“Kindness in Action” - Throughout my high school career, I've been offered numerous opportunities to volunteer my time, giving pitching lessons or coaching younger softball teams. I started with individual pitching lessons for girls aged 8-12, focusing on the fundamentals like stance, grip, and release. As I gained more experience, I began assisting with coaching the younger teams in my organization. This has allowed me to build connections in my community and give back to the sport that has given me so much. One of the most rewarding aspects of coaching is seeing the girls' faces light up when they master a new skill or make a great play during a game. I get to share my passion for sports while empowering young girls to develop their skills and their confidence. It's not just about teaching them how to throw a fastball or field a ground ball; it's about instilling in them a love for the game and a belief in their own abilities. Passing on my knowledge and experience has not only allowed young athletes to progress in their skills, but it has also allowed me to learn communication, responsibility, and how to be the best role model that I can be. Whether it's explaining a complex pitching technique in a way that a 10-year-old can understand or helping a player overcome her fear of striking out, I'm constantly challenged to communicate effectively and adapt my coaching style to meet the individual needs of each player. Coaching has taught me the importance of patience, empathy, and the power of positive reinforcement. It's an experience that has enriched my life in countless ways, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young athletes. “Creating Connection” - Through our high school chapter of Best Buddies and the Special Olympics, I have been able to bring people together and create a community full of inclusivity. Participating in fundraisers to raise money for things such as inclusive bikes and children's books has shown me the true meaning of community—a collective effort to support and love one another. People from all over come together to donate to our cause and work to make our world a better place. What could be better than that? I’ve helped coordinate and execute talent shows, dances, and crafts while fostering a space filled with inclusion and love. In addition to this, the Special Olympics have truly allowed me to bring together people to make a difference in our community. Being a part of such a special day where I can see the impact that these new bonds have on the buddies and volunteers has been such a blessing. By helping plan and execute this event, I got to see first-hand how this brings a community together. From organizing games to coordinating volunteers, I worked with a team of volunteers to execute a day full of fun and bonding. I spent the day playing basketball with my buddy, learning his favorite baseball players, and winning prizes at the game station—forming a relationship that goes beyond differences. It was never about winning the basketball games; it was about working towards a world in which everyone feels valued, respected, and celebrated. These experiences have shown me the importance of inclusivity, friendship, and bringing people together for a good cause.

From a young age, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the field of criminal justice. I grew up watching my dad, a police officer, have such a positive impact on his community. By using his position to help others, inspire change, and bring light into the darkest of places, he has always been my biggest role model. He has inspired me to give back to a world that has given me so much joy. As I made college decisions, I landed on a major that allowed me to combine my strengths and passions—forensic science. With this degree, I plan to become a crime scene investigator and work towards a life centered around helping people. A forensic science degree gives me the tools to investigate the truth behind crimes and allows victims and their families the closure that they deserve. For me, justice is my way of giving back to my community. I want to be an advocate for change, and to do that, I can use science to bring out the truth. While this field is most commonly associated with work in crime scenes, I believe that it can extend beyond that. Combining the use of science with a commitment to bettering my community, I aim to use this degree to advocate for the vulnerable and stand up for those who are unable to stand up for themselves. Working for the people means all people, not just a select few. Science can allow for the discrimination-free truth. DNA doesn't lie, fingerprints are unique, and blood can tell a story that witnesses can't. In a world full of false convictions, science can supply the undeniable truth, and that's what this world needs. By working in places where resources and support are often lacking, I can make a change in the way our world views crime. By ensuring that everyone has access to forensic analysis, I can use my expertise to promote equal justice under the law. Ultimately, my forensic science degree is going to be so much more than just a piece of paper framed on a wall. I want to use my education to make a lasting change in our justice system and promote a world in which we bridge the gap between science and community needs. I envision myself working with others to educate and empower people to continue making a change. By advocating for fairness and equality in the justice system, I believe that I can shape a future where science and community work hand in hand to benefit everyone.

Kalia's story is an inspiration to so many. Her passion for sports, her dedication to making the world a better place, and the legacy that she left behind allow people like me to resonate with her story. For me, athletics and volunteer work have always been at the core of who I am. Softball has been my passion for as long as I can remember, and I work every single day to give back to the community that has given me so much. Like Kalia, I've found that pushing myself on the softball field translates to discipline in the classroom and an opportunity to give back to those around me. As I head into my last season of track and field, I will carry Kalia's legacy with me. Her sportsmanship, involvement, and motivation are a rarity, and that is something we need more of in this world. By using Kalia's story to make an impact on and inspire the community, I believe that we can better the lives of tomorrow. In high school, I've found myself in a position to have a strong impact on those around me. Through softball and throwing, I've taken on a leadership role as a senior---set on inspiring and mentoring my teammates. Additionally, clubs such as the National Honor Society, Student Council, Welcome Committee, and Best Buddies have shown me how important it is to be involved. I've learned a life of responsibility, gratitude, and empathy---three attributes I plan to further develop through my college education. My collegiate plans involve continuing my academic and athletic career. However, I often find myself struggling with the financial realities of college. As of right now, I am working three jobs to try to alleviate that burden, and I believe that this scholarship would help me achieve that goal. It would also give me more time to give back to the world and continue my volunteer work in my softball community. I often volunteer with younger teams to teach them the ins and outs of the softball world that has taught me so much. My new role as a collegiate athlete puts me in a position to be a role model for younger girls, and I want to take every opportunity to make sure that I can do that. My goal is to use my education to become a forensic scientist and bring justice to the people who need it the most, continue inspiring younger athletes and pushing them to be the best versions of themselves, and not take a single day for granted. Kalia's commitment to making an impact has made a deep impression on my heart, and I would love the opportunity to honor her memory by pursuing my goals with the same passion and dedication that she brought to this world. Kalia---your story is a true inspiration, and you have wholeheartedly contributed to a brighter future.

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Mental health is just as important as physical health. The two work side-by-side to build us up, but that also gives them the power to tear us down. As a student myself, I have seen the first hand effects of mental health struggles. Whether it was me, a family member, or a friend going through a rough time, mental health struggles impact the community as a whole--even when you don't notice them. As students, our mental health shapes almost every part of our lives--our ability to feel confident, motivated, and to learn are all driven by our mental states. Physical health can impact how fast I run, but mental health is what pushes me to start running in the first place. Over time, I've learned that taking care of my mental well-being isn't optional; it's something I must prioritize if I want to succeed both academically and personally. For me, mental health struggles are prominent in my athletics. Softball has always been a huge part of who I am, and it has taught me first-hand how much mindset influences performance. A player can have perfect mechanics, but if she steps onto the field afraid to fail, her body won't respond in the way it was trained to. Because I've struggled with these mental battles myself--frustration after an error, anxiety in a big at-bat, or the lack of motivation when you're in a bad spot--I've become passionate about the mental side of athletics. Sometimes the most valuable lessons happen off the field. By giving softball lessons to younger athletes, I am teaching the physical skills of the sport. But I've also made it my personal goal to go beyond that. I teach these girls that their worth isn't decided by a game, a stat line, or a single play. Kids, especially athletes, often feel pressure to be "tough," and they don't always realize that mental toughness includes asking for help and taking care of yourself. By being open about my own struggles and what I've learned, I try to create a space where they feel safe, supported, and understood. Mental health isn't one big action--it's a series of small moments where we choose empathy and support. I feel that highlighting the importance of mental stability and a positive mindset will help these younger athletes thrive in their roles. It will leave them more open minded and prepare them to talk about situations even when they get difficult. Being a student and an athlete has shown me that mental health is the foundation for everything we do. By teaching younger athletes the mental side of sports and advocating for an open environment, I hope to help others recognize that strong minds create strong people, and strong people help build stronger communities.

Mrs. Baremore made me a scientist, but her influence moved beyond that. Her love for life itself and her positivity made her class such a fun, welcoming environment. Her energy was captivating, and that never changed, no matter what. Before Mrs. Baremore, science was just another core class. Math was my specialty, and nothing was going to change that. Until it did. When my freshman schedule was published, I was devastated to have biology first thing in the morning. The good part, though: I had the teacher that my older sister loved. She warned me about her "alternative" teaching style. Whatever that meant. The pink wig on the first day of school was a pretty good indicator of how the rest of the year was going to go. Mrs. Baremore had a way of bringing the class to life--ensuring every student got the best education that she could offer. From donuts on test days to pulling us aside to talk about her vacation destinations, she always kept us on our toes. I still remember the smile that she put on my face when I got my first 100% on a test, and the projects of mine that she would use as examples. She pushed me to be a better student, and she truly changed my life for the better. Although her class ended, her support never did. I wouldn't have survived AP Chemistry without her morning drama debriefs and email encouragements. Mrs. Baremore believed in me, so I had no reason not to. While it's not absolutely life-changing to have a positive teacher, Mrs. Baremore was special. She had every reason to show up to school and go through the motions or give us online assignments, but she shoved her struggles aside and put her heart and soul into every lesson. It was never a secret that she was battling cancer; the whole school knew. For years, she was fighting an enemy way bigger than twenty-four freshman biology students, yet she embodied a human ray of sunshine. I still haven't figured out how she did it. I envied her warmth and her smile--two things I will never forget. Unfortunately, the summer before senior year, we received the news that Mrs. Baremore had tragically passed away. In the end, it may have looked like the cancer won, but that was not the case. Her spirit won. It lives on through me, her family, and all of the other students' lives that she had an impact on. Telling her story allows me to keep her memory alive and cherish the time that I had with her. She has changed my life more than she will ever know. Because of her, I’m going to become a forensic scientist with a specialization in biology, and, in honor of her, there are going to be a lot of vacations in my future. She taught me to approach life with a sense of wonder, embrace challenges with a sense of grace, and never take a single day for granted. I didn't say this nearly enough: thank you, Mrs. Baremore for changing my life.

Scientists aren't often described as leaders. The best scientists make it their own personal mission to find answers to phenomena previously unknown to the rest of the world. At the same time, the best leaders make it their own personal mission to set a positive example for their peers. What if I told you that those two roles aren't as different as you would think? Scientists are the leaders who take the initiative to uncover the world's truths. For me, science and leadership have paved the way for my future. Science has inspired me to pursue a career in forensic science, while leadership has molded me into a role model for younger generations. Ultimately, our future is up to us. If we use our tools and resources for the better, we will progress into a world that we wouldn't even recognize today. Science is the way to do that. The versatility that coincides with a degree in science makes it such a vital piece of knowledge. While biology teaches us the ins and outs of natural interactions, chemistry teaches us the science behind the chemical interactions in our food, medicine, and even our bodies. Studying both of these subjects has taught me how to have an open mind and use critical thinking to solve problems. In the future, I will be using both chemistry and biology to identify solutions and solve crimes. Leadership has pushed me to not only see the good in the world, but to be the reason that there is good. It has taught me how to take responsibility for shaping the future instead of standing by and just watching it happen. Through my participation in various community service organizations, I have been given the opportunity to make a difference in my community. I've tutored younger kids in subjects such as algebra, sociology, and chemistry. Although my job was to teach them, they were teaching me at the same time. Those kids taught me how to lead by example, communicate effectively, and use my problem-solving skills to adapt. The correlation between science and leadership is undeniable. Whether physical or philosophical, both concepts guide our world towards a better future. By incorporating leadership skills into my forensic science career, I am going to be a part of that positive change in the future.

There's this common distinction between the "math and science" kids and the "ELA and history" kids. Those that are better with words write the essays and the problem solvers find x, but that's not how it has to be. Trigonometry includes words and language arts starts to solve for the right place to put the comma. Skills from the subjects are woven together like pieces of twine. Math isn't just those numbers on the paper; it's everywhere. The angle of the sun that casts your shadow and the petals on a flower, that's math. An expression of life itself crammed into various equations and explanations. Mathematics proves what we already know: life is just one big problem that needs solving. That's what we work every single day to do. Whether it's in the classroom, at work, or simply just walking down the street, you're constantly solving your own problems. Math problems are just controlled versions of every day life that prepare us to see the world in a new dimension. I love math because it gives me an answer. In a world full of "what-ifs", it eliminates the options for just a moment. A moment of peace. The puzzle pieces fit together just right, and I know for a fact that I've accomplished my goal: a complete puzzle. It just makes sense, and that's all that I could ask for. The buttons on the calculator offer everything that I need, and I'm the mastermind behind the controls.

Athletics have been the biggest blessing in my life for as long as I can remember. Whether it was laughing on the basketball court, meeting my best friends on the softball field, or spinning in circles around the discus ring, sports have given me more than I could ever imagine. They have taught me teamwork, perseverance, and most importantly--love. Everyone deserves to feel this kind of love, no matter what their passion is. When I chose to pursue softball in college, I chose to follow my heart. The love that I have for that bright yellow ball, my teammates, and my coaches is unmatched. I couldn't imagine spending my future in any other way, so that's exactly what I will be doing. I am getting the opportunity to pursue a college degree while playing the game that has made me who I am today. Who could possibly have it better than that? At the end of the day, sports are going to end. I'm going to play my last game, throw my last pitch, get my last hit, but the memories that softball has given me will always be there. In the past few years, I've worked to repay all of the love that sports have shown me. While I'll never be able to fully repay all of the people that have taught me, I can pass on their knowledge to the youth. The knowledge that I have now was someone else's, and their knowledge came from the person before them. It's a never ending cycle passed down from generation to generation. My job: make sure I pass it to the generation after me. In the beginning, it was family friends asking me to give team lessons to their eight year old daughters. Honestly, I had no idea what I was doing. I had the IQ and the mechanics, but I had no idea how to teach younger athletes. As I grew up, I learned what it truly meant to be a coach. Appreciating the work that it takes to find beneficial drills, the patience it takes to convince ten year old girls that you're worth listening to, and the dedication it takes to show up every day are all just small parts of it. When I got my first text from a parent, I was overjoyed. After a few lessons, more calls and texts started to flood my phone. I started getting requests, scheduling more cage time, and meeting new girls. Seeing the sparks in their eyes when everything clicked for them--priceless. Seeing their achievements--their first in-game strikeout or their successful tryouts--has just pushed me to be better. I play for them when I am on the field, and I work for them when I'm not. Coaching younger athletes has given me the opportunity to give back to the sport that has given me more than I could ever ask for. While I'm pushing them to be better, they have no idea that they're pushing me to be the best version of myself every day.

I knew that I didn't want to be a catcher as soon as my mom put that gear on me and threw me in front of the pitching machine. To be honest, I barely remember that game. Not only because I was just a little kid but because there were mounds of dirt in my mouth and my eyes the whole time. I ran in the dugout crying and vowed that I would never step foot behind that plate ever again. That's when I found my love for the opposite side of the plate. The pitching machine was replaced with a real person, the catcher's gear turned into a face-mask, and I finally found my voice. I've never known a life without the ball fields. Between bat girl duty at my brother's baseball games, running around with my friends at my older sister's softball games, and eventually playing my own softball games, my family practically lived on the diamond. My softball career started with t-ball, and it will end when we get the last third out my senior year of college. What all started as a silly little game has turned into the sport with the biggest influence on the person I am today. When I think about my time as a softball player, the first thing that comes to my mind isn't the wins or the losses. It is the hours of work that I have spent in the batting cages or the weight room that have led to the successes on the field. Softball has taught me the resilience and the fight that it takes to get what you want, and it has also taught me that sometimes you will still fail no matter how much work has been put in. That's the beauty of the sport. Batting .500 is amazing, but getting a 50% on a test is considered failing. My dad has always told me that you have to have the bad days to make the good days even better, and I will forever be grateful for that. Softball is a sport built around failure, but that failure is essential to allow for growth. No matter how much it allows you to grow, failure can still beat you down. It is difficult to work so hard for something and still fail to see results, but that's why softball is not an individual sport. I've learned the true meaning of friendship and love out on that field, and that is a feeling that I can never get enough of. In that circle, it feels like all eyes are on you, yet confidence is built through the support that radiates from the team around you. Softball has given me teammates that pick me up after a rough day and scream the loudest when I succeed, and I thank them for pushing me to be a better version of myself every single day. This past year, I have committed to continue my softball career at Maryville University in St. Louis. I've also been blessed with the opportunity to share my passion for the sport with the younger generation of athletes. By giving pitching lessons to young girls, I get to give back to the sport that has shown me so much love. I want to continue coaching and teaching girls confidence and resilience in the face of adversity. That little girl that got thrown behind the plate wouldn't even recognize the girl that I am today, and I can't wait to keep making her proud.

When asked, most people would probably describe themselves using words like creative, intelligent, or confident. While these traits are important stepping stones to push you towards success, I believe that the most powerful quality to possess is selflessness. My love for my community and life as a whole fuels my commitment to making this world a better place. Whether it's a small gesture or a large service project, helping others has guided me towards a life filled with empathy and compassion. The extracurricular activities at my high school have had the biggest impact on my journey through selflessness. As a Student Council representative, I have organized and donated to our annual canned food drive that provides non-perishable food to over 200 families in need. I have also played an integral part in planning and executing a pageant fundraiser that raises money for various charities: the most recent being for men's mental health. While there were certain years where we didn't quite meet our fundraising goal, uniting with my community to bring support to those in need taught me that selflessness can come in all kinds of ways. It opened my eyes to the fact that any contribution, big or small, could change someone's life forever. Besides the Student Council, I am also an active member of the National Honor Society. Through this organization I have tutored students in various subjects such as Algebra, Chemistry, and Sociology. Learning new material and struggling to understand the answers was stressful, but passing my knowledge onto other students and witnessing that "light bulb" moment in their eyes when they finally understood it was worth every late night study session. In addition to tutoring kids in academics, I also volunteer my time to teach young athletes how to play softball. As a softball player myself, I have experienced first-hand how mentally and physically taxing the sport can be, and I want to do the best that I can to make sure that these athletes never feel alone. By communicating effectively and uplifting young girls, I am not only teaching them techniques and skills; I am teaching them how to be confident in themselves and selfless on and off of the field. I plan to continue educating young softball players on the physical and emotional sides of the game while simultaneously playing collegiate softball. Giving back to the softball community allows me to pass on my knowledge to the young girls that share my passion, and witnessing their successes makes me more appreciative of the ones who taught me. I wouldn't be who I am today without my community. Their unwavering support and love for the world that they live in has taught me how to embrace those in need and stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves. Like Michael Rudometkin, I know that life is all about the positive impact that you can have on others, and I plan to spend my life accepting challenges and allowing them to make me a better person. This scholarship will help me continue my education and further my ability to be a role model to younger generations.