Rugby family, to me, is the constant thread of support, mentorship, and belonging that follows you no matter where you play. It is built not just through the game itself, but through the people who challenge you, uplift you, and grow alongside you. Playing for the University of Chicago has given me some of my closest friends. People who push me every day to be stronger, both physically and mentally. Being part of this team, and stepping into the role of captain next year, has shown me how much leadership and trust define a true rugby family. It’s about showing up for each other, whether that’s during a tough practice, a difficult match, or moments off the field. At the same time, my experience with the Columbus Squirrels shaped my understanding of what it means to be supported. As the youngest player, I was surrounded by athletes I looked up to; women who encouraged me, guided me, and showed me what it meant to belong in this sport. They made rugby feel like a home I could grow into. Through Ohio Elite, I found another side of rugby family: a community of players who are just as driven and passionate as I am. Being surrounded by individuals who share the same dedication pushed me to raise my own standards and deepened my love for the game. This sense of family became even more real to me when I had to undergo knee surgery. Being sidelined was one of the most difficult challenges I’ve faced, both physically and mentally. But throughout my recovery, every one of my teams showed up for me. My teammates checked in on me, encouraged me through rehab, and reminded me that I was still an important part of the team even when I couldn’t be on the field. They celebrated every milestone in my comeback, no matter how small. Their support gave me the strength to keep pushing forward and reinforced that rugby is about far more than just playing; it’s about the people who stand beside you through every setback and every success. Across all these teams, one thing has remained constant: the rugby community is everywhere, and it is incredibly strong. No matter where I go, I know I will find people who share the same passion, resilience, and commitment. That is what rugby family means to me. It is not limited to one team, but exists across every field, every city, and every level of the sport. As I continue playing rugby in college, I hope to continue growing as both a player and a leader. I want to compete at a higher level, contribute meaningfully to my team, and help foster the same sense of community that has shaped me. I hope to be the kind of teammate that younger players can look up to, just as I once did. Most importantly, I want to continue building and strengthening the rugby family, creating spaces where women feel empowered, supported, and inspired to pursue the sport. Rugby has given me confidence, resilience, and lifelong connections, and I am committed to carrying those values forward at the collegiate level and beyond.

Rugby family, to me, is the constant thread of support, mentorship, and belonging that follows you no matter where you play. It is built not just through the game itself, but through the people who challenge you, uplift you, and grow alongside you. I have only played rugby for 3 years but in that time I have leanred so much about the game and about life. Playing for the University of Chicago has given me some of my closest friends. People who push me every day to be stronger, both physically and mentally. Being part of this team, and stepping into the role of captain next year, has shown me how much leadership and trust define a true rugby family. It’s about showing up for each other, whether that’s during a tough practice, a difficult match, or moments off the field. At the same time, my experience with the Columbus Squirrels shaped my understanding of what it means to be supported. As the youngest player, I was surrounded by athletes I looked up to; women who encouraged me, guided me, and showed me what it meant to belong in this sport. They made rugby feel like a home I could grow into. Through Ohio Elite, I found another side of rugby family: a community of players who are just as driven and passionate as I am. Being surrounded by individuals who share the same dedication pushed me to raise my own standards and deepened my love for the game. This sense of family became even more real to me when I had to undergo knee surgery. Being sidelined was one of the most difficult challenges I’ve faced, both physically and mentally. But throughout my recovery, every one of my teams showed up for me. My teammates checked in on me, encouraged me through rehab, and reminded me that I was still an important part of the team even when I couldn’t be on the field. They celebrated every milestone in my comeback, no matter how small. Their support gave me the strength to keep pushing forward and reinforced that rugby is about far more than just playing; it’s about the people who stand beside you through every setback and every success. Across all these teams, one thing has remained constant: the rugby community is everywhere, and it is incredibly strong. No matter where I go, I know I will find people who share the same passion, resilience, and commitment. That is what rugby family means to me. It is not limited to one team, but exists across every field, every city, and every level of the sport. As I continue playing rugby in college, I hope to continue growing as both a player and a leader. I want to compete at a higher level, contribute meaningfully to my team, and help foster the same sense of community that has shaped me. I hope to be the kind of teammate that younger players can look up to, just as I once did. Most importantly, I want to continue building and strengthening the rugby family, creating spaces where women feel empowered, supported, and inspired to pursue the sport. Rugby has given me confidence, resilience, and lifelong connections, and I am committed to carrying those values forward at the collegiate level and beyond.

Anthony “Tony” Scherer’s legacy of service, humility, and dedication reflects the values that have shaped my own life. Growing up in the church, I was taught that helping others is not something reserved for certain moments, but something that should be woven into everyday life. Whether through community outreach, supporting families in need, or simply being present for others, I learned early on that service is about consistency, compassion, and a genuine willingness to put others before yourself. That foundation continues to guide who I am today and how I approach both my work and my goals. At the University of Chicago, I have continued to live out this commitment through my volunteering experiences. At Comer Children’s Hospital and UChicago Medicine, I have had the opportunity to work in clinical environments where I support both patients and staff. These experiences have shown me how meaningful small acts of kindness can be; whether that means helping a family feel more comfortable in a stressful moment or assisting healthcare workers so they can focus on patient care. Through Feed1st, I have worked to address food insecurity by helping provide meals to patients and families, reinforcing my understanding of how basic needs are deeply connected to health and well-being. Additionally, through my involvement with Girls Rugby, I have helped teach and coach young athletes, creating an environment where they can build confidence, learn teamwork, and feel supported. Across each of these roles, my goal has been the same: to show up fully, contribute where I can, and make a positive impact on the people around me. I hope to carry this commitment to service into a career in medicine. As a chemistry student with research experience in biochemical settings, I am driven by the potential to improve patient outcomes through both scientific discovery and compassionate care. Medicine, to me, is not only about treating illness but also about advocating for patients, understanding their experiences, and ensuring they feel seen and supported. By combining my background in service with my academic and research interests, I hope to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. This scholarship would be instrumental in helping me continue along this path. The financial support would allow me to dedicate more time to my studies, research, and volunteer work without the burden of financial stress. It would also enable me to pursue opportunities that are essential to my growth but often unpaid, such as clinical volunteering and research. In this way, the scholarship would directly support my ability to continue helping others while preparing for a future in medicine. I am currently a resident of Burton-Judson Courts, Coulter House, where I have lived for one year. Being part of this community has reinforced the importance of showing up for others in everyday ways, and I strive to contribute positively to the environment around me. Through my experiences and future goals, I hope to honor the spirit of Tony Scherer’s legacy by continuing to serve others with dedication, compassion, and purpose.

My biggest dream in this lifetime is to become a cardiothoracic transplant surgeon. I want to give as many people as I can another chance at life. From a relatively young age, I wanted to become a surgeon; then, as I told more people this, I kept getting asked what type of surgeon I wanted to be. This led me to start researching the various types of surgeons and delve deeper into my areas of interest. At this time, I found the Heart, and I was fascinated, so I settled on cardiac surgery, but as I started taking biology and anatomy courses in high school, I realized that I wanted a broader focus, which led me to cardiothoracic surgery. Now in college with my experience to research and other fields that can overlap with the medical field, I have become incredibly interested in transplant surgery as it is making the best of an extremely horrible situation, but it is also evolving to use prosthetics for transplants. I love that this is an ever-evolving practice. Becoming a Surgeon is not going to be an easy path, and I knew this. I also knew that I needed to start early. I attended West Jefferson High School. I was my high school valedictorian, a member of the National Honor Society, the Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award recipient, and graduated with honors. Not only that, but I pushed myself to my extremes in high school, taking the opportunity provided to us by the school to take college classes and the AP classes that were offered. This hard work has allowed me to attend the University of Chicago, an extremely competitive institution to get into, and a very demanding university once you are there. At the University of Chicago, I am a Chemistry major on the pre-medical track, where I also play rugby and volunteer at the hospital. During the school year, I shadowed at the University's hospital, and I intend to get involved with research during the upcoming school year and continue to volunteer. During the summers, I plan to do the same thing or transition into internships. I am currently doing biochemistry research at the Ohio State University, and once my project is finished, I will be volunteering at Ohio Wexner. In the coming summers, I will transition into more clinical research with a cardiothoracic focus and continue to volunteer. I plan to maintain a strong GPA, I intend to graduate with a B.S. in Chemistry with honors, and attend an esteemed medical school. I would love to attend Columbia or Johns Hopkins, somewhere I can further develop both my clinical skills and my understanding of the physiological challenges unique to transplant medicine. In medical school, I plan to get involved with research that focuses on transplants, such as organ preservation, rejection prevention, and organ prosthetics. Once I am in my desired field, I plan to help lower the disparities in the transplant field that have arisen due to socioeconomic status. I have seen this firsthand, coming from a rural lower-income area, and specifically with my grandfather when he needed a kidney transplant. I want to be able to help everyone who is in need in this field, not just those who can afford it. My biggest dream is not only to be a cardiothoracic transplant surgeon, but to be a strong presence in my community that is dependable and devoted to saving lives.