From hosting events at my school to cleaning up the environment in my city, community service has remained a key component of my life. As someone who finds joy in helping others and making the world a better place, I have been given countless opportunities to show my love for my community, giving back, as well as contributing towards the growth and development of the world. Today, I introduce to you the story of a young boy with a passion for creating a more sustainable and livable situation for all by alleviating the damage caused to the environment. In my early years, I was always someone who wanted to make a change in the world, but I found myself constantly wondering “How would this be possible? How could someone like me possibly help anyone?” Struggling to overcome the simple fact that as a child, I had fears that trying to help would only cause more damage to occur, I stayed reserved and typically didn’t go out of my way. That was until my first community service gathering. When I were about 13/14 my family enlisted in a community service program in which we’d go around picking up and recycling bottles, cans, plastic bags, and whatever other material we found lying around the area. As an upcoming teenager, I felt stronger about my impact and my ability to contribute more towards my environment that I started to become much more involved in community service projects, joining a club at my school “The Journey Boys!” This group was a collective of students aiming to better the world through a variety of projects to assist people through hardships, raise the quality of life and maintain suitable conditions for the future of the world. Entering high school, the sheer number of community service opportunities I were given rose exponentially. Although school for me was completely virtual my freshman year of high school, through contact with the director and my sister, I was able to join an environmental club. (TREE Environmental Club) Along with this club, I joined another group SME (Sophisticated Men of Excellence) where we are able to help our community in ways I hadn’t previously been involved in. Just a few months ago, we were able to celebrate individuals with special needs at the Night to Shine parade held at the Rockdale Baptist Church. Adding on to that, joining Student Council provided me with several school-wide community service opportunities such as the Magnet Family Picnic or the 5k Monster Dash. Thankful for these chances, I continue to search for various community service opportunities that will allow me to network with others who are involved in their community, understand how they contribute and ways to make a difference. The fear that I once had about my futile attempts to make a change could no longer reside in me. I was taught a valuable lesson from those days: Fear that’s rests inside you will linger, eating at your confidence and self-image for as long as you allow it to do so. Being able to overcome the negative thoughts inside of your head can and will open new ways that your heart desires. Even as of today, I am going to continue to serve my community with hopes of working with the American Kidney Foundation and other organizations in the near future. Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. Just as I used to be someone who was afraid of hurting others even with righteous intentions, I have now become someone who can face my fears head on and never fail to see the light at the end of every tunnel. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about, and that by continuing to move forward, anything is possible!

From hosting events at my school to cleaning up the environment in my city, community service has remained a key component of my life. As someone who finds joy in helping others and making the world a better place, I have been given countless opportunities to show my love for my community, giving back, as well as contributing towards the growth and development of the world. I plan to open an Environmental Protection & Restoration business. In the place where I’ve grown up (and the place where I still live), there are one problem that dominates others: lack of care for the environment. Not just in my city, but neighboring cities deal with this issue as well. Whereas a few years ago you could walk outside, and the streets were clear, recycling was in effect and people took care of the area, the reality of our environment has become a major issue. Nowadays, you can step foot outside of your house and already see old plastic bags blowing in your yard or bent, rusty cans clanking against your driveway. Environmental Protection and Restoration is a key element across the world. Everywhere you look, there is land scattered with trash. Although a variety of recycling techniques have been implemented to help restore our environment to its rightful state, many don’t tend to get the hint and continue their ways of throwing trash on the ground and letting much waste rot, without considering that most of it may not be easily biodegradable. As a crucial means to engagement and participation within our society, community service should be and remain a necessity for all individuals. Community service allows us to build meaningful connections and provide our assistance to those in need. Serving as both a means to guide others while also bettering myself, community service has remained a prominent aspect of my life. Community service works to build character. As someone who has become stronger both mentally and spiritually, community service has served as both a means for me to alleviate stresses and worries through providing my assistance to those in need and acts as a way for me to hear other experiences, motivations, and understand their backgrounds. One small act of kindness may end up going a long way. Throughout my life, I have constantly struggled with grasping a full understanding of what was being taught in my classes. I would often procrastinate and found myself disorganized at times. It seemed that with each passing year, I was getting more and more negligent. One day a thought crossed my mind. “Would I ever be able to get straight A’s with my procrastination and unorganized personality?” Little did I know someone was about to change my life forever. As I was doing my homework one day, my mom happened to walk past my room and notice something was wrong. Papers were all over my desk and floor, my head was down, and I seemed to have been frustrated. She sat down with me and talked to me about what was wrong. After I explained how difficult the work had gotten the past few weeks, she sat down and helped me work out every assignment I was given. Although this took hours, my mom didn’t worry about that! Ever since that day, I felt more confident asking others for help, using my resources and learning better strategies for how to effectively get the job done. It was only a few days before I noticed my homework and test grades rising. I felt relief as I was finally understanding the work material being taught. With an increasing understanding of the material I was learning, inspiration sparked inside of me. I felt as motivated as ever to continue my education and wanted to graduate from college! I spent countless nights studying for exams and working out extra problems to ensure I understood everything. And as I continue to develop with each passing moment, I'll take both the skills I have already acquired along with the skills I'm working to better in order to maximize efficiency and put my best foot forward every day!

A strong commitment to my academic studies and a devoted mindset that encourages my growth mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally, the Anthony B. Davis Scholarship would serve as major step alleviating persistent roadblocks that remain in attempt to shift me from reaching my full potential by obtaining a necessary college education. While I may have the required time management, organization, and leadership skills crucial in order to excel in my academic studies, one drastic part of my college experience I lack is the funding required in order to receive this education. Striving and working towards achieving all of my planned life goals, a college education works to aid and assist me in the right direction, working towards shaping my character and forming a stronger balance and connection between my professional and personal lifestyles. In order to achieve all the goals, I have set for myself, I must first obtain a college degree. Attending Howard University to study Architecture and Design Studies, I’d be presented with a plethora of materials, assistance, and opportunities to help shape my love and interest for the field of Architecture, with classes surrounding Environmental Sustainability, Modern Architecture, and even the future of Architecture. Preparing for college has always been one of my top priorities. I knew that if I wanted to attend college for several years and obtain a Master’s degree, I’d have to work hard to not only be able to afford the education, but to spend my time in college wisely. This scholarship would provide me with a boost financially and remind me that a college education is not cheap, keeping me motivated to apply myself more. Going to college comes with a lot of responsibility, and that means more than just knowing how to keep track of your work. Financial responsibility is a major part of life, as it helps shape you into someone who knows the difference between wants and needs, when to save and when to spend. This scholarship would be a jumpstart in the right direction and serve as a message to remind me to stay on track and to keep going! From hosting events at my school to cleaning up the environment in my city, community service has remained a key component of my life. As someone who finds joy in helping others and making the world a better place, I have been given countless opportunities to contribute towards the growth and development of the world. Thankful for these chances, I continue to search for various community service opportunities that will allow me to network with others who are involved in their community, understand how they contribute, and ways to make a difference. Even as of today, I continue to serve my community with hopes of working with the American Kidney Foundation and other organizations in the near future. Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about. And I want to serve as an inspirational source for others to become more involved within their communities, sharing experiences and forming long-lasting memories! By receiving this scholarship, It’d serve as a message to stay tenacious, working to achieve all goals that I have set for myself, living in the image of God, and helping others to see that there is hope for a better society in the future!

A dark, stagnant room, and a distressed, mentally tormented soul, seemingly at the mercy of life, sat in anguish, awaiting even a sliver of hope to pass through his body. The relentless agony and never-ending cycle of mental pain overfilled the mind, and yet, an evidently powerless, yet persistent spark of light continued to glow in the soul of this boy. It’s not always easy to overcome challenges. Life throws difficult situations your way, some people around you walk out of your life and bring nothing but affliction and discomfort, and you often feel nothing inside. Yet, despite these hurdles, God’s love remains, and learning this one simple fact ignited the biggest change to my life to date. Prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic, I suffered dramatically from anxiety, to the point where I’d often refuse to step into situations where interactions with others were guaranteed, message my parents every few minutes from intense worrying about their safety, freeze amid assignments or other work, and even find myself periodically uncontrollable mentally. I felt alone. I felt distant. I felt... ”Ungodly”. And yet, amidst the pandemic, I found myself becoming more heavily involved in religious practices. I’ve always been an advocate for the saying, ”Everything happens for a reason,” and a true understanding of this hadn’t occurred to me until the COVID- 19 pandemic. This separation from loved ones, seclusion from our established and admired communities, and for some, completely severed ties from society, forced us to spent time contemplating. Contemplating life, our decisions, and the world. However, due to this pandemic, I spent a large sum of my time growing in faith. Reading the Bible, listening to daily devotionals, reading the morning and nightly bible verse, inspiration, and prayers, and even becoming involved in Bible studies with my family every week. That never-ending torment, the secluded and uncontrollable version of myself seemed to slip away with time. My understanding of God and my faith worked to bring about the person I am today, a God-centered, loving, courageous, and outgoing individual. If never for God, I would have never made it out of that distressed stage of life. God worked through others to help me, and I know God will work through me to help others find him as well. Throughout the past few years, growing in my relationship with God and working to overcome situations which have put me at a temporary halt, I know fully that God would never put us through situations we are unable to handle or unsuited for. So that little boy who thought there was no end to the pain turned out to be just fine in the end. God helped me through my most difficult time in life, and just I was able to persevere, you can too!

A dark, stagnant room, and a distressed, mentally tormented soul, seemingly at the mercy of life, sat in anguish, awaiting even a sliver of hope to pass through his body. The relentless agony and never-ending cycle of mental pain overfilled the mind, and yet, an evidently powerless, yet persistent spark of light continued to glow in the soul of this boy. It’s not always easy to overcome challenges. Life throws difficult situations your way, some people around you walk out of your life and bring nothing but affliction and discomfort, and you often feel nothing inside. Yet, despite these hurdles, God’s love remains, and learning this one simple fact ignited the biggest change to my life to date. Prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic, I suffered dramatically from anxiety, to the point where I’d often refuse to step into situations where interactions with others were guaranteed, message my parents every few minutes from intense worrying about their safety, freeze amid assignments or other work, and even find myself periodically uncontrollable mentally. I felt alone. I felt distant. I felt... ”Ungodly”. And yet, amidst the pandemic, I found myself becoming more heavily involved in religious practices. I’ve always been an advocate for the saying, ”Everything happens for a reason,” and a true understanding of this hadn’t occurred to me until the COVID- 19 pandemic. This separation from loved ones, seclusion from our established and admired communities, and for some, completely severed ties from society, forced us to spent time contemplating. Contemplating life, our decisions, and the world. However, due to this pandemic, I spent a large sum of my time growing in faith. Reading the Bible, listening to daily devotionals, reading the morning and nightly bible verse, inspiration, and prayers, and even becoming involved in Bible studies with my family every week. That never-ending torment, the secluded and uncontrollable version of myself seemed to slip away with time. My understanding of God and my faith worked to bring about the person I am today, a God-centered, loving, courageous, and outgoing individual. If never for God, I would have never made it out of that distressed stage of life. God worked through others to help me, and I know God will work through me to help others find him as well. Throughout the past few years, growing in my relationship with God and working to overcome situations which have put me at a temporary halt, I know fully that God would never put us through situations we are unable to handle or unsuited for. So that little boy who thought there was no end to the pain turned out to be just fine in the end. I found God at my lowest point in life... and you can too.

With a strong commitment to my academic studies and a devoted mindset that encourages my growth mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally, the Kumar Family Scholarship would serve as major step alleviating persistent roadblocks that remain in attempt to shift me from reaching my full potential by obtaining a necessary college education. While I may have the required time management, organization, and leadership skills crucial in order to excel in my academic studies, one drastic part of my college experience I lack is the funding required in order to receive this education. Striving and working towards achieving all of my planned life goals, a college education works to aid and assist me in the right direction, working towards shaping my character and forming a stronger balance and connection between my professional and personal lifestyles. In order to achieve all the goals, I have set for myself, I must first obtain a college degree. Attending Howard University to study Architecture and Design Studies, I’d be presented with a plethora of materials, assistance, and opportunities to help shape my love and interest for the field of Architecture, with classes surrounding Environmental Sustainability, Modern Architecture, and even the future of Architecture. Preparing for college has always been one of my top priorities. I knew that if I wanted to attend college for several years and obtain a Master’s degree, I’d have to work hard to not only be able to afford the education, but to spend my time in college wisely. This scholarship would provide me with a boost financially and remind me that a college education is not cheap, keeping me motivated to apply myself more. Going to college comes with a lot of responsibility, and that means more than just knowing how to keep track of your work. Financial responsibility is a major part of life, as it helps shape you into someone who knows the difference between wants and needs, when to save and when to spend. This scholarship would be a jumpstart in the right direction and serve as a message to remind me to stay on track and to keep going! From hosting events at my school to cleaning up the environment in my city, community service has remained a key component of my life. As someone who finds joy in helping others and making the world a better place, I have been given countless opportunities to contribute towards the growth and development of the world. Thankful for these chances, I continue to search for various community service opportunities that will allow me to network with others who are involved in their community, understand how they contribute, and ways to make a difference. Even as of today, I continue to serve my community with hopes of working with the American Kidney Foundation and other organizations in the near future. Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about. And I want to serve as an inspirational source for others to become more involved within their communities, sharing experiences and forming long-lasting memories! By receiving this scholarship, It’d serve as a message to stay tenacious, working to achieve all goals that I have set for myself, living in the image of God, and helping others to see that there is hope for a better society in the future!

“What does it mean to be a leader, how does one exemplify leadership characteristics, and can anyone truly become a leader?” I’ve often found myself questioning. If anything, my experiences taught me the qualities of a real leader. Leaders exemplify courage. Upon starting my journey at the Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, I’d often find myself secluded from others. I never had the courage to introduce myself and make new friendships. I wasn’t brave enough to venture out and form new bonds. But over the course of my freshman year, I learned to break free from any restrictive mental barriers and accept change. Leaders exemplify dedication. Entering my sophomore year at Magnet, I hadn’t truly grasped an understanding of the term “dedication.” With freshman year being virtual, the workload was simplistic, and the assignments weren’t extensive or strenuous, so I never felt as if I needed to persist through any challenge. However, that all changed beginning sophomore year, particularly with AP Chemistry. I began to understand that in order to succeed, a constant attempt to grow was necessary. My growth depended mostly on my persistence and will to achieve my end goal! Valuing time management and handling assignments properly was the biggest obstacle sophomore year. From long nights studying, to last-minute preparation, I found myself cluttered and disordered. I inquired outside assistance from my peers and teacher, but only after I began applying myself did it became easier for me to process and grasp an understanding of the concepts. Persisting through every barrier that once felt impossible to overcome and remaining tenacious, I understood what true dedication was. Leaders exemplify compassion. I work towards ensuring that those around me remain high-spirited and maintain positive mindsets. Compassion is being understanding, caring, and attentive. Whether assisting on an assignment or working towards buying someone a birthday gift, I do my hardest to uplift those around me. I know that by spreading kindness and showing compassion for someone, these same actions will be reciprocated and done to someone else, leading to more tightly connected communities and unbreakable bonds. As a leader, I work to embody these characteristics, working towards achieving not only my goals, but helping others reach theirs as well. All in all, I am a leader guiding others in the right direction and will continue to grow in all aspects of life so that I may serve as an example for future generations, inspiring and motivating the next cohort of leaders in our society!

As time progresses, it becomes more challenging to properly define the word “community.” A term that once had a definitive meaning has become altered in a way unbeknownst to many. With the surge in the number of people attempting to force their beliefs, customs, and thought processes on others, social media has become an increasingly concerning place for many. Younger individuals especially, who may be easily persuaded and impressed, hold onto these same views, learning and spreading misinformation as they age. The media has recently begun portraying a “community” as any group of people, despite beliefs, similar interests, and even the will to grow and develop. Growing uncertainty in the meaning of this word has sparked confusion amongst many, slowly losing its initially intended definition. Even as I scroll through social media daily, the sheer number of videos that I cross praising practices that are enough to make someone challenge their own morality is insane. These same videos that promise “Heaven on Earth”, and “all you can wish for” are what I believe make up the majority for the spread of misinformation. These videos target the person internally, causing them to believe that by not following these “orders”, they are not following the correct way to live. These posts strike a nerve with those who advocate for healthier, more inclusive and involved communities attempting to better the lives of all, not trying to force their values upon anyone, and properly understand how to articulate their point, as well as defend their chosen position as necessary. There are varying types of communities around the world, from religious groups to service project teams. Each community should be welcoming, inviting, and understanding of each individuals’ viewpoints, straying from using forceful or assertive measures in order to achieve their way. In my opinion, running a proper community requires group effort, the willingness to be open to change and growth as well as honesty and modesty. As someone who has been part of several communities, being able to work with one another and watch each other grow as we overcome barriers and hardships that may put us at a temporary halt gives me a sense of ease and instills a feeling of responsibility within the group. Being open to others points of views, I find it very interesting to listen and speak with people about certain viewpoints they have. I may not necessarily agree with everyone’s reasoning but acknowledging that I listen and understand to me is a key part of development. By voicing my opinion on the matter and advocating for more protective measures to be practiced by utilizing new technology and updates in order to maximize security and protection, I will ensure that the companies and corporations in charge of these applications will take the necessary precautions and preventative measures that foster a positive impact and further contribute towards the growing mindsets of these individuals. Even as of today, I continue to serve my community with hopes of working with the American Kidney Foundation and other organizations in the near future. Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about. And I want to serve as an inspirational source for others to become more involved within their communities, sharing experiences and forming long-lasting memories!

From hosting events at my school to cleaning up the environment in my city, community service has remained a key component of my life. As someone who finds joy in helping others and making the world a better place, I have been given countless opportunities to show my love for my community, giving back, as well as contributing towards the growth and development of the world. Today, I introduce to you the story of a young boy with a passion for creating a more sustainable and livable situation for all by alleviating the damage caused to the environment. In my early years, I was always someone who wanted to make a change in the world, but I found myself constantly wondering “How would this be possible? How could someone like me possibly help anyone?” Struggling to overcome the simple fact that as a child, I had fears that trying to help would only cause more damage to occur, I stayed reserved and typically didn’t go out of my way. That was until my first community service gathering. When I was about 13/14 my family enlisted in a community service program in which we’d go around picking up and recycling bottles, cans, plastic bags, and whatever other material we found lying around the area. Entering high school, the number of community service opportunities I was given rose exponentially. Although school for me was completely virtual my freshman year of high school, through contact with the director and my sister, I was able to join an environmental club. (TREE Environmental Club) Along with this club, I joined another group SME (Sophisticated Men of Excellence) where we are able to help our community in ways I hadn’t previously been involved in. Just a few months ago, we were able to celebrate individuals with special needs at the Night to Shine parade held at the Rockdale Baptist Church. Adding on to that, joining Student Council provided me with several school-wide community service opportunities such as the Magnet Family Picnic or the 5k Monster Dash. Thankful for these chances, I continue to search for various community service opportunities that will allow me to network with others who are involved in their community, understand how they contribute and ways to make a difference. That fear that I once had about my futile attempts to make a change could no longer reside in me. I was taught a valuable lesson from those days: Fear that’s rests inside you will linger, eating at your confidence and self-image for as long as you allow it to do so. Being able to overcome the negative thoughts inside of your head can and will open new ways that your heart desires. Even as of today, I am going to continue to serve my community with hopes of working with the American Kidney Foundation and other organizations in the near future. Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. Just as I used to be someone who was afraid of hurting others even with righteous intentions, I have now become someone who can face my fears head on and never fail to see the light at the end of every tunnel. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about.

While I may have the required time management, organization, and leadership skills crucial in order to excel in my academic studies, one drastic part of my college experience I lack is the funding required in order to receive this education. Realizing just how expensive a college education was, I became increasingly motivated to apply myself to my academics more, knowing that with enough belief, anything would be possible! And knowing that God would bless be financially, I applied myself even more to achieve each of the goals and visions given to me by God! In order to achieve all the goals, I have set for myself, I must first obtain a college degree. Attending Howard University to study Architecture and Design Studies, I’d be presented with a plethora of materials, assistance, and opportunities to help shape my love and interest for the field of Architecture! From hosting events at my school to cleaning up the environment in my city, community service has remained a key component of my life. As someone who finds joy in helping others and making the world a better place, I have been given countless opportunities to contribute towards the growth and development of the world. Even as of today, I continue to serve my community with hopes of working with the American Kidney Foundation and other organizations in the near future. Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about. And I want to serve as an inspirational source for others to become more involved within their communities, sharing experiences and forming long-lasting memories!

From hosting events at my school to cleaning up the environment in my city, community service has remained a key component of my life. As someone who finds joy in helping others and making the world a better place, I have been given countless opportunities to show my love for my community, giving back, as well as contributing towards the growth and development of the world. Today, I introduce to you the story of a young boy with a passion for creating a more sustainable and livable situation for all by alleviating the damage caused to the environment. As an upcoming teenager, I felt stronger about my impact and my ability to contribute more towards my environment that I started to become much more involved in community service projects, joining a club at my school “The Journey Boys!” This group was a collective of students aiming to better the world through a variety of projects to assist people through hardships, raise the quality of life and maintain suitable conditions for the future of the world. Entering high school, the sheer number of community service opportunities I were given basically rose exponentially. Although school for me was completely virtual my freshman year of high school, through contact with the director and my sister, I was able to join an environmental club. (TREE Environmental Club) Along with this club, I joined another group SME (Sophisticated Men of Excellence) where we are able to help our community in ways I hadn’t previously been involved in. Just a few months ago, we were able to celebrate individuals with special needs at the Night to Shine parade held at the Rockdale Baptist Church. Adding on to that, joining Student Council provided me with several school-wide community service opportunities such as the Magnet Family Picnic or the 5k Monster Dash. Thankful for these chances, I continue to search for various community service opportunities that will allow me to network with others who are involved in their community, understand how they contribute and ways to make a difference. That fear that I once had about my futile attempts to make a change could no longer reside in me. I was taught a valuable lesson from those days: Fear that’s rests inside you will linger, eating at your confidence and self-image for as long as you allow it to do so. Being able to overcome the negative thoughts inside of your head can and will open new ways that your heart desires. Even as of today, I am going to continue to serve my community with hopes of working with the American Kidney Foundation and other organizations in the near future. Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. Just as I used to be someone who was afraid of hurting others even with righteous intentions, I have now become someone who can face my fears head on and never fail to see the light at the end of every tunnel. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about!

With the advancement of technology in recent years, my interest and desire to explore and understand them has only grown at an exponential rate. From a young age, I’ve been interested in hardware and software components, and technology has allowed me to better understand software development, coding, architectural modeling and 3-D Design, etc. growing on me so much, it appears to have become something I am now dependent on, seemingly finding its way into my brain as a “necessity” more than a want. Waking up, the first thing I tend to do is check my phone. It’s been that way for years. Since I’ve had a phone actually. Why? I and many others have fallen victim to becoming consumed by technology that it’s second-hand nature for us to reach for the nearest device whenever possible. We start to become worried or anxious when we find ourselves too distant from our electronics and cannot seem to function without them. Technology use in my everyday life… it’s something I cannot seem to live without. However, being so reliant on technology in my daily life has proven beneficial in some aspects of my life. Through advertising and networking with others, I would grow my communication skills, leadership abilities and show my desire to become a very marketable individual for potential employers. New York City, having been a place for many to explore the world of business opportunities and a city with looks so futuristic it appears to have come out of a television show, would be an amazing place for someone like me (pursuing Architecture and Building Sciences as a major) to search around, take notes, and possibly alter the everyday image of modern buildings. By gaining inspiration from places such as New York City, aspiring architects like me would be able to create and alter our own architecture styles. I could utilize the billboards and overly dramatic advertisement screens of New York City to the best of my ability in order to indirectly reach out to potential employers who may be interested in hiring me as an employee. Although applying through websites such as Indeed.com would be helpful in the hiring process, I would much rather my employer be able to understand more about me as a person through either direct conversation or an obnoxiously large screen urging how qualified I am for this job position. I believe through enough work and the right mindset though, you can become successful despite where you choose to live! Remaining an important aspect of my lifestyle, I’ll utilize technology to the fullest in order to maximize efficiency and benefit myself and those around me!

Working towards bettering the state of the environment and working to provide all suffering from a lack of proper housing/sheltering, food, water, clothing, and education with essential human necessities, I plan to study at Howard University and obtain a Master's Degree in Architecture as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science and taking the knowledge I've acquired from the Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, opening 2 Architecture firms and a Charity in collaboration with my sisters' future Culinary businesses. By working to form better living conditions for the residents of this world, I hope to inspire and empower future generations of leaders to achieve their goals and give back to the community in a multitude of ways! When I woke up one morning with a pulling sensation in my chest, I knew immediately something was off. This naive feeling made it challenging for me to think properly or even keep my balance when standing. My vision was becoming slightly blurrier, and I eventually felt lightheaded. This feeling, unexplainable to me at the time, was like I was being overtaken from the inside out, as if something was slowly eating away at my life force. I considered the possibility I just had a nightmare, and this was the aftermath. However, the feeling lingered on. Day and night, week after week it remained. A constant fear, an unimaginable dread rests over me, casting and controlling the thoughts inside of my head, crumbling me under a force I couldn’t resist. After being diagnosed with mild anxiety, my perspective on this feeling altered. I knew the feeling of anxiety too well, and I could assure anyone that wasn’t the same as the immense mental pain that lived in my head rent free. I was told to perform breathing exercises and engage in activities that would cause me to lose focus on these thoughts. Only a short while after, I started to become more heavily involved in religious practices. By praying every day, giving out compliments to others and becoming more involved in my community, I eventually began to notice a change in the thoughts I was having as well as my overall attitude towards life itself. Turning to God and my family for help was the best decision I had made to date. Although I still had this feeling on the inside, the immense pressure I used to feel was flowing out of my body like a waterfall. After all of this time, I was finally beginning to feel relieved from that force that held me hostage inside of my own body. To say that my experience with this feeling has somehow contributed to my growth and development as a person is a major understatement. I have always been a strong advocate for personal improvement, and reflecting on my story of how I overcame despair will stick with me forever. Through life I will be met with challenges, but I believe with the right mentality and the will to grow, I will persevere! Taking what I've learned from my experiences, I've learned how crucial it is to seek guidance and assistance from others, I've become more open to receiving help, and will be able to assist others who go through similar problems in the future. As I continue to develop in the future, I'll seek out ways to continue growing in my faith and overcome any problems or issues that arise along the way!

I never imagined I'd become the person I am today. Entering high school, I brought with me a few particular traits, most of which I did not admire in the slightest. From extreme procrastination to living a disorganized lifestyle, I began high school seemingly unprepared. Freshman year was virtual, and during this year, I'd completely blank out, wouldn't pay attention, and even walk away from the computer. And although the main reason behind this being that I was assigned what seemed like 1 assignment per week, I took this for granted and didn't pay attention some of the time. However, this all changed upon entering Mrs. Diana Kennen's "AP Chemistry" course my sophomore year of high school. The first day of Mrs. Kennen's class, I was given multiple assignments. Coming from a somewhat "lazy" mindset that carried over from Freshman year, I found myself spending drastically more time on schoolwork and rarely understood what I was being taught. Throughout my time in her class, she guided and corrected my steps when I was unsure of how to go about completing schoolwork, brought enjoyment to her class as she taught, and taught our class crucial life skills we'd need to know in order for us to become future leaders and successful individuals! Mrs. Kennen would continue to push and motivate you to try your best, and would provide her assistance in small increments until you came to the conclusion almost entirely by yourself. Mrs. Kennen believed in everyone's ability to do great! While she wanted to help us understand the topics, she didn't want us to just ask for the answer once or twice to simply get by the assignment. And it took me almost all year to finally realize this. I left Mrs. Kennen's class with a stronger mindset than ever before. I took academics seriously, working as much as possible to understand any assignment given to me despite the amount of time it took. I became more organized with my workspace, got myself an agenda, and prepared for assignments/events ahead of time. Along with this, I became more dedicated to my studies and continued to remain motivated regardless of whatever challenges or roadblocks were thrown my way. As Mrs. Kennen inspired me to become a better version of myself with each passing day, I hope to inspire future generations of leaders by showing my ambition and drive to do my best. I want others to hear my story and be inspired that this kid, who was only partially motivated and hopeful, turned out to make an everlasting change to this world through his commitment to his studies and work for a better future for all! And to Mrs. Kennen, I say "thank you!" Thank you for the patience to help me understand, thank you for your helpful life lessons, thank you for remaining someone who I could seek for guidance and direction, thank you for your commitment to helping others, and most importantly, thank you for being YOU!

Working towards bettering the state of the environment and working to provide all suffering from a lack of proper housing/sheltering, food, water, clothing, and education with essential human necessities, I plan to study at Howard University and obtain a Master's Degree in Architecture as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, then opening 2 Architecture firms and a Charity in collaboration with my sisters' future Culinary businesses. By working to form better living conditions for the residents of this world, I hope to inspire and empower future generations of leaders to achieve their goals and give back to the community in a multitude of ways! Raised in a family that values happiness and compassion for others, I'm always looking for ways to brighten someone's day. Whether cracking a simple joke or giving out a compliment, I want to ensure everyone can live stress-free and joyful lifestyles. Architecture has remained a prominent aspect of my life. Since adolescence, I'd always had a keen interest in the principles of building, modifications and endless possibilities associated with the field of architecture, and explore the multitude of ways architecture allows one to express themselves. From draining my bank account years ago to buy Lego's to working on 3-D modeling and rendering for architecture, my interest in the principle and concepts associated with the field of architecture continues to grow. A strong commitment to my academic studies and a devoted mindset that encourages my growth mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally, the Leave A Legacy Always Scholarship would serve as major step alleviating persistent roadblocks that remain in attempt to shift me from reaching my full potential by obtaining a necessary college education. While I may have the required time management, organization, and leadership skills crucial in order to excel in my academic studies, one drastic part of my college experience I lack is the funding required in order to receive this education. Striving and working towards achieving all of my planned life goals, a college education works to aid and assist me in the right direction, working towards shaping my character and forming a stronger balance and connection between my professional and personal lifestyles. Through my architecture, I will make a positive change and leave a long-lasting impact on society with my dedication and persistence to my studies! Upon completing college, I plan to open 2 architecture firms, one of which is dedicated wholly to provided housing to those who suffer from a lack of or access to proper sheltering. I hope to inspire future generations of leaders through my work, showing them that with God by your side, anything is truly possible, so chase your dreams and aspirations, and despite any setbacks or roadblocks that attempt to block your path, keep pushing forward! Utilizing the gifts given to me by God and a never-ending will to change this world for the better, I will continue to apply myself to my studies. Despite the barriers that have already been presented in my life, I continue to push myself past any limits or restrictions set by self-doubt and society. And while I understand that more challenges that will arise along my journey through life, I will persevere and overcome any hurdle standing in my way, serving as a beacon of hope for future generations of leaders and working to inspire the next cohort of individuals working to make a change in this world! From hosting events at my school to cleaning up the environment in my city, community service has remained a key component of my life. As someone who finds joy in helping others and making the world a better place, I have been given countless opportunities to contribute towards the growth and development of the world. Thankful for these chances, I continue to search for various community service opportunities that will allow me to network with others who are involved in their community, understand how they contribute, and ways to make a difference. Even as of today, I continue to serve my community with hopes of working with the American Kidney Foundation and other organizations in the near future. Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about. And I want to serve as an inspirational source for others to become more involved within their communities, sharing experiences and forming long-lasting memories! Spreading motivating messages and maintaining a positive demeanor, I hope others will take inspiration from my actions, giving back to their communities and working to bring a sense of togetherness and tranquility to the community! As I continue to grow in both my interests in Architecture as well as my personal lifestyle, I will go the extra mile to ensure that I'm able to bring happiness to all whom I'm able to reach, doing God's work, and becoming the best version of myself possible!

Anyone has the potential to change the world. The quote, ““Be the change that you wish to see in the world” remained a prominent factor of my life. I am a firm believer that any and everyone has the power to make a difference in this world regardless of any setbacks, roadblocks, or barriers that come about along through their journey in life. Working towards breaking past any roadblock or barrier that has found itself along your journey through life is crucial as you continue to work towards the desires that God has placed in your heart. When I hear the term legacy, my mind doesn't jump to " fame”, “popularity", “wealth”, or even “position”, I think of “change”, “impact”, “care”, and “passion.” That's because, to me, a legacy is not determined by one's outward and material success, yet their commitment and passion to make this world a better place. As someone who understands that at the end of life, the material possessions you have acquired will all diminish, that none of these material possessions will be able to be brought with you into the next life, this common misconception of the term “legacy" to me has become almost accepted in today's society. Whereas legacy is socially accepted to deal with monetary aspects, it should be viewed in a more spiritual aspect in my opinion, incorporating aspects such as faith, beliefs, and core values. Being raised with values of compassion, care, and a will to assist everyone in this world, I will use the gifts and desires given to me by God in order to assist my community in all ways possible. And being raised with these values and beliefs, I know that God will continue to direct me along the right path in life and that my family will continue to inspire and motivate me to become the best version of myself possible. One Bible verse that sticks with me as I struggle through tough times is Luke 1:37, “for with God nothing shall be impossible.” This verse has helped me through many internal struggles and barriers that have all attempted to stop me from becoming the best possible version of myself. Continuing to work in the calling and path God has set for my life, I hope to inspire future cohorts and generations of leaders to become the best versions of themselves, helping their communities, and working towards a greater world for everyone!

Everyone deserves to live stress-free and happy lifestyles. The Smash Summer Program works to empower students to solve critical issues in the community. Through application in computer science and stem workshop groups, the Smash Summer Program provides students with the necessary materials and education in order to develop an app that will be used to aid in an ongoing issue. Partaking in the Smash Summer Program, my group decided to focus on creating an app that would assist individuals who are struggling with access to proper housing. Applying what we learned in our computer science and stem workshop classes, we utilized time management and proper organization in order to plan out a wire-frame for our app, working prototype, a presentation giving a brief overview of how the app functions, and a fully functional working version of our application. Worried about the issues that could potentially arise with individuals having to deal with these circumstances, we knew we wanted to make a change for the better, and decided to pursue in app that would alleviate the stress and worries from these individuals by helping them to receive the proper housing that they need in order to survive. As helping the community has always remained a crucial aspect of my life, I felt strongly about making this app, with a desire to not only help and assist the community, but to inspire others to do the same in their communities. As an aspiring architect and construction worker, I plan to open two architecture firms and a charity in order to further provide my assistance to those struggling with inadequate access to human necessities, ensuring that everyone receives the proper housing, food, water, clothing, and education that they need in order to thrive in life. And knowing what it feels like to struggle, I would never wish for someone else to have to deal with the same pain and suffering that comes with being in this situation. Bringing together my desire to make a change in this world along with my passion for pursuing a God-given dream in architecture in design studies, I will utilize all of the gifts and talents the Lord has granted to me in order to serve God and the people of this world, bringing hope to the world through my work! As I continue to grow and mature, I wish to inspire and motivate future generations and cohorts of leaders who will stand up and make a change in this world, following the desires the Lord has set in their hearts, and working towards the greater good for everyone!

One's mental health can single-handedly determine the course of their life. Ensuring stabilized mental health is crucial for everyone's life. From daily activities to interactions with others, and even simply enjoying the wonders of nature, mental health drastically determines how we live and what we do. With disastrous situations such as COVID-19, many have had to deal with the effects of a deteriorating mental state, and for some, are still dealing with the effects to this day. Ensuring that everyone receives proper assistance and help is crucial in working towards bettering the state of the individual, the surrounding community, and our world as a whole. By working to offer programs locally across the world, I can reach a large variety of individuals, helping them to receive the care they need without the worry of excessive sums of money necessary to receive the help that should be provided free of charge to them. Hiring individuals internationally, I would work to ensure that any and everyone is able to receive the assistance they need. In a world where money seemingly appears to be the root of many issues, the affordability and accessibility of mental health care seems to be not outlier, causing many to spend unnecessary amounts of money on something that they should have 24/7 access to without the financial stress. Everyone deserves to be happy, and I'll go the extra mile to ensure I can change the world, even if only 1 life at a time!

Chess, a game relying on creative solutions to difficult and unforeseen circumstances, requires outside-of-the-box thinking, working to maintain order on their side while simultaneously strategizing against the opponent. For many years, Chess has remained a prominent factor in my life. During adolescence, I’d always have an eager and impatient character, preferring to get things done and over with quick. However, the game of chess seemingly forced me to be patient and actually take time to think. When I first began playing, I just made whatever move was possible and never thought twice about it. However, over time, I started noticing patterns in game play, which intrigued me to study the game of chess further. And only a few months later, I found myself considering my choices before acting upon them – an important life lesson for all. Chess helped me realize the importance of patience. Being impatient all the time, I often missed out on opportunities or failed to notice simple mistakes I made along the way. This patience proved useful, as I stopped rushing life, learning to go with the flow of everything and letting God take over. Life is too short to rush everything, and now, as a rising college freshman, the truth of that statement feels heightened. Working towards bettering the state of the environment and working to provide all suffering from a lack of proper housing/sheltering, food, water, clothing, and education with essential human necessities, I plan to major in Architecture with a minor in Computer Science, opening 2 Architecture firms and a Charity in collaboration with my sisters' future culinary businesses. By working to form better living conditions for the residents of this world, I hope to inspire and empower future generations of leaders to achieve their goals and give back to the community in a multitude of ways! From hosting events at my school to cleaning up the environment in my city, community service has remained a key component of my life. As someone who finds joy in helping others and making the world a better place, I have been given countless opportunities to contribute towards the growth and development of the world. Thankful for these chances, I continue to search for various community service opportunities that will allow me to network with others who are involved in their community, understand how they contribute, and ways to make a difference. Even as of today, I continue to serve my community with hopes of working with the American Kidney Foundation and other organizations in the near future. Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about. And I want to serve as an inspirational source for others to become more involved within their communities, sharing experiences and forming long-lasting memories!

“Come on, It’s loading!” I heard my eldest cousin exclaim. We rushed downstairs in excitement ready to play for the first time. Even 8 years later, I can still remember my spawn point, right next to the desert temple. In awe, I curiously toured the place. However, uninformed, I accidentally fell down a hole in the ground, which ultimately led to my death. Less than a minute of game time, and I was already back to the main page. This game, which I had only just previously learned of, somehow immediately piqued my interest. How I would implement this in my later life, I was unsure of. Growing up, Minecraft was one of the major contributing factors towards my liking in the Architecture Field. Watching videos on how to make more advanced structures, I’d spend hours putting together houses of my own using a variety of blocks and exterior enhancements. Experimenting with the limitless possibilities in this game, my yearn for the “perfect” structure will continue to grow. I believe playing Minecraft is a great way to help someone find a career they would like to pursue. Although the range of career options you can manage to perform in Minecraft has a limit, the game itself is constantly updating, adding more features, and forming a platform that is geared towards all individuals, not one specific group of people. When I was in middle school, one of my research classes would use Minecraft Education Edition in order to help us with coding/programming. Taking what I’ve learned while using several forms of Minecraft, it has always been interesting to see firsthand what I can do. Just a month ago, I started playing Minecraft again after stopping for around 2 years. When I entered high school, I had a fixed mindset of focusing mainly on the academic and extracurricular portions of my life, that I completely refused to access any game of any kind. Joining back however, the loading screen, although now redesigned slightly, brought back many memories of the times I used to play the game. Joining back, I began playing with a friend. This time, we were building the largest structure I’ve ever been involved with: We were making our school. We started off with some blueprints and modeling, discussed what we wanted to include for each classroom based on the style and curriculum that teacher taught, and even added some decorations to the exterior for that extra “umph.” We made the outline of the building by measuring and scaling based on a photo and video we found of the school, then began forming the walls and exterior touches to ensure we had the proper lengths. After, we designed any stairs, outside walking paths and flooring. Adding lighting for a more realistic view, the school started to come together. Finishing each room, hallways, and then exterior, we looked at our final result in awe as we couldn’t believe it didn’t take us longer to make something of this caliber. All of this to say, Minecraft is not just another game. It is a world of endless possibilities. Anything you can think, you can create. Minecraft has fueled my passion for architecture, and I hope many others are inspired by the game to achieve their goals!

A strong commitment to my academic studies and a devoted mindset that encourages my growth mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally, the Powering the Future - Whiddon Memorial Scholarship would serve as major step alleviating persistent roadblocks that remain in attempt to shift me from reaching my full potential by obtaining a necessary college education. While I may have the required time management, organization, and leadership skills crucial in order to excel in my academic studies, one drastic part of my college experience I lack is the funding required in order to receive this education. Striving and working towards achieving all of my planned life goals, a college education works to aid and assist me in the right direction, working towards shaping my character and forming a stronger balance and connection between my professional and personal lifestyles. In order to achieve all the goals, I have set for myself, I must first obtain a college degree. Attending Howard University to study Architecture and Design Studies as well as Computer Science, I’d be presented with a plethora of materials, assistance, and opportunities to help shape my love and interest for the fields of Architecture and Computer Science. Preparing for college has always been one of my top priorities. I knew that if I wanted to attend college for several years and obtain 2 degrees, I’d have to work hard to not only be able to afford the education, but to spend my time in college wisely. This scholarship would provide me with a boost financially and remind me that a college education is not cheap, keeping me motivated to apply myself more, not only for personal benefit, but also for the benefit of society, my community, and to all whom I'm able to reach through my work! Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about. And I want to serve as an inspirational source for others to become more involved within their communities, sharing experiences and forming long-lasting memories! Working towards bettering the state of the environment and working to provide assistance to all suffering from a lack of obtaining human necessities, I plan to study at Howard University and obtain a Master's Degree in Architecture as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, then opening 2 Architecture firms and a Charity in collaboration with my sisters' future Culinary businesses. By working to form better living conditions for the residents of this world, I hope to inspire and empower future generations of leaders to achieve their goals and give back to the community in a multitude of ways! Utilizing the gifts given to me by God and a never-ending will to change this world for the better, I will continue to apply myself to my academics. Despite the barriers that have already been presented in my life, I continue to push myself past any limits or restrictions set by self-doubt and society. And while I understand that more challenges will arise along my journey through life, I will persevere and overcome any hurdle standing in my way, serving as a beacon of hope for future generations of leaders and inspiring the next cohort of individuals working to make a change in this world!

Throughout my life, I have constantly struggled with grasping a full understanding of what was being taught in my classes. I would often procrastinate and found myself disorganized at times. It seemed that with each passing year, I was getting more and more negligent. One day a thought crossed my mind. “Would I ever be able to get straight A’s with my procrastination and unorganized personality?” Little did I know someone was about to change my life forever. As I was doing my homework one day, my mom happened to walk past my room and notice something was wrong. Papers were all over my desk and floor, my head was down, and I seemed to have been frustrated. She sat down with me and talked to me about what was wrong. After I explained how difficult the work had gotten the past few weeks, she sat down and helped me work out every assignment I was given. Although this took hours, my mom didn’t worry about that! Ever since that day, I felt more confident asking others for help, using my resources and learning better strategies for how to effectively get the job done. It was only a few days before I noticed my homework and test grades rising. I felt relief as I was finally understanding the work material being taught. With an increasing understanding of the material I was learning, inspiration sparked inside of me. I felt as motivated as ever to continue my education and wanted to graduate from college! I spent countless nights studying for exams and working out extra problems to ensure I understood everything. The best part of it all though…. My mom was always there when I needed her. A few qualities of my mom that I admire include her positive mindset, creative thinking and quick problem-solving abilities. My mom has continued to be someone who I could go to for assistance, a better outlook on anything I had negative emotions about as well as a way to help me in whatever way she can. When I am sad, she makes me laugh. When I am mad, she helps me calm down. Whether I’m anxious or frightened, my mom has always found a way to help. My mom is my hero! Growing and learning with each passing day, I strive to become a better version of myself with each growing moment. By spreading kindness and positivity to those around me, I know that others would reciprocate these same actions and in turn to the same to others as well. And going into high school, I had to utilize the traits and characteristics I’d acquired from my mom’s teachings. My mom taught me what it meant to be a true leader, exemplifying compassion and care, responsibility, dedication, and a strive to form a better society. As a leader, I work to embody these characteristics, working towards achieving not only my goals, but helping others reach theirs as well. All in all, I am a leader guiding others in the right direction! From the life lesson I’ve acquired an understanding of from my mom’s teachings, I’ll utilize these tactics as I continue to and through college, bettering my spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional well-being. The motivation that my mom has given me to continue to follow my dreams, the dedication I’ll need in order to succeed, growing in my faith in God and spirituality, and learning how to manage my professional and personal life, contributing drastically towards my emotions, all contributing towards the content of my character and growth!

As time progresses, it becomes more challenging to properly define the word “community.” A term that once had a definitive meaning has become altered in a way unbeknownst to many. With the surge in the number of people attempting to force their beliefs, customs, and thought processes on others, social media has become an increasingly concerning place for many. Younger individuals especially, who may be easily persuaded and impressed, hold onto these same views, learning and spreading misinformation as they age. The media has recently begun portraying a “community” as any group of people, despite beliefs, similar interests, and even the will to grow and develop. Growing uncertainty in the meaning of this word has sparked confusion amongst many, slowly losing its initially intended definition. Even as I scroll through social media daily, the sheer number of videos that I cross praising practices that are enough to make someone challenge their own morality is insane. These same videos that promise “Heaven on Earth”, and “all you can wish for” are what I believe make up the majority for the spread of misinformation. These videos target the person internally, causing them to believe that by not following these “orders”, they are not following the correct way to live. These posts strike a nerve with those who advocate for healthier, more inclusive and involved communities attempting to better the lives of all, not trying to force their values upon anyone, and properly understand how to articulate their point, as well as defend their chosen position as necessary. There are varying types of communities around the world, from religious groups to service project teams. Each community should be welcoming, inviting, and understanding of each individuals’ viewpoints, straying from using forceful or assertive measures in order to achieve their way. In my opinion, running a proper community requires group effort, the willingness to be open to change and growth as well as honesty and modesty. As someone who has been part of several communities, being able to work with one another and watch each other grow as we overcome barriers and hardships that may put us at a temporary halt gives me a sense of ease and instills a feeling of responsibility within the group. Being open to others points of views, I find it very interesting to listen and speak with people about certain viewpoints they have. I may not necessarily agree with everyone’s reasoning but acknowledging that I listen and understand to me is a key part of development. By voicing my opinion on the matter and advocating for more protective measures to be practiced by utilizing new technology and updates in order to maximize security and protection, I will ensure that the companies and corporations in charge of these applications will take the necessary precautions and preventative measures that foster a positive impact and further contribute towards the growing mindsets of these individuals. Even as of today, I continue to serve my community with hopes of working with the American Kidney Foundation and other organizations in the near future. Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about. And I want to serve as an inspirational source for others to become more involved within their communities, sharing experiences and forming long-lasting memories!

A strong commitment to my academic studies and a devoted mindset that encourages my growth mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally, the ESOF Academic Scholarship would serve as major step alleviating persistent roadblocks that remain in attempt to shift me from reaching my full potential by obtaining a necessary college education. While I may have the required time management, organization, and leadership skills crucial in order to excel in my academic studies, one drastic part of my college experience I lack is the funding required in order to receive this education. Striving and working towards achieving all of my planned life goals, a college education works to aid and assist me in the right direction, working towards shaping my character and forming a stronger balance and connection between my professional and personal lifestyles. In order to achieve all the goals, I have set for myself, I must first obtain a college degree. Attending Howard University to study Architecture and Design Studies, I’d be presented with a plethora of materials, assistance, and opportunities to help shape my love and interest for the field of Architecture, with classes surrounding Environmental Sustainability, Modern Architecture, and even the future of Architecture. Along with obtaining a Master’s Degree in the field of Architecture, I plan on obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering as well. In order to further advance my understanding of these studies, however, I must get my college education, which comes at a hefty price. Preparing for college has always been one of my top priorities. I knew that if I wanted to attend college for several years and obtain a Master’s degree, I’d have to work hard to not only be able to afford the education, but to spend my time in college wisely. This scholarship would provide me with a boost financially and remind me that a college education is not cheap, keeping me motivated to apply myself more. Going to college comes with a lot of responsibility, and that means more than just knowing how to keep track of your work. Financial responsibility is a major part of life, as it helps shape you into someone who knows the difference between wants and needs, when to save and when to spend. This scholarship would be a jump-start in the right direction and serve as a message to remind me to stay on track and to keep going! From hosting events at my school to cleaning up the environment in my city, community service has remained a key component of my life. As someone who finds joy in helping others and making the world a better place, I have been given countless opportunities to contribute towards the growth and development of the world. Thankful for these chances, I continue to search for various community service opportunities that will allow me to network with others who are involved in their community, understand how they contribute, and ways to make a difference. Even as of today, I continue to serve my community with hopes of working with the American Kidney Foundation and other organizations in the near future. Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about. And I want to serve as an inspirational source for others to become more involved within their communities, sharing experiences and forming long-lasting memories! By receiving this scholarship, It’d serve as a message to stay tenacious, working to achieve all goals that I have set for myself, living in the image of God, and helping others to see that there is hope for a better society in the future!

As time progresses, it becomes more challenging to properly define the word “community.” A term that once had a definitive meaning has become altered in a way unbeknownst to many. With the surge in the number of people attempting to force their beliefs, customs, and thought processes on others, social media has become an increasingly concerning place for many. Younger individuals especially, who may be easily persuaded and impressed, hold onto these same views, learning and spreading misinformation as they age. The media has recently begun portraying a “community” as any group of people, despite beliefs, similar interests, and even the will to grow and develop. Growing uncertainty in the meaning of this word has sparked confusion amongst many, slowly losing its initially intended definition. Even as I scroll through social media daily, the sheer number of videos that I cross praising practices that are enough to make someone challenge their own morality is insane. These same videos that promise “Heaven on Earth”, and “all you can wish for” are what I believe make up the majority for the spread of misinformation. These videos target the person internally, causing them to believe that by not following these “orders”, they are not following the correct way to live. These posts strike a nerve with those who advocate for healthier, more inclusive and involved communities attempting to better the lives of all, not trying to force their values upon anyone, and properly understand how to articulate their point, as well as defend their chosen position as necessary. There are varying types of communities around the world, from religious groups to service project teams. Each community should be welcoming, inviting, and understanding of each individuals viewpoints, straying from using forceful or assertive measures in order to achieve their way. In my opinion, running a proper community requires group effort, the willingness to be open to change and growth as well as honesty and modesty. As someone who has been part of several communities, being able to work with one another and watch each other grow as we overcome barriers and hardships that may put us at a temporary halt gives me a sense of ease and instills a feeling of responsibility within the group. Being open to others points of views, I find it very interesting to listen and speak with people about certain viewpoints they have. I may not necessarily agree with everyone’s reasoning but acknowledging that I listen and understand to me is a key part of development. And development, as we know it, can be difficult for many. Those who have fixed mindsets and refuse to accept change tend to exert their force and influence on a larger scale of people by turning to a multitude of platforms, such as social media. Targeting a specific group of people and advertising poor actions, guiding someone to stay on the right path in life has become increasingly difficult. Parents who simply want the best for their children have to worry about societal pressures for their child to exhibit unruly behavior, involve themselves in hateful activities, and support ungodly material. By voicing my opinion on the matter and advocating for more protective measures to be practiced by utilizing new technology and updates in order to maximize security and protection, I will ensure that the companies and corporations in charge of these applications will take the necessary precautions and preventative measures that foster a positive impact and further contribute towards the growing mindsets of these individuals!

A strong commitment to my academic studies and a devoted mindset that encourages my growth mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally, the Henry Bynum Jr. Memorial Scholarship would serve as major step alleviating persistent roadblocks that remain in attempt to shift me from reaching my full potential by obtaining a necessary college education! While I may have the required time management, organization, and leadership skills crucial in order to excel in my academic studies, one drastic part of my college experience I lack is the funding required in order to receive this education. Striving and working towards achieving all of my planned life goals, a college education works to aid and assist me in the right direction, working towards shaping my character and forming a stronger balance and connection between my professional and personal lifestyles. In order to achieve all the goals, I have set for myself, I must first obtain a college degree. Attending Howard University to study Architecture and Design Studies, I’d be presented with a plethora of materials, assistance, and opportunities to help shape my love and interest for the field of Architecture, with classes surrounding Environmental Sustainability, Modern Architecture, and even the future of Architecture. Along with obtaining a Master’s Degree in the field of Architecture, I plan on obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering as well. In order to further advance my understanding of these studies, however, I must get my college education, which comes at a hefty price. Going to college comes with a lot of responsibility, and that means more than just knowing how to keep track of your work. Financial responsibility is a major part of life, as it helps shape you into someone who knows the difference between wants and needs, when to save and when to spend. This scholarship would be a jump-start in the right direction and serve as a message to remind me to stay on track and to keep going! From hosting events at my school to cleaning up the environment in my city, community service has remained a key component of my life. As someone who finds joy in helping others and making the world a better place, I have been given countless opportunities to contribute towards the growth and development of the world. Thankful for these chances, I continue to search for various community service opportunities that will allow me to network with others who are involved in their community, understand how they contribute, and ways to make a difference. Even as of today, I continue to serve my community with hopes of working with the American Kidney Foundation and other organizations in the near future. Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about. And I want to serve as an inspirational source for others to become more involved within their communities, sharing experiences and forming long-lasting memories! By receiving this scholarship, It’d serve as a message to stay tenacious, working to achieve all goals that I have set for myself, living in the image of God, and helping others to see that there is hope for a better society in the future!

A strong commitment to my academic studies and a devoted mindset that encourages my growth mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally, the Rev. and Mrs. E B Dunbar Scholarship would serve as major step alleviating persistent roadblocks that remain in attempt to shift me from reaching my full potential by obtaining a necessary college education. While I may have the required time management, organization, and leadership skills crucial in order to excel in my academic studies, one drastic part of my college experience I lack is the funding required in order to receive this education. Striving and working towards achieving all of my planned life goals, a college education works to aid and assist me in the right direction, working towards shaping my character and forming a stronger balance and connection between my professional and personal lifestyles. In order to achieve all the goals, I have set for myself, I must first obtain a college degree. Attending Howard University to study Architecture and Design Studies, I’d be presented with a plethora of materials, assistance, and opportunities to help shape my love and interest for the field of Architecture, with classes surrounding Environmental Sustainability, Modern Architecture, and even the future of Architecture. Going to college comes with a lot of financial responsibility (which I've found myself more often than not struggling with), and that means more than just knowing how to keep track of your work. Financial responsibility is a major part of life, as it helps shape you into someone who knows the difference between wants and needs, when to save and when to spend. This scholarship would be a jump-start in the right direction and serve as a message to remind me to stay on track, keep moving forward, and teach me how to properly allocate my money for needs ahead of wants! From hosting events at my school to cleaning up the environment in my city, community service has remained a key component of my life. As someone who finds joy in helping others and making the world a better place, I have been given countless opportunities to contribute towards the growth and development of the world. Thankful for these chances, I continue to search for various community service opportunities that will allow me to network with others who are involved in their community, understand how they contribute, and ways to make a difference. Even as of today, I continue to serve my community with hopes of working with the American Kidney Foundation and other organizations in the near future. Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about. And I want to serve as an inspirational source for others to become more involved within their communities, sharing experiences and forming long-lasting memories!

Looking back with a heart-sinking feeling, I could only imagine the pain they were going through, and I couldn't do anything to help them in that very moment. I sat, a passenger in the back seat, simply watching as they struggled to obtain the funding they needed for food, a blanket, some shelter, and as I was overcome internally with sorrow, I realized I was of no help at the moment. Growing up trying to extend my hand to help, even at times when I knew I would be of no assistance, I urge myself to do my absolute best to help those around me. From that moment I saw someone on the side of the freeway, shivering and overcome with distress, as if they had given up, I knew how I'd be able to make a change to this world. I couldn't bare only being able to watch as these people suffered, and the pain that it caused not only them, but myself as well, worked to inspire the way I work to change the future of this world! Combining my love for Architecture and Construction with my desire to bring a sense of ease and calming amongst all whom I'm able to reach, I will become the founder of 2 architecture firms and a non-profit charity, ensuring that I can work towards providing my assistance to all in need. Working to provide proper housing/sheltering, food, water, clothing, and education to all who lack the necessary funding or ability to obtain these needs, I know that I'll be able to restore peace and tranquility to this world! Utilizing the gifts given to me by God and a never-ending will to change this world for the better, I will continue to apply myself to my studies. Despite the barriers that have already been presented in my life, I continue to push myself past any limits or restrictions set by self-doubt and society. Knowing that God is going to be with me every step of the way along my journey through life, I'll continue to persevere and break past any barrier that stands in my way, trying to hold me from achieving what God has called for my life! And while I understand that more challenges that will arise along my journey through life, I will persevere and overcome any hurdle standing in my way, serving as a beacon of hope for future generations of leaders and working to inspire the next cohort of individuals working to make a change in this world!

Upon completion of college, I plan to open 2 architecture firms as well as a charity in collaboration with my sisters' culinary businesses to provide those suffering with access to human necessities. Experiencing what it means to struggle firsthand, I'd never want anyone to have to deal with the same issues that arose in my life and will work twice as hard as possible to bring about a change to this world! Mixing historical culture with my urge to positively impact this world and shine a light on the limitless potential of the African-American community, I decided to pursue an education at Howard University, pushing myself past previously mentally-set barriers and obstacles. Having a parent who attended an HBCU also impacted my yearn to attend one. Not only this, but HBCU's foster community and togetherness more strongly than any other type of college/university, building groups of individuals who work to empower one another, uplift each other through challenges and setbacks, and bring long-lasting changes to this world. HBCU's combine studies with spirituality, working to bring their students closer to God and fostering a deeper spiritual connection with the Lord. From Howard's Bethel Campus Fellowship club to the churches around the DC area, I'd not only be given the opportunity to excel in my academics, but spiritual lifestyle too! As I matriculate to Howard University and work to serve as a beacon of hope, I wish to inspire many future generations of African-American leaders to positively impact their communities as well!

The word "togetherness" has a meaning that far exceeds regular understanding. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself growing drastically in my faith. Coming closer to God, I began feeling more confident, kept a positive attitude and outlook on life, and even started to become more social as time progressed. Learning to draw near to God and trust in his ways has altered the way I walk, talk, and present myself to the world. And growing more in faith, I found myself present in First Iconium Baptist Church, being introduced to the Pastor that would single-handedly change my thoughts, beliefs, and speak in such a way that would bring peace and tranquility to all who heard his sermons. Reverend Timothy McDonald III has not only shaped the way I think and go about life, but others as well. He genuinely cares for the well-being of all, and works to ensure communion and togetherness for all! Pastor McDonald works tirelessly to provide his assistance, and is never hesitant to lend a helping hand. With the issue of separation and quarantining from the COVID-19 pandemic, Pastor McDonald has preached sermons about coming together, honoring the Lord and instilling a sense of connection between all. And in doing so, Pastor McDonald has influenced the lives of many, and continued to work in service to the Lord to strengthen the bonds between individuals, but with God as well. Pastor McDonald has helped me further realize my purpose in life, showing through the word of God that anything is possible with the Lord! Growing up trying to extend my hand to help, even at times when I knew I would be of no assistance, I urge myself to do my absolute best to help those around me. From that moment I saw someone on the side of the freeway, shivering and overcome with distress, as if they had given up, I knew how I'd be able to make a change to this world. I couldn't bare only being able to watch as these people suffered, and the pain that it caused not only them, but myself as well, worked to inspire the way I work to change the future of this world! Combining my love for Architecture and Construction with my desire to bring a sense of ease and calming amongst all whom I'm able to reach, I will become the founder of 2 architecture firms and a non-profit charity, ensuring that I can work towards providing my assistance to all in need. Working to provide proper housing/sheltering, food, water, clothing, and education to all who lack the necessary funding or ability to obtain these needs, I know that I'll be able to restore peace and tranquility to this world, utilizing the gifts given to me by God and a never-ending will to change this world for the better! Having a major impact on the way I take on life, Pastor McDonald has inspired me to become the best possible version of myself, despite any past, ongoing, or upcoming challenges or roadblocks that prove difficult in my journey through life. And just as Pastor McDonald has inspired me to grow in every aspect of life, I hope to inspire future generations of leaders to do the same, working together for the betterment of society and instilling Godly values within the citizens of this world!

A strong commitment to my academic studies and a devoted mindset that encourages my growth mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally, the Jerzee Foundation Scholarship would serve as major step alleviating persistent roadblocks that remain in attempt to shift me from reaching my full potential by obtaining a necessary college education. While I may have the required time management, organization, and leadership skills crucial in order to excel in my academic studies, one drastic part of my college experience I lack is the funding required in order to receive this education. Striving and working towards achieving all of my planned life goals, a college education works to aid and assist me in the right direction, working towards shaping my character and forming a stronger balance and connection between my professional and personal lifestyles. In order to achieve all the goals, I have set for myself, I must first obtain a college degree. Attending Howard University to major in Architecture and Design Studies and minor in Computer Science, I’d be presented with a plethora of materials, assistance, and opportunities to help shape my love and interest for the fields of Architecture and Computer Science! Preparing for college has always been one of my top priorities. I knew that if I wanted to attend college for several years and obtain 2 degrees, I’d have to work hard to not only be able to afford the education, but to spend my time in college wisely. This scholarship would provide me with a boost financially and remind me that a college education is not cheap, keeping me motivated to apply myself more. Going to college comes with a lot of responsibility, and that means more than just knowing how to keep track of your work. Financial responsibility is a major part of life, as it helps shape you into someone who knows the difference between wants and needs, when to save and when to spend. This scholarship would be a jumpstart in the right direction and serve as a message to remind me to stay on track and to keep going! From hosting events at my school to cleaning up the environment in my city, community service has remained a key component of my life. As someone who finds joy in helping others and making the world a better place, I have been given countless opportunities to contribute towards the growth and development of the world. Thankful for these chances, I continue to search for various community service opportunities that will allow me to network with others who are involved in their community, understand how they contribute, and ways to make a difference. Even as of today, I continue to serve my community with hopes of working with the American Kidney Foundation and other organizations in the near future. Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about. And I want to serve as an inspirational source for others to become more involved within their communities, sharing experiences and forming long-lasting memories! By receiving this scholarship, it’d serve as a message to stay tenacious, working to achieve all goals that I have set for myself, living in the image of God, and helping others to see that there is hope for a better society in the future!

The movie series "Cars" dives deep into the topics of togetherness, diligence, hard work, and dedication. This multi-movie series explores the characteristics and lifestyles of Lightning McQueen, the main character of the series, his interactions with his peers, competition, challenges, roadblocks, and how he overcomes them along the way. And the movie series "Cars" has played a drastic role in how I uphold myself. Since adolescence, I have always been intrigued by Lightning McQueen and his ecstatic and joyful nature as the main character of the series "Cars". Watching as he destroyed any competition almost seemingly with ease and even in times of loss kept his hopes up, I was inspired by his never-ending commitment and dedication to achieving all of the goals and dreams that he had set in mind. As Lightning was often challenged to reflect on the past, the present, and the near future for his driving career, The listener is able to tell and feel his devotion and commitment to achieving his goals. The movie series cars reflects togetherness. Many times within the series, one of the characters may find themselves in a situation where they feel helpless and hopeless. However, through the encouraging words of their peers and others, they are able to overcome any doubt or anguish they feel, and get right back up after being knocked down. This is crucial in real life application as we often find ourselves in times of anguish, uncertainty, and doubt, questioning our ability to succeed, achieve our goals, or even make a difference. And as I watched Lightning and the other cars continue to overcome these feelings, I felt a sense of ease and eagerness to push forward despite any challenges that may come about! As I continue to grow and develop as time progresses, I will take what I've learned from my time of watching the movie series "Cars" and apply these lessons into my daily life, ensuring that regardless of what setbacks or roadblocks come about, I get back up twice as strong as before. Through my dedication and commitment to my studies and achieving all of the goals and dreams that God has placed within my heart, I hope to serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations of leaders to continue making positive changes to this world! And, still to this day, as the movie series "Cars" remains my favorite movie series of all time, I know that with enough hard work and dedication, anything and everything is possible!

Everyone deserves to be happy. Raised in a family that values happiness and compassion for others, I'm always looking for ways to brighten someone's day. Whether cracking a simple joke or giving out a compliment, I want to ensure everyone can live stress-free and joyful lifestyles. Architecture has remained a prominent aspect of my life. Since adolescence, I'd always had a keen interest in the principles of building, modifications and endless possibilities associated with the field of architecture, and explore the multitude of ways architecture allows one to express themselves. From draining my bank account years ago to buy Lego's to working on 3-D modeling and rendering for architecture, my interest in the principle and concepts associated with the field of architecture continues to grow. Through my architecture, I will make a positive change and leave a long-lasting impact on society with my dedication and persistence to my studies! Upon completing college, I plan to open 2 architecture firms, one of which is dedication wholly to provided housing to those who suffer from a lack of or access to proper sheltering. I hope to inspire future generations of leaders through my work, showing them that with God by your side, anything is truly possible, so chase your dreams and aspirations, and despite any setbacks or roadblocks that attempt to block your path, keep pushing forward! Utilizing the gifts given to me by God and a never-ending will to change this world for the better, I will continue to apply myself to my studies. Despite the barriers that have already been presented in my life, I continue to push myself past any limits or restrictions set by self-doubt and society. And while I understand that more challenges that will arise along my journey through life, I will persevere and overcome any hurdle standing in my way, serving as a beacon of hope for future generations of leaders and working to inspire the next cohort of individuals working to make a change in this world! Spreading motivating messages and maintaining a positive demeanor, I hope others will take inspiration from my actions, giving back to their communities and working to bring a sense of togetherness and tranquility to the community! As I continue to grow in both my interests in Architecture as well as my personal lifestyle, I will go the extra mile to ensure that I'm able to bring happiness to all whom I'm able to reach, doing God's work, and becoming the best version of myself possible!

To me, passion is the desire to accomplish and dedication to ensure its success. For as long as I can remember, I've had a strong passion for changing the world through my career in Architecture and Design Studies. Overcome with the thought of being able to provide my assistance to all, I've worked hard to make this dream eventually turn into a reality. Passion is persistence. When I say I have a "passion" for something, I mean that I'm determined to remaining on task despite how long it may take and how strenuous or stressful the task may be. I won't fall back and admit defeat, yet stand tall and confident in my ability to achieve success through God! Passion is strength. Passion is the mental strength someone has which drives them to continue pushing forward, despite any challenges that come up along their journey through life. And with my passion, I'm not afraid to face tough situations head-on. As passion is a very prominent aspect of my life, I'll hold onto it as I continue to grow and develop into someone who inspires future generations of leaders to become their best selves! I show my passion through my keen interest to both my professional and personal lifestyles. I work diligently to ensure my academic life is maintained, as well as taking care of my mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being at all times. With my passion for Architecture and Design Studies, I'll work to bring about a world where people work together for the betterment of society. Upon completing college, I will begin planning for 2 Architecture firms and opening a charity in collaboration with my sisters' culinary businesses in order to provide human needs to those who are struggling to obtain these necessities! As I continue to further my passion for helping the word in the image of God, I want to inspire others to follow their God-given dreams and leave positive long-lasting impacts on society!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13 I've always been an advocate for doing what's right, even if it goes against the "socially acceptable" norm present in today's times. And when I get a sign from God that I'm doing something wrong, I don't turn my back or think twice. I listen. Music has remained a prominent aspect of my life. From adolescence, I've always searched for new music to add to my playlist. Whether Hip Hop, R&B, Jazz, etc. I've always been interested in finding new music to listen to. However, when I found myself listening to the same musical artist for over a year straight, every single day, 10+ hours a day, I began questioning if I was supposed to be listening to their music. Growing up not listening to explicit music, finding myself listening to this artist felt a little off, as if I were doing something wrong. And although I never considered what it was, I managed to continue listening to this artist every day on repeat for nearly 2 years without once questioning, "Am I doing something wrong?" But that all changed one morning, while my mom and I were sitting at a gas station. Opening Spotify to listen to this artist again, I suddenly stopped before pressing "play" ad thought to myself, "Is this really the music God would want me listening to?" And, still uncertain, I brought the situation to my mom. Hearing only one song, my mom nearly immediately gave her opinion, stating that she didn't believe I shouldn't be listening to that type of music. And I know God was present in that moment, because I deleted the entire playlist I had dedicated to this artist without second thought or even doubt. My commitment to following God was more powerful than my desire to listen to the same songs I had put on repeat for a very long time, and I felt a slight burden lift off my body that day. I felt renewed, cleansed, anew. This same artist I found others listening to, and would close my ears nearly immediately upon hearing it. Anytime my friends would play the music close to me, I'd ask them to change the artist. I knew the Devil would try using the music to draw me back in. And since then, I've stopped sharing that music with others, yet sending songs that resemble more of what I listen to day, giving them the right music for their ears. As for myself, I work each day to ensure I continue growing closer to God and grow in my faith. After all, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Ensuring at all times that I put God first, others second, and myself third, I will not only grow myself, but help others grow in their faith as well!

A dark, stagnant room, and a distressed, mentally tormented soul, seemingly at the mercy of life, sat in anguish, awaiting even a sliver of hope to pass through his body. The relentless agony and never-ending cycle of mental pain overfilled the mind, and yet, an evidently powerless, yet persistent spark of light continued to glow in the soul of this boy. It's not always easy to overcome challenges. Life throws difficult situations your way, some people around you walk out of your life and bring nothing but affliction and discomfort, and you often feel nothing inside. Yet, despite these hurdles, God's love remains, and learning this one simple fact ignited the biggest change to my life to date. Prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic, I suffered dramatically from anxiety, to the point where I'd often refuse to step into situations where interactions with others were guaranteed, message my parents every few minutes from intense worrying about their safety, freeze amid assignments or other work, and even find myself periodically uncontrollable mentally. I felt alone. I felt distant. I felt... "Ungodly". And yet, amidst the pandemic, I found myself becoming more heavily involved in religious practices. I've always been an advocate for the saying, "Everything happens for a reason," and a true understanding of this hadn't occurred to me until the COVID-19 pandemic. This separation from loved ones, seclusion from our established and admired communities, and for some, completely severed ties from society, forced us to spent time contemplating. Contemplating life, our decisions, and the world. However, due to this pandemic, I spent a large sum of my time growing in faith. Reading the Bible, listening to daily devotionals, reading the morning and nightly bible verse, inspiration, and prayers, and even becoming involved in Bible studies with my family every week. That never-ending torment, the secluded and uncontrollable version of myself seemed to slip away with time. My understanding of God and my faith worked to bring about the person I am today, a God-centered, loving, courageous, and outgoing individual. If never for God, I would have never made it out of that distressed stage of life. Utilizing the gifts given to me by God and a never-ending will to change this world for the better, I will continue to apply myself to my studies. Despite the barriers that have already been presented in my life, I continue to push myself past any limits or restriction set by self-doubt and society. And while I understand that more challenges that will arise along my journey through life, I will persevere and overcome any hurdle standing in my way, serving as a beacon of hope for future generations of leaders and working to inspire the next cohort of individuals working to make a change in this world! God worked through others to help me, and I know God will work through me to help others find him as well. Throughout the past few years, growing in my relationship with God and working to overcome situations which have put me at a temporary halt, I know fully that God would never put us through situations we are unable to handle or unsuited for. So that little boy who thought there was no end to the pain turned out to be just fine in the end. I found God at my lowest point in life!

"...You may not be able to attend college..." is the most detrimental sentence I've heard to this day. Growing up with dreams of attending college, I'd always picture how wonderful the year 2024 was going to be for me. Visions of the near future and connecting with new people, having many new opportunities opened for me, and making a change to the world around me, I couldn't wait for the opportunity to come. Being accepted to Howard University, the school I dreamed of attending for over a decade, I couldn't help but feel proud of myself. For years, something that was only a vision, was becoming a reality for me. Being accepted to this school only further advanced my dream and made me feel overly-ecstatic. However, hearing this statement brought me into a state of uncertainty, fear, doubt, and for 2 days, I lost almost all hope in my ability to make a change to this world. I couldn't handle the immense mental strain and internal pressure I put on myself during this time, and sat in silence for hours and refused to even speak. I felt as if everything was over, and yet, somehow, someway, God brought me out of this state of mind. As a strong believer in the power of God, I had questioned this worrying and anxiety I had, as God tells us in Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Only after a short while, I began feeling better, and although the thoughts of not being able to pay for my college education lingered in my mind, the pain and pressure began to flow freely out of my body similar to how a calm stream of water flows down a river. Met with adversity, I had to turn to God for help. While I felt lonely and helpless, I remembered that God is always there, and came across a YouTube short only confirming that everything would be alright, referencing the Bible verse from Psalms 23:4, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." For anyone who is struggling with the same pressure and pain I experienced, I say, "Trust in the Lord, and come to him with anything that is putting a burden on you." Time and time again, I've asked God for assistance when I felt I couldn't handle something I went through. Secondly, thank God every day. Whether you're having the best time of your life, or struggling with something, praise the Lord, and thank God for every day. Remember, tomorrow is not promised. Thirdly, pray consistently. Don't only turn to God in times of need, but pray for others, pray for blessings, pray for yourself, pray for everyone and everything! God is the reason I've been able to make it through all struggles, and I know he'll help you too!

From hosting events at my school to cleaning up the environment in my city, community service has remained a key component of my life. As someone who finds joy in helping others and making the world a better place, I have been given countless opportunities to show my love for my community, giving back, as well as contributing towards the growth and development of the world. In my early years, I was always someone who wanted to make a change in the world, but I found myself constantly wondering “How would this be possible? How could someone like me possibly help anyone?” Struggling to overcome the simple fact that as a child, I had fears that trying to help would only cause more damage to occur, I stayed reserved and typically didn’t go out of my way. That was until my first community service gathering. When I was about 13/14 my family enlisted in a community service program in which we’d go around picking up and recycling bottles, cans, plastic bags, and whatever other material we found lying around the area. As an upcoming teenager, I felt stronger about my impact and my ability to contribute more towards my environment that I started to become much more involved in community service projects, joining a club at my school “The Journey Boys!” This group was a collective of students aiming to better the world through a variety of projects to assist people through hardships, raise the quality of life and maintain suitable conditions for the future of the world. In 7th grade, I eventually became so absorbed by making the world a better place I started to recruit others to join the group, recycle and throw away discarded material I saw lying around, and even began advocating and speaking out about issues concerning our environment. I didn’t notice this sudden change in my behavior, but I felt a strong sense of dedication. As a middle school student, I’d never imagine how much someone could change, but my change was becoming apparent. Little did I know, this was barely a prerequisite to the community service opportunities I would be subject to. Entering high school, the sheer number of community service opportunities I were given basically rose exponentially. Although school for me was completely virtual my freshman year of high school, through contact with the director and my sister, I was able to join an environmental club. (TREE Environmental Club) Along with this club, I joined another group SME (Sophisticated Men of Excellence) Just a few months ago, we were able to celebrate individuals with special needs at the Night to Shine parade held at the Rockdale Baptist Church, host a school-wide book and canned food drive, and school-wide campus cleanups. Adding on to that, joining Student Council provided me with several school-wide community service opportunities such as the Magnet Family Picnic or the 5k Monster Dash. Even as of today, I continue to serve my community with hopes of working with the American Kidney Foundation and other organizations in the near future. Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. Just as I used to be someone who was afraid of hurting others even with righteous intentions, I have now become someone who can face my fears head on and never fail to see the light at the end of every tunnel. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about!

A strong commitment to my academic studies and a devoted mindset that encourages my growth mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally, the Samuel D. Hartley Memorial Scholarship would serve as major step alleviating persistent roadblocks that remain in attempt to shift me from reaching my full potential by obtaining a necessary college education. While I may have the required time management, organization, and leadership skills crucial in order to excel in my academic studies, one drastic part of my college experience I lack is the funding required in order to receive this education. Striving and working towards achieving all of my planned life goals, a college education works to aid and assist me in the right direction, working towards shaping my character and forming a stronger balance and connection between my professional and personal lifestyles. In order to achieve all the goals, I have set for myself, I must first obtain a college degree. Attending Howard University to study Architecture and Design Studies, I’d be presented with a plethora of materials, assistance, and opportunities to help shape my love and interest for the field of Architecture, with classes surrounding Environmental Sustainability, Modern Architecture, and even the future of Architecture. Preparing for college has always been one of my top priorities. I knew that if I wanted to attend college for several years and obtain a Master’s degree, I’d have to work hard to not only be able to afford the education, but to spend my time in college wisely. This scholarship would provide me with a boost financially and remind me that a college education is not cheap, keeping me motivated to apply myself more. Going to college comes with a lot of responsibility, and that means more than just knowing how to keep track of your work. Financial responsibility is a major part of life, as it helps shape you into someone who knows the difference between wants and needs, when to save and when to spend. This scholarship would be a jump start in the right direction and serve as a message to remind me to stay on track and to keep going! From hosting events at my school to cleaning up the environment in my city, community service has remained a key component of my life. As someone who finds joy in helping others and making the world a better place, I have been given countless opportunities to contribute towards the growth and development of the world. Thankful for these chances, I continue to search for various community service opportunities that will allow me to network with others who are involved in their community, understand how they contribute, and ways to make a difference. Even as of today, I continue to serve my community with hopes of working with the American Kidney Foundation and other organizations in the near future. Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about. And I want to serve as an inspirational source for others to become more involved within their communities, sharing experiences and forming long-lasting memories! By receiving this scholarship, it’d serve as a message to stay tenacious, working to achieve all goals that I have set for myself, living in the image of God, and helping others to see that there is hope for a better society in the future!

Coming from a family who genuinely cares and seeks the best interests for one another, I've been raised with a mindset and drive to assist all whom I'm able to reach. My family is centered around helping one another succeed, and helping others succeed with their dreams and goals as well. During times of sadness, anger, fear, or even doubt, I remain close to my family and peers, as we all work to uplift one another and provide our assistance whenever possible! As time progresses, it becomes more challenging to properly define the word “community.” A term once with a definitive meaning has become altered in a way unbeknownst to many. With the surge in the number of people attempting to force their beliefs, customs, and thought processes on others, social media has become an increasingly concerning place for many. Younger individuals especially, who may be easily persuaded and impressed, hold onto these same views, learning and spreading misinformation as they age. Running a proper community requires group effort, the willingness to be open to change and growth as well as honesty and modesty. As someone who has been part of several communities, being able to work with one another and watch each other grow as we overcome barriers and hardships that may put us at a temporary halt gives me a sense of ease and instills a feeling of responsibility within the group. By voicing my opinion on the matter and advocating for more protective measures to be practiced by utilizing new technology and updates in order to maximize security and protection, I will ensure that the companies and corporations in charge of these applications will take the necessary precautions and preventative measures that foster a positive impact and further contribute towards the growing mindsets of these individuals. From hosting events at my school to cleaning up the environment in my city, community service has remained a key component of my life. As someone who finds joy in helping others and making the world a better place, I have been given countless opportunities to show my love for my community, giving back, as well as contributing towards the growth and development of the world. Thankful for these chances, I continue to search for various community service opportunities that will allow me to network with others who are involved in their community, understand how they contribute, and ways to make a difference. Even as of today, I continue to serve my community with hopes of working with the American Kidney Foundation and other organizations in the near future. Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about. And I want to serve as an inspirational source for others to become more involved within their communities, sharing experiences and forming long-lasting memories!

Looking back with a heart-sinking feeling, I could only imagine the pain they were going through, and I couldn't do anything to help them in that very moment. I sat, a passenger in the back seat, simply watching as they struggled to obtain the funding they needed for food, a blanket, some shelter, and as I was overcome internally with sorrow, I realized I was of no help at the moment. Growing up trying to extend my hand to help, even at times when I knew I would be of no assistance, I urge myself to do my absolute best to help those around me. From that moment I saw someone on the side of the freeway, shivering and overcome with distress, as if they had given up, I knew how I'd be able to make a change to this world. I couldn't bare only being able to watch as these people suffered, and the pain that it caused not only them, but myself as well, worked to inspire the way I work to change the future of this world! Combining my love for Architecture and Construction with my desire to bring a sense of ease and calming amongst all whom I'm able to reach, I will become the founder of 2 architecture firms and a non-profit charity, ensuring that I can work towards providing my assistance to all in need. Working to provide proper housing/sheltering, food, water, clothing, and education to all who lack the necessary funding or ability to obtain these needs, I know that I'll be able to restore peace and tranquility to this world! I continue to serve my community with hopes of working with the American Kidney Foundation and other organizations in the near future. Learning that through life challenges will arise and ways to break past these barriers will prove useful. I’ve realized through my community service that there is nothing that can keep me distant from my end goal, despite any setbacks that come about. And I want to serve as an inspirational source for others to become more involved within their communities, sharing experiences and forming long-lasting memories! Utilizing the gifts given to me by God and a never-ending will to change this world for the better, I will continue to apply myself to my studies. Despite the barriers that have already been presented in my life, I continue to push myself past any limits or restriction set by self-doubt and society. And while I understand that more challenges that will arise along my journey through life, I will persevere and overcome any hurdle standing in my way, serving as a beacon of hope for future generations of leaders and working to inspire the next cohort of individuals working to make a change in this world! A strong commitment to my academic studies and a devoted mindset that encourages my growth mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally, the Treye Knorr Memorial Scholarship would serve as major step alleviating persistent roadblocks that remain in attempt to shift me from reaching my full potential by obtaining a necessary college education. In order to achieve all the goals, I have set for myself, I must first obtain a college degree. Attending Howard University to study Architecture and Design Studies, I’d be presented with a plethora of materials, assistance, and opportunities to help shape my love and interest for the field of Architecture, with classes surrounding Environmental Sustainability, Modern Architecture, and even the future of Architecture. Preparing for college has always been one of my top priorities. I knew that if I wanted to attend college for several years and obtain a Master’s degree, I’d have to work hard to not only be able to afford the education, but to spend my time in college wisely. This scholarship would provide me with a boost financially and remind me that a college education is not cheap, keeping me motivated to apply myself more!

Earth is an ever-growing planet, as the implementation of resources such as technology continues to grow and expand. With this implementation, however, comes many drawbacks to not only how humans interact with one another, but environmental concerns arise as well. I will implement my intended major and career, Architecture and Building Sciences, to serve the community and work to alleviate the damage caused to the environment. From small, compact fast-food chains to record-breaking skyscrapers, the Architecture field has a wide variety of components, designs, etc. that can be incorporated into whatever one dreams of. And as someone who aspires to become an Architect, I plan to put that limitless creativity to work, expanding upon what has already been done, and forming a new type of Architecture. Not just one that is cost-efficient, but also conserves materials and alleviates the damage to the surrounding environment. As a child, I’d often find myself curious about the infrastructure of buildings and try to recreate them without any guidance or even a blueprint. Continuing to build my interest in this field, I was eventually introduced to Lego's. It didn’t take too much longer until I realized I wanted to major in Architecture and Building Sciences, as each building was crafted with perfection, and even minor details were included in each package that really made the build livelier. Since its introduction to my life, Rendering and 3-D Animation have continually piqued an ongoing interest within me. From 3-D Modeling videos to attempting more advanced designs from similar courses, learning and incorporating Blender, a 3-D computer graphics software, into my life will not only prove useful in my future career, but personal projects and for recreational purposes! Pursing a degree in Architecture and Building Sciences, I knew I'd need an introduction to the world of 3-D Modeling, the processes and requirements necessary to acquire such details and designs, and a firm foundation of the overall basis on how to do so. And without any funding source at the time to pay for certain applications for modeling and animation, I resorted to learning Blender, which not only further advanced my interest in Modeling, but was made fairly simple to learn due to the immense number of courses and series relating to the program. While being completely different from other hobbies and interests I have, I find joy in always learning something new, especially if it applies to my future career. Utilizing Blender for Architecture, I'll be able to output high-quality renders of my work, and with a seemingly endless amount of ways to design and make your imagination come to life, Blender offers a wide variety of tools and materials to assist along the way, making the program user-friendly and providing all with what they need in order to achieve their end result! As I continue to incorporate what I've learned from my time using Blender and continue to expand my knowledge using the program, I know that I'll be able to make a change for the better in this world, and inspire future generations of leaders to make a change through following their dreams and passions, as well as going the extra mile to ensure they put their best foot forward!

Since his inception, the "Spider-Man" character, otherwise known as "Your friendly neighborhood spider" has remained a beacon of hope for the residents of New York City, and with a persistent and uplifting personality, has remained my favorite Marvel character to this day. With a vibrant and humorous personality, this Spider-Man has never failed to bring an interesting series of events to his movies, going above and beyond to exemplify a model Spider-Man character, and is even the major reason the Spider-Man character still exists to this day. For many years, I've admired the qualities of Spider-Man, from his courageous and bold persona despite seemingly hopeless situations to his ability to turn any severe fight scene into a laughable matter. Not only this, but Spider-Man above anything ensures the safety of the citizens, even if it means risking his life. Since beginning acting as Spider-Man, my adulation towards this individual and the Spider-Man character has risen dramatically. As someone who properly portrays the character of Spider-Man and understands the audience, this individual resembles the characteristics necessary to play the role of Spider-Man. And as my favorite Spider-Man, this individual has made his mark on the Marvel Universe bringing a funny, engaging, and distinct personality to the character of Spider-Man. So, who is he? Tom Holland.

A dark, stagnant room, and a distressed, mentally tormented soul, seemingly at the mercy of life, sat in anguish, awaiting even a sliver of hope to pass through his body. The relentless agony and never-ending cycle of mental pain overfilled the mind, and yet, an evidently powerless, yet persistent spark of light continued to glow in the soul of this boy. It's not always easy to overcome challenges. Life throws difficult situations your way, some people around you walk out of your life and bring nothing but affliction and discomfort, and you often feel nothing inside. Yet, despite these hurdles, God's love remains, and learning this one simple fact ignited the biggest change to my life to date. Prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic, I suffered dramatically from anxiety, to the point where I'd often refuse to step into situations where interactions with others were guaranteed, message my parents every few minutes from intense worrying about their safety, freeze amid assignments or other work, and even find myself periodically uncontrollable mentally. I felt alone. I felt distant. I felt... "Ungodly". And yet, amidst the pandemic, I found myself becoming more heavily involved in religious practices. I've always been an advocate for the saying, "Everything happens for a reason," and a true understanding of this hadn't occurred to me until the COVID-19 pandemic. This separation from loved ones, seclusion from our established and admired communities, and for some, completely severed ties from society, forced us to spent time contemplating. Contemplating life, our decisions, and the world. However, due to this pandemic, I spent a large sum of my time growing in faith. Reading the Bible, listening to daily devotionals, reading the morning and nightly bible verse, inspiration, and prayers, and even becoming involved in Bible studies with my family every week. That never-ending torment, the secluded and uncontrollable version of myself seemed to slip away with time. My understanding of God and my faith worked to bring about the person I am today, a God-centered, loving, courageous, and outgoing individual. If never for God, I would have never made it out of that distressed stage of life. God worked through others to help me, and I know God will work through me to help others find him as well. Throughout the past few years, growing in my relationship with God and working to overcome situations which have put me at a temporary halt, I know fully that God would never put us through situations we are unable to handle or unsuited for. So that little boy who thought there was no end to the pain turned out to be just fine in the end. I found God at my lowest point in life... and you can too.

1. Working to provide my assistance to those in my community, the SMASH Morehouse Summer Program works to supply students with the necessary tools and education to help them formulate and design applications with a purpose of providing social or environmental assistance to an ongoing issue. The SMASH Morehouse Summer Program has instilled crucial life lessons and skills into my brain, as I worked to implement collaboration, teamwork, organizational, and time management skills into my daily life. This summer program served as a means for both growing in my expertise regarding Computer Science and working towards solving a pressing issue, with my group focusing particularly on creating a mobile app assisting those suffering from a lack of proper sheltering. Utilizing the skills I've acquired from my time in the SMASH Morehouse Summer Program, I'll continue to search for ways to extend my help to those in need, working towards forming a more closely-connected community! 2. With an acquired interest in the visual art of Architecture and a will to provide proper housing to those suffering from a lack of proper sheltering, I will study Architecture and Design Studies during my time in college. Since an early age, I'd always been particularly interested in the formation of buildings, the various design concepts and applications that come with them, and the intricacy and attention to detail associated with the field of Architecture. Knowing that I wanted to pursue this discipline, and yearning to tie in my love for community service, as well as guidance from God, I will obtain a degree in this field, working to ensure all have access to proper housing. 3. Upon obtaining my degrees from college, I plan to begin planning for a charity with my sister in order to provide housing, clothing, food, water, and education to those in need, as a collaboration between my Architecture firms and my sisters' Culinary businesses. Along with this, I plan to search for a variety of ways to continuously involve myself within my community, working to empower others and bring a sense of togetherness amongst everyone. From my involvement, I hope that my commitment to giving back motivates others to do the same, working towards the greater good of society! Continuing to provide my assistance whenever and wherever possible, I want to inspire future generations to pursue their goals and give back to their community, remaining true to themselves and growing in their faith to God as well! 4. Understanding that acquiring a college education is not cheap, this scholarship would serve as a reminder and motivating factor to continue moving forward despite any roadblocks or challenges that come about along my journey in life. Receiving a quality education would open opportunities in the near future for community service involvement and allow me to provide more assistance to my community. Working hard to accomplish my goals, I know I'll bring about a change to this world and motivate others to work diligently towards their goals and dreams, helping others and continuing to provide their assistance!

With a God-given interest in the field of Architecture and a desire to bring my creativity and problem-solving skills to the world in order to solve a multitude of issues pertaining to the lack of proper housing for many, I will pursue an education in the field of Architecture and Design Studies. Since Elementary School, I’ve found buildings, their design, and the results behind them particularly interesting. I always yearned to learn more about these structures, and would spend hours with Lego sets designing series of buildings. And as I continued through Middle and High school, this interest only advanced further, inspiring my pursued education in Architecture. Growing up understanding that God has a plan for each of our lives, I work to achieve each and every one of the goals God has placed in my heart, serving my community and giving back in ways to contribute drastically towards the growth of our society as a whole. As the Lord continues to direct my steps, I know that as long as I remain both motivated and dedicated to my studies and dreams, I can achieve all things. Because, directly from Matthew 19:26, “…with God all things are possible.” As I prepare to enter college to begin my post-secondary education in this field, I’ll take in the critical life lessons, understanding of Architecture, beliefs, and values with me, ensuring that I present the most authentic version of myself wherever I may go in life, and continue to spread positivity and generosity in all the work I do. One of my biggest goals in life is to ensure that everyone has proper access to housing, food, water, shelter, and education. There have been many times in my life where I’ve wanted to donate my money in order to assist those struggling, but was unable to do so. The saddened feeling of seeing someone in excruciating pain and not being able to lend a helping hand persist, and I want to make sure that none ever have to deal with this in their lifetime anymore. While I understand this task will be difficult, I know that with enough work, anything can be achieved! Continuing to pursue my education in Architecture and Design Studies with hopes of changing this world for the better, I will keep pushing forward, despite any challenges or roadblocks that attempt to stand in my way, and will break past any restrictive forces in order to achieve the best version of myself!

Despair is one of humanities worst pains. Waking up with a tight sensation in my chest, I knew something was off. This naïve feeling made it challenging to think properly or even keep my balance. My vision became slightly blurrier, and I eventually felt lightheaded. This feeling, unexplainable to me at the time, was like being overtaken from the inside out, as if something slowly ate away at my life force. I considered the possibility I just had a nightmare, and this was the aftermath. However, the feeling lingered on. Day and night, week after week it remained. A constant fear, an unimaginable dread rests over me, casting and controlling the thoughts inside of my head, crumbling me under a force I couldn’t resist. During this first phase (understanding), the feeling of hopelessness was now my worst enemy. As the time drew closer for the next academic year, I had to learn to control this feeling. My parents noticed changes in my behavior and made a multitude of attempts to alleviate the mental strain placed on me from this “unknown” feeling. If it were possible for a black hole to form inside of a human, that would be what I would’ve compared this to. With every breath, my air passage felt tighter, my ability to feel happy crept away even more, and the journey for hope appeared stagnant. After being diagnosed with mild anxiety, my perspective on this feeling altered. I knew the feeling of anxiety too well, and I could assure anyone that wasn’t the same as the immense mental pain that lived in my head rent free. I was told to perform breathing exercises and engage in activities that would cause me to lose focus on these thoughts. Only a short while after, I started to become more heavily involved in religious practices. By praying every day, giving out compliments to others and becoming more involved in my community, I eventually began to notice a change in the thoughts I was having as well as my overall attitude towards life itself. Turning to God and my family for help was the best decision I had made to date. Although I still had this feeling on the inside, the immense pressure I used to feel flowed out of my body like a waterfall. After all of this time, I was finally beginning to feel relieved from that force that held me hostage inside of my own body. From what I’d gone through the past few years, I had learned how to manage myself internally, being able to overcome the fears of doubt and anxiety, relinquishing myself from the terrors of my mind and trusting more in the Lord to work through me, making situations far easier to bear that would have usually caused me immense stress before, and growing mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally, building my health over time, and allowing me to help others who may have gone through similar situations as myself. And pursuing an education at an HBCU, I’ll be surrounded by like-minded individuals with similar backgrounds and stories to tell, forming long-lasting friendships and connecting with others’ who shared alike interests! To say that my experience with this feeling has somehow contributed to my growth and development as a person is a major understatement. I have always been a strong advocate for personal improvement, and reflecting on my story of how I overcame despair will stick with me forever. Through life I will be met with challenges, but I know that with the right mentality and the will to grow, I will persevere!

Throughout my life, I have constantly struggled with grasping a full understanding of what was being taught in my classes. I would often procrastinate and found myself disorganized at times. It seemed that with each passing year, I was getting more and more negligent. One day a thought crossed my mind. “Would I ever be able to get straight A’s with my procrastination and unorganized personality?” Little did I know someone was about to change my life forever. As I was doing my homework one day, my mom happened to walk past my room and notice something was wrong. Papers were all over my desk and floor, my head was down, and I seemed to have been frustrated. She sat down with me and talked to me about what was wrong. After I explained how difficult the work had gotten the past few weeks, she sat down and helped me work out every assignment I was given. Although this took hours, my mom didn’t worry about that! Ever since that day, I felt more confident asking others for help, using my resources and learning better strategies for how to effectively get the job done. It was only a few days before I noticed my homework and test grades rising. I felt relief as I was finally understanding the work material being taught. With an increasing understanding of the material I was learning, inspiration sparked inside of me. I felt as motivated as ever to continue my education and wanted to graduate from college! I spent countless nights studying for exams and working out extra problems to ensure I understood everything. The best part of it all though…. My mom was always there when I needed her. A few qualities of my mom that I admire include her positive mindset, creative thinking and quick problem-solving abilities. My mom has continued to be someone who I could go to for assistance, a better outlook on anything I had negative emotions about as well as a way to help me in whatever way she can. When I am sad, she makes me laugh. When I am mad, she helps me calm down. Whether I’m anxious or frightened, my mom has always found a way to help. My mom is my hero! From the life lesson I’ve acquired an understanding of from my mom’s teachings, I’ll utilize these tactics as I continue to and through college, bettering my spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional well-being. The motivation that my mom has given me to continue to follow my dreams, the dedication I’ll need in order to succeed, growing in my faith in God and spirituality, and learning how to manage my professional and personal life, contributing drastically towards my emotions, all contributing towards the content of my character, allow me to grow in every aspect of my life.

Since adolescence, “success” has always been presented to me as living a life worth living. Now, this doesn’t mean having all the money, power, and fame the world could bring, but living a life dedicated to God and following the dreams he’s given you, accomplishing the tasks he has set in your life, and standing for the truth as you help those around you. With this concept in mind, It’s quite simple to live a “successful” lifestyle. Whereas most of the media portrays “success” as if unreachable level with setbacks unbelievably tough to overcome and barriers along the way that restrict your every chance of even becoming successful, it’s often hard for individuals to feel the need to become what they see as “successful”. The drive that runs them internally becomes shattered; broken, causing them to feel hopeless in the case of becoming societies’ version of “success”. When I scroll on social media, whether with an intent of finding a certain video, or even mindlessly scrolling, I’ve never failed to come across a video or ad regarding this idea of “success.” “Want money fast? Join my 90-day stock trading course to earn you fast returns.” “You see this Rolex; you can have it too by signing up for my course for a low price of $9.99”. Our society has become somewhat blinded by the materialistic views of the world. It’s as if most of what you see on the internet most of the time these days is focused heavily on obtaining material items opposed to assisting the world and building a better community. Society to me, as aforementioned, is living a life worth living. This is living a life for the Lord, following the dreams that he has given you, and working towards a change in the world. Everyone has the potential to make a change in the world, but with the media, lack of dedication and motivation amongst individuals, It’s become extremely rare to see “community” amongst us in specific areas of the world. Preparing for college has always been one of my top priorities. I knew that if I wanted to attend college for several years and obtain a Master’s degree, I’d have to work hard to not only be able to afford the education, but to spend my time in college wisely. This scholarship would provide me with a boost financially and remind me that a college education is not cheap, keeping me motivated to apply myself more. Going to college comes with a lot of responsibility, and that means more than just knowing how to keep track of your work. Financial responsibility is a major part of life, as it helps shape you into someone who knows the difference between wants and needs, when to save and when to spend. This scholarship would be a jumpstart in the right direction and serve as a message to remind me to stay on track and to keep going! As I continue to journey through life, I will always remember where I began, not allowing success to hinder my further progression and belief in a community helping others for the better. By working together, we will create better living conditions and a more connected world!

In order to apply to most of the colleges I’d had an interest in for studying Architecture and Design, I needed to prepare a finished portfolio ready for submission and review. Beginning this process and understanding how to mix my own creative ideas with learning a new software program was a challenge I was ready to take on It was around mid-July 2023 when I first heard that in order to apply to most of the schools I took an interest in to study Architecture and Design I’d need to have a complete portfolio. I knew I were to tie in drawing and sketching aspects, but I wanted to go further, venturing out more and finding a variety of ways to express my creative abilities rather than confining myself to pencil-to-paper artwork. And that’s when I came across the perfect source: Blender. Blender Is a multidimensional rendering and modeling software program that allows one to enter into what appears to be another world entirely, as anything you can imagine, you can create in some form using Blender. Not only could I use Blender for Architectural-related purposes, but I could also learn crucial rendering, lighting, video editing, sculpting, and modeling skills for future application in my career. For the next few months, I would continuously watch videos just about every day to even understand the program, and at least learn the controls before trying anything out. As eager as I was to start the actual modeling, I knew that I didn’t understand any aspect of the user interface and would need to watch tutorials to articulate what I was looking at before I could even utilize the tools offered by the program. Even continuing into 2024, I use Blender just about every day, and are still watching tutorials on new things to learn regarding modeling aspects. Whenever I hear about a new update and releases, I go straight into watching videos about these updates and how I could use these new tools to better my previous work, as I am always looking for ways to improve my artwork, whether it be Architecture-related or simply a daily render I like to do for fun. With Blender, I’ve used a variety of add-ons such as Poliigon which allows you to import high-quality assets and textures into Blender. These assets and textures have allowed me to expedite my rendering process and have assisted me creating the most realistic versions of my renders. And as I continue to and through college, I’ll utilize the tools I have been given as well as my current understanding Blender and other software programs in order to maximize my efficiency and output my best work!

From the second I clicked ”purchase” I thought I was the most financially responsible person around, walking around with my head held high and a posture so perfect it would have looked as if I were unstoppable. Coming into investments with absolutely no prior knowledge and yet somehow feeling as if I knew everything from a simple glance of a chart and a bunch of data, I proceeded to make my first purchase. It was as if I were a ”natural” at investing, simply looking at a chart (and not understanding it), seeing a bunch of values and hearing of terms such as ”shorting” and ”selling”, then believing I knew it all. When I first heard of investing and the stock market, I never considered any ”risk” that came with it. And due to my lack of research, the word ”risk” never came across my mind. A little foreshadowing, always do research before attempting something you are not entirely sure of. In the case that you go in without any prior knowledge, there is always a chance it may wind up going the completely opposite direction you intend for it to go in. Now, since around the age of 11-12, I’d been interested in investing. And while I only saw it as a quick way to make money, I soon learned the truth. With my ”understanding” of the stock market, I dumped all of my money into it! I don’t know whether to call that the best or worst mistake I’ve ever made, because on one hand, by doing so and losing 99 percent of all my money taught me about financial responsibility and indirectly influenced by future decisions financially, on the other hand, I just about lost all of my money. My greedy behavior led to my downfall. And it was only after I lost that much, that I truly wanted to learn about investing, financial responsibility, and taking investing seriously. From this moment, I began watching investing courses and taking beginner lessons. I started with investment simulations and reading books regarding the various types of investments, how to understand the market, as well as indicators to assist me with stock analyzing. Continuing this, I eventually began my senior year of high school, where I entered Personal Finance and Economics, learning about investment techniques, doing research on investments, and even participating in a class wide investing challenge. Taking what I’ve learned over the course of the past few years, I plan to implement these techniques and knowledge in order to become a better investor and assist/guide others who seek to understand the stock market and investing as a whole.

It seemed as if after I’d solved one problem, another would come up. I would constantly find myself in a loop of overthinking, and those thoughts would eventually lead to problems internally. Although I did not know how to resolve the issue at this time, I also felt like I couldn’t speak to anyone about these problems either. It was as if I were restricted and being held back from the rest of the world, stuck inside of my own bubble. It was only until those around me started to notice a change in behavior that I knew this issue was something larger than I made it out to be. I found out that I had mild anxiety. I felt like this anxiety was slowly taking control of my thoughts and emotions. With my mentality getting worse as time went on, I knew I had to go to someone. The problem was, who should I go to? “Deal with it yourself,” my inside voice would always tell me. “Don’t get anyone else involved in your own trouble.” These same thoughts that made me go through all of this for so long were now working their hardest to keep me from asking for help. Eventually, I decided to speak with my counselors, and I’m glad that I did so. They provided me with a variety of ways that I could reduce my stress and anxiety levels over time. Although I did not notice any progress I the beginning, over time I started to feel more confident in myself as well as more sociable. I found It easier to make new connections, and to even just be myself. Instead of growing more distant from those around me, I grew closer and even found it more enjoyable to participate in activities. Even though I thought my life was at an all-time high, it was only getting better. My parents told me that I should always pray, thank God for everything that I have and ask him for help. I would implement this into my daily life, seeing an even bigger change as I continued to grow. Now not only was my mental health amazing, but I was more high-spirited and even felt more motivated to take care of myself physically as well. As I grew closer to God, everything in my life just got better. God helped me realize who I was, what my calling is, and what I wanted to do in life. It was only after I met God that I had a life plan. I would become an Architect, a Philanthropist and someone who would help others who went through the same struggles in life as I did. Through God’s guidance, I was going to be an outlier, make an everlasting change, and be true to myself and those around me. Over the past few years, I learned a valuable lesson: don’t be afraid to ask others for help! Applying the same techniques and lessons I’ve learned in life as well as how they’ve greatly impacted my mental health and well-being, I’ll act as a voice of reason for those who may be struggling to find that internal motivation they need to keep going. By being that person who is unafraid to speak to others regarding heavy circumstances or even deep topics. Acting as this light shining through a dark time, I will open the eyes of many to the wonders of the world and God’s gifts. It only takes one who is willing to stand tall and assist someone else to start a chain reaction of positivity and care throughout every community. By proving that I’m not afraid to speak on my past circumstances, I know others will be inspired to do the same! And to think it was all possible because of a positive and dedicated mindset.

It seemed as if after I’d solved one problem, another would come up. I would constantly find myself in a loop of overthinking, and those thoughts would eventually lead to problems internally. Although I did not know how to resolve the issue at this time, I also felt like I couldn’t speak to anyone about these problems either. It was as if I were restricted and being held back from the rest of the world, stuck inside my bubble. It was only until those around me started to notice a behavior change that I knew this issue was something larger than I made it out to be. I found out that I had mild anxiety. I felt like this anxiety was slowly taking control of my thoughts and emotions. With my mentality getting worse as time went on, I knew I had to go to someone. The problem was, who should I go to? “Deal with it yourself,” my inside voice would always tell me. “Don’t get anyone else involved in your trouble.” These same thoughts that made me go through all of this for so long were now working their hardest to keep me from asking for help. Eventually, I decided to speak with my counselors, and I’m glad that I did so. They provided me with a variety of ways that I could reduce my stress and anxiety levels over time. Although I did not notice any progress I the beginning, over time I started to feel more confident in myself as well as more sociable. I found It easier to make new connections and to even just be myself. Instead of growing more distant from those around me, I grew closer and even found it more enjoyable to participate in activities. Even though I thought my life was at an all-time high, it was only getting better. My parents told me that I should always pray, thank God for everything that I have and ask him for help. I would implement this into my daily life, seeing an even bigger change as I continued to grow. Now not only was my mental health amazing, but I was more high-spirited and even felt more motivated to take care of myself physically as well. As I grew closer to God, everything in my life just got better. God helped me realize who I was, what my calling is, and what I wanted to do in life. It was only after I met God that I had a life plan. I would become an Architect, a Philanthropist and someone who would help others who went through the same struggles in life as I did. Through God’s guidance, I was going to be an outlier, make an everlasting change, and be true to myself and those around me. Over the past few years, I learned a valuable lesson: don’t be afraid to ask others for help!

It seemed as if after I’d solve one problem, another would come up. I would constantly find myself in a loop of overthinking, and those thoughts would eventually lead to problems internally. Although I did not know how to resolve the issue at this time, I also felt like I couldn’t speak to anyone about these problems either. It was as if I were restricted and being held back from the rest of the world, stuck inside of my own bubble. It was only until those around me started to notice a change in behavior that I knew this issue was something larger than I made it out to be. I found out that I had mild anxiety. I felt like this anxiety was slowly taking control of my thoughts and emotions. With my mentality getting worse as time went on, I knew I had to go to someone. The problem was, who should I go to? “Deal with it yourself,” my inside voice would always tell me. “Don’t get anyone else involved in your own trouble.” These same thoughts that made me go through all of this for so long were now working their hardest to keep me from asking for help. Eventually, I decided to speak with my counselors, and I’m glad that I did so. They provided me with a variety of ways that I could reduce my stress and anxiety levels over time. Although I did not notice any progress I the beginning, over time I started to feel more confident in myself as well as more sociable. I found It easier to make new connections and to even just be myself. Instead of growing more distant from those around me, I grew closer and even found it more enjoyable to participate in activities. Even though I thought my life was at an all-time high, it was only getting better as I was introduced to more ways to help the current state of my life. My parents told me that I should always pray, thank God for everything that I have and ask him for help. I would implement this into my daily life, seeing an even bigger change as I continued to grow. Now not only was my mental health amazing, but I was more high-spirited and even felt more motivated to take care of myself physically as well. As I grew closer to God, everything in my life just got better. God helped me realize who I was, what my calling is, and what I wanted to do in life. It was only after I met God that I had a life plan. I would become an Architect, a Philanthropist and someone who would help others who went through the same struggles in life as I did. Through God’s guidance, I was going to be an outlier, make an everlasting change, and be true to myself and those around me. Over the past few years, I learned a valuable lesson: don’t be afraid to ask others for help!

I practice bravery through my leadership, communication, and fast-thinking skills. I used to be scared and nervous every time I would have to give a speech in the front of class or present a project to someone. I wouldn't even feel comfortable presenting to my family sometimes. I wasn't ever sure if it was the fact people were staring at me or if I just didn't like presenting. Regardless of that fact, I didn't know that soon I would be talking in front of large crowds (in my opinion) and actually being fine with it. I showed bravery through my communication and leadership skills through the constant practicing of talking in front of crowds. I had a chance to participate in the schoolwide spelling bee. Although I loved the spelling bee, It worried me that I would be standing in front of a large gathering of individuals. I was scared at first, but continued to tell myself it would be fine. Many others were not going to even try the spelling bee. I was thinking about stopping until I told myself to be a leader and not a follower. I took the chance at the spelling bee. This is where my fast-thinking skills came into play. With the schoolwide spelling bee, we were given a time limit before we got a word wrong and had to leave the stage, meaning if you didn't start on the word within a few seconds, you would have lost. I had to think fast every time It was my turn because I didn't want to lose or be embarrassed from getting one wrong. When it came down to 2 people left and the other had gotten their word wrong, I had to get the victory. I stood loud and proud, getting the word correct!

My name is Aeneas Moore. I am a 15 year-old African American male who seeks to pursue a career majoring in Architecture and having a minor in Mechanical Engineering. I would like to start and own various businesses in the future ranging from Architecture companies to Environmental companies. I enjoy photography, film, writing , learning about parts (car components, computer parts, hardware and software components) and playing mobile games in my free time. I see college as a way to further build upon my education level. I would like to obtain more knowledge on my future careers. Attending college would give me access to more and better opportunities, allowing me to advance further than I would coming into the work field straight after high school. Having college experience, I will be exposed to more job opportunities. College would also help me build interactions. Being in another environment than what I am used to, I will be forced to meet and communicate with others. Through college projects, meet and greets, ordering food, etc. I am able to network with other individuals, building upon my communication skills during my college years. Along with that, college will help me build upon my leadership skills. Being the leader in a group requires a lot of responsibility. Staying up to par in college requires an individual to be responsible with their time management, organization and preparation skills. Attending college, I would have the chance to be the leader of tasks several times, ensuring that I get training on how to guide others on the proper pathway. With this newly obtained information and education, I plan to start and maintain several businesses related to my Major, Minor along with other focuses as well. To do this, I believe college is necessary for me. Upon using the critical life skills I get from college, I will apply those skills to become a successful entrepreneur. In the future, I will give back to my community through the use of creating and maintaining clubs and organizations which aim to create a more educated society, I will oversee businesses focused on environmental cleanup and overlook business helping all to get the perfect job for themselves. Overall, I plan to use the knowledge I obtain from college in order to build upon myself and my future. I love to give back to the community and make others happy. Through experiencing it myself, I have hopes that I will be able to teach younger generations about the benefits of time management, organization, networking and more skills.

I am passionate about Entrepreneurship because I plan to build and manage multiple businesses in hopes of changing the world. The passion I have for entrepreneurship motivates me towards accomplishing my future goals. For the past few years, I have been planning and modifying how I will start and manage my businesses. This same passion keeps me wanting to see a change in the world. There are many issues the world is currently dealing with, including Global Warming. I want to see a change being made to the issues, with hopes to possibly resolve them entirely. At the rate we are living, the world is on a path to increasing Global Temperatures, decreasing the quantity of trees (limiting oxygen levels), increasing pollution around the world along with many other negative impacts of how we are living. Entrepreneurship would allow me to manage my own business which would focus on cleaning the planet and making a better overall environment for everyone to live with. I would create a better environment for all individuals by hiring many employees which would travel around the world, picking up trash through the use of devices which would be placed in the sea, using forces to attract plastic, paper, cardboard, etc. materials to the device. Once the device is filled, it will come to the shore to take all the trash out and properly dispose of it. Having a cleaner environment helps build our chances for survival. Countries such as Africa suffer from water pollution, decreasing the human survival rate around the world. Once starting to remove the trash from the water, a major change will be noticeable. People will start to have better air quality, water quality, less pollution, less trash thrown around, increasing human survival rates, increasing animal/plant survival rates along with bettering our society as a whole. In conclusion, I am passionate about entrepreneurship because entrepreneurship would give me a chance to own/start a business which helps clean/better the environment around us, creating nicer living conditions for all people. Owning this business would allow me to make any necessary changes when needed and modify anything. By coming together, we can change our society for the better and direct the path the world goes in. Accomplishing this task will most definitely be difficult, but when we all put our best foot forward, anything is possible. We can clean the environment and save our world from terrible events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, etc. by cleaning our area and living the best way we can to ensure that the world is in a stable state.

Caption for 1st meme: When you have to wake up for online learning. Caption for 2nd meme: When you submit an assignment and the teacher posts another one right after. Caption for 3rd meme: Shouldn't we not have to take Assessments this year since it would be easy for students to cheat? Instagram handle: @the_archeetech

Greetings, my name is Aeneas Moore and I will be presenting my favorite quote, "Be the change that you wish to see in the world" by Mahatma Gandhi. Be the change that you wish to see in the world has always been my favorite quote as it has many meanings depending on your perspective. This quote has constantly inspired me throughout difficult times, such as the transition from in-person learning to virtual learning along with having multiple projects at the same time. I have always used this quote to stay calm under pressure or whenever I feel stressed, as it helps me to realize my goals in life/future plans. "Be the change that you wish to see in the world." Every time I read or hear this quote, I visualize what my life will be like in the future. I imagine how I will contribute and give back to my community along with how I will grow multiple businesses worldwide. I think about the well-being of others around me. I love this quote due to how diverse it really is. This quote applies to anyone, anywhere at any time. This quote truly inspires me and motivates me to become the most well-rounded individual I could become. Having a quote that inspires you to become a greater person is one you should always keep, as you could use this quote everyday to stay in a positive mood and build upon yourself. Overall, "Be the change that you wish to see in the world," by Mahatma Gandhi is and will always be an inspiring quote to me. Whenever asked to pick/choose my favorite quote for a meeting, discussion, or any other reason, this is the first quote I am able to think of. Since the quote is not directed at one person or group, the quote could be used for anyone. This quote will continue to inspire individuals as time moves on and will continue to help others as well.

Greetings, my name is Aeneas Moore and this is the story of my 2020 experience. During the year 2020, the world was shifting into a phase of uncertainty. News about a newly-discovered virus started to emerge, people began to become scared and I had no idea what was going on. It was only until I saw a News channel explaining what appeared to become a widespread virus. During this time, my family and I were out of town and had just started receiving news about this virus. This virus would eventually lead to a global pandemic causing people to be separated for more than a year. While stuck at home, I was still being productive. I learned a massive amount of information just by staying at home. I started researching the symptoms of this virus, what the side effects of the virus were along with how to keep from getting the virus. I wrote down all of the information I found on a few sheets of paper and started to dig deeper into how long I thought this virus would last until a cure was made. I thought, "Everything will be fine. A cure will be made in a few months and the world will return to normal." As I am sitting here typing this essay, the virus is still out there in the world, harming more and more people. Even with knowing this, I know there will be a cure coming soon. Now I didn't only study more on the virus. I also started learning and investing in cryptocurrency. I found cryptocurrency investing fun and interesting. Other things I did to stay productive were read a lot of books and expand my knowledge of other languages. I attempted to make good situations out of the current bad situation. I didn't know that I would soon be cleaning my room every week and spend a lot less time on electronic devices. One experience I will remember was when I first learned about the virus. On March 13th, 2020 my family and I left home to travel in order to see our dad. As soon as we reached our destination, got all of our materials into the room, and decided to start using our devices, we got an alert about an emerging virus that made its way into the United States. At first, we were unsure what was being presented to us, since this was the first time we heard about the virus. Only a few days later, we started to wear masks and kept our distance from others. We quickly packed out items and left in order to go home. The COVID-19 virus helped shape my future plans. I started to become more engaged in activities due to staying at home more often. I started to become more organized, which helped me find what I needed easily. I started to work more efficiently and with purpose. I started to create a future business plan for when I graduate college. I also started to help out more when I could. The COVID-19 virus had actually helped build me as a person. I became more responsible for my actions, more respectful towards others, more resourceful with what I had to use, and a more well-rounded individual. Overall, my 2020 experience only became better over time. The COVID-19 virus helped shape me as a person. Currently, I have just finished my first fully virtual school year and feel proud of all I have done this year. I plan to continue and won't give up on what I believe in!

Greetings, my name is Aeneas Moore and I am a 15-year old African American male who aspires to become an Entrepreneur as an adult-focused on the majors of Architecture along with Mechanical Engineering. My Greatest Inspirations in life are the feeling to keep moving along with my family. Whenever I feel as if I am prepared for something, I take the risk of doing that task. I do not hold back anything and the feeling I get whenever I feel the need to keep moving majorly inspires me to continue doing what I love. My family is another source of inspiration for me. My family constantly pushes me to move forward, even if the times when I fail. Independent of the task, my family has always been there for me in the good times and the bad times. Due to all of the support my family provides, I feel motivated to move forward and prevail against any force which may attempt to stop me from succeeding. What drives me is the feeling of achieving success. The feeling of knowing you have succeeded in something such as winning an award at a national level fills me with joy and provides me with a boost of confidence. Success is not something that happens overnight. Success requires patience, time management along with organization. I feel as if I could achieve anything due to the various forms of inspiration which are brought my way. Positivity is the main message I would like to present to everyone. I enjoy helping people achieve success through working with them on tasks they may find difficult or by doing something as constantly reminding them that there is nothing that can stop them. Every time I feel as if something is too difficult for me to complete, I take a short 5-minute break, read or listen to an inspirational quote and then continue to get back to the work I was previously doing. Working for long periods of time requires a lot of motivation and dedication. If even one of these is missing, I may feel as if I do not want to complete the assignment. Overall, I am inspired by the feeling to keep pushing forward, my family along with the feeling of success. All three of these factors help guide me in the direction I would like to go in, and I will work as hard as necessary in order to understand and learn as much as possible so that I may too reach my goals in life.

Tara Thieleke is my favorite artist. This is due to the passion and dedication she had towards her artwork. Tara Thieleke varies through multiple art styles throughout her various paintings, drawings, collages, etc, and spends most of her time spent perfecting her artwork. Another reason Tara Thieleke is my favorite artist is that she is currently helping students interested in Visual Arts achieve their goals through inspiring and motivating them, even when they feel as if it is impossible to create a form of artwork they like.

My name is Aeneas Moore. I am a young, African American male who plans to attend Howard University and aspires to become an Entrepreneur focused on Mechanical Engineering along with Architecture. I am passionate about putting in the necessary work required in order for me to receive the best education I could possibly get. Whenever I feel as I cannot complete an assignment given to me, I take 3 deep breaths, speak a positive message to myself, and then ask God for help. In planning for my career, I conduct research multiple days a week learning new information about my future career. I aspire to become an Entrepreneur focused on Mechanical Engineering along with Architecture. I have researched various websites, apps, tutorials along with books about Mechanical Engineering/Architecture which I have already started using. These tools are preparing me for my future career along with building my knowledge on the topics I will need to understand as I transition into my career pathway. I typically spend around 4-6 hours per weekday researching these topics before/after school. On weekends, however, I typically spend 2-3 hours researching these topics along with searching for various books to read. Throughout searching for colleges, I have compiled a list of about 10 colleges I will conduct further research on. The list I have compiled all offer Mechanical Engineering courses and/or Architecture courses. I have made my list of colleges before 12th grade due to already knowing which courses I would like to take, along with which college would fit me perfectly. One time I prevailed through adversity although the odds were stacked against me was a Regional Science Fair competition. I would constantly stutter while attempting to speak to the judges along with constantly avoiding eye contact on accident. Along with that, I struggled to properly answer a few questions the judges had, due to being quite unprepared for the questions. Although I would constantly mess up on speaking about the project when the Judges would come to ask me questions and hear about what research I have conducted, I didn't know I would eventually prevail through this. The time was about 7 PM this day, and all the students were leaving their projects to come into the auditorium. The principal first announced the 3rd place winners for each division (Junior, containing eligible Middle School students/ Senior, containing eligible High School students). I was not called on for this division. I began to feel as If I hadn't made one of the top scores. I knew this wasn't the end, however. The Principal began to call the 2nd place winners for each division. When they said the last name, I was in shock. I hadn't been chosen for 2nd place either. One thing which made me excited was that if I won 1st place, I would have a chance to advance to the state Science Fair. Even if I won 1st place, I would have to rank amongst the top 50 projects in the entire school to win. The principal started to call out the 1st place winners. I thought to myself, "Is this the moment"? After a few seconds, my name was called. I was extremely excited. I went on stage to collect my certificate and went to sit down after a few pictures. It was time for the top 50 projects. The principal started to read the list, and I listened very closely. If I won, my name would be one of the last called. She continued to read, and to my surprise, I was one of the Regional Finalists advancing to state!

A want to assist in helping the world become a peaceful and safe place for everyone to live in. I would like to prove a point that anything is possible to accomplish by working together. I want to create the perfect environment for everyone to live in. I would like to say through this creation that dedication, motivation along the right mindset could in term assist you in any problem you encounter. Currently, the world is in a phase of distraught. During the time we are currently surviving in, many families around this world are struggling to provide food, education, sheltering along with clothing for their families. I would like to alleviate the damage caused by the current virus and bring the world into a calm state of mind. I would like for everyone to be able to smile, enjoy their lives and live the most of them. I think that this creation is vital for the world to see so that we could all join together in helping bring Earth to a peaceful and safe place for everyone. We can all play a part in making this dream come true. Although it may seem as if we individually are only a speck of dust compared to Earth's massive size, working together would improve our chances drastically. I believe small steps leading towards this goal should be worked out first. Due to the virus, we are unable to come within 6 feet of another person for our safety. I would begin helping the Earth and everyone from my home, starting small then going to larger tasks once this virus has had a cure which is shown to have positive results as tested. Being able to bring the world together as one large society is my dream. We could all join forces and make the world a wonderful place to reside. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change that you want to see in the world." I love this quote because it emphasizes the importance of working together to create a stable and balanced environment for all to live in. God is leading the way for all humans to come together. God is helping us each step of the way to becoming the people he wanted us to be. God wants us to live in a society where we do not judge each other based on the color of their skin or their culture. If everyone sees the message God is sending us constantly, we can create the perfect society. As Jean-Bertrand Aristide once said, "If one suffers, we all suffer. Togetherness is strength. Courage." We have more power when we work together. An example is if a group of children does not like a specific rule recently added by the principal, restricting children from exiting class without a monitor. If one child went to the principal, the effect would be much smaller, making this suggestion seem as if it didn't even matter. If a group of 55 children went to the principal at the request of altering the rule, this effect would be much larger. I want to convey the message to very many people that it is possible to change the world for the better. Think and stay positive. Persevere through any negative forces which come your way. Work together to create a positive environment. Even starting somewhere such as your home or within your county could encourage others to do the same as you. This encouragement would lead to everyone wanting to change the world for the better. Let us work together for the better. Would you join me?

I am interested in Entrepreneurship because independence is a topic I find intriguing. I would like to learn more about being independent, being a leader along with the risks which may come with them. I aspire to become an Entrepreneur in Architecture and Mechanical Engineering when I grow up because I want to contribute to the community. I would like to provide my services and own my own tool shop where citizens will be able to pay low prices for high-quality items. I believe I could contribute to the betterment of society through my Entrepreneurial vision by donating money to the people in need. I have always been someone who loves to see people smile and living without worries. I want everyone to have food to eat, housing, education, clothing, etc. Donating even a small portion of my time towards helping someone could change their life completely. I will become an Entrepreneur that many people look up to. I want to set an example for future generations of Entrepreneurs to come. Since I was a child, I was always building with Legos and wanted to start a company. I did my research but was unable to find any company like the one I had in mind. I knew what I wanted to do, and from that moment forward built on what I already had. I knew I wanted to start a business, but I was unsure where to get started. I wrote down a list of ideas and information, grouped them together, then came up with what I see as my perfect business. Even to this day, I build on the notes I have and continue to strive for the best. I know that starting a business is risky, but it is the risk I will have to take in order to go through with my business plan. I am going to continue to learn more about Entrepreneurship as I plan to own businesses and will take school/college courses on Entrepreneurship as well until I have a full understanding of what an Entrepreneur really is, and what comes with Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship has always been a topic I would talk to my parents about before I even had a thorough understanding of what an Entrepreneur was. All I knew at the time about Entrepreneurship was that you got to start your own business. This was enough to make me want to be an Entrepreneur. The thought of owning a business sounded like an achievement from a videogame. I would prepare myself every day, gathering more and more information about the topic. I kept telling myself this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a change. Although the time hasn't come yet, I will eventually become an Entrepreneur. I will change the world and make it a better place for all to live in. My name is Aeneas Moore and I am a future Entrepreneur who aspires to change the world for the greater good.

One time I encountered adversity was when my mom was completely in pain at the hospital. This took place around Fall 2019. My sister and I were playing at home when we heard our mom coughing very hard and looking very ill. We rushed over to her and asked her if she was fine, just before noticing she was in a lot of pain. The only other person home was our grandmother, who immediately told us to get dressed right before we started to take our mom to the hospital. We attempted to comfort our mom by coming around to see her daily along with bringing her any necessities she needed. It was hard to think about this situation. It was only the second time in my lifetime I had to watch this happen. The first time was only a few years after I was born. Driving home that night, I felt a sudden fear over me. I knew what I was thinking, but I knew it wouldn't happen. I stayed positive and told myself every day that my family could stay strong and would be able to overcome anything. I was eventually able to overcome this prolonged fear not only after telling myself positive things but after praying to God. I knew God could fix any problem, no matter how large it may be. This experience changed me. This sudden event led to me being more cautious. I also started checking on my family more since that day. Even today, I check on my family every other hour of the day to ensure they are fine. I am always paying attention and am very quick to act in situations such as the one experienced. I remember being told something a few months before this event by my mom Her words were, "If you ever find yourself in a bad situation, stay calm and act with full control over yourself." I knew what mom meant. She was trying to convey the message that if you act without thinking, you may cause the situation to become worse. This event will contribute to my future endeavors by making me more aware of what is going on along with helping me remember what and who are important to me. I will persevere through any negative forces and overcome them. I will stay positive and have a very enthusiastic mindset. This event is one I pray will never occur again.

My everything is my family. All of the days spent with my family I cherish. I have made many memories with my family that I plan to continue for a very long time. My family means very much to me. My family has provided me with assistance every step of the way to becoming the person I truly want to become. My family has shaped me to become an amazing person. They have helped me through the struggles of my life along with being there for me at the good times. My family consists of people I will forever trust. My family has provided me with food, clothing, shelter, education, etc. and I want to give back to my family for everything they have done. I want to show them how thankful I am for all they have given me. Each and every day, I am blessed to see the smiles on the faces of my family members. I pray to continue seeing this every day as we continue our lives. God has blessed me with the wonderful family I have. I am going to do my best to make my family along with God happy by fulfilling my career and the goals that I want to accomplish in life. My family and God have stayed by my side every step of the way. I will continue to stay with my family forever. When I am with the ones I truly love, I feel comforted and calm. Being around my family provides me with a sense of calmness. All the memories I have made with my family will always reside in me. When I grow up, I will give back to the community by helping shape me into the person I am as well. My community has continued to bring positivity to my family and me, and I would like to show them I really care and thank them for everything. The society in which we all reside is very caring and inspiring. My family has contributed majorly towards caring and inspiring me to do my best in life. I really love my family. I am going to stay with and protect my family. My everything is my family. A song representing how it feels to be with my family: (Good Day-Surfaces) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3E03lFmouw&list=RDMMPuLTl6UPdi4&index=8

Hello, my name is Aeneas Moore and I will be presenting one of my defining moments. One defining moment I had was in 2018, when I won the regional science fair. This moment stood out from others for the reason that this was the first year I was able to make it past the regional level. Stepping on stage after hearing my name for the advancement section was a pleasant experience. That same night, I was one of two competitors who won the Naval Science award, which surprised me even further. Soon after leaving the building far enough from everyone, I started sprinting in joy. My family congratulated me and we left to go home. Only a few weeks later, the state competition came. I was really excited for this part especially since this was my first time. I got on the bus, got to the building where the projects would be presented and walked towards my project which was set up a few days ago. There were at least 1000 projects just in the building I was in alone. I started to feel nervous, but then immediately calmed down after walking to my project to notice people I were talking to on the bus were right next to my project. I felt inspired and were ready to take on the challenge!