Cornerstone Wealth Advisors — Invest in Others Scholarship

Since elementary school, I knew I wanted to pursue higher education and be able to hold a degree to my name. At least, that was the clear and attainable next step the Pasco County school system had set me up for. However, with time, the realities of achieving this goal began to settle in. I can remember sitting in the Cotee River Elementary cafeteria, eating lunch with all my friends and looking around at all the different college flags hanging on the walls. We would choose which college we wanted to attend solely based on the schools’ colors or mascots. At the time, college felt like something so far away that it was almost guaranteed. However, soon enough it became more than just a lunchroom conversation. It became a goal that required planning, research, and countless hours of work. Earning my degree was still attainable; it would just come with a few more challenges than my elementary-school self had expected. As I sat at my desk during my junior year at Gulf High School, I learned the true cost of going to college. Within the next hour, my list of prospective colleges was cut in half. This time, it wasn’t because I didn’t like the schools’ colors or mascot, but rather the financial truth had set in. Like many students, I discovered that while college provides countless opportunities, these opportunities come with a price tag. I’ve personally seen this cost have everlasting effects on some of my closest friends. Preventing some of them from being able to sign that last financial commitment document. A plan that once seemed so simple came to a halt because of circumstances beyond their control. Although I had to cross a few college names off my own list, I refused to let finances be the barrier that stood between me and a degree. During senior year, I did something I had hardly ever done before. I asked for help. I made myself vulnerable and sought the help of my school’s career counselor. With her help, I was able to find scholarships that aligned with my goals and accomplishments. These opportunities became the reason I am fortunate enough to pursue my education. This happy ending unfortunately wasn’t the case for some of my friends and classmates. Rather than placing the blame on them, these experiences opened my eyes to a much larger issue. Many students, particularly those in low-income communities, including New Port Richey, lack access to resources, guidance, and funding opportunities. Witnessing these challenges firsthand at Gulf High School has fueled my commitment to expanding educational and financial opportunities, that will allow students to reach their full potential. When I envision my future now, as a college student, I know things are never as clear and attainable as it may be made out to be. However, roadblocks such as finances should never be what stands between a student and their endless potential. In my future career I plan to give back to my local community by helping create opportunities that shed light on the importance of financial literacy and planning. Additionally, create easily accessible opportunities for students that may be put in the position to finance their own higher education. By taking these steps, I hope to not only change the financial perspective many families have on college, but also to leave generations of financial uncertainty behind.

Wealth management is more than numbers on a balance sheet. At its center, it is about trust, responsibility, and the opportunity to improve people’s lives. As a future business and finance student at the University of South Florida, I have learned that wealth advisors help families build stability and confidence. My passion for finance grew from watching this impact firsthand through a mentor who stepped into my life when my family faced serious hardship. As a teenager, my dad left our family while carrying significant debt and a long history of financial instability. His departure forced my mom to raise three kids solely on a teacher’s salary while struggling to rebuild our financial footing. Though unstable before, our stability disappeared completely. To support myself and prepare for college, I’ve begun working multiple jobs while attending school full-time. Today, I work 52+ hours a week while balancing my education. Furthermore, I’ve been given the responsibility of paying for my own gas, insurance, full tuition, some food, and other daily costs. However, this gave me drive and taught me that financial security is not just about money, but rather discipline, planning, and responsible decision-making. Since then, another figure stepped into my life. My best friend Noah’s father, Gregory Stahl, is a family-oriented wealth advisor at BT Wealth Advisors. Shortly after my dad left, he created a weekend tradition called “man day” for me and Noah. We start with a biblical talk at a café or restaurant, learn about being a good man in our modern society, then go out and enjoy the day at an event such as Topgolf or paintball. Out of everything we’ve done, one conversation has stuck with me. During a car ride, I asked what motivated him to get up at 5 AM every morning. He explained that his success didn’t come from chasing money, but from building strong character. He said, “Your character matters more than anything. People trust me with their money because of the responsibility and integrity I consistently show. Little things like waking up early, or being there 10 minutes before your scheduled meeting, builds discipline and trust. Being a man means having strong, stable morals others can depend on.” This reshaped how I saw finance, and I began waking up at 5 AM each morning too. Additionally, Gregory invests in our community, particularly through Grace Family Church in Lutz, Florida. The church hosts community events and financial literacy classes to help families make responsible decisions. Seeing this firsthand showed me how big of an impact financial professionals can make on their community. In the future, I will support similar initiatives by investing in financial education programs, local organizations, and mentoring the youth. Watching Gregory live out those values inspires my academic achievements and professional goals. I plan to pursue a career in finance and wealth advisory, helping families build the financial stability I never had that many take for granted but others desperately need. My education will give me the technical knowledge to guide precise investment decisions, develop long-term financial strategies, and help people understand the complex financial systems that shape their futures. But more importantly, I hope to mirror the same principles Gregory modeled for me: reliability, discipline, and humility. The challenges my family have been difficult, but they gave me direction. They taught me the value of financial responsibility and how deeply a trustworthy advisor can impact someone’s life. Through my education and future career in finance, I want to invest in the future of others the same way Gregory Stahl invested in mine.