I would like to take the opportunity to thank the people that have made this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity possible. First and foremost thank you Deidre and Gareth and the rest of the Sport Changes Life organization for offering me a Victory Scholarship. I have really wanted this opportunity since I first heard about it a year ago so from the bottom of my heart thank you for making that dream a reality. Also, I would like to thank SCL’s Aimee Shiels for guiding me through this entire process; I do not know what I would have done without her helping me through every step of the process. Next, I want to thank Rory Mcllroy, and his foundation, the Rory Foundation, for making this opportunity possible. Next, I want to thank my coach from the University of the Sciences, Coach Dave Pauley. He is a mentor to me and he convinced me to apply for the program and has been a huge help to me throughout the entire process, I surely would not be where I am today without him. I cannot thank him enough for everything he has done for me. Also, I want to thank my old USciences teammate and previous Victory Scholar, Pat Connaghan, for sharing his experiences and knowledge with me throughout the process as well.
Lastly, I would like to thank my family and friends for supporting me through this whole process as well. I will talk more about them below.
Leaving behind my family and friends is surely the hardest thing for me to do. I have also been a big family person and love to be close with them. The Casiello’s are a very tight nit group so to leave my sisters, Kimmy and Chrissy, and my parents for a long period will be difficult. So I look forward to seeing them come over to Ireland very soon! Also, I have to thank all of my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins for always following me and supporting me in my every move. Next, I am very fortunate to have the close friends that I have. They have blown me away with how supportive they have been to me before I left. Even throwing me a surprise going away party. I cannot tell my friends and family how thankful I am to have them in my life and throughout this experience.
This will surely be a fun yet challenging experience for me and I know there will be many high points throughout this experience, but also some low points that will occur so to be able to have that support group back home will make a huge difference.
