Worldview is shaped by personal experience. For most, the idea of jumping on a trampoline is a distant, positively nostalgic childhood memory; reminiscent of a faraway, lemonade-splashed summertime feeling. I, unfortunately, have no connection to this: instead, thinking of trampolines brings back intense and sharp pains, one of the first few signs of a tumor buried beneath my knee. What should have been a refreshing souvenir of childhood stood darkly as a harbinger of trying years to come. Since the age of eight, I have been shuffled between doctors, specialists, therapists, and surgeons, being misdiagnosed twice, enduring two major procedures, and undergoing a major surgery that did not resolve the pain. Fibro-adipose vascular anomaly: in which a portion of muscle in my knee was overcome with a tumor of tough tissue, along with vein sensitivity irregularities. On top of this, I have struggled with an intense fear of getting sick ever since I was young, which can be debilitating. Every day throughout this journey, it would have been easy to give up – but my parents and I were resilient through all of the failures and remained persistent. I allowed nothing to stop me from applying myself in school and in extracurriculars. I volunteered in my community in church and as a referee and coach. I dove into art, becoming a teacher’s assistant. Best of all, in my freshman year, I joined the field hockey team: a sport that became the outlet of all of my life’s stresses, and where I found my best friends and a new network of support. I discovered not only my place as a part of a team, but also my unwavering strength in the face of adversity. I felt the pain every step I took, but there was so much good to be found despite it. On September 23, 2022, in Boston Children’s Hospital, my life changed. A team of doctors and one incredible surgeon promised to restore my quality of life – I was finally going to have the tumor in my knee removed. Still, there was much to endure in the aftermath. I was left to be a spectator instead of a player, and watch as my junior field hockey season unfolded without me in the mix. At this point, I had the option to rest at home, but I attended every game and practice, fully committed to my team and the sport I love. In this, I was so proud of the new heights my team was skyrocketing towards as they played in championship games, but I couldn’t help feeling like a ghost. I could look, but not touch; I was there, but behind some screen of cellophane. This revived a motivation within me – I worked harder than ever in physical therapy and at the gym to regain my physical strength, while breaking mental barriers that FAVA had constructed. As a senior, I was captain, varsity starter, and more excited than ever to work hard. Worldview is shaped by personal experience. Mine has been one of personal struggle and concrete resilience; one of leadership and constant motivation. As I enter college to pursue a degree in hospitality, I will hold a uniquely keen sense of understanding of others. My experiences with FAVA and anxiety taught me the empathy I carry with me in every interaction, and that I will continue to carry as I foster work environments that treat employees and customers with care and compassion. I have cultivated traits that are vital in life and my chosen industry; through it all, I have become a sympathetic, motivated, confident leader.

Since I was eight years old I have struggled with a rare disease called FAVA (Fibro-Adipose Vascular anomaly). For years, I went from specialist to specialist. I was misdiagnosed twice, endured two procedures, and underwent one surgery that didn’t resolve the pain. It would have been easy to give up, but on September 23, 2022, it all changed. Boston Children’s Hospital and one amazing surgeon understood my pain and promised to restore my quality of life. I was finally going to have the tumor removed from my knee. I would be lying if I said I didn’t get frustrated and discouraged at times. I grew up watching my friends play sports and participate in activities with ease. As a freshman, I joined the field hockey team despite my struggles. I decided to play with no expectations. Field hockey makes me happy and has been my outlet through all of life's stresses. The thrill of running down the field, the adrenaline of fighting for the ball, and the cheers after I score a goal are some of the many reasons why I love the sport. I have met my best friends through field hockey and we not only grew as a team but as friends and people outside the sport. I played through the pain for two seasons, became a valuable asset to the team, and enjoyed the many victories. However, my junior season was bittersweet. At the end of the season, I had my much-anticipated surgery, but it left me sidelined in a full leg cast. I could have just stayed home, but instead, I showed up to every practice and every playoff game. I was committed to my team, my teammates, and the sport I love. Unable to walk, let alone play, I watched my team break records and advance to the SWC finals for the first time in Brookfield history. While I was thrilled for them, inside I was defeated. Yet in defeat, I found strength in my recovery. In my senior season, after recovering from yet another surgery, I was a varsity starter, captain, and the recipient of three awards: SWC Academic All-State, SWC All-Patriot, and the Coaches Player of the Year. Field hockey has given so much to me. Through this experience and a lot of dark times, I found not only inspiration but determination. I realized that my will to play equaled my will to be successful in all the facets of my life. I am stronger than I ever imagined and my eight-inch long scar reminds me of that every day. My parents have spent the past ten years chasing diagnoses for me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their determination and support. My dream is to attend Endicott College and my parents will make that happen but not without a huge unknown about their financial future. My vascular disease will never go away and we live week to week and month to month with the understanding that my tumor might grow back. This scholarship would not only help me further my education but would relieve some of the burden off of my parents. It would mean everything to me if I could give something back to them. Please consider me for this very generous scholarship.

My journey in the hospitality industry has already begun. I currently work at Silver Spring Country Club, a private club in Ridgefield, CT. Even though I have only worked there for two seasons, I have been promoted twice and have an internship lined up for the summer of 2024. I have come to be very passionate about the industry and am highly regarded by the members and management. I love serving people and creating wonderful experiences for members and guests. There is no better feeling than making people happy and knowing that I am responsible for bringing them joy. Of course, exceeding member and guest expectations is crucial to job success, but it's also imperative that the business recognizes the value of a good employee. With my education, I hope to become a strong leader within the hospitality industry and community. I would provide a work environment that recognizes its employees as an important asset to the business. In the U.S. alone, about 50% of employees are unhappy at their jobs due to high-stress levels, sadness, or anger. It is important to encourage growth and education for employees so they not only meet business standards but also benefit in quality of life for themselves and their families. I know that I will foster a diverse workplace and will strive for mutual respect in every aspect of the job. I also understand that with success comes an obligation to give back to the community. I am confident that I will be able to use my resources to aid local charities and charitable events. It will be one of my top priorities to give back to the community. There as so many ways to make a difference, and I will lead by example as I do now in everyday life. The impact of great leadership cannot be underestimated. It is my goal to get into the workforce and make a difference not only for myself and my family but everyone that I come in contact with. Great relationships with guests, employees, and the community are so important and are the cornerstone to finding success in the business and life.

When people think of Boston, they think of shopping, good food, and nice hotels. For me, it wasn't until my junior year in high school that I experienced the real magic of Boston. Not the magic you experience on the streets, but the magic I experienced at Boston Children's Hospital. At eight years old, my home was the trampoline - from morning until night, you'd see me jumping, flipping, and enjoying the outdoors. At some point, however, these activities no longer brought me joy, but pain. My running became limping and my laughter became tears. Soon, all of the activities I once enjoyed now resulted in pain. A pain in my knee that would throb with every movement. For years, I went from specialist to specialist. I was misdiagnosed twice and endured three surgeries that didn’t resolve the pain. It would have been easy to give up, but on September 23, 2022, it all changed. I left Boston with hope - and a diagnosis - that day. Fibro-adipose vascular anomaly (FAVA) is a rare and tough disease to treat, but my surgeon understood my pain and promised to restore my quality of life. I would be lying if I said I didn’t get frustrated and discouraged at times. I grew up watching my friends play sports and participate in activities with ease. As a freshman, I joined the field hockey team despite my struggles. I decided to play with no expectations. Field hockey makes me happy and has been my outlet through all of life's stresses. I played through the pain for two seasons and became a valuable asset to the team. However, my junior season was bittersweet. I struggled to make it through the regular season. While I finally received my much anticipated fourth surgery, my team made it to the South West Conference finals for the first time in Brookfield history. Unable to walk, let alone play, I watched my teammates break records. While I was thrilled for them, inside I was defeated. Yet in defeat, I found strength and power in my recovery. During my senior season, I came out strong. I was a varsity starter, a Captain, and the recipient of three awards: SWC All-Patriot, SWC Academic All-State, and the Coaches Player of the Year. In the fall of 2022, I never thought I was going to have a senior year of field hockey. In 2023 I not only had a season, I had a great one. Through this experience, I have found inspiration. I have been through a lot of dark times, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I know that I can persevere through hard times because I have been doing it since I was eight. Every day I have a physical reminder of my strength: the eight-inch long scar across my knee may look like a weakness, but it symbolizes power and perseverance. While FAVA isn’t an auto-immune disease, I am hopeful that you will consider my application for this scholarship. The cost of attending college is very overwhelming not only to me but to my parents. This money would not only help further my education but more importantly, would relieve some of the burden off of my parents. Over the years they have spent thousands of dollars on Doctor visits, tests, and surgeries. They have given everything to help me overcome my challenges and winning this scholarship would be one way of giving back to them. Thank you for your consideration.