Being a recipient of the Prepared for Life (PFL) Scholarship is more than just a financial aid for college. This scholarship opens a new chapter of my life and holds me to a higher standard that I must be accountable for each and every day – I now have someone to live for and something to be prideful in. I have a cause to fight for and something to be passionate about. Living my life with Philip Lutzenkirchen in mind gives me a more than worthy role model to emulate when achieving my dreams. This award is such a great honor, and I do not know how to express my thanks enough!

I was informed of the PFL Scholarship program by my college counselor and told this scholarship was “made for me”. She suggested this scholarship to me because I was previously awarded the Chad Saucier Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was given to a rising senior at my school who holds themselves to the highest moral and academic standards, while also pledging to be a role model for others to achieve a happy and healthy life for themselves.

While I am typically not an Auburn football girl, being born and raised an Alabama fan, I quickly became a fan of Philip’s and his Auburn football team. What really drew me to Philip was his charismatic and cheerful mannerisms on and off the field. After taking the Safeguarding Your Legacy Curriculum, I learned about Philip’s unmatched football performance, an example being his game-winning touchdown catch that won the Iron Bowl in 2010. More importantly I learned about the type of person he was off the field. Philip had a servant’s heart and lived his life putting others first. In addition, Philip was 100 percent committed to all the things he did throughout his life. He was a hard worker both in school and on the field, and was committed to maintaining and building relationships.

Throughout applying for the PFL Scholarship, I began to realize what a special person Philip was and the profound lifestyle he lived. It was such a tragedy he had to leave this world so early, but it is all the more reason to have like-minded people spreading his message. I have and will continue to strive to “Live Like Lutz” by giving back to others. Over this past year I have participated in many local service projects, some of which include volunteering at the Mobile Ballet, making boxes for the Box of Balloons birthday club, and renovating local community gardens. I have also made an effort to be committed to my various activities, such as my job at Yellowhammer Coffee and my musical endeavors on the violin, as well as my relationships with family and friends by spending valuable time with them. My sole purpose in all of these tasks is to relive Philip’s memory and better the community while I’m at it, and I try to the best of my ability each day.

I want to give a huge thanks to the Lutzie 43 Foundation for giving me this opportunity to live my life as Philip would have done. I also want to thank them for helping me pursue my dreams at the University of Mississippi which I am currently attending. Without the support of this foundation, none of this would have been possible!