Being named a recipient of the Prepared for Life (PFL) Scholarship for 2025 is a significant milestone in my life. The Lutzie 43 Foundation has made a tremendous impact on countless individuals over the past 11 years, and it’s truly an honor to now serve as an ambassador for its mission. I hope to continue that legacy by promoting safe driving practices and making a difference in the lives of others.
I was fortunate enough to know Philip personally. He was a year older than me, but we played sports together starting in middle school and continuing through our time at Lassiter High School. My first memory of Philip goes back to sixth grade when he practiced basketball with us. I remember not only how talented he was, but also how effortlessly he connected with everyone, regardless of who they were.
Later, in high school, I was called up to Varsity Football at the end of the season. At the time, Philip played both offensively and defensively. And I was put on the “scout team” where we scrimmaged against the starters every day. One practice, I caught a seam route about 15 yards upfield, just before getting absolutely leveled by Philip who was playing at safety. Needless to say, it took me a while to stand up. But in true Philip fashion, he came up to me after practice to check if I was okay and to compliment me on the catch. That gesture stuck with me. Not many people would take the time to do that.
Stories like these reflect who Philip was – kind, encouraging, and someone who led by example. Whether on the field or off, he was someone I admired and looked up to, and his example continues to shape the person I am today.
One of Philip’s last tweets before his tragic passing was: “I know God’s working so I smile – PFL.” I wear a bracelet with that quote every day. It serves as a constant reminder that life is fragile and should never be taken for granted. That’s why I strongly encourage everyone to take the 43 Key Seconds Safe Driving Pledge and complete the Safeguarding Your Legacy Curriculum. These initiatives not only foster accountability when it comes to safe driving but also offer valuable insight into the dangers of distracted driving—lessons that could save lives.
I’ve grown up during a time of rapid technological advancement, especially in the areas of phones and vehicles. From built-in safety features to semi-autonomous driving capabilities, the innovations are remarkable. One of my favorite features is something my mom uses: her phone disables notifications and automatically responds to messages, letting people know she’s driving. Even with all this new technology, however, unsafe driving remains a widespread issue. Whether it’s texting behind the wheel, failing to wear a seatbelt, or even blasting music too loudly, distractions are everywhere.
On a personal note, I’m excited to share that, ten years after earning my undergraduate degree, I’ll be returning to Georgia Tech to pursue my Master of Business Administration (MBA). Living near Lake Lanier means I’ll be spending a lot of time on the road commuting to and from campus. This presents a perfect opportunity to put the 43 Key Seconds pledge into practice and reinforce my commitment to safe driving.
Over the past decade, I’ve held a variety of roles – including engineering, data analytics, and people management – with a strong focus on manufacturing. With this next step, my goal is to help my current company continue expanding internationally as we work to “paint the world orange.” Long term, I hope to leverage my experience and education to one day open and operate my own business. And again, I am so appreciative of the Lutzie 43 Foundation to be a recipient of the PFL Scholarship which is helping me move closer to these goals.
In closing, as a new PFL Ambassador, I see this as an opportunity and a responsibility. Our goal is to combat distracted driving and inspire others to live like Lutz, love like Lutz, and learn from Lutz. By doing so, we can help build a safer, more mindful community—one driver at a time.