Growing up without a mom in an all male household was no easy task. I constantly felt misunderstood due to the fact it males and females brains working differently. I probably wouldn’t survived if it wasn’t for amazing woman I could look to be role models to me on a daily basis. There’s a few that I could think of my nana, my aunt, and mainly some female coaches I’ve had over the years. The person that sticks out to me the most is my mentor, Kim Vican. During my Sophomore year of highschool is when I first met Kim. She was my lacrosse coach but shortly turned into so much more than just my highschool lacrosse coach. She constantly showed up for me and showed me I could do anything I put my mind to. Kim or Mama Vikes, as I call her, has completed two iron mans in her life. She did all the training while completing a nursing degree and raising two twin daughters. She is the epitome of what I think every woman should be. She is strong, smart, a leader, and overall kind to everyone. I know that she always has my back. During my last lacrosse game of my sophomore season, my grandfather had a stroke and sadly passed soon after. Mama Vikes could tell I was more quiet that game and asked what the matter was. I told her what had happened and she gave me a hug and some support. Even after the season had ended I could always count on having a text from her asking how my family was doing with the recent loss. Coach Kim always takes care of us as if we are family. She would tell you that we are her family. Coach Kim was the first person to text me when I committed to Adrian College for Ice Hockey. She congratulated me and said some heartfelt words about how I was leader and how I was going places. Coach Kim has given me the confidence to understand that I can be a leader to those around me. It was no surprise when I asked her to speak at my signing day ceremony because no one has seen me progress better than she has. In the summer of 2022 I asked Coach Kim for help in the gym. I wanted to become more muscular for my hockey season and be in shape. Coach Kim sent me a bunch of workouts which I stuck to and it really helped me in my hockey season. Mama Vikes means so much to me and I don’t know what I would’ve done with out her guidance and support. She has showed me that you don’t need to be related to someone to be their family. She has taught me how to be strong and confident in who I am. If all else fails I know at the end of the day I can still count on Coach Kim to have my back.

At a very young age my mom sadly passed away. I get a lot of people asking me how do I remain being so positive with this hanging over me. I’ve decided that because we cannot change the past that we must focus on our future and be a light to those around us. Some of the ways I have chosen to be a light is through ice hockey, volunteer work, and lacrosse. I was so nervous to start out in lacrosse as a sophomore because I feared that is was too late for me in high school to try new things, but I was so wrong. I quickly became an asset to my team through hard work and discipline. I encouraged my teammates to be the best player and person they could be. By my junior season of lacrosse I was the captain of my lacrosse team. During my summers I enjoy volunteering for an institution called Forgotten Harvest. Forgotten Harvest takes food that will be expiring soon each week from grocery store shelves and gives it to families in need who will be eating it before the expiration date. My volunteer work included handing out the food to the families, unloading the food truck, and putting leftover canned goods in what was called “the pantry”. This time at Forgotten Harvest impacted me greatly and showed how privileged I truly am on a day to day basis despite not always feeling like it. It opened my eyes to just how many people were struggling in my community around me. Volunteering my Tuesdays to this charity was well worth my time and the overall lessons I learned from volunteering here was time well spent. Another way I like to get involved with my community, is going to the local nursing home and spending time with the elderly. I have found that the older generation has some very important knowledge to share with the youth and if we are willing to listen we can learn some very valuable knowledge. I never leave the nursing home without a smile on my face. These elderly folks are truly our most precious generation. It always brightens my day to hear there stories from when they where my age and get a true look into the past. I believe that our history is all around us we just have to look a little bit. Another way I get involved in community is through my student council. I’m involved in a leadership class at Lake Orion Highschool where we create and promote lots of activities not only for the school but also the community. We are in charge of running the homecoming parade, homecoming, prom, and basically all other events the school puts out. We are also required to volunteer in our community by doing things like working church nursery’s. My last and final way I think I am I’m a light to other people is by ice hockey. I currently have been playing hockey for seven years. It has taught me discipline, sisterhood, leadership, and work ethic. I have been blessed to be accepted to Adrian College and even more blessed to be offered a spot on their hockey team. I am so excited to see what Adrian College has in store for me and I just hope that I can get some extra funding to help with the bills.