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Madison Giebel

2x

Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Advocacy And Activism
  • Athletic Training
  • Bible Study
  • Cheerleading
  • Softball
  • Wrestling
  • National Honor Society (NHS)
  • Community Service And Volunteering
  • Reading
  • Studying
  • Spending Time With Friends and Family
  • Pet Care
  • Education
  • Youth Group

Reading

  • Academic
  • Adventure
  • History

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

These scholarship opportunities would drastically change my college experience on my pursuit of higher education. As a future Exercise Science major with the ambition to become a physical therapist. Instead of focusing on the financial burden, this scholarship would give me access to participate and engage with hands-on learning opportunities, community-based research, and early clinical experience without sacrificing and being able to manage school, work, health, and life without running on empty. My journey to higher education comes from completely different sides of quality of life. This was shaped by a personal injury where I was told I was lucky to not be a paraplegic. But also in the accomplishment of working as a physical therapist aide, where I gained more than 400+ hours of experience that showed me healing isn't just physical; it's emotional, social, and deeply personal. It's with these life experiences that have led me on this journey to higher education, where I recognize it as a bridge between who I am now and the type of health care worker I strive to become, one who treats people, not just diagnoses. Obtaining scholarships would give me all the tools to increase my ability to give back to our communities. Investing in my education, means supporting someone that's determined to help individuals live better and fully functioning lives. My goal is to one day return that investment in the form of serving communities with empathy, knowledge, and purpose, ensuring others feel seen on their healing journey.

Education

Rootstown/ward Davis Bldg High School

High School

2025 – 2026

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Majors of interest:
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other, Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Desired degree modality:
In-Person
Medical school interest:
No

Career

  • Physical Therapist Aide (400+ Clinical Hours). Guided patients through prescribed exercises and safe transitions. Maintained a clean and organized clinical environment. Applied modalities including heat/ice therapy, TENS units, and cupping.

    Hospital & Health Care · Ferrell-Whited Physical Therapy Services

    Jan 2025 – Jan 2025

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Hospital & Health Care
Dream career goals:
To attend Malone University To complete a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science Pre-Physical Therapy and then attend a Doctoral program to become a Pediatric Physical Therapist
Work experience:
1 year
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
Aserina Hill Memorial Scholarship
My name is Madison Giebel, and I am a senior at Rootstown High School. Throughout high school, I have challenged myself both academically and personally, maintaining a strong GPA while staying actively involved in National Honor Society, cheerleading, wrestling, and softball. Being a multi-sport athlete has taught me discipline, leadership, and resilience, but more importantly, it has shown me the importance of showing up for others, even on their hardest days. My passion for helping others has grown through both my community service and my work experience. One of the most meaningful moments for me was volunteering at the Happy Days community celebration for individuals with developmental disabilities. Where I realized the most important part of service was connection. In addition to volunteering, I have completed over 400 hours working as a physical therapy aide. In this role, I assist patients through exercises, support them during recovery, and help create a positive and encouraging environment. Many of the patients I work with are not just healing physically, but also emotionally, as they work to regain confidence and independence. However, I have also seen the challenges that come with access to care. Some patients are forced to stop physical therapy early because their insurance will no longer cover it, while others try to spread out their visits to avoid exceeding their limit. One moment that has stayed with me was working with a young girl, around ten years old, who had to stop coming to therapy because her family could no longer afford to pay out of pocket. Watching someone so young lose access to care while still in the middle of progress made the issue feel very real. Experiences like this have strengthened my goal of becoming a pediatric physical therapist, where I hope to help children overcome challenges and return to doing what they love. If I were given the opportunity to start my own charity, I would create an organization focused on providing accessible rehabilitation services to low-income families. Many individuals are unable to receive consistent care due to insurance limitations or financial hardship, which can delay recovery and impact their quality of life. My charity would aim to remove these barriers by offering free or low-cost therapy support for children and families. No child should have to stop healing simply because of cost. The mission of this organization would be to treat the whole person, not just the injury. We would serve children recovering from injuries, living with disabilities, or facing long-term conditions, along with their families who need support throughout the process. Volunteers would assist with guided exercises, help create adaptive activities for children, and provide encouragement during therapy sessions. In addition, they would help organize community events, create care packages, and develop programs that make rehabilitation feel engaging and empowering rather than intimidating. I believe that true service is not measured by how big the action is, but by the impact it leaves on others. Aserina Hill’s legacy of giving reflects the kind of person I strive to be someone who shows up, supports others, and creates opportunities where they may not exist. Through my education and future career, I am committed to continuing that legacy by helping others rebuild not only their physical strength, but also their confidence and sense of belonging.
Robert F. Lawson Fund for Careers that Care
Enrichment to me means leaving a lasting positive impact on the quality of life of the people around me by simply showing up for them. That mindset is reflected in every aspect of my life by showing up in ways that make people feel seen, supported, and capable of more than they ever thought possible. What I find most meaningful about enrichment is that it is not always defined by big actions, but by small, consistent moments, encouraging someone when they feel defeated, helping them take a step forward, or simply being a shoulder to lean on. Throughout my life, I have found purpose in being that person for others. As a varsity cheerleader, wrestler, and softball player, I became known as one of the loudest supporters in my community. I don’t just cheer during games, I cheer people on through life. Whether my teammates are struggling or celebrating, I make sure no one around me feels alone. However, enrichment in my life is not only defined by being loud and energetic. There is also a quieter side of me that notices when someone is hurting and meets them where they are with patience and understanding. That quiet, supportive side grew even stronger through my experience as a physical therapist aide, where I have completed over 400 hours serving patients in my community. In that setting, I witnessed people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. I was not only guiding patients through exercises, but also supporting them emotionally. I prayed with a mother for weeks as she hoped for her son to be cancer-free. I celebrated with individuals learning to walk again on unsteady legs, recognizing that even the smallest progress could mean everything. These moments completely changed the way I see the world. I realized that true impact comes from consistently showing up for people, especially when their progress feels slow or uncertain. My commitment to helping others is also shaped by my own financial circumstances. Growing up, I learned early what it means to work hard for opportunities and to think carefully about how to build a future without placing a heavy burden on my family. As I prepare for college, I am doing everything I can to support myself through scholarships, working, and planning for a career that allows me to give back. My experiences have made me more determined to succeed, not just for myself, but so I can one day be in a position to support others who may feel limited by their circumstances. My commitment to helping others extends beyond the clinic. Throughout high school, I have completed over 200 hours of community service, including volunteering with organizations like Children’s Miracle Network and local community events. No matter the setting, I strive to create environments where people feel valued and supported. As I pursue a career as a physical therapist, I plan to continue this mission on a larger scale. I want to work with patients not just to treat injuries, but to restore their confidence, independence, and quality of life. I believe that healing is not only physical, but emotional as well, and I want every patient I work with to feel encouraged, understood, and empowered throughout their recovery. Enriching the lives of others is not just something I do, it is who I am. Through my career, I will continue to show up for people every day, helping them return to the lives they love and reminding them of their strength, one step at a time.
Brooks Martin Memorial Scholarship
When I lost my grandpa, who we all called Papaw, it was one of the most devastating losses my family has ever experienced. He was not just my grandpa, he was a huge part of the foundation that held my family together. After my mom was in a traumatic accident, everything in my family changed. Our routines, our stability, and even the way our household functioned looked different. Through all of that, the first person to step up was my Papaw. He picked me up from daycare, supported me loudly, made everyone laugh, and gave me so much comfort, joy, and safety. Because of a lot of my life experiences, I feel like I have had to grow up fast. I am always thinking about what is next, how I can be more successful, and how I can build a meaningful life for myself. While that mindset has pushed me to work hard, it also made me start struggling to appreciate what was right in front of me. I became so focused on the future that I sometimes missed the learning experiences, relationships, and little moments that were happening in my present. That all changed while my Papaw was going through cancer. When he got sick, life felt like it paused. Then when he passed away, it became exhausting to learn how to live in a world that he was no longer in. The hardest part was realizing I no longer had the person who made me feel the most like a kid. When I was with my Papaw, life did not feel so heavy. I was not worried about what was next. I was just there, laughing, learning, and enjoying the moment. When he died, I realized how much of the environments I loved most were created by him. He brought humor, comfort, and connection everywhere he went. He was the glue in my family and the kind of person who gave life to a room just by being in it. After he passed, my family found a joke book he had written. That meant so much to me because it reminded me that even though he was not physically here anymore, his laughter still was. People in our community still tell his jokes. His joy still lives on in the people he loved. That changed the way I look at life. It made me realize that even after someone is gone, the love, warmth, and light they gave the world can still continue through the people they impacted. That realization has shaped the way I want to live and the kind of person I want to become. It is a huge part of why I want to go into physical therapy. As a physical therapist aide, I have already seen how healing is not just physical. Sometimes what people need most is encouragement, hope, comfort, and someone who can make them smile on a hard day. My Papaw taught me the importance of laughter, and I try to carry that into the spaces I am in now. I want to be someone who helps people heal while also reminding them that joy still exists, even in hard seasons. One of my favorite jokes from him was: “Why did one hanky dance better than the other? It had a little boogie in it.” It is silly, but that is exactly who he was. Even after loss, he taught me that laughter still has a place in healing, and that is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Overcoming Adversity - Jack Terry Memorial Scholarship
Jack Terry’s story inspires me because it shows what it means to keep going even when life has every reason to break you. What stands out to me most is not only the amount of loss and hardship he experienced, but the way he still chose to build a life filled with purpose, service, and hope. He went from surviving unimaginable adversity to becoming educated, serving others, and sharing his story so future generations could learn from it. To me, that kind of resilience is powerful because it proves that even when life changes everything, it does not have to take away your future. Adversity in my life looked different, but it deeply changed me. On October 22, 2025, what had started as the perfect senior year suddenly changed in an instant. I was injured at cheer practice and suffered two herniated discs, ligament strain, a serious concussion, and spent four months in a cervical collar. I was later diagnosed with autonomic dysfunction from the injury that meant my life went from constant movement to complete stillness. Before that, I was used to being everywhere all at once: varsity cheer captain, wrestling, softball, National Honor Society, and balancing school with my goals for the future. Overnight, I lost not only my routine, but a huge part of the identity and community I had always known. The hardest part was not just the physical pain. It was learning how to exist when everything that made me feel like myself had been taken away for a while. Instead of practices, games, and time with teammates, I was surrounded by doctor’s offices, MRIs, and uncertainty. I had to grieve the version of my senior year I thought I was going to have while still finding a way to keep moving forward. There were days I felt frustrated, isolated, and defeated. But that experience taught me that strength is not always loud. Sometimes strength is showing up to physical therapy when progress feels slow. Sometimes it is choosing not to give up on school, your future, or yourself even when everything feels different. Along with this, I’ve had to navigate the financial reality of pursuing higher education with limited resources. My family is not in a position to financially support my college education, and while this has added pressure, it has also strengthened my sense of responsibility, independence, and determination to succeed. What I learned most from adversity is that healing is about much more than the body. It is emotional, mental, and deeply personal. That experience changed the way I see people who are struggling, because I now understand how easy it is to feel like you have lost part of yourself. It also strengthened my desire to become a physical therapist. I do not just want to help people recover from injury. I want to help them regain confidence, independence, and hope. Through my studies in Exercise Science and eventually physical therapy school, I plan to give back by serving others in a meaningful and personal way. I want to work in a field where I can help people return to the lives they love, whether that means a child getting back to play, an athlete returning to their sport, or an older adult gaining the ability to move safely again. I want to be the kind of healthcare worker who treats people, not just diagnoses. Jack Terry’s story inspires me because it reminds me that adversity can shape you, but it does not have to define the limits of who you become. It can also become the reason you give back.
Sharen and Mila Kohute Scholarship
During my senior year of high school I got the opportunity to work as a physical therapist aide. At the time I took the job because my future wasn't determined and I had hoped maybe this experience would shine light on what I was meant to do. One of my younger patients had the biggest impact on me; she only had one leg but showed up every day with a smile and a purse full of snacks and lipgloss. I remember one afternoon where she was upset and uncomfortable. She had taken the leg weights, thrown them under the bed, and distanced herself. I read her reaction and I knew at that moment she just needed someone who would meet her where she was, because I knew what it was like to show up for everyone but yourself. So I sat on the ground with her. I looked her in the eyes and told her she didn't need to push through alone, and that feeling defeated was okay and that showing up on bad days mattered even more than on good. It took a second, but she really looked at me, smiled wide, and got the discarded weights and made sure to give me the heaviest ones, and so I did the exercises with her. In that moment, she wasn’t just someone I was helping, she was showing me what strength really looks like. She made me realize that maybe I wasn't as lost as I once thought. Working in physical therapy has shown me a kind of strength I didn't even know existed, but it started with her. I’ve prayed with a woman for weeks that her son would be cancer-free. Observed a wife describing plants to her blind husband. Cheered for people who walked on unsteady legs. But she was the first person who made me truly understand what it means to meet someone where they are. That experience with her made me realize that physical therapy isn’t just a future career for me, it is my identity and my purpose. To meet people where they are. To walk with them toward their light. She helped me unlock my full potential in understanding that I want to be known for my knowledge, but also for the way I show up for others. The way I connect, and make sure no one has to complete recovery alone. Because it's not just about fixing what hurts, but about improving quality of life so people can move forward with a newfound mental and physical strength, support, and hope. Even now, I carry what she taught me into every interaction. Despite all the external struggles kids face on the road to recovery, it amazes me every day to see them still have deeply rooted faith, believe in magic, holidays, and hope. I’ve worked with kids that come running in smiling with a purse full of snacks and lipgloss, and it’s truly every smile that reinforces this desire to continue on this path to higher education. It reminds me that even when life feels like it's too much to hold on your shoulders, there is light. She showed me that light first, and I strive to be the healthcare provider that protects it for others.
Ella's Gift
My name is Madison Giebel and I was a varsity cheerleader, wrestler, and softball player. My life was lived to the fullest, and I found purpose in showing up for my community, encouraging them, helping physical therapy patients through exercises as an aide, cheering on my teammates, and being there for my family. I was even named a captain of my cheer squad. I should have taken a second at each of those aspects of my life and really recognized how happy I was for life to change in a second. Mine did. Unfortunately if you asked me today, that's not what my life looks like. October 22, 2025 I was in a cheer accident that was avoidable. Multiple herniated discs, ligament strain, serious concussion, autonomic dysfunction, and 4 months in a cervical collar. At my first orthopedics appointment, my doctor said I was lucky to not be a paraplegic. Instead of practices and games and being surrounded by people, I was sitting in waiting rooms and doctor’s offices. My life became attending appointment after appointment with neurosurgery, neurology, orthopedics, physical therapy, cognitive therapy and so much more. The hardest part wasn’t the pain, It was how my mind and body turned on me. Being confined to my home turned into being confined to my mind. Your quality of life will completely change when you are living the best version of yourself and then suddenly you're a version of yourself you don't know. I stopped looking in the mirror because I didn’t recognize the person staring back at me. I went from being full of life to feeling like I was just… there. Existing in a body that didn’t feel like mine anymore. I didn’t look the same, I didn’t act the same, I didn’t feel like Madison. I lost everything that made me feel like myself: my sports, my routine, my patients, my community. I would see my friends on social media going out, laughing, living their lives, and it felt like mine had just stopped while everyone else kept going, that was honestly one of the most heartbreaking parts. I stopped trying with how I looked as my clothes didn’t fit anymore, I stopped wearing makeup, and I wasn’t sleeping. I told myself it didn’t matter, but it did. I remember finally breaking down in my mom’s arms and just asking, “Why?” My whole life, I’ve tried to give everything I had to other people. I built my life around showing up for others, especially on their worst days. So how could something like this happen to me? It didn’t feel fair. It didn’t make sense. What hurt the most wasn’t even the injury itself. It was going from living this loud, bright life where everything felt like it was finally coming together..to being stuck in my own head, feeling like I lost who I was. I didn’t know how to be myself anymore. My turning point didn’t happen all at once, It was an uphill battle. It started in physical therapy, where I realized healing wasn’t just pushing me physically, It was mental too. It continued when I started talking to a psychologist and started facing what I was feeling instead of pretending I was fine. And hearing that I was close to being paralyzed completely changed my perspective, because as much as I had lost, I still had so much. Then I found my future again. Getting accepted into college and being offered a spot on a stunt team gave me something I hadn’t felt in a long time, hope. It made me realize that maybe my story didn’t end with my injury. Maybe I wasn’t done yet. Today, I’m still rebuilding myself, and I don’t think I’ll ever be the exact same person I was before, and honestly, I don’t think I’m supposed to be. Recovery for me looks like showing up on the days I don’t want to, letting myself have bad days without feeling like I’m failing. Before my injury, I thought strength meant being the loudest person in the room, the one who never stopped, never slowed down, and never showed weakness. Now, I know strength is something completely different. Strength is quiet. It’s choosing to keep going when your life looks nothing like you planned. It’s learning how to sit with yourself when everything feels unfamiliar. It’s rebuilding, even when it’s slow. My experiences with both my physical injury and my mental health have shaped the person I’m becoming. They are the reason I want to go into physical therapy. Not just to help people move again, but to help them find themselves again. Because I know what it feels like to lose that, and I know how much it matters to have someone there who understands.
God Hearted Girls Scholarship
One of the biggest ways my faith has impacted me is through my experience working as a physical therapist aide. In that role, I was able to help people relearn how to walk, regain strength, and find hope again during some of the most difficult times in their lives. But what stood out the most to me was not just the physical healing, it was the emotional and spiritual support people needed. I found myself praying with patients, encouraging them, and reminding them that they were not alone in what they were going through. My relationship with Jesus has shaped not only my faith, but the way I live my life and the way I see others. In 2025, I was confirmed and chose the verse John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” To me, that moment meant stepping into responsibility for my own faith and choosing to actively walk with Christ in everything I do. Since then, my faith has become something I live out daily, not just something I believe in. One experience that has stayed with me was praying with a woman for weeks as her son battled cancer. We prayed for his healing, for strength, and for peace in such an uncertain time. I have also prayed with patients before surgeries, asking for guidance for their doctors and comfort for their families. In those moments, I realized that being there for someone goes far beyond physical care. It means offering hope, faith, and love when people need it most. My own life has also been shaped by my faith, especially through challenges. After experiencing an injury, I struggled with the sudden change in my life and everything I had to step away from. However, my relationship with Jesus helped me shift my perspective. Instead of only focusing on what I had lost, I began to trust that God had a plan for me. Through my healing process, I have grown stronger not just physically, but mentally and spiritually. I have learned patience, resilience, and the importance of trusting God’s timing, even when it is difficult. I also try to live out my faith in the small, everyday moments. I pray with my brother every night before bed, and I make it a point to pray for the people in my life, especially when they are struggling or facing uncertainty. I ask God to walk with them, guide them, and help them find purpose in whatever path they are on. Through volunteering and simply how I treat others, I strive to reflect God’s love in everything I do. As I pursue higher education and a future in healthcare, I want to continue bridging my faith with my career. I want to be more than just a healthcare worker. I want to be someone who brings compassion, encouragement, and faith into every interaction. Just as Jesus calls us to love and serve others, I hope to reflect that in the way I care for my patients. Because of my faith, I know that I am not walking this path alone, but following “the way, the truth, and the life,” trusting that God is guiding every step of my journey. My faith is not just a part of my life, it is the foundation of who I am. Through Christ, I have found purpose, strength, and the desire to serve others, and I will continue to carry that with me into my future.
James T. Godwin Memorial Scholarship
My grandpa Michael has always been the person I look for first in a crowd. No matter what sport I’m doing, whether it’s Friday night football games while I’m cheering, softball games during the spring, or wrestling matches in the gym, I can almost always find him somewhere in the stands watching. He served in the Navy, but to me he has always been something just as important, my biggest supporter. One moment that always sticks with me happened during football season while I was cheering. It was one of those freezing cold Ohio nights where the wind cuts right through everything and honestly nobody really wanted to be outside. I remember standing on the sidelines feeling miserable and wishing the game would just end so we could all go home. At one point during the game I looked up into the bleachers and saw my grandpa sitting there, bundled up and watching the field with the biggest smile on his face. Despite how cold and uncomfortable it was, he was still there just watching me cheer like it was the most important thing happening that night. When I saw him sitting there smiling, something changed for me. I suddenly wasn’t thinking about how cold or miserable I felt anymore, instead I found myself smiling right back at him and focusing on the game again. It may seem like a small moment, but that was one of the first times I really understood what it means to show up for the people you care about. Another time when his support meant even more was when I got injured during basketball season and couldn’t cheer. That season felt very different for me because I wasn’t able to do something that had always been such a big part of my life. Even though I wasn’t on the sidelines anymore, my grandpa still made sure I knew he was there for me. He would call me just to check in and ask how I was doing, sometimes just to talk for a few minutes and remind me that everything would be okay. Those calls meant more than he probably even realized at the time. My grandpa can definitely be stubborn, honestly anyone in my family would probably say that about him, but he also has one of the biggest hearts I know when it comes to his family and community. The dedication he showed while serving in the Navy is the same dedication he shows to the people around him today. He believes in showing up, being present, and supporting the people you care about no matter what. Because of him, I’ve learned that support doesn’t always come from big heroic moments. Sometimes it comes from simply being there, sitting in freezing bleachers, making a phone call, or cheering someone on even when they’re struggling. As I move forward into my future career in healthcare, I want to bring that same compassion and heart into my profession that my grandpa puts into everything he does. Just like he has always shown up for me, I hope to show up for the people I will care for someday. The lesson he has taught me is simple, but it’s something I will carry with me for the rest of my life: when you truly care about someone, you show up.
Gabriel Martin Memorial Annual Scholarship
My senior year became something I never expected. I started the year feeling confident and connected. I was cheer captain, a member of National Honor Society, preparing for basketball cheer, excited for another wrestling season after qualifying for districts, and getting ready for softball. It felt like everything I had worked for was finally coming together. October 22, 2025. One regular practice night a cheer stunt changed everything. In a moment, two herniated discs, a ligament strain, a serious concussion, and months in a cervical collar replaced the life I knew. Instead of attending practices and games, my schedule was replaced with appointments in hospital departments like orthopedics, pain management, neurosurgery, neurology, optometry, speech therapy, cardiology, and physical therapy. My life shifted from this full life filled with constant movement to sudden forced stillness. I tell people that the hardest part wasn’t academics. I pushed myself to stay on track in school despite the circumstances, but what hurt the most was losing the community that had always been part of my identity. I went from constantly being surrounded by teammates, classmates, and friends to spending most days alone in waiting rooms and doctor’s offices. The loneliness was heavy, It felt like going from being seen to suddenly fading into the background. But in those moments, I learned how much strength I truly have. During my first orthopedics visit when my doctor and I were going over my MRI, I was told how close I had come to being a paraplegic because the herniated discs were so close to my spinal cord. I am so extremely lucky that my parents gave me a thicker membrane that most people don't have or my quality of life would have changed completely. Hearing that changed my perspective completely. Instead of focusing only on what I had lost, I began to feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for what I still had. I realized that recovery, even when slow and painful, was a gift. Living through this experience also gave me a deeper understanding of pain, recovery, and vulnerability. I began to see healthcare differently, not just as treatment, but as a space where compassion and encouragement can make a real difference in someone’s life. Alongside my injury, I also live with autonomic dysfunction, which can cause symptoms like dizziness and fatigue. Some days are better than most, but it's exhausting living with the symptoms. I wish I could stand and brush my teeth and hair in front of the mirror in my bathroom but in only a few minutes my feet are completely tingly and purple. Going through life with recovery and my ongoing medical conditions has required so much patience. There are days when my body forces me to slow down even when mentally I just want to go, but those moments have taught me to listen to my body and appreciate how far I've come. Rather than taking away my goals, these experiences made them clearer. In my future, I plan to study exercise science and pursue a career as a physical therapist. I want to create the kind of safe, supportive environment that helped me during my recovery, one where patients feel understood, encouraged, and capable of rebuilding their strength. My medical challenges directly affected my senior year, but they also changed my perspective on life and my future allowing for personal growth. Setbacks don't define us, Instead, they can shape our life's mission. See I don't view my medical conditions as a limitation, but instead as motivation to one day help others heal, regain confidence, and move forward in life.
Coach "Frank" Anthony Ciccone Wrestling Scholarship
When I first walked into the wrestling room, I remember taking it all in and realizing I was one of the only girls there. Everyone already seemed to know what they were doing and did it with a sense of confidence and flow, and I knew right away I was going to have to prove that I belonged in that room to not only myself but also to my community. I came to understand that wrestling rooms are constantly moving, competitive environments, and as a female wrestler joining the traditionally male dominated sport, I knew I was the underdog. However, after that first practice I was in simple terms miserable, but something inside me changed, and I had found a sense of purpose and belonging that I had never experienced before. I experienced so much personal growth as wrestling brought out my best qualities while forcing me to improve the ones I lacked. The sport demanded constant discipline, mental toughness, and a willingness to keep showing up and this was reflected in me staying after practice running stairs with the boys or lifting weights when my body was exhausted. I’ll be honest, there were days where clipping in my headgear felt like the hardest decision I had to make, but everyday I pushed myself to do it. Being an underdog in wrestling looks like showing up every single day as I had to consistently work hard to prove that I belonged in that room, and instead of letting that discourage me, I used it as fuel when I was running on empty to push myself further, train harder, and grow stronger both mentally and physically. In time that mindset started to improve my quality of life. I learned how to build strong connections with teammates, support my community, and develop a work ethic that is reflected into everything I do. In the wrestling room, teammates become family no matter if you were on the boys team or girls. This underdog eventually had many accomplishments specifically when I was honored to be named the 2023–2024 Varsity MVP, earned 1st Team All-Conference in the 2024–2025 season, qualified for districts in 2025 and took second, received the Most Improved award, and became a two-time Scholar Athlete. These achievements represent the unsaid countless hours of hard work and commitment to never giving up on myself, my team, and overall love and dedication to the sport. Wrestling saved me in ways that go way beyond just wins and losses as It helped me discover who I am and all that I am capable of. Wrestling taught me discipline, resilience, and how to keep moving forward when things are difficult, all valuable life skills I will use the rest of my life. The lessons that wrestling has taught me guide the goals I have for my future today as I plan to major in Exercise Science and eventually become a physical therapist. I strive to help people regain strength and confidence in their bodies, much like wrestling helped me understand my own. The same heart I found in myself as an underdog on the mat will continue to push me towards all of my life goals. Coach Frank believed in underdogs because they often carry the most heart, and my wrestling journey reflected that all the way and has taught me that being an underdog is not a weakness but instead an opportunity to grow, to prove your dedication, and to become stronger than you ever thought possible.
Matthew E. Minor Memorial Scholarship
My life experiences have led me on this journey to higher education, where I recognize it as a bridge between who I am now and the type of health care worker I strive to become, one who treats people, not just diagnoses. My journey to higher education comes from completely different sides of quality of life. This was shaped by a personal injury where I was told I was lucky to not be a paraplegic. But also in the accomplishment of working as a physical therapist aide in 2025, where I gained more than 400+ hours of experience that showed me healing isn't just physical; it's emotional, social, and deeply personal. Working in physical therapy has shown me a kind of strength I didn't even know existed. I’ve prayed with a woman for weeks that her son would be cancer-free. Observed a wife describing plants to her blind husband. Cheered for people who walked on unsteady legs. You should choose me for the Scholarship because it would drastically change my college experience in my pursuit of higher education. As a future Exercise Science major with the ambition to become a physical therapist. Instead of focusing on the financial burden, this scholarship would give me access to participate and engage with hands-on learning opportunities, community-based research, and early clinical experience without sacrificing and being able to manage school, work, health, and life without running on empty as I am solely responsible for providing all tuition. Working hard in my life is reflected in everything I do. The communities and environment I am within have played a large role in who I am today and the accomplishments I have been able to achieve. In high school I'm a student athlete as I'm involved with varsity wrestling, softball, cheerleading, and through these experiences I have learned the importance of showing up on bad days, acceptance of the uncomfortable, and being committed to personal development. Through sports I’ve learned to be a leader, disciplined, demonstrate strong work ethic, and understand that you directly get out as much as you get in. I also participate in the college credit plus, to help prepare me for the vigor of college. Outside of athletics I have 200+ hours of community service through Children's Miracle Network, Happy Days, community activities, and so much more. Volunteering has prepared me to be a Doctor that sees the whole person, makes meaningful connections, and leaves a lasting impact on the individual. I keep children and youth safe from in person bullying and cyberbullying by focusing on awareness, advocacy, and creating safe, supportive environments. Through my experiences I have learned how important it is to notice when someone is being excluded, discouraged, or treated unfairly. I make it a priority to step in when I see bullying behaviors by addressing them calmly, supporting the individual being targeted, and involving trusted adults when necessary. In my community involvement, especially when working with children of different abilities, I actively promote inclusion, kindness, and respect. I model positive behavior by encouraging teamwork, celebrating differences, and making sure every child feels seen and valued. I also help create environments where kids feel comfortable speaking up if something doesn’t feel right. This scholarship would give me all the tools to increase my ability to give back to our communities. Investing in my education means supporting someone that's determined to help individuals live better and fully functioning lives. My goal is to one day return that investment in the form of serving our communities with empathy, knowledge, and purpose, ensuring others feel seen on their healing journey.
Madison Giebel Student Profile | Bold.org