Savory researched Robinson and learned about the baseball pioneer who broke the game's color barrier in 1947. She then wrote her essay, entitled, "Rebuilding Myself," in which she described her courage, determination and commitment to overcome the challenges of having absentee parents; Savory and her younger brother live with their maternal grandmother. Savory was able to draw parallels between her life and Robinson's.
"Jackie Robinson exhibited faithful courage, determination and commitment, three important values to have," Savory wrote. "My father unraveled my hidden courage, my mother set my determination free and my brother expressed commitment.