Driven, ambitious, and enthusiastic are adjectives that I would best use to describe myself, Layla Dukes. I am a dedicated student who is motivated by my thirst for knowledge. I am constantly juggling rigorous school work, athletics, clubs, and volunteer activities that I feel passionate about with Middletown High School. Being committed to my classwork, I am currently taking four college-level Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Previously, I have taken six AP courses across my high school career. I have passed every exam with an average score of four out of five. In my high school class, I am proudly ranked 2 out of 298 students with a 4.553 unweighted GPA. I am in the Criminal Justice pathway, where all courses are dual-enrollment, coming directly from Wilmington University and Delaware Technical Community College. I hope these courses will prepare me as I plan on majoring in Political Science at Kutztown University, to one day become a lawyer. Outside of the classroom, I am heavily involved in my school’s activities. I am a Varsity Captain of Middletown High School’s Field Hockey and Tennis Teams. For field hockey, I have been awarded All-State Honors thrice, All Blue Hen Conference Honors four times, Captain Honors twice, and Offensive Most Valuable Player thrice. I ended my Middletown High School career breaking all previous records for most goals, assists, and points. For tennis, I have been a captain for three of four seasons and have been awarded: Rookie of the Year (2023), Most Valuable Player Award (2024), and the Undefeated Season Award (2025). For clubs, I am the Vice President of Middletown High School’s National Honor Society Chapter. As an officer, I organize and share information about specialized volunteer events in the community. In the spring of 2026, I will be organizing our annual Pickleball Tournament at the local YMCA. I am also President of Middletown High School’s Athletic Leadership Committee, where I organize meetings and volunteer events that engage high school athletes with the community. My family has been a major factor in growing me into a purposeful individual. My small family consists of my father, mother, sister, and two grandparents. Growing up, I watched as Alzheimer's took my grandfather's life. In 2017, my grandfather, William, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease after years of showing symptoms. As the disease progressed, his behavior severely changed. He became very quiet in family and social settings and barely spoke. He progressed through the many stages of Alzheimer's and moved into assisted care for two years. He eventually passed away in April of 2025. This horrible disease has left our family profoundly heartbroken. Facing Alzheimer's disease with my family, I have learned that patience, empathy, and humility are the best qualities someone can have in life. I have seen my parents struggle with the decline of my grandfather. By being empathetic and patient, we are all able to slowly deal with this in the most positive way possible. Patience to deal with someone when they are frustrated, angry, and unable to verbalize their emotions is difficult. This disease has made me learn the importance of being in the present with the family that I do have and valuing each day. Life needs to be lived to the fullest and should never be taken for granted. I plan to use these life lessons and my degree to impact communities through the justice system. I hope you will consider me for the Valerie Raab Academic Scholarship. I dream of making a lasting impact on the world just as Valerie Raab has done with the Middletown High School community.

Walking off the Kirkwood outdoor turf with my field hockey stick, smelly cleats, and massive bag, a tiny blond girl approached me asking, “Can you show me how to shoot like that?” I was dripping in sweat and exhausted, but my intuition made me engage with her. I learned that Sarah was a local sixth grader who was learning field hockey. I wondered, why me? I felt flattered. My head swirled with chores I had to do and subjects to study, but at that moment, I had a greater purpose. We spent thirty minutes hitting drives, practicing pulls, and shooting on the cage. Sarah was delightful and listened to every word I said. She was a new player with basic skills and was eager to learn. Laura Lee, the director of activities, watched us for a few minutes. While closing the facilities, she asked me if I wanted to volunteer. She said I was relatable, skilled, and a natural-born leader. Surprised by her complimentary words, I told her I would think about it. Later that night, I thought about how flattered I was to have this opportunity. Reflecting on when I was younger, I idolized older, experienced players. Inspired and hopeful, I thought I should do it! The following weekend, I was at the Kirkwood field ready to volunteer. Laura Lee greeted me with an agenda. My stomach had butterflies; could I handle a group of twelve kids? As the middle schoolers arrived, some were anxious, and others were overly confident. I smiled and introduced myself, and saw an openness in their eyes. When I talked, they listened. When I showed them something, they stared. The girls seemed enthusiastic and were ready to scrimmage. I refereed and watched four girls successfully try the new skill they learned, and saw eight girls completely screw it up. I saw motivated middle school girls who were excited to play. That day was enriching; the girls were all inspired. Ending the clinic, I said, “See you next week!” That defining moment, I became a leader in the Kirkwood Field Hockey Instructional League. I volunteered there for thirty-seven hours. There were days the girls delivered perfect goals and others when they completely screwed up long drives. I learned so much from those middle schoolers. I learned that we all have this internal need to improve ourselves. I also learned that building relationships and connecting with others inspires us. Middle schoolers are brave, foolish, and most of all, they want to feel accepted. I became a leader that summer because of Sarah. My leadership skills influenced others to love the sport. Leadership is about being confident in your abilities and inspiring others to develop that in themselves. To this day, I am beyond thankful for those experiences. I plan to use my leadership skills in the future through college and life, as well as continuing field hockey coaching after college. I plan on becoming an assistant coach to my Middletown High School head field hockey coach and continuing to work with the Delaware Sharks Club to develop young players. I know if I am confident and committed to my abilities, I can make a positive impact on communities, just like I did with those girls. I hope that you will consider me as a candidate for the Jimmie “DC” Sullivan Memorial Scholarship. I hope to one day positively enhance the lives of others just as Jimmie “DC” Sullivan has done.

When I was six years old, I went grocery shopping with my mom and the checkout lady asked, “Are you excited for Santa to come?” I looked her straight in the eyes and excitedly told her he came two nights ago and all of the thrilling gifts I had received. I saw her eyes dart to my mother with an odd reaction. My mother smiled and explained that my dad is a Delaware State Police Trooper, so holidays were sometimes moved. She finished ringing us up and wished us Happy Holidays. Once we left the store, I don’t remember discussing how odd the checkout lady acted. I took for granted that she had no clue that Christmas was two days ago. Now looking backwards, I realize that was one of the many sacrifices that children of first responders make without thinking twice. Another one is going several days without seeing my dad because of his rotating work schedules and emergency overtime. Every time his cell phone would ring, a specific ringtone assigned to police phone calls, we all knew to immediately silence ourselves so that he could answer the important call. I know my dad is hard-working, empathetic, and extremely selfless; those values have shaped me into the person I want to be. My primary goal for going to college is to get a degree in political science, gain employment, and make a positive lasting contribution. In college, I hope to develop into a disciplined, well-rounded adult who will use my leadership skills to collaboratively work with others. Being a goal-oriented, ambitious person, I dream of one day working in public service. Serving communities and working to improve the lives of others will be rewarding, and I aspire to be hard-working, empathetic, and selfless. I am self-driven and have always dreamed of being a college athlete. Since fourth grade, I have spent endless hours doing field hockey: drills, pulls, aerial shots, and more. I have played on several club teams and traveled to national tournaments. Due to his career, my father was supportive but not always physically present at many of those events to share in my accomplishments. The drive and determination that it takes to play at this high level gives me a great sense of pride and confidence in my abilities. I know that this college goal is one that I will achieve. Last spring, I had a pinnacle moment, I made the Puerto Rico National Field Hockey Team. After the tryout, I was so relieved when the coach told me I was a perfect fit for their team. I gratefully accepted the offer, walked to the car, and cried – happy tears. I had worked hard for it, and now I felt a higher purpose behind my playing. To fully understand what that moment meant, I recall an extremely challenging time in a past tryout that didn’t end so well. It was a college recruiting clinic at the University of Richmond. For twelve hours, I gave everything I had. I scored five goals during the scrimmage and never let up. Afterward, I waited thirty minutes to personally thank the coaches, hoping they saw my effort. I had been one of the best players on the field that day. But the head coach dismissed me, saying I needed to “work on my technique.” I had just watched her tell others she “could see them playing for her,” but I didn’t get to hear those words. I cried the whole car ride home. That moment haunts me, but it made me realize the magnitude of what I was doing. The amount of pressure I was putting on myself was exhausting. But I also learned that no matter how hard I try, I can’t control how others respond and that doesn’t take away from my effort or value. Over time, I began to see each experience, good or bad, as a chance to grow. I believe that moment in time ignited my courage to go for my dreams and aim for the goals that have value. I hope to one day be in public service, where I too can bravely serve and protect the community in which we live. I will make a difference in the well-being of others just as first responders do. They are heroes in the community and I also want to feel that pride in my future career.