Returning to my community has always been a part of who I am. As a young African American woman who grew up in Prince George's County, Maryland, I've seen firsthand the difference it makes when people take time to support each other. Whether it's volunteering, mentorship, or just showing up to allow somebody to be seen and validated, community service has always been how we build each other to be better and make our world better. . One way that I give back is through my long-standing involvement in Kids and Culture, a culturally enriched summer program that I first joined as a camper and that I then continued as a counselor-in-training. Now I continue to contribute to the Camp's mission of educating and inspiring young children by helping them through learning activities and providing them a safe and comforting smile whenever they need it. It's been an honor to be able to see this next generation of Learners grow and help Foster their love for Learning and their love for just being in this world. In addition, I spent time volunteering at a local elementary school where I assisted with tutoring and classroom activities. I enjoy working with these kids and helping them discover their confidence and potential. I've learned that sometimes it only takes somebody believing in these students to inspire them to better themselves and to believe in what they truly can do. These experiences have helped me develop patience, empathy, and Leadership, a skill that I will bring with me as I move into this next chapter of my life. This fall, I will be getting Sports Health at the University of Delaware, where my goal is to become an athletic trainer. I chose this career because I want to continue supporting people, especially young athletes, through healing and growth. I see athletic training as a way to serve others, helping individuals take care of their bodies, rebuild after injuries, and understand the importance of wellness. I'm especially passionate about bringing this kind of career to underserved schools and neighborhoods where access to Quality Health and resources can be limited. After college, I plan to stay connected with my community through mentorship, education, and outreach. I want to work with local sports program recreation centers and schools to offer training, entry-prevention education, and mental health support. I also hope to start to partner with nonprofit organizations to help with youth Wellness by using Sports and physical activity as a tool to empower our youth and allow them to learn discipline and positive self-expression. Just like Diego C. Clapp, I believe that education and Community involvement are the keys to changing lives, not just academically but emotionally and spiritually as well. Beyond my professional work, I want to continue to volunteer in youth programs and organize Health workshops for both students and parents. I want to provide a space where people feel seen, safe, and cared for. Most of all, I want to be a kind person who uplifts others in the way that so many people have done for me to get to where I am right now. Receiving the Sunshine “DC” Memorial Scholarship would not only support my journey—it would help me carry forward the legacy of someone who believed in the power of kindness, learning, and giving back. I am committed to that legacy and honored to be considered.

When I was younger, I didn't understand why writing was so hard for me. When my classmates field pages with ease, with neat handwriting, I would stare at the paper struggling to find the words, organize my thoughts, and physically write them down. For a long time, I thought it was just me– that I wasn't smart enough or that something was wrong. The hardest part wasn't even the academic challenges; it was constantly being told that there was” nothing different” about me. I felt invisible and alone in my struggles, and that feeling affected not just my performance in school, but also my self-esteem and mental health. It wasn't until the middle of my junior year that I was finally diagnosed with this dysgraphia. This diagnosis changed everything. It gave me the clarity I had been searching for and helped me realize that my brain just processed information differently. Around the same time, I began working more closely with my school special ed team and I was given a 504 plan that included the support I needed. Things like extra time access to typing instead of handwriting and tools to help me with my organization. Through working with my team I learned that asking for help is not a weakness– it's a strength. I began to see how accommodations weren't about giving me an easy way out they were about giving me a fair chance to succeed.  Some of the teachers and support staff weren't always as helpful but the people who were directly a part of my Special Education team were amazing. They helped me improve my grades they helped me see my potential.  For the first time, I felt understood and supported. This experience has inspired me even more to pursue a career in college that involves helping others. I plan on becoming an athletic trainer, where I can work with people who are recovering from injuries– both physically and emotionally. What draws me to this field isn't just the science of the body, but the opportunity to help people push through difficult moments and come out stronger than they were before. My experience with this dysgraphia and anxiety has given me a deeper understanding of what it feels like to face something that other people might not be able to see. The empathy is what I want to bring to people that I work with especially young athletes who may be struggling with confidence after an injury or who feel like they've been left behind. Outside of academics, one of the most meaningful things I've done is volunteer with younger students at Magnolia Elementary through their active school program. I hope kids with reading many of whom were also struggling. At first, I was nervous, what if I wasn't good enough to help? But over time, I realized that I didn't need to be perfect; I just needed to be patient and kind. Because I knew what it felt like to struggle, I was able to connect with these students in such a strong way. Watching them improve–and watching their confidence grow–Reminded me how far I had come as well. The truth is I faced a lot of challenges academically emotionally and when it comes to figuring out how we're going to pay for college. But each of these challenges has taught me something important. I've learned resilience by continuing to work hard even when things feel impossible. I've learned the courage to speak up for myself and ask for when I need help. I've learned compassion by seeing the same struggles in others and wanting to help them through it just the way my special ed team did at my school. This scholarship would be a huge help for me and my family. College is something that I've worked very hard for, but it's also something I know will be a financial stretch. Still, I'm determined to make it happen. I want to take everything that I've learned from my experience in being involved with special education and use it to build a future where I can give back whether it's working with injured athletes mentoring younger students, or simply being a kind person who allows other people to feel seen, understood and supported. Rick Levin’s legacy as a Special Education teacher who led with Humility, patience and kindness reminds me a lot of the people who helped write my 504 plan and change my path completely. if given this opportunity I would like to carry the Same Spirit forward and everything that I do as well.

Over the next 5 years, I plan to create a positive environmental impact in both my local and Global communities by promoting wellness and sustainability through the lens of health and hospitality. As a future athletic trainer and somebody who is very invested in supporting others, I believe that there is a large connection between human well-being and the environment is essential– that Young leaders like myself must be at the forefront of taking action to reshape how our communities approach health, sustainability, and access. As I study sports health at the University of Delaware, I will use my education to advocate holistic wellness practices that support people and the planet. One of my goals is to bring more awareness to the environmental impact of fitness, sports programs, and the nutrition choices that people are making. For example, athletic facilities often use a large amount of energy to dispose of material. By working with local schools and youth programs, I hope to help Implement Greener practices, such as reducing waste from single-use plastics, encouraging compost reusable Hydration Stations, and supporting more plant-focused meals and options that are healthier and better for the environment. My experience volunteering at elementary schools and working with youth through Kids and Culture Camp has taught me that education is the starting point for long-term change. I plan to use my experiences to lead Wellness workshops that teach children not only how to take care of their bodies but also how to make choices that will help the environment. I'm already starting to do this by working with Magnolia Elementary's after-school program by doing gardening club planting and getting the youth into making food for themselves. On a much wider scale, I want my career in sports Health to support underserved communities– especially little girls and boys who look just like me– who often don't have access to Quality Health Care or Wellness resources. by possibly putting together community events, eco-friendly fitness challenges or even mental health days that help the youth get connected with nature, I want to make sure the space is inclusive and brings people together while uplifting themselves and helping our environment. Being a young black woman entering the field in sports health, I also see the power of representation. I want my journey to show other students who look like me that it is possible to pursue a meaningful career while standing up for equality, wellness, and the environment. The scholarship will not only support my education– it will empower me to become a leader who inspires others to take care of themselves in the world around them.

Resilience is often about pushing through challenges and maintaining a positive mindset, even when circumstances make it difficult. As a camp counselor working with 3 to 5-year-olds, I quickly learned how easy it is to have your emotions exposed. When I tore ligaments in my ankle due to a sports injury, I faced one of the biggest personal challenges I had ever dealt with. That injury was supposed to keep me out for the rest of the season, and while the physical pain was excruciating, the emotional toll was even greater. I was disappointed in myself—not only for getting injured but for having it happen before the season had even started. I dreaded having to explain what happened over and over again to concerned people. Despite this major setback, I still had to wake up each morning, put on my camp shirt, and be the cheerful counselor these kids had grown to love and trust. The first day back at work was one of the hardest. I struggled with frustration because I wasn’t able to run and play with the kids as I usually did. Having to repeatedly explain my injury to adults was exhausting, but even more so was answering the endless questions from curious three to five-year-olds about why I was wearing a big boot or why I couldn’t run. At first, their constant questioning was overwhelming, but then I realized something—this was an opportunity to teach them that challenges don’t necessarily define who we are or what we can do. Even though I was in a boot, I was determined to continue being the counselor they knew and loved. I wanted to show them that just because I was injured, it didn’t mean I couldn’t still participate, lead activities, and bring joy to their camp experience. I made sure they saw that I could still do crafts just like everyone else and that my injury wasn’t stopping me from giving my best effort. Even with a limp, I found ways to play with them, climb on the jungle gym, and ensure they still had fun. I refused to let my injury define me. What I didn’t expect was how much my resilience would affect them. Seeing their faces light up when they realized that "Miss Sam" wasn’t just going to sit and watch but would get up and interact with them was one of the most rewarding moments I’ve ever experienced. Their excitement and encouragement lifted my spirits. Instead of seeing my boot as something that limited me, they treated it like a badge of honor—a symbol of strength rather than weakness. Their energy fueled me, not only to push through the summer but also to recover faster so I could still play my volleyball season. This experience taught me that resilience isn’t just about enduring hardships—it’s about how we respond to them. Instead of letting my injury ruin my summer or hold me back, I used it as an opportunity to inspire and uplift those around me. I showed the kids that obstacles don’t have to define us, and in return, they reminded me of the power of encouragement, imagination, and determination. What started as a personal challenge became a lesson in perseverance—not just for me but for my campers. Their belief in me helped me push forward, even on tough days when my ankle hurt and frustration crept in. They reminded me that positivity and determination can make any obstacle seem smaller. Ultimately, I realized that resilience isn’t just about personal strength—it’s about using that strength to inspire others and create a lasting impact.

I am passionate about pursuing a degree in kinesiology or exercise science to become an athletic trainer because it allows me to combine my love for helping others and sports. From a young age, I have been involved in Athletics specifically dance, and then later on in life volleyball. For many years, I spent hours practicing dance perfecting my technique, and trying to continue to be passionate about it. However, I was frequently injured and did not allow myself to heal. I soon lost my love for dance and had to battle with the fact that I no longer had a clear path of what I wanted to do. I felt very lost without the structure that dance had given me. As I was navigating this uncertainty, I was constantly bombarded with suggestions from adults about what I should pursue. It was always a lawyer, a doctor, or even an actor. While these were all professions that were admirable, none of them were anything that I was truly interested in. I genuinely wanted to find something that not only made me happy to wake up and say that I did it but also that gave me a sense of purpose. I was soon given this Clarity at one of my first High School football games that I attended when I saw our athletic trainer Rush onto the field. She was a small woman compared to this 6-ft football player who was on the ground but you could feel the power behind her presence. This wasn't my first time seeing her in action but for some reason, this sparked my interest in her profession. From that moment on I was so eager to figure out what she was doing. I started researching what athletic training was, started going to sports medicine camps and even asked that athletic trainer to Shadow her which I did and I got the clarity that I needed. Without hesitation, I immediately knew that this was something that I wanted to do. In all of these Newfound experiences that I was able to have in shadowing this athletic trainer, I realized that a degree in kinesiology or exercise science is not just about treating injuries- it's about being able to connect with the athletes and a reliable source of support for them. It's about not only helping when athletes are injured and making sure they know they will be okay but also preventing injuries and preventing further harm. And showing that they're going to be safe when they get back on the field and helping them do what they love. I am the type of person who thrives in a fast-paced environment and I love the critical thinking that I have to do when being on the field and being an athletic trainer. That at the moment problem solving that comes with each athlete in each injury is something that fuels me to want to gain more education about the career. And most importantly I found so much fulfillment and knowing that I can make a direct impact on not only one person but a team and not only the team but fan base in keeping an athlete safe Pursuing this degree is not only something that for me is a career choice it's also almost a calling. Not only is this me taking in the suggestions that I was given by those adults at a younger age, it's also me putting a Different Twist to it. I can be in the medical field but also be surrounded by Sports and continue to help others. Every opportunity that I get to learn and grow in the field has given me nothing but reassurance that I'm on the right path. And getting this degree would solidify that I am doing exactly what I meant to be and I'm going to go far with this degree.