My cancer journey and even the road I walk now has overall shaped my identity and has caused me to want to raise awareness and support for others. Years after my surgery, I transitioned from homeschool to private school in sixth grade. Throughout middle school and high school, I wrestled with my identity and why I was so different from the other kids. I often wondered why it took me longer to process things and why I needed accommodations. I just wanted to fit in and be like everyone else but the effects of my treatment made me feel like something was wrong with me. I often broke into tears and wondered, “Why was I so different? What was wrong with me?” As I got older I realized that the differences in me are what make me beautiful and stand out as a cancer survivor! I can do things that many people can not. I may not be as fast or as quick as someone else but I can honestly say I have the endurance and determination that most people lack. I will never stop fighting until the end is in sight. I see the details and enjoy the little things that most people skip over in their day to day life because people don’t have the time to stop and wonder ”why?” During my cancer treatment and post treatment I was a part of various organizations that used my experiences to support their causes and I was directly a part of those! I was blessed by Alex’s Lemonade Stand and the girls that ran the stand used the donations to purchase me an American Girl Doll who had cancer and had no hair like me. This meant so much to me and I named her Cancy. I also volunteered to speak with my parents at different cancer fundraising events during the 3 years of my total treatment. I was supported by Chick-Fil-A who used my name to do a fundraiser drive for cancer. I also was a part of the Macy’s tree lighting festival to light the Christmas tree in December 2014 in Atlanta, GA. So, even while I was young I was advocating for cancer causes and serving others in my community who had cancer. I would even make gift packages for other cancer patients because I knew how they felt going through that hard time. One mission that I would love to start is called Hop for Hope and this idea comes from a personal experience I had while during cancer treatment. Throughout my cancer journey, I have received various gifts from different cancer organizations. Those gifts blessed me immensely and they inspired me to do a project of my own. Over the past years of returning for checkups, I have wanted to bless those kids in the hospital because I was blessed. I knew what it felt like to go through the things they're going through. When I was seven years old and still going through treatment, I created Easter gift baskets, and handed them out to all the hospital kids. I always loved and still love little trinkets and fidget toys that I can take in my bags on trips and office visits. I want other children to have the same as me so that when times might require more bravery there is something fun to distract from the fear and focus on what is ahead to overcome. So, my inspiration for what I want to continue comes from my own personal experience!

My cancer journey and even the road I walk now has overall shaped my identity. I truly live "Boldly, unapologetically Me". The word soon got out that I had cancer, a brain tumor specifically called Medulloblastoma. And it was the size of a golf ball attached to my spinal cord. Later I found out that I had cancer cells floating in my spinal fluid too. Again, I had no idea what all of this meant since I was now just six-years-old. The time soon came for the surgery. I did not know how it was done or by what means because I was sedated, all I knew was that when I woke up I was strapped into the hospital bed like a mouse stuck in a trap. I had stickers all over my body too. Not the cute puppy kind, but round, gooey, dot like stickers, with wires attached connecting to large machines. When I woke up I told my Daddy, “Daddy, I just cannot talk right now”, and those were my last words for more than a month. I also lost my ability to walk. Years after my surgery, I transitioned from homeschool to private school in sixth grade. Throughout middle school and high school, I wrestled with my identity and why I was so different from the other kids. I often wondered why it took me longer to process things and why I needed accommodations. I just wanted to fit in and be like everyone else but the effects of my treatment made me feel like something was wrong with me. I often broke into tears and wondered, “Why was I so different? What was wrong with me?” I felt like I was not heard. I would let people talk over me and I felt like my opinion didn’t matter so I just kept quiet. It wasn’t until Junior and Senior year of high school until I started coming out of my shell. I am involved now in the spring musicals at our school and love it. I am a Christian life prefect, speaking in our high school chapels and I am the co-president of the National Green Schools Society at our school. As I got older I realized that the differences in me are what make me beautiful and stand out as a cancer survivor! I can do things that many people can not. I may not be as fast or as quick as someone else but I can honestly say I have the endurance and determination that most people lack. I will never stop fighting until the end is in sight. I have the strength to carry on because of the trials I have faced, determination because of my battle, and I have assurance because Jesus is fighting with me. I feel like God has given me the eyes to see things in a different way that many people cannot. I remember a time when I was in a wheelchair and my Dad would push me through the outside gardens so I could see the beauty all around me. Even though I had lost my ability to speak, talk, and even walk, I gained more than I thought because when one thing is lost something else is gained. All the things I couldn’t do in that moment, opened the door to what greater things I can accomplish now. I see the details and enjoy the little things that most people skip over in their day to day life because people don’t have the time to stop and wonder ”why?”

During my cancer treatment and post treatment I was a part of various organizations that used my experiences to support their causes and I was directly a part of those! I was blessed by Alex’s Lemonade Stand and the girls that ran the stand used the donations to purchase me an American Girl Doll who had cancer and had no hair like me. This meant so much to me and I named her Cancy. I also volunteered to speak with my parents at different cancer fundraising events during the 3 years of my total treatment. I was supported by Chick-Fil-A who used my name to do a fundraiser drive for cancer. I also was a part of the Macy’s tree lighting festival to light the Christmas tree in December 2014 in Atlanta, GA. So, even while I was young I was advocating for cancer causes and serving others in my community who had cancer. I would even make gift packages for other cancer patients because I knew how they felt going through that hard time. As I have grown older, I have volunteered at many places such as: - Bear Creek Nature Center where I assisted with animal care services, environmental education programming, community outreach events, and helped promote conservation awareness. - Vacation Bible School at First Baptist Church where I supported children’s education through mentoring, organizing activities, and helped create a safe environment for faith based education. - Camp Invention intern where I assisted instructors in leading STEM- based activities, supported creative engagement with students between ages of 1st-5th grade, and helped with hands-on problem solving tasks. - Camp Venture where I was a student leader who served as a peer mentor and role model through multiple weekday, weekend, and week long adventure leadership programming through Service Education Adventure Club and Landmark Christian School. - Camp Quest where I was also a student leader who helped lead team-building exercises and outdoor adventures to encourage confidence and personal growth with campers. - I volunteer at our school’s ECC program where we partner with Eden Sustainability Programs to lead K4-K5 children in environmental and stewardship education classes. One mission that I would love to start is called Hop for Hope and this idea comes from a personal experience I had while during cancer treatment. My plan is to start this on my college campus in 2026. Throughout my cancer journey, I have received various gifts from different cancer organizations. Those gifts blessed me immensely and they inspired me to do a project of my own. Over the past years of returning for checkups, I have wanted to bless those kids in the hospital because I was blessed. I knew what it felt like to go through the things they're going through. When I was seven years old and still going through treatment, I created Easter gift baskets, and handed them out to all the hospital kids. I always loved and still love little trinkets and fidget toys that I can take in my bags on trips and office visits. I want other children to have the same as me so that when times might require more bravery there is something fun to distract from the fear and focus on what is ahead to overcome. So, my inspiration for what I want to continue comes from my own personal experience! My main message to children is: “You are brave, You are loved, and You are not alone!”

I love helping other people and encouraging others in their faith because I personally have been through something most people will never experience in their lifetime- malignant brain cancer in my head and spine at six years old. In order to better tell you a specific time, I feel it is important to give you some background information about me. In sixth grade I transitioned from homeschool to private school which was tough for me. Throughout middle school and high school, I wrestled with my identity and why I was so different from the other kids. I often wondered why it took me longer to process things and why I needed accommodations. I just wanted to fit in and be like everyone else but the effects of my treatment made me feel like something was wrong with me. I was different from everyone else, and I knew it. I often broke into tears and wondered, “Why was I so different? What was wrong with me?” As I got older I realized that the differences in me are what make me beautiful and stand out as a cancer survivor! I can do things that many people can not. I may not be as fast or as quick as someone else but I can honestly say I have the endurance and determination that most people lack. I will never give up until I finish the race and never stop fighting until the end is in sight. I have the strength to carry on because of the trials I have faced. I have determination because of my battle, and I have assurance because Jesus is fighting with me. I often remind myself that God healed me for a reason. I thank Him for what He has done in my life, for not only healing me and erasing my cancer but also giving me a beautiful testimony to share with others because I have gone through a tremendous one myself. I am unique and special because God chose to heal me for a greater purpose! I feel like God has given me the eyes to see things in a different way that many people cannot. I specifically remember a time when I was in a wheelchair and my Dad would rolll me through the outside gardens so I could see the beauty all around me. Even though I had lost my ability to speak, talk, move my arms normally or even walk, I gained more than I thought because when one thing is lost something else is gained. All the things I couldn’t do in that moment, opened the door to what greater things I can accomplish now. I see the details and enjoy the little things that most people skip over in their day to day life cause everyone is always so busy and does not have time to stop and think ”why did God design a butterflies’ wing so intricately?” or “why is the sky blue and the grass green?” I have patience and peace which God has given me as a result of my treatment. There were many times during my treatment when I nor anyone else could control the circumstances I was in, so I had to be patient with God and have hope and rest in peace knowing that God would heal me in His own time. I can see others’ needs in the world around me like Mrs. G, the elderly African American woman who lives across from my school because many don't see her. I get to love her.

I specifically remember a time when during my cancer treatment when I was in a wheelchair and my Dad would scroll me through the outside gardens so I could see the beauty all around me. Even though I had lost my ability to speak, talk, and even walk, I gained more than I thought because when one thing is lost something else is gained. All the things I couldn’t do in that moment, opened the door to what greater things I can accomplish now. I see the details and enjoy the little things that most people skip over in their day to day life because people get busy and do not have time to stop and wonder ”why?” As I graduate high school, I plan to go into Ecology and Environmental Science and later become a Marine Biologist and help people understand "why" they need to protect. I see myself working at a marine reserve, educating kids and helping injured animals. Through my recent years at school I have learned about microplastics in the ocean and how harmful they can be to marine life. It saddens me with the fact that plastic can never fully decompose and people continue to produce more and more of it. I recently was enlightened in an episode of Blue Planet that young marine life will rest on any floating object in the open ocean. Since more and more trash is thrown into the ocean each day, oftentimes young marine life will nest on artificial plastic and trash which can be very harmful, causing them to suffocate if they get caught up in it. I want to make a real change in our society, possibly lowering our trash consumption rates and educating people on why we should care because I care about the "why".

My cancer journey and even the road I walk now has overall shaped my identity. Years after my surgery, I transitioned from homeschool to private school in sixth grade. Throughout middle school and high school, I wrestled with my identity and why I was so different from the other kids. I often wondered why it took me longer to process things and why I needed accommodations. I just wanted to fit in and be like everyone else but the effects of my treatment made me feel like something was wrong with me. I often broke into tears and wondered, “Why was I so different? What was wrong with me?” As I got older I realized that the differences in me are what make me beautiful and stand out as a cancer survivor! I can do things that many people can not. I may not be as fast or as quick as someone else but I can honestly say I have the endurance and determination that most people lack. I will never stop fighting until the end is in sight. I have the strength to carry on because of the trials I have faced, determination because of my battle, and I have assurance because Jesus is fighting with me. I thank God for giving me a beautiful testimony to share with others because I have gone through a tremendous one myself. I feel like God has given me the eyes to see things in a different way that many people can not. I remember a time when I was in a wheelchair and my Dad would push me through the outside gardens so I could see the beauty all around me. Even though I had lost my ability to speak, talk, and even walk, I gained more than I thought because when one thing is lost something else is gained. All the things I couldn’t do in that moment, opened the door to what greater things I can accomplish now. I see the details and enjoy the little things that most people skip over in their day to day life because people don’t have the time to stop and wonder ”why?” As I graduate college, I want to get a broad study in Ecology and Environmental Science before going on and specifically studying Marine Biology. I see myself working at a marine reserve, educating kids and helping injured animals. Through my recent years at school I have learned about microplastics in the ocean and how harmful they can be to marine life. It saddens me with the fact that plastic can never fully decompose and people continue to produce more and more of it. It bothers me because I feel we are invading and destroying their home and that is not right. We share this planet with them and we should respect that. I want to make a real change in our society, possibly lowering our trash consumption rates and educating people on why we should care because I care.

I would like to receive this scholarship because I have a unique story of perseverance and determination that I would like to share with other people. I plan to use this scholarship to encourage other young people to keep fighting and never give up even when you find yourself sitting on the sidelines because I always felt like I was not as good as the other players and coach would not put me in. I kept telling myself that I was an important part of the team. I chose to cheer the others on! And this is what I want to do with other young people who experience a life changing disability/challenge that they must face to overcome. I was still valuable and a part of my team and I had a part to play! My journey began when I was 5 years old when my malignant Medulloblastoma brain cancer unexpectedly hit me like a wave and took me under. I had a tumor attached to my brain stem the size of a golf ball with cancer cells floating in my spinal fluid. I was young, scared, and I often was unaware of what was happening around me. There were times of pain and struggles through the intensive treatment and therapy during the next almost 4 years, however, through it all I had a deep inner peace knowing that God had me secured in His arms. Coming out of therapy I had to learn to use my arms, legs, and even struggled to learn to talk and write again due to my surgery complications. And this limited my athletic abilities but I chose to push past that! A couple years after God miraculously healed me, I transitioned from homeschool to a private school in 6th grade and that was really when the struggle came. I wrestled with my identity and why I was so different from the other kids. I often wondered why it took me longer to process things and why I needed accommodations in school. Through 6th, 7th, 8th, and even 9th grade I just wanted to fit in and be like everyone else but the effects of my treatment made me feel like something was wrong with me. I was different from everyone else, and I knew it. But as I got older I realized that is not a bad thing! The differences in me is what makes me beautiful and I stand out as a cancer survivor! I am a testimony of God’s faithful plan that He is not finished with my life here on this earth. I have the strength to carry on because of the trials I have faced. I have determination because of my battle, and I have assurance because Jesus is fighting with me. I often remind myself that God healed me for a reason. He made me beautiful, intelligent, thoughtful, independent, courageous, and kind. I often thank Him for what He has done in my life. I now have the opportunity to share with others who experience trials because I have gone through a tremendous one myself. And my struggles continue even though I have learned to be an overcomer. I am unique and special because God chose to heal me for a greater purpose! God is a wonderful Creator who does not make mistakes, and He made me with a purpose so I want to glorify Him in all I do. And I want other young people who struggle like me to know they can pursue athletic dreams no matter what you or anyone else thinks!