I was born with a rare condition called Arthrogryposis. This means that my joints are contracted and weakened. For most, this typically affects both arms and legs, but I was fortunate enough that it only impacted my lower half. While I have never felt fortunate to have this disability, I have never let it stop me from doing the things I love. I was very young when my doctors said that my only option would be to amputate my legs. They told me that I would not be able to have a successful and fulfilling life if I didn’t, and there was nothing else that could be done. My parents were not going to allow amputation as my only option. We moved to Ohio in 2016 to see a new doctor in Philadelphia. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the next decade would be the most challenging and rewarding years of my life. Countless surgeries resulted in everlasting scars. Growing up with a disability meant that a majority of my youth was spent visiting the hospital. A lot of my time was spent surrounded by doctors, other patients, and machines I couldn't even name. Biology, and more specifically, Anatomy and physiology have consistently kept my attention throughout childhood. I have no idea what it feels like to live in a body unaffected by a disability, which only amplifies my interest in the subject. I was always eager to know how everything worked, what caused it to stop working, and what accommodations or improvements could be made. Even when I wasn’t necessarily the best at the subject in school, I absolutely loved learning about everything to do with science. My curiosity pushed me to ask questions and study hard until I got it right. I currently have an interest in Pathology. Performing autopsies, analyzing tissue and samples, and studying diseases are things I see myself doing as a career. That being said, I am very open to any opportunities that arise. While I currently hope to go into the field of pathology, I am well aware that I may change my mind along the way. Majoring in biology offers an abundance of pathways for me to explore. After visiting the campus in person, I am only more determined to study STEM at Marietta College. Being able to study Biology in this environment would equip me with the knowledge and experience to become a successful STEM student and set me on a path to career success. I plan to complete as many internships as possible at Marietta College, and I look forward to all the hands-on opportunities that may be available. Being awarded this scholarship would enable me to take advantage of Marietta’s smaller class sizes while building strong relationships with professors. Whether it be working as a pathologist, doctor, physical therapist, or personal trainer, I ultimately want to provide others with the comfort, care, and strength they need, just as my doctors did for me during my childhood.

I was about three when my doctors said that my only option would be to amputate my legs. They told me that I wouldn’t have a successful and fulfilling life if I didn’t. But they were so incredibly wrong. I was born with a rare disability called Arthrogryposis. To put it simply, this means my joints are contracted, and my muscles are weakened. My condition only affects my lower half, but in most cases, it affects both arms and legs. My parents weren’t going to allow amputation as my only option. We moved to Ohio in 2016 to see a new doctor in Philadelphia. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the next decade would be the most challenging and rewarding years of my life. Countless surgeries resulted in everlasting scars. The more time I spent in the hospital, the more invisible scars were left in my head and heart. I remember moments where it no longer felt painful; I was exhausted. I had lots of trouble finding sports that were willing to accommodate me. As a young kid, I enjoyed swimming and playing baseball on a local adaptive team, but I wasn’t very competitive in those sports. In the seventh grade, a rowing club visited my school in hopes of recruiting. Instead of my typical routine of sitting off to the side and observing my peers, I asked to participate. The rowing machines were quite hard for me to use, but I was filled with curiosity and excitement. Unfortunately, the coaches wouldn’t let me on the team because they couldn’t accommodate me. Even though this deeply frustrated me, I didn’t let it stop me and joined the Gem City Crew rowing club, a much smaller youth team in Miamisburg, Ohio. I had no idea joining this team would make such a difference in my life. We spent the first couple of years trying to find the most comfortable ways for me to row. It was countless trials before we found something that could work. I would often leave practice with scrapes and bruises. But to me, those moments of exhaustion and pain were so rewarding, and I couldn’t wait for the next practice. All these years, I have been so committed to rowing because I knew each stroke represented progress and meant I was getting stronger. Even at a young age, I was always determined and passionate about anything that interested me. More importantly, I wanted those passions to be shared with those around me. I don’t walk, move, or row as others do, but no matter how many people doubted my abilities, I made it my mission to prove them wrong, push myself, and show that I was just as capable as anyone else. Because I listened to those who believed in me, I currently hold eighteen world records and am a three-time youth national champion. I’m very excited to attend my last Youth Championship this summer to make it my fourth win. I have been accepted to Marietta College, majoring in Biology, and am scheduled to start in the fall. The women’s head coach and the assistant coach have reached out to me and expressed their excitement and eagerness to recruit me for the team. My dream is to continue breaking records and one day compete as a Paralympic athlete. As a parathlete, I feel it’s my job to show the world just how much I’ve pushed myself to reach where I am today, that having a disability does not stop me from achieving my goals, and it should not stop others either.