Being a minority athlete, has taught me many things about myself and what it takes to compete at a high level. The main thing is having proper nutrition so that my body will receive all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs to work at its best. The second thing was being able to identify a high-level athletic workout program that helped me build stronger muscles while increasing my overall performance in field hockey. In doing this I was named All Team First Conference all four years and this year I was selected for Frist Team South Jersey and was selected to play in the Senior All Star game for South Jersey. In addition to playing field hockey in High School, this past summer I represented the Puerto Rico Women’s International Field Hockey team in Dominican Republic. I participated in the Summer Olympic Caribbean games and was one of the youngest players to play. I contribute a lot of this to hard work and knowing how to care for my body. It has always been a dream of mine to attend college and further my education in health/science. This is due to my desire to help others and my urge to provide the care and treatment for those around me. My passion for health and helping others has pushed me to want to share my passion so they can live a long and prosperous life. My goals are to acquire a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a master’s degree in public health. In pursuing my degrees, it will allow me to go into the elementary schools and teach children about healthy eating, and the importance about being physically active. What inspired me, was when I was in 5th grade, there was a pilot program where all 5th grade students received a Neutral Bullet, as well as fruits to take home weekly to help promote healthy eating. This was all a part of the “Let’s Move Movement”. The former First Lady, Michelle Obama, addressed the issue of child obesity and wanted to support parents making healthier choices for their children. Children should have 60 minutes of moderate physical activity which can promote weight loss and provide weight maintenance. Another aspiration of mine as a strong bi-racial female, is the ability to work with Pro-Athletes. I want to be able to implement and evaluate the treatment and care they may need to continue to compete at a high level. Nutrition is an important part of sport performance for athletes, in addition to allowing for optimal growth and development. Nutrition strategy for athletes involves planning and managing their dietary intake to support their training and performance goals. This is why I want to focus my studies on nutrition strategy for athletes that involve planning and managing their dietary intake to support their training and performance goals. It is important that athletics understand poor nutrition can lead to subpar results, increased risk of injury, and compromised athletic potential. In closing, with this scholarship, I plan to take advantage of this opportunity and get all that I need to obtain my degree and help those around me live a better.

Stepping into the airport a strange sensation developed within me - fear. A fear unlike any other, it wasn’t spiders or heights. I was now scared of not meeting expectations. I feared not being enough. The opportunity of a lifetime had come my way: a chance to play the sport I loved overseas at the age of seventeen, among seasoned athletes. These women had played internationally and in college, while my most competitive experience was playing for a high school State Title. Doubt consumed me; what could I offer this team? Adding to the pressure, I had never been away from my family for more than two days, but now, I faced a whole month in a foreign country with strangers I had known for less than two months. The thought of being so far from my family shattered me. Boarding the plane intensified my doubts. Why was I here? What was I doing? I felt like an imposter. As the plane took off, there were no familiar faces to share the moment with; instead, I was alone with my anxious thoughts. Normally planes bought me joy because I knew I would be surrounded by people I loved. The only thing that plane ride that accompanied me were my thoughts of doubt. Our team was the first to arrive, allowing us to choose where we stayed. However, the resort was far from the paradise we envisioned. The empty pool, no air conditioning, and no water or plumbing issues led us to switch rooms multiple times. The limited food options and overall cleanliness was even worse. Frustrated, I called my mom again, but her answer remained firm. She believed this experience would boost my personal growth. Back home, the support of my family and friends transformed my mindset. Realizing there was no escape, I decided to "fake it till I made it." A shift in perspective turned my experience from negative to positive. I'm grateful for this unique experience at such a young age. It taught me that, like the plane I boarded, I had to take off from my negative mindset. This journey highlighted the power of a change in perspective to overcome obstacles. The journey also showed me that I have resilience that will follow me to my next chapter of my life. It has always been a dream of mine to attend college and further my education in health/science. This is due to my desire to help others and my urge to provide the care and treatment for those around me. My passion for health and helping others has pushed me to want to share my passion so they can live a long and prosperous life. My educational aspirations consist of acquiring a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science that would assist me in pursuing a career where I am able to go into the elementary schools and teach children, as well as parents, about healthy eating, and the importance about being physically active. Also, as a strong bi-racial female, is the ability to work with Pro-Athletes, I want to be able to implement and evaluate the treatment and care they may need to continue to compete at a high level. Nutrition is an important part of sport performance for athletes, in addition to allowing for optimal growth and development. In conclusion, stepping into the airport filled me with fear and self-doubt as I embarked on a unique journey. While the initial challenges were overwhelming, the support of my loved ones and a change in perspective allowed me to transform a negative experience into an opportunity for personal growth.

My name is Jalia Cooper. I am a student at St. Joseph Academy High School, in Hammonton, NJ and will be graduating in May 2024. Currently my GPA is a 3.8 and I anticipate graduating with Honors. I recently committed to the University of New Haven, in Connecticut to further my education. I also was afforded the opportunity to play field hockey at the collegiate level. Being a minority athlete, has taught me many things about myself and what it takes to compete at a high level. The main thing is having proper nutrition so that my body will receive all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs to work at its best. The second thing was being able to identify a high-level athletic workout program that helped me build stronger muscles while increasing my overall performance in field hockey. In doing this I was named All Team First Conference all four years and this year I was selected for Frist Team South Jersey and was selected to play in the Senior All Star game for South Jersey. In addition to playing field hockey in High School, this past summer I represented the Puerto Rico Women’s International Field Hockey team in Dominican Republic. I participated in the Summer Olympic Caribbean games and was one of the youngest players to play. I contribute a lot of this to hard work and knowing how to care for my body. It has always been a dream of mine to attend college and further my education in health/science. This is due to my desire to help others and my urge to provide the care and treatment for those around me. My passion for health and helping others has pushed me to want to share my passion so they can live a long and prosperous life. My goals are to acquire a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a master’s degree in public health. In pursuing my degrees, it will allow me to go into the elementary schools and teach children about healthy eating, and the importance about being physically active. What inspired me, was when I was in 5th grade, there was a pilot program where all 5th grade students received a Neutral Bullet, as well as fruits to take home weekly to help promote healthy eating. This was all a part of the “Let’s Move Movement”. The former First Lady, Michelle Obama, addressed the issue of child obesity and wanted to support parents making healthier choices for their children. Children should have 60 minutes of moderate physical activity which can promote weight loss and provide weight maintenance. Another aspiration of mine as a strong bi-racial female, is the ability to work with Pro-Athletes. I want to be able to implement and evaluate the treatment and care they may need to continue to compete at a high level. Nutrition is an important part of sport performance for athletes, in addition to allowing for optimal growth and development. Nutrition strategy for athletes involves planning and managing their dietary intake to support their training and performance goals. This is why I want to focus my studies on nutrition strategy for athletes that involve planning and managing their dietary intake to support their training and performance goals. It is important that athletics understand poor nutrition can lead to subpar results, increased risk of injury, and compromised athletic potential. In closing, with this scholarship, I plan to take advantage of this opportunity and get all that I need to obtain my degree and help those around me live a better.

My name is Jalia Cooper. I am a student at St. Joseph Academy High School, in Hammonton, NJ and will be graduating in May 2024. Currently my GPA is a 3.8 and I anticipate graduating with Honors. I recently committed to the University of New Haven, in Connecticut to further my education. I also was afforded the opportunity to play field hockey at the collegiate level. Being a minority athlete, has taught me many things about myself and what it takes to compete at a high level. The main thing is having proper nutrition so that my body will receive all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs to work at its best. The second thing was being able to identify a high-level athletic workout program that helped me build stronger muscles while increasing my overall performance in field hockey. In doing this I was named All Team First Conference all four years and this year I was selected for Frist Team South Jersey and was selected to play in the Senior All Star game for South Jersey. In addition to playing field hockey in High School, this past summer I represented the Puerto Rico Women’s International Field Hockey team in Dominican Republic. I participated in the Summer Olympic Caribbean games and was one of the youngest players to play. I contribute a lot of this to hard work and knowing how to care for my body. It has always been a dream of mine to attend college and further my education in health/science. This is due to my desire to help others and my urge to provide the care and treatment for those around me. My passion for health and helping others has pushed me to want to share my passion so they can live a long and prosperous life. Within the next 5-10 years my goals are to have acquired a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a master’s degree in public health. In pursuing my degrees, it will assist me in pursuing a career where I am able to go into the elementary schools and teach children, as well as parents, about healthy eating, and the importance about being physically active. What inspired me, our school was chosen as a pilot program where all 5th grade students received a Neutral Bullet, as well as fruits to take home weekly to help promote healthy eating. This was all a part of the “Let’s Move Movement”. he former First Lady, Michelle Obama, addressed the issue of child obesity and wanted to support parents making healthier choices for their children. Children should have 60 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. More than 60 minutes of activity may promote weight loss and provide weight maintenance. I want to be able to share this with their parents as well as they can see the importance of having their children join sports and activities after school. The biggest thing is to reduce screen time in front of phones, computers, and TV to less than one to two hours daily. If children are up and moving and keep busy it will help them physically and mentally. Another aspiration of mine as a strong bi-racial female, is the ability to work with Pro-Athletes. I want to be able to implement and evaluate the treatment and care they may need to continue to compete at a high level. Nutrition is an important part of sport performance for athletes, in addition to allowing for optimal growth and development. Nutrition strategy for athletes involves planning and managing their dietary intake to support their training and performance goals. This is why I want to focus my studies on nutrition strategy for athletes that involve planning and managing their dietary intake to support their training and performance goals. It is important that athletics understand poor nutrition can lead to subpar results, increased risk of injury, and compromised athletic potential. In closing, with this scholarship, I plan to take advantage of this opportunity and get all that I need to obtain my degree and help those around me live a better.

My name is Jalia Cooper. I am a student at St. Joseph Academy High School, in Hammonton, NJ and will be graduating in May 2024. Currently my GPA is a 3.8 and I anticipate graduating with Honors. I recently committed to the University of New Haven, in Connecticut to further my education. I also was afforded the opportunity to play field hockey at the collegiate level. Being a minority athlete, has taught me many things about myself and what it takes to compete at a high level. The main thing is having proper nutrition so that my body will receive all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs to work at its best. The second thing was being able to identify a high-level athletic workout program that helped me build stronger muscles while increasing my overall performance in field hockey. In doing this I was named All Team First Conference all four years and this year I was selected for Frist Team South Jersey and was selected to play in the Senior All Star game for South Jersey. In addition to playing field hockey in High School, this past summer I represented the Puerto Rico Women’s International Field Hockey team in Dominican Republic. I participated in the Summer Olympic Caribbean games and was one of the youngest players to play. I contribute a lot of this to hard work and knowing how to care for my body. It has always been a dream of mine to attend college and further my education in health/science. This is due to my desire to help others and my urge to provide the care and treatment for those around me. My passion for health and helping others has pushed me to want to share my passion so they can live a long and prosperous life. Within the next 5-10 years my goals are to have acquired a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a master’s degree in public health. In pursuing my degrees, it will assist me in pursuing a career where I am able to go into the elementary schools and teach children, as well as parents, about healthy eating, and the importance about being physically active. What inspired me, our school was chosen as a pilot program where all 5th grade students received a Neutral Bullet, as well as fruits to take home weekly to help promote healthy eating. This was all a part of the “Let’s Move Movement”. The former First Lady, Michelle Obama, addressed the issue of child obesity and wanted to support parents making healthier choices for their children. Another aspiration of mine as a strong bi-racial female, is the ability to work with Pro-Athletes. I want to be able to implement and evaluate the treatment and care they may need to continue to compete at a high level. Nutrition is an important part of sport performance for athletes, in addition to allowing for optimal growth and development. Nutrition strategy for athletes involves planning and managing their dietary intake to support their training and performance goals. This is why I want to focus my studies on nutrition strategy for athletes that involve planning and managing their dietary intake to support their training and performance goals. It is important that athletics understand poor nutrition can lead to subpar results, increased risk of injury, and compromised athletic potential. In closing, with this scholarship, I plan to take advantage of this opportunity and get all that I need to obtain my degree and help those around me live a better.

As I was entering my freshman year in high school, I can remember my parents telling me that my time in high school will fly by and before I know it, I will be a senior! Well, I hate to say it, but “They were right”! Here I am a senior getting ready to graduate and attend college in the fall of 2024. If I had one piece of advice for student entering high school, I would suggest to them to get involved with as many extracurricular activities as they can. During my high school years, I participated in three varsity sports. Field Hockey, Track, both winter and spring, and Lacrosse. My main sport was field hockey. I was a four-year starter on the varsity team and made first team conference all four years. I was also named MVP my freshman and Junior year and was named top senior field hockey player through NJ.com. My senior year I was selected to attend Senior All Star game for South Jersey. During my senior year, I was honored to serve as one of the captains for the team. Our team made States my Junior and Senior year. We did not win States, but to make it to that point was a major accomplishment. My Junior year I took a leap of faith and tried out for the Women’s International Field Hockey Team for Puerto Rico. I am happy to say, that I made the team and was the youngest player to participate in the Central American Olympics in the Summer of 2023. In the fall of 2024, I will continue to play the sport that I love, at a collegiate level with the University of New Haven. Outside of sports, I was involved with the Multi-Cultural Club and the Women’s Leadership & Development Group at school. During our Multi-Cultural club, we worked together to inspire and appreciate all types of cultural. The Women’s Leadership & Development Group empowers young ladies like me a sense of self-worth; the right to have a dream; the right to have access to opportunities and resources; and the right to have the power to control our own lives. I believe that my extracurricular activities were a real eye opener for me. Being involved with all of these activities has taught me that being a student-athlete requires a high level of discipline, hard work, and time management skills. I will value these qualities going into college as it has thought me the ability to balance multiple responsibilities. An aspiration of mine as a strong bi-racial female, is the ability to work with Pro-Athletes. I want to be able to implement and evaluate the treatment and care they may need to continue to compete at a high level. Nutrition is an important part of sport performance for athletes, in addition to allowing for optimal growth and development. Nutrition strategy for athletes involves planning and managing their dietary intake to support their training and performance goals. This is why I want to focus my studies on nutrition strategy for athletes that involve planning and managing their dietary intake to support their training and performance goals. It is important that athletics understand poor nutrition can lead to subpar results, increased risk of injury, and compromised athletic potential. In closing, with this scholarship, I plan to take advantage of this opportunity and get all that I need to obtain my degree and help those around me live a better.

Stepping into the airport a strange sensation developed within me - fear. A fear unlike any other, it wasn’t spiders or heights. I was now scared of not meeting expectations. I was scared of not being enough. The opportunity of a lifetime had come my way: a chance to play the sport I loved overseas at the age of seventeen, among seasoned athletes. These women had played internationally and in college, while my most competitive experience was playing for a high school State Title. Doubt consumed me; what could I offer this team? Adding to the pressure, I had never been away from my family for more than two days, but now, I faced a whole month in a foreign country with strangers I had known for less than two months. The thought of being so far from my family shattered me. Boarding the plane intensified my doubts. Why was I here? What was I doing? I felt like an imposter. As the plane took off, there were no familiar faces to share the moment with; instead, I was alone with my anxious thoughts. Normally planes bought me joy because I knew I would be surrounded by people I loved. The only thing that plane ride that accompanied me were my thoughts of doubt. Our team was the first to arrive, allowing us to choose where we stayed. However, the resort was far from the paradise we envisioned. The empty pool, no air conditioning, and no water or plumbing issues led us to switch rooms multiple times. The limited food options and overall cleanliness was even worse. Frustrated, I called my mom again, but her answer remained firm. She believed this experience would boost my personal growth. Back home, the support of my family and friends transformed my mindset. Realizing there was no escape, I decided to "fake it till I made it." A shift in perspective turned my experience from negative to positive. I'm grateful for this unique experience at such a young age. It taught me that, like the plane I boarded, I had to take off from my negative mindset. This journey highlighted the power of a change in perspective to overcome obstacles. In conclusion, stepping into the airport filled me with fear and self-doubt as I embarked on a unique journey. While the initial challenges were overwhelming, the support of my loved ones and a change in perspective allowed me to transform a negative experience into an opportunity for personal growth. This adventure taught me that a shift in mindset can conquer even the hardest obstacles.

Why is this scholarship important to my college career? My name is Jalia Cooper. I am a student at St. Joseph Academy High School, in Hammonton, NJ and will be graduating in May 2024. Currently my GPA is a 3.8 and I anticipate graduating with Honors. I recently committed to the University of New Haven, in Connecticut to further my education. I also was afforded the opportunity to play field hockey at the collegiate level. Being a minority athlete, has taught me many things about myself and what it takes to compete at a high level. The main thing is having proper nutrition so that my body will receive all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs to work at its best. The second thing was being able to identify a high-level athletic workout program that helped me build stronger muscles while increasing my overall performance in field hockey. In doing this I was named All Team First Conference all four years and this year I was selected for Frist Team South Jersey and was selected to play in the Senior All Star game for South Jersey. In addition to playing field hockey in High School, this past summer I represented the Puerto Rico Women’s International Field Hockey team in Dominican Republic. I participated in the Summer Olympic Caribbean games and was one of the youngest players to play. I contribute a lot of this to hard work and knowing how to care for my body. It has always been a dream of mine to attend college and further my education in health/science. This is due to my desire to help others and my urge to provide the care and treatment for those around me. My passion for health and helping others has pushed me to want to share my passion so they can live a long and prosperous life. My educational aspirations consist of acquiring a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science that would assist me in pursuing a career where I am able to go into the elementary schools and teach children, as well as parents, about healthy eating, and the importance about being physically active. I believe what inspired me was when I was in 5th grade. Our school was chosen as a pilot program where all the 5th grade students received a Neutral Bullet, as well as fruits to take home weekly to help promote healthy eating. This all came about because of “Let’s Move Movement”. The “Let’s Move Movement” is where, Michelle Obama, addressed the issue of child obesity and wanted to support parents making healthier choices for their children. Another aspiration of mine as a strong bi-racial female, is the ability to work with Pro-Athletes, I want to be able to implement and evaluate the treatment and care they may need to continue to compete at a high level. Nutrition is an important part of sport performance for athletes, in addition to allowing for optimal growth and development. Nutrition strategy for athletes involves planning and managing their dietary intake to support their training and performance goals. This is why I want to focus my studies on nutrition strategy for athletes that involve planning and managing their dietary intake to support their training and performance goals. It is important that athletics understand poor nutrition can lead to subpar results, increased risk of injury, and compromised athletic potential. In closing, with this scholarship, I plan to take advantage of this opportunity and get all that I need to get my degree and help those around me live a better.

Why is this scholarship important to my college career? My name is Jalia Cooper. I am a student at St. Joseph Academy High School, in Hammonton, NJ and will be graduating in May 2024. Currently my GPA is a 3.8 and I anticipate graduating with Honors. I recently committed to the University of New Haven, in Connecticut to further my education. I also was afforded the opportunity to play field hockey at the collegiate level. Being a minority athlete, has taught me many things about myself and what it takes to compete at a high level. The main thing is having proper nutrition so that my body will receive all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs to work at its best. The second thing was being able to identify a high-level athletic workout program that helped me build stronger muscles while increasing my overall performance in field hockey. In doing this I was named All Team First Conference all four years and this year I was selected for Frist Team South Jersey and was selected to play in the Senior All Star game for South Jersey. In addition to playing field hockey in High School, this past summer I represented the Puerto Rico Women’s International Field Hockey team in Dominican Republic. I participated in the Summer Olympic Caribbean games and was one of the youngest players to play. I contribute a lot of this to hard work and knowing how to care for my body. It has always been a dream of mine to attend college and further my education in health/science. This is due to my desire to help others and my urge to provide the care and treatment for those around me. My passion for health and helping others has pushed me to want to share my passion so they can live a long and prosperous life. My educational aspirations consist of acquiring a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science that would assist me in pursuing a career where I am able to go into the elementary schools and teach children, as well as parents, about healthy eating, and the importance about being physically active. I believe what inspired me was when I was in 5th grade. Our school was chosen as a pilot program where all the 5th grade students received a Neutral Bullet, as well as fruits to take home weekly to help promote healthy eating. This all came about because of “Let’s Move Movement”. The “Let’s Move Movement” is where, Michelle Obama, addressed the issue of child obesity and wanted to support parents making healthier choices for their children. Another aspiration of mine as a strong bi-racial female, is the ability to work with Pro-Athletes, I want to be able to implement and evaluate the treatment and care they may need to continue to compete at a high level. Nutrition is an important part of sport performance for athletes, in addition to allowing for optimal growth and development. Nutrition strategy for athletes involves planning and managing their dietary intake to support their training and performance goals. This is why I want to focus my studies on nutrition strategy for athletes that involve planning and managing their dietary intake to support their training and performance goals. It is important that athletics understand poor nutrition can lead to subpar results, increased risk of injury, and compromised athletic potential. In closing, with this scholarship, I plan to take advantage of this opportunity and get all that I need to get my degree and help those around me live a better.

Why is this scholarship important to my college career? My name is Jalia Cooper. I am a student at St. Joseph Academy High School, in Hammonton, NJ and will be graduating in May 2024. Currently my GPA is a 3.8 and I anticipate graduating with Honors. I recently committed to the University of New Haven, in Connecticut to further my education. I also was afforded the opportunity to play field hockey at the collegiate level. Being a minority athlete, has taught me many things about myself and what it takes to compete at a high level. The main thing is having proper nutrition so that my body will receive all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs to work at its best. The second thing was being able to identify a high-level athletic workout program that helped me build stronger muscles while increasing my overall performance in field hockey. In doing this I was named All Team First Conference all four years and this year I was selected for Frist Team South Jersey and was selected to play in the Senior All Star game for South Jersey. In addition to playing field hockey in High School, this past summer I represented the Puerto Rico Women’s International Field Hockey team in Dominican Republic. I participated in the Summer Olympic Caribbean games and was one of the youngest players to play. I contribute a lot of this to hard work and knowing how to care for my body. It has always been a dream of mine to attend college and further my education in health/science. This is due to my desire to help others and my urge to provide the care and treatment for those around me. My passion for health and helping others has pushed me to want to share my passion so they can live a long and prosperous life. My educational aspirations consist of acquiring a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science that would assist me in pursuing a career where I am able to go into the elementary schools and teach children, as well as parents, about healthy eating, and the importance about being physically active. I believe what inspired me was when I was in 5th grade. Our school was chosen as a pilot program where all the 5th grade students received a Neutral Bullet, as well as fruits to take home weekly to help promote healthy eating. This all came about because of “Let’s Move Movement”. The “Let’s Move Movement” is where, Michelle Obama, addressed the issue of child obesity and wanted to support parents making healthier choices for their children. Another aspiration of mine as a strong bi-racial female, is the ability to work with Pro-Athletes, I want to be able to implement and evaluate the treatment and care they may need to continue to compete at a high level. Nutrition is an important part of sport performance for athletes, in addition to allowing for optimal growth and development. Nutrition strategy for athletes involves planning and managing their dietary intake to support their training and performance goals. This is why I want to focus my studies on nutrition strategy for athletes that involve planning and managing their dietary intake to support their training and performance goals. It is important that athletics understand poor nutrition can lead to subpar results, increased risk of injury, and compromised athletic potential. In closing, with this scholarship, I plan to take advantage of this opportunity and get all that I need to get my degree and help those around me live a better.

Stepping into the airport a strange sensation developed within me - fear. A fear unlike any other, it wasn’t spiders or heights. I was now scared of not meeting expectations. I feared not being enough. The opportunity of a lifetime had come my way: a chance to play the sport I loved overseas at the age of seventeen, among seasoned athletes. These women had played internationally and in college, while my most competitive experience was playing for a high school State Title. Doubt consumed me; what could I offer this team? Adding to the pressure, I had never been away from my family for more than two days, but now, I faced a whole month in a foreign country with strangers I had known for less than two months. The thought of being so far from my family shattered me. Boarding the plane intensified my doubts. Why was I here? What was I doing? I felt like an imposter. As the plane took off, there were no familiar faces to share the moment with; instead, I was alone with my anxious thoughts. Normally planes bought me joy because I knew I would be surrounded by people I loved. The only thing that plane ride that accompanied me were my thoughts of doubt. Our team was the first to arrive, allowing us to choose where we stayed. However, the resort was far from the paradise we envisioned. The empty pool, no air conditioning, and no water or plumbing issues led us to switch rooms multiple times. The limited food options and overall cleanliness was even worse. Frustrated, I called my mom again, but her answer remained firm. She believed this experience would boost my personal growth. Back home, the support of my family and friends transformed my mindset. Realizing there was no escape, I decided to "fake it till I made it." A shift in perspective turned my experience from negative to positive. I'm grateful for this unique experience at such a young age. It taught me that, like the plane I boarded, I had to take off from my negative mindset. This journey highlighted the power of a change in perspective to overcome obstacles. The journey also showed me that I have resilience that will follow me to my next chapter of my life. It has always been a dream of mine to attend college and further my education in health/science. This is due to my desire to help others and my urge to provide the care and treatment for those around me. My passion for health and helping others has pushed me to want to share my passion so they can live a long and prosperous life. My educational aspirations consist of acquiring a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science that would assist me in pursuing a career where I am able to go into the elementary schools and teach children, as well as parents, about healthy eating, and the importance about being physically active. Also, as a strong bi-racial female, is the ability to work with Pro-Athletes, I want to be able to implement and evaluate the treatment and care they may need to continue to compete at a high level. Nutrition is an important part of sport performance for athletes, in addition to allowing for optimal growth and development. In conclusion, stepping into the airport filled me with fear and self-doubt as I embarked on a unique journey. While the initial challenges were overwhelming, the support of my loved ones and a change in perspective allowed me to transform a negative experience into an opportunity for personal growth.

My name is Jalia Cooper. I am a student at St. Joseph Academy High School, in Hammonton NJ and will be graduating in May 2024. Currently my GPA is a 3.8 and I anticipate graduating with Honors. I recently committed to the University of New Haven, in Connecticut to further my education. I also was afforded the opportunity to play field hockey at the collegiate level. It has always been a dream of mine to attend college and further my education in health/science. This is due to my desire to help others and my urge to provide the care and treatment for those who want to take their game to the next level. My educational aspirations consist of acquiring a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science that would assist me in pursuing a career where I have the ability to work with Pro-Athletes and evaluate the treatment and care they may need to continue to compete at a high level. Nutrition is an important part of sport performance for athletes, as well as having them understand their self-awareness and how lifestyle affects the readiness to train, compete and win! With this scholarship, I plan to take advantage of this opportunity and get all that I need to get my degree. I guarantee you if I receive this scholarship, I will use my degree to help those around me live a better productive life with meaning.

My name is Jalia Cooper. I am a student at St. Joseph Academy High School, in Hammonton NJ and will be graduating in May 2024. Currently my GPA is a 3.8 and I anticipate graduating with Honors. I recently committed to the University of New Haven, in Connecticut to further my education. I also was afforded the opportunity to play field hockey at the collegiate level. Being a minority athlete, has taught me many things about myself and what it takes to compete at a high level. The main thing is having proper nutrition so that my body will receive all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs to work at its best. The second thing was being able to identify a high-level athletic workout program that helped me build stronger muscles while increasing my overall performance in field hockey. In doing this I was named All Team First Conference all four years and this year I was selected for Frist Team South Jersey and was selected to play in the Senior All Star game for South Jersey. In addition to playing field hockey in High School, this past summer I represented the Puerto Rico Women’s International Field Hockey team in Dominican Republic. I participated in the Summer Olympic Caribbean games and was one of the youngest players to play. I contribute a lot of this to hard work and knowing how to care for my body. It has always been a dream of mine to attend college and further my education in health/science. This is due to my desire to help others and my urge to provide the care and treatment for those around me. My passion for health and helping others has pushed me to want to share my passion so they can live a long and prosperous life. My educational aspirations consist of acquiring a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science that would assist me in pursuing a career where I am able to go into the elementary schools and teach children, as well as parents, about healthy eating, and the importance about being physically active. I believe what inspired me was when I was in 5th grade. Our school was chosen as a pilot program where all the 5th grade students received a Neutral Bullet, as well as fruits to take home weekly to help promote healthy eating. This all came about because of “Let’s Move Movement”. “The “Let’s Move Movement” is where, Michelle Obama, addressed the issue of child obesity and wanted to support parents making healthier choices for their children. Another aspiration of mine as a strong bi-racial female, is the ability to work with Pro-Athletes, I want to be able to implement and evaluate the treatment and care they may need to continue to compete at a high level. Nutrition is an important part of sport performance for athletes, in addition to allowing for optimal growth and development. Nutrition strategy for athletes involves planning and managing their dietary intake to support their training and performance goals. This is why I want to focus my studies on nutrition strategy for athletes that involve planning and managing their dietary intake to support their training and performance goals. It is important that athletics understand poor nutrition can lead to subpar results, increased risk of injury, and compromised athletic potential. In closing, to receive this scholarship will be an accomplishment for myself and a chance to achieve my goals. With this scholarship, I plan to take advantage of this opportunity and get all that I need to get my degree and help those around me live a better.

As a young Bi-racial Field Hockey Player, my dream is to continue to show minority girls, that there is no Dream to Big! When I first was introduced to field hockey, I was in the 6th grade. During gym class our teacher said, “We are going to play a game that many of you kids have probably never played before, Field Hockey”! We all looked at each other and asked, “what is that”! All it took was my gym teacher to show me how to hold the stick and how to dribble the ball, and I was in love! Through my years of playing, I noticed that there were not many girls that looked like me playing field hockey. I always knew that I wanted to be that girl that others would look at and say, “If she can do it, so can I”. I played for many teams and would always look to see there were any girls that looked like me but some how that was never the case. This was also true when it came time to playing against other teams. At times I can remember playing in games and I can hear the parents on the sideline saying where did “that” girl come from, number 16, which was my jersey number, she is good. After that game I asked my mom why are there not a lot of monitory girls that play field hockey. My mom explained that the game is not really played in diverse communities such as ours and that is why we always would have to travel anywhere from a half an hour to an hour, so I would be able to play on a competitive team. In 2021, all of this changed as my club coach started a club program in our community. I was so excited when I heard this, that I told all my friends. Our first year was an experience as a lot of the girls were still learning the game but I was able to help teach them the things that I knew. The second year our numbers doubled, and we were able to compete with other club teams. I am proud to say that year, we came in first place during our first tournament of the session. It was a major accomplishment as were the newest team as well on of the only diverse teams to play. Till this day, I still play for the club team as well as a volunteer coach for the first and second graders. Currently, I am a senior in High School and on the varsity team. My dreams are to continue to play in College, as I had offers from 15 different colleges and recently committed to the University of New Haven. Over this past summer, 2023, I represented the International Field Hockey Team for Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Olympics. I was the youngest player on the team and was recognized as MVP during our game against Bermuda. With all this being said, as a bi-racial field hockey player it has been challenging but humbling experience. Many people were not pleased that I was prospering in a white-dominated sport. This forced me to always strive to be better than the best because, it was only then that I would be acknowledged for my efforts to succeed as a field hockey player. It is this mentality that has made me into who I am today and what will carry me into my future endeavors and strive to serve as a role model for my community.