I am endlessly grateful and honored to be chosen as a 2023 Prepared For Life (PFL) Scholarship recipient. Thank you to everyone involved with the Lutzie 43 Foundation who made this opportunity possible. This program has helped positively change my habits behind the wheel of my car, as well as many others impacted by the message of 43 Key Seconds.

Growing up an Auburn fan, I have been surrounded by the “War Eagle” battle cry since birth. I vividly remember taking numerous trips to The Plains for an Auburn football or softball game. Two years ago my dad joined our church league softball team. He wore Philip’s number 43 on his jersey. At the time, I had no idea what the number’s value held, but soon later my older sister Mackenzie opened my eyes to Philip’s legacy.

I knew who Philip was because of his 2010 National Championship Title at Auburn, but I did not know how important he was. My sister passed me her 43 Key Seconds key and lectured me about the harmful effects of distracted, impaired and unsafe driving. She also harped on the qualities of Christ that Philip portrayed and urged me to live more like him.

In my sister’s footsteps, I continued the tradition of instructing the sophomore class at The Lakeside School during the 2022-2023 school year. I educated the students – who I consider my dear friends – on Philip’s lasting impact on the world and the effects of driving under the influence. Each morning I would teach a lesson from the 43 Lessons to Legacy or Safe Guarding Your Legacy Curriculum. Teaching this group of teenagers changed my perspective on living to leave a legacy and safe driving as much as it changed theirs. We learned how to be patient, loving, and friendly behind the wheel and in the everyday hustle and bustle.

It was an honor to to teach my peers these valuable lessons. A favorite lesson I learned while studying the curriculum was the significance of patience. I have always struggled with being patient, so I really dug into this particular lesson. Patience is as vital behind the wheel as well as in everyday life. Remaining calm while driving could possibly save a life. Being patient amongst friends and family will only draw others closer to Christ. I hope to leave an impact so that my friends and family can look back on my life and remember my patience, just like Philip’s loved ones can.

I am currently a freshman at The University of Georgia, majoring in Chemistry with the hopes of going to pharmacy school. This scholarship means so much to me because I will go through roughly eight years of college education. I hope to become the first Doctor in my family and receiving this scholarship will help me reach this goal.