I am so honored and blessed to be announced as one of the 2024 recipients of the Prepared for Life (PFL) Scholarship. To me, this is more than just a scholarship. This is an opportunity to be a part of the growing legacy of Philip Lutzenkirchen and help a foundation that has already impacted a countless number of lives.
Growing up & playing sports at Lassiter High School, where Philip was a standout player in sports like football and basketball, I was immediately met with the legacy of Philip Lutzenkirchen and the prestige he left behind at my high school. Whether it be seeing his name on the wall of All-Americans, walking by his name on the football field, seeing his acrobatic plays captured by pictures in the field house, or constantly hearing stories of his kind and giving soul, Philip was someone who became very well known to me and was someone who I wanted to emulate. As a freshman coming into the football program at Lassiter, the very first thing the coaches talked about to the rising 9th grade class was Philip Lutzenkirchen, Mr. Mike Lutzenkirchen, and the Lutzie 43 Foundation. The Lutzie 43 foundation was very active at Lassiter as it sponsored various events such as the annual Lutzie 7v7 tournament, Adapted PE Field Days, and annual Road Race (among many others), which the football players were expected to participate and volunteer in. As soon as you walked through the doors of the locker room, you were expected to know what Philip represented. Whether it be as a leader, athlete, and arguably more importantly, a giving member of his community, it was understood that Philip was the gold standard and someone every person on the team should strive to be like because, although not many exist today, Philip was an example of an uncommon man who put others before himself, and strived to become the best version of himself daily.
At Lassiter, it was an honor to wear the number #13 (Philip’s number in high school). His jersey number was given to different players over different games who best reflected Philip’s principles of hard work, leadership, attitude, and dedication. I was blessed enough to wear his number for select games during my junior year, and was honored to wear #13 for the entirety of my senior season. I still remember the first time I was told I was to wear his jersey for our upcoming game. The pride I felt and the smile that came across my face hasn’t been matched since, as I felt closer than ever to a person I idolized since I was in middle school. Philip has always been an inspiration for not only myself, but thousands of people as well.
Philip has taught me many lessons, not only as an athlete, but primarily (and most importantly) as a person. He taught me things like to help others before you help yourself, volunteer for others not for recognition but for the betterment of another’s life, and how to be a leader. Unfortunately, and arguably the most important lesson, and last, Philip ever taught me was you can make the right decisions 99% of the time, but the one time you choose to go with what’s easy or may upset the least people, it may cost your life. I still remember hearing Mr. Mike Lutzenkirchen’s speech about Philip for the first time, and how he learned of his son’s passing. I recall the goosebumps and emotion I was flooded with as I couldn’t imagine how someone could be so strong to not only share this story but also make a foundation that has saved countless lives based upon a tragedy. Philip taught the lesson that no text, call, music, or destination is worth driving impaired for and doing it just one time may cost you your life. The Lutzie 43 Foundation shared this lesson so thousands could hear this message and the lesson would never have to be retaught. I learned it is my duty and responsibility, as not only a PFL Scholarship recipient, but as a person who has heard Philip’s story to share and practice the principles on which the Lutzie 43 Foundation stands on. I must always ensure I’m driving with a clear head, clear hands, clear eyes, and to always buckle up (outlined by the 43 Key Seconds Safe Driving Pledge).
I plan to continue my education at the University of Georgia as a part of the class of 2028. While there, I recognize many temptations, challenges, and urges will try to pull me away from all that Mr. Lutzenkirchen has taught me, but because of Philip and the Lutzie 43 Foundation, I know I must stay strong and resilient in my goal of not only personally driving safe, but also sharing the necessity to practice safe and unimpaired driving. I am honored to have been taught this lesson at such a young age, and I understand that it is now my duty to pass it on in an effort to try and end distracted, impaired and unsafe driving crashes in the name of Philip Lutzenkirchen.
I’m grateful to be deemed deserving enough to help continue Philip’s legacy and be a part of his ongoing story that is growing to a greater impact every day.
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