly for families navigating the complexities of chronic conditions. I am particularly passionate about uncovering the hidden costs of chronic conditions, which often extend beyond medical expenses to emotional strain, lost productivity, and reduced quality of life. My goal is to create initiatives that alleviate financial burdens while providing families with the support they need to thrive. I already envision programs that connect patients to affordable monitoring technology or offer personalized coaching to help manage daily challenges. These solutions could ease the demands families face and thus provide hope for a brighter future. Beyond my personal connection to this field, I am driven by a broader mission to foster resilience and empowerment. My dad’s ability to face adversity taught me that thriving requires more than perseverance; it demands access to tools and systems that enable success. This realization has guided my vision of creating patient-centered systems that prioritize individuals’ well-being while empowering families to overcome challenges with confidence. This vision motivates me to seek opportunities to blend innovation with impact. Whether through developing patient-centered solutions, addressing inefficiencies, or advocating for policy reforms, I am committed to driving meaningful change. My dad’s journey reminds me that challenges can fuel growth and that resilience comes from community, innovation, and care. This scholarship would certainly help pave my path to success by enabling me to further my education and access opportunities to turn my ideas into action. With your support, I can continue building a career that merges business expertise with compassion to create lasting, positive change for patients and families just like mine.

The decision to pursue a business degree stems from a deep sense of ambition, shaped by my family’s sacrifices and my drive to excel. As a first-generation college student, I am very aware of the challenges my parents faced. My father, an entrepreneur, built his business from the ground up, and my mother, who works in finance, navigated a complex field without the benefit of a degree. Watching their determination to create a better life instilled in me a relentless work ethic and a commitment to achieving my goals. Their example motivates me to build my own path—one marked by dedication, innovation, and the desire to make a meaningful impact. From an early age, I was captivated by the dynamic nature of the business world. Finance intrigues me for its ability to shape economies and uplift individuals, while corporate law fascinates me for its role in guiding ethical decision-making. A business education bridges these interests, equipping me with the tools to excel in financial analysis, strategic management, and legal frameworks. These disciplines align with my long-term vision of becoming a leader who blends technical expertise with a humanist perspective. My sense of purpose is also inspired by the sacrifices of my grandfather, who served in Vietnam, similar to Mr. Boyd J. Cameron. Their selflessness reminds me that success often rests on the foundation of those who came before us. I strive to honor their legacies and sacrifices not just by achieving personal success but by giving back to others. Thus, my drive to make an impact is deeply personal. Growing up, I was supported by a network of people who believed in my potential. That foundation inspired me to co-found Project SPARK (STEM Projects Advancing Real-World Knowledge), a CAS initiative that has provided STEM opportunities to over 500 Title 1 elementary school students in Flagler County. Through this project, I saw how education can transform lives, sparking curiosity and confidence in underserved communities. These moments reaffirmed my belief that ambition must be coupled with action to create lasting change. As a student in the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business and Honors Program, I have embraced my role as both a learner and a leader, challenging myself to think critically and develop solutions to complex problems. Balancing rigorous academics with involvement in initiatives that support others has taught me the importance of resilience and focus—qualities that drive my success both in and beyond the classroom. My ambition is rooted in a vision for the future where the skills I develop will empower me to address systemic inequities and foster sustainable growth. In finance, I hope to spearhead initiatives that expand financial literacy and access to resources for underserved populations, helping individuals build economic independence. Similarly, my passion for corporate law drives my desire to advocate for ethical business practices that prioritize both social responsibility and profitability. While my family’s sacrifices have undoubtedly laid the foundation for my journey, it is my ambition and determination that fuel my desire to create a legacy of impact. Whether mentoring students, supporting entrepreneurial ventures, or advocating for inclusive policies, I am committed to leaving a tangible mark on my community. By pursuing a business degree, I seek to merge my personal drive with my gratitude for the opportunities I’ve been given. This path allows me to honor the sacrifices of those who have shaped me while carving out a future defined by hard work, purpose, and giving back. My journey is one of ambition and action, aimed at creating a brighter future for myself and those I have the privilege to uplift.