My grandfather was an unlikely choice to become a father figure to me. He was an addict who wasn't even in my life until I was in my early teens. However, the years we have had together have helped shape the person I am and the person I want to be. His story is the ultimate comeback story. Growing up, I didn't know my grandfather. No one spoke about him. In fact, it wasn't until I was in middle school and I lost my uncle to an overdose that I learned my grandfather was also an addict. After having a tumultuous relationship for years, my mom had cut off communication with him before I was born. Soon after my uncle’s death, my mom and grandfather started to speak again. It wasn’t easy at first, but my grandfather was committed to making things right. His commitment is something I admire and that I try to emulate. Before reconnecting with my mom, my grandfather sought recovery for his addiction. It was a hard road, and it took many tries. Fortunately, he found the proper support and has been able to achieve long-term sobriety. My grandfather attributes his success to hard work and stability. After rehab, he spent time in a halfway house, where they helped him to find a job. For the first time in a long time, he felt that people believed in him and were counting on him. Knowing that fueled him to get up and go to work every day. After being sober for several years, my grandfather wanted to give back to the community that helped him so much. He created a non-profit called Recovery on Reed, which helps addicts acclimate to society after completing a rehabilitation program. I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to volunteer with the organization throughout the years. Helping at my grandfather’s nonprofit taught me how meaningful a job can be by providing structure, pride, and self-worth. Through my grandfather and my time at Recovery on Reed, I’ve realized that recovery is not just about avoiding substances; it’s about rediscovering who you are and finding faith and hope for the future. I have been inspired by my grandfather to help others find hope again. My grandfather may have come into my life late, but he has made a significant, positive impact on me. I plan to help those in recovery and their families deal with the effects of addiction. I am attending Susquehanna University to study business and finance. My ultimate goal is to open a company in my hometown and provide job opportunities to those in recovery. Winning the Tony Alviani Memorial Scholarship would help reduce the financial pressure on my family, as both my twin brother and I are in college at the same time. My parents and grandfather are doing everything they can to support us, but my brother and I have both had to take out loans and work while in school. This scholarship would help me spend more time focusing on my education and future goals. More importantly, it would be a step toward building something that gives back to others, makes a difference in my community, and honors my grandfather.

“Uncle Pilot is dead.” I vividly remember hearing the news on a trip back from Hershey Park, when my dad turned around to let my brother and me know about my uncle’s passing. That was when I first realized that addiction had the potential to hurt ordinary families like mine. While my uncle’s addiction was no secret, the adults in my life did as much as they could to shield us from the worst of it. When things started to get bad, my aunt and parents agreed it was best for my cousins to live with us for a while. We had always been close with them, but our time under the same roof made them feel like siblings. Shortly after their father’s death, they came to stay with us again. Even though we were kids, I could tell they were struggling. Some nights, they cried about missing their dad and seemed sad a lot. At the time, I was angry. I didn’t understand that addiction is a disease. I saw it as my uncle choosing drugs over his kids. It took years, and another family story, to help me know the truth. My grandfather on my mother’s side had been absent for most of our lives, until a few years after my uncle’s passing. I learned that he, too, had struggled with addiction, but was fortunate to find long-term recovery. He now runs Recovery on Reed and helps others navigate life after rehab. As my mom and grandfather rebuilt their relationship, I began to understand addiction not just as a tragedy that happened to us, but a struggle many families face in Delaware County and beyond. These experiences changed me. They showed me how families suffer silently and how crucial community support can be. They also inspired my career goals. I’m currently a freshman at Susquehanna University studying business and finance. My dream is to return to my hometown after graduation and open a company that provides job opportunities for people in recovery. I’ve seen through my grandfather’s organization that work can be a powerful part of healing. When people feel trusted, valued, and stable, they are more likely to succeed in long-term recovery. I want to build a business that helps make that happen for others, here in the community that has always been there for me. Winning this scholarship would help ease the financial burden on my family as my twin brother and I both begin college. My parents are doing everything they can to support us, but I still need to take out loans and work part-time to help cover the costs. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to focus more fully on my studies during school and create job opportunities for people in recovery after graduation. This award would not just support my education, it would be a meaningful investment in a mission to give back.

My father hasn't walked on the moon, cured cancer, or achieved world peace. I'd be proud if he ever did any of those things, but I don't think I could be any more grateful for him than I already am. The day I was born, my parents also welcomed my twin brother into the world. I'm sure having two boys to take care of at once wasn't easy, and I know my brother and I didn't always make things easier for my parents. However, even with the responsibility of two boys, my father always made sure we felt like individuals. He would plan special experiences with each of us one-on-one. My father is the epitome of dependable. I never realized how lucky I was to have someone I could always count on until I got older. He has attended nearly every one of my games, volunteer events, and ceremonies. He sat with me at the dinner table to get my homework done, even after working hard all day. No matter how tired he was, he always made time for what mattered to us. When my dad's brother died from an overdose, I was young and confused. Even though he was dealing with the tragedy of losing his brother, he focused on helping my brother, cousins, and me get through the worst time of our short lives. He made sure we all had what we needed and never let us feel alone. Most importantly, he encouraged us to express and talk about our feelings. My dad never got the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree. He and my mom work incredibly hard so that my brother and I have opportunities that he never had. I haven't always realized the sacrifices my father made for us. He never had the fanciest car or the nicest clothes, not because he didn't want them, but because he would rather see his money go to making a better life for my brother and me. Even though he worked hard and saved, college costs have risen tremendously over the years, and paying for two students at once isn't feasible without loans. This scholarship would help ease the financial burden he is taking on to help me pay for college. My father has always been the rock in our extended family. He takes care of everyone, and it's inspired me to do the same. I plan to study business so I can open a business in my hometown that hires people who are in recovery. I hope to carry forward his values of hard work, dedication, and love throughout my career.