My name is Keeara Van Der Merwe, and I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Science, with plans to graduate in May 2025. My goal is to continue my education by attending Montclair University to obtain a master's degree in Athletic Training. I am passionate about a career as an athletic trainer because it combines my love for sports with my desire to help others. This scholarship would be instrumental in helping me achieve these goals. Sports have always been a significant part of my life. They have taught me discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. These are qualities I believe are essential for a successful career in athletic training. I want to start my career at the entry level, gaining hands-on experience and learning from seasoned professionals. My ultimate goal is to open my own athletic training business, where I can provide personalized care and support to athletes of all levels. This career path excites me because it allows me to make a positive impact on others' lives by helping them improve their physical health and performance. The Bright Lights Scholarship would significantly ease the financial burden of my education. It would allow me to focus more on my studies and less on financial stress. With this support, I can dedicate more time to gaining practical experience and developing the skills necessary to excel in my field. I am committed to making the most of my education and training, and this scholarship would be a crucial step in that journey. In addition to my academic pursuits, I am eager to get involved in extracurricular activities and networking opportunities that Montclair University offers. Engaging with peers and professionals in the field will not only enhance my learning but also help me build connections that are vital for my future career. I am particularly interested in joining student organizations related to sports and health, as they will provide a platform to share ideas and learn from others with similar interests. I am determined to work hard and contribute positively to the field of athletic training. I believe that my passion, combined with the education and experiences I will gain, will prepare me to succeed and eventually achieve my dream of running my own business. This scholarship represents a significant opportunity to help me reach these aspirations. In conclusion, my plans for the future are clear: to become a skilled and compassionate athletic trainer, starting from the ground up and eventually opening my own practice. The Bright Lights Scholarship would be invaluable in helping me achieve these goals by supporting my education and allowing me to focus on becoming the best athletic trainer I can be. Thank you for considering my application.

Growing up I've always being a sporty person therefore I've learned the importance of having a balanced lifestyle. It is extremely easy to get caught behind on work due to extracurricular activities therefore it is important for an individual to understand that there needs to be a balance between both. Being a student athlete, I've learned that education is the key even when focusing on your sport as any unforseen situations can occur, such as an injury which is why having an educational background is so crucial. It is not difficult to prosper both on the field and off the field, it all depends on the type of attitude an individual has. Personally it can be difficult to balance both especially when you have away games, where you arrive back on campus 2am and have class at 8am, but you have to push through if you want to be the best version of yourself and succeed. I'm an international student, therefore the sacrifices that my parents and community took to get me here, is what pushes me to get up for those 8am classes. Today I have a 4.0 GPA and I'm on the women's soccer team for NJCAA D1 school. It is difficult to maintain my grades but the urge to make my parents and community proud is what keeps me going. Nothing is too difficult to overcome if you put in the work and try your hardest. No one is perfect, challenges will occur but it's how you deal with those challenges, that truly shows your determination to be better.

Being an international student studying abroad, my goal in life is to become successful in my career field as well as be able to give back to my parents and community who have helped me through my journey. I would also love to be financially stable in order to help those who are suffering from poverty.

My name is Keeara Van Der Merwe. I am an international student from South Africa. I came to the USA in January 2021 to pursue my dreams in studying to become an athletic trainer as well as play college soccer. Why I chose the USA is because it's difficult to become successful in my country. The unemployment rate is high and it's more about who you know, not what you know. So why Athletic Training? Growing up I loved playing different sports. When watching various sports I noticed when someone got hurt there were individuals running onto the field to help them out. It amazed me how they would care for their athletes and I wanted to be like those individuals. I would watch YouTube videos of how to tape various body parts,how to stretch out sore muscles and apply those methods to my friends and family. When I graduated from High School, together with my family we made the decision that I would come to the USA to follow my dreams. By God's grace I was offered a scholarship to study and play college soccer at a school in Illnois. It has been extremely challenging being in the USA due to financial reasons. In Illinois I ended up loosing my scholarship but through prayer I was able to receive another scholarship at my current school, Paris Junior College in Texas. I am so determined to do the best I can because I know my family is sacrificing a lot for my dreams. By being an Athletic Trainer I would be able to impact many athletes lives by helping them overcome injuries. I love the idea of being able to help someone reach their full potential after getting knocked down. I want to not only be a trainer to athletes but be their mentor, helping them physically, mentally and emotionally. This scholarship would not only help me, but also help my family as it is extremely difficult to meet certain costs due to the high exchange rate. I hope your organization can understand the need for this scholarship. I'd like to thank you for creating opportunities for individuals who need the help. I appreciate it. God Bless.

My name is Keeara Van Der Merwe. I am an international student from South Africa. I came to the USA in January 2020 to pursue my dreams in studying to become an athletic trainer as well as play college soccer. Why I chose the USA is because it's difficult to become successful in my country. The unemployment rate is high and it's more about who you know, not what you know. So why Athletic Training? Growing up I loved playing different sports. When watching various sports I noticed when someone got hurt there were individuals running onto the field to help them out. It amazed me how they would care for their athletes and I wanted to be like those individuals. I would watch YouTube videos of how to tape various body part, how to stretch out sore muscles and apply those methods to my friends and family. When I graduated from High School, together with my family we made the decision that I would come to the USA to follow dreams. By God's grace I was offered a scholarship to study and play college soccer. It has been extremely challenging being in the USA due to financial reasons. I am so determined to do the best I can because I know my family is sacrificing a lot for my dreams. By being an Athletic Trainer I would be able to impact many athletes lives by helping them overcome injuries. I love the idea of being able to help someone reach their full potential after getting knocked down. I want to not only be a trainer to athletes but be their mentor, helping them physically, mentally and emotionally.