As a senior in high school, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what comes next. I know people expect me to have a plan, but what I really have is a dream a “Pie in the Sky” dream that feels both inspiring and just out of reach. For me, that dream is to play softball at the highest level I can, and to use that journey to honor my grandfather, Pop, who now watches me from heaven. Softball has been a huge part of my life. It’s where I’ve learned discipline, teamwork, and resilience. There were times when I struck out in big moments made an error or when my team lost games, we thought we should win. Those moments hurt, but they also taught me that growth comes from failure. My grandfather, Pop was always there to remind me of that. He was my biggest fan, cheering louder than anyone else, and he believed in me even when I doubted myself. Since he passed away, I carry his encouragement with me every time I step onto the field. When I play, I imagine him smiling down, proud of the effort I’m giving. My dream is to honor Pop by chasing softball as far as it will take me through college, and maybe even beyond. I know it won’t be easy. There are thousands of athletes with the same dream, and the competition is fierce. But Pop taught me that success isn’t just about winning, it’s about how you carry yourself and how you inspire others. That’s what I want to do, play with heart, live with integrity, and show younger athletes that dreams are worth chasing, even when they feel impossible. To get there, I know the steps I’ll need to take. First, I have to keep working hard on the fundamentals hitting, fielding, conditioning because talent alone won’t carry me. Second, I need to stay focused on school. Education matters, and I know that being a student-athlete means balancing academics with athletics. Third, I have to keep my faith strong. Pop always reminded me to trust God’s plan, and I believe that faith will guide me through the challenges ahead. There will be setbacks. There will be days when I question whether the dream is too far away. But I think those are the moments that define us. POP used to say, “Keep swinging you never know when you’ll connect.” That advice applies to softball, but it also applies to life. My dream may feel out of reach now, but with persistence, courage, and faith, I believe I can get there. Ultimately, my “Pie in the Sky” dream isn’t just about me. It’s about honoring Pop’s legacy, living out the lessons' softball has taught me, and inspiring others to believe in themselves. If I can do that, if I can make someone else feel the same encouragement Pop gave me, then I’ll know I’ve truly succeeded.

I am a “YOU GOT IT GIRL” because I’ve faced adversity head on and never let it stop me from chasing my dreams. For 14 years, softball has been my passion, my outlet, and my purpose. Through every setback, I’ve held onto my love for the game and the belief that I was meant to use it to inspire others. I believe the YGIG Scholarship will help me achieve my goals by giving me the chance to continue my academic and athletic journey at Oklahoma Wesleyan University a place where I can grow in faith, education, and sport. Softball has shaped me into the person I am today. I’ve played for over a decade, competing in travel ball, school teams, and tournaments across the country. I’ve earned MVP honors, All-District recognition, and leadership awards, but the most meaningful part has been the relationships and lessons I’ve gained. I’ve learned how to lead with humility, how to push through pain, and how to celebrate others’ success as much as my own. I’m proud to be joining Oklahoma Wesleyan’s softball program, which recently finished with a strong 33–18 record and placed fifth in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The team’s commitment to excellence and faith aligns perfectly with my values. One of the biggest challenges I faced was when my biological father kept me from playing softball. It was heartbreaking to be separated from the sport I loved. But my mom stood by me, encouraging me to stay strong and never give up. Eventually, my bio dad terminated his rights, and my mom remarried. My new dad adopted me, and now I have a family that fully supports my love for softball. That experience taught me resilience, faith, and the power of unconditional love. It turned a painful chapter into a story of growth and empowerment. The person I admire most is Jesus. He has blessed me with a loving mom and a dad who believe in me. Without His grace, I wouldn’t be where I am today. My faith has carried me through every trial and triumph, and I strive to live with the same compassion, strength, and purpose that He showed. Jesus inspires me to use my gifts to serve others, to stay humble, and to trust that every setback is part of a greater plan. This scholarship would mean everything to me. I’ve committed to Oklahoma Wesleyan University to continue my academic and athletic career, but the tuition is $47,000 a year, and my family didn’t receive the financial aid we hoped for. My parents work hard, but this dream is beyond our budget. I’m praying for a way to make it happen. This scholarship would help cover some tuition and will help on what I need to thrive as a student-athlete. It would be the answer to my prayers and the key to building a future where I can give back through the sport I love.

Softball has always been more than a sport to me, it’s been a teacher, a motivator, and a source of strength. From the first time I stepped onto the diamond, I knew I had found something special. The game taught me how to lead, how to persevere, and how to believe in myself even when the odds were stacked against me. Now, as I pursue a career in sports training, I want to use my education to help young athletes discover those same lessons through softball. My dream is to become a high school sports trainer, specializing in softball. I’ve played the game for years, and I’ve seen firsthand how it can shape character and build community. I want to be the person who helps athletes stay healthy, recover from injuries, and train in ways that elevate both their performance and their confidence. But more than that, I want to be a mentor someone who understands the highs and lows of competition and helps students grow not just as players, but as people. Education will be my foundation. Through studies in kinesiology, sports medicine, and adolescent development, I’ll gain the tools to design effective training programs, prevent injuries, and support athletes holistically. I want to understand how the body moves, how it heals, and how to tailor training to the unique needs of teenage athletes. My goal is to create a safe, inclusive environment where every player whether they’re a starter or just learning the game feels seen, supported, and empowered. My journey hasn’t been easy. My family has faced financial hardship for as long as I can remember. There were times when we struggled to afford basic necessities, let alone sports equipment or travel fees. But my parents never gave up. They worked long hours, made sacrifices, and always found a way to support my passion. Their resilience became my fuel. I’ve have worked two part-time jobs since I was 15, balancing school, work, and softball. It taught me discipline, time management, and the importance of staying focused on my goals even when life gets tough. Softball also taught me how to overcome adversity. I’ve faced tough losses, injuries, and moments of self-doubt. But every time I stepped back onto the field, I remembered why I started. I remembered the joy of the game, the bond with my teammates, and the thrill of pushing myself to be better. That’s the spirit I want to pass on to the next generation of athletes. Becoming a high school sports trainer isn’t just a career it’s a calling. I want to use my education to make a lasting impact, helping students grow stronger in body and spirit. By combining academic knowledge with lived experience, I hope to build a career rooted in service, compassion, and empowerment. That’s how I plan to make the world a better place one practice, one player, one breakthrough at a time.

Growing up in a household where my parents worked tirelessly to support four children living paycheck to paycheck, I witnessed firsthand the weight of financial hardship. Despite their sacrifices, opportunities often felt out of reach not because of a lack of talent or ambition, but because of limited resources. That’s why scholarships and grants are so vital for students like me. They don’t just fund education they fuel dreams that might otherwise be deferred. Motivated and high-achieving students from disadvantaged backgrounds bring something invaluable to the table: resilience. We’ve learned to work harder, think creatively, and persevere through challenges that others may never face. We don’t take opportunities for granted because we know what it means to go without. When given the chance, we rise not just for ourselves, but for our families and communities. Softball has been my anchor through life’s storms. It taught me discipline, teamwork, and how to push through pain. On the field, I found confidence and purpose. Off the field, I applied those lessons to my academics, knowing that education was my pathway to a better future. Balancing schoolwork with practices and games wasn’t easy, especially when I saw my parents stretching every dollar to make ends meet. But their unwavering support and my love for the game kept me going. I recently committed to play softball at Oklahoma Wesleyan University an achievement I’m incredibly proud of. However, the cost of attendance is $47,000 a year, and I didn’t receive much financial aid. That reality has been difficult to face. I’ve worked hard to earn this opportunity, both athletically and academically, but without additional support, it may be financially impossible to pursue. Receiving support through this grant would mean more than financial relief. It would be a validation of the hard work I’ve put in, the sacrifices my family has made, and the belief that my future is worth investing in. It would allow me to focus more on my studies, continue playing the sport I love, and pursue a career that lets me give back to others facing similar struggles. I’m not asking for a handout, I’m asking for a chance. A chance to prove that with support, students like me can thrive. We carry the grit of our upbringing, the fire of our ambition, and the hope that someone will believe in us enough to open a door. Thank you for considering me. This opportunity would not only change my life, it would honor the journey that brought me here.

There was a time when I felt overwhelmed by expectations, by setbacks, and by the fear of not being enough. Whether it was on the softball field or in the classroom, I faced giants that seemed too big to conquer self-doubt, pressure, failure, and fatigue. I questioned my abilities, my purpose, and even my worth. I wondered if I was chasing goals that were too far out of reach. Then I watched Facing the Giants. It wasn’t just a movie. It was a wake-up call. Coach Grant Taylor’s story reminded me that success isn’t measured by wins or grades it’s measured by obedience, by heart, and by faith. I saw how surrendering to God didn’t mean giving up. It meant giving Him control. That message hit me hard. I realized I had been trying to carry everything on my own my performance, my future, my identity. But God was asking me to lay it all down and trust Him. Softball became more than a sport. It became my battlefield of faith. Every practice, every game, every swing was a chance to honor God not just with my talent, but with my attitude. I learned to play for Him, not for applause. To push through pain, not for trophies, but for growth. I started praying before games, asking not for victory, but for strength and peace. And even when the scoreboard didn’t reflect my effort, I knew I was winning in ways that mattered most. Academics, too, took on new meaning. I stopped fearing failure and started embracing effort. I began to study with purpose, trusting that God would multiply my diligence. I learned to lean on Him during tests, late night study sessions, and moments of burnout. And even when the grades didn’t reflect the grind, I knew I was growing. I wasn’t just learning facts I was learning faith, discipline, and perseverance. Facing the Giants taught me that the real victory is in showing up, giving my best, and trusting God with the outcome. It reminded me that with Him, no giant is too big, no dream too far, and no setback too final. I began to see challenges not as obstacles, but as opportunities to grow closer to Him. I started to believe that my story like Coach Taylor’s could inspire others. I’m still facing giants. But now, I face them with faith. I know that God is with me in every inning, every exam, and every moment of doubt. And just like in the movie, I’ve learned that when we give God our best, he does the rest.

Softball has been more than just a sport to me it’s been a lifeline, a teacher, and a platform for growth. From the moment I picked up a glove, I knew this game would shape my future. It’s taught me discipline, perseverance, and how to lead with heart. But most importantly, it’s given me a way to serve others and deepen my faith. As a high school senior, I’ve spent countless hours training, competing, and mentoring. One of the most rewarding parts of my journey has been giving free softball lessons to younger athletes in my community. I love helping them build confidence, learn the fundamentals, and discover their own passion for the game. Watching them grow reminds me of where I started and how far I’ve come. Coaching has shown me that leadership isn’t about being perfect; it’s about showing up, being consistent, and believing in others even when they don’t believe in themselves yet. My faith in God is the foundation of everything I do. It’s what keeps me grounded when life gets tough and what lifts me up when I feel discouraged. I’ve faced challenges that could have broken me, but through prayer and trust in our Great Savior, I’ve found strength and purpose. One of the hardest parts of my story is that my biological father never supported me. He wasn’t there for my games, my milestones, or my dreams. That absence left a hole in my heart but God filled it with something greater. In 2018, my mom married a man who would become my adoptive father. From the beginning, he showed me what unconditional love and support look like. He’s been at my games, cheered me on, and believed in me even when I doubted myself. Being adopted by him was one of the biggest blessings in my life and having a dad to love me is amazing. Next to my faith in God, he’s one of my greatest supporters, and I thank the Lord every day for bringing him into our lives. Now, I’m preparing to take the next step in my journey: playing collegiate softball at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. This dream didn’t come easy it took years of hard work, sacrifice, and prayer. But I know I’m walking into this new chapter with purpose. I want to continue growing as an athlete, a student, and a servant leader. I hope to keep mentoring young players, sharing my testimony, and using softball as a way to glorify God. Softball has positively impacted my life in every way. It’s given me a sense of identity, a community, and a future. But more than that, it’s been a vessel for faith, healing, and hope. I’m excited for what lies ahead, and I’m committed to making the most of every opportunity on the field and beyond.

My name is Kaylee McAllister-Crump, and I’m a high school senior with a deep passion for softball, service, and faith. I believe I deserve a scholarship because I’ve worked hard to balance academics, athletics, and community involvement, all while staying grounded in my relationship with God. My journey hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been guided by purpose, perseverance, and a desire to make a difference. Softball has been a major part of my life for as long as I can remember. It’s more than just a sport to me it’s a way to grow, connect, and lead. Through countless practices, games, and tournaments, I’ve learned the value of discipline, teamwork, and resilience. These lessons have shaped me into a stronger student and a more compassionate person. But what I love most about softball is the opportunity it gives me to serve others. I offer free lessons to younger athletes in my community, helping them build confidence and skills both on and off the field. Watching them grow and fall in love with the game reminds me why I started playing in the first place. Coaching youth athletes has taught me that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice it’s about being the most consistent, supportive, and encouraging presence. I take pride in being someone younger players can look up to, not just for my athletic ability, but for my character. I want them to know that success comes from hard work, humility, and heart. My faith plays a central role in everything I do. It gives me strength when I’m tired, clarity when I’m uncertain, and hope when challenges arise. I believe that my journey especially the opportunity to play softball at the collegiate level is a blessing from our Great Savior. This fall, I’ll be attending Oklahoma Wesleyan University, where I’ll continue my academic and athletic journey. I see this next chapter as a chance to grow not only as a student and athlete, but as a servant leader who lives out her faith daily. A scholarship would mean more than financial support it would be an affirmation of the values I live by. I’m committed to making the most of every opportunity, and I’m excited to continue using my talents to make a positive impact. Whether I’m on the field, in the classroom, or mentoring others, I strive to reflect the love and grace that God has shown me. I know that with faith, hard work, and a heart for others, I can achieve great things and help others do the same. Thank you for considering me.