Taking care of others has always been one of the major driving forces of my life. From working in childcare and keeping extra hair ties and Band-Aids in my backpack to teaching my first-year college roommates how to do their own laundry, I strive to and genuinely enjoy anticipating and meeting the needs of others. Cooking and learning about different foods are hobbies I am passionate about, so when I first learned of the dietetics field and began studying how the way that what a person eats affects their health and happiness, I knew that becoming a Registered Dietitian and helping people thrive in their nutritional journeys was the career path for me. Many people are inundated daily with nutritional advice from social media, news outlets, and corporations that claim strict, restrictive diets or expensive supplements are the best way to be healthy. It would be great if there was a true, effective one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition and health, but that is simply not the case. Although most people know that eating healthy is important, it is all too easy to become intimidated by the wide range of information available or push nutrition onto the backburner in favor of convenience. When I begin working with patients and clients as a Registered Dietitian, my focus will be on individualized, easy-to-understand education about the types of foods and nutrients that are necessary on a regular basis and the types of foods that are nice to have in addition to a nutrient dense diet. Simply telling a patient to watch their blood pressure can often do more to create stress and confusion than inspire lifestyle change. However, helping patients and clients determine which foods/recipes strike the right balance between nutritional needs, enjoyment, and feasibility for their lifestyle and health will have a more lasting and consistent effect on health. For example, I might suggest that a busy client who wishes to eat less fast food utilizes time savers like pre-cooked rotisserie chicken in their meals instead of picking up a bucket of fried chicken for dinner. In all the nutrition classes I have taken so far, a few basic tenants have been emphasized and explained repeatedly. The importance of moderation, agency, and consistency cannot be overstated when it comes to planning and obtaining a healthy diet and a healthy life. I believe that the best way to educate people about the ways that nutrition affects their health and longevity is to take time to explain how nutritional recommendations directly contribute to health and help them come up with simple, prudent guidelines and strategies for deciding what to eat that they can feel confident using at any grocery store or restaurant. Choosing to eat fruit alongside the occasional sweet treat or alternate whole grain bread with white is much easier to stick with than always giving up ice cream for Greek yogurt and French fries for green beans. This method of nutrition guidance encourages variety and independence over strict adherence to rules and is more likely to be consistently utilized and given the chance to have a beneficial affect than restrictive, misery-inducing plans. Creating plans that people will accept and choose to use is the best way to encourage them to take stake in their own health and prevent nutrition-related diseases and conditions.

I attend the University of Alabama (UA), "Where Legends are Made." Yes, that is the school motto. Although "legend" and "legacy" are two different words, they are somewhat intertwined in my mind. A legend is, simply put, a strong, well-known legacy. However, every person, event, and idea that has ever existed or will exist leaves a legacy. People who have walked on the moon and people who impress others at parties with their moonwalk all leave legacies. I have always felt that objective accomplishments and accolades pale in comparison to the impact a person leaves on their community, friends, and family when it comes time to examine their legacy. My grandmother is one of the legends of my life. She taught hundreds of college students the ins and outs of music theory and was a trusted leader in her church, but to me, she was just someone who loved me and supported my goals and ambitions. During my senior year of high school, my grandmother was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer that ultimately led to her untimely death during my first semester of college. In the span of two years, she went from cheering in the stands at my sporting events to spending weeks in the hospital, where I visited her for the last time before I left for school. This sad story is just one example of the legacy that the average person leaves on those they love. The certificates and degrees on her wall might not have made her a household name, but my grandmother lives on every day in the piano-playing skills of every student she ever mentored. She lives on in the compassion she taught me by taking care of her ancient, disabled dog and in the love of reading that she inspired and encouraged throughout my life. I come from a long line of highly educated nerds and bookworms. Although my college major, nutrition, is not astrophysics or biomedical engineering, I am proud to carry on my family's legacy of studying science in order to make the world a better place. I will use my degree to help people figure out the foods and diets that make them happy while keeping them healthy. I have been truly blessed to grow up with a family that supports my academic pursuits and encourages me to constantly strive towards the best possible version of myself. From the long nights spent at the kitchen table where my father taught me grammar and math to the first "big girl" novel that my grandmother bought me (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, one of her favorites), my family have relentlessly instilled me the skills and ambition that have led me to my current college success. I hope to earn scholarships like this one to remove the financial burden of my higher education from my family and show them that I value all of the time and effort they have given to help me get to where I am today.

@mer.bear5

"Bookworm" is probably the title that has been applied to me the most throughout my life. For as long as I can remember, reading has been my go-to hobby during everything from long bus commutes to little pockets of free time. I was a tote-bag-carrying regular at my local library by the age of 8 and spent hours every week picking out a stack of titles to tuck into as soon as I got in the car to go home. I often simply reread books if left to my own devices, so I am incredibly grateful to the librarians and English teachers who have pushed me outside of my comfort zone. By encouraging me to try different genres and authors, these amazing women introduced me to books like The Lightning Thief, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Pride and Prejudice, which have since become some of my all-time favorites. In early elementary school, I preferred to read easy books that I was familiar with. My school librarian was only able to persuade me to branch out to Percy Jackson, a series that was actually on my reading level, by promising that it was extremely similar to the picture book I wanted to read for the 10th time that year– D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths. I was hooked– that simple conversation showed me that books could be challenging as well as engaging and triggered a voracious reading appetite. By the time I hit the 8th grade, I was devouring around 250 books per year but still struggled to try new genres and challenge myself as a reader. I will never forget the day that my English teacher handed me a copy of Atwood’s influential dystopian. Two days later, I finished the novel and simply sat down to think. This was the first time that reading a book forced me to consider the state of the world in which I was living and how I fit into the systems and expectations placed on me as a result of my gender. Although I did not have anything close to the real-world understanding of politics and social issues that I would later use to analyze the novel when I read it again in high school, that first box-shattering read allowed me to start seeing books as not just entertainment, but as vessels for important views, lessons, and warnings. My favorite high school class was AP English Literature and Composition. We analyzed short stories, poems, classics, modern novels, and even Shakespeare. Despite grumbling and complaints about silly love stories and Victorian English, my teacher even endeavored to teach us Austen’s most well-recognized work. I had never read an Austen novel before that class, and I will admit that I was skeptical of claims that I would understand and enjoy it. These doubts were utterly obliterated when I started to recognize the sarcasm and social criticism woven throughout the story. I now know that Pride and Prejudice is not a shallow romance novel, but a meaningful critique of Victorian attitudes towards marriage, happiness, and the role of women in society. Although these are just a few examples of the numerous books that have influenced my understanding of myself and the world around me, I believe they represent the open-mindedness, awareness, and appreciation for outside perspectives that reading has taught me. As I enter college and grow into adulthood I know that I want to be, first and foremost, a person who tries new things, never stops learning, and considers the experiences and views of the people around me.

Leadership is an interesting word. It is one of those terms that has a very different meaning to each person. Sometimes, leadership is denoted by a title, like Varsity Captain of the cheerleading squad or Baby Cougar Chair of the Beta Club. Both of those labels were assigned to me during my time in high school, but the words next to a name do not completely define leadership in my eyes. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead both of those organizations and for the patience, time management, and communication skills that I learned through those experiences. I know now how to work with all types of people, delegate and prioritize tasks, and take on responsibility when things aren't going as smoothly as I would like. However, those leadership titles were only relevant to my life during monthly meetings or seasonal games. I believe that leadership is a way of life, not just an occasional obligation. The most important way that I practice leadership, in my opinion, is through daily, small-scale service to others. I live by the philosophy shared with my first-grade class many years ago: "It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it." I always try my best to be prepared and anticipate not only my own needs but those of the people I will be around. It honestly makes my day when I have the opportunity to make someone smile by helping them out in a pinch. If anyone on the bus to an away football game needed an extra pair of socks, a hair tie, a snack, homework help, or even a listening ear to let out some steam, I was their go-to even before I was awarded a varsity letter or the captain title. I believe that this preparedness and consideration, more than any particular tumbling skill or level of talent I may possess, inspired my teammates to elect me for a formal leadership position. My high school's Beta Club chapter utilized a group of officers as the official organization leadership. During my junior year, I became the Baby Cougar Chair. Typically, this role consisted of making sure that supply drives and student reading buddy programs for the school daycare were running as they should. However, most of the activities typically overseen by the Chair ceased to exist during the COVID-19 pandemic, which coincided almost perfectly with my takeover of the role. Since I couldn't organize the normally large groups of student helpers and afternoon volunteers due to health and safety protocols, I took it upon myself to volunteer every morning before school and every time I had a free afternoon. Spending time with these children, whether it was reading to them and coming up with fun projects or simply helping to supervise their free play, was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Although I did not fill the traditional expectations of my particular leadership role, I feel that the patience, empathy, and responsibility I gained from caring for and being depended upon by a small group of 3-5 year-olds has been more valuable and inspirational to me than simple organization or supervision could have ever been. As I head off to college, I hope to become a go-to person for my classmates and friends, someone they see as reliable and trustworthy. That is the definition of a leader in my eyes. After college, I aspire to become a registered dietician and help lead people to the food choices and systems that will allow them to be their happiest and healthiest selves.

(Superhero narrator voice) In a world where I can be anything, I want to be a person who makes everyone she meets smile.

As a small child, I spent countless nights at my local high school dazzled by the Friday night lights— the explosive energy and electric atmosphere of small-town football games. Over time, I realized that I wanted to experience that world, not just watch it, so I decided to become a cheerleader. My elementary cheering experience consisted mostly of playing with pom poms. I had never dreamed of being tossed into the air or doing backflips on a track instead of a trampoline. Unfortunately, I simply did not possess the skills required to cheer at a higher level and did not make the middle school squad my first year trying out. That experience was absolutely devastating, and I subsequently decided that I would do whatever it took to improve myself and make the team the next year. I began a quest to learn as much about cheerleading as possible by taking notes at football and basketball games. At the advice of the team’s coach, I stretched and conditioned daily. I practiced jumps, kicks, and cartwheels out on my driveway every weekend and even joined the cross-country team at my local YMCA to improve my endurance. I had never been so singularly devoted to a cause and experienced a major turning point in my life. Words cannot express the relief and excitement I felt when I received a letter starting with the word “Congratulations” after the next year’s tryout, but that drive to be the best that I could be and continue improving never departed. I worked hard to avoid becoming complacent, practicing everything from advanced tumbling skills to smiling straight through a three-hour game. All of this dedication paid off when finally I achieved my ultimate goal, becoming a member of the Alexander Central High School varsity cheerleading squad, during my junior year. My varsity dreams were seemingly shattered only two months into my first football season. I had a bad fall during practice one day and soon received devastating news; my ACL was torn, requiring surgery with an arduous recovery process and no promise of returning to my previous skill level. I struggled to take time away from the sport that I loved and let myself recover, especially after a particularly demoralizing physical therapy session where I learned that my mobility was severely stunted and might not fully return. Although disappointing, that news ultimately redoubled my resolve to do every recommended stretch and exercise daily. I am proud to report that my therapist was shocked with my eventual progress, proclaiming my recovered mobility some of the best that he had ever seen. I truly believe that the sense of intrinsic motivation and relentless dedication I developed after my first cheerleading rejection was the sole reason I made a full recovery and returned to tumbling classes and cheerleading practices with no restrictions after only six months. I am living proof that one small event can completely change the trajectory of one’s life. Had I not experienced a fateful failure at my very first cheerleading tryout, I would not be the cheerleader and the person that I am today. After overcoming a serious injury, I have been voted senior captain of my high school cheerleading squad, recognized as an All-American Cheerleader by the National Cheerleaders Association, and able to assist my team in winning our program's first state championship. More importantly, however, I have learned that I am capable of overcoming great challenges, motivating myself to reach my goals, and practicing self-discipline. I sincerely believe that these skills will help me achieve amazing things in college and, ultimately, in life.

As a small child, I spent countless nights at my local high school dazzled by the Friday night lights— the explosive energy and electric atmosphere of small-town football games. Over time, I realized that I wanted to experience that world, not just watch it, so I decided to become a cheerleader. My elementary cheering experience consisted mostly of playing with pom poms. I had never dreamed of being tossed into the air or doing backflips on a track instead of a trampoline. Unfortunately, I simply did not possess the skills required to cheer at a higher level and did not make the middle school squad my first year trying out. That experience was absolutely devastating, and I subsequently decided that I would do whatever it took to improve myself and make the team the next year. I began a quest to learn as much about cheerleading as possible by taking notes at football and basketball games. At the advice of the team’s coach, I stretched and conditioned daily. I practiced jumps, kicks, and cartwheels out on my driveway every weekend and even joined the cross-country team at my local YMCA to improve my endurance. I had never been so singularly devoted to a cause and experienced a major turning point in my life. Words cannot express the relief and excitement I felt when I received a letter starting with the word “Congratulations” after the next year’s tryout, but that drive to be the best that I could be and continue improving never departed. I worked hard to avoid becoming complacent, practicing everything from advanced tumbling skills to smiling straight through a three-hour game. All of this dedication paid off when finally I achieved my ultimate goal, becoming a member of the Alexander Central High School varsity cheerleading squad, during my junior year. My varsity dreams were seemingly shattered only two months into my first football season. I had a bad fall during practice one day and soon received devastating news; my ACL was torn, requiring surgery with an arduous recovery process and no promise of returning to my previous skill level. I struggled to take time away from the sport that I loved and let myself recover, especially after a particularly demoralizing physical therapy session where I learned that my mobility was severely stunted and might not fully return. Although disappointing, that news ultimately redoubled my resolve to do every recommended stretch and exercise daily. I am proud to report that my therapist was shocked with my eventual progress, proclaiming my recovered mobility some of the best that he had ever seen. I truly believe that the sense of intrinsic motivation and relentless dedication I developed after my first cheerleading rejection was the sole reason I made a full recovery and returned to tumbling classes and cheerleading practices with no restrictions after only six months. I am living proof that one small event can completely change the trajectory of one’s life. Had I not experienced a fateful failure at my very first cheerleading tryout, I would not be the cheerleader and the person that I am today. After overcoming a serious injury, I have been voted senior captain of my high school cheerleading squad, recognized as an All-American Cheerleader by the National Cheerleaders Association, and offered a job by that same organization once I graduate high school. More importantly, however, I have learned that I am capable of overcoming great challenges, motivating myself to reach my goals, and practicing self-discipline. I sincerely believe that these skills will help me achieve amazing things in college and, ultimately, in life.

One of the most unique things about me is my dedication. I have been a cheerleader for the past five years, and it is my favorite thing in the world. However, I did not always feel that way. In the sixth grade, I tried out for the middle school squad on a whim, simply because it looked fun and a few of my friends cheered. During the process, I realized that I actually enjoyed the things I was learning and doing. I did not make the squad that first year, and that rejection was absolutely devastating. I then decided that I would do whatever it took to improve myself and make the team the next year. This decision was a crucial factor in the way that my life would play out from that moment forward. I began a quest to learn as much about cheerleading as possible by reading articles, memorizing videos, and taking notes at football and basketball games. At the advice of the school’s cheerleading coach, I stretched and conditioned daily, challenging myself to attempt my splits every night before bed. I practiced jumps, kicks, and cartwheels on my driveway every weekend and even joined the cross-country team at my local YMCA to improve my endurance. I had never before been so singularly devoted to a cause. I was successful in the next year’s tryout, but I did my best to continue improving myself and avoid becoming complacent, continuing to practice everything from advanced tumbling skills to the ability to smile straight through a three-hour game. All of this dedication paid off when finally I achieved my ultimate goal of becoming a member of the Alexander Central High School varsity cheerleading squad. Even after suffering a torn ACL that required surgery with an arduous recovery process and no promise of returning to my previous skill level during my junior year, my intrinsic dedication helped me to put my all into my physical therapy and allowed me to return to athletic activities with no restrictions after only six months. I am living proof that one small event can completely change the trajectory of one’s life. Had I not experienced a fateful failure at my very first cheerleading tryout, I would not be the cheerleader and the person that I am today. I attribute my dedication to that event, and that dedication has allowed me to be voted senior captain of my squad, be recognized as an All-American Cheerleader by two different organizations (NCA and UCA), and help my squad win our program’s first-ever NCCCA State Championship, all after overcoming a serious injury. I believe that his drive will help me to give back to my community once I have graduated college. I have been accepted to The University of Alabama and The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Both of these excellent schools offer an accelerated master's degree program in nutrition that allows graduates to take the exam to become Registered Dieticians when they graduate. As a Registered Dietician, I will be able to work at a hospital, school, or assisted-living facility as a consultant who helps individuals understand their unique nutritional needs and come up with a plan that allows them to both meet those needs and enjoy their daily meals. This is no easy task, as the things that people should eat and the things they want to eat are often at odds. I am confident that my dedication will allow me to conduct research and find creative ways to satisfy my clients and make sure that they are happy and healthy.

Running is a major source of peace and motivation in my life. I have been a part of running classes and clubs since I was around six or seven years old. One of the reasons that I love running so much is that it is something that can be done with friends, family, or alone, almost anywhere in the world. I love going on easy morning runs with my mom just as much as pushing myself to sprint through my favorite song or win a race for my team. I am a multi-sport athlete, and I have always tried to make athleticism and sportsmanship some of the guiding principles of my life. I have been a cheerleader for ten years as well as running cross country for ten years and participating in track and field for six years. However, I have not had an easy road to becoming the athlete and the person that I am today. Although I had spent my younger years doing recreational running and gymnastics, I did not make my middle school's cheerleading team the first time that I tried out. Although this rejection was devastating at the time, I now recognize it as one of the major turning points in my life. I decided that I would not let anything hold me back from achieving my goal of making the squad the next year and began a quest to learn as much about cheerleading as possible by reading articles, memorizing videos, and taking notes at football and basketball games. At the advice of the school’s cheerleading coach, I stretched and conditioned daily, challenging myself to attempt my splits every night before bed. I practiced jumps, kicks, and cartwheels on my driveway every weekend and even joined the competitive cross-country team at my local YMCA to improve my endurance and teamwork skills. I had never before been so singularly devoted to a cause. I was successful in the next year’s tryout, but I did my best to continue improving myself and avoid becoming complacent, continuing to practice everything from advanced tumbling skills to the ability to smile straight through a three-hour game, all because I had learned the value of hard work, consistent effort, and dedication. I suffered a torn ACL that required surgery with an arduous recovery process and no promise of returning to my previous skill level during my junior year, which held me back from competing in track and field and temporarily reduced my athletic capabilities. However, the intrinsic dedication I developed after that first athletic rejection helped me to put my all into my physical therapy and allowed me to return to athletic activities with no restrictions after only six months. My participation in running and team sports has taught me discipline, dedication, and social skills that I will use throughout my life.

One of the most unique things about me is my dedication. I have been a cheerleader for the past five years, and it is my favorite thing in the world. However, I did not always feel that way. In the sixth grade, I tried out for the middle school squad on a whim, simply because it looked fun and a few of my friends cheered. During the process, I realized that I actually enjoyed the things I was learning and doing. I did not make the squad that first year, and that rejection was absolutely devastating. I then decided that I would do whatever it took to improve myself and make the team the next year. This decision was a crucial factor in the way that my life would play out from that moment forward. I began a quest to learn as much about cheerleading as possible by reading articles, memorizing videos, and taking notes at football and basketball games. At the advice of the school’s cheerleading coach, I stretched and conditioned daily, challenging myself to attempt my splits every night before bed. I practiced jumps, kicks, and cartwheels on my driveway every weekend and even joined the cross-country team at my local YMCA to improve my endurance. I had never before been so singularly devoted to a cause. I was successful in the next year’s tryout, but I did my best to continue improving myself and avoid becoming complacent, continuing to practice everything from advanced tumbling skills to the ability to smile straight through a three-hour game. All of this dedication paid off when finally I achieved my ultimate goal of becoming a member of the Alexander Central High School varsity cheerleading squad. Even after suffering a torn ACL that required surgery with an arduous recovery process and no promise of returning to my previous skill level during my junior year, my intrinsic dedication helped me to put my all into my physical therapy and allowed me to return to athletic activities with no restrictions after only six months. I am living proof that one small event can completely change the trajectory of one’s life. Had I not experienced a fateful failure at my very first cheerleading tryout, I would not be the cheerleader and the person that I am today. I attribute my dedication to that event, and that dedication has allowed me to be voted senior captain of my squad, be recognized as an All-American Cheerleader by two different organizations (NCA and UCA), and help my squad win our program’s first-ever NCCCA State Championship, all after overcoming a serious injury. I believe that his drive will help me to give back to my community once I have graduated college. I have been accepted to The University of Alabama and The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Both of these excellent schools offer an accelerated master's degree program in nutrition that allows graduates to take the exam to become a Registered Dietician when they graduate. As a Registered Dietician, I will be able to work at a hospital, school, or assisted-living facility as a consultant who helps individuals understand their unique nutritional needs and come up with a plan that allows them to both meet those needs and enjoy their daily meals. This is no easy task, as the things that people should eat and the things they want to eat are often at odds. I am confident that my dedication will allow me to conduct research and find creative ways to satisfy my clients and make sure that they are happy and healthy.

Helping others and performing acts of service are some of the guiding principles of my life. Nothing brings me greater joy than improving the life, or even just the day, of someone else. I try my best every day to be a positive and supportive presence for those around me, with a smile, compliment, or assurance for everyone I meet. Within my high school, I am a member of the Cougar Connect Club, Beta Club, and AP Academy. These three organizations all provide me opportunities to serve my community by spending time with Special Olympic Athletes, assisting teachers and custodians at my school, and volunteering at soup kitchens, benefit meals, and clothes closets in my community. I am extremely grateful for these opportunities, but I do not want my experience with helping others to end when I graduate high school in a few short months. Some of my favorite hobbies are cooking and learning about foods and the ways that what people eat affects their life. My favorite class in school is Foods and Nutrition. I enjoy baking treats for my friends, teachers, and family to let them know that I appreciate them or have been thinking of them. I have recently begun a journey to better understand my own nutritional needs and figure out how to budget for, find, and cook foods that are good for me and that I am willing to eat. As an athlete, I need more protein in my diet than the average person, so I have been having fun researching and experimenting with different ways to incorporate protein into my daily meals and snacks. I wish to attend a four-year university to major in Foods and Nutrition. I have been accepted to The University of Alabama and The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Both of these excellent schools offer an accelerated master's degree program in nutrition that allows graduates to take the exam to become a Registered Dietician when they graduate. As a Registered Dietician, I will be able to work at a hospital, school, or assisted-living facility as a consultant who helps individuals understand their unique nutritional needs and come up with a plan that allows them to both meet those needs and enjoy their daily meals. I have felt so much better and performed better both athletically and academically since I began eating healthier, so it would be a dream come true for me to be able to work a job that allows me to help others feel the same way and begin their own positive nutritional journey. I live in a very small, rural community where there is not a large variety of jobs available. However, I will be able to use the skills I learn and the experience I gain from my degree almost anywhere in the world simply because everyone needs to eat. I would love to come back to my hometown after I graduate and use my degree to help the people who live there become the healthiest and happiest versions of themselves.