Although I am a North Carolinian, born and bred, my mom is from West Virginia. I know how strong West Virginia roots are and because of my family lineage, I feel like I am from North Carolina AND West Virginia. My entire life I have heard stories about my relatives in West Virginia who much like Mr. Collins, worked hard and defied all barriers. My great-great-grandmother owned her own store and restaurant during the Great Depression in Lenore, West Virginia, which was unheard of for a woman. My great-great-aunt has seven degrees from seven universities. All of my great uncles and aunts secured college degrees in the 30s and 40s. Their work ethic and determination has definitely been instilled in me. I love sports. I have played lacrosse since I was three years old. I have the opportunity to play lacrosse at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennesee. I am grateful for the opportunity because I know that only seven percent (7%) of high school athletes go on to play in college. I also know that this opportunity also comes with great expectations of me. Lacrosse has opened doors for me and I know that it is my hard work that will get me through those doors. I plan to utilize my higher education and training through sports to impact my community. I have played at a high level throughout high school, often playing against some of the best players in the country. While that high level of lacrosse has developed my game, it has been my coaches that have instilled in me the importance of giving back to my community. I had the same coaches since 8th grade on my club team. For five years they came to practice twice a week (often driving an hour one way); they attended 6-8 tournaments each year for a weekend. They sacrificed their time for me. To make me a better person, player and young man. What struck me the most out about their commitment is that they didn't have a son on the team - Sam Carpenter had two sons playing at Duke and Chip Mayer had three daughters. They took time from their families to help me - Beau Burnette from Henderson, North Carolina. That simple gesture but great sacrifice will stay with me forever. It has shown me that I must use my education and opportunities to give back to my community. I am still unsure as to what I want to study in college. Some days it is history. Some days it is politics. Some days it is the classics. But what I do know is that I will be playing the sport I love in college. I will continue to have coaches who will sacrifice for me. Whatever I decide to pursue, I will use it to expand the game of lacrosse in my community. I will use my contacts and my education to ensure that kids who normally wouldn't have the opportunity to play lacrosse gets that opportunity. I will utilize my education and my training to help kids break boundaries. That's what my family in West Virginia did and that is what Chip Mayer and Sam Carpenter did for me in North Carolina. It is now my turn to pay it forward.