I would have laughed if I’d been told I would be an Arizona All-Star two years ago. My lacrosse career started when I was seven years old. That led to attending the powerhouse high school lacrosse program in my state. In my freshman year, I skipped fall ball for theater, got to the season, and was relegated to a backup position on JV. My peers from my club team all played varsity, except for me. It was humbling, disappointing, and a little embarrassing. I asked Coach for feedback, worked on the areas in question, and made new friends. This was a grit-your-teeth type of patience, as I admit I felt slighted. There is pride in the fact that I never became toxic, a distraction, or that I quit. I was on the bench, with a smile and encouraging words for my team. Soon I had to face them as a competitor. I decided to face them with grace. I let it go. I did not let spite drive me, but was still not confident in my abilities and worth as a lacrosse player. However, I transferred schools due to COVID-19 and did make the varsity team. My motivation was not to show up the people that slighted me but to improve myself, develop chemistry with my new team, and enjoy lacrosse. That joy spread to other parts of my life. I run a community service initiative to give books to students at Title I Schools in order to promote foundational reading. We've donated over 56,000 books to students in everything from South Phoenix elementary schools to Family Groups on the Gila River Native Reservation. I compose music, eventually culminating in a full two-act musical performed for my community. I started my high school's robotics team, gathering over 30 girls to compete and learn about STEM. Lacrosse was the catalyst that pushed me not only to do better but to be better. I eventually had to face my old teammates and coaches in the state playoffs, and in a way, face who I was before. I'll admit, I was nervous, obsessing over my wall ball, re-taping my stick because it simply had to be perfect. But once I got on the field, it was like the fog was cleared. Decisions were sharper, passes were cleaner, communication was clearer. It was bliss. We eliminated them from contention as the underdog team, a true honor. I've been riding that wave of bliss, helping me earn the recognition as an All-State Lacrosse player, one of the eight in my position, voted on by all teams and coaches. Hard work, resilience, teamwork, and humility are the lessons confirmed.

Although I do not know the exact path I will follow, there is one thing I know for sure: I'm going to be someone who a kid like me can look up to and say, "I'm gonna be like them some day." For me, that person was Michelle Obama. I have a distinct memory of the first inauguration of former President Barack Obama. I see Michelle standing with him, hand in hand, and I immediately thought, "She looks exactly like my mom, and like me." For her years of being my first lady, everywhere I saw her, on television or on the magazine covers in the grocery store, she reminded me that I can be someone important, and I will. As of now, instead of being the First Lady, I want to be a neurologist. My mom had a stroke in 2017, and I was her companion to all of her appointments. As my mother recovered, nurses taught me how to adjust her Holst Monitor and made me laugh by inflating surgical gloves into balloons for me to fidget with. The Doctors were able to explain what was going on with my mom and make me feel like it was going to be okay. I want to pass these good deeds forward and be that reassuring voice to whoever needs it, and this scholarship would allow me to take my first step by fully opening the door to college.