Growing up, I learned that family is not always defined by biology. I was adopted when I was eleven days old and was raised by my adoptive parents in a large, diverse family. My upbringing taught me from an early age that love, support, and family can come from many places. Being raised by guardians who chose to make me their daughter shaped nearly every part of who I am today, from the way I view relationships to how I approach challenges and my future. My family has always been unique. I have siblings who were adopted, siblings who are biologically related to my parents, and siblings who came into our family through previous relationships. I am also biracial and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, which has given me an appreciation for individuality and diversity. Growing up surrounded by people with different backgrounds taught me that there is no single definition of what a family or successful life should look like. I learned that everyone has a different story and that we should never judge someone based only on what we can see on the surface. Being part of communities that are sometimes underrepresented has shaped the way I see the world. I know what it feels like to have different parts of your identity make you stand out, but I have learned to see those differences as strengths rather than weaknesses. They have helped me become comfortable with who I am and more willing to make sure other people feel accepted and heard. I believe that everyone deserves to feel like they belong, especially when entering spaces where they may not always see people who look like them or share their experiences. My upbringing also taught me resilience. My parents worked hard to provide opportunities for their children, and I learned that nothing in life should be taken for granted. As I have gotten older, I have become aware of the sacrifices my family has made for me to pursue my education. Those lessons motivated me to become self-sufficient and determined to create a future where I can support myself and eventually give back to the people who supported me. Today, I am an undergraduate student at Stetson University studying Business Administration with minors in Education and Sales. My goals have changed throughout college, but one thing has remained consistent: I want my career to allow me to work with people and make a meaningful impact. I am interested in leadership, business, education, and eventually working in the sports industry. I want to build a career where I can combine my communication and leadership skills with my passion for helping others succeed. Being raised by guardians also influenced the way I think about students who do not always have the same opportunities as everyone else. I understand how important support can be when pursuing higher education. Sometimes, having someone believe in you can make the difference between giving up and continuing forward. Financial support is another important part of that equation. College can be overwhelming financially, especially for students who come from complicated or difficult family circumstances. My experiences have made me want to become someone who provides the encouragement and opportunities that I have received. I want to be successful not only for myself, but also so that I can use my position to help others. Whether that eventually means mentoring students, working in education, leading within an organization, or supporting young people through another career path, I want to make sure that someone else feels that their circumstances do not have to determine their future.

I've read numerous books throughout my lifetime, ranging from Great Expectations to Harry Potter, The Vampire Diaries, The Great Gatsby, and so many others. I've always enjoyed reading because every book gives me the opportunity to step into a completely different world, experience someone else's life, or see something familiar from a different perspective. If there is one major lesson I've learned from reading, it is that everything is based on creativity and perspective. Every story has plot twists, just like life does. There is love, pain, happiness, disappointment, growth, and raw emotion. Books are my favorite way to either express or experience all of these things. Poetry has especially taught me how powerful writing can be. Poetry is a form of writing that captures someone's rawest emotions and places them onto paper in the most beautiful way. Sometimes, a few lines of poetry can communicate feelings that would otherwise be impossible to explain. Reading those words has helped me understand that emotions do not have to be hidden or ignored. They can be expressed, understood, and even turned into something meaningful. Books have also taught me important societal lessons. For example, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn exposed me to ideas about racism, morality, society, and the way people can be influenced by the world around them. Other books have taught me about relationships, ambition, identity, loss, and the consequences of our choices. However, some of the most important lessons books have given me are not necessarily academic or historical. They have taught me how to feel. They have taught me to empathize with people whose experiences may be completely different from my own and to understand that everyone has a story that I may not immediately see. That perspective has shaped the goals I have for myself. I want to be someone who is creative, open-minded, and able to understand people rather than immediately judge them. As I continue my education and prepare for my future career, I know that working with people will be an important part of my life. Whether I am leading a team, working in business, or pursuing a career where I can make a difference in my community, I want to remember the lessons that books have taught me about people. Reading has also encouraged me to dream bigger. Books show me that there is rarely only one way to approach a problem or one way to tell a story. That has encouraged me to be adaptable and to look at challenges from different perspectives. My goals are not limited to simply achieving success for myself. I want to use my experiences, creativity, and understanding of others to help create opportunities for the people around me. Ultimately, books have taught me that life is much like a story. There will be chapters that I love, chapters that hurt, and chapters that I never expected. I cannot control every plot twist, but I can control how I respond to it and what I learn from it. The books I've read have shaped the way I see the world, the way I understand others, and the person I hope to become.

Mental health is important to me as a student because I understand how deeply it can affect a person's ability to learn, connect with others, and simply get through the day. Growing up, I lived in a household that was not necessarily bad, but mental health was not something that was openly understood or taken seriously. When I began displaying signs of depression, my feelings were sometimes viewed as seeking “attention” rather than as something I genuinely needed help with. While that experience was difficult, it taught me one of the most important lessons I carry with me today: never invalidate someone's feelings. Because of my experiences, I have become someone who strongly believes in supporting the people around me. I try to approach others with empathy and lead with my heart because I know that we rarely know what someone is experiencing beneath the surface. I remind myself that even the happiest people have experienced their own rain. Someone can be smiling, succeeding in school, or seemingly have everything together while quietly struggling. That is why I believe checking in on people, listening without judgment, and letting someone know that they are not alone can make a meaningful difference. As a student, I advocate for mental health by trying to create a community where asking for help is viewed as a sign of strength rather than weakness. Through my relationships with classmates, friends, and students I interact with on campus, I try to be someone people feel comfortable talking to. Whether that means listening when someone is having a difficult day, encouraging someone to seek professional support, or simply reminding them that their feelings are valid, I believe small acts of compassion can have a significant impact. I want the communities I am part of to normalize needing help—not normalize suffering in silence. Ultimately, I believe we need each other. Without a community of support, it can be easy to feel completely alone, especially in college when so many students are navigating academic, financial, personal, and social pressures at the same time. I want to contribute to a community where people look out for one another and where conversations about mental health are met with understanding rather than judgment. We are all human, and every one of us will need help at some point in our lives. If my experiences have taught me anything, it is that sometimes the most powerful thing we can give another person is the simple reminder that they do not have to face their struggles alone.

My educational goal is to graduate from Stetson University with a degree in Business Administration and develop the skills necessary to build a successful career in sales, business, and leadership. I am especially interested in developing my abilities in communication, relationship-building, negotiation, and understanding people. I believe these skills can be applied across many industries and will give me the flexibility to create a stable and successful future for myself. My academic journey has not always followed a straight path. I originally entered college as an Education major because I have always loved working with children and wanted to make a positive difference in their lives. As I learned more about myself and considered my long-term financial goals, I decided to change my major to Business Administration while keeping Education as a minor. I made this change because I believe a business degree, particularly with my interest in sales, will provide me with greater financial flexibility and a wider range of career opportunities. At the same time, keeping Education as a minor allows me to hold onto something I genuinely love and gives me the opportunity to incorporate mentoring and working with young people into my future. I want my education to teach me more than what is written in a textbook. I want to become someone who can communicate effectively, build meaningful relationships, understand different perspectives, and lead others. My experiences as a FOCUS Leader, women's basketball manager, and sports medicine assistant have helped me develop these skills, but my interest in sales has especially shown me the importance of understanding people. I believe successful sales and successful leadership both begin with the ability to listen, empathize, and build trust. This scholarship would help me achieve my educational goals by reducing the financial burden of earning my degree. My family has experienced significant financial changes since my father was diagnosed with cancer and had to immediately leave the job he had worked at for more than 20 years. Because of this, continuing my education has required even more financial responsibility and determination. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to focus more of my energy on my academics, professional development, and gaining experiences that will prepare me for my career. Ultimately, my goal is to use my education to create a financially stable future while doing work that allows me to connect with and help people. I want to build a career where my strengths in sales, communication, empathy, and education can come together. This scholarship would not simply help me pay for college; it would help me continue developing the knowledge and skills that I will carry with me throughout my career and use to create opportunities for myself and others.

I believe I deserve this scholarship because of the genuine way I approach the people and opportunities around me. What gives me an advantage is not that I am better than everyone else, but that I bring a level of genuineness, empathy, and curiosity into everything I do. I am a people person through and through. I genuinely enjoy meeting people, learning their stories, understanding their perspectives, and building relationships with them. I believe one of the most undervalued parts of college is networking. College is obviously about education, but it is also about the relationships you build and the people you learn from along the way. Networking has always come naturally to me because I am constantly curious. I want to know people's experiences, what motivates them, and what I can learn from them. I often find myself building connections without even realizing I am networking. Whether I am working with athletes as a basketball manager, helping students as a FOCUS Leader, or meeting professionals who can teach me about the sports industry, I approach every interaction as an opportunity to learn and connect. My empathy is another quality that sets me apart. I do not want to succeed simply for myself. I want to use my experiences and future career to help other people succeed as well. My background in Education, which I have kept as a minor after changing my major to Business Administration, reflects that part of who I am. I have always loved working with children and hope to continue incorporating mentorship and working with young people into my future career. My goal of working in athletic administration is ultimately about more than business; it is about creating opportunities and positively impacting the people within an organization. Receiving this scholarship would not be something I take for granted. I would view it as an investment, not a handout. An investment in my education, my professional development, and the person I am becoming. I would carry the responsibility of that investment with me as I continue pursuing my degree, building relationships, gaining experience, and working toward a career in sports leadership. I may not be able to say that I am the most qualified person competing for this scholarship, but I can confidently say that I will make the most of the opportunity. I am someone who is willing to show up, connect with people, learn from every experience, and use what I gain to create opportunities for others. If given this scholarship, I would not simply receive it—I would put it to work.

My story is one of perseverance, growth, and learning how to turn challenges into motivation. As a college student, I have worked hard to create opportunities for myself while balancing academics, work, and leadership experiences. My journey has taught me that success is not simply about where you start, but about the effort you put into where you want to go. When I first started college, I chose to major in Education because I have always loved working with children and wanted to make a positive difference in their lives. As I learned more about my strengths and considered my long-term financial goals, I decided to change my major to Business Administration while keeping Education as a minor. This decision allows me to pursue a career with greater financial flexibility while still keeping something I genuinely care about a part of my education. I hope to eventually combine my business and education backgrounds in my career, especially through opportunities where I can work with and mentor young people. Over the past year, my family has also experienced a major change. My father was diagnosed with cancer, which had an immediate impact on my entire family. After working at the same job for more than 20 years, he was forced to stop working because of his diagnosis. Losing his income created significant financial challenges for my family and changed the way we had to think about expenses, including the cost of my education. Despite these circumstances, I have remained determined to continue my education and build a future that I can be proud of. This experience has made me even more motivated to become financially independent and create a stable career for myself. I am currently pursuing my degree at Stetson University, with a strong interest in the sports industry and athletic management. Throughout my college experience, I have actively looked for opportunities to develop my leadership and professional skills. I have worked as a sports medicine assistant, become a manager for Stetson's women's basketball team, and served as a FOCUS Leader helping incoming students transition into college. These experiences have shown me how business, leadership, communication, and athletics come together behind the scenes. My long-term career goal is to become a leader within the sports industry, ideally working in athletic administration as an Athletic Director or Assistant Athletic Director. I want to help create opportunities for athletes, improve athletic programs, and contribute to organizations that positively impact their communities. At the same time, I hope my background in education will allow me to continue working with and mentoring children and young adults throughout my career. Whether through athletics, education, or leadership, I want to be someone who helps young people recognize their potential and pursue their goals. Receiving this scholarship would have a meaningful impact on both my education and my future. With the financial challenges my family has experienced, scholarship support would help relieve some of the financial pressure of attending college and allow me to focus more of my time and energy on my academics, professional development, and career preparation. It would also give me greater opportunities to pursue internships and experiences within the sports industry that will help me reach my long-term goals. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue building my education and my future. My father's diagnosis has shown me how quickly circumstances can change, but it has also strengthened my determination to keep moving forward. This scholarship would bring me one step closer to meeting my educational goals, and furthering my career.

“Remember that the ruling faculty is invincible, when, collected into itself, it is content with itself, if it does nothing which it does not will, even though it resist without any purpose. What then will it do when it forms a judgment about anything, and what it judges according to reason? The mind which is free from passions is a citadel, for man has nothing more secure to which he can fly for refuge and for the future be inexpugnable. He then who has not seen this is an ignorant man; but he who has seen it and does not fly to this refuge is unhappy.” —Marcus Aurelius, Meditations. One of the greatest questions that has evolved throughout human history is why events happen or unfold the way they do. When tragedy, failure, or unexpected circumstances occur, people often question whether what happened was fair or unfair. Chaos can arise from the unknown because human beings naturally desire explanations and, more importantly, control. However, Marcus Aurelius suggests that true strength does not come from controlling the circumstances around us, the actions of other people, or even the uncertainty of the future. Instead, true strength comes from learning to control one's own mind, judgments, and actions. The idea is reflected in the popular interpretation of Marcus Aurelius's philosophy: “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” People often spend their lives trying to control circumstances, other people, or the future, only to discover that these things exist beyond their complete control. It is easy to focus on what other people are doing wrong because their faults appear to give us something to judge, criticize, or attempt to fix. We are all human, and we all judge, whether we like to admit it or not. It is simple to identify what another person lacks in morals, intelligence, or character. What is much more difficult is turning that same judgment inward and recognizing our own faults. Yet this is where Marcus Aurelius believes true strength begins. The “ruling faculty” that Marcus Aurelius describes can be understood as the part of the mind responsible for judgment and reason. He argues that this part of ourselves can be “invincible” when we learn to govern it rather than allowing our emotions or external circumstances to govern us. This does not mean becoming emotionless or pretending that painful events do not matter. Instead, it means recognizing the difference between experiencing something and allowing that experience to completely control who we become. A person may not be able to prevent betrayal, loss, failure, or injustice, but they still possess the ability to decide how they will respond. In this sense, the mind becomes a “citadel,” or fortress—not because nothing can hurt us, but because our character does not have to be destroyed by everything that happens outside of us. This idea also raises an important question about judgment itself: how do we decide what is truly good or bad? In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Bruce Banner asks, “How would you decide what parts of nature are good or bad?” Although spoken in a completely different context, this question connects deeply to the philosophy expressed by Marcus Aurelius. Human beings are often quick to divide themselves and others into categories of good and bad. We identify qualities we dislike and attempt to remove, suppress, or condemn them without first understanding where those qualities come from. We may do the same with anger, fear, ambition, grief, or even aspects of our identity. However, Banner's question challenges the assumption that we are always capable of objectively deciding which parts of human nature should be accepted and which should be rejected. Marcus Aurelius similarly warns against allowing uncontrolled passions and external judgments to rule the mind. The answer is not necessarily to eliminate every emotion or imperfection that we consider “bad,” but to understand and govern them through reason. There is a significant difference between being controlled by anger and understanding why we are angry. There is a difference between allowing fear to prevent us from acting and recognizing fear while choosing to move forward anyway. True self-control is not the destruction of every part of ourselves that is uncomfortable; it is the ability to understand ourselves well enough that those parts do not control our actions. Ultimately, I believe Marcus Aurelius's underlying message is that the greatest battle a person will face is often not against the world, but within themselves. The world will always contain uncertainty, unfairness, and circumstances beyond our control. Other people will continue to make choices we disagree with, and the future will remain unpredictable no matter how carefully we attempt to plan it. If we spend our lives trying to control all of these things, we may never recognize the one place where meaningful control is actually possible: ourselves. The “citadel” Marcus Aurelius describes is therefore not an escape from reality, but a place of self-awareness. It requires us to stop focusing solely on the faults of others and confront our own judgments, emotions, and actions. It also requires humility—the understanding that we may not always know what is good or bad, either in other people or even within ourselves. True strength is not the ability to control everything around us. It is the discipline to control how we think, how we act, and ultimately, who we choose to become despite everything that happens beyond our control.

One of the people who has most significantly influenced my understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community and shaped my plans for future activism is my professor at Stetson University, Dr. Meg Young. As someone who is also part of the LGBTQIA+ community, seeing Dr. Young live openly and authentically has had a tremendous impact on me. She never changes who she is to make herself more comfortable or acceptable to her peers, colleagues, or students. She is confident in herself, her identity, and her abilities, and she carries that confidence into every space she enters. What has impacted me most, however, is that her confidence never comes at the expense of her compassion. Dr. Young demonstrates a genuine love and care for all of her students, despite the many differences that exist between us. She creates an environment where people can feel respected, supported, and valued for who they are. Watching her interact with students has shown me that true leadership is not about expecting everyone to be the same. Instead, it is about recognizing people's differences while still making sure everyone feels that they belong. Seeing Dr. Young has, in many ways, given me a mirror of the person I hope to become and, at the same time, shown me who was holding that mirror for me. Her example has allowed me to see that I do not have to separate my identity from my ambitions, leadership, or future career. I can be successful, skilled, compassionate, and completely myself at the same time. Her presence as an openly LGBTQIA+ professor has shown me how important representation can be, especially when someone is able to see qualities in another person that they hope to one day see in themselves. Her influence has shaped my plans for future activism by motivating me to create the same sense of belonging for others. As a student studying Business Administration with interests in sports, education, and leadership, I hope to eventually work in spaces where I can influence organizational culture and advocate for inclusive environments. Whether I am working in athletics, education, or another leadership position, I want to ensure that people do not feel as though they have to hide parts of themselves in order to be respected or successful. My future activism may take the form of advocacy, mentorship, community involvement, and creating more inclusive opportunities and policies. Most importantly, I want to lead by example. Dr. Young has taught me that activism is not always about standing behind a podium or organizing a major movement. Sometimes, it is about showing up authentically, making space for others, and demonstrating through your actions that differences do not prevent people from deserving respect, care, and belonging. Because of Dr. Young, I have a clearer picture of the type of leader, advocate, and person I hope to become. She showed me what it looks like to remain true to yourself while genuinely caring for people who may come from completely different backgrounds and experiences. Her confidence gave me something to aspire to, and her compassion showed me what I hope to give back to others. In the future, I hope that I can hold that same mirror for someone else and help them see possibilities within themselves that they may not yet be able to see.

My name is Mackenzie Cox, and I am an undergraduate student at Stetson University studying Business Administration with minors in Sports Business, Sales, and Education. I am a student, leader, athlete, mentor, and someone who has learned that resilience is often built through the challenges we never expected to face. Growing up in a large and diverse family as an adopted child taught me early on the importance of adaptability, empathy, and community. My experiences have shaped me into someone who values connection and strives to create spaces where others feel supported, included, and encouraged to succeed. Athletics and music have always played important roles in my life. Sports gave me a sense of belonging while teaching me discipline, accountability, leadership, and the importance of working toward something greater than myself. I spent years involved in athletics, including track and field, where I developed a strong appreciation for teamwork and leadership. Music, on the other hand, has provided me with a creative outlet and another way to connect with people. Over time, my lifelong passion for participating in sports evolved into an interest in the business, leadership, and operational side of athletics. This passion has fueled my ultimate career goal of becoming a collegiate Athletic Director, where I hope to combine my love for sports with my desire to mentor students and create positive experiences for student-athletes. Throughout my academic journey, I have intentionally pursued opportunities that allow me to gain hands-on experience and grow as a leader. At Stetson University, I serve as a Sports Medicine Assistant, a Women's Basketball Manager, and a FOCUS Student Orientation Leader. Each of these roles has challenged me in different ways, whether through supporting student-athletes behind the scenes, helping new students navigate their transition to college, or learning more about the daily operations of collegiate athletics. I also volunteer as a high school track and field coach, allowing me to give back to a sport that has played such an important role in my own life. In addition to these experiences, I have earned both my culinary and Cambridge diplomas, reflecting my willingness to pursue diverse interests and challenge myself academically and professionally. My college experience has also taught me the true meaning of perseverance. During my freshman year, I balanced my education, employment, and campus involvement while supporting my family through one of the most difficult periods of our lives: my father's battle with Stage IV cancer. Navigating these responsibilities required sacrifice, time management, and resilience. While these challenges were difficult, they strengthened my determination to continue pursuing my education and career goals. Receiving this scholarship would provide meaningful financial support and allow me to continue investing in my education, leadership development, and involvement within Stetson Athletics. More importantly, it would represent an investment in my future and the impact I hope to make on others. My goal is not simply to build a successful career, but to become a leader who advocates for student-athletes, creates opportunities for others, and helps young people discover the same sense of belonging and confidence that sports have given me. I am committed to using every opportunity I receive to continue growing, giving back, and working toward a future where I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and athletes.

Working part-time while pursuing my degree has taught me how to manage my time, prioritize responsibilities, and remain committed even during busy seasons. Throughout college, I have balanced multiple campus roles while maintaining high academic standards. I currently serve as a Sports Medicine Assistant, a newly appointed Women's Basketball Manager, and a FOCUS Leader at Stetson University. Beyond helping me work toward my long-term goal of becoming an Athletic Director, these active roles allow me to stay deeply involved in collegiate athletics every single day. Balancing the hands-on care and clinical operations of sports medicine with the daily administrative, logistical, and practice demands of a Division I basketball program requires constant focus, proactive planning, and real-time adaptability. Before attending Stetson, I worked at Chick-fil-A in my hometown of Palm Harbor for nearly four years. That foundation taught me professionalism, teamwork, customer service, and the importance of leading by example. Carrying those lessons into college has allowed me to confidently take on demanding roles within Stetson Athletics while continuing to support myself. Managing team schedules, travel preparation, and student support on top of my own coursework isn't always easy, but it continually sharpens my discipline, resilience, and time management skills. One of the most challenging periods of my life came during my first year of college when I was balancing academics, work, and family responsibilities. My father was battling Stage IV cancer, and my family was facing significant financial strain. While trying to adjust to college life, I continued working and remained committed to my responsibilities, knowing that every paycheck helped ease some of the burden on my family. There were days when balancing coursework, job shifts, and the emotional weight of my family's situation felt overwhelming. Instead of giving up, I learned to rely on intentional organization, rigorous scheduling, and the support of mentors around me. I created structured weekly calendars, stayed ahead on assignments whenever possible, and stayed grounded in my long-term purpose. That experience taught me true perseverance. Today, the resilience I built during that season directly shapes how I manage my current workload. Operating in fast-paced athletic environments—whether handling sports medicine needs during training sessions or managing operations for the Women's Basketball program—requires calm execution under pressure, a strong work ethic, and an unwavering commitment to supporting those around me. I am incredibly grateful to be employed and have these opportunities and structure that Stetson has provided me.

Growing up, I learned that resilience isn't just about overcoming obstacles—it's about choosing to keep moving forward despite them. As an African American college student in Florida, my education has been shaped not only by my ambitions but also by the challenges my family has faced. Being adopted has also shaped the way I see the world. It taught me that everyone's journey is different and that compassion, inclusion, and mentorship can profoundly change someone's life. Those lessons influence the way I lead today, whether I'm mentoring incoming students as a FOCUS Leader or serving my community with empathy and purpose. Last year, my father was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, forcing my family into a new reality. My mother became our sole provider while I balanced being a full-time student with working to help support my family. There were times when the financial burden made continuing my education feel uncertain, but those experiences only strengthened my determination to succeed. They taught me the value of perseverance, gratitude, and making the most of every opportunity. At Stetson University, I strive to serve others in the same way that mentors and leaders have supported me. As a FOCUS Leader, I help incoming students navigate the transition to college, creating a welcoming environment where they feel seen, supported, and encouraged. I also volunteer in my community and stay actively involved on campus because I believe leadership is measured by how you invest in others. Education represents more than a degree to me—it represents opportunity. It is the foundation that will allow me to pursue my goal of working in collegiate athletics as an Athletic Director, where I hope to create opportunities for student-athletes from all backgrounds to succeed academically, personally, and professionally. I want to be the kind of leader who not only opens doors but also holds them open for others. Receiving this scholarship would ease the financial burden on my family and allow me to focus more fully on my education and service. More importantly, it would remind me that others believe in the potential of students who work hard despite adversity. I intend to honor that investment by continuing to lead with integrity, serve my community, and create opportunities for future generations. My story is still being written, but every challenge I have faced has strengthened my commitment to education, leadership, and giving back. I hope to build a legacy defined not only by my own success, but by the lives I help impact along the way.