Each week, a new patient or client asks about my family or parents. It’s such an innocent question, yet it gets under my skin. I always brace myself for the moment I hear the familiar phrase: "You're so young; I'm so sorry for your loss." It never gets any easier. Each time serves as a potent reminder that my mom is truly gone. I always respond graciously, "It's alright, thank you," but the reality is, it is not alright. My mom passed away when I was only 18. She struggled with severe depression for the majority of her life. This led her down a path of alcoholism that took her away from us far too soon. Not a day goes by that I don't wonder: What if she had received the care she needed? Would she be there to see me graduate from physical therapy school and become a doctor? Is she smiling on my wedding day, holding my children one day, capturing special moments I wish to share with her? I would give anything for her return. But I know I can’t. What I can do is transform my pain into something positive. I'm devoting my life to helping others heal- as a future doctor of physical therapy, as a mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation, and through my work with Gurfer Lady LLC, a surfing school for women that incorporates ocean therapy for women struggling with grief, trauma, and loss. As a surf instructor for Gurfer Lady, I have observed many women recover from unimaginable pain. It may be from the death of someone they have lost, healing from abuse, or coping with mental illness. These ladies find strength from the sea and one another. In addition to sharing surf knowledge, I wish to assist them through their healing process and let them know they are never alone. In those moments, at the beach, with a surfboard in their hands, with tears streaming from their eyes, yet their determination firm—I have witnessed true strength. Mental health challenges have taught me more than any textbook ever could. They’ve shown me what it is like to feel helpless and watch someone you love silently suffer. They have made me realize that mental illness often doesn’t look like what you expect, and how dangerous that can be. These lessons now shape how I approach my future patients. As an incoming Doctor of Physical Therapy student at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, I treat all kinds of patients—some with physical ailments and many with emotional issues. I learned how to treat each individual without assumptions and with compassion, because pain is not always apparent. This new knowledge has transformed the way I view healing. It requires strength, movement, and rehabilitation, but also respect, trust, and hope. I don’t only wish to repair injuries; I want to create a healing space where individuals can be listened to, heard, and loved—even those silently struggling with mental illness, such as my mom. The suffering I have endured has strengthened my relationships. I love the people in my life more fiercely. I’ve become an advocate for open discussions about mental health among friends, coworkers, and patients. I have realized how vital it is to ask tough questions, listen without judgment, and check in with those who appear "fine." Sometimes, the greatest battles are masked by the best smiles. In the future, I plan to open a nonprofit clinic that provides free or cheap physical therapy to underserved communities, especially those with unresolved mental health needs due to stigma or lack of resources. I want to incorporate emotional counseling into physical therapy to offer holistic care, rather than merely treating symptoms. This vision isn’t just a career goal; it’s part of my identity. It's rooted in the pain of losing my mother and the wish that no one else should have to face their struggles alone. As I share my story, I stress that pain can have a purpose. I didn’t choose to battle mental health issues, but I have decided to act on those struggles. They have taught me to be a stronger friend, a better learner, and a more resilient future clinician. They have made me someone who won’t look away when others are in pain. This scholarship would not only help me continue my education at the University of St. Augustine—it would honor my mother’s memory and bring me closer to making lasting, meaningful impacts in other people's lives. I wake up each day carrying grief, but also with hope that I intend to share that with all the people I come across.

My name is Kaylin Weinrich, and I am pursuing a Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. I grew up in a single-income family and experienced the loss of my mother at 18 years old due to alcoholism. I learned how lack of access to adequate healthcare and support systems can shape—and limit—a human's life. These interactions encouraged me to become a physical therapist with the long-term goal of opening a nonprofit clinic offering free care to underserved populations. I plan to develop an organization where individuals who cannot afford physical therapy are treated to the same level of caring and evidence-based practice as individuals with high-end coverage. This career inspires me because it combines science, service, and human connection. I've worked as a physical therapy technician and witnessed how movement can transform lives. I'll never forget a patient with Parkinson's disease whose confidence and quality of life improved tremendously through consistent treatment. It showed me that physical therapy is not just about mobility—it's about restoring hope, independence, and dignity. Equally important to me is my commitment to women's empowerment. I currently work for Gurfer Lady LLC, a women's surfing organization that differs from the norm in being an all-female teaching staff. This structure allows for a comfortable space where women can learn, grow, and thrive without judgment. Many of our clients arrive carrying loads of grief, anxiety, and self-doubt, and later leave the beach feeling confident and empowered. Surfing is not just a sport but a path of transformation. The female leadership of Gurfer Lady provides the capacity to trust, be vulnerable, and experience sisterhood, which is not found in male-dominated sports and outdoor groups. Membership in this organization has also taught me the strength of women making room for other women to ascend, and it's a way of thinking that I plan to carry with me into my future professional life. I hope to bring women-centered programming into my nonprofit PT clinic, offering focused care to women who have undergone childbirth, injury, and trauma, and most particularly, those whose needs are often marginalized or overlooked in standard medical settings. Through my college years and working life, I've strived to maintain a 3.98 GPA and work multiple jobs as a surf instructor, physical therapy tech, and personal trainer—all while also being financially independent. I've learned that perseverance, compassion, and meaning are perhaps three of the best weapons one can have under their belt, and I'd like to use mine to do something that will help others. This scholarship would allow me to continue my doctoral training and fulfill my dream: a world where healing, mobility, and empowerment are possible for all, especially women repeatedly told that their voice or body is insignificant. Thank you for considering my nomination.

Selflessness is not so much about grand gestures but the subtle, constant choice to put others' needs before your own, especially when it's inconvenient or no one's watching. I have tried to live selflessly in moments of crisis and everyday life through my work, volunteering, and relationships. These have helped others and taught me compassion, responsibility, and resilience. One example of unselfishness was when I worked as a physical therapy technician. A gentleman with advanced Parkinson's disease came to the clinic barely able to walk. He was resistant to therapy at first, thinking that it was too late for things to get any better. I made it my mission to change that narrative. I guided him through his exercises, cheered him on for minor triumphs, and simply listened when he needed someone to sound off. Slowly but surely, he progressed to walking independently with a cane. More importantly, he regained his sense of hope and purpose. Witnessing his transformation restored the awareness that even when I had felt small or powerless, I could be a source of healing for someone else. My altruism does not end in the clinical setting. Throughout my undergraduate career, I worked various jobs—as a surf instructor, fitness trainer, and PT tech—to put myself through college. Despite my hectic schedule, I still donated my time. Through the Eastern Surfing Association and Therapeds of Deerfield Beach, I helped special needs children gain confidence and coordination through adaptive play and surf therapy. One autistic child I worked with went on to engage with other individuals in group settings—a milestone his parents never imagined they would see. I was not compensated for this, but his smile when he rode his first wave was worth more than any paycheck. Nevertheless, my life's most significant, personal example of selflessness has been helping raise my little brother. My mother was an alcoholic and passed away when I was just eighteen. But many years before that, starting at age eleven, I was his caregiver. I took him to and from school, made sure he ate, did homework with him, and went to dozens of after-school activities—from school projects to football games. I tried to provide him with the stability and emotional support we both lacked at home. In a lot of ways, I became a second parent. Losing our mom caused both of us to grow up quickly, yet it also taught me the true meaning of unconditional love. No matter what happened in my life, I wanted him to feel loved and not alone. That kind of constant, often invisible sacrifice—done out of love, not obligation—is the selflessness I carry with me in everything I do. Selflessness is a lifelong practice. It does not always come naturally, yet it is always rewarding. In the clinic, at home, or in the community, I have discovered that serving first does not subtract from who you are but adds depth.

From a young age, I realized that having access to healthcare is more of a privilege than a right. My mother battled alcoholism and sadly passed away when I was just eighteen. Throughout my childhood, my family faced the harsh reality of not having enough medical support. My dad, the sole breadwinner, did his best, but the lack of affordable healthcare left us with lasting challenges. That’s why I’ve decided to pursue a degree in healthcare—I want to be the advocate, healer, and resource that my family so desperately needed but never had. I’m particularly drawn to physical therapy because it allows me to combine my love for movement, service, and recovery into a career that genuinely changes lives. While working as a physical therapy technician, I had the chance to help a patient with Parkinson’s Disease regain his confidence and mobility. Watching him go from struggling to walk independently to doing strength exercises independently solidified my commitment to this field. I’ve also worked as a surf instructor and fitness trainer, helping children with special needs through organizations like Therapeds and the Eastern Surfing Association. These experiences showed me that healing goes beyond just clinical care—it’s about emotional support, building relationships, and empowering individuals. Healthcare professionals don’t just treat the body; they help restore dignity and open up new possibilities. As a woman in healthcare, I’m dedicated to being a champion for equity and representation. Women—especially women of color and those from low-income backgrounds—still face significant barriers in both receiving and providing care. I plan to use my degree not just to treat patients, but to drive structural change. My long-term goal is to start a nonprofit organization that offers free physical therapy services to underserved communities. Having grown up without consistent access to healthcare, I know firsthand how financial struggles can keep people from getting the treatment they need. My vision is to break down that barrier for others by providing care where it’s most needed. I’m currently working with Gurfer Lady LLC, a fantastic company that empowers women through surfing. This experience has strengthened my belief that community and movement can be powerful healing tools. I want to bring this mindset into my practice, creating an environment where every patient, regardless of gender, income, or background, feels acknowledged, supported, and empowered. At the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, I’m on the path to earning my Doctorate in Physical Therapy, aiming for a GPA of 3.75 or higher. I’m funding my education through financial aid and hard work, which means putting in long hours and making sacrifices, but I carry the weight of this journey with pride. I’m not just working toward a career but building a platform for advocacy, compassion, and access. Healthcare is more than just a job; it’s a calling shaped by my experiences and driven by a sense of purpose. As a woman in this field, I’m not just here to serve—I’m here to lead, lifting others as I rise. This scholarship will bring me one step closer to turning pain into possibility for those who need it the most.

I am Kaylin Weinrich, and I am working towards my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. As a female in a science, technology, engineering, and math career, I am especially interested in increasing access to healthcare, both locally and internationally, for marginalized and underserved populations. Growing up in a single-income household and seeing my mother lose her life to alcoholism at a very young age taught me how heartbreaking the lack of access to proper care and support can be. Those life challenges fueled my passion: creating a more compassionate and fair healthcare system for all. Physical therapy is a STEM profession based on science, anatomy, biomechanics, and clinical problem-solving. But fundamentally, it's also about restoring function, dignity, and independence to individuals who have lost them. Through my education and work experiences—as a personal trainer, surf instructor, and physical therapy technician—I have seen how life-changing healthcare can be, particularly for individuals who experience social, economic, or physical barriers to receiving it. One of the problems that I am most concerned with in our community is healthcare inequality. In many low-income or rural areas, families cannot access rehabilitation services because they do not have transportation, have poor insurance, or have limited providers in the area. I've had patients not receive care out of fear of expense, and I've seen kids with special needs whose families couldn't even afford routine therapy. This is not just a matter of public health—it's an issue of social justice. My long-term aspiration is to have a nonprofit agency that provides low-cost or no-cost physical therapy to needy populations, including children with disabilities, the elderly, and the homeless. My dream is to have a mobile clinic system where we go out to the community centers, schools, and shelters and bring the services to those who need them most. I also want to work with schools and other education centers to provide clinical internships, an opportunity to learn, where students can hone their skills while making a difference. In addition to clinical practice, I plan to use my education to facilitate systemic change. That means raising awareness of the importance of early intervention, expanding funding for community rehabilitation programs, and educating families about their rights and options under healthcare policy. I hope to bridge the gap between clinical science and daily practice by combining scientific knowledge and community engagement. I've already begun this road by volunteering with the Eastern Surfing Association and Therapeds in Deerfield Beach, where I assisted children with special needs develop motor skills and confidence. I also volunteer with Gurfer Lady LLC, an organization that empowers women in surfing—a historically male-dominated sport—helping participants to develop physical strength and self-esteem. These experiences have shown me the power of using STEM skills to serve and empower others. Acceptance of this scholarship would be necessary in giving financial support as I fund my doctorate on my own without the assistance of family members. Above all, it would affirm my intention of applying science and service together, to not only cure patients, but to cure communities. We need more women in STEM who engage with both their head and heart. Women who know that innovation is not about technology alone, but about having a heart for understanding. I hope to be among them. With accessible rehabilitation, inclusive care, and community-based services, we can build a world where healthcare is no longer a privilege of the few but a right shared by all. That's the world I'm committed to building, a patient at a time, and step by step.

I am Kaylin Weinrich, a Doctor of Physical Therapy student at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. My journey into this career comes not only out of personal hardship but also from a fierce passion for mentorship and advocacy for the special needs community. My vision is to provide physical rehabilitation and motivate, guide, and mentor those who have long been ignored or underestimated. Coming from a single-income household, I had my fair share of hardships. My mother was an alcoholic and passed away when I was just eighteen. Her death left a deep sense of loss, but it also gave me a sense of direction. I wanted to be the kind of supportive figure I often wished for—someone who shows up, believes in others, and assists others in finding their strength. That necessity ultimately led me into the field of physical therapy. As an undergraduate student at Florida Atlantic University, I graduated with a 3.98 GPA; I was also a surf instructor, a fitness trainer, and a physical therapy technician. These experiences helped me identify my love of mentoring, specifically in working with individuals with special needs. I worked part-time with the Eastern Surfing Association and Therapeds of Deerfield Beach, working directly with children with all physical and developmental disabilities. Whether I was helping a child with autism stand on a surfboard for the first time or helping a non-verbal child acquire better motor coordination, I saw my role as far greater than that of an assistant. I was a mentor who encouraged them to get through it, celebrated their victories, and reminded them that they can and deserve to be happy. I discovered that these kids didn't only require physical support, but also emotional guidance, a belief in their ability, and someone to meet them where they were. These experiences reaffirmed my conviction that mentorship is among the most effective tools to engage with people with special needs. It's about being a rock, an inspiration, and an advocate who listens, learns, and adjusts. I intend to bring this philosophy to all aspects of my professional life. I aim to develop a nonprofit clinic that offers free, community-based physical therapy to underserved groups, including the special needs community. I want to serve families who do not have access to care and provide them with treatment, long-term guidance, and mentorship. This scholarship would significantly reduce the expense of graduate school, which I am currently funding entirely on my own. I rely on scholarships, loans, and part-time work without family support. Financial assistance would allow me to invest more time in my clinical training and the foundation of building my nonprofit. It would also allow me to afford to continue mentoring youth through volunteer service and future outreach community programs. Having worked with children with special needs, I have learned that growth occurs in many ways. It's a new movement sometimes, a smile other times, and sometimes it's when a child realizes they can. I want to be the one who makes them see that, again and again. Celebrating the life of Wesley Beck by having this scholarship serve as a lasting tribute is celebrating the power of mentorship, kindness, and friendship. I am committed to carrying that legacy forward in my practice and with every individual I get to mentor.

My name is Kaylin Weinrich, and I am a proud first-generation college student from Florida. I grew up in a single-income household and lost my mother to alcoholism at the age of eighteen. Her addiction significantly shaped my view concerning health, access, and the importance of community support. I witnessed firsthand how having limited resources can affect a person and a whole family. That experience didn't break me—it motivated me. It instilled in me the resilience, empathy, and purpose that now drive my passion for healthcare and entrepreneurship. I graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a 3.98 GPA, and I'm now pursuing a Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Getting here has not been easy. I worked various jobs in college—as a surf instructor, personal trainer, and physical therapy technician—to remain financially independent. Those experiences imparted more than just responsibility and time management. They exposed me to the healing potential of physical therapy and how one practitioner can impact a patient's life. From these experiences, I have developed a long-term entrepreneurial aspiration: to start a nonprofit physical therapy organization that offers services to those in underserved populations completely free of charge. I want to create something sustainable, community-oriented, and accessible, especially for people like me who were growing up, unable to afford consistent care or just unaware of the resources available. Entrepreneurship, to me, is not profit-driven but problem-driven and support system-building that uplifts others. My nonprofit organization will offer mobile and community-based physical therapy services, reaching patients often left out because of geographic, economic, or social limitations. I envision partnering with schools, shelters, and community clinics to care for the most needy. I want to make physical therapy not only accessible but empowering. Aside from my studies and clinical practice, I also volunteer for groups like the Eastern Surfing Association and Therapeds, which allow children with special needs to develop coordination, confidence, and trust through movement. I also volunteer for Gurfer Lady LLC, which works to empower women in surfing—a historically male-dominated field—by cultivating strength, confidence, and community. These efforts reflect who I am at my very best: a leader who leads from the heart and understands that access and equity are the foundations of progress. This scholarship would be an essential stepping stone along my path. As a self-funding graduate student, every source of financial assistance allows me to concentrate on my studies, my clinical abilities, and the initial evolution of my nonprofit idea. It would enable me to devote additional time to community service, business development, and mentorship opportunities—all vital aspects of becoming a healthcare entrepreneur and advocate. I am driven by purpose, resilient to the core, and led by the belief that the very barriers in our way can become the foundation of what we build. I see myself creating a model of care that transforms communities, starting in Florida, and expanding to those areas where physical therapy is often out of reach. I will utilize entrepreneurship to turn pain into purpose and lack into service. I don't dream about a better world—I'm working to build one.