I was born and raised in Union Township. My father and his two siblings are graduates of North, my two older sisters graduated from North, and I have a younger brother who is a freshman. My peers have described me as authentic, kind and tough. Maybe that’s an interesting mix but it embodies qualities that I am proud of. I have played field hockey since the first grade and due to my love of the sport, I continued into high school. This sport has given me friendships that I will treasure, experiences and a purpose that is extraordinarily fulfilling and has also awarded me the opportunity to give back to the community. When I entered high school, I was timid, but transformed into a strong, confident young woman. Field hockey has taught me so many life lessons which serve me everyday. I have a strong work ethic, I fight for what is important and I have also learned to accept failure, overcome it and press on with strength and resilience. I tell you all of this because it has transformed me as a person. I volunteered with my Girl Scout Troop as we went to animal shelters; worked at soup kitchens and donated to the less fortunate. I continued volunteering through my church by making bagged lunches and passing them out in Newark. I enjoyed doing these acts of kindness but it was in high school when I realized I wanted to combine my desire to help and my love of field hockey. In my youth field hockey days, my mother volunteered every year as a coach. She is a working mother, with a demanding job, three other children, and commutes into Newark. I didn't appreciate her dedication until I was older and we chatted about those crazy days of running around when I fully understood her reasons for committing to it. She explained that there are tons of working parents with hectic schedules, but children should be able to enjoy their passion. Coaching was the way my mother gave back. She did it for the children that found joy in the sport who would not have been able to play had she not dedicated her time to coach. Between my junior and senior year, I was named captain of our varsity field hockey team. This was a huge honor. I was excited for this new commitment, however it was tempered by some devastating news. My father was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and suffered a stroke. While my family was still struggling with the recent death of my father’s brother, from brain cancer, we were trying to process the news of my father’s health. He is doing well, but during this time, the community is what got me through it. When I say community, I don’t simply mean the people around our home, but the communities I was a part of. My church, field hockey, my job, these were the people that were so impactful. The people I surrounded myself with were beyond supportive, they were positive and provided that hug or simple smile when I needed it most. They may not have known that they were providing a “community service” but I can say that I was far stronger because of them. From the small to the large acts of community service that I have encountered, they have all led me to find the contribution that fits me best. I have reflected on life lessons and experiences and decided to volunteer at each rec field hockey camp, I would stay after my high school practices to help coach rec teams, and I also coach for the U10 girls for my club team. When I was younger, I distinctly recall looking at the high school field hockey girls in awe as I was influenced by them more than they know. I choose to be that for the next wave of girls in my community! It’s bittersweet when I think of leaving this community and becoming a member of another for college, however, I have found a place that will allow me to continue giving back through field hockey. Kutztown University field hockey team has a number of events that circle around introducing children, to include special needs children, to the sport. I am thrilled to be heading to Kutztown University to begin my studies for pediatric occupational therapy, and I will be joining an amazing group of girls as a member of the Kutztown Field Hockey Team!