I’m a “You Got It Girl” because I’ve learned to never back down from a challenge, no matter how heavy it feels—literally and figuratively. Growing up, I faced plenty of obstacles that tested my strength, but each one made me more resilient. Powerlifting became my outlet, teaching me discipline, confidence, and the importance of showing up for myself every day. I believe this scholarship would help me continue growing as both an athlete and student. It would allow me to invest in training and recovery while focusing on my studies in Exercise Science, so I can one day help others reach their own physical and mental strength goals. I’ve been active in sports my whole life—starting with softball, soccer, basketball, and track. Each sport taught me teamwork, work ethic, and perseverance. But powerlifting is where I found my true passion. I’ve been competing for several years now, and through every meet, I’ve seen my strength and mindset grow. My biggest accomplishment isn’t just the numbers I lift—it’s the confidence and self-belief I’ve built through the process. Powerlifting has truly shaped who I am today. There was a time when balancing academics, training, and personal struggles felt overwhelming. I hit a breaking point where I questioned if I could keep it all together. But instead of giving up, I used that low moment as fuel. I committed to creating structure, focusing on discipline, and using the gym as my therapy. That challenge taught me that growth doesn’t come from comfort—it comes from pushing through when it’s hardest. It made me stronger in every aspect of life. I look up to my oldest brother. He introduced me to lifting and showed me what it means to be truly dedicated. Watching his discipline and consistency inspired me to take my own training seriously. He’s the reason I fell in love with powerlifting, and his belief in me helped me believe in myself. He showed me that strength isn’t just physical—it’s also about mindset and perseverance. This scholarship would mean so much to me as I continue my journey as a college powerlifter and as a student. It would help me cover the costs of school, which I pay alone. It would take stress off my shoulders more than anything. Not only having to balance school and lifting, I also have to balance a part time job in order to even pay for school itself. This scholarship would remind me that others believe in me and what I’m working toward. Every bit of support allows me to focus more on becoming the best version of myself, both on the platform and in the classroom. Powerlifting has given me more than physical strength—it’s given me purpose. I want to use that strength to inspire others, especially young women, to see that they are capable of so much more than they think. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but I know I’m just getting started. I currently compete in powerlifting at Concordia University Nebraska. I’m not on an athletic scholarship—I lift because I love the sport and what it teaches me. Being a student-athlete means more than balancing classes and training; it means pushing myself beyond limits, staying disciplined, and representing strength both in and out of the gym. Powerlifting has taught me that success is earned through consistency, patience, and heart—and I’m proud to carry that mindset into everything I do.

Powerlifting has shaped me into the person I am today. What started as a way to get stronger quickly became something much deeper—a daily commitment to discipline, resilience, and self-improvement. The barbell has taught me lessons that extend far beyond the gym: how to face failure, how to stay patient when progress is slow, and how to push forward even when everything feels heavy. Every lift is a test of not just physical strength, but mental toughness and belief in myself. Through countless hours of training, I’ve learned that true strength comes from consistency, focus, and the willingness to struggle for growth. Powerlifting has grounded me with structure and purpose—it challenges me to be better every day, both as an athlete and as a person. It’s taught me accountability, humility, and the importance of hard work when no one else is watching. These lessons have shaped my drive in the classroom and in life. Powerlifting isn’t just a sport to me—it’s a reflection of who I am and who I strive to become. It reminds me that success isn’t about perfection, but about the strength to keep moving forward, one rep at a time. To me, empathy means truly understanding and sharing another person’s feelings—being able to see the world through their perspective. It’s not just about feeling sorry for someone, but about listening, caring, and acting with compassion. In healthcare, empathy is the foundation of meaningful care. It allows providers to connect with patients on a human level, understanding their fears, struggles, and hopes beyond their medical condition. My understanding of empathy began long before I ever studied exercise science or dreamed of becoming a physical therapist. I grew up watching my mom work tirelessly to provide for me, often putting her own needs aside. She showed me what strength, love, and sacrifice really look like. Life wasn’t always easy, and there were times we had to overcome real challenges—financial, emotional, and personal. But my mom never gave up, and she taught me that compassion isn’t about having everything; it’s about giving what you can, even when life is hard. Her example showed me how powerful empathy can be in lifting others up, especially when they’re struggling. Those early experiences shaped my outlook on life and on people. They helped me understand that everyone carries unseen burdens, and that kindness and understanding can make a real difference. When I discovered my passion for exercise science and physical therapy, I realized that this same empathy could guide my future career. I want to help people recover from injuries, but more importantly, I want to help them feel supported and capable again. Healing is more than physical—it’s emotional and mental too. As a powerlifter, I’ve experienced my own setbacks—injuries, self-doubt, and the frustration of progress that doesn’t come easily. But each challenge has deepened my understanding of what patients go through during recovery. I’ve learned how much trust it takes to let someone guide you through pain and uncertainty. That’s why empathy is so essential in physical therapy. It builds that trust and reminds patients that they’re not alone in the process. Practicing empathy means taking a human-centered approach—seeing patients as individuals, not just injuries. Every person who walks into a therapy room has a story, a reason to heal, and goals that matter deeply to them. I want to take the time to listen, to learn who they are, and to tailor care that fits their needs and their journey. My background in exercise science and biology gives me the technical knowledge, but my life experiences give me the heart to truly connect. Empathy, to me, is what transforms care into healing. It’s about standing beside someone in their struggle and helping them believe in their strength again. My mom’s example, my personal challenges, and my growth as both an athlete and student have taught me that healing starts with understanding. As a future physical therapist, I want to bring that same empathy into every interaction—because real care begins when you see the person before the patient.

My name is Rayle Ostermeier, and I grew up in Grand Island, Nebraska. I’ve been athletically driven my entire life, learning early on that success isn’t something handed to you it’s something you earn through discipline, dedication, and hard work. Life wasn’t always simple growing up, but those challenges taught me to stay focused and never give up. My family has always been my greatest motivation, pushing me to chase my goals and build the life I never had as a kid. Every lift in the gym and every hour I dedicate to my studies brings me one step closer to creating a better future for myself and my family. From a young age, I learned what true strength really means. I was raised alongside my two brothers by my mom, who showed me resilience every single day. Life was not easy for us my family faced many challenges, including custody battles and my mom’s experiences with domestic abuse. Watching her endure those hardships shaped who I am today. She taught me that strength isn’t just physical; it’s the courage to keep moving forward when life gets hard. Now, as a powerlifter and Exercise Science major at Concordia University, Nebraska, I carry those lessons with me in everything I do. My discipline and motivation in the gym reflect my dedication in the classroom, where I’m preparing for a future career in physical therapy. I’ve always been passionate about helping people regain their strength and confidence especially those who may not have access to quality healthcare or supportive environments. My goal is to work in rural areas, where access to physical therapy and health education is often limited. Many small communities lack the resources for proper rehabilitation, leaving people to live with preventable pain or reduced mobility. I want to change that. By bringing knowledge of exercise, movement, and recovery to rural communities, I hope to help individuals farmers, workers, and families live stronger and healthier lives. Supporting women in rural areas is especially close to my heart. I’ve seen firsthand the challenges women face when resources are scarce and support systems are weak. I want to empower women by promoting health education, building confidence through movement and fitness, and encouraging them to take control of their physical and mental well being. Whether it’s through community fitness programs, or simply being someone they can trust and talk to. In the end, my mission goes far beyond a career it’s about giving back. The same strength my mom showed me growing up is the same strength I want to help others discover within themselves. By working in rural healthcare and uplifting women, I hope to create lasting change one person and one community at a time.