Looking back to before I got accepted into the Victory Scholar Program I can honestly say that it was one of the most stressful times of my life. I remember being so afraid of the unknown. It's one thing to graduate college and have to go out into the real world. It's a whole different thing when you've been on a Division I basketball team the last three years of college. I've had the luxury of receiving meal checks, having my laundry done for free, housing expenses paid for, and just a general parental authority always watching over me. So to think about actually having to provide for myself (with some help from my parents) was so nerve wrecking.
At the same time I was struggling with what exactly it was I wanted to do next. I was already accepted into Seton Hall University's Graduate Program, I was also having conversations with potential agents for a career overseas, and to top everything off I was in the middle of the interviewing process with Sport Changes Life. Obviously, being a Victory Scholar was the most ideal option. It would allow me the opportunity to not have to choose between graduate school and basketball. However, we were constantly reminded of how competitive this year's application pool was so I can admit I was very nervous about whether I'd made a big enough impression.
The day I heard from Aimee that I had been selected to be a Victory Scholar was such an emotional one. Up to that point, I had been avoiding signing with any agents and I kept pushing back signing up for classes for Seton Hall. This was literally the last day I had to sign up for my classes and I just kept refreshing my email every five minutes waiting to hear from Aimee. When the email came in I ran to my mom screaming and we both just hugged each other and cried. To be awarded this opportunity is such an honor. I am truly overjoyed. There are so many components that make this program truly phenomenal. My biggest wish is that when I leave here I can look at myself and feel like I've done everything to better myself and the young people I'm responsible for.
