My name is Logan Willoughby, and I am a current Freshman at Manchester University in North Manchester, Indiana. My choice to attend Manchester for college primarily resulted from recruitment from the basketball program. I have played basketball since the fifth grade, and excelled during my high school years at Whiteland High School. I knew from a very young age that my goal was to continue playing basketball at the college level following graduation from high school. I moved to Manchester on August 30, 2021, and was overjoyed to begin my journey as a college basketball athlete. In mid October of this year during a pick up basketball game with friends, I heard a pop sound from my left knee during this game which brought some pain immediately. I attempted to work out with my team the next week but that was not successful. I started physical therapy with the athletic trainer at Manchester, but this did not seem to help. After several weeks, I decided to get a second opinion from a physician in my home town of Greenwood, Indiana. I received an X-ray from my first appointment which showed that I have bipartite patella. This is when a bony growth center, called an ossification, that normally heals together in the knee cap does not completely fuse. An MRI was then ordered which showed a small fracture in one section of my knee cap in my left knee. I have been wearing a knee immobilizer since 11/18/2021, and am greatly looking forward to my follow up appointment in January 2022 so I may be released to start working out again and play basketball! I did not ever imagine going through this obstacle going into my Freshman year in college. I truly believe what does not kill you makes you stronger!

My name is Logan Willoughby , and I am a freshman at Manchester University in Indiana. I was a senior during the COVID pandemic and had to adapt to many changes to my school and athetic schedules. My school did not have in person classes the last three months of my junior year. I was able to attend in person sessions the majority of the time throughout my senior year. I am a basketball player and the games looked very different last year. Instead of packed gyms, cheerleaders, and a student section, I was blessed to just have my parents and grandparents in attendance for games. I was recruited to play basketball by several colleges, and chose to attend Manchester University to study athletic training and play basketball. In mid October, I started having pain in my left kneecap area which took me out of practices and games. The athletic trainer at Manchester started physical therapy, recommended icing my knee and ibuprofen, but nothing helped. I went for a second opinion, and through X-rays and an MRI, it was determined that I have a stress fracture in my kneecap. Once again I am faced with adveristy related to my one goal to play basketball! I am now in an immobilizer and resting my knee as much I can. My ultimate prayer will be answered if I am cleared to play basketball with my team in January 2022. The moral of this essay is just keep going! Look forward, not backward, and always have a positive mindset. This past year and half has not been easy for most people! Me included. I look forward to brighter times and to come out of these situations stronger.

Taking care of your body physically, mentally, and spiritually is vital to success. I played varsity basketball all four years of my high school career, and developed habits at that time to ensure I was at my highest functioning level. I consistently attended all scheduled work outs as well as non mandatory sessions. During the beginning of the COVID pandemic, in person school ended in March 2020. My parents were able to provide work out equipment at my home for me to continue to work out and keep my body strong. I have a membership at the Greenwood Community Center which also has a full gym for me to go to when I am choosing to not work out at home. I am now a freshman at Manchester University and am majoring in Athetic Training. I will be playing on the men's basketball team this fall. This has been my goal to play to play basketball at the college level since a very young age. I feel that keeping my body healthy has helped me achieve this goal.

What are educational goals? By definition educational goals are statements that describe the skills, competencies and qualities that you should possess upon completion of a course or program. This usually involves identifying objectives, choosing attainable short-term goals and then creating a plan for achieving those goals. As I complete my high school career, I am looking forward to starting my college career. I will be graduating with honors from Whiteland Community High School on June 5, 2021. My college career will start at Manchester University on 8/30/2021.

My name is Logan Willoughby and I am currently a senior at Whiteland Community High School in Whiteland, Indiana. I am graduating with an Honors Diploma on June 5, 2021. I have very hard working parents that have instilled a hard working attitude in myself and my two brothers. I have worked very hard to earn a high GPA and set myself up for college. I currently have a 3.7 GPA and am graduating with 27 dual college credits. I am graduating 83rd out of 494 students. I will be attending Manchester University in August and I am planning to study Athletic Training or Business. I also will be playing basketball for Manchester University. I have earned a scholarship from Manchester which includes $80,000 over a four year period. I received an additional $2000 over a four year period due to doing an in person tour of Manchester University. These generous scholarships are greatly appreciated. My family will still owe $18,000 for my first year of college education. I am applying for scholarships to assist in covering the additional monies owed for my college experience. I am trying to avoid taking out excessive student loans. Thank you for consideration to this matter.

The COVID 19 pandemic has affected every single person in many different ways. My last day of my junior year was 3/13/2020 due to the restrictions put in place for COVID 19. I took the opportunity at that time to continue working out in my home and continuing to get stronger for my senior year. I was able to successfully keep my grade point average up to a 3.7. I was able to work out daily at my home and gain strength for my varsity basketball year. I was able to play some AAU tournaments over the summertime to dust the rust off from missing spring camps. One thing I learned from this pandemic is how to overcome obstacles and continue to work hard . I finished my senior year basketball season very strong and only had to miss three games due to COVID.