As a one year old infant she was left on the doorstep of a Chinese orphanage and would have her right leg amputated above the knee as a result of experiencing bad burns as an infant. After seven years in an orphanage, she was adopted by the Bassett family of Harbor Springs, Michigan and brought to America. In 2002, she introduced herself to competitive running which helped her to gain self esteem by watching other athletes with disabilities compete.

Ten months after meeting new friends from the Challenged Athletes Foundation, she was provided a grant which would allow her to travel the country to participate in track and field events. After recently being told that she has nerve damage in her left leg, she has started to focus her sites on competing in the cycling portion of the triathlon and hopes to compete in the 2005 San Diego Triathlon this upcoming year. Besides track and field, she also competes in basketball, softball, swimming, snow skiing, soccer and tennis.

As a bright and eager young lady of 16 years old, she touches the heart of everyone who meets her and she is consistently praised for her sportsmanship and leadership skills amongst her peers. After taking six weeks to learn the English language when she came to the states at eight years old, she has become a veteran at competing and winner local and state spelling bee competition and was the runner up at the 2003 State of Michigan Spelling Bee. Scout has also won a National Law Day contest for her essay on "What Celebrating Freedom Means to Me."

She volunteered for Senator Jason Allen's 2003 campaign and is involved as a volunteer for the Bay View Summer Camp. Scout is also member of the Student Council at Harbor Light Christian School.

Stan Patterson, Scout's prosthestist and friend says: "She constantly surprises me with a desire and strength that is not always exemplified by adults, much less a person of her age. Scout is a free spirit with strong family values and a highly respectable work ethic. She is a truly remarkable young woman with an undoubtedly bright future."

And her friend Hannah Hewitt adds: "I think Scout deserves this nomination of the Rising Star Award in the hall of fame because she sets her goals high and works hard to accomplish them. She knows she is different than other people because of her handicap but continues to accomplish what her heart desires."

Congratulations Scout!