When I was in elementary school, my dad was battling ALS. Watching someone I loved slowly lose the ability to walk, talk, and complete everyday tasks was one of the most difficult experiences of my childhood. As his condition progressed, I saw the emotional and physical toll the disease took on both him and my family. When he passed away during my fifth-grade year, I struggled with grief and uncertainty while trying to keep up with school and daily life. During that time, my teachers became a source of stability and encouragement. They supported me academically, showed compassion when I needed it most, and reminded me that I still had a future to work toward. Their influence taught me that educators do far more than teach lessons—they help students navigate challenges, build confidence, and develop resilience. The care they showed me inspired my desire to become a teacher. My commitment to education grew even stronger through my younger brother’s experiences. He was diagnosed with ADHD and dyscalculia, a learning disability that affects mathematical understanding. I watched him struggle in a school environment that did not provide the support he needed. Despite being intelligent and hardworking, he often became frustrated and discouraged. Seeing his confidence decline made me realize how important it is for students to have educators who understand their individual learning needs. When my brother transferred to a school that offered appropriate accommodations and specialized instruction, the change was remarkable. With teachers who understood his challenges and strengths, he became more engaged, confident, and successful. Watching his growth reinforced my belief that every student can thrive when given the right support. It also showed me the vital role special education teachers play in helping students overcome obstacles and reach their potential. A quote that has always resonated with me is, “I’m willing and able.” Those words reflect the mindset I hope to bring to my future classroom. I am willing to support students through challenges, celebrate their successes, and advocate for their needs. I am able to make a positive impact through patience, empathy, and dedication. Every child deserves a teacher who believes in their abilities and encourages them to succeed. Because of my family’s experiences, I am passionate about pursuing a career in elementary special education. I want to create a classroom where students feel safe, supported, and valued. My goal is to help children build confidence while providing the individualized support they need to succeed academically and personally. Having experienced the positive influence of compassionate educators firsthand, I am committed to becoming that source of encouragement for others and helping students recognize their own potential.

Fitness is more than a hobby to me. It is a reminder of something many people take for granted: the ability to move, to be strong, and to wake up every day with a healthy body. When I was younger, I watched my father battle ALS. Over time, I saw his body slowly shut down. The disease took away his ability to do the things most people never think twice about—walking, lifting his arms, standing on his own, and eventually even speaking. Watching someone I loved lose those abilities changed the way I viewed my own health forever. Many people go to the gym because they want to look better or get stronger. While those are great goals, my motivation comes from a deeper place. Seeing what my father went through made me incredibly grateful for my working muscles, my healthy body, and my ability to move freely. Every time I step into a gym, I am reminded that movement is a gift. The moment I got my driver’s license, I started creating a routine for myself. Since then, I have gone to the gym at 5:00 a.m. almost every morning. It does not matter if I am tired, if I worked late the night before, if I have school that day, or if I have volleyball practice afterward. I show up because I know how fortunate I am to have a body capable of working hard. The gym has taught me discipline, consistency, and mental toughness. It has shown me that success comes from doing the things you do not always feel like doing. Fitness has also helped me manage stress and stay focused during some of the busiest years of my life. As a student-athlete, I balance academics, volleyball, work, and family responsibilities. Exercise gives me a healthy outlet and helps me maintain both my physical and mental well-being. The confidence I have gained through fitness has carried over into every aspect of my life. Volleyball has been another major part of my fitness journey. I have played club volleyball for eight years, varsity indoor volleyball for three years, and varsity beach volleyball for four years. The sport has challenged me physically and mentally while teaching me leadership, teamwork, and perseverance. This fall, I will continue my athletic career by playing college volleyball while pursuing my education. Fitness has not only improved my health; it has shaped my character. It has taught me gratitude, resilience, and discipline. Most importantly, it has helped me turn one of the most difficult experiences of my life into motivation to become stronger every day. Because of my father’s journey, I never take my health for granted. Every early morning workout, every practice, and every challenge I push through is a reminder that I am fortunate to have the opportunity to move, compete, and chase my goals. Fitness has changed my life by giving me purpose, perspective, and a daily reminder to make the most of the abilities I have been given.

Resilience is not something I was born with. It is something I developed through challenges, loss, and learning how to keep moving forward when life became difficult. One of the biggest challenges I have faced was losing my father. His passing changed my life and my family’s life forever. Watching my mother become the sole provider for our family while continuing to support my siblings and me taught me what true strength looks like. Although the experience was painful, it inspired me to work harder, appreciate opportunities, and never take my education or future for granted. Since losing my father, I have learned that adversity does not define who you are. Instead, it is how you respond to adversity that shapes your character. I made the decision to focus on my goals and continue pushing forward, even when things felt overwhelming. Throughout high school, I maintained a 3.7 GPA while balancing academics, athletics, work responsibilities, and family commitments. These experiences taught me discipline, responsibility, and the importance of perseverance. Volleyball has been one of the most important parts of my life and has helped me develop many of the qualities that define me today. I have played club volleyball for eight years, varsity indoor volleyball for three years, and varsity beach volleyball for four years. As a setter, I have learned how to lead under pressure, communicate effectively, and support my teammates through both victories and setbacks. Volleyball has taught me that success is not achieved alone and that hard work, consistency, and teamwork are essential to reaching your goals. In addition to athletics, I have worked to help prepare for my future. The rising cost of college can be overwhelming, and I understand that financial assistance is often necessary for students to achieve their educational goals. Rather than allowing financial challenges to discourage me, they have motivated me to work harder, apply for scholarships, and take responsibility for my future. Every scholarship opportunity represents a chance to continue my education and reduce the financial burden on my family. This fall, I will attend College of the Sequoias, where I will continue both my academic and athletic career as a college volleyball player. Continuing my education means more than earning a degree; it represents the opportunity to create a better future for myself and make a positive impact on others. My experiences have taught me resilience, determination, and gratitude, and I plan to carry those lessons with me throughout college and beyond. While I cannot change the challenges I have faced, I can choose how I respond to them. Those experiences have strengthened my character, fueled my ambition, and motivated me to pursue my goals with determination. Resilience is not about avoiding hardship—it is about continuing to move forward despite it. That mindset has brought me to where I am today, and it will continue to guide me as I pursue my education, athletic career, and future aspirations.

When people see my volleyball career on paper, they see eight years of club volleyball, three years of varsity indoor volleyball, four years of varsity beach volleyball, and a commitment to continue playing at the collegiate level. What they don’t see are the early mornings, long drives to tournaments, missed weekends, sacrifices, and lessons that shaped who I am today. As a setter, I have learned that leadership is not about being the loudest person on the court. It is about earning trust, staying composed under pressure, and putting others in a position to succeed. Every match has taught me how to communicate effectively, solve problems quickly, and support my teammates through both victories and setbacks. These lessons have carried over into every area of my life, especially my academics. Being a student-athlete has required me to develop discipline, time management, and resilience. There have been days when practices, tournaments, schoolwork, and responsibilities felt overwhelming, but I have learned that success comes from showing up consistently and giving your best effort even when no one is watching. Volleyball has taught me that growth happens when you push beyond your comfort zone and continue moving forward despite challenges. One of the qualities I am most proud of is my determination. I set high standards for myself both academically and athletically because I believe opportunities are earned through hard work. This mindset has helped me excel in the classroom while competing at a high level in volleyball. More importantly, it has taught me that true success is not measured by awards or statistics, but by the impact you have on others and the character you demonstrate along the way. This fall, I will continue my journey as a college volleyball player while pursuing my education and career goals. Earning the opportunity to compete at the next level is the result of years of dedication, perseverance, and passion for the sport I love. I am excited to continue growing as a student, athlete, and future professional while representing the values that volleyball has instilled in me. The Electric Cycle Studio Scholarship represents more than financial support. It represents an investment in student-athletes who are committed to pursuing excellence and making a difference in their communities. I am proud of the athlete, student, teammate, and leader I have become, and I am determined to continue using my education and athletic opportunities to create a positive impact wherever life takes me.

Connection is something I have always believed is essential for people to feel valued and supported. Throughout my life, I have tried to create environments where others feel included, encouraged, and accepted for who they are. One of the most meaningful ways I have been able to do this is through volleyball. Volleyball has been a huge part of my life for many years. Through the sport, I have learned that teams are not just about winning games, but about building trust, supporting one another, and making sure everyone feels like they belong. Every player brings different strengths, personalities, and experiences to the court. When teammates feel comfortable being themselves, the entire team becomes stronger. As I gained experience playing volleyball, I began helping coach younger girls in my community. What started as simply teaching skills quickly turned into something much more meaningful. Many of the girls I worked with were nervous and unsure of themselves when they first stepped on the court. Some were afraid of making mistakes or felt like they did not fit in with the other players. I made it a goal to help them feel welcomed and supported. I encouraged them to try their best without being afraid of failure, reminded them that everyone improves at their own pace, and celebrated their progress along the way. Over time, I watched their confidence grow. Girls who once stood quietly in the back of the gym began speaking up, cheering for teammates, and taking pride in their improvement. Seeing that change reminded me how powerful connection and encouragement can be. My desire to create connection also comes from experiences within my own family. My younger brother struggled in school and often felt frustrated and discouraged when learning did not come easily for him. Watching him go through those challenges opened my eyes to how important it is for people to have someone who believes in them and helps them feel understood. Because of this, I hope to become a special education teacher in the future. I want to create classrooms where students feel safe, supported, and confident in their abilities, regardless of the challenges they may face. Just like in sports, I believe that students thrive when they feel like they truly belong. Connection has the power to change people’s lives in ways we may not always see immediately. Whether it is encouraging a teammate, supporting a younger athlete, or helping a student who feels overlooked, small acts of kindness can make a lasting difference. By continuing to create environments where people feel valued and included, I hope to help others build confidence, discover their strengths, and know that they are never alone.

My relationship with Jesus has been shaped through both joy and grief. One of the hardest experiences of my life was losing my father to ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Watching someone you love slowly lose the ability to move, speak, and live independently is something no child is ever truly prepared for. During that time, my family faced deep sadness, uncertainty, and emotional pain. Yet it was also during those moments that my faith in God began to grow in ways I never expected. Grief can make the world feel heavy and confusing. There were many moments where I questioned why something so difficult had to happen to my family. However, through prayer and the support of my faith, I slowly began to understand that even in the hardest seasons of life, God is still present. My faith helped me keep moving forward when it would have been easier to give up. I believe God gave me strength when I felt weak and hope when everything felt uncertain. Losing my father also shaped the way I see other people. It taught me that everyone carries struggles that are not always visible on the outside. Because of that, I have learned to approach others with compassion and patience. I believe that God calls us to love and support one another, especially those who may feel overlooked or misunderstood. Through my experiences, I have come to believe that God has placed a specific purpose on my life. I truly feel called to become a special education teacher. My younger brother struggled in school and often did not receive the support he needed to succeed. Watching him face those challenges opened my eyes to how important it is for students with learning differences to have teachers who believe in them and advocate for them. I want to be the kind of teacher who creates a classroom where every student feels valued and capable. Many students in special education feel discouraged or labeled because they learn differently. I want them to know that their differences do not limit their potential. I believe God calls us to use our gifts to serve others, and I feel that my calling is to help students who may feel unseen or unheard. My faith is something I carry with me in every part of my life. It influences how I treat people, how I face challenges, and how I think about my future. As I continue my education, I want to live out my faith not only through words but through actions. By showing kindness, patience, and encouragement to others, I hope to reflect the love that Christ has shown me. Although my journey has included grief and hardship, it has also strengthened my faith and given me a clear sense of purpose. I believe that God used those experiences to guide me toward helping others. As I pursue my education and future career, my goal is to use the gifts God has given me to support students, uplift others, and make a positive difference in the world.

Mental health is something that has shaped my life in ways many people may not immediately see. Growing up, I experienced anxiety that often made everyday situations feel overwhelming. At the same time, my family was facing challenges that forced me to mature quickly, including caring for my father as he battled ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Those experiences gave me a deep understanding of how mental and emotional struggles can affect every part of a person’s life. Watching my father slowly lose his ability to move and communicate was heartbreaking. ALS is a disease that takes away a person’s independence little by little. As the oldest sibling, I helped my family care for him while also trying to navigate school and my own emotions. Being around such a difficult illness at a young age made me more aware of how people cope with stress, fear, and uncertainty. It also helped me realize how important emotional support and mental health care truly are. At the same time, my own anxiety sometimes made me feel like I had to carry my worries silently. I learned that many people struggle internally while appearing strong on the outside. This realization changed the way I interact with others. It taught me to pay attention to what people might be feeling beneath the surface and to approach others with empathy rather than judgment. These experiences are a major reason why I want to pursue a career in psychology and work in education as a special education teacher. My younger brother struggled in school and often did not receive the support he needed. Watching him face those challenges helped me understand how frustrating and isolating school can feel for students who learn differently or need additional support. I want to help create environments where students feel safe asking for help and where their emotional well-being is just as important as their academic success. I also hope to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. Too many people feel ashamed or afraid to talk about what they are going through. I want to be someone who helps change that. Whether it is through teaching, counseling, or simply being a supportive adult in a student’s life, I want to make sure young people know they are not alone in their struggles. Mental health challenges are something many people face, but they can also become a source of strength and understanding. My experiences with anxiety and with caring for a parent with a serious illness have given me compassion and perspective that I believe will help me connect with others in meaningful ways. In the future, I hope to use my education and experiences to support students who may feel misunderstood or overlooked. If I can help even one person feel heard, valued, and capable of overcoming their challenges, then I know I will be making a difference.

Growing up in a single-parent household shaped who I am in ways that many people my age may not fully understand. My father passed away from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, when I was young. Watching him slowly lose his ability to move and speak was heartbreaking, but it also taught me compassion, resilience, and the importance of caring for others. As the oldest sibling, I had to grow up quickly. My mom became both parents overnight, working tirelessly to support our family while also carrying the emotional weight of losing her husband. I watched her push through exhaustion and grief every day just to make sure my siblings and I still had stability. Seeing her strength taught me that perseverance isn’t about having an easy life—it’s about continuing to move forward even when life becomes incredibly difficult. During my dad’s illness, our home often looked different than most. Medical equipment became part of our daily lives, and simple routines required extra effort. I helped with small tasks like crushing medications for his feeding tube, preparing meals, and assisting with daily care. Those experiences changed the way I see the world. While many kids my age were focused on typical teenage concerns, I learned early what it meant to support someone who could no longer care for themselves. Growing up this way also helped shape my future goals. I plan to study psychology and become a special education teacher, working with students who may feel overlooked or misunderstood. My younger brother struggled in school and often did not receive the support he needed. Watching him face those challenges made me realize how important it is for students to have someone who truly advocates for them. I want to be that person for children who need encouragement, patience, and understanding. I also want to create classrooms where students feel safe and valued. Because of my father’s illness, I know what it feels like to be different and to carry responsibilities that other people cannot see. I want students to know that their circumstances do not define their potential. Being raised by a single parent after losing my father was not easy, but it gave me a perspective that I would not trade. It taught me empathy, responsibility, and the desire to help others through difficult situations. My mom’s strength showed me that even when life changes in ways we never expected, it is still possible to keep moving forward and create something meaningful from those experiences. In the future, I hope to use my education and my personal experiences to support students who feel like they don’t belong or who need someone to believe in them. If I can help even one child feel understood, encouraged, and capable of succeeding, then I know I will be honoring both my father’s memory and the sacrifices my mother made for our family.

One movie that has had a lasting impact on my life is The Fault in Our Stars. The story follows two teenagers, Hazel and Augustus, who are both living with cancer. Although the movie tells a love story, what impacted me most was the way it shows the strength and humanity of people who are living with serious illness. It reminded me a lot of my own life and my experience growing up with a father who had ALS. My father was diagnosed with ALS when I was young. ALS is a disease that slowly takes away a person’s ability to move, speak, and eventually breathe. Watching my dad go through that was incredibly difficult, but it also taught me lessons about strength, compassion, and resilience that have shaped the person I am today. Just like the characters in The Fault in Our Stars, my dad faced his illness with courage and humor even when things were extremely hard. As the oldest child in my family, I often helped care for my dad as his disease progressed. I helped crush his medications so they could go through his feeding tube, assisted with daily tasks, and supported my family as we navigated the realities of ALS. At a young age, I learned that illness does not define a person. My dad was still the same loving, funny, and strong person even as his body became weaker. When I watched The Fault in Our Stars, it reminded me of the way people often underestimate individuals who are facing medical challenges. Society sometimes sees illness or disability first instead of seeing the person. The movie shows that people with illnesses still have dreams, relationships, humor, and purpose. That message deeply resonated with me because it reflected what I experienced with my dad. The film also reminded me how important empathy is. Hazel and Augustus support each other through incredibly difficult circumstances, showing that compassion and understanding can make an enormous difference in someone’s life. Watching their story reinforced my belief that kindness and empathy are some of the most powerful things we can offer others. My experience growing up with my dad and seeing stories like this in film has influenced the path I want to take in life. I plan to pursue a degree in psychology and eventually become a special education teacher. I want to help students who may feel misunderstood or overlooked, especially those with disabilities or learning differences. Everyone deserves to feel seen, valued, and supported. Movies have the ability to help us understand experiences that are different from our own. For me, The Fault in Our Stars reflected the reality that I had already lived and helped me appreciate the strength of people facing difficult circumstances. It reminded me that even in the hardest moments, love, humor, and compassion can still exist. My father’s life and the lessons I learned from him continue to guide me. Just as the characters in the movie refuse to let illness define their lives, I hope to dedicate my future to helping others live fully and confidently despite the challenges they may face.

Growing up, I learned very early that not everyone experiences the world the same way. My father was diagnosed with ALS, a disease that slowly took away his ability to move, speak, and live independently. While most kids were worrying about homework or sports practice, my family was learning how to navigate feeding tubes, medical equipment, and the emotional reality of watching someone you love lose pieces of themselves over time. As the oldest child, I helped my mom care for him in ways that shaped the person I am today. I crushed medications so they could go through his feeding tube, helped prepare meals, and assisted with the equipment he needed every day. Living through this experience gave me a deep sense of empathy for people whose lives are affected by disability. I saw firsthand how the world is not always built to support individuals who think, move, or communicate differently. Sometimes the hardest part wasn’t the disease itself, but the way people looked at my dad in public, unsure how to react to someone in a wheelchair who could no longer speak. That experience made me realize how important compassion, understanding, and advocacy are for individuals with special needs. My passion for helping others grew even stronger as I watched my younger brother struggle in school. He did not receive the support he needed at first, and it was heartbreaking to see how quickly a child’s confidence can disappear when they feel misunderstood in the classroom. Seeing that motivated me to pursue a career in psychology and special education. I want to become a mild to moderate special education teacher so I can create a classroom where students feel supported, understood, and capable of success. Many students with autism and other learning differences are incredibly intelligent and talented, but traditional classrooms are not always designed in ways that allow them to thrive. I want to help change that. In the future, I hope to create learning environments that are patient, structured, and adaptable to different learning styles. My goal is to focus on building students’ confidence, helping them recognize their strengths, and giving them tools that allow them to succeed both academically and socially. I believe that education should not simply focus on what students struggle with, but also on what makes them unique. Students with autism often see the world in creative, thoughtful ways that deserve to be valued. As an educator, I want to advocate for inclusive classrooms, individualized learning plans, and a culture of respect where differences are celebrated instead of misunderstood. My father’s illness taught me compassion. My brother’s struggles taught me purpose. Together, they shaped the path I want to follow in life. I want to dedicate my career to helping students with autism and other special needs feel capable, supported, and proud of who they are. Every child deserves a safe place to learn and grow, and I hope to be the kind of teacher who helps make that possible.

My desire to become a teacher comes from experiences in my own life that showed me how powerful the right support can be for a student. I plan to pursue a degree in psychology and eventually become a mild-to-moderate special education teacher because I want to create classrooms where every student feels safe, respected, and capable of learning. Growing up, I saw how people with disabilities are often misunderstood. My father had ALS, a disease that slowly took away his ability to move. For much of my childhood he used a wheelchair, and I noticed how people sometimes stared when we were in public. As a child, those moments made me uncomfortable, because I knew they were seeing his disability before they saw him as a person. But to me, he was still my dad: strong, loving, and someone who never stopped caring for his family. Watching him live with dignity despite his challenges shaped the way I see the world. It taught me empathy and helped me understand that people with disabilities deserve patience, respect, and understanding. Those lessons stayed with me as I grew older. I also saw how difficult school could be for my younger brother. He struggled academically and did not receive the support he needed to succeed. As his oldest sister, it broke my heart to see him become frustrated and discouraged. School should be a place where students feel supported and encouraged, but for him it often felt like the opposite. Those experiences are what inspired me to pursue a career in education. I want to be the teacher that students can rely on when they feel lost or misunderstood. I want my classroom to be a safe environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and growing at their own pace. Every student learns differently, and I believe it is a teacher’s responsibility to recognize those differences and help each student succeed. Throughout my education, I have also been fortunate to have teachers who encouraged me and believed in my potential. Those teachers showed me that a supportive educator can change a student’s confidence and outlook on school. They created classrooms where students felt valued and motivated to learn, and that is the kind of teacher I hope to become. Teaching is more than delivering lessons from a textbook. It is about helping students discover their strengths, build confidence, and realize that their voice matters. I want my future students to feel seen and respected, especially those who may feel overlooked or misunderstood. My father’s resilience and my brother’s struggles gave me a clear purpose. I want to dedicate my career to helping students who need patience, support, and encouragement. By becoming a teacher, I hope to make a difference in the lives of students and help them believe in themselves. Every student deserves a classroom where they feel human, valued, and capable of success. As a teacher, that is the environment I will work every day to create.

My passion for becoming a special education teacher comes from personal experiences that shaped how I see the world and how I want to help others. Growing up, I saw firsthand how people with disabilities are sometimes misunderstood or overlooked. Those experiences inspired me to pursue a degree in psychology and eventually become a mild-to-moderate special education teacher so I can create classrooms where every student feels valued and capable. My father lived with ALS, a disease that slowly took away his ability to move. For most of my childhood, he used a wheelchair and depended on others for help with daily tasks. As a young girl, I noticed how people would stare at him when we were in public. Sometimes kids looked at him differently, and I could see the confusion or discomfort on their faces. Watching those reactions taught me something powerful: people often fear or misunderstand what they do not know. But my father was still the same person he had always been—kind, loving, and strong. Seeing him navigate the world with dignity despite his disability shaped how I understand humanity and empathy. My younger brother also struggled in school because he did not receive the support he needed. As his oldest sister, it was painful to watch him feel frustrated and discouraged when school should have been a place where he felt supported. Seeing him go through that experience broke my heart, but it also motivated me to become someone who could change that reality for other students. These experiences connect deeply to Professor Harold Bloom’s statement that “the purpose of teaching is to bring the student to his or her sense of his or her own presence.” To me, this means helping students recognize that they matter—that their voice, ideas, and abilities have value. Many students with special needs spend years feeling invisible or defined by what they struggle with rather than what they can achieve. My mission as a teacher is to help them discover their strengths and build confidence in who they are. As a future mild-to-moderate special education teacher, I want my classroom to be a safe environment where students feel respected and supported. I want students to walk into my classroom knowing they are not judged by their challenges but encouraged by their potential. By using patience, creativity, and compassion, I will help students develop the academic skills they need while also helping them build confidence in themselves. My goal is not just to teach lessons from a textbook but to guide students toward believing in their own abilities. When students begin to see themselves as capable, they begin to participate more, ask questions, and take risks in their learning. That moment—when a student realizes they belong and their voice matters—is what Professor Bloom describes as discovering their “own presence.” My father’s resilience and my brother’s struggles have given me a clear purpose. I want to dedicate my life to helping students who may feel overlooked discover their worth and their potential. Every student deserves to feel human, respected, and capable of success. As a special education teacher, I will work to ensure that every student in my classroom feels seen, supported, and empowered to grow.

Losing my dad to ALS when I was twelve years old changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, slowly took away his ability to move, speak, and live independently. Watching someone you love go through that is heartbreaking, especially as a child. But through that experience, I learned lessons about strength, responsibility, and perseverance that have shaped who I am today. As the oldest daughter in my family, I grew up quickly during my dad’s illness. My mom was his primary caregiver, and I watched her carry an incredible amount of responsibility while still trying to keep our family strong. Seeing her strength inspired me to step up and help wherever I could. I learned how to support my siblings, help around the house, and be present for my family during one of the hardest times in our lives. Even after my dad passed away, the impact of his illness stayed with us. Our family had to adjust to a new reality without him, and that was incredibly difficult. There were moments of sadness, but there were also moments that reminded me how strong people can be when they support one another. That experience taught me resilience and gratitude for the time we have with the people we love. Sports, especially volleyball, became one of the ways I learned to cope with grief and continue moving forward. Volleyball gave me structure, purpose, and a community that supported me through difficult times. It taught me discipline, teamwork, and how to push through challenges even when things feel overwhelming. Those lessons carried into every part of my life, including school, leadership opportunities, and the way I approach my goals for the future. Losing my dad also shaped the way I see the world and the kind of person I want to be. It taught me empathy for others who are going through difficult situations and reminded me how important it is to support people around you. Everyone carries struggles that others may not see, and because of my experience, I try to be someone who brings encouragement and positivity to others. Today, I am motivated to pursue my education and continue playing volleyball in college while building a future that honors the values my dad taught me. His perseverance during his illness showed me what true courage looks like. Even when ALS took so much from him physically, he never lost his love for our family or his determination to keep going. The loss of my father is something that will always be part of my story, but it does not define me in a negative way. Instead, it has given me strength, perspective, and a deep appreciation for life. It motivates me to work hard, support others, and pursue my goals with determination. Because of him, I know that even in the face of loss, it is possible to move forward with purpose, resilience, and hope.

January 16th, 2019 was the most painful day of my life. It was the day my dad passed away after battling ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. I was only twelve years old when we lost him, but long before that day, ALS had already changed my life and the responsibilities I carried. As the oldest daughter, I had to mature quickly. When my dad became sick, I helped my family care for him in ways that most kids my age never experience. I crushed his medications so they could go through his feeding tube, helped make dinner, put together the equipment he needed to eat, and helped with daily medical tasks like emptying his catheter bag. Watching ALS slowly take away his ability to move, speak, and live independently was heartbreaking, but it also taught me compassion and strength at a very young age. My mom was my dad’s primary caregiver, and she carried an incredible amount of responsibility while trying to keep our family together. She was exhausted most of the time because caring for someone with ALS is physically and emotionally overwhelming. As the oldest child, I also helped take care of my two younger siblings so my mom could focus on helping my dad and continuing to work. Those experiences forced me to grow up quickly and understand what it means to step up for the people you love. Despite everything happening at home, I continued to focus on my education and my future. I stayed involved in school, participated in sports and activities, and worked hard academically. Those parts of my life gave me a sense of stability during a time that often felt uncertain and overwhelming. When my dad passed away in 2019, my family was left grieving while trying to rebuild our lives. Soon after, the COVID-19 pandemic began, making an already difficult time even more isolating. Losing a parent at such a young age is something that stays with you forever, but it has also motivated me to work toward a future where I can help others. I plan to major in psychology and become a special education teacher. I want to work with students who may feel misunderstood or struggle in traditional classrooms and help them reach their full potential. My experiences caring for my dad and supporting my family taught me patience, empathy, and resilience, qualities that I believe are essential when working with students who need extra support. This scholarship would help support my education and allow me to continue pursuing my dream of becoming a teacher. As the oldest sibling in a single-income household, I also help support my family and my younger siblings, and financial assistance would make a meaningful difference in my ability to continue my education. Although my dad is no longer here, his strength and the lessons I learned through his battle with ALS continue to guide me. I stay connected with ALS communities through online groups where people share their experiences and support one another. Being part of those spaces reminds me that even through loss, there is still a powerful community of people who care and uplift each other. ALS changed my life forever, but it also shaped the person I am today. It taught me resilience, compassion, and the importance of helping others, and those lessons will continue to guide me as I pursue my education and my future career.

When I was twelve years old, my life changed in ways most children my age could not imagine. My dad was battling ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a progressive illness that slowly takes away a person’s ability to move, speak, and eventually breathe. While many kids my age were focused on school, friends, and activities, my family was learning how to live with a disease that was taking our dad away from us piece by piece. As the oldest daughter, I had to mature quickly. I stepped into responsibilities that many children never experience. I helped crush my dad’s medications, helped prepare his meals, and learned how to put together the equipment he needed just to eat. I also helped empty his catheter bag, and even woke up in the middle of the night to scratch his back because my mom finally fell asleep. These were things no 8 - 12 year olds expect to learn, but when someone you love needs help, you step up. My mom was my dad’s primary caregiver, and she carried an incredible amount of responsibility every single day. She was exhausted almost all the time, trying to take care of him while also being there for our family. Watching her strength made me realize how much our family depended on each other. I also helped take care of my two younger siblings, doing my best to be strong for them and make things feel as normal as possible. Even with everything happening at home, I continued to stay involved in school and activities. I played sports, danced, and worked hard in my classes. Those activities became an outlet for me and a reminder that life could still have moments of joy. No matter how hard things were at home, I didn’t want to lose sight of my future. In 2019, my dad passed away. Losing him was one of the most painful experiences of my life. The grief that comes from losing a parent at a young age does not simply go away. It stays with you in quiet moments, in memories, and in the realization that there are milestones they will never get to see. Shortly after we lost him, the COVID-19 pandemic began, and the world shut down just as my family was trying to process our loss. It was an isolating time that made everything feel even heavier. Although these experiences were incredibly difficult, they shaped the person I am today. Watching my dad fight ALS and helping care for him taught me empathy, patience, and resilience. It showed me the importance of compassion and the impact that support and understanding can have on someone going through a difficult time. Because of what my family experienced, I want to dedicate my future to helping others. I plan to major in psychology and become a special education teacher. I want to support students who may feel misunderstood or struggle in traditional classrooms and help them recognize their strengths. Every child deserves someone who believes in them and helps them see what they are capable of. My dad’s battle with ALS changed my life forever. While it brought unimaginable loss, it also taught me strength, compassion, and the importance of helping others. Those lessons will guide me as I move forward in life and work toward making a positive difference in the lives of the students I hope to serve one day.