I am the first person in my family to attend college, and that opportunity means everything to me. Growing up in a single-parent household where my mother works a minimum wage job, I learned early on the value of hard work, sacrifice, and determination. My mother has always done everything she could to provide for me, often putting my needs before her own. Watching her work tirelessly to keep food on the table and the lights on has been one of the greatest motivations in my life. It is the reason I push myself every single day—both in the classroom and on the bike. Today, I attend college more than ten hours away from home on an athletic scholarship to race mountain bikes. Being this far from my family is not easy, but it represents something bigger than distance. It represents opportunity, growth, and the chance to build a future that my family has never had before. As a first-generation college student, I carry not only my own dreams but also the hopes of my family with me every day. Balancing academics and athletics requires discipline, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to my goals. I am currently studying full-time while training every day to improve my performance and prepare for one of the most demanding endurance races in the world: the Leadville 100-mile mountain bike race in Colorado. Training for a race of this magnitude requires countless hours on the bike, mental toughness, and the ability to push through physical and mental barriers. There are days when the training is exhausting and the pressure of school is overwhelming, but those moments only strengthen my determination. Each mile I ride reminds me why I started and who I am working for. My dream is to become a professional athlete. For me, that dream is not just about competition or personal achievement—it is about creating opportunity and giving back to the person who sacrificed everything for me. My mother has spent years worrying about how to make ends meet, and one of my greatest goals in life is to change that reality for her. I want to reach a place where she never has to worry about whether the bills will be paid or whether the lights will stay on. Her strength and perseverance inspire me to chase my dreams with the same level of dedication she has shown in raising me. Through cycling, I have learned that success is built on ambition, drive, and the willingness to keep going even when the road is difficult. Every climb, every training ride, and every race represents another step toward the future I am working to create. I want to show that with determination and perseverance, it is possible to overcome obstacles and build something greater than yourself. My journey is about more than becoming a strong athlete—it is about creating lasting impact. I hope that by pursuing my dreams with passion and discipline, I can not only change my own future but also support the person who made it all possible. Every day I train, study, and push myself forward because I know that the work I put in today has the power to transform tomorrow.

The first time I truly understood how science connects to real life was through cycling. When I ride, every climb, sprint, and technical turn is influenced by science—how the body produces energy, how training improves performance, and even how bike design affects speed and efficiency. As a competitive cyclist, I began to see how biology, physiology, and technology work together to improve athletic performance. That curiosity sparked my passion for pursuing a degree in STEM. Cycling has been a major part of my life for several years. I competed at the varsity level for two years in high school and became the first female team captain on my school’s cycling team. Through the sport, I learned discipline, perseverance, and leadership. But beyond competition, cycling also sparked my interest in understanding the science behind performance and health. I became curious about how the body adapts to endurance training, how nutrition affects recovery, and how athletes can train smarter to reach their full potential. As I continue my education, I plan to pursue a degree in a STEM field focused on health and human performance. My goal is to study areas such as human physiology, exercise science, or a related discipline that allows me to better understand how the body functions during physical activity. I want to learn how training, nutrition, and recovery strategies can help athletes improve their performance while also protecting their long-term health. Being both a student and an athlete has shown me the importance of science in everyday life. Athletes rely on research-based training methods, data, and technology to improve performance. STEM fields play a critical role in developing better equipment, understanding injury prevention, and helping athletes perform at their best. This is something I am passionate about because I have experienced firsthand how important it is to train safely and effectively. My journey has also been shaped by my background. I am a first-generation college student from a low-income, single-parent household. Pursuing higher education has always been a goal for me, but it has required determination and hard work. Being able to compete as a collegiate cyclist while continuing my education is an opportunity that means a lot to me. These experiences have motivated me to work harder and push myself both academically and athletically. In the future, I hope to use my education to make a positive impact in the field of health and athletics. Whether that involves working with athletes, contributing to research, or helping others improve their physical well-being, I want to apply my knowledge to help people reach their full potential. I am especially passionate about encouraging more young women to pursue careers in STEM and to see that they belong in these fields. STEM is important because it helps solve real-world problems and improve people’s lives. My experiences as a cyclist and student have inspired me to pursue a career where I can combine my passion for science, health, and athletics. Through dedication, curiosity, and hard work, I hope to continue learning and eventually contribute to a field that supports both athletic performance and overall well-being.

When the race started, I could feel my heart pounding harder than the pedals beneath me. The course was steep and technical, and every rider around me was fighting for position. As I pushed up the climb, my legs burned and my lungs felt like they were on fire—but I kept telling myself one thing: keep going. In cycling, there is always a moment when you have to decide whether you will push through the pain or give up. That moment has shaped who I am as both an athlete and a person. Cycling has taught me determination, resilience, and confidence—qualities that define what it means to be a “You Got It Girl.” Through this sport, I have learned that success is not just about winning races; it is about pushing yourself when things feel impossible and continuing forward even when the road gets tough. My athletic journey has been shaped by hard work and leadership. During high school, I raced varsity for two years and became the first female team captain on my school’s cycling team. That role meant more to me than just wearing the title. It meant supporting my teammates, encouraging younger riders, and helping show that female athletes deserve leadership roles in sports that are often male-dominated. Being captain taught me how to lead by example, stay positive during difficult races, and build confidence in others. Cycling has also opened doors for my future. Because of my dedication to the sport, I have earned the opportunity to compete in college on an athletic scholarship. As someone who is the first in my family to attend college, this opportunity means everything to me. Growing up in a low-income, single-parent household, pursuing higher education and athletics at the same time has not always been easy. However, these challenges have motivated me to work harder and appreciate every opportunity I receive. Like many athletes, I have faced moments of doubt and setbacks. Racing can be physically exhausting and mentally challenging. There have been races where I struggled to perform the way I wanted, and times when I questioned whether I was good enough to compete at a higher level. Instead of letting those moments define me, I chose to learn from them. I focused on improving my training, strengthening my mindset, and remembering why I started cycling in the first place. Those experiences helped me develop resilience and confidence, teaching me that growth often comes from the toughest moments. I am also inspired by athletes and mentors who push boundaries and encourage others to believe in themselves. The people I admire most are those who lead with determination, humility, and kindness. They remind me that being a strong athlete is not just about performance—it is about character, leadership, and supporting the next generation of athletes. The YGIG Scholarship would have a meaningful impact on my journey as a student-athlete. Collegiate cycling requires significant commitment, including training, travel, and maintaining equipment. Coming from a low-income background, balancing these costs while focusing on academics can be challenging. This scholarship would help ease some of those financial pressures so I can continue developing both academically and athletically. More importantly, receiving support from an organization like YGIG would represent encouragement and belief in female athletes who are working toward something bigger. It would motivate me to keep pushing forward and to represent women in sports with confidence and pride. Being a college cyclist and student-athlete means balancing dedication on and off the bike. It means early morning training rides, long days of classes, and continuing to push myself toward new goals. My experience racing varsity and serving as the first female team captain on my high school team prepared me for this challenge. It taught me discipline, responsibility, and the importance of perseverance. Cycling has shaped the person I am today. It has taught me that success comes from persistence, that leadership means supporting others, and that even the hardest climbs can be conquered with determination. As I continue my journey as a collegiate athlete, I hope to inspire other young girls to believe in themselves and pursue their passions. Receiving the YGIG Scholarship would not only support my goals—it would also remind me that the hard work, dedication, and resilience I have developed through cycling truly matter. No matter how steep the climb ahead may be, I will keep pushing forward.