🩺 My Dream is to Give Back—This Scholarship Is Just the Beginning

Hi, my name is Riya Gloyd, and I’m an 18-year-old incoming freshman at Fisk University, where I’ll be majoring in Biology. I’ve always had a passion for learning—I’m an avid reader—and I’ve played volleyball for the past ten years. Sports and books have both taught me discipline, focus, and the importance of perseverance.

Living with Sickle Cell Disease hasn’t been easy, but it has shaped me into who I am today. Through every hospital visit and every hard day, I’ve been inspired by the strength and compassion of the healthcare professionals who took care of me. That’s why I’m determined to become a doctor, and more specifically, an OB/GYN—so I can be that same source of care and strength for others.

🌱 Why This Scholarship Matters

Receiving the Warrior On The Rise Scholarship means more than financial support—it’s a step toward building the future I’ve always dreamed of. It’s one step closer to becoming the health professional I’ve always wanted to be, and one step closer to making a real difference in the lives of others.

This scholarship doesn’t just help me—it allows me to give back to the community that shaped me. It reminds me that I’m not alone on this journey, and that there are people who believe in the power of young warriors like me.

💖 Help Us Lift the Next Generation of Warriors

I’m honored to be one of 27 students awarded the Warrior On The Rise Scholarship this year—an incredible expansion made possible by people like you who believe in our potential.

When you donate to the Warrior On The Rise Scholarship Fund, you’re helping more students like me step into our purpose, despite the challenges of Sickle Cell Disease. You're giving us the tools to heal, lead, and give back.

Thank you for believing in me—and for helping the next warrior rise.

— Riya