On August 30, 2021, my Father, my Hero and Mentor, passed away from the aftermath of COVID-19. He was an amazing husband to my Mom and father to my brother Seth and me. This has been a rough few months for our family. I’m sure any son would say this about their father, but my Dad was truly a great man. I learned a lot about the importance of community through him. Everywhere we went, everyday, whether it was Wal-Mart, the grocery store, Chick Fil-A or Braums drive through, he was always encouraging and praying for others. He was actively involved in our community and very well respected. He attended and graduated from the Colleyville Citizens Police Academy, and a 1 year leadership program for potential city leaders called Leadership Colleyville. He also served as a member of the Colleyville Chamber of Commerce and the Colleyville Ministerial Alliance which was initiated by the Mayor. I hope that I can make a difference in people’s lives the way my Dad did. His relationships have given us a strong community to fall back on. Since my Dad passed away, we’ve had many people bring us food and gifts as well as family and friends who’ve encouraged and supported us. So, I’ve learned the importance of relationships and being there for each other because we all go through tough times. Since I've grown up in church, that community of believers created many opportunities for me to serve others. I have been playing keyboard in the youth band each week, and was a Camp Counselor for Vacation Bible School for several summers. Before I started playing in the youth band, I used to work the sound for youth services and be an usher (collected the offering and greeted first time guests). On 5th Sundays we had youth takeover in the adult services where I served as an usher for 3 services, (seating people, receiving offerings and passing out communion elements). I’ve served at my church practically every Sunday since Junior High School. I've also participated in other community outreach opportunities outside of my church because my Dad believed a church should make a difference in the community where it is located. So I served, along with my family and other church members, at Feed Our Kids Outreach which provided lunch for underprivileged kids each summer. I unloaded supplies, helped set up, entertained kids through social activities like board games and throwing the football. I also emptied trash. Another place I served was at The Laundry Room where I paid for people's laundry, cleaned windows, helped customers carry out laundry and opened doors. To sum things up, community means working together, as brothers and sisters, regardless of race, economic status or political viewpoints to make our city a better place for everyone. It means being there for one another through the good times and the bad because we need each other. Through this really difficult time in our lives, my family has really benefited from the power of community and I'm so grateful!

On August 30, 2021, my Father, my Hero and Mentor, passed away from the aftermath of COVID-19. He was an amazing husband to my Mom and father to my brother Seth and me. This has been a rough few months for our family. I’m sure any son would say this about their father, but my Dad was truly a great man. I learned a lot about the importance of community through him. Everywhere we went, everyday, whether it was Wal-Mart, the grocery store, Chick Fil-A or Braums drive through, he was always encouraging and praying for others. He was actively involved in our community and very well respected. He attended and graduated from the Colleyville Citizens Police Academy, and a 1 year leadership program for potential city leaders called Leadership Colleyville. He also served as a member of the Colleyville Chamber of Commerce and the Colleyville Ministerial Alliance which was initiated by the Mayor. I hope that I can make a difference in people’s lives the way my Dad did. His relationships have given us a strong community to fall back on. Since my Dad passed away, we’ve had many people bring us food and gifts as well as family and friends who’ve encouraged and supported us. So, I’ve learned the importance of relationships and being there for each other because we all go through tough times. Since I've grown up in church, that community of believers created many opportunities for me to serve others. I have been playing keyboard in the youth band each week, and was a Camp Counselor for Vacation Bible School for several summers. Before I started playing in the youth band, I used to work the sound for youth services and be an usher (collected the offering and greeted first time guests). On 5th Sundays we had youth takeover in the adult services where I served as an usher for 3 services, (seating people, receiving offerings and passing out communion elements). I’ve served at my church practically every Sunday since Junior High School. I've also participated in other community outreach opportunities outside of my church because my Dad believed a church should make a difference in the community where it is located. So I served, along with my family and other church members, at Feed Our Kids Outreach which provided lunch for underprivileged kids each summer. I unloaded supplies, helped set up, entertained kids through social activities like board games and throwing the football. I also emptied trash. Another place I served was at The Laundry Room where I paid for people's laundry, cleaned windows, helped customers carry out laundry and opened doors. To sum things up, community means working together, as brothers and sisters, regardless of race, economic status or political viewpoints to make our city a better place for everyone. It means being there for one another through the good times and the bad because we need each other. Through this really difficult time in our lives, my family has really benefited from the power of community and I'm so grateful!

On August 30, 2021, my father, my hero, my mentor, passed away from the aftermath of COVID-19. This has been a rough few months. My dad always encouraged me and told me how much he loved me. I never realized how much that meant to me. I remember the talks we had while driving or sitting at the lake watching the sunset. I wish I had more time with him. I would give anything for one more conversation with him. His final days, I was quarantined alone in a hotel for two weeks away from my family members who had COVID-19. So, I did the one thing my dad always did through tough times... pray. I prayed for the healing of my family. My dad always taught me to keep my faith strong. I can say that it has truly increased through this season. Since I've lost him, I've relied on one constant thing, my growing relationship with Jesus Christ. He‘s the only reason anyone can overcome hard challenges in life. I've prayed for more faith and strength and have gotten that. I’ve learned many things during this time. One, being the influence my dad had on many people. His relationships have given us a strong community to fall back on. Many have encouraged and supported us. So I’ve learned the importance of relationship with not only Jesus Christ but people. We all go through tough times, but, my faith is stronger than ever and will hopefully continue to grow.

The GHS football program is different from other football programs in this area. From day one of freshman year, the coaches infused us with the six mustang DNA traits, attitude, compete, tough, family, discipline, and fight. They taught us that the thing that binds all these traits together, is the concept of tough love. They always reminded us whether we won or lost, they loved us, no matter the outcome. The GHS football program has not only taught us how to be good football players, but better men. One of my favorite things is how each Friday morning we had the Breakfast of Champions. During this breakfast, the Dads of the program not only brought us breakfast but also participated in listening to a special speaker talk to us about the game and how principles we learn there can also apply to our daily lives. I was so honored that my Dad was one of the speakers who always inspired us. He loved mentoring and encouraging men of all ages. When I think of being a GHS Mustang football player, I think of brotherhood. This is the best part of it all. I watched this program bring people together from different walks of life and unite them under one common goal. It didn’t matter whether you were rich or poor, black or white, everyone got along with each other. I was a freshman when I was moved up to varsity, so I have seen many players come and go over the past four years. Some who quit have told me they’ve regretted not sticking with football all four years. I can honestly say that completing the four years was definitely worth it. There is just so much to get out of this program. A few months ago my Dad got sick and passed away unexpectedly. It was a big blow to me, and the number one people who were there for me were my coaches, team and families involved with the football program. The sense of brotherhood is what compelled me to leave my Dad’s sickbed to go and support my team the night of our rivalry game. My Dad believed in this brotherhood, so I know he would have supported my decision. My teammates prayed with me in the locker room that night. They also sent me cards and gift baskets after the loss of my Dad. I will forever be grateful and thankful for what my Mustang family did for me during that time. Being a part of this program has forced me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow. There are things I've done that I never thought I could do or be a part of. It really meant a lot to me when my teammates voted me as one of the team captains for Team 102. I’ve heard of football programs that talk about the traits their teams should have, but never truly implement them. In the GHS football program these traits were everything and we truly supported each other and tried to live them out, not only on the field, but also at school. Coach Alexander and the other coaches taught us that love isn't a soft word but a tough word. They constantly reminded us to make sacrifices for our brothers and to lay our bodies down on the line. They taught us to work hard and when times get rough, to keep our heads up and persevere. The ups and downs are guaranteed in life, but how you respond to them makes all the difference.

On August 30, 2021, my Father, my Hero and Mentor, passed away from the aftermath of COVID-19. He was an amazing husband to my Mom and father to my brother Seth and me. This has been a rough few months for our family. I’m sure any son would say this about their father, but my Dad was truly a great man. I learned a lot about the importance of community through him. Everywhere we went, everyday, whether it was Wal-Mart, the grocery store, Chick Fil-A or Braums drive through, he was always encouraging and praying for others. He was actively involved in our community and very well respected. He attended and graduated from the Colleyville Citizens Police Academy, and a 1 year leadership program for potential city leaders called Leadership Colleyville. He also served as a member of the Colleyville Chamber of Commerce and the Colleyville Ministerial Alliance which was initiated by the Mayor. I hope that I can make a difference in people’s lives the way my Dad did. His relationships have given us a strong community to fall back on. Since my Dad passed away, we’ve had many people bring us food and gifts as well as family and friends who’ve encouraged and supported us. So, I’ve learned the importance of relationships and being there for each other because we all go through tough times. Since I've grown up in church, that community of believers created many opportunities for me to serve others. I have been playing keyboard in the youth band each week, and was a Camp Counselor for Vacation Bible School for several summers. Before I started playing in the youth band, I used to work the sound for youth services and be an usher (collected the offering and greeted first time guests). On 5th Sundays we had youth takeover in the adult services where I served as an usher for 3 services, (seating people, receiving offerings and passing out communion elements). I’ve served at my church practically every Sunday since Junior High School. I've also participated in other community outreach opportunities outside of my church because my Dad believed a church should make a difference in the community where it is located. So I served, along with my family and other church members, at Feed Our Kids Outreach which provided lunch for underprivileged kids each summer. I unloaded supplies, helped set up, entertained kids through social activities like board games and throwing the football. I also emptied trash. Another place I served was at The Laundry Room where I paid for people's laundry, cleaned windows, helped customers carry out laundry and opened doors. To sum things up, community means working together, as brothers and sisters, regardless of race, economic status or political viewpoints to make our city a better place for everyone. It means being there for one another through the good times and the bad because we need each other. Through this really difficult time in our lives, my family has really benefited from the power of community and I'm so grateful! So I want to use my knowledge of business to give back to people who have had to endure things like I have. I've worked in the church, so I know the importance and value of relationships. I believe business can do all of that for me.

On August 30, 2021, my Father, my Hero and Mentor, passed away from the aftermath of COVID-19. He was an amazing husband to my Mom and father to my brother Seth and me. This has been a rough few months for our family. I’m sure any son would say this about their father, but my Dad was truly a great man. I learned a lot about the importance of community through him. Everywhere we went, everyday, whether it was Wal-Mart, the grocery store, Chick Fil-A or Braums drive through, he was always encouraging and praying for others. He was actively involved in our community and very well respected. He attended and graduated from the Colleyville Citizens Police Academy, and a 1 year leadership program for potential city leaders called Leadership Colleyville. He also served as a member of the Colleyville Chamber of Commerce and the Colleyville Ministerial Alliance which was initiated by the Mayor. I hope that I can make a difference in people’s lives the way my Dad did. His relationships have given us a strong community to fall back on. Since my Dad passed away, we’ve had many people bring us food and gifts as well as family and friends who’ve encouraged and supported us. So, I’ve learned the importance of relationships and being there for each other because we all go through tough times. Since I've grown up in church, that community of believers created many opportunities for me to serve others. I have been playing keyboard in the youth band each week, and was a Camp Counselor for Vacation Bible School for several summers. Before I started playing in the youth band, I used to work the sound for youth services and be an usher (collected the offering and greeted first time guests). On 5th Sundays we had youth takeover in the adult services where I served as an usher for 3 services, (seating people, receiving offerings and passing out communion elements). I’ve served at my church practically every Sunday since Junior High School. I've also participated in other community outreach opportunities outside of my church because my Dad believed a church should make a difference in the community where it is located. So I served, along with my family and other church members, at Feed Our Kids Outreach which provided lunch for underprivileged kids each summer. I unloaded supplies, helped set up, entertained kids through social activities like board games and throwing the football. I also emptied trash. Another place I served was at The Laundry Room where I paid for people's laundry, cleaned windows, helped customers carry out laundry and opened doors. To sum things up, community means working together, as brothers and sisters, regardless of race, economic status or political viewpoints to make our city a better place for everyone. It means being there for one another through the good times and the bad because we need each other. Through this really difficult time in our lives, my family has really benefited from the power of community and I'm so grateful!

On August 30, 2021, my Father, my Hero and Mentor, passed away from the aftermath of COVID-19. He was an amazing husband to my Mom and father to my brother Seth and me. This has been a rough few months for our family. I’m sure any son would say this about their father, but my Dad was truly a great man. I learned a lot about the importance of community through him. Everywhere we went, everyday, whether it was Wal-Mart, the grocery store, Chick Fil-A or Braums drive through, he was always encouraging and praying for others. He was actively involved in our community and very well respected. He attended and graduated from the Colleyville Citizens Police Academy, and a 1 year leadership program for potential city leaders called Leadership Colleyville. He also served as a member of the Colleyville Chamber of Commerce and the Colleyville Ministerial Alliance which was initiated by the Mayor. I hope that I can make a difference in people’s lives the way my Dad did. His relationships have given us a strong community to fall back on. Since my Dad passed away, we’ve had many people bring us food and gifts as well as family and friends who’ve encouraged and supported us. So, I’ve learned the importance of relationships and being there for each other because we all go through tough times. Since I've grown up in church, that community of believers created many opportunities for me to serve others. I have been playing keyboard in the youth band each week, and was a Camp Counselor for Vacation Bible School for several summers. Before I started playing in the youth band, I used to work the sound for youth services and be an usher (collected the offering and greeted first time guests). On 5th Sundays we had youth takeover in the adult services where I served as an usher for 3 services, (seating people, receiving offerings and passing out communion elements). I’ve served at my church practically every Sunday since Junior High School. I've also participated in other community outreach opportunities outside of my church because my Dad believed a church should make a difference in the community where it is located. So I served, along with my family and other church members, at Feed Our Kids Outreach which provided lunch for underprivileged kids each summer.

On August 30, 2021, my Father, my Hero and Mentor, passed away from the aftermath of COVID-19. He was an amazing husband to my Mom and father to my brother Seth and me. This has been a rough few months for our family. I’m sure any son would say this about their father, but my Dad was truly a great man. I learned a lot about the importance of community through him. Everywhere we went, everyday, whether it was Wal-Mart, the grocery store, Chick Fil-A or Braums drive through, he was always encouraging and praying for others. He was actively involved in our community and very well respected. He attended and graduated from the Colleyville Citizens Police Academy, and a 1 year leadership program for potential city leaders called Leadership Colleyville. He also served as a member of the Colleyville Chamber of Commerce and the Colleyville Ministerial Alliance which was initiated by the Mayor. I hope that I can make a difference in people’s lives the way my Dad did. His relationships have given us a strong community to fall back on. Since my Dad passed away, we’ve had many people bring us food and gifts as well as family and friends who’ve encouraged and supported us. So, I’ve learned the importance of relationships and being there for each other because we all go through tough times. Since I've grown up in church, that community of believers created many opportunities for me to serve others. I have been playing keyboard in the youth band each week, and was a Camp Counselor for Vacation Bible School for several summers. Before I started playing in the youth band, I used to work the sound for youth services and be an usher (collected the offering and greeted first time guests). On 5th Sundays we had youth takeover in the adult services where I served as an usher for 3 services, (seating people, receiving offerings and passing out communion elements). I’ve served at my church practically every Sunday since Junior High School. I've also participated in other community outreach opportunities outside of my church because my Dad believed a church should make a difference in the community where it is located. So I served, along with my family and other church members, at Feed Our Kids Outreach which provided lunch for underprivileged kids each summer. I unloaded supplies, helped set up, entertained kids through social activities like board games and throwing the football. I also emptied trash. Another place I served was at The Laundry Room where I paid for people's laundry, cleaned windows, helped customers carry out laundry and opened doors. To sum things up, community means working together, as brothers and sisters, regardless of race, economic status or political viewpoints to make our city a better place for everyone. It means being there for one another through the good times and the bad because we need each other. Through this really difficult time in our lives, my family has really benefited from the power of community and I'm so grateful!

On August 30, 2021, my Father, my Hero and Mentor, passed away from the aftermath of COVID-19. He was an amazing husband to my Mom and father to my brother Seth and me. This has been a rough few months for our family. I’m sure any son would say this about their father, but my Dad was truly a great man. I learned a lot about the importance of community through him. Everywhere we went, everyday, whether it was Wal-Mart, the grocery store, Chick Fil-A or Braums drive through, he was always encouraging and praying for others. He was actively involved in our community and very well respected. He attended and graduated from the Colleyville Citizens Police Academy, and a 1 year leadership program for potential city leaders called Leadership Colleyville. He also served as a member of the Colleyville Chamber of Commerce and the Colleyville Ministerial Alliance which was initiated by the Mayor. I hope that I can make a difference in people’s lives the way my Dad did. His relationships have given us a strong community to fall back on. Since my Dad passed away, we’ve had many people bring us food and gifts as well as family and friends who’ve encouraged and supported us. So, I’ve learned the importance of relationships and being there for each other because we all go through tough times. Since I've grown up in church, that community of believers created many opportunities for me to serve others. I have been playing keyboard in the youth band each week, and was a Camp Counselor for Vacation Bible School for several summers. Before I started playing in the youth band, I used to work the sound for youth services and be an usher (collected the offering and greeted first time guests). On 5th Sundays we had youth takeover in the adult services where I served as an usher for 3 services, (seating people, receiving offerings and passing out communion elements). I’ve served at my church practically every Sunday since Junior High School. I've also participated in other community outreach opportunities outside of my church because my Dad believed a church should make a difference in the community where it is located. So I served, along with my family and other church members, at Feed Our Kids Outreach which provided lunch for underprivileged kids each summer. I unloaded supplies, helped set up, entertained kids through social activities like board games and throwing the football. I also emptied trash. Another place I served was at The Laundry Room where I paid for people's laundry, cleaned windows, helped customers carry out laundry and opened doors. To sum things up, community means working together, as brothers and sisters, regardless of race, economic status or political viewpoints to make our city a better place for everyone. It means being there for one another through the good times and the bad because we need each other. Through this really difficult time in our lives, my family has really benefited from the power of community and I'm so grateful!

I value my servants heart most of all because, on August 30, 2021, my Father, my Hero and Mentor, passed away from the aftermath of COVID-19. He was an amazing husband to my Mom and father to my brother Seth and me. This has been a rough few months for our family. I’m sure any son would say this about their father, but my Dad was truly a great man. I learned a lot about the importance of community through him. Everywhere we went, everyday, whether it was Wal-Mart, the grocery store, Chick Fil-A or Braums drive through, he was always encouraging and praying for others. He was actively involved in our community and very well respected. He attended and graduated from the Colleyville Citizens Police Academy, and a 1 year leadership program for potential city leaders called Leadership Colleyville. He also served as a member of the Colleyville Chamber of Commerce and the Colleyville Ministerial Alliance which was initiated by the Mayor. I hope that I can make a difference in people’s lives the way my Dad did. His relationships have given us a strong community to fall back on. Since my Dad passed away, we’ve had many people bring us food and gifts as well as family and friends who’ve encouraged and supported us. So, I’ve learned the importance of relationships and being there for each other because we all go through tough times. Since I've grown up in church, that community of believers created many opportunities for me to serve others. I have been playing keyboard in the youth band each week, and was a Camp Counselor for Vacation Bible School for several summers. Before I started playing in the youth band, I used to work the sound for youth services and be an usher (collected the offering and greeted first time guests). On 5th Sundays we had youth takeover in the adult services where I served as an usher for 3 services, (seating people, receiving offerings and passing out communion elements). I’ve served at my church practically every Sunday since Junior High School. I've also participated in other community outreach opportunities outside of my church because my Dad believed a church should make a difference in the community where it is located. So I served, along with my family and other church members, at Feed Our Kids Outreach which provided lunch for underprivileged kids each summer. I unloaded supplies, helped set up, entertained kids through social activities like board games and throwing the football. I also emptied trash. Another place I served was at The Laundry Room where I paid for people's laundry, cleaned windows, helped customers carry out laundry and opened doors. To sum things up, community means working together, as brothers and sisters, regardless of race, economic status or political viewpoints to make our city a better place for everyone. It means being there for one another through the good times and the bad because we need each other. Through this really difficult time in our lives, my family has really benefited from the power of community and I'm so grateful!

I love nature for its beauty and its functionality; the way that trees produce clean oxygen for us to breath. I try to appreciate nature by recycling all I can and throwing away trash I see on the ground. I believe we should all try to keep the world around us healthy for future generations.

On August 30, 2021, my father, my hero, my mentor, passed away from the aftermath of COVID-19. He was strong and healthy so we never would have imagined this could happen to him. He was an amazing Pillar in our community, Pastor of our church, husband to my Mom and father to my brother, Seth, and me. He was well-loved and respected. This has been a rough few months for my family. I learned a lot about community through him. As the Senior Pastor of our church, he always believed a church should make a difference in the community where it was located. So our church partnered with different community service organizations (that provided food, clothing, shelter, other supplies, disaster relief, educational resources etc…) through finances and volunteers. So, by serving through my church, Covenant Church, I got to make a difference in many ways. I’ve served over 250 hrs during my high school years. Our church also contributes to efforts in other countries as well. On a personal note, everywhere we went, everyday, whether it was at WalMart, the grocery store, Chick Fil-A, Braums drive through, my Dad always encouraged and prayed for others. It was natural for him. He was actively involved in our community and well respected. He attended and graduated from the Colleyville Citizens Police Academy and a 1 year Leadership program for potential City Leaders called Leadership Colleyville. He also served as a member of the Colleyville Chamber of Commerce and the Colleyville Ministerial Alliance which was initiated by the Mayor. Throughout the years, he periodically opened the City Council meetings with prayer. I hope that I can make a difference in people’s lives the way my Dad did. His relationships and seeds of kindness have given us a strong community to fall back on in his absence. After my Dad passed away, many people brought us food, gifts and encouraged and supported us in any way needed. So, I’ve learned the importance of relationships and just being there for each other through the good times and the tough times. To sum things up, community means working together regardless of race, economic status or political viewpoints to make our city a better place for everyone. We need each other.