Storytelling has always been how I understand who I am and where I come from. For me, those stories began with my grandmother. My grandmother is Native American, and through her, I carry a heritage shaped by resilience, loss, and quiet strength. Growing up, she did not know much about her biological family, which meant many parts of our tribal history were missing. Even so, she made it a priority to share what she could. When I was younger, she would take me to tribal festivals in Arizona so I could experience our culture in real ways. I remember the music, the colors, and the feeling of being surrounded by community. Those moments helped me understand that our heritage was something to be honored, even if not every detail was known. Some of my strongest memories with my grandmother were quieter ones. We spent many evenings together watching movies, often ones that reflected Native culture and history. Sitting beside her and seeing those stories on screen helped me imagine what life may have been like for our ancestors. Those moments deepened my appreciation for where I come from and made my heritage feel real, not distant. At the time, I did not fully understand how intentional my grandmother was being. As I have grown older, I now recognize that she was giving me what she had. She wanted me to know that even if parts of our story were incomplete, our identity was still worth protecting. That lesson shaped how I see myself today. I am not defined by what was lost but by what I choose to carry forward. Like many Native families, mine has faced financial instability and frequent change. I grew up moving often and watching my mother work multiple jobs while pursuing her education. These experiences taught me adaptability, perseverance, and the importance of community. I learned early on that progress often happens one step at a time, and that consistency matters more than comfort. Now, as a college student, I carry my grandmother’s influence with me. Being Native American has made me aware of the lack of representation in higher education and in many professional spaces. Instead of discouraging me, this awareness fuels my ambition. I am determined to succeed not only for myself, but also for my family and for future generations who deserve to see Native students thriving in academic environments. My goals extend beyond earning a degree. I want to use my education to serve others, uplift communities, and contribute to spaces where Native voices are often overlooked. Whether through leadership, mentorship, or service, I hope to help create pathways that feel more welcoming than the ones before me. This scholarship represents more than financial support. It represents belief. Belief in Native students, in our stories, and in our futures. My grandmother taught me that identity is something we actively honor through our actions. Through my education and the choices I make, I intend to do exactly that.

The first time I realized how important wellness really is, I was sitting in a doctor’s office with my mom by my side. My head was pounding from a concussion I got in rugby, and the doctor had just told me I couldn’t return to the field for weeks. My coach didn’t like that answer. She pushed for me to play sooner, even though the headaches hadn’t gone away. But my mom looked her straight in the eye and said, “She is not playing until she is cleared.” That moment stuck with me. It was the first time I saw how powerful it is to stand up for your health, even when other people don’t respect it. At first, being away from rugby was miserable. I doubted myself and wondered if I should just quit. The hit that caused my concussion came after the drill had ended, from my coach’s daughter. Neither of them apologized, which left me frustrated and questioning whether the game was worth it. Additionally, my coach kept pressuring me to return before the doctor said it was safe, ignoring the seriousness of my injury. That whole situation left me stressed, hurt, and unsure of what to do next. That’s when my mom stepped in. She told my coach I would not be returning until I was fully cleared, and she never hesitated. She made it clear my health wasn’t negotiable, even if it meant disappointing others. Watching her advocate for me taught me that respecting my body is part of respecting myself. A few months later, once my doctor cleared me, my mom encouraged me to attend a rugby camp sixteen hours away from us. At first, I wasn’t sure if I still loved the game, but the moment I stepped on the field, I felt that spark again. I realized I wasn’t done. I just needed to be in an environment where my health was valued. After the camp, I switched to a new team. I noticed the difference immediately. My new coach cared about my well-being. He asked for doctor’s notes, followed medical guidance, and gradually eased me back into play. For the first time, I felt what it was like to be respected as an athlete and a person. That support helped me regain my confidence and reminded me why I loved rugby in the first place. From there, my career grew, leading me to earn the chance to play at the collegiate level. That whole experience taught me that wellness isn’t optional. It is the foundation that lets you grow, compete, and stay strong. I learned how important concussions are, not just physically but mentally, and I’ll carry those lessons into college and beyond. Those lessons don’t stop with rugby. Growing up, my mom and I moved almost every year, chasing stability that never seemed to last. I learned to adjust quickly and keep going even when everything around me was uncertain. Prioritizing wellness, whether through rest, journaling, or setting boundaries, kept me grounded through all of it. Now, as I start college as a finance major and athlete, I know how to balance ambition with well-being. I’ve seen how financial stress can damage a family’s health, and I want to help others build stability so they don’t have to sacrifice their well-being to survive like I did. Protecting my health once gave me back the game I love. More importantly, it gave me the mindset to carry into every challenge ahead.

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.