Transitioning from public school to private Catholic school as a high school student was a challenging time for me. Leaving all of the friends I had made to go to a new school with new kids and a new way of doing things was scary and I was not happy. Wearing a uniform everyday, when I usually took pride in my cool name brand outfits that I meticulously took the time to put together everyday, was not my idea of fun. In addition to starting a school I wasn’t so sure about, I also had to deal with entering school during quarantine due to covid. Remote at first, my school soon switched to a staggered scheduled once it was alllowed. I only got to see and know half of the students in my school, which is already very small. Most sports were on hold and the ones that weren’t heavily regulated with rules and safety precautions, taking most of the fun and spontaneity out of the picture. I persevered and made it through and ended up making the best friends I’ve ever had. My school became my home away from home and the staff and student like a family. I am so grateful to have been pushed into an uncomfortable situation—It taught me many things but most importantly I have learned from Catholic school that through service to others we grow and become better. My school embraces the Lasallian Core Principles, one of which is concern for the poor. Through countless food, toy and clothing drives, assembling sandwiches and toiletry bags, helping out at events and donating funds, I have enjoyed participating with my classmates to help out those in need. As I move forward in life and continue to acknowledge and be grateful for my station in life, I will always feel the need to commit to service of others in any way I can. Once I complete college and obtain the amount of credits needed to apply, I consider following in my Pop-Pop’s footsteps. My Pop is a 30 year veteran of the NYC Fire Department. I have always looked up to him and have been lucky to have him as a strong male role model in my life. Having grown up very close to him, I have witnessed my Pop never hesitate to help anyone that needed him. I hope to continue his legacy and always rise to the occasion.

When I think about why I want to attend college and what it will do for my future I can come with a list of reasons. When thinking about my future and what my experience in college may look like, I am excited by the thoughts of what will be the next chapter of life. I intend to fully embrace every moment as I obtain a college level education in my chosen field of musical theatre. Though if I wanted to, I could pursue theatre and other areas of acting by just attending open call auditions and obtaining training through various workshops and certificate programs, but I would rather the full and total college experience. Knowing the invaluable role that the social experience of college will play in shaping who I am to become by fostering personal growth, and presenting me with meaningful connections through my peers, I cannot skip the opportunity. College campuses are vibrant hubs of intellectual curiosity, cultural diversity, and creative expression, where students from all walks of life come together to learn, grow, and collaborate. As a musical theatre major, I look forward to immersing myself in a community of fellow artists and performers who share my passion for storytelling and artistic expression. Whether through rehearsals, performances, or nightly chat sessions in the dorms, college provides opportunity for creative collaboration, artistic exploration, and personal growth. The community I may find and become part of highlights the nature of theatre as a welcoming and progressive medium. The interpersonal skills I will acquire through being exposed to diverse cultures and new-to-me social dynamics, will open my world view and expand my tolerance of others. In my desire to attend college for musical theatre lies a passion for me to perfect my craft. Having dedicated countless hours to my art through my high school drama club, workshops, and private lessons, I recognize that a college education offers the unique opportunity to elevate my skills to a professional level. From the research I’ve done for my intended program, I will be provided a structured environment and expert guidance necessary to refine my technique, expand my catalogue, and prepare me for a career in the competitive world of musical theatre. Beyond the practical skills acquired through vocal training, dance instruction, and acting classes, college equips students with a comprehensive understanding of the history, theory, and business aspects of theatre. Whether it’s through internships, guest lectures, or industry connections, college will provide invaluable resources and networking opportunities that can pave the way for success in a variety of professional pursuits, from performing on Broadway to teaching and directing. Being able to attend college, so I may head toward my future career fully prepared and properly trained, is something I hope I am afforded. Never knowing the actual costs that a proper education might cost, I was not prepared to see such exorbitant price tags. I am hopeful that I can acquire the funds offered by this scholarship to help catapult me towards a successful future.

Being the Captain and only senior of my high school wrestling team, I have had to be sure to set a good example for my teammates. Despite having continued shoulder dislocations, I have pushed myself to continue while being in pain at times. I had great sophomore and junior years with my team having only a few injuries. During my senior year though, most likely due to a growth spurt, I believe the length of my arms contributed to almost instant shoulder dislocations as soon as my arm was bent slightly back. As much as I tried to anticipate my opponents’ moves to prevent it from happening, somehow I would always feel a pop. At times following the pop, I could quickly feel the joint moving back into place and I would continue, and other times it wouldn’t budge and the pain would be excruciating. i had a few instances where I was able to get my shoulder back into place after my match was ended and attempt to wrestle again if I had another match. I strongly felt it was necessary to be an example of determination and perseverance even when I wanted to give up. Having had many of my younger teammates look up to me and having their parents thank me for being a good example for their sons really made me feel like I wasn’t just wrestling for myself to gain a win. Wrestling has shown me the importance of pushing myself and it carries over into other areas of my life. With the end of high school approaching, I am pushing myself to attend college out of state and away from my close-knit family. Without much experience or training I will be attending college for musical theatre and acting. Knowing that the job prospects for my chosen career may not that easy to come by and crushing rejections may become the norm, I will channel the determination and perseverance I acquired through wrestling. Like on the mat, I plan to calculate my moves and take advantage of every opportunity presented to me. i’ve have recently learned that my new college plans to establish a wrestling team during my second year. I am hoping to gain the attention of the new coach and begin practicing and offer any assistance I can to him. If I am asked to compete, I hope to be an asset to the team and members and help my new school gain a respectable place in the division.