I have always enjoyed helping others. It has always brought me happiness to help. It does not matter if I am helping someone with yard work, homework or wrestling. I enjoy it. I was brought up in a Christian home and as a result, I was always taught that I must think of others before myself. My parents learned it from the Bible and they have taught me. I have had the privilege of volunteering at different wrestling clubs helping younger and less experienced wrestlers. I find it an honor to help those who may not have the help that they need. I was once in their shoes. I understand the frustration of not understanding. Their appreciation is priceless. I enjoy being a voice to those who may not have the voice. Now, fast forward to Beat the Streets’ mission. Their mission is to positively alter life's trajectory for student-athletes. The city that I am from is Cleveland, Ohio. This organization seeks to give the youth access to mentoring, educational opportunities and a positive environment. They use the lessons of wrestling to help foster a great foundation of hard work, discipline and desire. I had the pleasure of being involved with this great organization during the summer of 2023. It was by pure accident. I have seen advertisements for them. I went there to get extra help. I discovered a place that I fell in love with. This place is helping to give kids a new life. I have seen the magic firsthand. We often see on the news about dropouts, inner-city violence or other negative stereotypes. This is what I want to do. I want to bring about the influence and positivity that this place has brought so many. I love how this place is accepting of everyone. It does not matter your color, financial situation or gender. I have taken this experience of acceptance back to my school. Unfortunately, everyone is not as accepting as they should be. I have been on different clubs and committees to help the diversity at school. I have taken the time to tell and show kids that their hateful thinking is dumb. I hope for a much better quality of life for everyone. My dream goals are to go to college and come back and be the influence that I have witnessed through Beat the Streets. I would love to be involved with this organization. If Beat the Streets is not in my future for whatever reason then I can still implement their teachings into my career. My goal is to come back and use the sport of wrestling and help show kids a positive way of life. I want to show people that they can achieve many things through the hard work, dedication and desire that I was taught. I want to be the positive influence that this organization has shown me and many other coaches have shown me. My goal is to make an impact. This is what success is. Doing what puts a smile on one’s face is the ultimate goal in anyone’s life. Helping others, making a difference and wrestling are things that I enjoy. If I can do all those things as an adult then I will definitely smile. This scholarship will help to make my dream a reality. Thank you for your consideration.

Hello. My name is Bobby and I am currently a senior in high school. I am eagerly awaiting my graduation date. My dad tells me not to rush, but hey, it is only natural for any senior. I plan on attending a four year college in the fall. I have not decided which one. Of course, it will come down to money. However, I have narrowed my decision down to two schools. Unfortunately, it is just my dad and myself. My mom is no longer in the physical world. Not having my mom present has impacted me more than I could ever imagine. In many ways it has impacted me negatively. Everyday I wish to have her here. I wish to have her listening ear whenever I need to share anything. I wish to have her smile of approval whenever I did something great. I wish to even have her frown whenever I did something that I should not have. I just wish to have a mom here in the physical world to do all the things that moms do. Believe it or not, not having her has also impacted me positively. When she was here I may try to hide a bad grade or a lazy effort. Now, I cannot hide. I know her spirit is here with me. She is always with me so she knows what is going on in my life. I do not have a choice but to make her proud. I know that if I do not study for a test or if I do not try hard in a class then she will know. I know the look she would give me if I do not try hard. I do not have to get all A's in my house. That was not the requirement. She expected effort. Do not get me wrong. I would much rather have her here and make her proud at the same time. That would be ideal She was a college graduate. She was an education major. She went on to work in elementary schools teaching second grade. It is shocking to me, but I have a desire to continue her legacy of helping kids. My dad always says that I am just like her in regards to being altruistic. I enjoy helping people. I love the impact that coaches and teachers have on people. I want to help kids too. However, she taught second grade and I would like to teach junior high or high school. College is expensive. I hope that this scholarship can help me achieve my goals with less stress. Thank you.

Hello. My name is Bobby and I am currently a senior in high school. I am eagerly awaiting my graduation date. My dad tells me not to rush, but hey, it is only natural for a any senior. I plan on attending a four year college in the fall. I have not decided which one. Of course, it will come down to money. However, I have narrowed my decision down to two schools. I was fortunate enough to wrestle in high school. I wrestled varsity varsity all four years. It is the sport that I love and enjoy every day. It is hard sport with months and months of training. Nobody sees the training that goes into it. I know that the overwhelming majority of people do not make a career out of wrestling. It is not like the NFL or NBA or MLB where there is hope of a professional career. For almost all wrestlers, our wrestling career is over once college is over. Therefore, I must prioritize the word student over the word athlete. I must recognize that my priority for college is to put myself in the best position for a career or a job after college. What sense does it make to go to a mediocre school and be a great wrestler, but neglect the student part? Sure, I can be an All-American, but isn't a job the goal? Being a student athlete is hard. You have to learn how to balance athletics, family, books and social life. Many times something gets sacrificed. Most of the time the first thing to suffer is the social life. Being a student athlete has given me the mental toughness and discipline to pursue my career goals. I want to be a physical therapist. I do not know what it is like. I am anticipating a hard journey. Coming from the background that I come from, I know that I have the discipline, dedication and courage to attain my goals. When I am not opening up a book or practicing you can often find me spending time with family. I enjoy the company of family or friends. I appreciate this more than I did a year ago. Recently, my mom died. Losing her has made me more aware of each day and each moment. You cannot go backwards and try to reclaim a moment with someone. Therefore, I try to live with no regrets around those who I love. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.

Embrace the Grind There is a term that is used in the sport of wrestling. The term is “Embrace the Grind”. I first heard this from the greatest wrestler in the USA, Jordan Burroughs. I never quite understood what he was talking about. As I grow older, I understand what he means. This is a term that can be used to describe any situation. It applies to me. I look back at my four years of high school with a big smile on my face. I never knew that it would go by as fast as it did. I never knew it would just be awesome. I had teachers and coaches who treated me with love and respect. My mom died three weeks before my senior year started. I do not think I could have been successful without them. My parents kept telling me that I would grow from a kid to a young adult. Each year and each experience was just pure growth. As my senior year comes to an end and I will soon enter my freshman year in college my mindset is still the same. I am anticipating college to be a grind. I look forward to the new experiences. I will learn and grow from them. I cannot obtain these experiences from home. Experiences such as preparing for a career, figuring out a career and learning how to live on my own will be different. However, just like high school, I will embrace each moment. Each step along my journey will teach me something. I have to enjoy the moment and grow. I cannot go back and have a redo. Therefore, I must embrace each moment as it comes to me. Some people get stressed and sometimes say they cannot do something. I call it a grind. Life is a grind. I cannot quit. These are just new obstacles and experiences that I will embark on. I do not know what the future holds. I do know that I can control my approach. Wrestling has always taught me to set my goals high and not to defeat myself when things get hard. My end goal is years away. If I remember to love life and appreciate the little things then my journey during my next chapter will be awesome. Just have fun along the way is what I say.

My mom was sick for many years. August 2, 2023, I lost my mom. My mom’s departure has brought me more pain and grief than I ever thought possible. This is the hardest time of my life. The me that was present beforehand was not here. This substitute person was filled with sadness, loneliness, emptiness and many other emotions. There were just the three of us. Reading the description of Curtis Holloway, he could easily be my dad. For many years and definitely after my mom’s departure, my dad had to step in and carry more of the burdens of the household. He always told me that when you have a family that you love then you do what you have to do for each other. I never heard him complain. He often worked overtime, worked his off days, sacrificed sleep so that I could have the best education possible. I saw on his face that he was exhausted. He just kept going. He always told me that my only job was to go to school and bring home good grades. He said if I just do my best then that's how I can contribute to the house. That’s all my parents wanted. Hard work was instilled in me from them. After my mom’s passing, he was now in a new world. He had no idea what he was doing. He now had to be mom and dad. He could not cook, grocery shop or show the comfort that my mom did. He had to learn how to cook (he's still trying). He had to learn how to be organized at the grocery store. I even saw him on his phone looking up recipes. He had to take me to doctor’s appointments when I was injured. He tried to give me a mom’s comfort, but it’s just not the same. He always said don’t worry. Bring home the grades. He struggled to fulfill her role so I could be successful. Regardless of the result, he tried his best. My educational journey was hard because of my mom’s passing. She passed away three weeks before the start of school. He loved me so much that his priority was my mental well being. We talked everyday about our feelings. He googled various support groups in the area for me. Whenever I looked down he knew it. He always asked me what was wrong and many times gave me suggestions. He made sure I read the Bible and went to church so I know that God is with me. The best thing was for him to just give me constant reminders of how much my mom wants me to succeed. All of these things were necessary for my success academically. If my grief went ignored then who knows where I would be. I was blessed to have the best mom in the world. I was also blessed to have a great dad who loves both me and my mom. It’s been hard. I'm grateful to have someone who wants the best for me. I am not cured. However, Our goal was to never give up and I will not. As long as my dad is in my life, I know that I have the strength, comfort and anything else that I need to succeed. This is exactly what she wanted.

When I was in grade school, I was diagnosed with ADHD. Before the diagnosis, it was a struggle. I had the common symptoms. I could not comprehend what I was reading because I could not focus long enough. My teachers talked, but I had no idea what she was talking about. I constantly kept finding other things to look at. I had homework assignments to do. It took me hours and hours to finish due to my inability to sit still. My parents tried everything. Some things they probably should not have tried but they did not know. They yelled, threatened and at times punished me when I would bring home bad grades. Teachers would often send notes to my parents regarding my behavior. Lectures did not help. Tutors did not help. My parents and teachers tried everything imaginable. It was not until everything was tried that I finally went to see my pediatrician. They ran some tests. I do not remember what they were, but they were pretty lengthy. I was finally diagnosed with ADHD. He prescribed some medication for me and I was put on an accommodation plan at school. Both helped a ton. I won’t say that I am cured, but both treatments helped. The medicine helped me to focus. The accommodation plan helped give me the ability to learn like everyone else. It just made a few alterations to my school day. Even though I was able to do better in school, this new diagnosis made things harder socially. Finding the right prescription took time. I would suffer from headaches or I would be less talkative. I felt weird because of the social withdrawal this medicine created. Having special accommodations singled me out. Kids wondered why I had more time for tests. They wondered why I had to sit in front of the classroom. As a result, I was made fun of. So, initially things were hard, but things got better once I was used to this new life. This new life of learning made things easier. I enjoyed the pursuit of more. I enjoyed learning new things. I especially enjoyed the subjects of history and science. My parents, teachers and coaches always taught me to reach for something higher. Since I could remember, I have always been surrounded by positive people. When you are surrounded by successful people then you have no choice but to have those qualities rub off. I want to learn more and make something of myself. I want to help people the same way that I have been helped along the way. I am a good candidate for this scholarship because I have proven that I am a hard worker. Whether it is in the classroom or away from the classroom. I give everything my all. My desire to help others also makes me a good candidate. I know that I will pay forward the effects of this scholarship and not just reap the reward by myself. I know that it is an honor to be the winner. I know that my graciousness will not allow me to let Dylan down. Thank you.

I have two dream jobs. I would love to do both jobs simultaneously. My first dream job would be to become a wrestling coach. My second dream job would be to become an athletic trainer. These are both my dreams because they include many things that I love and enjoy. They both allow me to help people. They also both allow me to be around athletes and sports. I love the sport of wrestling. Wrestling is not like many other sports. There is no professional wrestling league. There is a world team, but there are only ten spots on this team. Therefore, it is almost impossible to make a living as a wrestler. Coaching allows me to still be around the sport. It allows me to pass on what many other great coaches have taught me. Wrestling is more than just physical. Wrestling teaches the fundamentals of success. It teaches you perseverance, dedication, persistence and a no quit attitude. I want to help others by teaching the same thing. Athletic training also gives me the ability to help others. It gives me the opportunity to still be around sports and athletics. One thing I like about athletic training is the fact that I save a life or just simply help someone who is hurt. Many times athletic trainers are first responders. They can respond to anything from a heart attack, sprained ankle, concussions or many others ailments. Athletic trainers are there to treat those who are injured. They get the athletes back healthy. As you can probably tell, I require a job that will allow me to help others. I would like to make a difference in the lives of other people. My mom and dad always preached selfless acts of kindness. The Bible teaches the same selfless behavior. I would love a job that would allow me to work with young people. As of right now, I am young. I relate to young people the best. Plus, I have witnessed too many young people who do not have adequate coaching nor do they have adequate athletic trainers. I believe that wrestling could help many people become a success if they are just taught the life skills that wrestling requires. Nobody is there to provide the emergency care needed when kids are hurt while playing their sport. They are just told to walk it off. I want to help. Given my likes and desires then I think that it is pretty apparent that my course of action is to pursue coaching and athletic training. I know that I can achieve my goals. My parents have given me the tools necessary to do so. They have given me great teachers, coaches and schools to know that I can achieve all of my goals. I will achieve my goals.

I am a Christian. I went to Catholic schools for most of my life. I have gone to Catholic churches consistently. The Bible teaches me that God is loving, caring and everything that we need. I thought that we are not supposed to question Him. I did. August 2, 2023, I lost my mom. That is a day that I will always remember. She had a lot of health ailments. I kept thinking she would make a full recovery. Even on the morning of August 2, I still had hope that things would turn around. Around 4:15 pm is when I knew that she was ready to leave the physical world. At 5:05 pm is when I no longer had a mom in this physical world. My mom’s departure has brought me more pain and grief than I ever thought possible. This is the hardest time of my life. The me that was present beforehand was not here. This substitute person was filled with sadness, loneliness, emptiness and many other emotions. My question was, “God, why me?” “Why would you bring me unbearable pain?” I had to learn more about God. I prayed, read and sought spiritual wisdom from those wiser than me. I realized that grief is a part of life. I learned that Jesus even grieved. So, if Jesus did then I know that my pain is normal. I know that the Bible says that God will bring us into this world and one day we must depart. We never know when. I realize that is why He tells us to love like He does. I had hopes of much later, but God had a different plan. I had to read what the Bible says. The Bible says that my mom no longer has pain, sickness or death. Even though I miss her, I want more for her. I have to want better for her. I was always taught to think of others before myself. She is able to be the person she wanted to be for a long time. She can do the things that she loves: snorkel, play at the beach, teach kids and many more fun things. So, yes I suffer, but my mom no longer does. I now understand that I was blessed. I was blessed with the best mom in the world. God picked her out for me and only me. I was blessed to have her with me for more than 17 years. Many people do not have this. God gave me unforgettable memories that I will cherish with her. I was blessed to have been handed down many lessons from her. My dad tells me often now that one of the biggest gifts that she gave me was her heart. My mom was loving and loved to help others. My dad says that I am the same as her. God did all this for me. Someone once told me that the price you pay for loving someone with all of your heart will eventually lead to pain for one of you two. Well, whoever told me this was right because I love her with all my heart and more. God created love and unfortunately, pain comes with love.

August 2, 2023, was a day that I will never forget. It is the day that I lost my mom. I lost her in the physical world so she could be in heaven with my other relatives. It has been the hardest time period of my life. Anyone who has lost someone can relate to the grief that comes with this loss. When this happened many people thought that I would struggle. They thought I would struggle in the classroom, on the mat or socially. Honestly, I did struggle in every aspect of my life. I did not feel like eating, smiling or being around people. Many wrestlers did not think I would wrestle this year. So, yes, everyone was right when they counted me out. All I wanted to do was to bury my head in the sand until this grief could pass me by. I was not able to embrace this role of everyone doubting me. Everyone kept defeating me. They kept telling me how hard things will be. They kept giving me a pat on the back just for showing up. It felt like I was receiving a participation trophy. I know people were just trying to be nice but I needed words of encouragement and not pity or doubt. This doubt and pity actually helped me to do better. Don’t get me wrong, I still miss my mom. However, she taught many different lessons. She taught me to earn my place. My house never liked participation trophies. She always said that the world gives nothing free so getting anything free for showing up is not in my brain. Receiving a pat on the back from teachers was nice but I felt like I should earn a pat on the back. Therefore, I had to perform. The biggest obstacle came from many people doubting my senior year success. The common question was, “are you wrestling this year?” Another common question was, “are you changing your classes for this year?” I was taking many AP classes so I guess people thought I should downgrade. I definitely did not like these questions. I felt like people thought I should give up. I have always tried hard. My goal is and was to be a state champ. My goal is and was to bring home all A’s. I looked at these questions as an opponent. When I step on the mat then I always want to defeat him and have my hand raised in victory. These questions made me want to defeat the doubt and have my hand raised in victory. I wanted to show all the people who doubted me that I could come out victorious. I think most of all, I wanted to show my mom that I could be great. I am not a state champ yet. The season is not over. I have not given up on that dream. I am the hardest worker there. I have to defeat the doubt. I will. I still have my AP classes. I still give it my all in class. I think of the doubt and it fuels me to defeat that doubt. I do not know if I will achieve all of my goals, but I will be fine knowing that I gave it my all.

USA I have had the pleasure and blessing of being able to go to other countries besides the USA. We have been blessed with many luxuries that other countries do not have. It is nice to go to other countries and the locals there are glad to see an American. Contrary to what some may believe, I have been treated great. We have a richness, opportunity and health care that other countries do not possess. I can really be whatever I want to be. There are real pathways for me to become my definition of success. I do not have to be born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Here, we have the opportunity to go to public and sometimes private schools. We have the opportunity to earn scholarships and grants for college. I always hear everyone say hard work equals success. I have seen other countries where they do not have that formula. Their formula is to come to the USA. In my opinion, here in the USA, we have safety from disease, sickness and injuries that no other country in the world possesses. Here in OH, we have the best hospitals around. We have the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals. They are always ranked in the top 5 in many categories. Royalty from other countries come here. We have the technology to fight disease, discover cures and discover treatments. Our country invests in technology to help its citizens live a more productive life. If there is no cure today then rest assured that there is research going on now to find a cure or at least a better treatment plan. The one change that I would like to see in this country is the division. I get it that there has been division since this country was formed. Recently, we have a new division. If you are Republican then it is mandatory that you hate a Democrat and vice versa. Why can’t we just talk, disagree and still like each other? Does it really matter that I have a different opinion than someone else? If I adopt a label of conservative or liberal then someone will hate me. This country should not be that way. We need to stop hating just because someone has a different opinion. I thought that we are all entitled to our own opinion? In my school, we have organizations that promote dialogue and empathy for others. I belong to Diversity Club and Dialogue Day. These are both two organizations that bring different people together to promote an understanding for people who are different from myself. It is great. I promote these two organizations in school to bring change to my classmates because I see the bigotry too often. I hope to join these organizations in college and continue to promote empathy. I would love to see a community where we can all talk. That would be a much better America.

Gen-Z The generation of the 30’s versus the Gen-Z generation are the same. The difference is the person forming the opinion. People forget that when passing judgements then there is always more than one answer. The quick and easy answer is to form conclusions based on what you think are the two variables. Aha! How easy it is to look in the mirror for another possible conclusion. All the great qualities of the 30’s are present today, but in a different way. There was war and financial hardships then. People found a way. There are political, religious, and race wars today. There is no Great Depression, but the hardship of inflation and student debt worry many. For the sake of families, self and the next generation both demographics found a way to be resilient. The mentality is still there. My generation thinks we know more. Why? Perhaps because modern advancements have helped. Perhaps it is just something that every young person goes through. I am sure that the generation of the 30’s did the same thing. My grandparents probably thought they knew more than my great grandparents. They just may not have been as outspoken about their perceived knowledge. I’ve looked at the similarities between the two generations. In my opinion, people fail to look at themselves when making this conclusion. It is a psychological fact that our perceptions and thoughts change. It is just one big evolution. We begin to see things through a different lens as time goes on. What is something that is easy today for me will somehow be just as easy tomorrow. The difference is that tomorrow something easier is developed and the younger person then knows the advantages while I hold on to yesterday's comfort. It is just one big cycle. A good place to start would be for the older generation to show what they know. Perhaps teach how they created, invented or persevered. Doors were knocked down so this younger generation can have an easier life. The Gen-Z can then be respectful and perhaps show their new stuff. In my opinion that helps everyone. I know that I love listening to stories from my grandparents. It makes me appreciate their life more. So, in my opinion, we all just have to realize and respect that times change. Some are able to adapt. However, some prefer not to and keep their ways. We all need to just realize that there are different ways to make it from point A to point B. As long as we get there is what matters.

I am a Christian. I went to Catholic schools for most of my life. I have gone to Catholic churches consistently. The Bible teaches me that God is loving, caring and everything that we need. I thought that we are not supposed to question Him. I did. August 2, 2023, I lost my mom. That is a day that I will always remember. She had a lot of health ailments. I kept thinking she would make a full recovery. Even on the morning of August 2, I still had hope that things would turn around. Around 4:15 pm is when I knew that she was ready to leave the physical world. At 5:05 pm is when I no longer had a mom in this physical world. My mom’s departure has brought me more pain and grief than I ever thought possible. This is the hardest time of my life. The me that was present beforehand was not here. This substitute person was filled with sadness, loneliness, emptiness and many other emotions. My question was, “God, why me?” “Why would you bring me unbearable pain?” I had to learn more about God. I prayed, read and sought spiritual wisdom from those wiser than me. I realized that grief is a part of life. I learned that Jesus even grieved. So, if Jesus did then I know that my pain is normal. I know that the Bible says that God will bring us into this world and one day we must depart. We never know when. I realize that is why He tells us to love like He does. I had hopes of much later, but God had a different plan. I had to read what the Bible says and have grown. The Bible says that my mom no longer has pain, sickness or death. Even though I miss her, I want more for her. I have to want better for her. I was always taught to think of others before myself. She is able to be the person she wanted to be for a long time. She can do the things that she loves: snorkel, play at the beach, teach kids and many more fun things. So, yes I suffer, but my mom no longer does. I now understand that I was blessed. I was blessed with the best mom in the world. God picked her out for me and only me. I was blessed to have her with me for more than 17 years. Many people do not have this. God gave me unforgettable memories that I will cherish with her. I was blessed to have been handed down many lessons from her. My dad tells me often now that one of the biggest gifts that she gave me was her heart. My mom was loving and loved to help others. My dad says that I am the same as her. God did all this for me. Knowing these blessings encourages me. Someone once told me that the price you pay for loving someone with all of your heart will eventually lead to pain for one of you two. Well, whoever told me this was right because I love her with all my heart and more. God created love and unfortunately, pain comes with love. I have not recovered from my mom’s death yet. I know that I will. That was us. Our goal was to never give up and I will not. She gave me the faith to know that I will live a full life with her spirit and Gods continued blessings.

On August 2, 2023, I had the unfortunate experience of losing my mom. It was the worst day of my short life. It has been the worst period of my life. Her passing was unexpected. It is possible that things might be easier if we could have seen this coming. I do not know. Unbeknownst to me she was suffering. Mentally, she was suffering. Putting the pieces together, everyone believes that she was suffering from depression and low self-esteem for many years. She did a good job of putting on a smile. Unfortunately, the outside did not match the inside. Everyone keeps saying, "if only we knew." My mental health is important because it is the difference between life and death. It is the difference between living and existing. It is the difference between happiness and suffering. It is important. You hear the term mental health often. Many think you are not cool to ask for help. I know first hand that being cool is dumb. I know first hand that if something is going on mentally then it needs to be addressed. If I had cancer then I would not ignore it. Would anyone ignore cancer, heart disease, a broken leg, etc? I doubt it. Then why would I ignore things when the psyche of my brain is not right? I am not. My mom taught me a valuable lesson when it comes to mental health. She taught me to address the problems. Do not ignore them. Do not think you are too cool, macho, bothersome or anything else to ask for help. She taught me to open up about whatever is on my mind. She taught me how debilitating depression and low self-esteem could be. She taught me to never think I am immune from anything. I thought she was immune from any mental health problems. Before her death, I did not address my mental health. I kept things inside. Sometimes, I would feel depressed. I just thought that stuff was for older people. Since, her passing, I have dedicated myself to learning from her mistakes. I have gone to see a clinical counselor twice a month. We talk about anything. She has been a good outlet. She has given me good pointers and different ways to look at things. She suggested that I write things down whenever I am overburdened. It has actually been a good outlet. She has suggested that I pray whenever I need to. She suggested that I try opening up to people who I look up to. My history teacher has always been supportive and I have started to open up to her. I know now that I have to take care of my mental health just as much as I take care of my physical body. I refuse to ignore anything. Even after my mom's passing, she has taught me valuable lessons. I will always honor her. Thank you

I have always enjoyed helping others. It has always brought me happiness to help. It does not matter if I am helping someone with yard work, homework or wrestling. I enjoy it. I was brought up in a Christian home and as a result, I was always taught that I must think of others before myself. My parents learned it from the Bible and they have taught me. I have had the privilege of volunteering at different wrestling clubs helping younger and experienced wrestlers. I find it an honor to help those who may not have the help that they need. I was once in their shoes. I understand the frustration of not understanding. This volunteering helps to reinforce my core values of helping others because the people I help love being involved. Their appreciation is priceless. I enjoy being a voice to those who may not have the voice. Now, fast forward to Beat the Streets is on a mission. Their mission is to positively alter life's trajectory for student-athletes. The city that I am from is Cleveland, Ohio. This organization seeks to give the youth access to mentoring, educational opportunities and a positive environment. They use the lessons of wrestling to help foster a great foundation of hard work, discipline and desire. I had the pleasure of being involved with this great organization during the summer of 2023. It was by pure accident. I have seen advertisements for them. I went there to get extra help. I discovered a place that I fell in love with. This place is helping to give kids a new life. I have seen the magic firsthand. We often see on the news about dropouts, inner-city violence or other negative stereotypes. This is what I want to do. I want to bring about the influence and positivity that this place has brought so many. My dream goals are to go to college and come back and be the influence that I have witnessed through Beat the Steets. I would love to be involved with this organization. If Beat the Streets is not in my future for whatever reason then I can still implement their teachings into my career. My goal is to come back and use the sport of wrestling and help show kids a positive way of life. I want to show people that they can achieve many things through the hard work, dedication and desire that I was taught. I want to be the positive influence that this organization has shown me and many other coaches have shown me. My goal is to make an impact. Fast forward to

In my opinion, everyone is born with a special gift that stands out more than other gifts or talents. My parents have been telling me that since I was born I always enjoyed helping others. I would see pictures of myself helping my grandfather raking the leaves when I was an infant. My mom told me that I would always help her clean up the house when she was cleaning. During these early years, I was not much help, but my intent was there. We can fast forward to my teenage years. It was not cool or socially acceptable to volunteer. I was often made fun of because I would help others. I would come home and tell my parents about the ridicule. Of course, they told me to ignore them. They told me that I was doing the right thing. My mom and dad instilled in me the concept of always doing the right thing. We would often go to a nursing home where a relative was living. I started helping our relative. I had to feed her, watch tv with her or do any other little thing that she might need to bring her comfort. I eventually started doing the same for her roommate. We started accompanying her to game night or church while she was at the nursing home. I always helped the other residents. It brought me great joy to see the smiles on their faces when I could listen to their stories. I imagined that it probably got lonely when they did not have any visitors so I was glad that I could help. During Christmas break at school, we often go out on foot looking for the homeless. It does get scary at times. We bring them blankets, clothing and a warm meal. I know they enjoy all of those items. Most are very appreciative of our gifts. We also give them someone to talk to. Many are glad that they have someone to talk to. I was told that everyone looks at them as less than human. I would imagine that could not be easy mentally. We talk about Jesus and the Bible. We often pray with them. They open my mind to be open minded. Everyone has a story and we should not judge nor condemn. You see, selflessness is me. I did not have to be taught this. I might not like picking up after myself, but helping others is rewarding. It is what we all should do. This world would be much better if we all could help others without looking for an incentive.

August 2, 2023, I lost my mom. That is a day that I will always remember. She had a lot of health ailments. I kept thinking she would make a full recovery. Even on the morning of August 2, I still had hope that things would turn around. Around 4:15 pm is when I knew that she was ready to leave the physical world. At 5:05 pm, I no longer had a mom in this physical world. My mom’s departure has brought me more pain and grief than I ever thought possible. This is the hardest time of my life. The me that was present beforehand was not here. This substitute person was filled with sadness, loneliness, emptiness and many other emotions. My question was, “God, why me?” “Why would you bring me unbearable pain?” I know that I am not the only person who lost a close family member, but when it happens, it feels like it. We are a wrestling house. There is a saying in wrestling that someone made popular. It is "Embrace the Grind." That means to cherish every single moment of your journey. Do not overlook the little moments. Little moments mean something. This has given me many moments that I can look back and smile. I can find inspiration from moments that may only last seconds. Whether she made dinner when she was sick, silly times when she was in the car or perhaps a hug after a loss. Wrestling does not last forever. Life does not last forever. I cherish every moment that I had with her. I always did. It helps me to smile and gives motivation to make her proud. She gave me comfort when times were hard. She instilled the persistence and dedication to keep trying even when things seem bleak. She opened my eyes to the desire to learn. Through her, He has helped me and will always because those lessons are still in me. Unbeknownst to me, wrestling has taught me these same principles. Through wrestling and my mom God gave me these lessons and they are the foundation to achieving my educational goals. Grieving after losing my mom has been tough. I have learned that it has made me capable of helping others in a way that an outsider may not be able to. I want to help others who are in my shoes. There is a feeling that nobody else on this planet can relate to you. When you finally find that person who has walked in your shoes then it feels like a miracle has occurred. I do not care if the person is a friend, relative or stranger. We all need someone. No man is above grief and despair. Our goal was to never give up and I will not. As long as God's in my life, I know that I have the strength, comfort and anything else that I need to proceed. With God's support and his teachings, I can achieve great things.

I am a Christian. I went to Catholic schools for most of my life. I have gone to Catholic churches consistently. The Bible teaches me that God is loving, caring and everything that we need. I thought that we are not supposed to question Him. I did. August 2, 2023, I lost my mom. That is a day that I will always remember. She had a lot of health ailments. I kept thinking she would make a full recovery. Even on the morning of August 2, I still had hope that things would turn around. Around 4:15 pm is when I knew that she was ready to leave the physical world. At 5:05 pm, I no longer had a mom in this physical world. My mom’s departure has brought me more pain and grief than I ever thought possible. This is the hardest time of my life. The me that was present beforehand was not here. This substitute person was filled with sadness, loneliness, emptiness and many other emotions. My question was, “God, why me?” “Why would you bring me unbearable pain?” I had to learn more about God. I prayed, read and sought spiritual wisdom from those wiser than me. I realized that grief is a part of life. I learned that Jesus even grieved. So, if Jesus did then I know that my pain is normal. I know that the Bible says that God will bring us into this world and one day we must depart. We never know when. I had hopes of much later, but God had a different plan. The Bible says that my mom no longer has pain, sickness or death. Even though I miss her, I want more for her. I have to want better for her. I was always taught to think of others before myself. She is able to be the person she wanted to be for a long time. She can do the things that she loves: snorkel, play at the beach, teach kids and many more fun things. So, yes I suffer, but my mom no longer does. I now understand that I was blessed. I was blessed with the best mom in the world. God picked her out for me and only me. I was blessed to have her with me for more than 17 years. God gave me unforgettable memories that I will cherish with her. I was blessed to have been handed down many lessons from her. My dad tells me often now that one of the biggest gifts that she gave me was her heart. My mom was loving and loved to help others. My dad says that I am the same as her. God did all this for me. She gave me comfort when times were hard. She instilled the persistence and dedication to keep trying even when things seem bleak. She opened my eyes to the desire to learn. Through her, He has helped me and will always because those lessons are still in me. God gave me these lessons and they are the foundation to achieving my educational goals. Our goal was to never give up and I will not. As long as God's in my life, I know that I have the strength, comfort and anything else that I need to proceed. With God's support and his teachings, I can achieve great things.

I am a Christian. I went to Catholic schools for most of my life. I have gone to Catholic churches consistently. The Bible teaches me that God is loving, caring and everything that we need. I thought that we are not supposed to question Him. I did. August 2, 2023, I lost my mom. That is a day that I will always remember. She had a lot of health ailments. I kept thinking she would make a full recovery. Even on the morning of August 2, I still had hope that things would turn around. Around 4:15 pm is when I knew that she was ready to leave the physical world. At 5:05 pm, I no longer had a mom in this physical world. My mom’s departure has brought me more pain and grief than I ever thought possible. This is the hardest time of my life. The me that was present beforehand was not here. This substitute person was filled with sadness, loneliness, emptiness and many other emotions. My question was, “God, why me?” “Why would you bring me unbearable pain?” I had to learn more about God. I prayed, read and sought spiritual wisdom from those wiser than me. I realized that grief is a part of life. I learned that Jesus even grieved. So, if Jesus did then I know that my pain is normal. I know that the Bible says that God will bring us into this world and one day we must depart. We never know when. I had hopes of much later, but God had a different plan. The Bible says that my mom no longer has pain, sickness or death. Even though I miss her, I want more for her. I have to want better for her. I was always taught to think of others before myself. She is able to be the person she wanted to be for a long time. She can do the things that she loves: snorkel, play at the beach, teach kids and many more fun things. So, yes I suffer, but my mom no longer does. I now understand that I was blessed. I was blessed with the best mom in the world. God picked her out for me and only me. I was blessed to have her with me for more than 17 years. God gave me unforgettable memories that I will cherish with her. I was blessed to have been handed down many lessons from her. My dad tells me often now that one of the biggest gifts that she gave me was her heart. My mom was loving and loved to help others. My dad says that I am the same as her. God did all this for me. She gave me comfort when times were hard. She instilled the persistence and dedication to keep trying even when things seem bleak. She opened my eyes to have the desire to learn. Through her, He has helped me and will always because those lessons are still in me. God gave me these lessons and they are the foundation to achieving my educational goals. Our goal was to never give up and I will not. As long as God's in my life, I know that I have the strength, comfort and anything else that I need to proceed. With God's support and his teachings, I can achieve great things.

There are many definitions of leadership. You do not have to be the most vocal or the best. You simply have the desire, effort and determination. There are many ways to lead without having the designation of captain or president etc. I look around and I see leaders every day. Many people just do not see it. My mom battled many health ailments, but always took care of the family. I never realized then but in many ways, she was a leader. She put forth the effort every day to set an example for me so that I can grow to become a strong young man. Even during her sickest times, she guided me and comforted me. Her perseverance during these times showed the example of her leadership to the family. I watched a movie with my dad one time about a football player named, Brian Piccolo. Brian stated many times that he was not the best football player on the team. He was lucky to be on the team. His roommate, Gayle Sayers, was judged by the coaches as being better. Heck, the entire NFL thought he was the best rookie. What made Brian a leader in my opinion and Sayers was his determination. He set the example that we all strive for. He was determined to get better. He was fighting for his life and Sayers was in awe. I was inspired. When people can inspire then they are leaders. In school, there are leaders all around me. The kid who is humble and puts the work in to be a state champion wrestler. His work ethic is what everyone follows. The kid who battles different social problems, but still puts a smile on his face to get an education. He is a leader because he has the strength to get what he wants. The kid who is not a natural genius, but puts forth the extra effort to get good grades. He may not be a 4.0 student but kids follow his desire. These are all leaders that I see every day, but sometimes they do not get the recognition. Leadership is important because it is the recipe for success. It is my own personal satisfaction that I am giving one hundred percent to achieve my goals. The accolades are nice. Being team captain, president, CEO, etc are nice. However, they may not always be leaders. If I follow the recipe for success then I can show either directly or by may actions how to be successful. That is what leadership is all about. It is mandatory for my success and the success of everyone.

I am a Christian. I went to Catholic schools for most of my life. I have gone to Catholic churches consistently. The Bible teaches me that God is loving, caring and everything that we need. I thought that we are not supposed to question Him. I did. August 2, 2023, I lost my mom. That is a day that I will always remember. She had a lot of health ailments. I kept thinking she would make a full recovery. Even on the morning of August 2, I still had hope that things would turn around. Around 4:15 pm is when I knew that she was ready to leave the physical world. At 5:05 pm is when I no longer had a mom in this physical world. My mom’s departure has brought me more pain and grief than I ever thought possible. This is the hardest time of my life. The me that was present beforehand was not here. This substitute person was filled with sadness, loneliness, emptiness and many other emotions. My question was, “God, why me?” “Why would you bring me unbearable pain?” I had to learn more about God. I prayed, read and sought spiritual wisdom from those wiser than me. I realized that grief is a part of life. I learned that Jesus even grieved. So, if Jesus did then I know that my pain is normal. I know that the Bible says that God will bring us into this world and one day we must depart. We never know when. I realize that is why He tells us to love like He does. I had hopes of much later, but God had a different plan. I had to read what the Bible says. The Bible says that my mom no longer has pain, sickness or death. Even though I miss her, I want more for her. I have to want better for her. I was always taught to think of others before myself. She is able to be the person she wanted to be for a long time. She can do the things that she loves: snorkel, play at the beach, teach kids and many more fun things. So, yes I suffer, but my mom no longer does. I now understand that I was blessed. I was blessed with the best mom in the world. God picked her out for me and only me. I was blessed to have her with me for more than 17 years. Many people do not have this. God gave me unforgettable memories that I will cherish with her. I was blessed to have been handed down many lessons from her. My dad tells me often now that one of the biggest gifts that she gave me was her heart. My mom was loving and loved to help others. My dad says that I am the same as her. God did all this for me. Someone once told me that the price you pay for loving someone with all of your heart will eventually lead to pain for one of you two. Well, whoever told me this was right because I love her with all my heart and more. God created love and unfortunately, pain comes with love. I saw her struggle with her health the last couple of years of her life. I did not realize then, but now I realize that from her passing, I have acquired a great desire to help others. I know what it is like to feel helpless. I want to help those who are suffering physically to recover from whatever ailment they may be suffering from. I want to inspire and bring hope. When things do not look so hopeful, then I want to inspire the fight in patients and family members. This scholarship will help me achieve my goal of working with those who are injured and sick. God gave me her and the many blessings that came with her. He gave me love. He told us that we must leave. She now has peace. So, yes it had to be me eventually because I surely would not want her to go through this pain. Again, put others before yourself. Thank you