Meet the 2023 Scholars

"Write a letter to your younger self during a key moment in your life addressing one or more of the following: words of encouragement, lessons you have learned and/or challenges you have overcome."

Congratulations Ashley! I want to start by saying that I am so proud of how far you have grown as a person, and how much you have accomplished. Reflecting on these past few years, you have overcome so many trials and challenges. One of the most significant trials you have experienced was your dirt bike accident when you were 9 years old. I remember you feeling scared and in a lot of pain. Mom and Dad took you to the Prompt Care where they cleaned up your knee. I know that it burned so bad, but guess what? You survived and that made you so much stronger. After many doctor visits you made your way into the hospital where you received two knee surgeries. You didn’t know this at the time, but the doctors told Dad that they might have to amputate your leg. But you continued to fight just like you have always done your entire life. One thing that truly still inspires me to this day is how positive you remained through all the trials and hard times. Right before the doctors brought you into the operating room you turned to Mom and Dad and said, “God has a plan.” In every situation you found the positive and never wanted anyone to pity you based on your experiences. While all your friends were out playing softball you spent many hours in a physical therapist room trying to come back better and stronger than ever. The whole recovery process was a little over two years. Throughout this long process, one life lesson you learned was perseverance. I know there were times you felt like you hit rock bottom, but you persevered and continued to work hard towards your goal, which was to walk and run again. One thing that encouraged me was how your walk with the Lord grew. Throughout this long trial you learned to put your full trust in God and to trust His perfect plan. Over the years, living with Cystic Fibrosis has come with a lot of rock bottom moments, but those moments were the times that also grew your relationship with the Lord even more. Having to trust his plan through it all. Your whole life you have had to deal with fighting a terminal illness, and your knee accident was a bump in the road but it overall made you a better and stronger person. I just want to remind you that you are an inspiration to me, and I’m so proud of how far you've come. Keep up the hard work! I can’t wait to see what new opportunities we get to experience.