Hit. Tackle. Get up. Stay steep. Catch. Run. Faster. TRY! Nothing can beat the thrill of rugby. Some people call it ongoing football; some call it soccer and lacrosse combined; others call it crazy. I don't really care what people think of it or us players, because what I do know is that this is the sport for me. I am a player on the UNC Women's Club Rugby team and have enjoyed every second. I have played on it for one year since starting at the beginning of my freshman year. A wonderful interaction with the team officers and their eye-catching energy roped me in, and I am not turning back. I had never played before but had a good impression that this was going to be amazing. Rugby has had a big impact on me as a person. From comprehending others, learning skills of the game, and better understanding myself, there has been a ton of growth. Rugby has influenced my compassion and a deeper drive for respecting others. The diverse backgrounds of players were one thing that fostered my compassion. Having lived in a small town my whole life, it was great to be taught about issues prevalent in all communities. With a strong, independent squad of women and individuals, we have the potential to make a difference. I liked volunteering as a team and promoting causes. In fact, I enjoyed this potential so much that I decided to become an officer on the team for my upcoming years. As PLUS chair (volunteer and community involvement coordinator) I get to schedule, plan and advertise events that give back to the area that supports our sport. On the other hand, the heightened respect of sirs were one of the things that grew my respect for others. Coming from a soccer background, appreciating the officiators was minimal. I always felt sorry as not only players, but even parents would mouth off at them. Consideration for their human nature was non-existent. I'm glad rugby has fueled these changes in me. Growing as a player is a whole different ballgame. Being new, I had little knowledge of the game. I felt underprepared compared to my teammates who had played rugby for years; especially since I was so used to being a dominant player on the soccer field. To get to the abilities I now have took immense help from friends and coaches that believed in me. They showed me the ropes and answered any questions. I am really grateful for all of them. I put in a lot of effort to learn plays, rules, and technique so I could have success on the pitch. I had no idea what position was for me, and it was great opportunity to learn different skills. I was quickly became a back after they saw me run and I never looked back. After the first game I earned a spot as a starter for the rest of the season. It was empowering to go from the soccer girl who never touched anyone, to a rugby woman who fully tackles anyone in her path. So much of rugby has been a whirlwind of growth, excitement, and finding things about myself that I never expected. I am thankful for all the opportunities I have not only gotten with the sport but with my newfound friends. Rugby is extremely influential and it is no wonder that it is growing so prevalent all over the U.S. I hope I can be part of the people who continue to bring the joy of Rugby to players all over the nation.

"What's up?!" An energetic hand tapped my shoulder, and I turned to see an excited, beaming girl with happy friends close behind. While searching for the soccer stand of UNC's club sports fair, I unknowingly stumbled into an interaction that would change the course of my collegiate years. "You look like you would love to play some rugby." She said and handed me a rubber ducky with the rugby logo on it. That was different, and I liked it. We started a nice conversation, and the rest is history. Until college, I felt a sports family through my 14 years of soccer. I met some pretty great people and I loved spending time with them. However, there was always that bit of misunderstanding. Moments being the odd one out, a little more chaotic, too adventurous, etc. Little things that are a part of what makes me who I am were frowned upon. Picking up teammates? Odd. Cartwheels? Immature. Want to go camping? Too boyish. But my rugby family is different. On the pitch, rugby binds people together through an enthusiastic and respectful game. Playing a sport where you end up battered and bruised, you better love it, and we sure do. My team always has a blast, just smiling through the drills, trying cool tricks, and giving our all. The competitive drive combined with the desire to play made me want to come back again and again. In games, everyone treats each other with respect, even the opposition. I've made tackles, and while on the ground, we are spitballing compliments about each other from the previous play. It's a great environment that has made me love not only the game but the players too. Throughout the years, I have met some pretty spectacular people who will affect me for the rest of my life. Many of these individuals take hits for me figuratively, but not so many take hits for me literally, as my teammates do. Even off the pitch, many lifelong bonds formed, and supporting each other both mentally and physically comes second nature. I've had many late-night emotional conversations, gym partners, and simple homework buddies that I can always count on. Whenever I had a bad day, my team would always realize and check in with me. They even love my little quirks. Now picking up teammates? Strong. Cartwheels? They join in. Camping? Of course! My rugby family is all of this and more. Who knows where I would be in my collegiate career without these individuals? My amazing experience thus far has allowed me to form high aspirations for my upcoming seasons at UNC. For the next year, I received an officer position as the Volunteer and Leadership Coordinator. I hope to play my role well and utilize our capable team to change the lives of others in our community. On the pitch, a team goal is to go to nationals. Unfortunately, our team had to remove our bid to nationals last season due to excessive injuries. Once we heal up and get back on our passionate grind, we will be unstoppable. Some personal goals are to continue growing friendships, make up some new plays, and do a chip kick mid-game. It is going to be an amazing next three years. Rugby fosters that great do-anything-for-you community, one I can't live without. It all came around full circle when the same ecstatic girl I first met chose me to be her mentee, or "little". I am now proud to call her my rugby mom. I love it here and wouldn't have my rugby family any other way.

“Oh totally, I am for sure a Gryffindor! I am brave and I love adventures! Oh, you are a Gryffindor too, Elliot? And you, Damion? Cool, we are all Gryffindor!” This is what the average 5th-grade classroom sounds like. Almost every kid thinks they boast the courageous qualities of the main characters, including me! Who wouldn’t want to belong to the franchise's favorite house? However, I would come to realize that I am better suited elsewhere. About a year ago, some friends and I were doing some Harry Potter research about the houses and how people are sorted. I found out that house sorting is based more on how much you value the characteristics, rather than if you possess them. This was a realization for me because I always saw myself with multiple traits. Many houses were suitable. What are the most important traits to have? Wisdom will help you make good decisions, but smarts can lead to overthinking in battles. Ambition will help you strive for success, but it can make a person deceitful. Bravery is always necessary, but will you go into the battle unprepared? Kindness and loyalty are great, but are you willing to fight another person? All have ups and downs, but as I said before, none are better than the rest. Whatever you value most in the people around you is where you will be placed. I am a person who thrives when people around me show kindness, be supportive and are there for each other. Being a nice person is one of the things people realize most about me. I carry a fun, sweet, child-like energy, especially with friends. I strive to make them feel happy along with me. Having kind and loyal people around me is very important. I had taken a couple of Harry Potter house quizzes, but I only found out there was an OFFICIAL quiz with my 11th-grade English class. Some of my friends there were shocked I hadn't known, and of course, they made me take it on the spot. The sorting hat decided that I am a HUFFLEPUFF! I am the perfect fit for this house because I thrive in caring environments that prioritize loyalty and kindness. If I don't feel positively supported, then I don't perform at my best. On the contrary, reinforcement from peers and authority figures gives me the motivation to achieve more. My thoughtful personality also puts me in the perfect position to help the rest of my tenderhearted Hufflepuff peers. It is a win-win scenario all around. But don't think that compassion is the only good trait a Hufflepuff can have, because they are known to be hard-working too! This creates well-rounded individuals, just like me! Think of Cedric Diggory! If Hufflepuffs have loyalty to those around them, they will rise to challenges to help, just like a courageous Gryffindor. If they are hard-working, they can grow their intelligence, just like a wise Ravenclaw. These are all traits I consider myself to have, and with the Hufflepuffs, the opportunities are endless. The final thing that makes me a perfect match for the Hufflepuff house is the common area. It hosts many nature-based decorations fueled by natural lighting. I love the outdoors and it always makes me feel at home. Nature is a calming place, and I am happy all the other Hufflepuffs get to experience its serenity too. Thank you for reading about why I am perfect for the Hufflepuff House. If you want to know more about Hufflepuffs, please ask the Fat Friar (our house ghost). Have a great day!

Imagine being constantly covered in rashes. Constantly itchy. What happens when you scratch? You bleed. How do you fix it? It's incurable. Can anything help? Sure! Take four pills a day, but after two years you can't have them anymore because it's too harsh on your immune system. Any creams that can help? Sure! There is Clobetasol and Triamcinolone available! Just rub those steroids on your body for the rest of your life. Those creams don't always work. What's next? Eczema is something I have had to deal with since I was born, but when it started to visibly show at age 4, I got tested by my dermatologist. My doctor said I was an extreme case, placing in at the 100th percentile for eczema severity, and I believe it. I have had welts, rashes, itchiness, and dryness, all over my body for most of my life. Eczema has had a tremendous impact on my life including in sports. I play soccer, and a lot of running is involved in an outdoor environment. I would never give up on soccer, but the sweat produced during activity is highly irritating to my skin. Too often, I end up bleeding from itching somewhere I did not even know was exposed. Having blood dripping down you in a game is not ideal and can be a hazard to other players, so I try to wash it off as soon as I can, but it happens so often and can get hard to manage. In fact, my family jokes that to find me on the field they just have to find a girl that is bent over, scratching her legs. Another impact eczema has had on my life is reducing sleep. Too often, I remain awake, lying in bed itching my dry skin. I just can not relax and stop scratching. It not only keeps me up but wakes me up in the middle of the night. I will arise in scratching fits, unable to fall asleep until I am settled. This has added up to countless hours of lost sleep. When I was younger my doctor even gave me cotton gloves to wear to sleep so I would stop breaking open my skin in the middle of the night. In school, eczema again shows its presence. Itching in class can get quite noisy as I am in such a quiet setting. It sounds like sandpaper! It can get distracting to my peers. They also see the red rashes and scabs I have on my skin. I am grateful that nobody is mean about it, as I have great friends and classmates, but they ask where all the marks come from. One friend even says (in the kindest way possible) that looking at my skin makes her itch from how irritated it is. I take no offense to this, but clearly, my eczema affects the people around me. My goals for the future are to get a career in the medical field. I strive to make an impact on the people and animals around me. The careers I am considering most are Pediatrician and Veterinarian because I love science and helping others through medical hardship is a rewarding pathway. In college, I am trying to go to a highly renowned institution such as Duke or Penn. I am also considering playing college soccer. Although that is the longest shot on my list, it won't stop me from trying. As I said before, my eczema may impact me, but it will not stop me from chasing my dreams. Thank you.

Passion: something shown through hard work, dedication, love, and desire to achieve more. My passion is soccer. I love playing it because of the awesome things I have experienced over the years. Unbreakable friendships, exhilarating tournaments, fun exercise, and love for the game. I constantly feel happy to be on the pitch and am grateful for my time on the field because I know it won't last forever. This year I have moved up to the ECNL team of my club, and I am thrilled to take on that challenge. My journey has not been so perfect. My time playing soccer has been a roller coaster of emotions. When I was younger I was on a competitive team, the top team in my age group. For the next couple of years, I hardly grew, and was pretty scrawny. I dropped down one level to the second team. Still small and getting knocked over constantly, I was unable to do much in the games, and had little self-motivation to improve. In 7th grade, I was going to get brought down another level, to the third team down. But that did not happen. My brother was in competitive soccer too, but he was on the top team, and it made no sense for our family to have two traveling kids when I was not driven to succeed. My parents gave me two choices: to move down to the fifth team down or to quit soccer. I was devastated. Moving down further on purpose was embarrassing, but I did not want to leave something I had been playing my whole life. I chose the lower team. This is where I started my climb back up. On this team, I was having some success. It was exciting to see that I could make impacts again. My motivation returned as I persevered to practice, condition, and expand my skills. My passion was renewed. In my three years on this team, we grew close, won a lot of games, and even made it to the finals of a tournament we were underdogs for. I was a happy, free, and motivated player that had faith in her team. At the end of my 10th-grade season, I wanted something more. I wanted to challenge myself, and because of my mentality change my parents let me. But would the coaches even want me on a higher team? I am so happy they let me. I moved back up to the third team down and still had many impacts. My team went undefeated and was super good. We even qualified for a regional tournament in Louisiana this June! For the upcoming season, I moved up to another team, and this one was a shocker. It is in the highest league that my club plays in and travels nationally sometimes. I can't wait to persevere through this too. Regardless of my pathway, I am so happy I have taken this journey. Soccer has shaped me into the person I am today, molding me into a confident woman ready to take on the world. I strive to impact the future generation, and going to college can help me accomplish this goal. One of my dream careers is as a pediatrician. Healing children so they get the chance to follow their dreams is a reason I want this career. I was blessed to have a healthy childhood full of opportunity. If I could give that to another kid, all my studies would be worth it. Life isn't perfect, but that doesn't mean we can't work to make it better for those around us.

Generational wealth can represent itself differently depending on the family situation. It could be finally buying that car your mom has been dreaming of, or making sure your kids have everything they want right at their fingertips, but for me, the physical items have less to do with it. When I have generational wealth in the future, I want the peace of mind that I can assist my family in any scenario. During all the highs and lows in life, I will set them up to create their pathway to success. What's the difference between my possible examples and my vision of generational wealth? Well, one can spend their assets immediately on family. This generally gives kids whatever they want, when they want. These kids don't need to work for anything, and it can create a mindset that sets them up for frivolous spending and failure. As somebody once said, generations tend to go from poor, to hardworking, to rich, to lazy, and back to poor. The cycle can continue. Although this is not how it always plays out, it captures the mindset of individuals in a family as they strive to improve and then become complacent. This ends up depleting the wealth and there is no more for the next generation. In my idea for generational wealth, it is saved and accumulated because of smart choices by every family member. Money is not overused at a young age and is passed down after the child has made a living for themselves. At this point, wealth is not needed to be spent because the one who inherited it already has everything they need to thrive. They are used to an earned, modest life that doesn't create complacent individuals. A good example is my dad's side of the family. Neither of my grandparents when to college. They were an electrician and a secretary who owned a small apple orchard. They were poor, but they made the most of it. Money was saved and invested. Today they live in a happy home, with a good sum of money. There are no financial struggles now! Do you know what this did to their kids (my dad and his siblings)? It taught them hard work, money management, and how to build a better tomorrow. For some time my dad worked on the orchard for just 10 cents an hour! He and his siblings would save to go buy a card pack at the local drugstore. It gave them self-reliance and grit to get what they wanted. These kids became ER doctors, nurses, biomedical scientists, hospital secretaries, respiratory therapists, and pharmacists. My grandparents may have a lot of money now, but they did not just start handing it out once they got it. My father paid entirely for his education. I have to as well. If it is handed to me now, I won't be able to get it for myself in the future. This inherited money is added to the wealth that will continue to grow in my future family and be passed down instead of wasted. This shows that wealth is more than money. It can be a lifestyle of intelligent choices that sets children up for tomorrow's success. Thank you.

I envision my future self living a thrilling and active life as I spend my years with a silly pet pig and a science-related career that makes an impact.

This scholarship will help me with my career goals because it takes the weight of financial burden off my shoulders. As a student who has to pay for their own education, I don't want to choose between a high-quality university with thousands in debt, or a school that doesn't challenge me but is cheap. This scholarship could be a part of what closes the gap. My whole life I have known I want to do something in the science/medical field. I have always had the desire to help others and explore the unknown. However, the amount of schooling required for this field can be over a decade depending on my desired career. The cost of those years can be tremendous, especially as inflation is on the rise. Without scholarships, debt would be so accumulated, that the stress from it would weigh me down more than my classes. The worry of being able to afford something should not be what limits my potential. One of the schools I am considering is Duke. The standard tuition for that school is over 60,000. This scholarship could be a chunk of that cost, and by combining it with other scholarships, I could end up with the fully funded education of my dreams, preparing myself for the career to come. One of my dream careers is working at Duke children's hospital. Serving the children there would warm my heart and let me make a difference in their lives. None of the kids there deserve what they are going through, but at least I could help them through it. This is just one possible career pathway, but it shows that I want to use my degree for something meaningful. Back to the topic at hand, I consider all colleges to be good, but I don't think I should have to "settle" for a cheaper school when I could attend the one I desire; one that would most effectively set me up for my future. In fact, no student should have to settle. Taking out loans would be another way to make my education dreams come true, but it comes with more costly consequences. The student must pay back everything they took out and subject themselves to the interest rates of the loaners. Depending on how long you take to pay off your loan, it could cost double. Earning this scholarship is much more helpful in letting me achieve my education without a lasting financial burden. The scholarship would help me set up my future more effectively and help me create a better tomorrow. Thank you for your consideration.

I love math because it is the subject that has helped me stand out throughout my life. My teachers realized they could push me to be great through math, and it has helped me recognize my intelligence capabilities. These realizations have boosted my self-confidence to raise my hand to answer or help classmates who need it. Being able to assist those around me has assisted my social skills and makes me happy that I am doing something good. However, it is not only the successes that make me enjoy math. Learning a new topic is always hard, especially if you are in Calculus BC as I am now, but that challenges you to improve. Other subjects like History are mainly memorizing past events, but with math, you must apply yourself and all the previous knowledge you have acquired. Many topics in higher math even require you to use your imagination and thinking skills to solve complex equations. It is almost like solving a riddle, and any inquisitive scholar will jump to solve the challenge. Overall, math as a subject has shaped me into who I am today. Thinking about the countless hours spent in front of problems (that make my brain spin) has developed my character. I have learned to never give up, to reach out for help, and to find new solutions. The list is never-ending. But most of all, I have learned to believe in myself; because if I can solve the derivative of the integration of a series of square root n divided by n factorial, I can do anything.