The volunteer event I organized was the ELLA Foundation Softball Clinic, an annual youth softball clinic created to give back to the El Paso, TX community by providing young girls with athletic development, mentorship, and a safe space to grow. The clinic began in 2023 out of my desire to return to the same fields where I once played, struggled, learned, and chased my own dreams. I wanted to create the opportunity I wish I had growing up: a place where young athletes could receive guidance, encouragement, and the reminder that their goals are possible. As a collegiate softball player and a member of the El Paso community, I understand the importance of representation. I wanted young girls, especially Latina athletes, to see someone from their own hometown pursuing their dreams and know that they belong in the sport. Through this clinic, I have volunteered my time, experience, and knowledge by teaching softball skills, leading conversations about confidence and mental health, sharing my own athletic journey, and mentoring young athletes through challenges both on and off the field. The ELLA Foundation Softball Clinic is about more than teaching the fundamentals of the game. It is about building confidence, creating connections, and reminding every athlete that they are valued beyond their performance. During our first year, our focus was mentorship. We answered questions about the recruiting process, college softball, training, and the challenges of pursuing athletics at a higher level. We created a space where girls felt comfortable asking questions, sharing their experiences, and realizing that they were not alone. In the following years, the clinic continued to grow in purpose. After going through one of the hardest years of my life, I used my journey to help young athletes understand that their identity is not defined by statistics, positions, or achievements. We had honest conversations about pressure, self-worth, and the importance of resilience. I wanted the girls to understand that challenges do not determine their future; they are opportunities to grow. Growing up in El Paso, a border city rich with culture and diversity, has taught me the importance of compassion, unity, and serving others. This clinic reflects those values by creating an inclusive environment where every girl feels seen, supported, and encouraged. We strive to remind athletes that their voices matter and that they have the ability to make a difference in their communities. Leadership through service is important because true leadership is not about recognition or status; it is about using your abilities to uplift others. I believe the greatest leaders are those who are willing to invest their time, share their experiences, and create opportunities for others to succeed. Through the ELLA Foundation Softball Clinic, I have learned that leadership means showing up for others, listening to their needs, and helping them believe in themselves. This clinic represents my commitment to giving back to the community that helped shape me. My goal is for every young athlete who attends to leave with more than improved softball skills. I want them to leave with confidence, a sense of belonging, and the belief that their dreams are achievable. Through service, mentorship, and compassion, I hope to continue creating opportunities that inspire the next generation of athletes and leaders.

Growing up, all I ever knew was my mom as a single mother, and honestly, I could never imagine it any other way. From the day I was born, she has been my mother, father, biggest supporter, coach, teacher, and best friend. Watching her overcome every obstacle life placed in her path shaped the person I am today. Before becoming a single mother, my mom was a college athlete pursuing a nursing degree. Her plans changed when she became pregnant with my older brother, and a few years later, with me. After my father left our family, she was heartbroken, pregnant, battling depression, and forced to start over. She moved back home with nothing but the hope of building a better life for her children. Although nursing had once been her dream, she chose to become a teacher so she could spend summers, holidays, and school breaks with my brother and me. Her classroom became an extension of her heart, allowing hundreds of students to experience the same love, patience, and encouragement that shaped my childhood. The three of us lived in one room at my grandmother's house until my mom could afford a small apartment. My brother had one bedroom, while my mom and I shared the other. As a child, I thought I was lucky because I got to have a sleepover with my mom every night. Looking back, I realize I was witnessing sacrifice without even knowing it. I never noticed what we lacked because my mom never let us feel like we were missing anything. She created a home filled with love, laughter, and security, even when life was uncertain. Money was always tight, but my mom never let it limit our dreams. We sold candy and fundraising squares so my brother and I could play sports and participate in activities. While I always had the clothes, school supplies, and softball equipment I needed, my mom wore the same clothes for years because every extra dollar went toward us. I can't remember her ever buying herself something she wanted. Every decision she made was about giving us opportunities she never had. Years later, she made another sacrifice by walking away from a ten-year relationship because she believed putting her children first mattered more than anything else. Through every hardship, I saw her cry, struggle, and rebuild, but I never once saw her quit. She taught me that strength is not about avoiding adversity, but about finding the courage to keep moving forward despite it. Her example became the foundation of my own life. Because of her unwavering support, I am pursuing my bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, have accepted a paid internship, and have helped launch the ELLA Foundation to empower Hispanic and Latina softball athletes. Every achievement I've earned carries a piece of her with it. Watching my mom create opportunities out of nothing inspired me to do the same for others, and I hope to use my education and future career to serve communities with the same compassion, resilience, and selflessness she has always shown. People often tell me how strong I am. The truth is, everything they admire in me, I learned from watching my mom. Her resilience became my resilience. Her sacrifices became my opportunities. If I accomplish anything in my lifetime, it will always be because one woman sacrificed her own dreams so I could chase mine. I hope to honor her not only through my accomplishments, but through the way I serve others, lead with compassion, and create opportunities for those who come after me,just as she did for me.

Softball has been a part of my life since before I was even born. My abuelo played fastpitch softball for the Mexican National Team, and my mother played softball at the junior college level before becoming a young parent. Beyond their connection to the game, both dedicated their careers to education, devoting their lives to helping others grow and succeed. Because of them, softball became more than a sport in my family;it became a legacy. From the moment I picked up a glove, I knew I was carrying something bigger than myself. Through their examples, I learned that success is not measured solely by personal accomplishments, but by the impact we have on others. Growing up in a single-parent household, I watched my mother take on every responsibility without ever giving up. Although her athletic dreams were cut short, she never allowed her circumstances to define her future. Instead, she became an educator and showed me the value of perseverance and service. Watching her sacrifices motivated me to make the most of every opportunity I was given. From an early age, I recognized that softball could open doors. My goal was to earn a college education while helping relieve some of the financial burden my mother carried for our family. Through hard work in the classroom and on the field, I was able to earn scholarships that helped make that goal a reality. While I am grateful for the opportunities softball has provided, the greatest lesson the game taught me is the importance of giving back. When I was younger, college softball players would return home during the summer to help coach my team. I admired those athletes and hoped that one day I could do the same. As I got older, I began volunteering with a 10U softball team. I thought I was there to teach them, but they ended up teaching me. Their excitement and love for the game reminded me why I started playing in the first place and helped me rediscover the joy that can sometimes get lost in competition. The mentors who invested in me;my family, coaches, and former players, showed me how powerful encouragement and guidance can be. Their influence inspired me to create those same opportunities for others. As I continued competing, I became aware of the lack of representation many young Latina athletes experience. Alongside my best friend, I became an ambassador for ELLA, Empowering Leadership in Latina Athletes. Through camps, we help young girls build confidence, develop leadership skills, and understand the importance of academics. Being able to mentor athletes who share similar backgrounds has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. These experiences have shaped who I am today. They have taught me resilience, humility, and the importance of serving a community larger than myself. As a Criminal Justice major, I plan to pursue a career in public service where I can continue helping others and making a positive impact in my community. Softball may have introduced me to my purpose, but the mentors in my life taught me how to live it. Just as my grandfather, my mother, my coaches, and countless others poured into me, I hope to spend my life pouring into others just like Brett Brakel did. That is the legacy I hope to carry forward, both on and off the field.

Immigration is more than a political issue to me—it is deeply personal. I come from a family of immigrants, and I have seen how policies and public perception shape people’s lives. Growing up in a predominantly Hispanic community near the U.S.–Mexico border, I have witnessed both the strength and the struggles within immigrant families. Even as someone who is legally in this country, I have experienced fear and uncertainty based on how I am perceived. These experiences have motivated me to take action and use my voice to address the social issue of immigration enforcement and its impact on students, families, and communities. My involvement in this issue became more meaningful when I was selected by my school’s criminal justice department to participate in Research Day. I conducted research, created a poster, and presented my findings to judges. Although I did not place, the experience sparked a deeper interest in both research and this topic. Instead of stopping there, I chose to continue my work independently, turning a class opportunity into something I am passionate about. I chose to focus my research on immigration because it is a current issue in the United States and one that directly affects my community and me. Many people believe immigrants should come “the right way,” but this perspective ignores how complex and time-consuming the process can be. Gaining legal status can take years and involves navigating a difficult system. This gap between perception and reality contributes to harmful assumptions and policies that fail to consider the human impact of immigration enforcement. Through my research, I explored how immigration enforcement affects students and their educational experiences. I found that these policies impact more than legal status—they affect school attendance, mental health, and overall student success. Many students in immigrant families experience anxiety and fear, especially the fear of family separation. This stress can lead to lower academic performance, reduced participation, and even absenteeism. When students are worried about their families, their ability to focus on school is significantly affected.I have also gained insight through my personal environment. My mother is an educator, and through her experiences, I have seen how immigration enforcement impacts classrooms. Students often carry emotional stress that affects their learning, and teachers are left to support students facing fear and instability. This has shown me that this issue is not distant; it is happening in real time. I am working to address this issue by raising awareness and advocating for more informed perspectives. Through research papers, presentations, and continued academic work, I challenge misconceptions about immigration and highlight the real-life consequences of enforcement policies. Even after Research Day, I remained committed to continuing my research and using what I have learned to educate others. Education is one of the most powerful tools for change. By bringing attention to the mental health and educational impacts of immigration enforcement, I am contributing to a larger conversation about how policies can be improved. I advocate for approaches that prioritize student well-being, family stability, and community support. Addressing immigration is not just about laws; it is about people. Through my research, personal experiences, and advocacy, I am working to make a difference. As I continue my education, I plan to further explore the intersection of criminal justice and immigration and use my voice to create meaningful change.

My name is Michelle Diaz, and I am proud to be a “You Got It Girl.” I am currently a junior at Mississippi Valley State University, where I compete as a Division I softball player. I have been playing softball since I was 4 years old, and over the past 13 years, the game has shaped not only the athlete I am today but also the person I continue to become. Standing at 5’1, being Mexican, coming from a small town, and being raised by a single mother, I have often been underestimated. But instead of letting those things define my limits, I chose to let them fuel my determination. Ever since I was a little girl, my dream was to play Division I softball. There were moments where that dream felt far away, but I never let go of it, and today, I am living proof that it is possible. Softball has given me so much more than just accomplishments. In high school, I was a three-time First Team All-District selection, a three-time Academic All-District honoree, and I earned a Golden Glove Award with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage my senior year. I later continued my career at the junior college level, where I was named to the WJCAC All-Conference Team. While I am proud of these achievements, what matters most to me is the journey behind them…the sacrifices, the discipline, and the resilience it took to get there. One of the biggest challenges I faced came during my sophomore year of high school when I transferred schools and was ruled a 365 case, forcing me to sit out an entire season. At the time, it felt like everything I had worked for was being taken away. I was hurt, frustrated, and unsure of what to do next. But instead of giving up, I decided to grow. I spent that year rebuilding myself physically, mentally, and academically. I trained on my own, stayed consistent in the gym, and pushed myself even when no one was watching. That experience taught me that setbacks do not define you; your response does. What felt like a loss became one of the most important turning points in my life. Beyond my own journey, I have made it a priority to give back to the community that raised me. For the past four summers, my best friend and I have hosted a three-day softball clinic in our hometown of El Paso, Texas, called ELLA—Empowering Leadership in Latina Athletes. “Ella,” meaning “her” in Spanish, represents every young girl we aim to uplift. Through this camp, we not only teach softball skills, but we also promote confidence, leadership, and the importance of academics. Being able to pour into the next generation of girls who look like me and come from similar backgrounds means everything to me. The person who inspires me most is my mom. She once played softball at the same junior college I attended, but her journey was cut short when she became a young mother. Despite that, she raised my brother and me on her own, taking on every responsibility without ever giving up. I have seen her struggle, sacrifice, and still find ways to support my dreams. There were times when things were not easy, but she never let us feel like we were lacking. Everything I do is a reflection of her strength and the example she has set for me. Being a student-athlete has not come without challenges. For the past three years, I have balanced school and softball while working two jobs, along with giving private lessons to help support myself financially. It has been exhausting at times, but I have continued to push forward because I know what this opportunity means—not just for me, but for my family. Receiving the YGIG scholarship would mean more than just financial assistance; it would provide relief. It would help ease the burden on my mom and allow me to focus more on my academics and athletic career without constantly worrying about finances. Being 17 hours away from home, this support would help cover essentials like groceries, bills, and travel, giving me the chance to fully invest in my growth as a student-athlete. I truly believe that being a “You Got It Girl” is about more than personal success. It is about resilience, purpose, and using your story to inspire others. My journey has not been easy, but it has shaped me into someone who refuses to give up and who is committed to making an impact. I will forever be proud to represent what YGIG stands for, and I hope to continue inspiring young girls to believe in themselves, chase their dreams, and know that no matter where they come from, they got it. Thank you for your time and consideration.