2026 Winner: Ruby Fries

CONGRATULATIONS TO RUBY FRIES, WINNER OF THE 2026 JORDAN G. MCFAULL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP!

Essay by RUBY FRIES

I didn’t always feel so purposeful in my life as I do right now. Just until about one year ago, I had become overwhelmed with the energy, drive, and passion that I’d felt because I lacked direction. Before GSP, I struggled with having motivation, but nowhere to put it, and I had the drive to make change, but no inspiration to guide it. So, I often found myself doing activities simply because I thought I was supposed to. It wasn’t until I spent five weeks at the Governor’s Scholars Program that the direction I had been searching for finally became clear.

During those five weeks, I discovered myself. I became my own person who felt confident enough in my own skin to channel my energy into what truly mattered to me: serving and uplifting others. The people I had met and the connections that I had formed revealed to me what it felt like to be understood and supported, and I knew that after I came home, I wanted to share that same feeling with others.

I quickly learned that the best way for me to head in that direction was to use my involvement for good. I took on the role of team captain of the Girl’s Varsity Soccer team and became a mentor and sense of encouragement for the younger players, and I was elected as the President of the National Honor Society, where I used my passion for service and leadership to inspire that same drive within each and every member. By becoming a figure of service, leadership, and support within my school and community, I created the opportunity for myself to step into multiple roles, allowing me to understand how every role works together to create success. These experiences taught me the importance of consistency and showing up, the lasting impact of even the smallest acts, and most significantly, the power of finding a passion and
following through.

As I step into the next chapter of my life, I will continue to follow my passion for giving back to others by becoming a Physician’s Assistant in the healthcare field. Heading into the next stage of my education, I feel more secure than ever of the person I am and of the values I hold, and I credit that entirely to those who uplifted me as I discovered who I am. Overcoming the challenge of lacking direction has taught me how to create purpose for myself, which is a skill I will use to create meaningful change for those around me. I will carry with me the growth, lessons, and sense of purpose I gained over the course of this journey, not only through my college education but throughout my whole life. Like Jordan, I will strive to lead my life with compassion and to selflessly serve others. Ultimately, I hope to utilize my voice and unwavering passion to create lasting change in any community I touch.