I embody a selflessness by living a life of service. By not thinking that serving others is a duty, but rather a privilege. By modeling how Jesus lived, one can model to others what it means to have a true servant's heart. A true servant lives with the intention of always putting others first. They embody compassion, humility, kindness, and patience in all aspects of life. To be a true servant it requires a constant willingness to give to others. I hope to continue to live like a servant and to lead others. I hope that I will always strive to put others' needs before my own. In a world that values personal success, I prefer to serve without receiving personal recognition. My service is driven by the desire to make other people's lives better and honor God by doing so. I have the privilege of serving others through my love for animals. There are many children who do not have the opportunity to bond with animals like I have. By volunteering at Spirit Ride NC, I get to give kids with disabilities an opportunity to change their lives and create amazing bonds and connections. Spirit Ride is an amazing organization that I have had the privilege of being a part of for 4 years. Outside of Spirit Ride, I try to live every day like a true servant. I try to be the first to volunteer for any task that comes my way. Whether that is in school, sports, or even at home. I believe I can use my education as well as my love and passion for animals to serve others. To provide care to people who need it the most because I have seen first hand how important animals can be in our lives. I want to be able to provide affordable life saving care to animals. Too many times I see pet owners and farmers have to put their animals down because financially they cannot provide the care they need. I want to be able to help and serve people so that they can provide the necessary care for their animals. My service is driven by the desire to make other people's lives better and honor God by doing so. In the book of Philippians, Paul writes, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interest of others.” These verses have become my mantra of service and I pray for opportunities to continue serving throughout college and in my career.

My faith plays such a large role in my life. It not only shapes my values but it shapes the way that I approach challenges and opportunities not only in academics but my whole life. Growing up I was raised in a baptist church and have continued to attend the First Baptist church in my college town. During moments of uncertainty I know I can lean on my faith for a sense of purpose and direction. My faith has influenced a lot of how I view success. I used to look for validation from others whether that be in school, sports, or in life in general but now I know that I do not need to be validated by the world because as long as I am living a life for God then that's all the validation I need. I am reminded that knowledge and success is a tool that can be used to serve, lead, and help others. My future goals are not just centered around success, money or fame, but centered in making a difference by helping others. I try to think of every obstacle and set back as a part of God's plan for me. I am reminded that God has a plan for me and that it may not happen how I want it to, but it is how God intended it to happen. This has really helped me deal with hardships. I believe that God gives everyone a unique gift to serve his kingdom so I strive to use my gift to his glory. Beyond faith in my family specifically my mother has been one of the biggest influences to push me towards higher education. My mom has sacrificed so much because she believes in me. She has supported me in so many ways and showed me the value of hard work. Seeing my family's belief in me motivates me to continue working hard and doing what I love. I am encouraged to continue in higher education because I believe that God has called me to serve his kingdom by serving people as well as their animals. That is why I am going to school to be a veterinarian. I know that God has called people to honor his kingdom in many ways and I do believe that God has given me this gift and the talents to serve his people. As well as the gift to serve the earths inhabitants. In the bible it is evident that God cared for animals as well as he told Noah to save 2 of each animals from the flood. Also in Psalm 50:10-11 it says "...for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine."

I am Madison Barrett and I am a Track and Field athlete at Tarleton State university. Sports have always been a very important part of my life. Growing up I played about every sport including 1 year of football because I wanted to prove to everyone that I could play with the boys. My dad was also a high school and college basketball coach when I was little so there was no lack of competitiveness in my household. In high school I narrowed down on basketball cross country and track. My freshman year of high school my dad passed away from a massive heart attack. To this day I wonder what he would think about me playing sports in college. He was a huge sports fanatic Im not sure I met a bigger sports fan then him. It wasnt until my junior year of highshool that I became serious about track and I won my first State Championship in the 300m hurdles and the 4x400m relay, I was also an All-American. I would go on my senior year to repeat those state championships as well as my All-American title. My mom has been my biggest supporter. Since my dad passed it has just been me my mom and my little sister so we became really close. My mom raised me to be a strong independent women and so when it can down to choosing a college she was supportive in whatever decision I made. Our of high school I was I was overlooked a lot by colleges because I came from such a small school In the North Carolina mountains. I ended up signing to a school in Texas even though they did not give me as much scholarship it just felt right. As far as schooling goes I have always loved school and been a good student. I knew I wanted to do something in Agriculture but I didnt know what until I shadowed a Veterinary and ever since then that has been my goal. I graduated high school as valedictorian and have held a 4.0 so far in college. i genuinely enjoy learning and have throughly enjoyed my classes. In the future I would like to be a mixed practice veterinarian and move back home to my little mountain town to better serve the people there as there is a large need for a veterinarian where I am from.

My name is Madison Barrett, and I am Junior at Tarleton State University pursue a degree in Animal Sciences at either Tarleton State University. My passion for animals and science has always guided me towards a career in STEM. From a young age, I have been fascinated by the natural world and the intricate systems that sustain life. Studying Animal Sciences will allow me to explore these interests further and contribute to advancements in animal health and welfare. Veterinary medicine combines my passion for animals with my interest in science and discovery. A career in stem gives me the opportunity solve problems, discover new solutions, and improve the lives of people as well as their furry friends. Choosing STEM means choosing a path of discovery and innovation. I am driven by the desire to understand how science can improve the lives of animals and, by extension, our world. With a strong academic record, including a 4.0 GPA, I have demonstrated my commitment to learning and excelling in challenging subjects. This scholarship would provide crucial support as I embark on my college journey, allowing me to focus on my studies and engage in meaningful research opportunities. As a woman entering the veterinarian field I feel as if the DVM is a male dominated field and women are expected to be the Vet techs. A lot of times when I explain to someone that I am going to get my DVM in Veterinary medicine is is often followed up by the question of "so when are you going to start a family" or "when are you going to get married" its almost if most people believe that I cannot do both. A lot of times I have heard comments how female veterinarians are to soft for the field. I want to make a difference by showing my compassion, determination and leadership, breaking stereotypes and barriers for the future generations of women in Animal science as well as STEM. I want to inspire other young women the pursue careers in science and medicine. I want to create a lasting impact on my community through advocacy, education and high quality care. Women alongside of men can make important contributions to science through compassion, intelligence and perseverance. Women are not to soft for veterinary medicine we are just more compassionate and women do not have to put their personal lives on hold for a DVM. Both worlds are possible.

"Why am I not good enough?" This is a question that me and many others ask themselves every day. For me it started when I was kid. I was never good enough for my father, and to this day it is the biggest obstacle I have faced. He was always so manipulative and his abuse and manipulation left me with much trauma. He was unbearably hard on me in everything I did. At times it felt as if I was not worthy of his love. In 2021 when I was a freshman in high school my parents filed for divorce. It felt good not feeling like I had to live up to a certain standard. From that point forward I decided that breaking contact with my dad was best for me and my mental health after me and him got into a physical altercation. For months I did not see or talk to my dad and in return he never reached out. From there forward he started his life without me, and never turned back. Just a few months after we broke communication, my dad passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack. Although my dad and I had a complicated relationship, I never meant for our break to last forever. His manipulation continued after his death as I felt so guilty. Would I ever get the chance to make my dad proud? Would he even care about me anymore if he were still alive today? Aside from those questions, I felt unbearable guilt. I felt guilty that my anger towards him kept me away from him in his final months. It took a lot of time to come to terms with my guilt. It was a long recovery, but I did recover. By overcoming this obstacle, it has taught me many important lessons. When the world feels as if it is falling apart, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I have learned to know my worth, that I am worthy of love, and that I never have to prove myself to anyone. This experience has grown me tremendously as a person. It has taught me to be a better person to others and to always strive to be the person that others can lean on. I would consider myself to be successful. I am graduating top of my class, I have the opportunity to run at a D1 school, I have won several state titles, I am the president of the Avery FFA, but the most important thing is that now I am living proof that you are more than the adversity that you face. I am worth more than the things I have won. I can be a mentor to others that have been through tough times, and that it is possible to overcome challenges and to come back stronger. Life has torn me down repeatedly, and I could write a book about all the adversity that I have faced, but in the end, I have always come back stronger. I did not let the obstacles stop me. By being a positive influence and by never giving up I have influenced many others to do the same. The biggest lesson that I have learned that I will forever carry with me and teach to others is that no matter what life throws at you, you can overcome it and come back a stronger and better person. While I may never know if he would be proud of me I am proud of who I am and who I will become.

Hello I am Madison Barrett and I am a Junior Pre-Vet student at Tarleton State University as well as a Track and field athlete. I have known from a young age that I have a gift with animals. Throughout High school I used my gift to help others with disabilities connect with animals. I volunteered at a non profit therapeutic riding facility called Spirit Ride NC where I was able to share my love for animals with others. I want to be able to use my education and my gifts to serve others and make an impact on my community and the world. Whether it's through my future career as a veterinarian or through everyday interactions I want to bring people encouragement, and compassion. Spirit Ride is a 100% non profit, volunteer run, therapeutic horseback riding company that works with kids with a wide array of disabilities. I have worked very closely with kids who have very different needs such as kids who have extreme autism, cerebral palsy, and Angelman syndrome. I personally got to work with Jake who was diagnosed with Angel Mans syndrome. At Spirit ride we get to use horses and other animals such as chickens, goats, and cats as a tool to promote the kids behavioral and physical well being. Therapy riding has been proven to provide physical, mental, and behavioral benefits. I have personally witnessed improvement in kids with physical disabilities as I have seen it improve their balance, muscle tone, and coordination. Therapy riding is one of the most magical things to witness as you can truly see that you are making a difference in someone's life. I have first hand witnessed a horse and a child build a bond so special that every child should be able to have the opportunity to do so. Being a part of this organization has changed my life. I have learned so much about working with kids with disabilities and how I can use my gift to make a positive impact on the world. Volunteering at Spirit Ride has shaped me both professionally and personally.. I have seen how animals can truly change the lives of people and that gives me motivation to do what I want to do. Seeing the bond that these riders have with horses has shown me how powerfully therapy riding and animal therapy can be. Having the opportunity to work with each kid shaped me to be a more compassionate, patient and understanding person. Watching the confidence and joy that the riders gained throughout their time at spirit ride gave me a deeper appreciation for life. Now I know that my gift goes far beyond just helping animals but that I have the ability to change the lives of people through my love of animals. A person who is my motivator is my mom. She is a single mother who pushes me every day to be a bette version of myself. She has sacrificed so much to get me to where I am today. She inspires me to do what I love and to never stop working hard for it.

I plan to make a positive impact on the world by using my gifts to help others. I have known from a young age that I have a gift with animals. Throughout High school I used my gift to help others with disabilities connect with animals. I volunteered at a non profit therapeutic riding facility where I was able to share my love for animals with others. I want to be able to use my education and my gifts to serve others and make an impact on my community and the world. Whether it's through my future career as a veterinarian or through everyday interactions I want to bring people encouragement, and compassion. One of the ways I hope to make a positive impact is through my career. I want to make a positive impact by caring for animals and supporting the people who depend on them. I want people to be able to provide their pets with affordable veterinary care. Our animals are such a huge part of our lives and bring us so much joy. So many times I see situations where families cannot provide the proper care for their animals and I want to be able to serve people through their animals. I hope to not only excel in my field but be in a position where I can help others, advocate for people and animals, and to contribute to solutions that help to make our world a better place. By educating owners on preventative care and making that care available to the communities who need it I believe I can make a lasting difference in my community and improve overall welfare. I believe that caring for animals is a form of stewardship and service. I want to approach my work with compassion, kindness, and patience. I want all my actions to reflect my compassion and respect for all living things. I hope to use my career to give back to underserved communities. I would like to be a part of efforts that provide affordable services to people who may not have access to it. In conclusion, by living everyday as a compassionate person and letting that carry into my future career I want to make a positive impact by improving the lives of animals and the lives of people connected to them. I would like to continue my work in Non profits to be able to provide to others the same opportunity to connect with animals that I have. I truly believe that animal human connection is such an important part of life and there are so many benefits of the animal human connection. That is why I am so passionate about it.

My faith plays such a large role in my life. It not only shapes my values but it shapes the way that I approach challenges and opportunities not only in academics but my whole life. Growing up I was raised in a baptist church and have continued to attend the First Baptist church in my college town. During moments of uncertainty I know I can lean on my faith for a sense of purpose and direction. My faith has influenced a lot of how I view success. I used to look for validation from others whether that be in school, sports, or in life in general but now I know that I do not need to be validated by the world because as long as I am living a life for God then that's all the validation I need. I am reminded that knowledge and success is a tool that can be used to serve, lead, and help others. My future goals are not just centered around success, money or fame, but centered in making a difference by helping others. I try to think of every obstacle and set back as a part of God's plan for me. I am reminded that God has a plan for me and that it may not happen how I want it to, but it is how god intended it to happen. This has really helped me deal with hardships. I believe that God gives everyone unique gift to serve his kingdom so I strive to use my gift to his glory. Beyond faith my family specifically my mother has been on of the biggest influences to push me towards higher education. My mom has sacrificed so much because she believes in me. She has supported me in so many ways and showed me the value of hard work. Seeing my families belief in me motivates me to continue working hard and doing what I love. I am encouraged to continue in higher education because I believe that God has called me to serve his kingdom by serving people as well as their animals. That is why I am going to school to be a veterinarian. I know that God has called people to honor his kingdom in many ways and I do believe that God has given me this gift and the talents to be serve his people. social media; instagram - maddybarrett20

Spirit Ride is a 100% non profit, volunteer run, therapeutic horseback riding company that works with kids with a wide array of disabilities. For the past 2-3 years I have consistently volunteered at spirit ride during the summer, fall sessions, and volunteered at fundraising events. The most important task that I do at Spirit Ride is interacting with the children and providing these kids with an opportunity to create a bond between them and a horse. I have worked very closely with kids who have very different needs such as kids who have extreme autism, cerebral palsy, and angelmans syndrome. I work hand and hand with the horses and the riders' parents to ensure a safe and fun environment. I personally got to work with Jake who was diagnosed with Angel Mans syndrome, but I also got the opportunity to serve kids with all levels of autism, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities. At Spirit ride we get to use horses and other animals such as chickens, goats, and cats as a tool to promote the kids behavioral and physical well being. Therapy riding has been proven to provide physical, mental, and behavioral benefits. I have personally witnessed improvement in kids with physical disabilities as I have seen it improve their balance, muscle tone, and coordination. I volunteer once a week with Jake on a normal week but in the summers or during special events I will volunteer more often and work with other kids. I also help around the farm in doing farm chores, training horses, and participating in fundraisers and events throughout the year as this is a non profit organization run 100% through volunteers. A session with one of the kids is about an hour long and the activities within the lesson may vary depending on the rider. Sometimes we trail ride, other times we play games that focus on building muscles and fine motor skills, or sometimes simply just interacting with horses. Therapy riding is one of the most magical things to witness as you can truly see that you are making a difference in someone's life. I have first hand witnessed a horse and a child build a bond so special that every child should be able to have the opportunity to do so. I lead people in school, FFA, and sports. I am willing to go above and beyond to help and lead others. Sometimes the best thing you can do for someone is to lead them by example and give them guidance. To be a great servant you must not think that serving others is a duty, but rather a privilege. I have the privilege of serving others through my love for animals. There are many children who do not have the opportunity to bond with animals like I have. By volunteering at Spirit Ride NC, I get to give kids with disabilities an opportunity to change their lives and create amazing bonds and connections.

"Why am I not good enough?" This is a question that me and many others ask themselves every day. For me it started when I was kid. I was never good enough for my father, and to this day it is the biggest obstacle I have faced. Ever since I was young, I felt as if I could never be good enough for my dad. At times it felt as if I was not worthy of his love, that I had to prove to him why I was deserving of his attention. In 2021 when I was a freshman in high school my parents filed for divorce. For months I did not see or talk to my dad and in return he never reached out. Although losing contact was the best solution, it came with other obstacles. It felt as if he did not care about me anymore. I felt like he was happy to get rid of me. From there forward he started his life without me, and never turned back. Just a few months after we broke communication, my dad passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack. Although my dad and I had a complicated relationship, I never meant for our break to last forever. His manipulation continued after his death as I felt so guilty. Would I ever get the chance to make my dad proud? Would he even care about me anymore if he were still alive today? Aside from those questions, I felt unbearable guilt. I felt guilty that my anger towards him kept me away from him in his final months. It took a lot of time to come to terms with my guilt. It was a long recovery, but I did recover. By overcoming this obstacle, it has taught me many important lessons. When the world feels as if it is falling apart, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I have learned to know my worth, that I am worthy of love, and that I never have to prove myself to anyone. This experience has grown me tremendously as a person. It has taught me to be a better person to others and to always strive to be the person that others can lean on. I would consider myself to be successful. I am graduating top of my class, I have the opportunity to run at a D1 school, I have won several state titles, I am the president of the Avery FFA, but the most important thing is that now I am living proof that you are more than the adversity that you face. I am worth more than the things I have won. I can be a mentor to others that have been through tough times, and that it is possible to overcome challenges and to come back stronger. Life has torn me down repeatedly, and I could write a book about all the adversity that I have faced, but in the end, I have always come back stronger. I did not let the obstacles stop me. By being a positive influence and by never giving up I have influenced many others to do the same. The biggest lesson that I have learned that I will forever carry with me and teach to others is that no matter what life throws at you, you can overcome it and come back a stronger and better person. While I may never know if he would be proud of me I am proud of who I am and who I will become.

I embody a life of service by not thinking that serving others is a duty, but rather a privilege. By modeling how Jesus lived, one can model to others what it means to have a true servant's heart. A true servant lives with the intention of always putting others first. They embody compassion, humility, kindness, and patience in all aspects of life. To be a true servant it requires a constant willingness to give to others. I hope to continue to live like a servant and to lead others. I hope that I will always strive to put others' needs before my own. In a world that values personal success, I prefer to serve without receiving personal recognition. My service is driven by the desire to make other people's lives better and honor God by doing so. I have the privilege of serving others through my love for animals. There are many children who do not have the opportunity to bond with animals like I have. By volunteering at Spirit Ride NC, I get to give kids with disabilities an opportunity to change their lives and create amazing bonds and connections. Spirit Ride is an amazing organization that I have had the privilege of being a part of for 4 years. Outside of Spirit Ride, I try to live every day like a true servant. I try to be the first to volunteer for any task that comes my way. Whether that is in school, sports, or even at home. I believe I can use my education as well as my love and passion for animals to serve others. To provide care to people who need it the most because I have seen first hand how important animals can be in our lives. I want to be able to provide affordable life saving care to animals. Too many times I see pet owners and farmers have to put their animals down because financially they cannot provide the care they need. I want to be able to help and serve people so that they can provide the necessary care for their animals. My service is driven by the desire to make other people's lives better and honor God by doing so. In the book of Philippians, Paul writes, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interest of others.” These verses have become my mantra of service and I pray for opportunities to continue serving throughout college and in my career.

I am qualified to be a "You Got It Girl" because I am a determined athlete that has been doubted over and over again but I never give up. I have had so many obstacles put in my way but I have stayed strong. worked hard, and never given up. This scholarship will truly help me because without scholarships I will have to take out loans. I come from a single parent household and although I work as hard as I can it is almost impossible to hold a job while being a college athlete. I compete in track and field and I run the 400m hurdles. I have ran track since middle school. I am a 2x NC state champion in the 300m hurdles and a 2x state champion in the 4x400m relay. Alongside of that I am a 2x high school All-American in the 400m hurdles. I also received the sportsmanship award and the State meet in 2024 as well as my conference scholar female athlete of the year and my schools female athlete of the year in 2025. I have faced many challenges. My dad passed away my freshman year of high school and I underwent shoulder surgery shortly after which left me unable to run track my freshman year. I had a hard time getting recruited out of high school because not many coaches believed in me because I came from a small school. Fast forward I am now at Tarleton State University and I am a freshman. It has been so hard. I have dealt with some minor injuries as a result of adjusting to the demand in training. I have also came to the harsh conclusion that my coach never really wanted me here and that he does not believe in me. So now I have learned that I have to do it for myself because no matter what I do I will not make others happy. Now I run for myself and not for the validation of others and its so much better not trying to people please others. I look up to my older brother. He had a hard time in high school and got into some trouble but he enlisted himself in the marines and made a real life of himself. Now he is the highest rank and will be retiring soon. This scholarship will make it possible for me to keep running. I dont get much scholarship money so there is a large gap of tuition I still have left to pay. On top of Track I am a Pre-Vet major so I am very busy and do not have time to hold a job. It is important to me that I am doing well in school alongside of track and not having to worry about money is a big part of that.

For as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to animals. Whether it was taking care of a sick pet, volunteering at shelters, or just being the go-to person for friends who needed help with their pets, I always knew I wanted to turn that passion into something bigger. Veterinary medicine is more than a career to me, it's a calling rooted in compassion, science, and service. My vision extends beyond treating individual patients; I aim to contribute to a more equitable, sustainable, and progressive veterinary landscape. I believe that each interaction with an animal and its owner is an opportunity to educate, comfort, and empower. Beyond clinical work, I am passionate about increasing access to veterinary care for underserved communities. Many animals suffer not due to a lack of love from their owners, but because of financial or geographic barriers to care. I want to have a mobile veterinarian unit so that I can bring veterinary care to people at a low cost. I want to bring essential services to areas that need them most. Long-term, I envision developing a nonprofit initiative focused on preventative care and education in low-income regions. I have decided to pursue a career as a veterinary technician because I want to work in a career that I love, I want to be able to make a difference in the agriculture community, and I want to serve underserved communities in a way that I can help both the animals and the owners. There is a substantial need for affordable emergency medicine for specifically large animals in Western NC and Eastern TN areas. I want to be able to serve my community members and local farmers by providing affordable care for their pets, but also for their livelihoods as many farmers depend on their animals to provide for their families. I know first hand how expensive veterinarian care can be. I think there are huge improvements that cab be made to veterinary medicine that can change it for the better. My childhood dog died at a young age because he was diagnosed to late with lung cancer. By the time we got his diagnosis he was declining quickly and my family did not have the money for his life saving treatment. I want to not only provide affordable veterinarian care but change the way that the healthcare system for animals work. What if we had affordable insurance policies for our animals just as we do for humans. Maybe if the system was different and my family could have afforded the treatment or the tests to diagnosis my dog sooner then maybe he would still be alive today.

For as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to animals. Whether it was taking care of a sick pet, volunteering at shelters, or just being the go-to person for friends who needed help with their pets, I always knew I wanted to turn that passion into something bigger. Veterinary medicine and conservation is more than a career to me, it's a calling rooted in compassion, science, and service. My vision extends beyond treating individual patients; I aim to contribute to a more equitable, sustainable, and progressive veterinary landscape. I believe that each interaction with an animal and its owner is an opportunity to educate, comfort, and empower. Beyond clinical work, I am passionate about increasing access to veterinary care for underserved communities and preserving wildlife conservation. Many animals suffer not due to a lack of love from their owners, but because of financial or geographic barriers to care. I want to have a mobile veterinarian unit so that I can bring veterinary care to people at a low cost. I want to bring essential services to areas that need them most. Long-term, I envision developing a nonprofit initiative focused on preventative care and education in low-income regions. I have decided to pursue a career as a veterinary technician because I want to work in a career that I love, I want to be able to make a difference in the agriculture community, and I want to serve underserved communities in a way that I can help both the animals and the owners. There is a substantial need for affordable emergency medicine for specifically large animals in Western NC and Eastern TN areas. I want to be able to serve my community members and local farmers by providing affordable care for their pets, but also for their livelihoods as many farmers depend on their animals to provide for their families. I know first hand how expensive veterinarian care can be. I think there are huge improvements that cab be made to veterinary medicine that can change it for the better. My childhood dog died at a young age because he was diagnosed to late with lung cancer. By the time we got his diagnosis he was decliing quickly and my family did not have the money for his life saving treatment. I want to not only provide affordable veterinarian care but change the way that the healthcare system for animals work. What if we had affordable insurance policies for our animals just as we do for humans. Maybe if the system was different and my family could have afforded the treatment or the tests to diagnosis my dog sooner then maybe he would still be alive today.

For as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to animals. Whether it was taking care of a sick pet, volunteering at shelters, or just being the go-to person for friends who needed help with their pets, I always knew I wanted to turn that passion into something bigger. Veterinary medicine is more than a career to me, it's a calling rooted in compassion, science, and service. My vision extends beyond treating individual patients; I aim to contribute to a more equitable, sustainable, and progressive veterinary landscape. I believe that each interaction with an animal and its owner is an opportunity to educate, comfort, and empower. Beyond clinical work, I am passionate about increasing access to veterinary care for underserved communities. Many animals suffer not due to a lack of love from their owners, but because of financial or geographic barriers to care. I want to have a mobile veterinarian unit so that I can bring veterinary care to people at a low cost. I want to bring essential services to areas that need them most. Long-term, I envision developing a nonprofit initiative focused on preventative care and education in low-income regions. I have decided to pursue a career as a veterinary technician because I want to work in a career that I love, I want to be able to make a difference in the agriculture community, and I want to serve underserved communities in a way that I can help both the animals and the owners. There is a substantial need for affordable emergency medicine for specifically large animals in Western NC and Eastern TN areas. I want to be able to serve my community members and local farmers by providing affordable care for their pets, but also for their livelihoods as many farmers depend on their animals to provide for their families. I know first hand how expensive veterinarian care can be. I think there are huge improvements that cab be made to veterinary medicine that can change it for the better. My childhood dog died at a young age because he was diagnosed to late with lung cancer. By the time we got his diagnosis he was decliing quickly and my family did not have the money for his life saving treatment. I want to not only provide affordable veterinarian care but change the way that the healthcare system for animals work. What if we had affordable insurance policies for our animals just as we do for humans. Maybe if the system was different and my family could have afforded the treatment or the tests to diagnosis my dog sooner then maybe he would still be alive today.

For as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to animals. Whether it was taking care of a sick pet, volunteering at shelters, or just being the go-to person for friends who needed help with their pets, I always knew I wanted to turn that passion into something bigger. Veterinary medicine is more than a career to me, it's a calling rooted in compassion, science, and service. My vision extends beyond treating individual patients; I aim to contribute to a more equitable, sustainable, and progressive veterinary landscape. I believe that each interaction with an animal and its owner is an opportunity to educate, comfort, and empower. Beyond clinical work, I am passionate about increasing access to veterinary care for underserved communities. Many animals suffer not due to a lack of love from their owners, but because of financial or geographic barriers to care. I plan to participate in outreach programs, low-cost clinics, and mobile veterinary units that bring essential services to areas that need them most. Long-term, I envision developing a nonprofit initiative focused on preventative care and education in low-income regions. For as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to animals. Whether it was taking care of a sick pet, volunteering at shelters, or just being the go-to person for friends who needed help with their pets, I always knew I wanted to turn that passion into something bigger. I’m also really passionate about improving access to veterinary care. There are so many communities where people love their pets deeply but just don’t have the resources to get them the care they need. I want to be part of the solution to that problem—whether it’s through mobile clinics, community outreach, or starting programs that provide affordable services. I think one of the best ways to make a lasting difference is by bringing veterinary care directly to the people and animals who need it most. I have faced plenty of adversity in my life. In 2021 my dad unexpectedly passed away from a massive heart attack and left my mom as a single parent. My mom is an employee of the Avery County school system and I do have a financial need for scholarships such as this one. My mom works very hard to provide for both my sister and I, but I would never want to put the financial burden of attending college on my family. My mom is my biggest supporter and has given me the opportunity to do anything that I have ever wanted even if it was not easy for her. She has never made me and my sister feel guilty about the things we have wanted to do as she has never burdened us with financial responsibility.

My favorite local community event is the derby fundraiser for Spirit Ride NC. It is a huge event and it truly does make a difference. Spirit Ride is a 100% non profit, volunteer run, therapeutic horseback riding company that works with kids with a wide array of disabilities. For the past 2-3 years I have consistently volunteered at spirit ride during the summer, fall sessions, and volunteered at fundraising events. The most important task that I do at Spirit Ride is interacting with the children and providing these kids with an opportunity to create a bond between them and a horse. I have worked very closely with kids who have very different needs such as kids who have extreme autism, cerebral palsy, and angelmans syndrome. I work hand and hand with the horses and the riders' parents to ensure a safe and fun environment. I personally got to work with Jake who was diagnosed with Angel Mans syndrome, but I also got the opportunity to serve kids with all levels of autism, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities. At Spirit ride we get to use horses and other animals such as chickens, goats, and cats as a tool to promote the kids behavioral and physical well being. Therapy riding has been proven to provide physical, mental, and behavioral benefits. I have personally witnessed improvement in kids with physical disabilities as I have seen it improve their balance, muscle tone, and coordination. I volunteer once a week with Jake on a normal week but in the summers or during special events I will volunteer more often and work with other kids. I also help around the farm in doing farm chores, training horses, and participating in fundraisers and events throughout the year as this is a non profit organization run 100% through volunteers. A session with one of the kids is about an hour long and the activities within the lesson may vary depending on the rider. Sometimes we trail ride, other times we play games that focus on building muscles and fine motor skills, or sometimes simply just interacting with horses. Therapy riding is one of the most magical things to witness as you can truly see that you are making a difference in someone's life. I have first hand witnessed a horse and a child build a bond so special that every child should be able to have the opportunity to do so.

Why am I not good enough?" This is a question that me and many others ask themselves every day. For me it started when I was kid. I was never good enough for my father, and to this day it is the biggest obstacle I have faced. He was always so manipulative and his abuse and manipulation left me with much trauma. Ever since I was young, I felt as if I could never be good enough for my dad. He was unbearably hard on me in everything I did. At times it felt as if I was not worthy of his love, that I had to prove to him why I was deserving of his attention. In 2021 when I was a freshman in high school my parents filed for divorce. It felt good not feeling like I had to live up to a certain standard. From that point forward I decided that breaking contact with my dad was best for me and my mental health after me and him got into a physical altercation. For months I did not see or talk to my dad and in return he never reached out. Although losing contact was the best solution, it came with other obstacles. It felt as if he did not care about me anymore. I felt like he was happy to get rid of me. From there forward he started his life without me, and never turned back. Just a few months after we broke communication, my dad passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack. Although my dad and I had a complicated relationship, I never meant for our break to last forever. His manipulation continued after his death as I felt so guilty. I felt unbearable guilt. I felt guilty that my anger towards him kept me away from him in his final months. It was a long recovery, but I did recover. When the world feels as if it is falling apart, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I overcame this hardship. I would consider myself to be successful. I am graduating top of my class, I have the opportunity to run at a D1 school, I have won several state titles, I am the president of the Avery FFA, but the most important thing is that now I am living proof that you are more than the adversity that you face. I am worth more than the things I have won. I can be a mentor to others that have been through tough times, and that it is possible to overcome challenges and to come back stronger. Life has torn me down repeatedly, and I could write a book about all the adversity that I have faced, but in the end, I have always come back stronger. I did not let the obstacles stop me. By being a positive influence and by never giving up I have influenced many others to do the same. The biggest lesson that I have learned that I will forever carry with me and teach to others is that no matter what life throws at you, you can overcome it and come back a stronger and better person. While I may never know if he would be proud of me I am proud of who I am and who I will become.

"Why am I not good enough?" This is a question that me and many others ask themselves every day. For me it started when I was kid. I was never good enough for my father, and to this day it is the biggest obstacle I have faced. He was always so manipulative and his abuse and manipulation left me with much trauma. Ever since I was young, I felt as if I could never be good enough for my dad. He was unbearably hard on me in everything I did. At times it felt as if I was not worthy of his love, that I had to prove to him why I was deserving of his attention. In 2021 when I was a freshman in high school my parents filed for divorce. It felt good not feeling like I had to live up to a certain standard. From that point forward I decided that breaking contact with my dad was best for me and my mental health after me and him got into a physical altercation. For months I did not see or talk to my dad and in return he never reached out. Although losing contact was the best solution, it came with other obstacles. It felt as if he did not care about me anymore. I felt like he was happy to get rid of me. From there forward he started his life without me, and never turned back. Just a few months after we broke communication, my dad passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack. Although my dad and I had a complicated relationship, I never meant for our break to last forever. His manipulation continued after his death as I felt so guilty. Would I ever get the chance to make my dad proud? Would he even care about me anymore if he were still alive today? Aside from those questions, I felt unbearable guilt. I felt guilty that my anger towards him kept me away from him in his final months. It took a lot of time to come to terms with my guilt. It was a long recovery, but I did recover. By overcoming this obstacle, it has taught me many important lessons. When the world feels as if it is falling apart, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I have learned to know my worth, that I am worthy of love, and that I never have to prove myself to anyone. This experience has grown me tremendously as a person. It has taught me to be a better person to others and to always strive to be the person that others can lean on. I would consider myself to be successful. I am graduating top of my class, I have the opportunity to run at a D1 school, I have won several state titles, I am the president of the Avery FFA, but the most important thing is that now I am living proof that you are more than the adversity that you face. I am worth more than the things I have won. I can be a mentor to others that have been through tough times, and that it is possible to overcome challenges and to come back stronger. Life has torn me down repeatedly, and I could write a book about all the adversity that I have faced, but in the end, I have always come back stronger. I did not let the obstacles stop me. By being a positive influence and by never giving up I have influenced many others to do the same. The biggest lesson that I have learned that I will forever carry with me and teach to others is that no matter what life throws at you, you can overcome it and come back a stronger and better person. While I may never know if he would be proud of me I am proud of who I am and who I will become.

A movie that had the greatest impact on my life was Forest Gump. Forest Gump taught me to embrace life’s unpredictability and enjoy the small things in life. Forest Gump overcomes adversity and that really resonates with me. It also reflects on American cultural values, and had a personal impact on my life. He taught me to embrace new experiences, don’t be afraid to fail, and to take life as it comes with an open mind and optimism. Forest Gump reflected American History and cultural values. It reflects on historical events as well as American cultural values such as individualism, equality and the pursuit of happiness through hard work. Forest Gump’s journey was a testament to the power of individual determination. I find myself to be a very determined individual and so I related a lot to this movie. Forest Gump always embraced life’s challenges and never let life teat him down. That is very inspiring to me as I have faced a lot of adversity in my life. Forest Gump showed how even unconventional people can make a difference in the world. It is a story about embracing your true self, appreciating life, and accepting everyone. The quote “life is like a box of chocolates” comes from this movie and it reminds us that life is full of uncertainties. Although Forest Gump had mental and physical disabilities he taught me that everyone had wisdom to share. Forest Gump finds happiness in all things. This is a quality I wish I had. He finds happiness in simple moments such as eating, running, and spending time with others. He shows the value of these moments as it is easy to overlook the simple things of life. Forest Gump was bullied as a child because of his disabilities. The escape the bully he would run. That is where the popular phrase “run forest run” comes form. Just as Forest I use running as an escape. Wether I am stressed, struggling from low self esteem, of am just needing a break, running helps me to clear my mind and escape from the world. Just as running helped Forest Gump heal, running has also helped me to heal from my own personal obstacles. Similar to Forest, I also have a single mom who is my hero. In the movies Forest’s mom did everything she could to give Forest everything. His mom never stopped believing in him just like how my mom is my biggest supporter. For these reasons the movie Forest Gump is the movie that has made the biggest impact in my life.

"Why am I not good enough?" This is a question that me and many others ask themselves every day. For me it started when I was kid. I was never good enough for my father, and to this day it is the biggest obstacle I have faced. He was always so manipulative and his abuse and manipulation left me with much trauma. Ever since I was young, I felt as if I could never be good enough for my dad. He was unbearably hard on me in everything I did. At times it felt as if I was not worthy of his love, that I had to prove to him why I was deserving of his attention. In 2021 when I was a freshman in high school my parents filed for divorce. It felt good not feeling like I had to live up to a certain standard. From that point forward I decided that breaking contact with my dad was best for me and my mental health after me and him got into a physical altercation. For months I did not see or talk to my dad and in return he never reached out. Although losing contact was the best solution, it came with other obstacles. It felt as if he did not care about me anymore. I felt like he was happy to get rid of me. From there forward he started his life without me, and never turned back. Just a few months after we broke communication, my dad passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack. His manipulation continued after his death as I felt so guilty. It was a long recovery, but I did recover. I have persevered so much. I am graduating top of my class, I have the opportunity to run at a D1 school, I have won several state titles, I am the president of the Avery FFA, but the most important thing is that now I am living proof that you are more than the adversity that you face. I am worth more than the things I have won. I can be a mentor to others that have been through tough times, and that it is possible to overcome challenges and to come back stronger. Life has torn me down repeatedly, and I could write a book about all the adversity that I have faced, but in the end, I have always come back stronger. I did not let the obstacles stop me. By being a positive influence and by never giving up I have influenced many others to do the same. The biggest lesson that I have learned that I will forever carry with me and teach to others is that no matter what life throws at you, you can overcome it and come back a stronger and better person. While I may never know if he would be proud of me I am proud of who I am and who I will become. I have a passion for helping animals and serving underserved communities. I believe animals are a huge part of our lives. I have seen how animals have helped many kids physically and mentally. Especially in my hometown of Avery County NC there are many people who cannot provide affordable veterinary care. Avery County does not offer affordable spay and neuter programs. There is a huge need for someone who is willing to do that. I have perervered through many obstacles in my life. I want to be able to use my life to help others.

If my life was a movie the title would be “The Hurdles” No matter the hurdles that life has thrown at me, I have overcome them. I have faced a lot of adversity in my life. Not only have I overcome metaphorical hurdles but I jump hurdles every day in real life. I am a High school track and field athlete that is going on to run track in college at a Division 1 program. I am a State Champion in the 300m hurdles and an All-American in the 400m Hurdles. This success has not come without obstacles. In my athletic career it had definitely not been easy. I did not run track until my 10th grade year. The previous year my dad passed away and I had a bad shoulder injury that required a serious shoulder surgery. After that year I almost gave up but I persevered. I later found my love for the 300 hurdles. My 10th grade year started strong, I was working hard but was not necessarily seeing the results. I was forced not to run the 300 hurdles at the state meet , but instead ran the 400m dash. At the State Meet at the finish line at the 400m I passed out and fell face first on the track. This was an event that would be important to start my drive for the future. From that point forward I knew I wanted to redeem myself. I later on worked hard every single day. I worked in the weight room, In the classroom, and most importantly on the track. When no one else believes in you, you must believe in yourself. I worked and trained every single day by myself. I did research on weight lifting and plyometrics for track athletes. I practiced every day without a coach as I am from a very small town and there are no track coaches. I started the college recruitment process all by myself. I emailed hundreds of coaches every day, from all divisions of schools, from all across the country. I was very undecided of where I wanted to go to school. I knew I had to get a scholarship to pay for college because my mom is a single mom and money is tight. I rarely received any email back from coaches and so I took matters into my own hands. I scheduled college visits, found the track offices and walked and started introducing myself. I would tell them who I was, my times and make sure they knew I was interested. Thats when I found my home and Tarleton State University, over 16 hours from my hometown. My opening scene would be clips of me jumping hurdles but failing over and over again. Constantly doing sprint/hurdle repeats but hitting the hurdles and getting frustrated. I would voice over some encouraging quotes about how even though there are hurdles you must keep going. That every athlete that has a success story must have obstacles and adversity that they have faced. That success does not happen without hard work and determination. That when no one else believes in you, believe in yourself.

My biggest community service project I started when I was just a freshman and have been active in participating ever since. I have over 200 hours of service at Spirit Ride NC. I started volunteering at Spirit Ride in 2021 and I have learned so many things. Spirit ride is a 100% non profit therapeutic horseback riding company based out of Banner Elk, NC. Spirit Ride helps kids with a wide array of disabilities. I worked with Jake who has Angelmans syndrome and has been attending Spirit Ride for 9 years. I have also worked with several other kids with a wide array of disabilities both physical and mental. During the Spring and Fall sessions I would go with Jake to Spirit ride once a week. During the summers I attend multiple times a week. Alongside weekly visits I always help with their yearly fundraisers, and also housing and training some of the Spirit Ride Horses. I have contributes a lot of time and effort to Spirit Ride because it is a organization that I believe in and I know the contribution that it makes to the community. It sis truly fulfilling to be able to give kids with disabilities the opportunity to connect with animals and horses just as I do. I would recommend this organization to all parents who have a kid with a disability as it not only helps them mentally and cognitively but it is proven to help them physically. Mentally equine therapy can help to reduce stress as horses are a non judgmental calming presence. They just need a little help as everyone connects a little differently. Outside of Spirit Ride I have done community service work with other organizations including Feeding Avery Families, Disaster relief efforts, First Baptist Church of Newland, Avery YMCA, and I have volunteered at several Elementary school events including Banner Elk fall festival and Crossnore Elementaries Spring Fling. Three reasons why I have decided to pursue a career as a veterinary technician because I want to work in a career that I love, I want to be able to make a difference in the agriculture community, and I want to serve underserved communities in a way that I can help both the animals and the owners. There is a substantial need for affordable emergency medicine for specifically large animals in Western NC and Eastern TN areas. I want to be able to serve my community members and local farmers by providing affordable care for their pets, but also for their livelihoods as many farmers depend on their animals to provide for their families.