Rotary Scholarship Applications

• Bigelow

I was born in New Jersey, a place I associate with my early years of being shy and reserved. I’m not sure why, but I didn’t have many friends. You could say I was somewhat socially awkward.

At the age of six, my family moved to Oregon. The move was a tough adjustment for me. My parents enrolled me in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse to instill self-confidence and make new friends in the process.

Fifth and sixth grades were especially challenging. I was withdrawn and started getting bullied by the friends I thought I had. The stress and anxiety I felt resulted in the development of an annoying facial motor tic. Around this time, I was also diagnosed with ADHD. I began to spiral and realized that something had to change. I had to change. I made new friends and started to distance myself from the people who didn’t respect or care for me. That shift laid the foundation for bigger changes to come.

Entering high school, I was nervous about academics, lacrosse, and the potential for more bullying. This time, things were different. Slowly, I started to build confidence. I put notable effort into lacrosse and weightlifting. As I dedicated more time to both, I felt myself growing—not just physically, but mentally. Lacrosse became more than a sport for me; it was a pathway to learning about leadership, discipline, and the value of hard work.

Sophomore year was tough. I made it a priority to bring positivity and good sportsmanship to every practice and game. I quickly became a leader on the JV team. I made my teammates feel respected and included by valuing their thoughts, ideas, and perspectives. I didn’t do it for recognition, but my efforts were noticed. My coaches saw my dedication and made me a captain the summer between my sophomore and junior years. That moment was a turning point for me – it wasn’t just about lacrosse anymore. I felt a sense of pride for the first time in my life. I am proud of my achievements in lacrosse, my grades in school, my physical development, and most importantly, myself. The journey taught me resilience and the importance of making conscious decisions to become the person you want to be. With hard work, dedication, I transformed into someone who matters and makes a difference. I found my place.

College is going to be another big leap for me. I will work hard to earn a place on the lacrosse team, and I will encourage and support my teammates, roommates, and classmates who may be struggling to find their place.

I have been accepted and will attend the University of Oregon. That is the only school I chose to apply to because I've wanted to be a Duck since I was a kid.

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