It is no secret to those around me that I am a conservative. Since the sixth grade, I have openly advocated for, defended, and been attacked for my defense of my ideals. For a period of time, I was also an atheist, and fell into the secular spell of libertarianism. In this period of my life, I debated with hard line conservatives about abortion, and my mind was permanently changed after hearing many convincing arguments. Ultimately, I became an atheist libertarian who was also pro life, and I realized that those beliefs were incompatible. So I became a deist, debating my way to a belief in some sort of a higher power, and through prayer decided to become Catholic. I tell my story (though this is a very brief overview) because it is important to understanding my passion and drive for the future I wish to develop. After being harassed and threatened for my political ideals, and sticking true to them, I have realized my strong sense of conviction and work ethic. I hope to become a lawyer, and further a politician to advocate for my many political positions. As someone whose parents were told to abort due to a potential for health complications (which I, through God's grace had none), I understand the value of life and the destructive nature possible through abortion. Through my Catholic faith, my fervor against abortion and for life has grown, and I view the sexual immorality and use of abortion rampant in our society as the largest societal problems which we must address. I believe that there are only two routes that can be taken to correct the course of history. The first is that conservatives in politics must stop operating solely on principle, and actually win political battles that leftists have been winning through tact. We must also make faith a central issue of our cause, and we must treat Christian values as something to embrace, promote, and live by as a movement. The secularization of conservatism has left it dry and meaningless, being only an ideology driven by individuality and enterprise capitalism. The second option is acceleration, to allow the conditions of our society to collapse in on themselves naturally, I view this to be the most likely option and the worst one. I hope to, after attaining my education, pursue a legal career and make connections with likeminded individuals. Once I have started a family, I will enter politics, and live by my Catholic faith to make decisions for the betterment of society. I hope to be involved in Catholic and conservative communities while pursuing my undergraduate and graduate degrees, and to promote issues regarding life as a key focus. I also hope to join my church community in advocating for the protection of life, and advocate for pro life legislation in our government. I hope to focus my volunteering efforts wherever I can make a difference in this cause, and I also hope to use my understanding of philosophy and political science to create academic movements which favor this cause. Through my personal development, both in faith and education, I aim to spend my life advocating for true conservative causes, especially abortion. By protecting the lives of the future, arguing against the growing sentiment of anti-natalism. and advocating for the right to life in my legal and political practice, I aim to make an impact on our society that can move us closer to the kingdom of God on earth.

The "truth" is something which has caused great divide within Christendom for the last 2000 years, whether that be from the schism or the protestant reformation, Christians have been divided by what they believe to be the truth. Similarly, in Islam, the idea of the Christian truth, and the fundamental understanding of God's nature is challenged and transformed into the world's second largest religion. What we should understand as Christians, regardless of our denomination or way of life, is that the ultimate truth comes from god. As stated in Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.", and from this explicit biblical teaching it is clear that the truth lies within the word of God. Our interpretations often lead us astray, and it is here that we must lean back into the nature of Christ himself. Christ is both fully man and fully God, he is tempted yet sinless, mortal yet immortal, and through his life we learn that it is possible to live in God's image, and to seek purity in thought and action. Thus, it is important that we seek to listen explicitly to what God has told us. This is yet again where the struggle between our truth and his truth become entangled, because our understanding of the truth is the only way we can truly interpret scripture. Through the sacraments, and through deliberate prayer and meditation, it is often revealed to us by our faith and trust in God what those truths are. These are not plainly the truths of our interpretation, and if they are it is blatantly obvious. I follow the Catholic faith (being baptized and confirmed in Easter of 2024) because the interpretation of the scripture that is followed has been deliberated on by theologians since the establishment of Christ's apostolic church. I went on my religious journey with the understanding that the "truth" is hard to extrapolate from thousands of years of separation from the life of Christ, and many millennia from the establishment of Judaism. After falling into desolation, atheism, deism, and many other forms of religious thought, my prayers led me to mentors and the leap of faith needed to become Catholic. Through my religious journey, I have realized that men corrupt scripture, and the powerful bodies of the church can be flawed. But it should be understood that despite the state of the church, or the many denominations of Christendom, God has told us from the beginning that the truth is found in his word. Through a deep relationship with God, we can develop a strong understanding of the truth, and by following the life of Christ, being virtuous and seeking the baptismal state, we can live and learn the truth that we often deliberate over. From Psalms 25:4-5, "Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.". By treating your faith as a guide in your life, not as a label or way to differentiate yourself from others, you can truly learn to live the life of Christ.

No one anticipated that I would stick around. I ran up the hill and nearly passed out from heat exhaustion, I flipped tires and nearly fell into them. When I got to high school, everyone expected that I would complete my freshman season, and stop playing football altogether. I came back the next year, and coaches noticed my drive and passion to improve. I was told by a coach that wrestling would transform me. At first, I was skeptical. I knew that wrestling workouts were hard, but I was 40 pounds over the heavyweight cutoff. I figured I would be turned away from the wrestling room, but rather I was embraced. For the first month of the season, I came home and passed out in my bed. I watched the scale every day, inching closer to 285. My mom asked my coach at the parent meeting "But what if my son can't lose the weight?", and I didn't even have a pair of wrestling shoes. Still, I got on the mat every day until I was eligible. The last dual of the season was electric. It was senior night, and our opponent was a school that dominates us in nearly every sport. For my teammates, it was an opportunity to watch great matches, but for me, it was my last shot at making it into a real wrestling tournament. During weigh-ins, I had finally done it. 288 pounds. I excitedly texted my parents, and my teammates hyped me up. For the first time since I joined my school's athletics, I had truly accomplished something. I went into the tournament with little expectations for myself. I weighed in at 284.4 pounds, excitedly high-fived the coach who had convinced me to wrestle in the first place, and scarfed down a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I was wearing size seventeen taped-up vans, the oldest singlet our team had, and headgear my dad bought the night before. I figured that even making it to this tournament was an accomplishment, and was incredibly nervous for my first match. My fears were confirmed, and I was pinned within a minute of my first match. Suddenly, just being there wasn't enough. This wasn't about football anymore, nor was this even about getting in shape. My body burned with excitement, and in that instant, I decided to go as far as I could. Then I got the taste of victory. I won my first ever match, and a grin etched across my face as I looked into the crowd for my parents. By the end of the tournament, I was wrestling for third place. By this point, everybody in attendance had their eyes on me and my opponent, for the third-place match. I won and earned my first athletic medal. When I came back to wrestle for my junior season, I figured I would have a great time at JV tournaments, and would stay in excellent shape. However, I wrestled off and became the varsity starting heavyweight for half of the season, and got to travel to the Reno Tournament of Champions. Wrestling taught me that the only expectations you should set for yourself are goals, not limits. When I saw success in wrestling, It transferred to debate, academics, and football. I became tougher physically and mentally, and I approach every day with the knowledge that the unexpected can always happen, even if others think your success is impossible. I will never forget the feeling of losing my first fifty and even a hundred pounds, but I will also always remember the feeling of shattering expectations.

On a summer day in 2015, my dad and I sat in a red 2004 BMW X3, on the way home from the hospital. My dad was dealing with some minor health complications, but as usual, neither of us could stray away from conversing. I was 10 years old, naive but content. A few things were changing in the world around me; I would be going to middle school soon, we had just moved into our new house, and all of my favorite videogames were coming out. I also developed a passionate interest in politics. I asked my dad about all of the contentious current events going on, like who the politicians running were and what they stood for. I learned the basic principles of the American belief systems, and from that point, the seeds were planted. Now it's the sixth grade. Trump has been elected president, I'm nervous around girls, and doing my school work means something. Starting in the sixth grade, I started to see the vitriol people have for you when you disagree with them. I was bullied for speaking out about my political beliefs, being fat, trying too hard in school, and just generally being a nerdy kid. I didn't fit in with my peers, but I did fit in with my father. He and I bonded over crude fart jokes, shows like south park, and my interest in politics. I believe that he was the biggest influence in the development of my knowledge, sense of humor, and interest in politics. Middle school was awful, but I just knew high school would be amazing. Then, covid hit. I went into my freshman year of high school with a weird schedule, masks, and an increasingly tense political climate. Thankfully, part of my weird schedule was competitive speech and debate. For the first year of debate, I developed my speech skills. I participated in asynchronous OO, but I wasn't particularly passionate about the event. Then I discovered student congress. I debated the state champion at my first-ever tournament and was reminded of how much I love wearing suits and arguing with people. I love student congress because it allows me to debate a wide variety of political topics, and finding wording flaws in the legislation presented reminds me of my interest in pursuing law. Speech and debate also gives me the much-needed ability to voice my opinion, when otherwise I am shunned and harassed. See, what I haven't revealed so far is that I am fairly disliked by a majority of the student body at my school. I don't fit in, I can't conform to their ideas about the world or the trends they follow. I have been endlessly mocked for my political opinions, and debate allows me to test them against others. I also love the sense of accomplishment I get from placing at debate tournaments because it is a cathartic reminder that the hate I receive is based on little more than youthful ignorance. The feedback I get from my speeches and questioning during student congress is a way for me to develop the soft skills I feel will be necessary for being a successful lawyer and politician. Thanks to the support from my family, and my desire to prove my peer's judgments wrong, my educational path will be successful. Thank you for your consideration.

About a year ago, my cousin overdosed. Another cousin of mine developed schizophrenia through his use of drugs in the military. My school is riddled with kids who have addictions, ranging from nicotine to students suffering from marijuana use disorder. Recently, my AP Language and Composition class was prompted to read a choice book. I am involved in my school's debate team, and because of this, I tend to read nonfiction works that cover real-world issues. For this reason, I decided to read a book called Dreamland (written by Sam Quinones). This reading revealed to me the frightening scope of the opioid epidemic that is plaguing the United States, and how drugs are not just destroying lives but communities. My interests have lied in politics since 2016, but I had always considered the drug issue to be one of consenting adults making informed decisions for themselves. What I've come to realize is that the drug crisis stretches well beyond the lives of adults. Studies from the NIDA reveal that 8.3 percent of the country's EIGHT GRADERS use cannabis. Since reading Dreamland, and doing more research about the drug crisis plaguing our country, I believe that it is one of the most pressing issues that is being overlooked in favor of petty culture war disputes. Unfortunately, I believe that by the time I am older, the drug crisis will only get worse. One solution to this problem is increasing the public's understanding of Substance use disorder. In our health classes, we attempt to educate the youth on the problems revolving around substance abuse. From a young age, we are taught that drugs are bad, but we overlook where the real substance abuse is occurring. Studies reported in a Harvard medical journal argue that homelessness, poverty, and social stigma unnecessarily worsen substance abuse. A 2019 study on drug and alcohol dependence found that most opioid overdoses were "concentrated in more economically disadvantaged zip codes". Not only do poor communities have higher rates of mental health issues, crime, and substance abuse, but their incomes are too low to support their often failing education systems. One of the primary aims of my life is to use my natural talent for speech and my burning desire to learn to have a successful political career. Through this career, I hope to address the issues with our failing education system. By improving the educational conditions for the lower classes, I believe I can have an impact on their rates of drug abuse. By using the education system as a tool for education on substance abuse disorder, particularly from a younger age, I can help reduce the rates of drug abuse in my community. I may be unable to educate those in need, but I hope to create as many opportunities as possible for education to ensure that our nation's understanding of substance abuse disorder is clear. I also aim to increase funding for rehabilitation centers, so those who need help can get it, and so that the resources needed are available. Thank you for your consideration.

I would describe myself as a mutant. Both through my genetics and social attitudes I have proven my difference from those around me. On the surface, I am taller than both of my parents, have a double-jointed thumb, and size 18 feet that hardly any shoes fit. I am also going to be the first person in my household to go to college. My father grew up in the desert that we call New Mexico, never fitting in with those around him. He was a white, tall, skinny "schoolboy" that decided to pursue his passion for cars in his free time. My mother moved schools about seven times in her life, and never clicked with a social group for too long. She was ginger with thick-framed glasses, she was poor, and the youngest of 9 kids. I was raised by two people who bonded over a shared sense that neither belonged. Since I can remember, I have always been big, loud, and in a mind that could only mesh with those older than me. I have always felt alienated, but in a way that contrasted with my strong relationship with my family. Due to this sense of alienation, my fear to look stupid was cast away from a young age. I have never been afraid to question the world around me or to put myself in situations that scare me. I use this curiosity to better understand the things I learn in school, due to my gift (and admittedly curse) of overthinking. This has driven me to transition from robotics in elementary school, to theater in middle school, and (for the very first time in my life) sports in high school. Sports have shown me that I have a strong thirst for self-improvement. I used them to transform my body, losing a hundred pounds and gaining youthful energy. They have also proven to me that there is no challenge too daunting for me to overcome. On the first day of football, smack dab in the first summer of covid, we had about 80 kids show up. the next day, only 40. We ran in the heat, in masks. I hadn't jogged or run before, let alone up a hill. However, every day I came home, legs numb, with a dumb smile on my face. While I was miserable at the moment, I always finished through. My primary aim in life is to become the best man I can be so that I can do whatever I choose to. I am not like my peers. I am strongly interested in every area of study surrounding the social sciences, and because of this I always have random trails of thought and knowledge that seep into everyday conversation. I know weird statistics and facts, and I love when people challenge my ideas. That has had the effect of alienating me from most of the student body, who refuse to discuss and opt to attack my character. That doesn't hurt. It drives me to improve my ability to communicate with people who disagree with me. Most importantly, I hope to have a political career where I can test my ideas, mediate between perspectives, and advance the conditions for all in the future. I stubbornly refuse to allow myself to be known as a man of average character, who achieved average things. With this scholarship, I hope to ease the financial burden of education so that I can reach my lofty ambitions. Thank you for your consideration.

Generational wealth is a long-term goal that is achieved at the end of one's life but developed throughout. It requires one to be disciplined, intelligent, and forward-thinking. Most importantly, it means that one must be selfless and passionate. In a society inundated by strong consumer culture, generational wealth is rare. The middle and lower classes hardly have any sense of generational wealth, but those in the upper crust have developed it for decades. I aim to elevate the status of the lower classes as a whole by pursuing a political career. I hope to eliminate inheritance taxes, strengthen financial education, and create new job opportunities with the power I see myself holding in this position. On a personal level, I want to develop generational wealth by starting my early adult life with as little debt as possible, and by spending my money wisely. I aim to spend a portion of the income I make at my summer job this year in the stock market, particularly by spending money in an index fund. I also hope that, when I am older and more established, I can purchase government bonds to bet against inflation and secure wealth I can put towards sending my children to college. The first step is to get an education. I want to develop a wealth of knowledge that previous generations of my family have been unable to obtain. I will utilize this education to earn liquid capital, but also so-called intellectual capital. This will make me a valuable asset in the workplace, as well as in the home. I want to raise my future children to be intelligent, ambitious people. Sparking within them a desire to learn will ensure that they too will pursue an education, and achieve success. Generational wealth isn't just about the assets you own or the degrees you accrue; it is about growing the community you are a part of. The level of wealth I aim to achieve will keep my family comfortable, but it will also be used to invest back into the market. Purchasing a new home or car, even my groceries or dinner will allow another person to have a chance at growing their wealth. In an ideal scenario, I would pursue philanthropy. Being able to directly invest in education, healthcare, and private charities that benefit the needy will have a measurable impact. Bettering my community will ensure a better world for my children, where they can hopefully grow our family's wealth and the communities they are a part of. I hope that, by bettering myself through a good education, I can improve the lives of those within and without my family. Thank you for your consideration.

I went into high school knowing that it would be an opportunity for change. So I joined sports. Throughout my time in high school so far, I have lost 100 lbs, made 100 friends, and polarized well over 100 people. I am someone known almost exclusively for being large, loud, and lawyerly. In fact, since the day I enrolled in preschool, teachers have often said they could see me as a lawyer or businessman. For a while, my interests lay in tech. Like most boys my age, I had a very strong interest in video games. My childhood was rooted in gaming, and it was this passion that I attribute my vocabulary and creativity to, as I often found myself playing games with long stories. Come 2016, however, I was no longer just interested in video games. I saw the news around me and began to research and ask my parents questions about politics. I also used youtube, a tool for entertainment, as a tool to learn more about politics and history. It is through this curiosity that I developed my conservative worldview and realized where my talents lie. Since middle school, I have often debated with my classmates about the world around us. I gained the greatest sense of satisfaction from posing tough questions to the teacher, exposing bias, and bringing an outside perspective to the classroom. In 6th grade, with a very outspoken leftist activist teacher, I discovered my knack for debating and my love for politics. However, my love has been met with fiery hatred. My classmates have isolated me from the pack out of ignorance and spite, all based on the notion that my opinions are “wrong”. I have been slandered. My name has been muddied by people who cannot stand to see opposition to their beliefs. Family members have stopped talking to me, I have had my address leaked, and I have been threatened. In the face of all of these obstacles, I hope to better understand all perspectives, to reason with those that might not give me the same consideration. One thing I am very sure of is that people’s attempts to silence me WILL NOT be effective. I have and will continue to work hard in my academic and athletic pursuits to open opportunities and improve myself physically and mentally. When the time is right, I hope to enter the world of politics. In doing so, I believe I can represent the proletariat dialogue and mediate the tense polarity that has swept our nation. While these aims seem far-fetched, I hope that any voice of reason in an increasingly polarized world will improve the conditions for all. In a sense, I will be leading by example, as a man of compromise AND conviction. And if I don't make it that far, any community I represent is a community that I can serve. In law, I aim to do defense law, and I believe that helping people clear their names is a noble achievement that will improve many lives. Thank you for your consideration, I hope that I can use this scholarship to advance my education, and my potential for success and self-improvement.