Kaliyah Watson Tom LoCasale: Developing Character Through Golf Scholarship May 21, 2025 One of the biggest life lessons I have learned from playing golf is how much hard work can help you achieve your goals. In eighth grade, one of my friends wanted to try out for the golf team and encouraged me to join him so he would have someone to talk to. Later, I told my mom I wanted to play golf, but there was a problem: I had never played before, and I didn’t know what I needed or what I was about to experience. Before the tryout, we visited a pawn shop and bought a putter, a nine iron, and a sand wedge. At the tryout, I made the team because the coaches saw my potential. One of the coaches, Mr. John Gamble, gave me a bag and some extra balls, urging me to keep working on my game. My mom learned from my aunt about a program called The First Tee, specifically Greater Charlotte, which helps youth improve their golf skills. The program and the coaches I had that season played a significant role in my development. Unfortunately, COVID-19 disrupted our plans, and schools were closed for the rest of the year. During 2020 and that summer, I continued to practice diligently to improve my skills in preparation for high school golf. I spent my days on the golf course from morning until night, preparing for tournaments that would help me get better. As my freshman year of high school approached, I was ready for tryouts again. This time, I made the team, and I developed a strong relationship with my high school coach, especially since I was the only player on the team for the first two years. We would often practice together, focusing on specific aspects of my game, like my short game and consistency with approach shots and fairway accuracy. These two years allowed me to blossom in high school golf and inspired me to compete effectively against my opponents. Since my opponents had started playing at a younger age, they had a slight advantage over me. However, with the dedication I demonstrated during my summer practice, I returned to the basics and worked on improving my skills. As I continued to get better, I began to compete alongside our lower scorers and even won several matches. That year, I made the team for the Big South Conference in our district and earned my ticket to the 3A Western Regional, but I fell short of qualifying for the State Championships. Fast forward to now: I have been a four-time Big South Conference Player of the Year, a four-time Regional Qualifier, the 2024 Mountaineer Golfer of the Year, and a one-time state qualifier, with numerous trophies to my name. I am now committed to playing golf at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, where I will pursue a degree in chemical engineering with a minor in music. Throughout my years playing golf, I have developed a greater sense of humility and strength in facing challenges. The game has taught me how to confront adversity head-on and strive for more—not just in golf, but as an individual. Outside of golf, I have worked hard to overcome obstacles while managing numerous AP courses at my school. My journey hasn’t been easy, but I am grateful for the lessons I’ve learned that have shaped me into a better person. I plan to utilize my strong work ethic to keep pushing forward in my life as I tackle my degree, golf, band, and music minor.

Music has had a tremendous impact on my life; I can always turn to it to relax or lift my spirits. As a child, it was evident that I was destined for a future in music. I started as a temporary church drummer under my cousin. As I grew older, my commitment deepened and I became the official church drummer due to the conflicting work schedules, while also joining my school's band. When I entered high school, I had the opportunity to play various instruments in the band, including the marching snare and bass drum simultaneously. I was encouraged to audition for honor bands, but I initially faced rejection twice. However, on my third audition I received good news- not just for one Honor band, but for two additional ones as well. These instances changed the way I viewed myself as a musician. Rejection made me question why I had been turned away: was it my sight-reading skills? Were my nerves a factor? Did I lack the dynamic expression needed in my playing? By exploring these questions, I pursued my musicianship from a different perspective to understand what set me apart from other young musicians. For one, I truly feel music, whether written on a page or played in my ears. No matter the song, I can envision what I would be doing and how I can create a story through the music- something not everyone can do. True musicianship begins as I described with my experience with rejection. The questions we ask ourselves can lead to transformation; however, this question can be the difference between someone who merely plays music and someone who feels each beat resonate with them. My future aspirations regarding music include pursuing a minor in music alongside my major in chemical engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. This university offers over 15 different musical ensembles that are open to non-music majors, providing opportunities for musicians to continue their passion for music after high school. After I complete my minor in music, I hope to work with some ensembles, either as a percussionist or through an internship with a mentor in the field. Currently, I am a professional drummer for two bands, and I have been exploring the possibility of joining a drum corps in the future. I am keeping my options open; however, I am determined to continue pursuing music simply because I enjoy everything about music. My collaboration skills have improved significantly this year, as I became the First Chair Section leader of the percussion section. Through this role, I have had the opportunity to help develop better musicians and teach proper techniques alongside one of my instructors in percussion, Jonathon Leonard, who has guided me in Auxiliary Percussion. Recently, my band teacher offered me the chance to return after graduation to lead workshops that will help cultivate future generations of musicians in his band room, particularly in percussion. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in my future career in chemical engineering, as well as my pursuit of music. I look forward to embracing the challenges and learning experiences that will shape my journey. My experiences in music have been enriching, and I am eager to continue growing and contributing to the community. Thank you for taking the time to learn about my experiences.

My name is Kaliyah Watson, and I am from Gastonia, North Carolina. I am currently a senior at Kings Mountain High School. I participate in various activities including playing golf and being a member of the marching band. I am also actively involved as a participant and volunteering coach at The First Tee, where I coach young children and teens in golf and help them develop into better individuals beyond the sport. Additionally, I am a musician in a band called Chosen, while also playing locally at two other churches in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. I also participate in TYGA, CGA, and junior golf invitationals as often as possible. Apart from my extracurricular activities, I enjoy chemistry and conducting science experiments, which sparked my interest in pursuing a career in STEM. I am an alumnus of the NYLF, where I gained insights into the engineering field. Engaging in STEM camps and taking AP Chemistry in my junior year of high school further fueled my imagination about the possibilities in this field. For some time, I pursued careers in both chemical engineering and aerospace engineering. In chemical engineering, I delved into the potential of combining and manipulating chemicals to advance future technologies. On the other hand, since I was young, I have been fascinated by space and the possibility of life beyond our planet. This sparked my interest in NASA and space exploration. Recently, during a summer camp, I realized that I could merge both of my passions. By applying my knowledge of chemical engineering and energetics, I can contribute to the aerospace industry, particularly developing rocket engines for NASA, utilizing energy sources and related technologies. Outside of joining NASA or some space exploration program other than it, an internship abroad or close may further fuel my experience with being able to use machine technology to transform it into a regenerative process that could properly address another issue. I am planning to pursue a degree in chemical engineering, with a specialization in energetics. This field involves the study of chemical reactions and their relationship to energy. For example, NASA harnesses energetic principles to propel rockets into outer space. Energetics is a collaborative field, involving not only chemical engineers but also biochemists and material scientists, all working together to apply chemistry to various projects. With the guidance of these specialized individuals, I can not only learn from them but also learn how to become a more efficient engineer through work experience later on in my career. I am excited about the opportunities in my future career in chemical engineering with a specialization in energetics. I look forward to embracing the challenges and learning experiences that will shape me. My journey in the STEM field has been enriching, and I am eager to continue growing and contributing to impactful projects in the aerospace industry. Thank you for taking the time to learn about my aspirations and experiences.