Growing up, I learned what it felt like to lose someone before they were ever truly gone. My mother has struggled with borderline personality disorder and paranoid schizophrenia for most of my life. There were many moments where her mental illness became overwhelming, including times when she tried to take her own life. Watching someone you love suffer so deeply is something that changes you, especially as a child. Instead of feeling safe and carefree, I often felt scared, confused, and emotionally exhausted. I struggled with depression at a very young age and spent a lot of time isolating myself because I did not know how to process the emotions I was carrying. For a long time, I felt alone in what I was experiencing. I would keep my feelings inside and try to pretend everything was okay. Over time, though, I realized that surviving difficult situations had made me stronger than I believed. I learned that even when my life would start to feel heavy, I still have the ability to keep moving forward and lift myself back up. That strength did not come easily, or fast and it took me a long time to accept that. Throughout my journey, I have tried different ways to heal and cope with my emotions. Counseling helped me understand that my feelings were valid and that I did not have to carry everything by myself. One of my biggest struggles though with counseling was that I didn't want to tell a random person everything about my life. This is when journaling became one of the most helpful outlets for me. Writing down my thoughts allows me to draw out my emotions and express things that are difficult to say out loud. Journaling has helped me reflect on my growth and has become a safe space where I can be honest with myself. Because of my experiences, I want to build a future where I can make a positive difference in the lives of others. I plan to attend Ohio University for five years to become an art teacher. Art has always been one of the few places where I felt free to express myself without judgment. Creating helped me through some of the hardest moments in my life, and I want to provide that same sense of comfort and creativity to future students the same way it helped me all these years. I know firsthand how important it is for young people to have a safe and encouraging environment, and I hope to become the kind of teacher who supports students both creatively and emotionally. The biggest influence in my life has been my father. Even though he experienced the loss of my mother emotionally and mentally, he still showed up for me every day. No matter how difficult things became, he continued to support me, encourage me, and remind me that I was capable of creating a better future for myself. His strength and dedication taught me what unconditional love looks like. Watching him keep going despite everything inspired me to do the same.

When I was eight years old, my mom left my life. She struggled with serious mental health challenges, including Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and paranoid schizophrenia. Her absence was not only physical but emotional long before she left. Growing up, I faced confusion, depression, and pain that I did not fully understand at the time. Losing a parent in that way at such a young age shaped me deeply and forced me to grow up faster than most children. One of the biggest struggles I faced after my mother left was my self-confidence. I began doubting myself and everything I did. Things that once felt easy suddenly became difficult. Even simple tasks, like getting out of bed in the morning, became challenging. During some of the hardest moments in my life, my dad stayed by my side through it all. He showed up to every soccer and softball game, even if I was not playing. He helped me clean my room when my depression became overwhelming. I cannot think of a single time when my dad was not there to help lift me back onto my feet. There were many moments when I felt completely alone, but in reality, I never truly was. Time and time again, my dad pulled me out of my storm clouds. No matter what I was facing, he was always there. He supported me in every sport, club, and activity I participated in. It did not matter what I was doing he was always there to cheer me on and encourage me when others in my life failed to. My dad has been the biggest source of support throughout my educational journey. As a single parent, he worked hard to make sure I had opportunities to succeed despite the challenges we faced. Even when school felt impossible because of the emotional weight I carried, he constantly reminded me that I was capable of more than I believed. His support shaped me into a more determined and resilient person. Watching my dad continue to show up for me everyday, even while he was grieving and struggling too, showed me what true strength and unconditional love looks like. I honor my dad by continuing to work toward my goals and striving to make him proud. Everything he sacrificed for me motivates me to succeed in school and create a better future for myself. I want to prove that difficult circumstances do not define a person’s potential. In the future, I hope to use my experiences to help others who are struggling emotionally or growing up in difficult family situations. I want other people who may be in the same boat as me to know that they aren't alone. The support my dad gave me has been especially important because losing a parent as a child creates emotional challenges that many people do not fully understand. Having one stable and loving parent made all the difference in my life. My dad became not only my parents, but also my biggest supporter and role model. Although losing my mother brought pain into my life, my dad’s unwavering support taught me resilience, strength, and the importance of never giving up on the people you love.

When I first started taking art classes, I didn’t take them very seriously. Even though I enjoyed creating, I struggled to put real passion into my work. Starting high school made it even harder, my freshman year felt overwhelming, and it was difficult to focus on the things I once loved. Everything changed when I began taking ceramics. It opened up an entirely new world for me. I had often felt frustrated with 2D art and drawing, but working with clay came naturally and felt exciting in a way art never had before. For the first time, I felt fully connected to what I was creating. Ceramics allowed me to be hands-on, experimental, and expressive without the pressure I used to feel. A big part of that growth came from my art teacher, who consistently pushed me out of my comfort zone while still supporting my interests. That balance helped me build both confidence and passion for what I was creating. I started to take my art more seriously and began to see it as something I could pursue long-term. I am currently committed to attending Ohio University, where I plan to major in Fine Arts and then complete the 4+1 Art Education program. My goal is to become an art teacher, combining my passion for creating with my desire to help others discover their own artistic voices. I want to create a classroom environment where students feel encouraged, supported, and confident in their creativity. I want to be able to show every student that art can be fun; you just have to find something you are personally passionate about to create. As I continue moving toward this goal, I hope to not only grow as an artist but also develop the skills to guide others in their own creative journeys just like my art teacher did for me. Art has given me a way to express myself, build confidence, and discover what I enjoy, and I want to pass that same opportunity on to others who may feel unsure or discouraged just like I did. With the help of this scholarship, I will be able to continue pursuing my education with less financial stress and more focus on developing my craft. In the future, I hope to be an educator who inspires students to explore, take risks, and find joy in creating. Most importantly, I want to help them realize that art is not about being perfect, it is about expression, growth, and discovering what makes their work meaningful to them.

For most of my life, I could answer the question “who are you?” in one word: athlete. Now, that answer feels unfinished. This realization became clear at the end of my thirteen-year soccer career during my senior year of high school. Soccer wasn’t just something I did, It was my whole life. It shaped my daily routine, surrounded me with a close-knit community, and gave me a clear sense of identity. My days were structured around practices, games, and the constant pursuit of improvement. I always knew what I was working toward, and that sense of purpose grounded me. When that chapter of my life came to an end, I was surprised by how lost I felt. Without practices to attend, games to prepare for, and teammates to rely on, I no longer had the structure I had always depended on. The absence of soccer left a noticeable emptiness in my daily life. I found myself missing the small but meaningful moments—pre-game team dinners filled with laughter, long bus rides where friendships deepened, and the warm summer nights spent training during preseason. Those experiences had become a part of who I was, and without them, I struggled to recognize myself. I began to question what my future would look like without soccer. For the first time in years, I didn’t have a clear direction. I had spent more than a decade of my life training to become the best, and losing that sent me spiraling. The idea of life beyond the sport felt unfamiliar and, at times, discouraging. I spent days searching for something that could replace it, another activity, another passion, anything that could fill the space soccer once occupied. However, nothing felt quite right. Everything I tried seemed temporary, as though I was forcing something to take the place of what I had lost. Eventually, I came to an important realization: I didn’t need to replace soccer because it had never truly left me. While the games and practices had ended, the lessons the sport had taught me remained. The discipline I developed from early morning practices, the resilience I built through tough losses, the teamwork I learned by trusting those around me, and the confidence I gained from pushing myself beyond my limits. All of these qualities had become a permanent part of who I am. Soccer had shaped not just my abilities, but my mindset and character. Instead of viewing the end of my soccer career as a loss, I now see it as a transition. It marked the end of one chapter, but also the beginning of another. I carry the lessons, habits, and values soccer instilled in me into every new opportunity I encounter. Whether I am facing academic challenges, building new relationships, or exploring different interests, I approach each experience with the same determination and mindset that soccer taught me. In this way, soccer continues to influence my life in meaningful ways, even without a field or a ball. Now, I have my answer to the question “who am I?” and this time, it’s something greater than just “athlete.”

I am currently receiving significant financial support to pursue my academic goals through merit-based scholarships. I have been awarded a total of $12,000 per year in scholarships from Miami University, including the RedHawk Excellence Scholarship ($7,000) and the RedHawk Grant ($5,000). In addition, I have earned $7,500 per year in scholarships from Ohio University, consisting of the Ohio Admission Promise ($2,000) and the Ohio Excellence Scholarship ($5,500). If I am selected as a scholarship recipient, I would use the funds directly toward my educational expenses. Im pursuing both a bachelor’s degree and the required state qualifications in order receive my art education license and this involves significant financial commitment, including tuition, fees, textbooks, and materials specific to my field of study. Any additional financial support would help reduce the financial burden on my family and allow me to focus more fully on my academic and professional goals.