I am deeply honored to be a recipient of the 2025 Prepared for Life (PFL) Scholarship. I am honored to represent a foundation that has core values that everyone can relate to. This award will allow me to reach my educational goals. I am honored to share the importance of the Lutzie 43 Foundation.
As someone who wants to be a teacher in the future and was also a cheerleading captain, I think I can connect with students when talking about the Lutzie 43 Foundation. Being a cheerleader taught me how to lead by example, stay positive, and encourage others to make good choices – all things that tie into the foundation’s message about makign smart decisions and living with character. I want to use my experiences to help others understand how important it is to think before you act, especially when it comes to driving safely. I want to make a difference by sharing what I’ve learned and helping others see how their choices can build a strong legacy.
When I first began applying for the PFL Scholarship, I saw it as a valuable opportunity to support my educational journey. What I didn’t expect was how much it would teach me about my self: my past, my values, and my vision for the future. Today being awarded this scholarship is so much more than a financial gift. It is a symbol of responsibility and resilience. It represents a chapter of my life that my family was saved from and a future that I’m even more motivated to build.
I first met Mr. Mike Lutzenkirchen when he spoke at my high school. As he shared Philip’s story, I was overwhelmed by the deep sadness and heartbreak his family experienced; how their lives changed forever in a single instant. I can’t begin to imagine the weight of that kind of grief. I listened to every single word he spoke that day, and it’s something I’ll never forget. His message hit close to home for me in ways I wasn’t prepared for.
There was a time in my life when someone else made a decision that could have ended very differently. Without going into every detail, someone on the road found themself in a situation where they could have harmed my mom, dad, and little brother, in an instant. But by the grace of God, they were given a second chance. My family and myself have never again taken that for granted.
This process challenged me to look inward on what I can do to prevent tragic outcomes. The questions pushed me to think deeply about the lessons I’ve learned, the person I’ve become, and the legacy I want to leave. It wasn’t easy to revisit that memory and time in my life, but it was necessary. Writing about my family’s experience, about the mistake that was made and the growth that followed, reminded me of how far we’ve come and how much further I want to go.
One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned throughout this journey is perseverance. This was the lesson and word that stuck with me the most that Mr. Mike Lutzenkirchen said. Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and sometimes we have to go through a storm to learn the lesson God intended for us to know. It can be easy to be discouraged and ask “Why did this happen to us?”. But what I’ve discovered is that growth comes not from never falling, but from choosing to get back up again and again.
Moving forward, I carry the responsibility of this scholarship with pride. It’s not just a reward; it’s a call to action. I’m committed to living out the values the Lutzie 43 Foundation stands for: character, integrity, service, and leadership. Whether it’s through mentoring younger students, speaking out about the dangers of distracted, impaired and unsafe driving, or simply by leading by example in my community, I plan to use this platform to honor both my second chance and Philip Lutzenkirchen’s legacy.
To anyone reading this who may be facing loss or think they can never come back, I want you to know that your story isn’t over. In fact, some of the strongest, most impactful people I know are those who’ve had to fight their way back from hard places. You are not defined by your worst moment. You are defined by what you do after it.
This scholarship is more than financial support, It’s a symbol of everything my family has overcome and everything I hope to achieve. It’s a reminder that even in our lowest moments, there is grace and with grace there is growth, and with growth and perseverance anything is possible.