When my brother Jackson was born, his life lasted only minutes. Those minutes changed mine forever. He was born with severe heart and brain defects, and losing him was my first experience with grief. I was young, confused, and heartbroken. But out of that pain, I found purpose. Jackson’s short life ignited in me a desire to advocate for children with disabilities and for all those whose voices often go unheard. That desire became a calling. It shaped how I spent my time, who I’ve become, and who I want to be. Another turning point came after a single bad step during a soccer game. I tore my ACL and meniscus, which took me out of the sport I loved. Recovery was long, grueling, and mentally draining. That was when I found an unexpected source of strength. I started watching UFC fighters like Dustin Poirier and Rose Namajunas, who showed me that setbacks can be fuel for growth. Their perseverance helped me push through physical therapy and reminded me that resilience is built in the hardest moments. As I healed, I began helping others. I supported teammates recovering from injuries and worked with kids with special needs learning to play. I volunteered with programs like Special Stars and coached adaptive soccer. These experiences gave me a front-row seat to resilience and showed me the power of service. I learned that my purpose is not only to fight for myself but also to fight for others. My academic spark began in AP Government. I learned how policy shapes lives and how broken systems often fail those who need them most. That class inspired me to pursue law. I want to serve the public and advocate for justice, equity, and inclusion, especially for children and individuals with disabilities. I plan to study political science or government in college, pursue internships, volunteer in legal aid clinics, and join student advocacy groups. Law school is on my horizon, and beyond that, I hope for a career in government, criminal justice or disability law. I want to fight for fairness, one case, one policy, and one voice at a time. Receiving this scholarship would be more than financial help. It would allow me to say yes to unpaid internships, service opportunities, and experiences that will deepen my ability to create change. Most of all, it would mean someone believes in the future I am working toward. Even though I have never been inside a UFC cage, I have learned how to fight. I will keep fighting for myself and for those like Jackson. I will fight for a world that treats everyone with dignity and care. I am ready to move forward with resilience, purpose, and hope, determined to take on every challenge and opportunity ahead.

Dear Patane Family, My name is Mason, and I am grateful for the chance to apply for a scholarship that honors the legacy of your parents, Ed and Aline. As I read about their lives, I noticed how much their values of faith, family, kindness, service, and joy match the values my parents and I try to live out every day. I would like to share a little of my story and how I hope to carry those values forward in my own life. My youngest brother, Jackson, was born with multiple heart and brain defects. He lived only a few minutes, but those minutes changed me forever. I was young, but I remember the grief my family and I felt. Faith and prayer were important things that carried us through. Losing him taught me early on how fragile life is. It also gave me a purpose: to speak up and stand for people who cannot always stand for themselves. To this day, I write his initials, JPD, on the tags of my jerseys. It reminds me that everything I do should be done with compassion and strength. My faith and family guided me again when I tore my ACL, meniscus, and later my PCL as a fifteen year old. Recovering from surgeries and missing almost two years of sports was a challenge. I lost not just the games. I also lost the sense of belonging that came with being on a team but my parents told me to keep showing up anyway. I cheered from the sidelines, mentored younger players, and stayed committed even when I could not play. They taught me that leadership does not always mean being on the field. Sometimes it just means being there for others. I have also found purpose through service. During my recovery, volunteering with Special Stars and Junior Firebirds gave me the chance to work with children who have disabilities. Coaching them through drills, encouraging them, and celebrating their victories has been one of the best experiences of my life. These kids show up with determination and joy every single day. They inspire me to do the same. Service has taught me that it is not about doing something for people. It is being with them and making sure they feel seen, included, and valued. Family is the core of who I am. When Jackson passed, I leaned on my parents, grandparents, and siblings. They showed me what unconditional love really looks like. Even today, my family continues to shape me. We laugh together, share traditions, and support each other in everything. Family is the place where I learned how to love, how to care, and how to keep going even when things are hard. I have learned that joy does not come only from winning games or reaching big milestones. It comes from the little things too. I laugh at practice, help a younger teammate master a drill, or just sit around the dinner table with the people I love. Looking ahead, I plan to pursue a career in law, focusing on public interest or maybe government. I want to fight for children, families, and individuals with disabilities, making sure their voices are heard. This scholarship would support me as I begin that journey in college. It would help me stay true to the values that matter most: faith, kindness, family, service, and joy. I never met your parents, but from everything I have learned, I know they lived with love and purpose. I hope to honor them by carrying those same values into my own future. I want to serve others with compassion and live with joy. Thank you so much for considering me for this scholarship and for sharing your parents’ legacy. With gratitude, Mason DiEnna

When my brother Jackson entered the world, he was already leaving it. His heart beat for only a few minutes, yet those brief moments altered the course of my life. Jackson was born with multiple brain defects, and although he never had the chance to grow, his life left me with a purpose. My youngest brother Jackson passed away a few years ago. Until October 13, 2015, I had never experienced or understood grief. That morning, we woke up early to go to the hospital, but instead of the excitement of meeting my brother, I was filled with worry and nerves. Jackson’s little life had not developed as it should, and though it was time to meet him, we already knew the heartbreak that awaited. The grief we felt wasn’t just about his passing, it stretched into the past and the future. We mourned not only his final breath but also the months leading up to that moment when we were told he wouldn’t develop properly. Along with that came the painful realization that all our dreams of park days, board games, and birthday celebrations would never come to be. It was an unbelievably hard day for me and my family. Although our time with him was brief it was full of love. Love for Jackson and also love for each other, from the comforting hug of my parents, to the support of my grandparents, and friends' condolence cards. In the embrace of those who cared for me, I found not only comfort but also the courage to continue forward. Although the pain is still present, all of these relationships helped me heal during the bereavement process. I want to be that love and comfort when others need support. Jackson's brief life instilled a passion for advocating for individuals with disabilities. Witnessing the challenges they face has ignited my desire to ensure all voices are heard and represented. I find meaning by volunteering with youth in programs like Special Stars and Create for Kids, which transformed my perspective on resilience and the importance of service. Special Stars engages children with special needs in developing soccer skills. I coached them through drills, offering guidance and encouragement. Watching these children experience the joy of learning new skills despite their challenges is humbling. I also enjoy thinking critically and constructing solid arguments, a skill I am working on in school. This passion aligns seamlessly with a career in law, where the ability to present clear, persuasive cases is crucial. I hope to use this skill to uplift and protect others. I plan to pursue a law degree, focusing on public interest law or civil rights, empowering myself with the knowledge to navigate and advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. I will apply for internships and volunteer opportunities that provide practical experience in legal advocacy, especially in supporting children and families facing challenges. My choice to pursue a career in government and law is personal. I hope to challenge injustices, ensuring fairness, especially those facing the greatest challenges. Jackson’s memory and the lessons I’ve learned through Special Stars and other volunteer experiences inspire me to fight for a world where every child can thrive.