Imagine having to apologize after giving your teammate a high five or shaking someones hand. That has been the story of my life. I've had hyperhidrosis in my hands for as long as I can remember. This is a health condition where the sweat glands in your hands are hyperactive, so if I'm nervous, excited, hot or cold my hands always sweaty. Naturally, people would comment or ask why my hands were wet. Some people laughed at me while some thought I was just nervous. Every group activity become a moment of anxiety for me, because I knew someone would notice and say something. I would always apologize for something I can't control. I was embarrassed, and most of the time wished I could just hide from social interactions. As I was growing up, I realized I should not live my life in fear of social interactions, so when people would make a comment or ask a question, I would just explain that I have hyperhidrosis. Once I explained what it was, people were understanding about my situation and I learned that while it can be uncomfortable for me, I have to live with it, so I might as well own it and not let it tear down my confidence. Living with hyperhidrosis has made me more empathetic for others, as I know how it feels to be insecure about something that makes you different, even if people don't notice it right away. I try not to make assumptions about other people, since I understand now more than ever people go through things and you may never know. No matter if it is a personal issue, mental health issue or physical health issue, you truly never know what someone is going through. While I didn't have hyperhidrosis, I stopped letting it define me. Yes my hands are sweaty, but that doesn't define what I can and can't do and it is not who I am. I've learned to laugh in an awkward situation, apologize and explain my situation. Oddly enough I've gained confidence, resilience and compassion through this journey. It taught me that I don't need to apologize or hide something that makes me different. Everyone has something that makes them stand out, and mine just happens to be a little more noticeable when I'm in a social situation. Instead of seeing it as something that holds me back, I've learned to see it as a reminder that our differences are part of what makes us who we are.

My name is Kaylee Fitzhugh, I love being around people and I want to become a elementary teacher! I currently serve in my churches nursery section, where I am a leader of a classroom between the ages of newborn to 4 years old where I ensure the kids needs are met and learn about Jesus. I am also a master water instructor at Aqua-Tots, while this is my job, I get to make a difference in kids lives not only by making personal connections with them, but teaching them how to swim which is a life saving skill. I love volunteering at kids VBS in the summer as a leader, as I get to teach them about Jesus and show them Jesus' love. I would use this scholarship to help pay for my college tuition/books, as I am planning to go to Evangel University, a private Christian school, which is expensive, but I know I am called to go there. This scholarship would really help me not fall into debt going into college.

While it is very hard to choose due to our amazing athletes, I would have to say my favorite athlete to cheer on is Katie Ledecky. When I was 5 years old, my parents wanted me to find a sport I enjoyed, so they enrolled me in every team sport imaginable, but I never excelled in any of them. Once they had tried everything, they put me in swimming, and I started learning all the strokes. When I was 7, I joined a club team. I began swimming every day, and I loved it! I was pretty good too; I won many ribbons and placed 3rd at state. However, after years of swimming, when I turned 13, I decided to quit. I felt burnt out and wasn't having as much fun. Now, at 16, I wish I continued my swim career every once in a while, but I believe I made the right decision for myself. Now I am a swim coach, and I love it! When I see kids learning the strokes, it gives me flashbacks of learning them when I was their age, and it fills my heart with joy. I think that's what makes me love watching and cheering for Katie; it reminds me of my dreams when I was a kid. I feel like I can relate to her on a level that not everyone can. I understand how hard it is to be a swimmer and how much work you have to put in.

Everyone has a teacher that has greatly impacted their life, been their greatest supporter, and pushed them to be the best they can be. Mine was my culinary arts teacher, while I no longer take this class, I still go see him any time I have a chance. In my culinary class, I had a group of friends who all really loved his class, and this is due to the way he teaches, while he is a teacher and has boundaries and expectations, he treats you with respect, and anytime we had anything going on, we knew we could talk to him. He still continues to support me even though I don't take culinary anymore, and I still tell him all about my life struggles. While he wasn't the teacher that motivated me to become a teacher, he has definitely added to reasons why I want to become a teacher. One of the moments it clicked for me to become a teacher, was in 5th grade, I had two teachers, who made learning so fun, and engaged every single person in the room. That year leaving, I knew I wanted to be able to engage any kids while they were learning, and make learning fun for them! Something that I have struggled with and I am still overcoming is my father being narcissistic, and having to deal with verbal and emotional abuse from him ever since I was born. Growing up, I could never have any problems because his were always worse. If I was tired after school, he would say "Well at least you didn't have to drive an hour to work and an hour after work." He was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, and he has no kidneys currently, and is waiting for a transplant, so I try to give him more sympathy, but it's still hard. If he ever gets mad at me for something, he won't talk to me for days, but then after a couple days, he'll go right back to normal. When COVID hit, since he has no kidneys he was high risk, and due to him being high risk, he asked us to not leave the house unless it was to walk to the dog, or go to the grocery store. After a year of him controlling us, and not letting us go anywhere, me and my mom decided to move out to my grandmas house, so I could go to school and church and be able to hang out with friends. While it was important to protect him, we couldn't live like that because it was destroying our mental health. Due to having to deal with this, I struggle with social anxiety, and I went to therapy for a while, however I stopped needing to go after being able to cope with social anxiety properly. When I have authority figures, I tend to get really anxious, and I never want to make them mad, or upset them, because I'm so used to my dad getting mad and screaming, and then not talking to me, so due to this I feel as though I've become a people pleaser.