Imagine the person you call when something amazing happens or you have a bad day. For me, this person is my sister Mira. I have many meaningful relationships in my life, but one of the most meaningful relationships I have is with Mira. Growing up, Mira and I used to fight all the time. We would fight over many silly things such as who had to put the dishes away and who got the easier job of drying the dishes. Our parents were worried that we might never learn to get along, but thankfully we did eventually learn how to love each other. When I was a freshman in high school and Mira was a junior our dad passed away while we were on vacation. Instead of letting this event separate us, it brought us together. We started to fight less and began to support and care for each other through this difficult time. When my mom got married a few months after my dad passed away and things continued to get even crazier in my life, I learned to rely on my Mira. Since we were in the situation together we understood each other more than anyone else could. We would talk about almost everything together and she would always take care of me. After Mira graduated high school, she moved out. My sister's house became a safe place that I always looked forward to going to and we made many wonderful memories together. To this day, my sister and I are still very close and I would say that she is one of my best friends. I would not be who I am today without the relationship I have built with Mira. She always pushes me to be honest and make the right decision even when it is hard. Mira has been a cheerleader for me and supported me through all of my life choices and adventures. Our relationship has reinforced the idea that conflict with individuals is not always a bad thing and can actually lead to a deeper level of a relationship that may not have been reached without conflict. The loving support from my sister has shaped who I am today. I have taken many things from my relationship with Mira to grow my other relationships with family, friends, teammates, and even strangers. The way that my sister has always supported and encouraged me has taught me how to support and encourage others. Mira is the person who taught me how to have empathy for others, and offer honest advice to help others make good decisions. She has also helped me to become confident in who I am, which allows me to focus on helping others become confident in who they are without trying to compete against them. Mira and I also competed on the same gymnastic team for several years when growing up, which taught me how to care for others on the team and build meaningful relationships with teammates. My sister taught me how to selflessly serve others whether this is family, friends, teammates, or a new person that I just met. In a world that is filled with technology and many ways to escape meaningful relationships, my relationship with Mira has inspired me to seek out personal connections with people.

This scholarship opportunity is meaningful to me because it is a chance to share God’s faithfulness in every part of my story. During high school, I made a personal commitment that if I pursued a college education, I would do so without incurring debt. I chose to trust that if continuing my education was part of God’s plan for my life, He would provide the means to make it possible. Following my high school graduation last year, I found myself seeking clarity and direction regarding the path God had set before me. I was not afraid of the future because I had prayed about it and surrendered my plans to the Lord. At the state track and field championship competition last May, God provided me with the opportunity to continue my high jump career in college and He also provided the funds to pay for this next step. Throughout my freshman year of college, God has been with me every step of the way. I have had academic and athletic success beyond what I ever thought possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. I used to be afraid of surrender, but surrender has truly led me to a place that only God could have taken me. My life has been filled with many challenges, but I am thankful for every trial I have faced because of the ways God has grown me. During my freshman year in high school, my dad passed away while my family and I were on vacation. This was the first of many trials I would face throughout high school. Through everything, God was faithful and the hope of the gospel was my anchor. I never doubted my faith and never gave up because I fully trusted that God was working everything together for His good. I surrendered every battle to the Lord and He fought for me every step of the way. These challenges brought me close to my church community. Some of my best memories from this time are fellowshipping with my brothers and sisters on Wednesday nights at Youth Group and serving the church together. Nothing in this world can satisfy the way Jesus can. Every trial I have faced and overcome has given me more confidence that God will use my life for great things in the present and future. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were shown that God would fight for them and never leave them, but again and again they would fall into doubt and temptation. It is easy to look at where I am now and want to doubt that God will provide and that He still has a plan for my life, however, I have chosen to trust Him and be a light for Him wherever He leads me. I want to earn a degree in Nutrition Science so that I can help others learn to be healthier and care for the temple of God. We are all called to be on a mission, to plant seeds in the hearts of the lost, and encourage our brothers and sisters in their walk with Christ. Many people in the world are lost and are looking for a purpose and hope in a dark and sinful world. I have been saved by the grace of God and given a purpose and hope that never fails. I believe that whatever God does in my life, He will continue to grow me and give me the courage to share this hope with others.