Rugby family knows no land boundaries. Whether in my state, another state, or overseas, rugby players come together! This spring break I was fortunate to be invited to participate in a rugby tour over in Ireland. I can't begin to tell you how awesome it was to be welcomed into other rugby families by the Irish women players! When I put on my rugby jersey, I am not just another player, I am part of a family, part of a sisterhood. With fellow rugby players we'd never met, in a country many of us had never visited, we rucked, we scrummed, we tackled, and we got muddy... then we sang, we danced, and we ate... just like family. I left Ireland with new rugby sisters! I have dedicated much of my young life to helping others. My passion, drive, and dedication led me to being nominated as the battalion commander for my high school JROTC. I have worked more than double the community service hours as requested from my high school. My plan is to major in psychology and continue helping others. This is my last year playing high school rugby. As co-captain, I have been trying to recruit new women players to the sport I love. Unlike single sports, rugby requires trust, teamwork, and communication with all the other players on the team. The best part about rugby is that it is accepting of women of all shapes and sizes. There are literally positions for every woman no matter if she is tall, short, stocky, or slender. The rugby sisterhood is about bonding, encouraging, lifting up, and helping other women. While I may not be near, in proximity, to my teammates, they will always be near in my heart. The rugby sisterhood is real and I am proud and honored to be a member. I was sad to learn that my college of choice no longer has a women's rugby team. But that isn't going to stop me from playing the sport I love. During orientation, I spoke with college staff and I am going to re-start the women's rugby club. I truly love and cherish the rugby sisterhood and my rugby family. Thank you for not only the opportunity at a chance for this amazing scholarship, but also thank you for bringing more light to women's rugby. And if you are reading this, and you are looking for a sport that is accepting, fun, and calls bruises "#souveniers," then look up your local rugby club and join the family :)

It's a loaded question. What does my rugby family mean to me? My first thought is, well, my rugby family means everything to me. It means knowing that I have passionate cheerleaders, big confidence boosters, and number-one fans always in my corner. It means kindness, love, and admiration shown not only to my teammates, but to my teammate’s parents, my coaches, the referees, and the players and coaches on other teams. It means respect is given and respect is received. It means that if I feel like I just can’t do it anymore or I feel like giving up, I know that my rugby family will be there to lift me up. What does my rugby family mean to me? It means people I’ve never met making me feel welcomed with open arms. It means strangers on opposite teams offering me advice, tips, and tricks on how to improve my game. It means passing on knowledge and helping new players grasp a new concept or pick up a new skill. It means hooting and hollering when we score a try. It means smiling faces and hugs even if we lose the game. It means being accepted and accepting others no matter their body type, personality, or skill level. What does my rugby family mean to me? It means the small stuff is important to them, like when I forgot my water bottle and was given an extra one. It means bringing an extra water bottle in case someone forgets theirs. It means carrying a hair tie even though I have short hair in case one of my teammates forgot theirs. It means always chipping in to help. It means helping gather up all the equipment after practice or a game. What does my rugby family mean to me? It means the silly stuff like a teammate making me laugh after a hard practice. It means the excitement of showing up to the field after a long time off and seeing all those beautiful faces again. It means chanting before the game and high-fives after the game. What does my rugby family mean to me? It means knowing the people surrounding me have my best interests at heart. It means being respectful and ensuring I play the game with the utmost integrity. It means making them proud of me by trying my best. It means knowing that I am important, supported, and loved. What does my rugby family mean to me? Well, after saying all that, I guess it just really boils down to my first thought, that one word, everything!