“The opportunity to meet the NBL commissioner. Knowing I could potentially meet him really motivated me to attend the Larita Academy.”

That was what first pushed me to apply for a scholarship. At the time, it felt like an extraordinary chance, one that could open doors I had only dreamed about. My simple goal starting out was to pay attention to everything being taught, absorb as much as I could, and, yes, interact with the NBL commissioner.

What I found once I arrived was so much more. The most valuable part of my experience was the lessons tucked inside small moments. Phrases like “find your tribe,” “show up,” “make the right choices,” “be consistent,” and “listen more than you talk” became building blocks for the way I live today. Applying those outside the Academy has been transformative.

One memory that will always stay with me was sitting with Larry on Day 2. I had been pestering him about becoming the NBL commissioner, and he finally looked at me and told me to use my mouth less and my ears more. At the time, I thought it was a brush-off. In truth, it became one of the most valuable lessons I have ever learned. That moment grounded me, and it taught me that listening deeply is not only powerful, it is one of the greatest strengths a person can have.

"It’s influenced my life tremendously. It’s given me so much of what I never knew I needed. It’s given me the tools and support I need to form a strong foundation for the future I dream of."

Those tools shaped what came next. After graduating, I began building routines, surrounding myself with positive people, and stepping into opportunities even when I felt unprepared. Being invited onto the Advisory Working Group was a huge moment. It opened my eyes to what was possible, and later becoming a Project Coordinator at Larita Academy in 2024 remains one of the proudest achievements of my life.

Education was another pillar. Larry and Anita made it clear how important it was, and because of their encouragement, I returned to full-time university. That choice has been one of the best investments of my time and a deeply fulfilling experience.

Everyday life looks different now too. The single biggest skill I carry is self-agency. I have learned that I cannot control everything that happens, but I can control my response, my beliefs, and the meaning I give to events. That shift in mindset has given me resilience, the ability to set boundaries, and the confidence to step into new challenges with courage.

"For a long time, I described Larita Academy with the word authenticity. More recently, I realised the word I had been searching for all along is care."

That care, which I first felt on my first day at Hoop City in 2021, changed me. It was not about money or words, but about unconditional belief. Anita and Larry embodied it in a way that made me see myself differently. That care continues to guide me even now, shaping how I view my future and who I want to become.

Larita Academy is more than a program. It is a family that continues to shape my journey. For anyone who gets the chance, my advice is simple: take it.

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