Faith has played a steady and guiding role in my life, especially during moments when I faced uncertainty and needed strength the most. One of those moments came at the end of my sixth-grade year when my appendix ruptured and I was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery in March of 2020. Lying in a hospital bed before surgery was frightening, and I remember praying that everything would be okay. As I began recovering, the world around me was suddenly shutting down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools closed, routines disappeared, and life felt uncertain. During that time, faith gave me peace and perspective, reminding me to stay hopeful and focused on the things within my control. Throughout high school, I have challenged myself academically, athletically, and through service. I have taken a rigorous course load while earning a 6.23 weighted GPA. I am proud to have received the AP Scholar with Distinction Award and the AP Capstone Diploma after completing AP Seminar and AP Research, courses that pushed me to think critically, conduct meaningful research, and confidently present my ideas. I was also honored through the College Board National Recognition Program. Earlier in high school, I participated in Air Force JROTC, where I earned several awards including Attendance, Health and Wellness, Conduct, and Academics. JROTC helped strengthen my discipline and reinforced the importance of integrity and accountability. Leadership has also shaped my growth. As Vice President and Slating Chairman of the Young Men’s Service League, I helped lead meetings, introduce speakers, and assist in selecting future leaders. On the football field, I served as JV Captain and later became a Varsity starter and Defensive Line Leader. Helping lead our JV team to an undefeated season taught me that leadership is not about titles, but about setting the standard through preparation, effort, and consistency. Through YMSL and other volunteer efforts, I have also completed 257 hours of community service, earning both the Outstanding Service Award and the Superior Service Award. These experiences have taught me humility, gratitude and the importance of giving back to the community. Looking ahead, my faith, family, teachers and mentors continue to inspire my goals for higher education. I hope to attend a university where I can challenge myself academically while continuing to grow as a leader and servant to others. My long-term goal is to build a career where I can use my education, discipline, and values to positively impact those around me. I believe that the lessons faith has taught me, perseverance, humility and gratitude will guide me as I take the next steps in college and beyond. Instagram: @bradley.barnum

I have always enjoyed math because it makes sense to me. Math is black and white, and when you work through a problem the right way, there is a clear answer waiting at the end. That feeling of finally mastering a tough problem is one of the best rewards. I’ve had great math teachers throughout high school who helped me understand that math is more than just numbers on paper, it is a language that explains how the world works. I like that math shows up in real life every day. It is in the wind and waves when I’m out kayak fishing and figuring out speed, direction, and distance. It is in the timing and precision needed in football when planning a play. I even see it in the stock market, where patterns, calculations, and predictions all depend on math. The more I look around, the more I realize that math connects to almost everything I do. At Plant High School, I am a member of Mu Alpha Theta, where I’ve helped classmates and teammates with their math work. Being part of this club has allowed me to use my skills to support others and grow stronger in problem-solving. Balancing my academics with football and community service has taught me discipline and focus, both of which are essential for math and life in general. I love math because it challenges me to think logically and creatively at the same time. Every equation and formula tells a story if you take the time to understand it. I know that whatever career I choose, math will continue to be a big part of it, helping me make sense of the world and find solutions that make a difference.