A difference Impact is something that affects everyone’s life, whether we recognize it or not. Like many women and men before me, I hope to leave something meaningful behind for the next generation. I want to be part of something bigger than myself. Over time, I’ve come to understand that my path isn’t to be a pro player or a Hall of Fame athlete. But what I can do for sports is help build the kind of motivating and uplifting community that shaped me when I was younger. I was a late bloomer when it came to sports. I didn’t really get into the athletic world until I was 15. Most people my age were years ahead and the younger ones, sometimes even more so. But I never felt discouraged. The people I played with, and the parks where I ran pickup games, were full of energy, competition, and support. Sure, they made it clear there were 'levels' to the game, some were amazing, and they talked their trash, but it always came from a place of love for the game and wanting to grow themselves. At the parks, there were always older guys playing, we called them the OGs. Originally, “OG” meant “Original Gangster,” but in the sports community, it’s a term of respect for the older generation. At first, I didn’t really understand the meaning behind it. But as I kept showing up, I got to know them. I picked their brains and not just about basketball, but about life. They helped me mature, not only as a player but as a person in the community. They gave me insight on how to carry myself both on and off the court. Before I realized it, I had built real camaraderie with the people at my local court. Basketball became more than just a game it became a safe space. It kept some of us off of the streets, gave others a needed outlet, and brought people together across generations. That court became a pillar of the community. If there’s any way for me to leave a legacy, it’s by maintaining that same environment for the next generation. I want to help keep the feeling of family alive, not just at the court I play at but ones around city. I hope to one day see myself in the next generation of players and pass down both the game and the life lessons that came with it. I want to inspire others the way I was inspired when I first picked up a ball at 15 and I’m so grateful for the people I met along the way, players, coaches and whoever. Now, I'm 19 and in college working toward becoming an Athletic Trainer. I’m seeking experience in the field, with the goal of turning my passion for sports, learning, and helping others into a career, a way to keep giving back to the community that was crucial in being a part of who I am.

My name is Ryan, and I am currently a sophomore at Northwest Vista College with a 3.5 GPA. Throughout my life, playing basketball has taught me a lot about dedication, teamwork, and staying positive even when things don’t go as planned. Every practice, game, and moment on the court has helped shape who I am today not just as an athlete, but as a student, leader, and person. Balancing college coursework and other passions hasn’t always been easy, but it’s taught me time management, commitment, and responsibility. I’ve learned how to push through late nights studying and still bring energy and focus to the court the next day. Keeping a solid GPA is important to me because I know education is the key to building the future I truly want. I’m majoring in kinesiology because I’ve always had a passion for sports, health, and helping others thrive. My goal is to become an athletic trainer or coach so I can help athletes stay healthy, recover from injuries, and reach their full potential. I know firsthand how valuable it is to have someone there to support and encourage you, and I want to be that person for others in their journey. Outside of school and basketball, I volunteer in my community whenever I can. Whether it’s helping at local events, food drives, or mentoring younger students, I enjoy giving back and making a difference where ever I can. Volunteering has taught me that small acts of kindness like offering advice, sharing encouragement, or just listening can mean so much to someone else and truly change their day. What guides me every day is the idea of living fully, loving my family, laughing often, and always learning something new. Even during tough times, I try to stay positive and bring a good attitude, whether it’s in class, at work, or with friends. I believe that kindness, hard work, and joy all go hand in hand to make a meaningful life. Receiving this scholarship would help ease the financial burden of college and allow me to stay focused on my studies and serving others. It would support my goal of becoming someone who not only strives to succeed personally but also helps others do the same. Thank you for considering my application. I’m excited to keep growing as a student and volunteer and to carry these values forward into everything I do in life.

Managing my mental health became a priority after I found myself on the verge of dropping out of school and bedridden for months. At the time, I didn’t recognize the warning signs. It began subtly, skipping church, cutting off friends and family, and slowly abandoning my dream of earning a college degree. I didn’t fully understand what I was going through, and I did my best to hide it like it would go away, thinking of it as a cut healing, not as a problem that would only worsen. To my parents, it looked like I was simply being lazy. I don’t blame them, we barely saw each other due to conflicting schedules, and they work hard every day to support our family. But inside, I was struggling with feelings I couldn’t put into words. I wish I had at least spoken out. That silence cost me a lot. I lost close friendships, ended a relationship, and nearly lost my job due to repeatedly calling in. I felt alone and unsure of how to ask for help. Then, unexpectedly, someone reached out, an ex-partner I hadn’t spoken to in a while. We still share a social circle, and during a group hangout, she said, “You’re not the same Ryan I used to know.” At first, I didn’t understand. But later, she called me and expressed how much I meant to her, to our friends, and to the people in my life. That conversation only lasted an hour, but it reignited something in me. I wasn’t completely better afterward, but it gave me the motivation to start pushing myself again in life. I returned to class, went back to church, started exercising, and began reconnecting with those who supported me. Now, nearly three months later, my mindset has changed. I’m more focused and consistent in my routines. I’ve learned to value the people around me and to check in with them. I also make time to reflect and recognize how far I’ve come, even when progress feels slow. This experience taught me that growth often comes from hardship. I’ve gained strength, resilience, and a deeper sense of empathy. These are qualities I now carry with me into the classroom, my relationships, and my future. I wish I had this knowledge from the beginning but I will take lessons and growth as they come to me and appreciate that I got that call.

From a young age, I was selfish; I never saw the point in helping others. I would never like to share my food with family, or I would just be straight-up rude, even if someone was in need. I was never raised that way, but it was just natural for me to keep things to myself. No matter how many times I volunteered or where I volunteered, I never felt as if I was contributing to anything. But only recently did I have the opportunity to volunteer again. I thought maybe I would do it just because—nothing crazy. It was to build houses for families in need, and as soon as I got to work laying down grass and sweeping inside the house, it started to feel all too familiar to me. The way the house looked. From the floor to the freshly cut blades of grass just outside the window. I realized I was helping out a family who was really struggling, like mine had been in the past. I remember not having a place to be able to call home; even when we did, we had to move no more than a year later due to bills and other situations. To give a family who looked almost exactly like mine a place to call home hit me in the heart. It gave me another perspective. Rather than being upset at my past and hardships, I should help others who are in that situation. Ever since then, I always reach out to people to help them, even if it's just to go move some furniture or donate money to charities. I want to make up for those years of selfishness, give my all to the people and community around me, and make a positive impact on others lives. Going through my life and learning to see things in a different light gave me motivation and desire to want to do amazing things. I use the opportunity to attend university as a vehicle to assist in propelling myself to these goals. I'm grateful to be where I am in life, and I want to be seen as a hard worker, but more as someone who looks after his community and family. Being a dependent person is something I never got in my community growing up. But it is definitely something I want to be for the young and old in mine.