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Sabrina Castellanos

1x

Finalist

Bio

I’m an aspiring lawyer with a strong passion for helping others and creating positive change in my community. I believe that everyone deserves to have their voice heard and their rights protected, which is what inspired me to pursue a career in law. Throughout my academic journey, I have worked hard to develop leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills that will help me succeed in this field. I am a dedicated and motivated student who values integrity, perseverance, and service to others. Whether through supporting classmates, volunteering, or standing up for what is right, I always strive to make a meaningful impact. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue my education and move closer to achieving my goal of becoming a lawyer who advocates for fairness and equality. I would be a strong candidate because of my determination, commitment to success, and genuine desire to use my future career to help people in need.

Education

Virginia Academy

High School
2024 - 2026

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Majors of interest:

    • Law
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Law Practice

    • Dream career goals:

      Sports

      Soccer

      Varsity
      2024 – Present2 years

      Arts

      • Virginia academy

        Videography
        2024 – 2026

      Public services

      • Volunteering

        Holy Family church — Camp counselor
        2023 – 2023

      Future Interests

      Advocacy

      Volunteering

      Philanthropy

      Entrepreneurship

      YOU GOT IT GIRL SCHOLARSHIP
      What makes me a “You Got It Girl” is my determination, leadership, and ability to keep pushing forward even when things get difficult. I’ve been playing soccer for 15 years, and throughout that time I’ve learned how to balance sports, school, leadership, and personal challenges while still staying focused on my goals. I am the captain of both my high school and club soccer teams, which has taught me how to motivate others, communicate, and lead by example. I always try to encourage my teammates and create a positive environment because I know how important support can be, especially for young female athletes. This scholarship would help me continue pursuing both my academic and athletic goals at Bridgewater College, where I will be playing soccer in college. I plan to become a lawyer in the future, and this scholarship would help relieve some of the financial stress that comes with being a student-athlete. It would allow me to focus more on training, school, and becoming the best version of myself both on and off the field. Soccer has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have been playing for 15 years through club soccer and high school soccer, and it has shaped me into the person I am today. I play as a striker, and I love the competitive energy and teamwork that comes with the game. Over the years, I have scored over 100 career goals, which is something I am extremely proud of because it reflects the hard work and dedication I have put into improving my skills. I have also been honored to receive First Team All-State and First Team All-Conference honors for VISSA Division 2. Becoming captain of both my club and high school teams has been one of my biggest accomplishments because it showed me that my coaches and teammates trust me as both a player and a leader. One challenge I faced was learning how to balance academics, soccer, leadership responsibilities, and my personal life. There were times when I felt overwhelmed trying to give 100% to everything. I remember feeling disappointed in myself when I could not handle everything perfectly. Over time, though, I realized that growth comes from learning how to adapt instead of giving up. That experience taught me the importance of time management, discipline, and asking for help when needed. It made me mentally stronger and showed me that setbacks do not define you — your response to them does. Now, I approach challenges with more confidence and maturity because I know I can overcome difficult situations. Someone I really admire is my mom because she has always worked hard and supported me through everything I do. She has taught me the importance of staying strong, believing in myself, and never giving up even when life gets hard. Watching her continue to push through challenges inspires me to do the same in my own life. Her support motivates me to keep working toward my goals in soccer, academics, and my future career. This scholarship would support me in so many ways as I prepare to attend college and continue my soccer career. Being a student-athlete comes with many expenses like training equipment, travel, school supplies, and everyday college costs. Receiving this scholarship would help ease some of that financial pressure so I can focus more on succeeding academically and athletically. It would also remind me that people believe in young female athletes and support our goals beyond sports. My dream is not only to succeed in soccer but also to become a lawyer and make a difference in my community. This scholarship would help me continue building toward that future. Soccer has taught me lessons that go far beyond the field. It has helped me become disciplined, confident, and resilient. I want to continue growing as both an athlete and a person while inspiring younger girls to believe in themselves and work hard for their goals. No matter what challenges I face, I always try to stay positive and keep moving forward. I will be attending Bridgewater College to continue my soccer career as a college athlete. Soccer has been part of my life for 15 years through both club and high school competition, and becoming a student-athlete means continuing something that has shaped my identity for years. Being a student-athlete means representing more than just yourself — it means showing discipline, leadership, and commitment every day. I am excited to continue competing at the college level while also pursuing my academic goals and preparing for my future career as a lawyer.
      Reach Higher Scholarship
      As an 18-year-old girl with a passion for becoming a lawyer, I have always been inspired by opportunities to learn more about people, justice, and the importance of empathy. One book that had a strong impact on me was Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Although the novel is often viewed as a science fiction story, I learned much more from it than I expected. The story taught me how harmful judgment and isolation can be and how important it is to treat people with understanding and compassion. The creature in the novel was rejected because he was different, and that rejection shaped the pain and anger he experienced. Reading this helped me realize how important it is to listen to people’s stories before judging them. It also strengthened my desire to become a lawyer because I want to advocate for people who feel unheard, misunderstood, or treated unfairly. My experiences outside of reading have also shaped my goals and identity. I am deeply involved in my church’s production team, where I help during services and special events. Being part of the production team has taught me responsibility, teamwork, and leadership. I have learned how important it is to support others and contribute to something meaningful within my community. Even though much of the work happens behind the scenes, I know that every role matters. This experience has shown me the value of service and has helped me become more dependable and confident. Another major part of my life is soccer. I am going to school for soccer, and the sport has taught me discipline, determination, and perseverance. Playing soccer requires teamwork, communication, and the ability to stay motivated even during difficult moments. Through practices, games, and balancing school responsibilities, I have learned how to stay committed to my goals. Soccer has also taught me how to handle pressure and continue improving after mistakes, which are skills I know will help me succeed in college and eventually in law school. One important lesson I learned came from a time when I struggled to balance academics, soccer, and my personal responsibilities. I became overwhelmed and felt disappointed in myself because I could not manage everything perfectly. At first, I saw this as a failure, but it eventually taught me one of the most valuable lessons in my life: asking for help and learning from setbacks is part of growth. I improved my time management skills, became more organized, and learned to give myself patience during stressful times. That experience made me stronger and more determined to succeed. Mentorship has also had a positive impact on my life. Coaches, teachers, and church leaders have encouraged me to believe in my abilities and continue working toward my goals. Their support has motivated me to stay focused on becoming a lawyer and pursuing higher education. I hope to use my future career to positively impact my community by standing up for fairness, helping those in need, and inspiring younger students to believe in themselves. My background, experiences, and passions have shaped me into someone who is hardworking, compassionate, and determined to make a difference in the lives of others.
      Maria's Legacy: Alicia's Scholarship
      A college degree would change the course of my life by opening doors to opportunities that would otherwise be difficult to reach. For me, earning a degree is not just about education; it is about creating a better future for myself and for my family. I want to become a lawyer, and attending college is the first major step toward achieving that dream. A degree would provide me with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed in a professional career while also allowing me to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Personally, a college degree would mean perseverance, sacrifice, and accomplishment. It would represent all the hard work I have put into my education and the determination it takes to keep pursuing my goals. I know that becoming a lawyer requires years of commitment and discipline, but I am willing to put in the effort because I am passionate about helping people and standing up for what is right. Earning a degree would show me that I am capable of overcoming challenges and turning my ambitions into reality. A college education would also impact future generations of my family. By earning a degree, I hope to set an example for younger family members and show them that higher education is possible with dedication and hard work. I want my success to inspire future generations to chase their dreams and believe in their abilities. A career in law would also allow me to provide financial stability for my family and create opportunities that can benefit them for years to come. I want to build a legacy of education, determination, and success that my future children and relatives can look up to. What I am most passionate about is becoming a lawyer who can help people who feel unheard or powerless. I admire how lawyers use their knowledge and communication skills to defend others, solve problems, and fight for justice. This passion has motivated me to work hard in school and improve my writing, reading, and speaking abilities. I enjoy learning about current events, laws, and social issues because they help me better understand how legal decisions affect people’s everyday lives. I have also pursued my passion by practicing leadership and communication whenever possible. Whether through class discussions, group projects, or helping others solve problems, I have learned the importance of listening carefully and speaking with confidence. These experiences have strengthened my desire to pursue a career in law. I believe becoming a lawyer will allow me to use my voice to help others, make a difference in my community, and create a better future for myself and my family.
      Chris Jones Innovator Award
      I have exhibited commitment to include myself in my community by joining my schools chapel worship team. I am a existing member of the production team and my role is to help execute top tier film on multiple cameras that are being streaming online every friday. Being a part of this team has opening my eyes to loving to serve my community. Being able to be a part of this team has showed me to show up and show out for my community. It brings me joy and happiness to go back and watch the chapel service and to know that I was a part of it. I may not be on stage but I know that behind the scenes I helped execute a great service. Ever since I started serving, it has become like a routine. I strive to serve every friday and I feel incomplete when I don’t. My peers are also a big part of why I joined. I adore serving my community because everyone is so nice and friendly. It has shown me to always stay positive even when things don’t go your way. I've made countless mistakes by my peers have always been there to lift me up. To answer the question on how will my education help me continue this commitment during college and beyond? My education will help me grow not only academically, but also personally and professionally. As I continue through college, I plan to use the skills and experiences I have gained from serving on my school’s chapel production team to continue serving my community in meaningful ways. Being a part of this team has taught me responsibility, teamwork, leadership, and dedication. These are all qualities that I know will help me succeed in college and in my future career. In college, I hope to join organizations and programs that allow me to continue helping others through service. Whether it is volunteering at events, joining media or production clubs, or helping with campus ministries, I want to stay involved in activities that positively impact the people around me. My experience on the production team has shown me that even the people working behind the scenes play an important role in creating something meaningful. I have learned that every contribution matters, no matter how small it may seem. My education will also allow me to expand my knowledge and skills in technology, communication, and media production. Since I already enjoy working with cameras and helping stream chapel services online, I would love to continue learning more about film production and media. With more education and training, I can use my talents to inspire others, create meaningful content, and continue serving communities through media and storytelling. I believe education opens doors to opportunities where I can make a positive difference in people’s lives. In the future, I hope to use both my education and my passion for service to inspire others to get involved in their communities. I want to continue being someone who helps bring people together and creates positive experiences for others. Whether I am working behind the scenes in production, volunteering at community events, or mentoring others, I know the lessons I have learned through serving will stay with me for the rest of my life. My education will give me the tools to continue growing, while my passion for serving will remind me why I started in the first place.