Growing up, I never imagined that my life would be shaped by the challenges I faced with my health, and yet, those very challenges have made me who I am today. From battling kidney disease as a toddler to recovering from a knee injury in high school, my athletic journey hasn't been a smooth ride. But the lessons I've learned about resilience and perseverance have pushed me to be stronger, not just as an athlete, but as a person. Today, as I reflect on my past and think about my future, I realize that my experiences have not only prepared me for the next chapter of my athletic career but also inspired me to pursue a career in childhood education, where I hope to make a lasting impact on others the same way sports and my challenges have impacted me. When I was a toddler, I was diagnosed with kidney disease, which meant frequent doctor visits, following a strict diet, taking daily medications, and a life that was far from average for a child. Playing sports, particularly volleyball, became my escape, a way to prove that my condition didn't define me. Volleyball wasn't just a sport for me; it became a way to show me that I could still reach my goals and be successful no matter the health struggles I faced. Fast forward to my senior year in high school, and I was fully immersed in my volleyball career. Everything was going well until I tore my ACL, MCL, and PCL in my knee during a college volleyball camp. The injury required multiple surgeries and several months of physical therapy, which was incredibly frustrating after all the hard work I'd put in to get to that point. It felt like a setback, and honestly, it was hard not to feel discouraged. But looking back, that knee injury became a turning point for me in ways I didn't expect. I realized that overcoming obstacles wasn't just about being physically strong. My mental strength became just as important. I had to remind myself that recovery wouldn't happen overnight and that my progress would be small steps at a time. I worked tirelessly through physical therapy, but more than that, I had to keep a positive attitude. Through the pain and the frustration, I remembered what I learned from dealing with kidney disease: setbacks are temporary, and with patience and perseverance, I could come back stronger than ever. Looking forward, I see that my experiences have helped shape who I am and what I want to do with my life. I want to pursue a career in childhood education, where I can pass on the lessons I've learned about resilience and perseverance to young students. Just as sports taught me the importance of believing in myself and pushing through obstacles, I want to instill those values in children. I want to be the kind of teacher who encourages them to keep going, even when things get tough, and shows them they are capable of more than they think. Whether in the classroom or on the court, I want to help students build the confidence they need to tackle challenges head-on, just as I've had to do throughout my life. This scholarship is an opportunity for me to continue on my path, one where I face challenges with faith, strength, and determination. I am ready to keep moving forward and use my lessons to impact others positively. Thank you for considering my application and supporting me as I pursue my education and dreams.

Perseverance has always been something my parents told me about, but I didn't truly understand what it meant until I faced a series of challenges in my life. Over the past 16 years, I've had to deal with both health issues and setbacks that have tested my physical and emotional limits. These experiences have taught me more about myself than I could have imagined, and it's through faith, determination, and a love for volleyball that I've found the strength to keep pushing forward. Today, I'm determined to continue my college education and play volleyball, knowing that the lessons I've learned from my health struggles will help me succeed in whatever I do. My story started as a toddler when I was diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease due to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. I have to take many different prescribed medications, follow a strict diet, and go to frequent doctor appointments. I have also been placed on the transplant waiting list for a kidney transplant in the future. As a toddler, I didn't quite understand everything, but as a teenager, I struggled to come to terms with everything. I felt like my body was failing me, and I wasn't sure how to move forward. It was during this time that I leaned into my faith. Prayer became my source of strength. I reminded myself that while I couldn't control my health, I could control my attitude and how I responded to the situation. I prayed for strength, healing, and patience. It was a tough time, but my faith gave me the peace of mind to keep going, even when everything was falling apart. When I thought things might start improving, I faced another obstacle: a severe knee injury during a college volleyball camp that required multiple surgeries. The timing couldn't have been worse. Here I was, trying to manage kidney disease, and now I had to focus on knee surgery and recovery during my senior year of high school. I wondered how to juggle it all, but again, I turned to my faith. I reminded myself that these obstacles didn't define me; how I faced them would. I knew that if I kept working hard and trusted that God had a plan for me, I could come through this more robust than before. The recovery process from knee surgery was long and painful, but it gave me a new perspective on perseverance. I couldn't rush my recovery. I had to take it one day at a time. Each small victory, like getting through a day without pain or making progress in physical therapy, became a reason to celebrate. My knee was slowly healing, and I was slowly gaining back the lost strength. It wasn't easy, but the faith I had in myself and the support of my family helped me keep going. I knew I could eventually return to the volleyball court if I stayed focused and committed. It wasn't the same when I returned to playing volleyball as a college Freshman. My knee wasn't as strong as it used to be, and my stamina wasn't at the level before the injury. But instead of letting that discourage me, I am using it as motivation to work even harder to prepare for the next season. This scholarship is an opportunity for me to continue on the path I've started, one where I face challenges with faith, strength, and determination. I am ready to keep moving forward and use my lessons to positively impact others. Thank you for considering my application and supporting me as I pursue my education and dreams.

I am an 18-year-old high school graduate from North Stafford High School in Stafford, VA, and have been accepted into McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Learning is fun, but it takes work. I must work hard to make grades acceptable to my parents and myself. Despite the side effects of having stage 4 kidney failure, where some may experience a decline in cognitive function, I have been able to persevere to achieve a 4.225 GPA while on the advanced diploma track. I have always been an honor roll student, excelling in all my subjects. I am very proud of my hard work and determination to succeed, and I will continue to do so in college. Going to college will open new doors for me in the future and to pursue my dreams of becoming an Early Childhood Education Teacher. I started my education as a three-year-old in Preschool, and to this day, I keep in touch with my Preschool and Kindergarten teachers as they are constantly checking up on me to give support and encouragement. I am grateful to them for teaching me the fundamental skills required throughout my educational years into graduation. I also come from a family of educators, from my aunt and cousin as Preschool and middle school teachers to my father, who I was blessed to have as my high school principal. I can witness the success of every student passing through their classrooms. I was enrolled in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) class at high school. I taught three to four-year-old preschoolers the fundamentals of learning, including fine and gross motor skills, cognitive development, and social and emotional interactions. Working with the children in this class was very important to me since it opened my eyes to the needs of students and their families. I helped them prepare to be successful in their future; therefore, I am making a difference. Not only am I teaching them, but they also taught me patience, multi-tasking skills, and how to give back to the community. Every day is something new with the preschoolers. When I walked into the classroom, I never knew what to expect. I always say I'm a little kid at heart, and teaching the children helps me reminisce about my childhood. Attending college and graduating with my degree in Early Childhood Education will allow me to obtain the skills and tools to educate our young scholars of the future. Studies show that the first few years of a child's life are pivotal to their long-term success, and I can't wait to be a part of it and witness how they will continue to shape the community in the future. I hope to win this scholarship so I can honor Mr. Rabasca's legacy and make his family proud.

Participation in volleyball during my high school years profoundly influenced me in several ways. Being part of a sports team taught me the value of teamwork. I learned how to work with my teammates toward a common goal and how to support and rely on them. I have also developed resilience and perseverance by playing volleyball at high school and for a travel club. I learned how to handle both success and failure, bounce back from adversity, and stay motivated in facing challenges. Throughout my life, I have always faced adversity and obstacles with my chin up and eyes forward. Whether it be losing 60% of my kidney function when I was two years old or having two knee surgeries during my senior year of high school, life always presents me with challenges. As a toddler, I contracted a disease named Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome and stayed in the hospital hooked to several machines for months. As of this year, I have roughly 40% of my kidney function and have been placed on the transplant list. I take meds daily to support my overall health and kidney function. This is a battle that I will win and raise awareness of athletes who battle illness off the court and on the playing field.  On December 4th, 2023, while attending a volleyball camp, I tore my anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, and posterior cruciate ligament. Again, chin up and eyes forward, I was able to trust in God to guide me through this minor setback. The long days of school, working through therapy and a 2nd knee surgery on April 19th, 2024, and doing the exercises at home have only ensured that my love for volleyball will continue to motivate me. Playing volleyball, being injured, and being hospitalized at a young age taught me many things. The first thing I've learned from playing volleyball is that you have so many girls supporting you. Even when you don't notice it, they secretly cheer you on. Volleyball is where I, indeed, met my best friends. When I was admitted to the hospital as a toddler or when I had repeat knee surgeries, I had my family beside me. They continued to show their support and never left my side. They have sacrificed so much time and money to help me play the game I love. Now, I vow to support those I'm around because I saw how it helped me. I also learned determination from experiencing both playing volleyball and my injuries and kidney disease. Volleyball is a game of mistakes. You can only score when the opposing team messes up. Without determination, you're going to keep making mistakes. Being in the hospital has that same effect. I'm alive today because I never gave up. I was put on this Earth to prove my perseverance to those who once doubted me.  My involvement in playing volleyball has significantly influenced my career goal as an Early Childhood Education Teacher. The sport has cultivated teamwork, leadership, work ethic, resilience, and a passion for physical education, aligning with the qualities and values I aspire to embody as an educator. Volleyball has shaped my character and guided me toward a career path that resonates with my experiences and aspirations.

I am an 18-year-old high school graduate from North Stafford High School in Stafford, VA, and have been accepted into McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Learning is fun, but it takes work. Despite the side effects of having stage 4 kidney failure, where some may experience a decline in cognitive function, I have been able to persevere to achieve a 4.225 GPA while on the advanced diploma track. I am very proud of my hard work and determination to succeed, and I will continue to do so in college. Going to college will open new doors for me in the future and to pursue my dreams of becoming an Early Childhood Education Teacher. I also love being around children. I am currently volunteering as a youth team member at my local church. I help the children develop valuable life skills, a sense of responsibility, and a deeper understanding of their faith. I am also employed as a camp counselor and have the privilege of instilling confidence, values, and a sense of community in the children I interact with. These experiences will create lasting memories for the campers and me and impart valuable life lessons that can shape their future endeavors and possibly make them want to work with the youth themselves. I was enrolled in the Early Childhood Education class at high school. I taught three to four-year-old preschoolers the fundamentals of learning, including fine and gross motor skills, cognitive development, and social and emotional interactions. Working with the children in this class was very important to me since it opened my eyes to the needs of students and their families. I helped them prepare to be successful in their future; therefore, I am making a difference. Not only am I teaching them, but they also taught me patience, multi-tasking skills, and how to give back to the community. Every day is something new with the preschoolers. When I walked into the classroom, I never knew what to expect. I always say I'm a little kid at heart, and teaching the children helps me reminisce about my childhood. Attending college and graduating with my degree in Early Childhood Education will allow me to obtain the skills and tools to educate our young scholars of the future. Studies show that the first few years of a child's life are pivotal to their long-term success, and I can't wait to be a part of it and witness how they will continue to shape the community in the future.

I am an 18-year-old high school graduate from North Stafford High School in Stafford, VA, and have been accepted into McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Learning is fun, but it takes work. Despite the side effects of having stage 4 kidney failure, where some may experience a decline in cognitive function, I have been able to persevere to achieve a 4.225 GPA while on the advanced diploma track. I am very proud of my hard work and determination to succeed, and I will continue to do so in college. Going to college will open new doors for me in the future and to pursue my dreams of becoming an Early Childhood Education Teacher.  I was enrolled in the Early Childhood Education class at high school. I taught three to four-year-old preschoolers the fundamentals of learning, including fine and gross motor skills, cognitive development, and social and emotional interactions. Working with the children in this class was very important to me since it opened my eyes to the needs of students and their families. I helped them prepare to be successful in their future; therefore, I am making a difference. Not only am I teaching them, but they also taught me patience, multi-tasking skills, and how to give back to the community. Every day is something new with the preschoolers. When I walked into the classroom, I never knew what to expect. I always say I'm a little kid at heart, and teaching the children helps me reminisce about my childhood. I also love being around children. I am currently volunteering as a youth team member at my local church. I help the children develop valuable life skills, a sense of responsibility, and a deeper understanding of their faith. I am also employed as a camp counselor and have the privilege of instilling confidence, values, and a sense of community in the children I interact with. These experiences will create lasting memories for the campers and me and impart valuable life lessons that can shape their future endeavors and possibly make them want to work with the youth themselves. Attending college and graduating with my degree in Early Childhood Education will allow me to obtain the skills and tools to educate our young scholars of the future.  Studies show that the first few years of a child's life are pivotal to their long-term success, and I can't wait to be a part of it and witness how they will continue to shape the community in the future. As both of my parents are fortunate to have jobs, their combined income is above the minimum standards to receive financial support. We do not meet the requirements to redeem financial aid and may be forced to consider other funding measures to support my dream of attending McDaniel College. I received a merit scholarship through the school due to my high GPA/grades. I have an older sister who is a senior in college, whom my parents financially support, and my younger siblings, who are twins who will also be off to college soon. The financial need to care for a family of six may only sometimes be evident. However, there is a need for financial assistance due to the rising cost of receiving a college education.  The Gussie Lynn Scholarship will help me succeed and become a better student in college. This scholarship will fulfill my dreams of playing collegiate volleyball and earning an academic diploma. I cannot wait to start my college journey, and it all starts with being considered for this scholarship.

I am an 18-year-old high school graduate from North Stafford High School in Stafford, VA, and have been accepted into McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Despite the side effects of having stage 4 kidney failure, where some may experience a decline in cognitive function, I have been able to persevere to achieve a 4.225 GPA while on the advanced diploma track. I am very proud of my hard work and determination to succeed, and I will continue to do so in college. I came from a relatively small community with only a few hundred students in my high school. I recently moved to a large community where my graduating class alone was over 450 students.  I have witnessed the benefits and advantages of belonging to a small and large community.  I can feel connected and gain support from those around me, whether for my medical, social, or emotional needs. I have helped coordinate food and coat drives for people experiencing homelessness and for those in dire need.  I am currently volunteering as a youth team member at my local church. I help the children develop valuable life skills, a sense of responsibility, and a deeper understanding of their faith. I am going to a small private college where I plan to show compassion to my classmates as we all work toward a similar goal.  I am also committed to playing volleyball and am excited to volunteer as a team for the annual Tournament of Champions, an event for elementary and middle school students with disabilities specialized events to challenge themselves and demonstrate their skills. Due to my love of sports, I have volunteered at my local youth sports league as an assistant basketball coach, where my twin siblings were on a team and helped run the scoreboard.  I was enrolled in the Early Childhood Education class at high school. I taught three to four-year-old preschoolers the fundamentals of learning, including fine and gross motor skills, cognitive development, and social and emotional interactions. Working with the children in this class was very important to me since it opened my eyes to the needs of students and their families. I helped them prepare to be successful in their future; therefore, I am making a difference. Not only am I teaching them, but they also taught me patience, multi-tasking skills, and how to give back to the community. When I walked into the classroom, I never knew what to expect. I always say I'm a little kid at heart, and teaching the children helps me reminisce about my childhood. Attending college and graduating with my degree in Early Childhood Education will allow me to obtain the skills and tools to educate our young scholars of the future.  Studies show that the first few years of a child's life are pivotal to their long-term success, and I can't wait to be a part of it and witness how they will continue to shape the community in the future.

Throughout my life, I have always faced adversity with my chin up and eyes forward. Whether it be losing 60% of my kidney function when I was two years old, transferring from a small school with less than 600 students to a large school with more than 2300 students, or sustaining an injury during my senior year of high school, life always presents me with challenges. When I was a toddler, I contracted a disease named HUS. HUS stands for hemolytic uremic syndrome. As of this year, I have roughly 40% of my kidney function and have been placed on the transplant list. I take meds daily to support my overall health and kidney function. This is a battle that I will win and raise awareness of athletes who battle illness off the court and on the playing field.  This year, aside from making the 2nd team all-district and improving my love for volleyball, my greatest challenge in sports occurred after the season. In December 2024, while attending a volleyball camp for my dream college, I tore my anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, and posterior cruciate ligament. I had to have another knee surgery in April to clean out scar tissue that unfortunately built up in my knee due to nonmovement. Again, chin up and eyes forward, I was able to trust in God to guide me through this minor setback. The leadership within me during this time has been more profound than anything else. Keeping myself motivated and encouraged to work through this injury has not been easy. The long days of school, working through therapy, and doing the exercises at home have only ensured that my love for volleyball will continue to motivate me. Obstacles can be challenging, but I have found that to overcome these obstacles, you must never give up and have faith in yourself.  I could have given up when I continue to hear from my kidney specialists that my diagnosis is not improving and that I am still on the transplant list.  However, I know that by continuing to take my meds daily and focusing on my physical and mental well-being, I will beat this and continue to have a fulfilling life. I also could have given up on my dream to play collegiate volleyball. Still, I continue to strengthen by attending physical therapy sessions, exercising at home, and pushing myself above the limit.  For anyone facing a similar obstacle or any challenge, I would tell them never to get too high with the highs or too low with the lows. You will experience some level of success and some level of despair. In order to persevere through it, you’ll always have to be in control of your emotions.  This scholarship will help me succeed and become a better student in college. As a division three commit to McDaniel College in Maryland, this scholarship will fulfill my dream of playing collegiate volleyball. With my current injury, it almost seems impossible to play volleyball again. I envision myself on the court ready to play by winning this scholarship. Not only will this scholarship help my volleyball dreams, but it will also help my career goals. By being in the Early Childhood Education class for two years, I hope to be a Preschool teacher. I cannot wait to start my college journey, and it all starts with being considered for this scholarship.

I am an 18-year-old high school graduate from North Stafford High School in Stafford, VA, and have been accepted into McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Learning is fun, but it takes work. I must work hard to make grades acceptable to my parents and myself. Despite the side effects of having stage 4 kidney failure, where some may experience a decline in cognitive function, I have been able to persevere to achieve a 4.225 GPA while on the advanced diploma track. I have always been an honor roll student, excelling in all my subjects. I am very proud of my hard work and determination to succeed, and I will continue to do so in college. Going to college will open new doors for me in the future and to pursue my dreams of becoming an Early Childhood Education Teacher.  I started my education as a three-year-old in Preschool, and to this day, I keep in touch with my Preschool and Kindergarten teachers as they are constantly checking up on me to give support and encouragement. I am grateful to them for teaching me the fundamental skills required throughout my educational years into graduation. I also come from a family of educators, from my aunt and cousin as Preschool and middle school teachers to my father, who I was blessed to have as my high school principal. I can witness the success of every student passing through their classrooms. I was enrolled in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) class at high school. I taught three to four-year-old preschoolers the fundamentals of learning, including fine and gross motor skills, cognitive development, and social and emotional interactions. Working with the children in this class was very important to me since it opened my eyes to the needs of students and their families. I helped them prepare to be successful in their future; therefore, I am making a difference. Not only am I teaching them, but they also taught me patience, multi-tasking skills, and how to give back to the community. Every day is something new with the preschoolers. When I walked into the classroom, I never knew what to expect. I always say I'm a little kid at heart, and teaching the children helps me reminisce about my childhood. Attending college and graduating with my degree in Early Childhood Education will allow me to obtain the skills and tools to educate our young scholars of the future.  Studies show that the first few years of a child's life are pivotal to their long-term success, and I can't wait to be a part of it and witness how they will continue to shape the community in the future.

I am an 18-year-old high school graduate from North Stafford High School in Stafford, VA, and have been accepted into McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Learning is fun, but it takes work. I must work hard to make grades acceptable to my parents and myself. Despite the side effects of having stage 4 kidney failure, where some may experience a decline in cognitive function, I have been able to persevere to achieve a 4.225 GPA while on the advanced diploma track. I have always been an honor roll student, excelling in all my subjects. I am very proud of my hard work and determination to succeed, and I will continue to do so in college. Going to college will open new doors for me in the future and to pursue my dreams of becoming an Early Childhood Education Teacher.  Throughout my life, I have always faced adversity and obstacles with my chin up and eyes forward. Whether it be losing 60% of my kidney function when I was two years old or having two knee surgeries during my senior year of high school, preventing me from continuing to play my favorite sport (volleyball), life always presents me with challenges. I came from a relatively small community with only a few hundred students in my high school. I recently moved to a large community where my graduating class alone was over 450 students.  I have witnessed the benefits and advantages of belonging to a small and large community.  I can feel connected and gain support from those around me, whether for my medical or social and emotional needs. I am going to a small private college where I plan to show compassion to my classmates as we are all working toward a similar goal.  I am also committed to playing volleyball and am excited to once again feel a sense of belonging, build strong friendships, and continue to practice perseverance and patience, as I still have quite a ways to go with strengthening my knee.  I was enrolled in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) class at high school. I taught three to four-year-old preschoolers the fundamentals of learning, including fine and gross motor skills, cognitive development, and social and emotional interactions. Working with the children in this class was very important to me since it opened my eyes to the needs of students and their families. I helped them prepare to be successful in their future; therefore, I am making a difference. Not only am I teaching them, but they also taught me patience, multi-tasking skills, and how to give back to the community. Every day is something new with the preschoolers. When I walked into the classroom, I never knew what to expect. I always say I'm a little kid at heart, and teaching the children helps me reminisce about my childhood. Attending college and graduating with my degree in Early Childhood Education will allow me to obtain the skills and tools to educate our young scholars of the future.  Studies show that the first few years of a child's life are pivotal to their long-term success, and I can't wait to be a part of it and witness how they will continue to shape the community in the future.

“You’re a boring patient”. Normally if one called me boring, I most likely wouldn’t hold my tongue. I would defend who I am as a person and state how I’m quite the opposite of boring. In this case, as I sit on the examination table, I smile. That statement brings joy not only to my ears, but my parents’ as well. My life has been irrevocably altered by having to deal with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) at a young age. I’m actually glad I don’t recall my toddler years. From the scary hospital stories I’ve heard, a sick two year old hooked to many different machines is not a memorable moment. When the doctors told my family I had HUS, they practically fell to the floor. Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is a condition that can occur when small blood vessels become damaged and inflamed. HUS can lead to kidney failure, which can be life-threatening. From July 2008 to September 2008, I was bound to the hospital bed. From July of that year to November, I underwent dialysis. I had two surgeries, and I still carry the scars from both on my body. I currently have stage 3b Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). My kidneys are unable to filter blood as effectively as they should due to CKD. Even though there is no way to reverse the damage, I’m currently taking steps to slow it down. I have to take many different prescribed medications and go to frequent doctor appointments. Doctors, family, and friends didn’t think I was going to ever walk again. Now here I am, defeating all odds. I wanted to play soccer when I was four years old. When I was six, I did cheerleading. The fact that I was doing it with my older sister made me incredibly happy. In the 4th grade, a new dance team was coming to my town and I signed up. In 5th grade, I wanted to be Simone Biles. I idolized Simone in her gymnastic prowess. I begged my parents to sign me up for a gymnastics team. I did gymnastics for a few years until I fell in love with volleyball at the age of 13. That was the year I got introduced to volleyball and it was the first time I’ve ever played. To me, playing volleyball and being in the hospital are related. They both taught me many different things. The first thing I’ve learned from playing volleyball is the fact that you have so many girls supporting you. Even when you don’t notice it, they are secretly cheering you on. When I was admitted in the hospital, I had my family beside me. They continued to show their support and never left my side. Now, I vow to be supportive to those I’m around because I saw the way it helped me. I also learned determination from experiencing both playing volleyball and being in the hospital. Volleyball is a game of mistakes. You can only score when the opposing team messes up. Without determination, you’re going to keep making mistakes. Being in the hospital kind of has that same effect. I’m alive today because I never gave up. CKD can get mentally and physically draining sometimes, but I wouldn’t change my life for a normal one. The way I see it, normal is boring. I may be a boring patient in the doctor’s office, but not to the rest of the world. CKD doesn’t define me. It's preferable to demonstrate to those around you that your tenacity can make a difference in the world.