My name is Kaydence Gittlein and I just want to thank you for starting this scholarship in memory of your family member. I am sorry to hear about you losing him at such a young age. I am currently a senior at Wasilla High School in Wasilla, Alaska. My plan is to attend Grand Canyon University in Phoenix Arizona this fall. I have always been passionate about sports and have had the privilege of playing basketball for the last 13 years and have managed the high school football team all 4 years of high school. So, I have been the athlete, and the one helping the athletes on the sidelines. This is why I have chose to pursue a degree in Sports marketing and management. In addition to sports, I love swimming, cooking, and my 8-year-old dog Oliver. A little backstory. December 14, 2023, was my first basketball game of the season and I went for a rebound 4 minutes into the game and ended up tearing my ACL, MCL, and both Meniscus. So, playing took a backseat and I had to change my mind set in a big way. While I still attended practice every day, I had to stay busy, so I took on the role of athlete organizer. I made sure everyone knew what was always going on. From making sure everyone was wearing matching gear, to lists of what were needed on our travel trips. I found so much joy in helping in the only way I knew how; being extra organized. My mom has always told me, “Many hands make light work". Those words were never truer than when I saw how much people must do at the backend to make everything run smoothly and be successful. Helping others has always been so important to me. I believe everyone has something to offer this world. For me, I want to help the younger generation. Whether that is coaching kids’ basketball or running logistics for a professional sports team. I think about the parents that would volunteer their night to teach a group of first graders to dribble a basketball. Or the referees that would be willing to come and ref a game on a moment’s notice, unpaid. The amount of gratitude for these people has made me a better person I believe. I think there is room in this life to put others first and remember where you came from and who helped you get there. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay.

I have played basketball for 13 years. 4 minutes into my first game of my senior year I went for a rebound and ended up tearing my ACL, MCL, and both Meniscus. I have had 2 surgeries since January of 2024. There were plenty of times this season that I felt sorry for myself, even jealous of my peers for the opportunity they have to compete, and to play the game of basketball. Lets not forget to mention that COVID significantly impacted my freshman year of high school. I know every person graduating this year felt the stress and the impact of their freshman year. I would say getting the opportunity to play basketball 13 years is an accomplishment in itself. I have made all tournament team twice, multiple sportsmanship team awards, all region sportsmanship award individually, hustler award based on the coaches and teammates vote, 4A runner up twice, 4A state champions in 2024. Basketball has taught me ownership, team work, and gratitude. Ownership- holding my head high, and knowing that there is a younger generation looking up to me and my teammates. Team work- It takes everyone in the gym to win and be successful. From having D1 potential, being at the end of the bench, or having a season ending injury everyone has a purpose, and they have value. Gratitude- Everyday is a gift, every game is a gift. Everyone that has helped me from teachers, to coaches, to our medical staff are all a reason for my success on and off the court. Basketball teaches you that you don't always get to have your way. You don't always get to pick your teammates. But there will always be something you have in common and you have to find the good in people. I have always loved helping the younger kids in sports. There has always been a shortage of referees in Alaska, so I decided to put the shoe on the other foot and give it a try. I started at our local community center helping with the small elementary kids, and I worked my way up to refereeing the JV and Varsity games at the middle schools in my area. Everyone says its easy to criticize from the stands, and I will be the first to say it seems so easy from the bleachers. But, I have a new found gratitude for our refs. I plan to continue to referee, and I hope to coach in the future. There is nothing better than giving back to the people that have given to you.