Music is my everything. I am sure that almost every application has that in their essay, and I am sure it is true for most. But truthfully, music really is my everything. It is what makes me want to live life to the fullest. I do many forms of music too which shows that music impacts all areas of my life. First, I am in three rock bands at a school called Roots Academy. I play the electric bass in these bands. Dedlock, Arcadia, and the Exceptions. Each band has a different sound which makes it unique in its own way, and also shows my love for multiple genres. Dedlock is my heaviest band, we play Linkin Park and the genre of Nu Metal, my favorite genre. Arcadia is 80's-90's rock. I also love this style of music. From Pearl Jam to Van Halen we play it all. Last, In my band the exceptions we play Indie Rock. We have played Arctic Monkeys, No Doubt, and Radiohead. I really love the people in this band. They all have the same passion like I do for music. In the next genre of my life, we have orchestra. I believe that orchestra represents the calm part of my life. The part that actually likes peace and quiet, unlike my rock bands. I play the upright bass in school and have made many friends from state events. My favorite orchestra memories are participating and auditioning for Midstate and Allstate. Last year, I made first chair all state for bass! It was such an honor to be ranked the best in the state, and I could not have had a better week. Finally, the most important part of my life, Religion. If my music is not deeply rooted in my religion I do not want it. I have been a Christian for a little over a year and it has changed my life. My childhood dream of wanting to play music for others has now changed to wanting to play music to glorify Christ. Every Saturday at seven, my best friends come over and I host a bible study. I pull out my guitar, and sing Worship songs to my creator. The music unites my friends and I, and our dedication to Christ. This is the most important thing to me for music; I get to use my gift to glorify His name. In conclusion, music is really one of the biggest factors in my life. It dictates multiple parts of my life and changes them for the better. From Nu Metal to Worship I get to use music to enhance that. I truly hope with all my being that one day I will get to make a living off of my greatest passion. Music truly is my everything.

Six years ago, at the age of ten, my dad shared with me that he had cancer. Two years before that, my grandfather passed away from colon cancer. The same thing that my dad now had. He promised me it would be different, but I did not really understand the weight of what he was saying. All I knew was that he would get through it because my dad could beat anything. It started off slow. He had chemo therapy many days of the week, and I would always text him during the waiting time. I remember he would come home looking exhausted, and me, not knowing how hard it was for him, would be upset he did not wanna go play basketball with me. This cycle went on and on for a while, until one day it stopped. I had gotten home from school and my mom said we were taking him to the hospital. I froze with fear wondering what was next. My mom said there was a baby sitter here for my brother and I so we could stay home. However, the next day I told my mom I wanted to go see him, so she picked me up and drove me there. I hate hospitals: The food is bad, it smells gross, the hallways look endless, and if you look into any room they are all filled with sadness and hopelessness. I remember walking into his room and he looked embarrassed; he did not want me to see him in that way. I did not care however, I just wanted to see my dad. A couple of weeks later, he was released and he got to come home. The previous cycle continued for a month or two until it happened again. He had to go to the hospital. The chemo was failing, and all other treatments were too. We had no more options. He just got weaker and weaker. Going outside to play basketball together was no longer something we could do. I remember how much my mom had to do to take care of him. Medicine at 1 AM and 5 AM caused her to be exhausted too. Everything kept spiraling and my mom decided to place him in hospice. It was Superbowl Sunday of 2023; my dad and I would always watch the Superbowl together. I had decided I was going to go visit him in hospice to watch it with him. When I arrived, I learned that he was no longer able to speak clearly. I knew it was over, and I had never felt so empty. During the game, my dad said "offense". I thought he was just trying to reminisce but after the game ended my mom told me what he was really saying. "Options." Two weeks later, on my rising freshman night for high school. I got a call. My mom said he passed away. I broke down. It was over. My friends found out and called me, they said that they were here for me and they would stay on call with me. We talked all night and the next day we went to hang out and talk about my dad. Today, three years later, a lot has changed. I am slowly getting better through friends, Camp Kesem, and Jesus. I truly believe if I had not had those three things I would not be here today so I am forever grateful for them. Cancer sucks, and no one deserves to go through what I did. Yet it still happens, so do not take anything for granted.

Six years ago, at the age of ten, my dad shared with me that he had cancer. Two years before that, my grandfather passed away from colon cancer. The same thing that my dad now had. He promised me it would be different, but I did not really understand the weight of what he was saying. All I knew was that he would get through it because my dad could beat anything. It started off slow. He had chemo therapy many days of the week, and I would always text him during the waiting time. I remember he would come home looking exhausted, and me, not knowing how hard it was for him, would be upset he did not wanna go play basketball with me. This cycle went on and on for a while, until one day it stopped. I had gotten home from school and my mom said we were taking him to the hospital. I froze with fear wondering what was next. My mom said there was a baby sitter here for my brother and I so we could stay home. However, the next day I told my mom I wanted to go see him, so she picked me up and drove me there. I hate hospitals: The food is bad, it smells gross, the hallways look endless, and if you look into any room they are all filled with sadness and hopelessness. I remember walking into his room and he looked embarrassed; he did not want me to see him in that way. I did not care however, I just wanted to see my dad. A couple of weeks later, he was released and he got to come home. The previous cycle continued for a month or two until it happened again. He had to go to the hospital. The chemo was failing, and all other treatments were too. We had no more options. He just got weaker and weaker. Going outside to play basketball together was no longer something we could do. I remember how much my mom had to do to take care of him. Medicine at 1 AM and 5 AM caused her to be exhausted too. Everything kept spiraling and my mom decided to place him in hospice. It was Superbowl Sunday of 2023; my dad and I would always watch the Superbowl together. I had decided I was going to go visit him in hospice to watch it with him. When I arrived, I learned that he was no longer able to speak clearly. I knew it was over, and I had never felt so empty. During the game, my dad said "offense". I thought he was just trying to reminisce but after the game ended my mom told me what he was really saying. "Options." Two weeks later, on my rising freshman night for high school. I got a call. My mom said he passed away. I broke down. It was over. My friends found out and called me, they said that they were here for me and they would stay on call with me. We talked all night and the next day we went to hang out and talk about my dad. Today, three years later, a lot has changed. I am slowly getting better through friends, Camp Kesem, and Jesus. I truly believe if I had not had those three things I would not be here today so I am forever grateful for them. Cancer sucks, and no one deserves to go through what I did. Yet it still happens, so do not take anything for granted.