Being awarded the Prepared for Life (PFL) Scholarship would mean more to me than financial support. It would give me the chance to represent a message that truly matters and could potentially save someone’s life. Before going through the application process, I knew distracted driving was dangerous, but the Lutzie 43 Foundation made me think about it in a much more personal way. The idea of taking 43 Key Seconds before driving to have a Clear Head, Clear Hands, Clear Eyes, and to Click It simple, but that is what makes it powerful. It forces you to pause before turning the key and remember that one small choice can affect your life and the lives of others.
The application process also taught me a lot about perseverance. Perseverance means continuing to move forward even when things do not go the way you hoped. I learned that lesson through Boy Scouts when I ran for Senior Patrol Leader three times before finally being elected. The first two losses were discouraging and embarrassing, but I stayed committed, kept showing up, helped younger scouts, and worked to become a better leader. Looking back, the lesson was not just about winning the position. It was about not letting failure define me.
That lesson connects to the Lutzie 43 Foundation because safe driving also takes perseverance. It is not enough to make good choices once in a while. I have to keep practicing safe habits until they become second nature. Like many drivers my age, I know distractions are easy to fall into, whether it is music, passengers, phones, or being in a hurry. Philip Lutzenkirchen’s story reminded me that those “small” distractions are exactly the things that can change lives forever.
Philip was remembered not only as a talented football player but also as someone who cared deeply about people and wanted to be remembered for who he was off the field. That stands out to me because I want my life to be centered on service, responsibility, and making a difference. If I can help one person slow down, stay focused, or think twice before making a careless decision behind the wheel, then I am helping carry Philip’s legacy forward.
Lacrosse has been one of the biggest parts of that growth. My older brother was a varsity defensive starter from eighth grade, so a lot of people expected me to follow the same path and play the same position. But when I started lacrosse in eighth grade, I realized I wanted to play midfield. That choice taught me an important lesson. I did not have to copy someone else’s path to be successful. I had to be confident enough to find my own, and I have to be willing to work for it. Through persistence and practice, I moved from junior varsity to varsity and was eventually named team captain and a starting short stick defensive middie. That experience taught me that leadership also means having the confidence to pursue your own goals and encouraging teammates to do the same. I hope to keep playing lacrosse at Berry College, as a walk on athlete, and bring that same work ethic, accountability, and willingness to improve with me.
In Fall 2026, I plan to attend Berry College in Mount Berry, Georgia, where I hope to enter the nursing program and earn my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. My long-term goal is to become a flight nurse. Nursing stands out to me because it combines skill, responsibility, and compassion. Those are qualities I value and want to continue building in myself.
Nursing also runs in my family. My mom went back to school after turning 50 and graduated from nursing school last year. Now, she is focused on earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing while working two jobs. Watching her balance school, work, and family while still showing up for my games, ceremonies, and important moments has shown me what real commitment and love look like. My sister is also beginning her nursing education at ETSU, so service and caring for others are values we share as a family.
This scholarship will help me pursue those goals. Financially, it will reduce the cost of college and allow me to focus more on my studies while staying involved in service. My FAFSA does not fully show the sacrifices my mom has made as a single parent or the reality that our household will have four people in college at the same time. Even with those challenges, my family remains motivated, and I know we will all keep working toward a better future.
In college, I plan to volunteer with community programs such as Boy Scouts, animal shelters, and Special Olympics. I also want to continue using my photography and communication skills to support others and share meaningful stories as an ambassador for the Lutzie Foundation. My goal is not only to build a career but to live a life centered on service, responsibility, and making a difference.
Being awarded the PFL Scholarship makes me feel seen, supported, and trusted to carry forward a message that matters. I want to honor Philip’s legacy by making safe choices, serving others, and encouraging people around me to live with purpose. This scholarship is not just helping me get to college. It is reminding me of the kind of person I want to be when I get there and the kind of impact I hope to have for the rest of my life.