Similar to a traveling circus, I have moved 5 times in my life, sometimes across the country. This means adapting to new environments, making new friends, and joining new teams. What was once a hardship for me has turned into a gift. I have met amazing people with different backgrounds and life experiences, which has brought forth personal growth and has helped me develop as a leader. I have been able to lead many different teams and groups, whether that be the Varsity golf team or my Model United Nations class, and my exposure to many different cultures and identities has helped me become a proactive and positive leader. I believe that in my next stage of life, college, I would not only be able to thrive, but I would be a beacon of light and a leader for others who are struggling. And if I fail, I will grow, as failure is what motivates me. Barack Obama once said, “The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won’t. It’s whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere.” This is a quote I live by and frequently read as whatever comes my way: moving across the country, leadership opportunities, and college, can be scary, especially with the threat of failure, but what you choose to do with the threat of failure and what you do after you fail is a true test of character. In terms of academic achievement, this challenge has turned into a reward. Moving multiple times has provided me with many opportunities that my previous school didn’t have. Elementary school in Toledo, Ohio taught me compassion and kindness in teaching. An engineering school in Florida taught me new ways of thinking: mechanically and mathematically. Finishing middle school in Cincinnati, Ohio brought out the artistic and musical side of me, and how that can be applied to academics and life. High school in California gave me a diverse learning environment both with teaching styles, especially in my AP classes, and in the student body as well. I am so glad that I was able to have the opportunity to learn in multiple different ways. I remember at the beginning of middle school, knowing not a single student. I was overcome with stress and anxiety. But after making new friends and connecting with school counselors, I began to thrive. This support helped me figure a lot out about myself, and how I could overcome stress and anxiety. I would like to take this challenge I have faced, and I would become that friend or that counselor that would help others who were in my position, stressed and overwhelmed.

Golf has been the biggest influence on shaping who I am today and the values that I stand for. As I have grown up, golf has become my passion, and this excruciating, addictive, and amazing game has taught me many new things, one of them being attitude, which I believe has made an undeniably positive impact on my life. Through golf, I have learned how something as basic and simple as attitude, can have a dramatic effect on not only performance but overall happiness as well. It is no secret that golfers will have off days. A quality golf swing needs to be so precise, it is impossible to replicate every time. Additionally, there are many uncontrollable factors that can affect performance on the golf course. Off the course stressors, tightness, and even the weather are examples of this. All of these factors make it difficult to play well every time one goes to play. But there is one thing that everyone can control: attitude. What I found is that if I bring a positive attitude to the course, maintain a positive attitude after I hit a bad shot, and finish with a positive attitude regardless of score, my scores will not only drop, but I will have enjoyed my time on the golf course, regardless of the score. Additionally, I believe that having a positive attitude makes many other crucial aspects of the game like dedication and honesty. By expressing an attitude of determination blended with positivity, it becomes much easier to be consistent not only with a rigorous practice schedule but during a round as well. With regard to honesty, I remember cheating in a 9-10 age group golf competition. I pencil-whipped my 87 to an 82, subsequently receiving a second-place medal and congratulations from my parents and fellow competitors. Not only did that experience feel fake, but it made me feel empty as I had cheated not only other players but the game as well. From that day on, I have never cheated, not only because it robs the game of any value, and robs other players of their successes as well, but because I found out that a low score does not bring happiness. Only a thoughtful attitude and appreciation for the game can do that. Finally, I want to present a quote by Dr. Bob Rotella, one of my favorite authors and a renowned golf psychologist. It reads, “Golf is about how well you accept, respond to, and score with your misses much more so than it is a game of your perfect shots.” With a thoughtful attitude, and the many other things golf has taught me (Dedication, consistency, reactions to failure, etc.) I can not only accept, respond, and score with my misses in golf, but in college, my community, and in my life as well. Additionally, I want to spread this game to those who have not had the access or opportunity to play. I will be attending and playing golf for Marietta College in the fall. Located in Southeastern Ohio, there are many underprivileged kids in that area. My goal is to create a program or work with an existing one that helps bring the game of golf to these children. Through this, I hope to not only expose them to the satisfaction of hitting a shot in the sweet spot or sinking a long putt but to instill the same lessons of (attitude, perseverance, honesty, etc.) I have learned through golf

Golf has been the biggest influence on shaping who I am today and the values that I stand for. As I have grown up, golf has become my passion, and this excruciating, addictive, and amazing game has taught me many new things, one of them being attitude, which I believe has made an undeniably positive impact on my life. Through golf, I have learned how something as basic and simple as attitude, can have a dramatic effect on not only performance but overall happiness as well. It is no secret that golfers will have off days. A quality golf swing needs to be so precise, it is impossible to replicate every time. Additionally, there are many uncontrollable factors that can affect performance on the golf course. Off the course stressors, tightness, and even the weather are examples of this. All of these factors make it difficult to play well every time one goes to play. But there is one thing that everyone can control: attitude. What I found is that if I bring a positive attitude to the course, maintain a positive attitude after I hit a bad shot, and finish with a positive attitude regardless of score, my scores will not only drop, but I will have enjoyed my time on the golf course, regardless of the score. Additionally, I believe that having a positive attitude makes many other crucial aspects of the game like dedication and honesty. By expressing an attitude of determination blended with positivity, it becomes much easier to be consistent not only with a rigorous practice schedule but during a round as well. With regard to honesty, I remember cheating in a 9-10 age group golf competition. I pencil-whipped my 87 to an 82, subsequently receiving a second-place medal and congratulations from my parents and fellow competitors. Not only did that experience feel fake, but it made me feel empty as I had cheated not only other players but the game as well. From that day on, I have never cheated, not only because it robs the game of any value, and robs other players of their successes as well, but because I found out that a low score does not bring happiness. Only a thoughtful attitude and appreciation for the game can do that. Finally, I want to present a quote by Dr. Bob Rotella, one of my favorite authors and a renowned golf psychologist. It reads, “Golf is about how well you accept, respond to, and score with your misses much more so than it is a game of your perfect shots.” With a thoughtful attitude, and the many other things golf has taught me (Dedication, consistency, reactions to failure, etc.) I can not only accept, respond, and score with my misses in golf, but in college, my community, and in my life as well. Additionally, I want to spread this game to those who have not had the access or opportunity to play. I will be attending and playing golf for Marietta College in the fall. Located in Southeastern Ohio, there are many underprivileged kids in that area. My goal is to create a program or work with an existing one that helps bring the game of golf to these children. Through this, I hope to not only expose them to the satisfaction of hitting a shot in the sweet spot or sinking a long putt but to instill the same lessons of (attitude, perseverance, honesty, etc.) I have learned through golf.

Golf has been the biggest influence on shaping who I am today and the values that I stand for. As I have grown up, golf has become my passion, and this excruciating, addictive, and amazing game has taught me many new things, one of them being attitude, which I believe has made an undeniably positive impact on my life. Through golf, I have learned how something as basic and simple as attitude, can have a dramatic effect on not only performance but overall happiness as well. It is no secret that golfers will have off days. A quality golf swing needs to be so precise, it is impossible to replicate every time. Additionally, there are many uncontrollable factors that can affect performance on the golf course. Off the course stressors, tightness, and even the weather are examples of this. All of these factors make it difficult to play well every time one goes to play. But there is one thing that everyone can control: attitude. What I found is that if I bring a positive attitude to the course, maintain a positive attitude after I hit a bad shot, and finish with a positive attitude regardless of score, my scores will not only drop, but I will have enjoyed my time on the golf course, regardless of the score. Additionally, I believe that having a positive attitude makes many other crucial aspects of the game like dedication and honesty. By expressing an attitude of determination blended with positivity, it becomes much easier to be consistent not only with a rigorous practice schedule but during a round as well. With regard to honesty, I remember cheating in a 9-10 age group golf competition. I pencil-whipped my 87 to an 82, subsequently receiving a second-place medal and congratulations from my parents and fellow competitors. Not only did that experience feel fake, but it made me feel empty as I had cheated not only other players but the game as well. From that day on, I have never cheated, not only because it robs the game of any value, and robs other players of their successes as well, but because I found out that a low score does not bring happiness. Only a thoughtful attitude and appreciation for the game can do that. Finally, I want to present a quote by Dr. Bob Rotella, one of my favorite authors and a renowned golf psychologist. It reads, “Golf is about how well you accept, respond to, and score with your misses much more so than it is a game of your perfect shots.” With a thoughtful attitude, and the many other things golf has taught me (Dedication, consistency, reactions to failure, etc.) I can not only accept, respond, and score with my misses in golf, but in college, my community, and in my life as well. Additionally, I want to spread this game to those who have not had the access or opportunity to play. I will be attending and playing golf for Marietta College in the fall. Located in Southeastern Ohio, there are many underprivileged kids in that area. My goal is to create a program or work with an existing one that helps bring the game of golf to these children. Through this, I hope to not only expose them to the satisfaction of hitting a shot in the sweet spot or sinking a long putt but to instill the same lessons of (attitude, perseverance, honesty, etc.) I have learned through golf.

Golf has been the biggest influence on shaping who I am today and the values that I stand for. As I have grown up, golf has become my passion, and this excruciating, addictive, and amazing game has taught me many new things, one of them being attitude, which I believe has made an undeniably positive impact on my life. Through golf, I have learned how something as basic and simple as attitude, can have a dramatic effect on not only performance but overall happiness as well. It is no secret that golfers will have off days. A quality golf swing needs to be so precise, it is impossible to replicate every time. Additionally, there are many uncontrollable factors that can affect performance on the golf course. Off the course stressors, tightness, and even the weather are examples of this. All of these factors make it difficult to play well every time one goes to play. But there is one thing that everyone can control: attitude. What I found is that if I bring a positive attitude to the course, maintain a positive attitude after I hit a bad shot, and finish with a positive attitude regardless of score, my scores will not only drop, but I will have enjoyed my time on the golf course, regardless of the score. Additionally, I believe that having a positive attitude makes many other crucial aspects of the game like dedication and honesty. By expressing an attitude of determination blended with positivity, it becomes much easier to be consistent not only with a rigorous practice schedule but during a round as well. With regard to honesty, I remember cheating in a 9-10 age group golf competition. I pencil-whipped my 87 to an 82 and subsequently received a second-place medal and congratulations from my parents and fellow competitors. Not only did that experience feel fake, but it made me feel empty as I had cheated not only other players but the game as well. From that day on, I have never cheated, not only because it robs the game of any value, and robs other players of their successes as well, but because I found out that a low score does not bring happiness. Only a thoughtful attitude and appreciation for the game can do that. Finally, I want to present a quote by Dr. Bob Rotella, one of my favorite authors and a renowned golf psychologist. It reads, “Golf is about how well you accept, respond to, and score with your misses much more so than it is a game of your perfect shots.” With a thoughtful attitude, and the many other things golf has taught me (Dedication, consistency, reactions to failure, etc.) I can not only accept, respond, and score with my misses in golf, but in college, my community, and in my life as well.

Barack Obama once said, “The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won’t. It’s whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere.” I love this quote because it speaks to failure, and failure is what motivates me, and I believe makes me unique. Whether I swim a race that is not as fast as I would like, or score poorly on a test, that failure lights a fire under me which pushes me to my highest capabilities. When I go to my Swim and Golf competitions, I have a lot riding on just a couple minutes of swimming and a couple hours of golf. Such short amounts of time which mark the days, months, and years I have dedicated to these sports. And when I fail, I hurt. But that quickly turns into motivation as I know I have already put in work and it will just take a little more, an extra push, one more rep, a little more studying that will get me to my goals. And when I reach my goal, or get that score on a test, I don't stop there. I make new goals and set the bar higher, making the possibilities and limits unknowable. I have further spun Obama’s quote into my own little mantra. “Let’s do this thing well” This simple saying has motivated me to become the best I could possibly be. If I ever felt discouraged, tired, or weak, I would whisper to myself “Let’s do this thing well” And what this means is that if you are going to do something, give it your 100% effort leaving nothing left on the table. I can apply this mantra to challenges I am excited about and challenges I loathe. I can use this for my thoughts and feelings too, not just tangible events. Using this little voice in my mind, I have really been able to push and test my limits, even with the threat of failure. Finally, There have been many times throughout my life that I have had somebody in my corner, supporting me and helping me. I have wanted to be that person, literally. My family and I have created a charity called “In you Korner”, a play on words from our last name. This charity is dedicated to helping impoverished children in the city or town we are currently living in. The charity has made the biggest impact in Toledo, Ohio; Morgantown, West Virginia; and Cincinnati, Ohio. Our charity functions by accepting donations from friends, family, and anyone who learns about us and uses that money to buy items including food that are needed for these children. Since elementary school, I have received donated items or money as birthday presents instead of toys, as a way to give back to my community. I work hand in hand with our local food pantry or food bank to understand what is currently in high demand. Using that information, I would go buy those items and donate them to the local food bank or pantry specifically focused on children. All of my experiences and qualities have allowed me to to touch the lives of others, create new bonds, and inspire growth in my school, my sports teams, my community, and I plan to continue this in my college experience.