Success is achieving goals, reaching dreams, becoming the best that I can be. For me, that would be working in the exercise science field to help others reach their health and fitness goals, maintain their health, and recover from injuries safely and quickly. For me to succeed in that goal, I need the education, and I need to remain healthy and fit myself. My journey may not be like others, but I hope to not only help others, but inspire them to be their best selves too, whatever that looks like to them. Success is not a one size fits all, as each person's ideas are unique to themselves. I desire to help them in reaching their health goals though, while maintaining my own, and that would be success to me. I have always been passionate about health and fitness. In elementary I completed the 4-H project, “Staying Healthy”, received first in county, and went on to state fair. In junior high, I suffered an injury while playing soccer. This resulted in a few months of physical therapy. I had seen physical therapists work before my younger brothers have chronic conditions that have led them to be in physical and occupational therapies over the years. However, participating in therapy as the patient gave a new insight. My PT was different than I had seen with my brothers. Mine was like a coach, encouraging and guiding. Being a PT meant meeting the patient where they were, whether they were a chronic illness patient or an athlete recovering from an injury, understanding their goals and needs, and using appropriate tools and attitudes to help them achieve their best outcomes. It inspired me, and I knew I wanted to do something similar. Throughout high school I worked off and on with a physical therapist, an athletic trainer, and a chiropractor, to keep myself as physically fit and healthy as possible and to recover from injuries quicker. One summer, I attended a weeklong athletic training academic camp where I learned how to manage simple injuries and completed my CPR re-certification. During junior year I was approved to volunteer and shadow with our school district’s athletic trainer. I had to go through the application and pre-hire process with the local hospital to do so. I was able to shadow some sporting events and learn more about that career. I also had many discussions with a chiropractor about his work and what paths were best for graduate school. Senior year of high school brought a few hurdles, that started with covid, then strep. I never thought of strep as a big deal. However, this time, was not like any other. It triggered an autoimmune condition, Henoch-Schonlein Purpura, which was terrifying to see, as my feet were covered in petechiae and purpura. It caused inflammation throughout my body. It took a couple days to diagnose, and I learned it could affect kidneys. I was referred to a nephrologist after a month of no improvement and then had a kidney biopsy, which resulted in an IgA Nephropathy diagnosis, for which there is no cure. By living a healthy lifestyle with exercise and eating right, regular monitoring, and taking medications as prescribed when needed, I can still have a relatively normal life and will accomplish all my dreams and goals. This diagnosis has only fueled my desire more to this career path. I plan to study Exercise Science, with the goal of helping others manage their health and to excel and grow in their abilities. Upon graduation, I’ll be able to work as a personal trainer and strength and condition coach, and then will be able to go on to graduate school. While I am still deciding if the long-term goal is to be a physical therapist, athletic trainer or chiropractor, obtaining the exercise science bachelor’s degree is the start for any of those paths. I wish to work in the community where I was raised. We are over an hour away from big hospital systems with all the resources. If I can become a resource within my own community, it could help others return to health and/or reach their health goals sooner than what they could have otherwise. My road may not be as simple as others and may have some hurdles, but I know it can be done. I hope to not only help others, but to also inspire them in their health, fitness and recovery journeys.

I have always been passionate about health and fitness. In elementary I completed the 4-H project, “Staying Healthy”, received first in county, and went on to state fair. In junior high, I suffered an injury while playing soccer that resulted in a few months of physical therapy. Even though I had seen my brothers participate in therapy, being the patient gave a new insight. My PT was like a coach, encouraging and guiding. Being a PT meant meeting the patient where they were, whether they were a chronic illness patient or an athlete recovering from an injury, understanding their goals and needs, and using appropriate tools and attitudes to help them achieve their best outcomes. It inspired me, and I knew I wanted to do something similar. Throughout high school I worked off and on with a physical therapist, an athletic trainer, and a chiropractor, to keep myself as physically fit and healthy as possible and to recover from injuries quicker. One summer, I attended a weeklong athletic training academic camp where I learned how to manage simple injuries and completed my CPR re-certification. During junior year I was approved to volunteer and shadow with our school district’s athletic trainer. I had to go through the application and pre-hire process with the local hospital to do so. I was able to shadow some sporting events and learn more about that career. I also had many discussions with a chiropractor about his work and what paths were best for graduate school. Senior year of high school brought a few hurdles, that started with covid, then strep. I never thought of strep as a big deal. However, this time, was not like any other. It triggered an autoimmune condition, Henoch-Schonlein Purpura, which was terrifying to see, as my feet were covered in petechiae and purpura. It caused inflammation throughout my body. It took a couple days to diagnose, and I learned it could affect kidneys. I was referred to a nephrologist after a month of no improvement and then had a kidney biopsy, which resulted in an IgA Nephropathy diagnosis, for which there is no cure. By living a healthy lifestyle with exercise and eating right, regular monitoring, and taking medications as prescribed when needed, I can still have a relatively normal life and will accomplish all my dreams and goals. This diagnosis has only driven me further to succeed in my desire to help others with their health and fitness. I plan to study Exercise Science, with the goal of helping others manage their health and to excel and grow in their abilities. Upon graduation, I’ll be able to work as a personal trainer and strength and condition coach, and then will be able to go on to graduate school. While I am still deciding if the long-term goal is to be a physical therapist, athletic trainer or chiropractor, obtaining the exercise science bachelor’s degree is the start for any of those paths. I wish to work in the community where I was raised. We are over an hour away from big hospital systems with all the resources. If I can become a resource within my own community, it could help others return to health and/or reach their health goals sooner than what they could have otherwise. My road may not be as simple as others and may have some hurdles, but I know it can be done. I hope to not only help others, but to also inspire them in their health, fitness and recovery journeys.

I have always been passionate about health and fitness. In elementary I completed the 4-H project, “Staying Healthy”, received first in county, and went on to state fair. In junior high, I suffered an injury while playing soccer. This resulted in a few months of physical therapy. I had seen physical therapists work before my younger brothers have chronic conditions that have led them to be in physical and occupational therapies over the years. However, participating in therapy as the patient gave a new insight. My PT was different than I had seen with my brothers. Mine was like a coach, encouraging and guiding. Being a PT meant meeting the patient where they were, whether they were a chronic illness patient or an athlete recovering from an injury, understanding their goals and needs, and using appropriate tools and attitudes to help them achieve their best outcomes. It inspired me, and I knew I wanted to do something similar. Throughout high school I worked off and on with a physical therapist, an athletic trainer, and a chiropractor, to keep myself as physically fit and healthy as possible and to recover from injuries quicker. One summer, I attended a weeklong athletic training academic camp where I learned how to manage simple injuries and completed my CPR re-certification. During junior year I was approved to volunteer and shadow with our school district’s athletic trainer. I had to go through the application and pre-hire process with the local hospital to do so. I was able to shadow some sporting events and learn more about that career. I also had many discussions with a chiropractor about his work and what paths were best for graduate school. Senior year of high school brought a few hurdles, that started with covid, then strep. I never thought of strep as a big deal. However, this time, was not like any other. It triggered an autoimmune condition, Henoch-Schonlein Purpura, which was terrifying to see, as my feet were covered in petechiae and purpura. It caused inflammation throughout my body. It took a couple days to diagnose, and I learned it could affect kidneys. I was referred to a nephrologist after a month of no improvement and then had a kidney biopsy, which resulted in an IgA Nephropathy diagnosis, for which there is no cure. By living a healthy lifestyle with exercise and eating right, regular monitoring, and taking medications as prescribed when needed, I can still have a relatively normal life and will accomplish all my dreams and goals. I plan to study Exercise Science, with the goal of helping others manage their health and to excel and grow in their abilities. Upon graduation, I’ll be able to work as a personal trainer and strength and condition coach, and then will be able to go on to graduate school. While I am still deciding if the long-term goal is to be a physical therapist, athletic trainer or chiropractor, obtaining the exercise science bachelor’s degree is the start for any of those paths. I wish to work in the community where I was raised. We are over an hour away from big hospital systems with all the resources. If I can become a resource within my own community, it could help others return to health and/or reach their health goals sooner than what they could have otherwise. My road may not be as simple as others and may have some hurdles, but I know it can be done. I hope to not only help others, but to also inspire them in their health, fitness and recovery journeys.

Obtaining this scholarship would help me pursue my goals. I've always been passionate about health and fitness. In elementary I completed the 4-H project, “Staying Healthy”, received first in county, and went on to state fair. In junior high, I suffered an injury while playing soccer. This resulted in a few months of physical therapy. I had seen physical therapists work before my younger brothers have chronic conditions that have led them to be in physical and occupational therapies over the years. However, participating in therapy as the patient gave a new insight. My PT was different than I had seen with my brothers. Mine was like a coach, encouraging and guiding. Being a PT meant meeting the patient where they were, whether they were a chronic illness patient or an athlete recovering from an injury, understanding their goals and needs, and using appropriate tools and attitudes to help them achieve their best outcomes. It inspired me, and I knew I wanted to do something similar. Throughout high school I worked off and on with a physical therapist, an athletic trainer, and a chiropractor, to keep myself as physically fit and healthy as possible and to recover from injuries quicker. One summer, I attended a weeklong athletic training academic camp where I learned how to manage simple injuries and completed my CPR re-certification. During junior year I was approved to shadow with our school district’s athletic trainer. I had to go through the application and pre-hire process with the local hospital to do so. I was able to shadow some sporting events and learn more about that career. I also had many discussions with a chiropractor about his work and what paths were best for school. Senior year of high school brought a few hurdles, starting with covid, then strep. I never thought of strep as a big deal. However, this time, was not like any other. It triggered an autoimmune condition, Henoch-Schonlein Purpura, which was terrifying, as my feet were covered in petechiae and purpura. It caused inflammation throughout my body. It took a couple days to diagnose, and I learned it could affect kidneys. I was referred to a nephrologist after a month of no improvement and then had a kidney biopsy, which resulted in an IgA Nephropathy diagnosis, for which there is no cure. By living a healthy lifestyle with exercise and eating right, regular monitoring, and taking medications as prescribed when needed, I can still have a relatively normal life and will accomplish all my dreams and goals. I plan to study Exercise Science, with the goal of helping others manage their health and to excel and grow in their abilities. Upon graduation, I’ll be able to work as a personal trainer and strength and condition coach, and then will be able to go on to graduate school. While I am still deciding if the long-term goal is to be a physical therapist, athletic trainer or chiropractor, obtaining the exercise science bachelor’s degree is the start for any of those paths. I wish to work in the community where I was raised. We are over an hour away from big hospital systems with all the resources. If I can become a resource within my own community, it could help others return to health and/or reach their health goals sooner than what they could have otherwise. My road may not be as simple as others and may have some hurdles, but I know it can be done. I hope to not only help others, but to also inspire them in their health, fitness and recovery journeys.

I have always been passionate about health and fitness. In elementary I completed the 4-H project, “Staying Healthy”, received first in county, and went on to state fair. In junior high, I suffered an injury while playing soccer. This resulted in a few months of physical therapy. I had seen physical therapists work before my younger brothers have chronic conditions that have led them to be in physical and occupational therapies over the years. However, participating in therapy as the patient gave a new insight. My PT was different than I had seen with my brothers. Mine was like a coach, encouraging and guiding. Being a PT meant meeting the patient where they were, whether they were a chronic illness patient or an athlete recovering from an injury, understanding their goals and needs, and using appropriate tools and attitudes to help them achieve their best outcomes. It inspired me, and I knew I wanted to do something similar. Throughout high school I worked off and on with a physical therapist, an athletic trainer, and a chiropractor, to keep myself as physically fit and healthy as possible and to recover from injuries quicker. One summer, I attended a weeklong athletic training academic camp where I learned how to manage simple injuries and completed my CPR re-certification. During junior year I was approved to volunteer and shadow with our school district’s athletic trainer. I had to go through the application and pre-hire process with the local hospital to do so. I was able to shadow some sporting events and learn more about that career. I also had many discussions with a chiropractor about his work and what paths were best for graduate school. Senior year of high school brought a few hurdles, that started with covid, then strep. I never thought of strep as a big deal. However, this time, was not like any other. It triggered an autoimmune condition, Henoch-Schonlein Purpura, which was terrifying to see, as my feet were covered in petechiae and purpura. It caused inflammation throughout my body. It took a couple days to diagnose, and I learned it could affect kidneys. I was referred to a nephrologist after a month of no improvement and then had a kidney biopsy, which resulted in an IgA Nephropathy diagnosis, for which there is no cure. By living a healthy lifestyle with exercise and eating right, regular monitoring, and taking medications as prescribed when needed, I can still have a relatively normal life and will accomplish all my dreams and goals. I plan to study Exercise Science, with the goal of helping others manage their health and to excel and grow in their abilities. Upon graduation, I’ll be able to work as a personal trainer and strength and condition coach, and then will be able to go on to graduate school. While I am still deciding if the long-term goal is to be a physical therapist, athletic trainer or chiropractor, obtaining the exercise science bachelor’s degree is the start for any of those paths. I wish to work in the community where I was raised. We are over an hour away from big hospital systems with all the resources. If I can become a resource within my own community, it could help others return to health and/or reach their health goals sooner than what they could have otherwise. My road may not be as simple as others and may have some hurdles, but I know it can be done. I hope to not only help others, but to also inspire them in their health, fitness and recovery journeys.

I have always been passionate about health and fitness. In elementary I completed the 4-H project, “Staying Healthy”, received first in county, and went on to state fair. In junior high, I suffered an injury while playing soccer. This resulted in a few months of physical therapy. I had seen physical therapists work before my younger brothers have chronic conditions that have led them to be in physical and occupational therapies over the years. However, participating in therapy as the patient gave a new insight. My PT was different than I had seen with my brothers. Mine was like a coach, encouraging and guiding. Being a PT meant meeting the patient where they were, whether they were a chronic illness patient or an athlete recovering from an injury, understanding their goals and needs, and using appropriate tools and attitudes to help them achieve their best outcomes. It inspired me, and I knew I wanted to do something similar. Throughout high school I worked off and on with a physical therapist, an athletic trainer, and a chiropractor, to keep myself as physically fit and healthy as possible and to recover from injuries quicker. One summer, I attended a weeklong athletic training academic camp where I learned how to manage simple injuries and completed my CPR re-certification. During junior year I was approved to volunteer and shadow with our school district’s athletic trainer. I had to go through the application and pre-hire process with the local hospital to do so. I was able to shadow some sporting events and learn more about that career. I also had many discussions with a chiropractor about his work and what paths were best for graduate school. Senior year of high school brought a few hurdles, that started with covid, then strep. I never thought of strep as a big deal. However, this time, was not like any other. It triggered an autoimmune condition, Henoch-Schonlein Purpura, which was terrifying to see, as my feet were covered in petechiae and purpura. It caused inflammation throughout my body. It took a couple days to diagnose, and I learned it could affect kidneys. I was referred to a nephrologist after a month of no improvement and then had a kidney biopsy, which resulted in an IgA Nephropathy diagnosis, for which there is no cure. By living a healthy lifestyle with exercise and eating right, regular monitoring, and taking medications as prescribed when needed, I can still have a relatively normal life and will accomplish all my dreams and goals. I plan to study Exercise Science, with the goal of helping others manage their health and to excel and grow in their abilities. Upon graduation, I’ll be able to work as a personal trainer and strength and condition coach, and then will be able to go on to graduate school. While I am still deciding if the long-term goal is to be a physical therapist, athletic trainer or chiropractor, obtaining the exercise science bachelor’s degree is the start for any of those paths. I wish to work in the community where I was raised. We are over an hour away from big hospital systems with all the resources. If I can become a resource within my own community, it could help others return to health and/or reach their health goals sooner than what they could have otherwise. My road may not be as simple as others and may have some hurdles, but I know it can be done. I hope to not only help others, but to also inspire them in their health, fitness and recovery journeys.