I remember sitting in our old living room, surrounded by family photos from years past. My mom was deep in conversation with my coach about how much she loved Iowa but felt it might be time for a change of scenery and climate. The air was thick that evening—full of emotion yet lighthearted laughter as we all teased each other good-naturedly about the future.

Now, here I am six years later, standing at another crossroads in my life. My mom has her heart set on moving to Arizona soon, but it feels like a part of me could break off if I follow along with this plan—the dream that’s always lived within me: playing basketball for Columbus Catholic High School right here in Iowa.

I've been playing ball since I was four years old; the court is my haven where everything else melts away when I step onto it. It’s given me friends, discipline, and most importantly—hope during some of our toughest times as a family. This sport has always held an inexplicable power over me, something that fills up every void whenever life gets too heavy to bear alone.

But the cost of continuing my career looms large like never before: tuition fees are piling up faster than ever, and there's just no way we can manage without some serious help from our community this time around. I know it’s a lot for one person—let alone someone as determined as me—but seeing those green fields under the Iowa sky is worth every shot at making my dreams come true on that court where they began.

And so, here we are: You and I sitting in front of screens thousands of miles apart but united by this dream that could very well define who I am today if only someone out there believes enough to fund it all. This is more than just a game; it's my escape from the world’s harsh realities—it gives me something solid, unbreakable, much like family bonds themselves.

If you can help support this campaign and make sure I continue playing right here in Iowa where it all began...well then, that would be one more brick added to our foundation of strength against life's challenges. So let’s do this together—because every little bit counts when your heart is fully invested into something as meaningful as dreams made possible by love and trust from strangers turned friends.

Let us play on! 🏀💙