I have always been passionate about sports. Since age 4 I have participated in all types of sports. I have played baseball, basketball, water polo, and football. Despite my love and passion for all these sports, nothing compares to my love of soccer. I fell into it by accident. The Little League season had ended and my parents were looking for something to do until the next baseball season started. A parent suggested joining the local AYSO soccer team. My dad, who is also a lover of sports was hesitant because it was the only sport he had never played and knew very little about it. He kept an open mind an signed me up but had no idea what he was about to unlock. I absolutely loved it. I loved the speed and physicality required. The awareness of the field that is required. The ability to know where all the players were and learn how to anticipate where the next play was going to be. While most of the boys fought for the striker position, I just wanted to be a goalkeeper. The rush of going against an entire offense and coming out victorious. Nothing compares to the thrill of a 1v1 play and making the save. Since discovering soccer, no other sports can compare. I juggled soccer and baseball for a couple years, but realized if I really wanted to excel, I would have to pick one and focus on that. The choice wasn't very hard. Soccer. I have never regretted that decision. I have played for club teams as well as high school. Freshman year my dream was to get selected for the Varsity team. I had been very successful on the teams I played for so I didn't think it would be hard. However, there were boys that were older, bigger and more experienced. I didn't make varsity. Despite the disappointment, I was determined to make the most of it and still get the coaches to notice me. I worked hard, never missed practice, and focused on drills that would improve my skills. They noticed. By the end of the season, I was called up to varsity and played well. By the time playoffs came around, I was the starting goalkeeper. We were eliminated in the second round but I was determined to return the following season and be even more successful as a team. We ended up winning CIF that year and as a sophomore, I was named All League Second Team Goalkeeper and also given the Coach's Award. I have learned so much through my years of playing sports. Most important is teamwork. All athletes know that you win as a team and lose as a team. Knowing this, I have also developed excellent leadership skills. These skills allow me to bring out the best in the players. Being a strong leader also earns players' respect and when your players respect you, they tend to work harder for the team. Aside from teamwork and leadership, I have also developed a strong work ethic. You have to work hard to be successful, not just in sports, but all aspects of life. I don't believe in "good things come to those who wait." I believe that good things come to those who work hard. Being this busy means you have to maximize how you spend your time. You have to prioritize sports, schoolwork, and personal relationships. Sports has taught me all these important lessons that I can apply not just to sports, but all aspects of my day to day life.

In all honesty, I have a very limited financial education. As a child, I wasn't given an allowance or taught how to budget. I just asked for things and if my parents purchased It for me, I got it. If they couldn't afford it, I didn't get it. As I grew older and began receiving money as gifts for birthdays or holidays, I would get excited and spend it all as soon as I could. I can't even remember now what all the money was spent on. Probably video games and Pokemon cards. I remember the excitement of making my purchases, but then came the frustration and disappointment in the days that followed when there was something else I wanted, but no longer had the funds for. Over time, I learned that I had to be more responsible with my money and had to make smarter decisions as to how I was going to spend it. I learned that it was best to prioritize what it was that I really needed and then what I really wanted and then what I just sort of wanted. Then I would have to decide how I was going to pay for it. Could it wait until the next birthday or holiday, which is when I received the majority of my money for the year or was this something I would have to earn through chores? I learned that if money was running low and there was no birthday money heading my way any time soon, the list of things I really wanted and was willing to scrub toilets or mop the floors for would get shorter. My parents would laugh and tell me that it's part of growing up and learning the value of working hard for my money. Recently, I thought I had it all figured it out. I have always thought of myself as an above average sports fan. I joined fantasy football leagues and weekly football pools. I began to make some money using my knowledge about the game and the players. I was excited! I was able to make a decent amount of money for zero work. I was able to buy myself jerseys and hats whenever I wanted and it didn't matter if I spent it all, because I could just earn more the following week. I quickly realized that was a bad plan. My beginner's luck ran out and I stopped winning money. I spent all my money and hit a losing streak and was left with nothing. I felt so awful about myself and was angry at myself for allowing myself to believe this was going to be a fun, easy way for me to earn money. My parents had warned me against joining all these leagues and making bets with my friends but I didn't listen. I thought I knew more about sports and betting than they did. I was wrong. Failure became my biggest teacher. I realized I needed to make better financial decisions. Now, when I have a little money, I save it and only spend it when it's something I really really want. I am currently in the process of getting my driver's license so I am saving for all the expenses that come with getting a car. I still play in fantasy leagues with friends, but not for money. The loser just has to do a silly or embarrassing task. This scholarship will help finance my education, which is the best investment anyone can make. I plan on studying finance and economics and helping others make wise financial decisions.