I have been involved with the equine industry since I was eight years old. While my parents expected this to just be a "phase", my passion for horses has only grown over the past ten years. I have been fortunate enough to own two OTTB's- Que and Jackson, who spurred my love for this breed. My love for these two horses led me to become a Youth Ambassador for The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Association. During the past three years as an ambassador, I have talked to hundreds of people about the breed, advocating for second careers and aftercare. I've also participated in the T.I.P Performance Awards, winning champion in Junior Halter last year. In addition to my work with the Jockey Club, I am a varsity open rider for the Lake Effect IEA team, past president of the Buckles and Breeches 4 H club, member of the FFA, National Honor Society Member, and member of the Student Council. To further my horsemanship and horse knowledge, I have participated in the USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge and have been a National Finalist for the past 3 years. I have also won the IEA Zone 11 Horsemanship Quiz, IEA Zone 11 Sportsmanship Award, and have placed 3rd in the IEA National Horsemanship Quiz for the past two years. In my spare time, I am a working student at Fox Hollow Stables (approximately 20 hours/week) and volunteer for the Erie Hunt and Saddle Club (EHSC). I also volunteer for the Greenwood Fire and Rescue, Oasis Church, and Wreaths Across America. I plan on pursuing a degree in Sports Management with a focus on Equine Studies at Seton Hill University this fall. This scholarship would allow me to chase my dream of eventually working with athletes who have historically been a minority in their sport (such as myself). I would like to work for an organization such as The Jockey Club, USEF, or USHJA to work on diversity and inclusion for minority athletes as well as promoting thoroughbreds for secondary careers after racing. I believe that bringing together two things that are often misunderstood in this industry (minority athletes and thoroughbreds) will help to promote awareness and inclusivity of these two areas that I am so passionate about and create opportunities for these athletes and horses to shine. If I am fortunate enough to receive a scholarship, I would like to use this opportunity to give back to the Western Pennsylvania community by creating mentorship opportunities for other minority athletes in the area. I would like to pair middle and high school athletes with college graduates who can help them navigate their sport as well as higher education opportunities. I feel that these partnerships will help former athletes and college students to share their experiences in post-high school education and athletics with up and coming athletes.

I have been involved with the equine industry since I was eight years old. While my parents expected this to just be a "phase", my passion for horses has only grown over the past ten years. I have been fortunate enough to own two OTTB's- Que and Jackson, who spurred my love for this breed. My love for these two horses led me to become a Youth Ambassador for The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Association. During the past three years as an ambassador, I have talked to hundreds of people about the breed, advocating for second careers and aftercare. I've also participated in the T.I.P Performance Awards, winning champion in Junior Halter last year. In addition to my work with the Jockey Club, I am a varsity open rider for the Lake Effect IEA team, past president of the Buckles and Breeches 4 H club, member of the FFA, National Honor Society Member, and member of the Student Council. To further my horsemanship and horse knowledge, I have participated in the USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge and have been a National Finalist for the past 3 years. I have also won the IEA Zone 11 Horsemanship Quiz, IEA Zone 11 Sportsmanship Award, and have placed 3rd in the IEA National Horsemanship Quiz for the past two years. In my spare time, I am a working student at Fox Hollow Stables (approximately 20 hours/week) and volunteer for the Erie Hunt and Saddle Club (EHSC). I also volunteer for the Greenwood Fire and Rescue, Oasis Church, and Wreaths Across America. I plan on pursuing a degree in Sports Management with a focus on Equine Studies at Seton Hill University this fall. This scholarship would allow me to chase my dream of eventually working with athletes who have historically been a minority in their sport (such as myself). I would like to work for an organization such as The Jockey Club, USEF, or USHJA to work on diversity and inclusion for minority athletes as well as promoting thoroughbreds for secondary careers after racing. I believe that bringing together two things that are often misunderstood in this industry (minority athletes and thoroughbreds) will help to promote awareness and inclusivity of these two areas that I am so passionate about and create opportunities for these athletes and horses to shine. If I am fortunate enough to receive a scholarship, I would like to use this opportunity to give back to the Western Pennsylvania community by creating mentorship opportunities for other minority athletes in the area. I would like to pair middle and high school athletes with college graduates who can help them navigate their sport as well as higher education opportunities. I feel that these partnerships will help former athletes and college students to share their experiences in post-high school education and athletics with up and coming athletes.

I have been involved with the equine industry since I was eight years old. While my parents expected this to just be a "phase", my passion for horses has only grown over the past ten years. I have been fortunate enough to own two OTTB's- Que and Jackson, who spurred my love for this breed. My love for these two horses led me to become a Youth Ambassador for The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Association. During the past three years as an ambassador, I have talked to hundreds of people about the breed, advocating for second careers and aftercare. I've also participated in the T.I.P Performance Awards, winning champion in Junior Halter last year. In addition to my work with the Jockey Club, I am a varsity open rider for the Lake Effect IEA team, past president of the Buckles and Breeches 4 H club, member of the FFA, National Honor Society Member, and member of the Student Council. To further my horsemanship and horse knowledge, I have participated in the USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge and have been a National Finalist for the past 3 years. I have also won the IEA Zone 11 Horsemanship Quiz, IEA Zone 11 Sportsmanship Award, and have placed 3rd in the IEA National Horsemanship Quiz for the past two years. In my spare time, I am a working student at Fox Hollow Stables (approximately 20 hours/week) and volunteer for the Erie Hunt and Saddle Club (EHSC). I also volunteer for the Greenwood Fire and Rescue, Oasis Church, and Wreaths Across America. I plan on pursuing a degree in Sports Management with a focus on Equine Studies at Seton Hill University this fall. This scholarship would allow me to chase my dream of eventually working with athletes who have historically been a minority in their sport (such as myself). I would like to work for an organization such as The Jockey Club, USEF, or USHJA to work on diversity and inclusion for minority athletes as well as promoting thoroughbreds for secondary careers after racing. I believe that bringing together two things that are often misunderstood in this industry (minority athletes and thoroughbreds) will help to promote awareness and inclusivity of these two areas that I am so passionate about and create opportunities for these athletes and horses to shine. If I am fortunate enough to receive a scholarship, I would like to use this opportunity to give back to the Western Pennsylvania community by creating mentorship opportunities for other minority athletes in the area. I would like to pair middle and high school athletes with college graduates who can help them navigate their sport as well as higher education opportunities. I feel that these partnerships will help former athletes and college students to share their experiences in post-high school education and athletics with up and coming athletes.

I have been involved with the equine industry since I was eight years old. While my parents expected this to just be a "phase", my passion for horses has only grown over the past ten years. I have been fortunate enough to own two OTTB's- Que and Jackson, who spurred my love for this breed. My love for these two horses led me to become a Youth Ambassador for The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Association. During the past three years as an ambassador, I have talked to hundreds of people about the breed, advocating for second careers and aftercare. I've also participated in the T.I.P Performance Awards, winning champion in Junior Halter last year. In addition to my work with the Jockey Club, I am a varsity open rider for the Lake Effect IEA team, past president of the Buckles and Breeches 4 H club, member of the FFA, National Honor Society Member, and member of the Student Council. To further my horsemanship and horse knowledge, I have participated in the USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge and have been a National Finalist for the past 3 years. I have also won the IEA Zone 11 Horsemanship Quiz, IEA Zone 11 Sportsmanship Award, and have placed 3rd in the IEA National Horsemanship Quiz for the past two years. In my spare time, I am a working student at Fox Hollow Stables (approximately 20 hours/week) and volunteer for the Erie Hunt and Saddle Club (EHSC). I also volunteer for the Greenwood Fire and Rescue, Oasis Church, and Wreaths Across America. I plan on pursuing a degree in Sports Management with a focus on Equine Studies at Seton Hill University this fall. This scholarship would allow me to chase my dream of eventually working with athletes who have historically been a minority in their sport (such as myself). I would like to work for an organization such as The Jockey Club, USEF, or USHJA to work on diversity and inclusion for minority athletes as well as promoting thoroughbreds for secondary careers after racing. I believe that bringing together two things that are often misunderstood in this industry (minority athletes and thoroughbreds) will help to promote awareness and inclusivity of these two areas that I am so passionate about and create opportunities for these athletes and horses to shine. If I am fortunate enough to receive a scholarship, I would like to use this opportunity to give back to the Western Pennsylvania community by creating mentorship opportunities for other minority athletes in the area. I would like to pair middle and high school athletes with college graduates who can help them navigate their sport as well as higher education opportunities. I feel that these partnerships will help former athletes and college students to share their experiences in post-high school education and athletics with up and coming athletes.

Boat. Apple. Job. I repeated these words over and over again in my head as I slowly walked into my 2nd-grade classroom. B-O-A-T. A-P-P-L-E. J-O-B. My last spelling test had been a disaster. I had barely passed with a 65%. As a result, my mom had been drilling me over and over again on my list for the next test. We recited the words together as we drove down our bumpy gravel street on the way to school. We recited them together in the evening, in between bites of pizza at the dinner table. And we recited them in the kitchen that very morning, over fried eggs and toast. I was ready this time. I knew these words backward and forward, inside and out. The next day, as the teacher plunked my graded test down on my desk, my heart sank. How had I failed another spelling test when I had worked so hard? My teacher, Mrs. McKowen asked me to meet her at her desk before going out for recess. She asked me to spell the word boat for her. I sadly mumbled "B-O-A-T". Her eyes lit up and a curious smile came across her face. She proceeded to ask me the rest of the spelling list, which I promptly answered aloud and then she dismissed me to recess with the rest of the class. That evening, my mother sat me down and explained that Mrs. McKowen had called her about my spelling test. A knot grew in my stomach the size of a watermelon. I started to feverishly explain that I HAD tried my best on the test and promised to do better the next time. My mom shook her head, and her eyes welled up with tears. "Have you ever heard the word dyslexia?", my mom asked. I shook my head no. She explained that Mrs. McKowen had noticed that I tend to mix up my letters on my spelling tests but that if she asked me to spell the words out loud, I could easily spell all of the words accurately. My mom explained that Mrs. McKowen had spoken to the principal about her findings and that she had received permission to test me orally instead of in the standard written form. Being diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 7 changed my life forever. The fact that my teacher could recognize that I had a disability allowed me to get the help that I needed to succeed. It has allowed me to maintain a 4.0 GPA, earn a varsity letter for academics, become a National Honor Society member, as well as serve on the student council. It has taught me that I can achieve anything that I set my mind to and that I am capable of reaching my dreams, despite my disability.

I have been involved with the equine industry since I was eight years old. While my parents expected this to just be a "phase", my passion for horses has only grown over the past ten years. I have been fortunate enough to own two OTTB's- Que and Jackson, who spurred my love for this breed. My love for these two horses led me to become a Youth Ambassador for The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Association. During the past three years as an ambassador, I have talked to hundreds of people about the breed, advocating for second careers and aftercare. I've also participated in the T.I.P Performance Awards, winning champion in Junior Halter last year. In addition to my work with the Jockey Club, I am a varsity open rider for the Lake Effect IEA team, past president of the Buckles and Breeches 4 H club, member of the FFA, National Honor Society Member, and member of the Student Council. To further my horsemanship and horse knowledge, I have participated in the USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge and have been a National Finalist for the past 3 years. I have also won the IEA Zone 11 Horsemanship Quiz, IEA Zone 11 Sportsmanship Award, and have placed 3rd in the IEA National Horsemanship Quiz for the past two years. In my spare time, I am a working student at Fox Hollow Stables (approximately 20 hours/week) and volunteer for the Erie Hunt and Saddle Club (EHSC). I also volunteer for the Greenwood Fire and Rescue, Oasis Church, and Wreaths Across America. I plan on pursuing a degree in Sports Management with a focus on Equine Studies at Seton Hill University this fall. This scholarship would allow me to chase my dream of eventually working with athletes who have historically been a minority in their sport (such as myself). I would like to work for an organization such as The Jockey Club, USEF, or USHJA to work on diversity and inclusion for minority athletes as well as promoting thoroughbreds for secondary careers after racing. I believe that bringing together two things that are often misunderstood in this industry (minority athletes and thoroughbreds) will help to promote awareness and inclusivity of these two areas that I am so passionate about and create opportunities for these athletes and horses to shine. During my college years, I plan on living on campus at Seton Hill University. I will also be riding on their Division II Equestrian team and working part-time. Additionally, I hope to participate in the SHU Honors Program, Black Student Union, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and QUEENS org. In the summer months, I hope to intern at The Jockey Club or USEF, to help find ways to promote diversity in the equestrian field. If I am fortunate enough to receive a scholarship, I would like to use this opportunity to give back to the Western Pennsylvania community by creating mentorship opportunities for other minority athletes in the area. I would like to pair middle and high school athletes with college graduates who can help them navigate their sport as well as higher education opportunities. I feel that these partnerships will help former athletes and college students to share their experiences in post-high school education and athletics with up and coming athletes.

I have been involved with the equine industry since I was eight years old. While my parents expected this to just be a "phase", my passion for horses has only grown over the past ten years. I have been fortunate enough to own two OTTB's- Que and Jackson, who spurred my love for this breed. My love for these two horses led me to become a Youth Ambassador for The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Association. During the past three years as an ambassador, I have talked to hundreds of people about the breed, advocating for second careers and aftercare. I've also participated in the T.I.P Performance Awards, winning champion in Junior Halter last year. In addition to my work with the Jockey Club, I am a varsity open rider for the Lake Effect IEA team, past president of the Buckles and Breeches 4 H club, member of the FFA, National Honor Society Member, and member of the Student Council. To further my horsemanship and horse knowledge, I have participated in the USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge and have been a National Finalist for the past 3 years. I have also won the IEA Zone 11 Horsemanship Quiz, IEA Zone 11 Sportsmanship Award, and have placed 3rd in the IEA National Horsemanship Quiz for the past two years. In my spare time, I am a working student at Fox Hollow Stables (approximately 20 hours/week) and volunteer for the Erie Hunt and Saddle Club (EHSC). I also volunteer for the Greenwood Fire and Rescue, Oasis Church, and Wreaths Across America. I plan on pursuing a degree in Sports Management with a focus on Equine Studies at Seton Hill University this fall. This scholarship would allow me to chase my dream of eventually working with athletes who have historically been a minority in their sport (such as myself). I would like to work for an organization such as The Jockey Club, USEF, or USHJA to work on diversity and inclusion for minority athletes as well as promoting thoroughbreds for secondary careers after racing. I believe that bringing together two things that are often misunderstood in this industry (minority athletes and thoroughbreds) will help to promote awareness and inclusivity of these two areas that I am so passionate about and create opportunities for these athletes and horses to shine. During my college years, I plan on living on campus at Seton Hill University. I will also be riding on their Division II Equestrian team and working part-time. Additionally, I hope to participate in the SHU Honors Program, Black Student Union, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and QUEENS org. In the summer months, I hope to intern at The Jockey Club or USEF, to help find ways to promote diversity in the equestrian field. If I am fortunate enough to receive a scholarship, I would like to use this opportunity to give back to the Western Pennsylvania community by creating mentorship opportunities for other minority athletes in the area. I would like to pair middle and high school athletes with college graduates who can help them navigate their sport as well as higher education opportunities. I feel that these partnerships will help former athletes and college students to share their experiences in post-high school education and athletics with up and coming athletes.