The first thing I do every time I get into the car is put my phone in my bag, in the back seat. Not in the cupholder. Not in the console. In my bag, in the back seat. Then I adjust my mirrors, buckle my seatbelt, and settle in before I ever put the car in drive.
These habits take about 43 seconds, but to me, they represent a promise. A promise not only to myself, but to everyone else on the road with me.
Being selected as a recipient of the 2026 Prepared for Life (PFL) Scholarship through the Lutzie 43 Foundation is an honor that means far more to me than financial support for college. This scholarship represents intentionality, responsibility, leadership, and the understanding that small decisions can shape entire lives. It is about building a legacy through everyday choices, and that message resonated deeply with me long before I submitted my application.
I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis in eighth grade when I was thirteen years old, although my symptoms began years earlier when I was only eight. Ankylosing Spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that attacks the spine and joints, and living with it has taught me something important at a young age: I cannot always control my circumstances, but I can control my choices.
Some mornings, I wake up already exhausted. Some days, my back pain follows me through school, cheer practice, work, and everything in between. There are moments when my body feels unpredictable, and that reality has forced me to become intentional in every area of my life. I have learned to pay attention. To slow down. To think carefully about the decisions I make.
When I learned about the 43 Key Seconds safe driving initiative the “clear hands” pledge, it immediately connected with me. The idea of intentionally putting distractions away before driving felt natural because intentionality has already become part of how I live my life. Every day, I have to check in with myself physically and mentally. That same awareness carries over when I get behind the wheel. My phone goes in the back seat because I know how quickly one distracted moment can change everything.
Unfortunately, in our small town, we have lost several students in motor vehicle accidents. Those losses made Philip Lutzenkirchen’s story feel especially personal and real to me. As a student at Morgan County High School, I had the opportunity to hear Philip’s father speak during my junior year. Hearing him describe who Philip was beyond football impacted me deeply. People remembered Philip not only as an athlete but as someone who loved others well, led with kindness, and brought light into the lives of the people around him.
What stays with me most is knowing that Philip’s death could have been prevented if different choices had been made before getting into the car that night. That reality is difficult, but it is also the reason the foundation’s mission matters so much. Forty-three seconds may seem insignificant, but those seconds can determine the rest of someone’s life.
Living with a chronic illness has given me an unusual perspective on how fragile life can be. I know what it means to fight for things other people often take for granted. I know what it feels like to lose progress you worked hard for. And I understand that the small moments we dismiss (a glance at a phone, a skipped seatbelt, a “just this once” decision) can become life-changing moments in an instant.
The Safeguarding Your Legacy curriculum reinforced something I have had to learn repeatedly throughout my life: resilience is not about avoiding hard things. It is about adapting, growing, and continuing to move forward even when circumstances are difficult. I have had to practice resilience in ways many people my age have not. I have performed at cheer competitions while silently managing pain. I have shown up to lead FCA meetings on days when staying home sounded easier. I have continued serving my community because I decided long ago that my diagnosis would not define who I become.
That is one of the biggest lessons I took away from this scholarship process. Leadership does not always have to be loud. Sometimes leadership is found in consistency. Sometimes it looks like encouraging a friend to put their phone away while driving. Sometimes it looks like choosing responsibility even when nobody is watching. Sometimes it simply means showing up for others despite your own struggles.
Receiving this scholarship reminds me that a legacy is built long before people remember your name. It is built through the habits, decisions, and character you choose daily. Philip’s legacy continues because of the way he impacted people during his life, and because his story continues to inspire others to make safer, wiser choices.
This fall, I will attend The University of Georgia, where I hope to continue growing not only academically, but also as a leader and servant to others. As I prepare for this next chapter, I want to continue living intentionally and encouraging others to do the same. I want to be someone who leads with kindness, resilience, and integrity. I want the people around me to feel safe, valued, and encouraged. Most importantly, I want to remember that the small choices I make every day matter more than I realize.
So every time I get into the car, my phone goes in the back seat.
It takes only a few extra seconds, but it is a reminder of the promise I have made: to protect my life and the lives of others.
Clear hands. Every time.
That is my promise. That is the legacy I choose to build.