My name is Rebekah, and when people ask me why I play basketball, I don’t always have a simple answer. Part of me thinks it's funny that I still play, remembering burnout, injuries, all the time I’ve sacrificed, and the moments I’ve felt like quitting. But that’s exactly what makes basketball so important to me. It hasn’t just been easy, it’s been something I’ve had to fight for, and in that struggle, it has shaped who I am. Basketball has grown with me for as long as I can remember. I started in kindergarten, when it was just a way to run around with friends and burn energy. Being naturally athletic helped me early on, but what mattered most was the fun. That enjoyment deepened in sixth grade when I played up on an eighth-grade fall team. To me, the most important part of basketball teams is the culture, if a team feels like family it's going to be successful. My school team this year had internal conflicts that prevented this, and we went 7/11, my AAU team I joined was the closest I’ve ever been with a team, and we won nationals in Mass this past spring. I made the decision this spring to commit to CMCC to continue my basketball career, choosing to push forward rather than step away because I love basketball more than anything. It wasn’t the path I had originally imagined, but it became one I am so lucky to embrace. Committing meant believing that my progress wasn’t defined by setbacks, but by how I responded to it. This year tested that mindset even further when I underwent shoulder surgery. The recovery process has been demanding, both physically and mentally, but it has also reinforced something important for me, an injury doesn’t stop progress, it just changes what progress looks like. I’ve had to find new ways to grow, focusing on the mental aspect of sports that isn’t really talked about. Unfortunately, I will be out until November this coming fall, but knowing that I am going into a team that already supports me and prioritizes a family like culture, makes me confident that I will be successful. Basketball has taught me ambition. Not just in chasing goals like making varsity, but in pushing through setbacks that test my identity. It has shown me that success isn’t defined by recognition, but by resilience. I’ve learned to advocate for myself, to keep working when no one is watching, and to believe in my place even when others question it. Basketball will carry directly into my future plan to be a game warden because it has trained me to stay composed, disciplined, and resilient under pressure. The same way I’ve had to respond to setbacks, injuries, and team challenges, I’ve learned to think clearly and act with purpose in difficult situations that will be crucial in a law enforcement position. It’s also taught me accountability and trust, understanding that success depends on the strength of the team around you. These lessons have and will guide me in building relationships, making decisions, and staying committed to something bigger than myself. This scholarship represents more than financial support to me. It represents belief and a family connection, the same kind that every athlete needs at some point. Basketball has shaped me into someone who doesn’t quit when things get hard, and I will carry that mindset into everything I do, on and off the court, something that I will carry into the law enforcement career I plan on pursuing as well. Thank you for any consideration.

My name is Rebekah, and in 2016, there was a small plot of pine saplings near my house that were all looking really sick in the same way; the roots weren't going deep enough, the leaves were yellow, basically, they were all dying. Due to this, my parents called the Game Warden Service, who sent over a man to inspect the pines. At the time, I was 8, and I knew I wanted to be a game warden. So, when the warden arrived, I was ecstatic, but also really nervous. The warden was not only kind to me, but he also showed me how to drill into the trees safely, how to determine the age of the tree, and how to identify different types of trees. He walked me through everything he did while he was there. When it was time for him to leave, he left me with a book and his card saying once I was 18 he would love to have me for ride-alongs, and that he hopes I can reach my goals. Unfortunately, his card got lost in the process of moving, but I still have and will forever keep the book he gave me, Forest Trees of Maine: Centennial Edition (1908–2008). Before this experience, I knew of Game Wardens from fishing at Sebago Lake and watching North Woods Law as much as I could, but meeting a Warden who took the time to teach me and take so much care in what I thought made me realize later in life that I wanted to do the same for kids. As I’ve gone through school, I’ve realized that all roads lead back to being a Game Warden. The visit made me want to do this, but how I’ve developed as a person has made me realize there were never any other options. I have always felt a responsibility to care for the outdoors and a need to give something back in my life. This has never been just because I enjoy it, but because the outdoors gives so much to the people who rely on it. The woods, mountains, and wildlife of Maine are a huge part of my everyday life, and protecting them feels personal. I want to help others learn about the importance of conservation and the importance of being safe in the environment. For Game Wardens, this could mean rescuing people stranded or hurt, handling confrontations, and working unusual hours. Knowing what this job requires has also allowed me to prepare for it in advance, taking classes offered at Morse like AP Environmental Science and Forensic Science, in March I’ll be taking SOLO WFA (Wilderness First Aid) and SOLO CPR certification courses, and spending as much time as possible in nature, fishing, hiking, and backpacking. My goal is to start as a fish and game warden, but eventually be in the K9 unit. Until then, I will be studying conservation law while continuing to play basketball. Although basketball might not seem relative to conservation law, there are so many lessons I have taken away that can be applied to a law enforcement environment. Leadership roles that teach demonstration of boundaries, conflict resolution with teammates, and the grit to push my body as much as I can, even when no one is looking. Basketball has taught me how to stay composed under pressure, work with and lead others, and push through exhaustion and adversity, which are all qualities I know I will rely on every day as a Game Warden. I appreciate your time and consideration and I look forward to hearing back.