Growing up, I was always searching for something that challenged me. I tried gymnastics, swimming, karate, tap dancing, and eventually discovered the sport that would shape who I am today: field hockey. From the moment I picked up a stick in middle school, I knew I had found something special. That passion eventually led me to play at Randolph–Macon College, where being a student-athlete has taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of showing up for both myself and others. To me, being a “You Got It Girl” means persevering even when things get difficult. As a Black female student-athlete, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to balance academics, athletics, and personal growth while still maintaining confidence in yourself. Early mornings, demanding practices, and long nights studying have forced me to become dependable and disciplined. At my college, we have a saying: “TFSS — Team First, Self Second.” During my freshman field hockey season, I struggled with limited playing time, and at times I let frustration cloud my ability to fully support my teammates. However, those moments became some of the most important lessons of my life. I realized that true leadership is not defined by personal success alone, but by how you uplift others even when you are struggling yourself. Once I embraced that mindset, I became a better teammate, player, and person. Although field hockey came naturally to me, basketball was the sport that truly tested my resilience. In high school, I spent countless hours practicing outside of team workouts, yet there were games where I barely saw the court. My coach was extremely demanding and often criticized me publicly, which caused me to lose confidence in myself. At one point after my junior year, I seriously considered quitting. I remember one tournament where my coach yelled at me for not “giving my all,” even after I explained that I was playing through severe knee pain after returning from a field hockey scouting event the same day. I questioned whether continuing was worth the physical and mental exhaustion. Instead of quitting, I made the decision to push through one final season. That choice changed everything. My senior year became my strongest season yet. I earned a starting position, became a key part of the team, and helped contribute to one of our best seasons. That experience taught me that setbacks do not define you; your response to them does. Basketball helped me develop mental toughness, accountability, and confidence that continue to guide me today both on and off the field. Throughout high school, I competed in field hockey, basketball, track, and lacrosse. I earned First Team All-District, First Team All-Region, and First Team All-State honors in field hockey during both my junior and senior years, while also serving as team captain. In basketball, I received Honorable Mention All-District and All-Region honors and was named captain my senior year. These accomplishments are meaningful to me, but what matters most is the growth behind them, the countless hours of hard work, setbacks, and determination that made them possible. The person who inspires me most is my mother. As a single mother, she sacrificed so much to give me opportunities while never allowing me to believe that my dreams were out of reach. She taught me resilience by example and showed me what it means to keep moving forward regardless of circumstances. Because of her, I learned to dream bigger and work harder. Receiving the YGIG Scholarship would help me continue building toward my future goals. As a Division III athlete, I do not receive an athletic scholarship, and I have often had to rely on raw talent and determination rather than expensive equipment or elite training opportunities. In college, however, I quickly realized how much advanced training and skill development can impact performance. This scholarship would help provide opportunities for additional training while also easing the financial burden of being a student-athlete. More importantly, this scholarship would support my long-term goal of becoming a physical therapist. My experiences as an athlete inspired me to pursue a career helping others recover physically and mentally so they can continue chasing their dreams. I want to become the kind of mentor and motivator for future athletes that others have been for me. Being a student-athlete has shown me that success is not about avoiding challenges. It is about facing them head-on, growing through them, and continuing to push forward no matter what stands in your way.

It was the summer before my senior year of high school, and I brutally sprained my ankle the week before the start of my season. This was an athlete’s worst nightmare. I had just started getting interest from colleges, and for me, sports were the only way to get me into college. I thought this was the end. I would not be able to start my season, maintain a scholarship opportunity for college, and my dreams felt crushed. However, my athletic trainer was not going to let that happen. She worked with me every day in rehab, and I was back to playing the next week. I saw more than physical progress, I saw possibility. My confidence was restored, and I developed a new determination that allowed me to exceed my expectations during my senior year. I owed much of that success to her. That experience sparked my passion for health, movement, and healing, and set me on the path toward becoming a physical therapist. Today, I am a biology major and student-athlete at Randolph–Macon College, where I continue to strengthen my knowledge of science and human health. STEM interests me because it combines problem-solving, critical thinking, and compassion. Science is not only about memorizing facts or conducting experiments, but also about improving lives and finding solutions that help people overcome challenges. Through my biology courses, I have learned how scientific discoveries can directly impact health and recovery. Every class has confirmed that I chose the right path for my future. My passion for physical therapy comes from seeing firsthand how powerful rehabilitation can be. Before my injury, I viewed recovery as simply healing the body. After working with my athletic trainer, I realized physical therapy/athletic training also restores confidence, independence, and motivation. She did more than help me recover physically, she helped me believe in myself again during one of the most stressful moments of my life. That experience inspired me to pursue a career where I can have that same positive impact on others. As a future physical therapist, I plan to work with athletes and individuals recovering from injuries or surgeries. I want to help patients regain strength and mobility while also encouraging them mentally and emotionally throughout their recovery process. Injuries can make people feel discouraged or hopeless, especially when they interrupt important goals and opportunities. Because of my own experiences as an athlete, I understand those emotions and want to be someone who helps patients push past those difficult moments. Pursuing a career in STEM means more to me than earning a degree. It means dedicating my life to helping others through science. I know that becoming a physical therapist will require years of hard work, discipline, and education, but I am ready to embrace those challenges. My experiences have taught me resilience, determination, and the importance of supporting others when they need it most. The injury I once believed would end my future actually helped me discover my purpose. It showed me the life-changing impact healthcare professionals can have on others and inspired me to pursue a career where I can make a difference every day. Through biology and physical therapy, I hope to combine my passion for STEM with my desire to help people heal, grow stronger, and regain confidence in themselves.