Rugby became part of my life during my freshman year, and from the moment I joined, I felt something I never expected, which was a sense of belonging. Growing up, my mom and I moved constantly. I never stayed in one place long enough to feel like I had a home. But with rugby, I found consistency, support, and a family that stood beside me no matter what. Joining the Engage Foundation in high school helped me see what I was capable of. I started as a player, but soon, I was coaching younger kids, mentoring teammates, and serving on the board. Leading practices became a passion of mine as I focused on teaching skills like character building, teamwork, and sportsmanship to the young athletes we worked with. I also helped lead community outreach that grew our league from 50 to over 140 kids. I saw how rugby could create a space where kids felt valued, safe, and seen. Just like it did for me. Outside of Engage, I've continued growing as both an athlete and a leader. I played for the Big Dawgs under the Arizona league, where I earned Forward of the Year, Golden Hammer, and Ruck Star. These awards represent more than athletic skill. They reflect the energy and commitment I bring to every match and every teammate. In 2023, we won the Rugby Arizona U16 Championship, a moment that reminded me how powerful a team can be when we truly trust each other. Then, I moved to the Ravens Girls' High School Rugby team, where I developed further by transitioning from 7s to 15s. This showed me how much every player matters. It helped me grow in how I think, play, and lead on the field. I never thought that my enjoyment of rugby would lead me to be selected to represent the U.S. with the Rugby Texas Girls in the summer of 2023, competing in the Heidelberg Sevens in Germany and the United World Games in Austria. I also joined the Arizona Bobcats Rugby Academy in 2024, a select-side team for top players across the state. Traveling and playing on these platforms taught me how to stay grounded while pushing my limits. I learned how to lead under pressure, respect the culture of every team I joined, and rise to the challenge of representing more than just myself. This year, I was honored to be accepted to play rugby at Penn State. That opportunity is proof of how far rugby has carried me and how much further I want to go. I plan to study finance, inspired by the financial struggles I experienced growing up. I want to use what I learn to help build programs and opportunities for youth who, like me, need someone to believe in them. To me, being a part of a rugby family means more than just teammates. It means showing up with consistency, caring like siblings, and building each other up when things are hard. It means leading by example and never losing sight of the mission, which, to me, means growing together, serving others, and lifting the next generation higher. Rugby didn't just teach me how to play. It taught me how to lead, how to give back, and how to believe in something bigger than myself. And that's exactly what I hope to carry with me into college and beyond.