When I found out I had been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Prepared for Life (PFL) Scholarship, I felt incredibly honored and grateful. Receiving this scholarship means so much more to me than financial help for college. It represents responsibility, leadership, and the opportunity to carry on a legacy that has impacted so many people through the message of safe and distraction-free driving.
Before learning about the Lutzie 43 Foundation and completing the Safeguarding Your Legacy curriculum, I thought safe driving mostly meant following traffic laws and avoiding reckless behavior. What I learned through the application process was that safe driving actually begins long before the car starts moving. The 43 Key Seconds safe driving checklist taught me how important it is to have a Clear Head, Clear Hands, Clear Eyes and a safe ride every time I get behind the wheel. Those lessons changed the way I think about driving and the responsibility that comes with it.
One part of the curriculum that stood out to me most was the importance of having a clear head before driving. As a high school student, life can feel nonstop between school, sports, homework, practices, and spending time with friends. Most days, the drive home becomes the time when I replay conversations from the day, think about assignments I still need to finish, or mentally prepare for whatever comes next. Through this program, I realized that even if your hands are on the wheel and your eyes are on the road, your mind can still be distracted.
That lesson really stuck with me because I think many people underestimate how much stress, emotions, or even simple distractions can affect the way we drive. Since learning about the 43 Key Seconds, I’ve tried to make it a habit to pause before driving, take a breath, and focus on the responsibility of being behind the wheel. It sounds simple, but those few seconds can make a big difference.
Another lesson that impacted me was the importance of driving with clear hands. In today’s world, distractions are everywhere. Phones, music, social media, notifications, and technology constantly compete for our attention. Like most teenagers, I understand the temptation to quickly check a notification or respond to a message. It’s easy to think something can wait only a second, but the reality is that distractions can take your focus away from the road much faster than people realize.
Since completing the curriculum, I’ve become much more intentional about putting my phone away and staying focused while driving. I’ve learned that arriving safely is always more important than answering a text or checking a notification. I think one of the biggest things this program taught me is that safe driving is not just about protecting yourself but it is also about protecting everyone around you.
As I learned more about Philip Lutzenkirchen’s life, what stood out to me most was the way people described his kindness and the way he cared about others. Of course, he was successful in athletics, but the legacy he left behind was much bigger than sports. People remembered the way he treated others, served his community, and made those around him feel valued. That message really connected with me.
Sports have played a major role in my life, especially football and baseball. Through athletics, I’ve learned discipline, resilience, accountability, and the importance of leading by example. My coaches have always taught me that leadership is shown through everyday choices and actions, especially when nobody is watching. Over time, I realized those same lessons apply directly to driving.
Every time I get behind the wheel, I’m making decisions that affect not only me, but also my passengers, other drivers, and families on the road. Being a safe driver is another form of leadership because it requires responsibility, self-control, and awareness of the people around you. I try to carry that mindset into my friendships and everyday life as well. My friends know that if they ever need someone to pick them up or help them get home safely, they can call me anytime, no questions asked.
Receiving this scholarship motivates me to continue sharing the message behind the Lutzie 43 Foundation and encouraging others to practice distraction-free driving. As I prepare to attend Auburn University, I hope to continue living out the values that this scholarship represents. I also hope to encourage younger drivers to build safe habits early because I know how important those habits can become over time.
More than anything, this experience has reminded me that the legacy a person leaves behind is built through small, everyday choices. The way we treat people, the responsibility we show, and the decisions we make each day can have a lasting impact on others. To me, driving distraction-free is about caring for the people around you and doing your part to keep others safe.
I’m truly thankful to be part of the 2026 PFL Scholarship Class and to help carry on Philip Lutzenkirchen’s legacy. I hope to continue being someone others can trust, both on and off the road, and to make a positive impact through the way I live, lead, and care for the people around me.