Growing up, I always had a strong sense that my life’s purpose was to help others. I became obsessed with the world of medicine, and it didn’t take long for me to realize that my true calling was to become a surgeon. I am currently a senior at Orono High School, and I will be attending South Dakota State University this fall, where I will both swim and study Biology on a Pre-Med track, in pursuit of my dream to help others. In my time at Orono High School, I have accomplished a lot in both school and athletics. To list a few swimming accomplishments, I am a 6-time varsity letter-earning swimmer, and this past fall I was a captain of the first state champion team in the program's history. Outside of swimming, I am a member of National Honor Society, which is a program that aims to provide service to the community, and I am also the president of the Medical Club. In my community, I’ve been able to make a positive impact on many people. Each summer, I teach private swimming lessons in my backyard pool to promote the importance of water safety and help others develop a love for the water. I started my program in the summer of 2020, just months after the pandemic broke out. There was a high demand for lessons because other places in the community could no longer operate. It provided me with the amazing opportunity to help my community in a time of need. The response to this was overwhelming, and I couldn't be more grateful for all in the community who have supported me. What began as a small effort to help others has since grown into something much larger. My program has expanded beyond my local community, reaching families from neighboring areas as well, largely due to referrals from grateful parents. It has been incredibly rewarding to watch the growth of not only my students' skills but also their excitement over the years. Many students start out timid and afraid of the water, but with my encouragement and support, they develop into confident swimmers who love the water. My first swim coach, Pete Buecher, whose legacy this scholarship honors, was the one who did this for me. He instilled in me a lifelong love of the sport and made me want to pass that love onto others, and I will forever be grateful for that. When I was 12 years old, I had an experience that would change my perspective on water safety forever. It was the Summer of 2020, just weeks before I started teaching lessons, and I was thrilled to be swimming in my new backyard pool with one of my friends from my club swim team. In an instant, everything changed. Suddenly, she was under the water, uncontrollably convulsing, and I realized she was drowning. Sheer panic sank in for a few seconds, but then, luckily knew exactly what to do. I pulled her from the water, laid her onto her side, and held her still to prevent further injuries. After a few minutes, she regained consciousness, and I sat there, still holding her as we waited for help to arrive. That moment marked a turning point for me, confirming to me how important it was to know water safety. It also confirmed to me that I was meant to pursue a career in medicine. In my future, I will continue to serve my community on a daily basis, whether that be teaching swimming lessons or being a doctor saving lives.