Growing up, I’ve always been taught that there is always room for improvement in our lives. From a young age, I’ve always tried to work hard to be the best I can be in the classroom, on the soccer field and especially in my relationships with other people. One key thing that I’ve learned is that failure isn’t final, it can be used as fertilizer or fuel to help me move forward in the future. Keeping this kind of mindset has helped me become and learn how to make necessary adjustments to my character traits. For me, becoming a better or greater person begins with having a positive perspective about life in general. I fully understand that every day is not going to be perfect nor is everything going always go my way, but even when things go wrong, there is always something good to learn from it. Change can be good. Having a positive perspective to me means that I acknowledge the blessings that I have in life more than the burdens that may come my way. I’m excited that I have the opportunity to continue my education after high school. Not just to have more degrees or awards to hang on a wall, but I also see continued opportunities to develop my character. It’s been said that “character is who you are or what you do when no one is watching’” and I want my character to be kind, strong, and positive. To be that kind of person takes work, but I believe that it will be so worth it in the long run. I’m looking forward to the experiences that college and life itself have to offer me in the years to come. I hope to be able to not only be able to grow into greater myself, but I want to be able to rub off on anyone who I come in contact with in a more positive way. Greatness to me is not about what others can do for you, but to me its in the positive impressions that we leave. I understand I will make mistakes in life, but to me, that’s ok because those mistakes will just allow me even more opportunities to grow. d. As an African American young man, I want to make a difference in my community to impact the world. This scholarship will allow me the opportunity to learn from my peers and contribute my skills and knowledge as well. l also desire to make my parents proud of the young man they have raised. I have excelled in academics and sports as my parents have supported me and encouraged me every step of the way.

My college success is important for many reasons, including increased career stability and satisfaction, and the ability to make an impact in my community. With more and more careers requiring an advanced education, a college degree can be critical to my success in today's workforce. Characteristics and abilities such as critical thinking skills, time management, perseverance, communication, and presentation skills are all great assets not only for future work but for personal life outside of my college success as well. These are just a few of my strengths that I feel will be able to help me contribute to any collaborative effort with my fellow college students. As a college graduate, I will be further along in life, not just because of the degree I have earned, but the experiences I have encountered along my path. My college education will enable me to learn new things as it gives me a feeling of accomplishment which, in turn, boosts my confidence in my own capabilities as a student. I will be prepared to take on challenges and explore new business ventures. All of the above will certainly aid in my quest for success. I believe college will help develop my knowledge skills, develop my soft skills, and all these experiences will develop my work skills. I have learned the importance of taking charge of and for myself. I fell I have also been able to learn higher and greater time-management skills. My college education will teach me the importance of perseverance. I will grow to have a deeper appreciation for the true meaning of friendship. I anticipate taking on greater responsibility and I will become better with my communication skills. The ability and privilege to obtain a college degree is a success for me. It means achieving my goals and aspirations. It means setting a clear direction for myself and working hard to reach that destination. It is about the finish line and enjoying the journey. Success is about progress, learning from mistakes, and ultimately feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment in what I have achieved. Success is all about personal growth and development. It is about pushing myself outside my comfort zone and taking on new challenges that help me learn and grow. I envision the ability to constantly improving myself, both personally and professionally, and striving to be the best version of myself that I can be. It is about self-awareness, reflecting on strengths and weaknesses, and using that knowledge to improve and evolve. In the next 30 years, I hope to be making a positive impact on the world around me. It is about using my talents and abilities to help others and make a difference in my community and the world. Whether it is through my career, volunteer work, or personal relationships, success is about leaving a lasting and meaningful impact on the world.

Growing up, I’ve always been taught that there is always room for improvement in our lives. From a young age, I’ve always tried to work hard to be the best I can be in the classroom, on the soccer field and especially in my relationships with other people. One key thing that I’ve learned is that failure isn’t final, it can be used as fertilizer or fuel to help me move forward in the future. Keeping this kind of mindset has helped me become and learn how to make necessary adjustments to my character traits. For me, becoming a better or greater person begins with having a positive perspective about life in general. I fully understand that every day is not going to be perfect nor is everything going always go my way, but even when things go wrong, there is always something good to learn from it. Change can be good. Having a positive perspective to me means that I acknowledge the blessings that I have in life more than the burdens that may come my way. I’m excited that I have the opportunity to continue my education after high school. Not just to have more degrees or awards to hang on a wall, but I also see continued opportunities to develop my character. It’s been said that “character is who you are or what you do when no one is watching’” and I want my character to be kind, strong, and positive. To be that kind of person takes work, but I believe that it will be so worth it in the long run. I’m looking forward to the experiences that college and life itself have to offer me in the years to come. I hope to be able to not only be able to grow into greater myself, but I want to be able to rub off on anyone who I come in contact with in a more positive way. Greatness to me is not about what others can do for you, but to me its in the positive impressions that we leave. I understand I will make mistakes in life, but to me, that’s ok because those mistakes will just allow me even more opportunities to grow. Success is all about personal growth and development. It is about pushing myself outside my comfort zone and taking on new challenges that help me learn and grow. I envision the ability to constantly improving myself, both personally and professionally, and striving to be the best version of myself that I can be. It is about self-awareness, reflecting on strengths and weaknesses, and using that knowledge to improve and evolve. In the next 30 years, I hope to be making a positive impact on the world around me. It is about using my talents and abilities to help others and make a difference in my community and the world. Whether it is through my career, volunteer work, or personal relationships, success is about leaving a lasting and meaningful impact on the world.

I can honestly say that one of the greatest lessons that I’ve learned is that a true leader never stops learning. I’ve always known from a very young age that one of my callings in life was to be a leader. This doesn’t mean that I am not good at following others. However, what it does mean is that because of what I believe to be my God given leadership qualities, I can see beyond what’s right in front of me and use it as a foundation not just for myself, but also anyone I may meet along my life’s journey. True leadership has much more to do with who is willing to sacrifice for the advancement of the entire team. I feel like at times me taking a step back so someone else can step forward has been some of the best leadership moves. I’ve been playing competitive basketball and soccer since the age of five. I love being a leader on the court and on the field, but as I’ve grown and matured, I’ve realized that being able to win and succeed is never just about me no matter how good I am. I’ve been chosen and voted to be team captain on many of the teams. I feel being asked to be in these leadership roles has not been because of my possible ability on the court or field, but also my approach to building the team up based upon my core values of accountability, communication and gratitude. When I was in the second grade, I fractured a bone in my elbow. I was unable to play any sports for a long while. I must admit I was upset and depressed because I was just learning to love sports. Even at that young age, I realized that not being able to play in the moment, did not mean that I would never be able to come back to my team. It realized that I had opportunities many kids didn’t have, and I should be thankful and show others how to do the same. I believe and my coaches confirmed that my positive attitude even when not playing helped our team get to the next level. I’ve never lost my focus on being grateful for the opportunity to learn and lead others to their greatest successes. When I think about my foundational beliefs about accountability, I’m often reminded that every living person has a responsibility to be the best them they can be. I’ve been raised and taught that a true leader needs to be accountable for their actions and attitudes. I am striving to become the type of leader that can not only takenownership of my actions but help other to understand that team success is greater than individual success. When it comes to being a leader, no matter what the task, I feel that we all need to be accountable to one another for us all to succeed. Real communication means being able to listen, process and present withbintegrity. I strive to be the type of communicator that invites others to share their perspectives. I believe that a great leader can prompt others to share their insights or experiences especially in areas where they would normally be silent. I am striving to become the type of leader that others realize I am doing the work for us all to be successful. I’m not afraid to fail. Failure isn’t final. It can be used as fuel to help move us forward.

College is important for many reasons, including increased career stability and satisfaction, and the ability to make an impact in my community. With more and more careers requiring an advanced education, a college degree can be critical to my success in today's workforce. Characteristics and abilities such as critical thinking skills, time management, perseverance, communication, and presentation skills are all great assets not only for future work but for personal life outside of college as well. These are just a few of my strengths that I feel will be able to help me contribute to any collaborative effort with my fellow college students. As a college graduate, I will be further along in life, not just because of the degree I have earned, but the experiences I have encountered along my path. My college education will enable me to learn new things as it gives me a feeling of accomplishment which, in turn, boosts my confidence in my own capabilities as a student. I will be prepared to take on challenges and explore new business ventures. All of the above will certainly aid in my quest for success. I believe college will help develop my knowledge skills, develop my soft skills, and all these experiences will develop my work skills. I have learned the importance of taking charge of and for myself. I fell I have also been able to learn higher and greater time-management skills. My college education will teach me the importance of perseverance. I will grow to have a deeper appreciation for the true meaning of friendship. I anticipate taking on greater responsibility and I will become better with my communication skills. Diversity in the classroom refers to differences in social identities. A person's age, race, socioeconomic status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, and nationality all comprise a person's social identity. As Junior and now Senior Class President on my High School campus, I have strived to encourage a diverse, inclusive environment where all students feel valued, accepted, and an integral member within our school and local community. This commitment aligns with our church and campus events to have meaningful student engagement, and more opportunities to collaborate together on school/church projects. Diversity among students in education directly impacts their performance. It’s important for me to ensure that we as students realize how much we can work better together in a diverse environment, enabling students to concentrate and push ourselves further when there are people of other backgrounds working alongside them. As a black young man, I recognize my experiences may not be the same as another nationality in my class. However, that does negate any one else’s experiences, but it helps us to have empathy for each other and our life lessons. I believe being respectful is the key to adapting to any diverse environment. To prevent or resolve conflicts that may occur in many social interactions, we should all maintain an attitude of respect for others, be open-minded and willing to compromise, and know how to work together calmly to resolve conflicts. I feel that diversity is not something to be afraid of. It should be something to celebrate and promote. It can help people come out of their own ‘bubble’ and teach them something new about the world we live in.

I am interested in Information Technology because it encompasses all of the things I was good at in school along with my favorite thing: computers. The reason why I chose IT over computer science is because I would rather use code to develop things and protect things rather than focus on building the code myself. Another reason why I am interested in Information Technology is because it is less math than computer science. In the coding classes that I took, we learned how to use certain programming languages and code to solve problems that we were given. We did learn the basics of programming, but the classes were more so focused on figuring out the problems and how to solve them using code. I have also gone to a certified coding class in the Bob Jones University summer program, where I learned the basics of coding and how to code certain games through Python. I learned the basics of where to begin when your code is not working and the general fixes for how to find the solution. I like Information Technology because it is a way to influence my curiosity and help me find the answers to the questions and problems I am given in life. With a Information Technology degree, I would like to go into the data analytics field or the cybersecurity field. In summary, I would like to pursue the Information Technology fellowship because it will strengthen my curiosity and problem-solving skills and will prepare me for the data analytics work and cybersecurity work that I will hopefully pursue after graduation. College is an honorary achievement, and it separates the determined from the undetermined. To accomplish obtaining a college degree is an honor and a privilege. Through college and personal growth, I will be that much closer to ideal and dream job. As a college student, I want to continue my quest to perform at an elite level and really push myself for continued greatness. I wish to attend college to further enhance my education and become a better version of myself. First, I wish to enhance and further my education. Knowledge is the key to success and those keys can unlock doors never seen or experienced. A high school diploma is great, but I wish to learn more. I have a few things I need to work on as a person. One key thing I must change is, procrastination. I have been procrastinating during most of high school education. I rather put it off then to just get it over with. In the real world, I can potentially lose my job if I put a project or a piece of work off until later. I believe college will change that. One of my goals is to become an outstanding man that can handle business and take care of my responsibilities s a maturing young man. That is my ultimate goal and in return I will teach other young boys to strive to do the same. Overall, I wish to attend college to be better in all aspects of my life. I will maximize my potential and work ethic to become the best man I can be and make my family proud. I want to set a good example for my baby brother and hopefully he will follow in my collegiate footsteps one day.

can honestly say that one of the greatest lessons that I’ve learned is that a true leader never stops learning. I’ve always known from a very young age that one of my callings in life was to be a leader. This doesn’t mean that I am not good at following others. However, what it does mean is that because of what I believe to be my God given leadership qualities, I can see beyond what’s right in front of me and use it as a foundation not just for myself, but also anyone I may meet along my life’s journey. True leadership has much more to do with who is willing to sacrifice for the advancement of the entire team. I feel like at times me taking a step back so someone else can step forward has been some of the best leadership moves. I’ve been playing competitive basketball and soccer since the age of five. I love being a leader on the court and on the field, but as I’ve grown and matured, I’ve realized that being able to win and succeed is never just about me no matter how good I am. I’ve been chosen and voted to be team captain on many of the teams. I feel being asked to be in these leadership roles has not been because of my possible ability on the court or field, but also my approach to building the team up based upon my core values of accountability, communication and gratitude. When I was in the second grade, I fractured a bone in my elbow. I was unable to play any sports for a long while. I must admit I was upset and depressed because I was just learning to love sports. Even at that young age, I realized that not being able to play in the moment, did not mean that I would never be able to come back to my team. It realized that I had opportunities many kids didn’t have, and I should be thankful and show others how to do the same. I believe and my coaches confirmed that my positive attitude even when not playing helped our team get to the next level. I’ve never lost my focus on being grateful for the opportunity to learn and lead others to their greatest successes. When I think about my foundational beliefs about accountability, I’m often reminded that every living person has a responsibility to be the best them they can be. I’ve been raised and taught that a true leader needs to be accountable for their actions and attitudes. I am striving to become the type of leader that can not only take ownership of my actions but help other to understand that team success is greater than individual success no matter how you look at it. When it comes to being a leader, no matter what the task, I feel that we all need to be accountable to one another for us all to succeed. Real communication means being able to listen, process and present with integrity. I strive to be the type of communicator that invites others to share their perspectives. I believe that a great leader can prompt others to share their insights or experiences especially in areas where they would normally be silent. I am striving to become the type of leader that others realize I am doing the work for us all to be successful. I’m not afraid to fail. Failure isn’t final. It can be used as fuel to help move us forward.

College is important for many reasons, including increased career stability and satisfaction, and the ability to make an impact in my community. With more and more careers requiring an advanced education, a college degree can be critical to my success in today's workforce. Characteristics and abilities such as critical thinking skills, time management, perseverance, communication, and presentation skills are all great assets not only for future work but for personal life outside of college as well. These are just a few of my strengths that I feel will be able to help me contribute to any collaborative effort with my fellow college students. As a college graduate, I will be further along in life, not just because of the degree I have earned, but the experiences I have encountered along my path. My college education will enable me to learn new things as it gives me a feeling of accomplishment which, in turn, boosts my confidence in my own capabilities as a student. I will be prepared to take on challenges and explore new business ventures. All of the above will certainly aid in my quest for success. I believe college will help develop my knowledge skills, develop my soft skills, and all these experiences will develop my work skills. I have learned the importance of taking charge of and for myself. I feel I have also been able to learn higher and greater time-management skills. My college education will teach me the importance of perseverance. I will grow to have a deeper appreciation for the true meaning of friendship. I anticipate taking on greater responsibility and I will become better with my communication skills. I am grateful for this opportunity to share a little about me and my aspirations for my future college experience. Thank you for the consideration.

I can honestly say that one of the greatest lessons that I’ve learned is that a true leader never stops learning. I’ve always known from a very young age that one of my callings in life was to be a leader. This doesn’t mean that I am not good at following others. True leadership has much more to do with who is willing to sacrifice for the advancement of the entire team. I feel like at times me taking a step back so someone else can step forward has been some of the best leadership moves. I’ve been playing competitive basketball and soccer since the age of five. I love being a leader on the court and on the field, but as I’ve grown and matured, I’ve realized that being able to win and succeed is never just about me no matter how good I am. I’ve been chosen and voted to be team captain on many of the teams. I feel being asked to be in these leadership roles has not been because of my possible ability on the court or field, but also my approach to building the team up based upon my core values of accountability, communication and gratitude. When I was in the second grade, I fractured a bone in my elbow. I was unable to play any sports. I must admit I was upset and depressed because I was just learning to love sports. Even at that young age, I realized that not being able to play in the moment, did not mean that I would never be able to come back to my team. I realized that I had opportunities many kids didn’t have, and I should be thankful and show others how to do the same. I believe and my coaches confirmed that my positive attitude even when not playing helped our team get to the next level. I’ve never lost my focus on being grateful for the opportunity to learn and lead others to their greatest successes. When I think about my foundational beliefs about accountability, I’m often reminded that every living person has a responsibility to be the best them they can be. I’ve been raised and taught that a true leader needs to be accountable for their actions and attitudes. I would never expect anyone I’m working with or teaming up with to take responsibility for the outcome of something they had nothing to do with. I am striving to become the type of leader that can not only take ownership of my actions but help other to understand that team success is greater than individual success no matter how you look at it. When it comes to being a leader, no matter what the task, I feel that we all need to be accountable to one another for us all to succeed. I strive to be the type of communicator that invites others to share their perspectives. I believe that a great leader can prompt others to share their insights or experiences especially in areas where they would normally be silent. I am striving to become the type of leader that others realize I am doing the work for us all to be successful. I’m not afraid to fail. Failure isn’t final. It can be used as fuel to help move us forward.

I can honestly say that one of the greatest lessons that I’ve learned is that a true leader never stops learning. I’ve always known from a very young age that one of my callings in life. True leadership has much more to do with who is willing to sacrifice for the advancement of the entire team. I feel like at times me taking a step back so someone else can step forward has been some of the best leadership moves. I’ve been playing competitive basketball and soccer since the age of five. I love being a leader on the court and on the field, but as I’ve grown and matured, I’ve realized that being able to win and succeed is never just about me no matter how good I am. I’ve been chosen and voted to be team captain on many of the teams. I feel being asked to be in these leadership roles has not been because of my possible ability on the court or field, but also my approach to building the team up based upon my core values of accountability, communication and gratitude. When I was in the second grade, I fractured a bone in my elbow. I was unable to play any sports for a long while. I must admit I was upset and depressed because I was just learning to love sports. Even at that young age, I realized that not being able to play in the moment, did not mean that I would never be able to come back to my team. It realized that I had opportunities many kids didn’t have, and I should be thankful and show others how to do the same. I believe and my coaches confirmed that my positive attitude even when not playing helped our team get to the next level. When I think about my foundational beliefs about accountability, I’m often reminded that every living person has a responsibility to be the best them they can be. I’ve been raised and taught that a true leader needs to be accountable for their actions and attitudes. I would never expect anyone I’m working with or teaming up with to take responsibility for the outcome of something they had nothing to do with. I am striving to become the type of leader that can not only take ownership of my actions but help other to understand that team success is greater than individual success no matter how you look at it. When it comes to being a leader, no matter what the task, I feel that we all need to be accountable to one another for us all to succeed. Finally, I think that every great leader, including myself needs to always be willing to work on communication. Real communication means being able to listen, process and present with integrity. I strive to be the type of communicator that invites others to share their perspectives. I believe that a great leader can prompt others to share their insights or experiences especially in areas where they would normally be silent. Great communicators are not always the individuals with the most to say, but they say the most that others can build from. I pride myself on not always leading the discussions, but I work to empower others to use their voices. I am striving to become the type of leader that others realize I am doing the work for us all to be successful. I’m not afraid to fail. Failure isn’t final. It can be used as fuel to help move us forward.

I can honestly say that one of the greatest lessons that I’ve learned is that a true leader never stops learning. I’ve always known from a very young age that one of my callings in life was to be a leader. This doesn’t mean that I am not good at following others. However, what it does mean is that because of what I believe to be my God given leadership qualities, I can see beyond what’s right in front of me and use it as a foundation not just for myself, but also anyone I may meet along my life’s journey. True leadership has much more to do with who is willing to sacrifice for the advancement of the entire team. I feel like at times me taking a step back so someone else can step forward has been some of the best leadership moves. I’ve been playing competitive basketball and soccer since the age of five. I love being a leader on the court and on the field, but as I’ve grown and matured, I’ve realized that being able to win and succeed is never just about me no matter how good I am. I’ve been chosen and voted to be team captain on many of the teams. I feel being asked to be in these leadership roles has not been because of my possible ability on the court or field, but also my approach to building the team up based upon my core values of accountability, communication and gratitude. When I was in the second grade, I fractured a bone in my elbow. I was unable to play any sports for a long while. I must admit I was upset and depressed because I was just learning to love sports. Even at that young age, I realized that not being able to play in the moment, did not mean that I would never be able to come back to my team. It realized that I had opportunities many kids didn’t have, and I should be thankful and show others how to do the same. I believe and my coaches confirmed that my positive attitude even when not playing helped our team get to the next level. I’ve never lost my focus on being grateful for the opportunity to learn and lead others to their greatest successes. I am striving to become the type of leader that can not only take ownership of my actions but help other to understand that team success is greater than individual success no matter how you look at it. When it comes to being a leader, no matter what the task, I feel that we all need to be accountable to one another for us all to succeed. Finally, I think that every great leader, including myself needs to always be willing to work on communication. Real communication means being able to listen, process and present with integrity. I believe that a great leader can prompt others to share their insights or experiences especially in areas where they would normally be silent. Great communicators are not always the individuals with the most to say, but they say the most that others can build from. I pride myself on not always leading the discussions, but I work to empower others to use their voices. I am striving to become the type of leader that others realize I am doing the work for us all to be successful. I’m not afraid to fail. Failure isn’t final. It can be used as fuel to help move us forward.

I've always known from a very young age that one of my callings in life was to be a leader. I believe to utilize my God given leadership qualities, I see beyond what’s right in front of me and use it as a foundation not just for myself, but also anyone I may meet along my life’s journey. True leadership has much more to do with who is willing to sacrifice for the advancement of the entire team. I feel like at times me taking a step back so someone else can step forward has been some of the best leadership moves. I’ve been playing competitive basketball and soccer since the age of five. I love being a leader on the court and on the field, but as I’ve grown and matured, I’ve realized that being able to win and succeed is never just about me no matter how good I am. I’ve been chosen and voted to be team captain on many of the teams. I feel being asked to be in these leadership roles has not been because of my possible ability on the court or field, but also my approach to building the team up based upon my core values of accountability, communication and gratitude. When I was in the second grade, I fractured a bone in my elbow. I was unable to play any sports for a long while. I must admit I was upset and depressed because I was just learning to love sports. Even at that young age, I realized that not being able to play in the moment, did not mean that I would never be able to come back to my team. It realized that I had opportunities many kids didn’t have, and I should be thankful and show others how to do the same. I believe and my coaches confirmed that my positive attitude even when not playing helped our team get to the next level. When I think about my foundational beliefs about accountability, I’m often reminded that every living person has a responsibility to be the best them they can be. I’ve been raised and taught that a true leader needs to be accountable for their actions and attitudes. I am striving to become the type of leader that can not only take ownership of my actions but help other to understand that team success is greater than individual success no matter how you look at it. When it comes to being a leader, no matter what the task, I feel that we all need to be accountable to one another for us all to succeed. Finally, I think that every great leader, including myself needs to always be willing to work on communication. Real communication means being able to listen, process and present with integrity. I strive to be the type of communicator that invites others to share their perspectives. I believe that a great leader can prompt others to share their insights or experiences especially in areas where they would normally be silent. Great communicators are not always the individuals with the most to say, but they say the most that others can build from. I pride myself on not always leading the discussions, but I work to empower others to use their voices. I am striving to become the type of leader that others realize I am doing the work for us all to be successful. I’m not afraid to fail. Failure isn’t final. It can be used as fuel to help move us forward.

College is an honorary achievement, and it separates the determined from the undetermined. To accomplish obtaining a college degree is an honor and a privilege. Through college and personal growth, I will be that much closer to ideal and dream job. As a college student, I want to continue my quest to perform at an elite level and really push myself for continued greatness. I wish to attend college to further enhance my education and become a better version of myself. First, I wish to enhance and further my education. Knowledge is the key to success and those keys can unlock doors never seen or experienced. A high school diploma is great, but I wish to learn more. I have a few things I need to work on as a person. One key thing I must change is, procrastination. I have been procrastinating during most of high school education. I rather put it off then to just get it over with. In the real world, I can potentially lose my job if I put a project or a piece of work off until later. I believe college will change that. One of my goals is to become an outstanding man that can handle business and take care of my responsibilities s a maturing young man. That is my ultimate goal and in return I will teach other young boys to strive to do the same. Overall, I wish to attend college to be better in all aspects of my life. I will maximize my potential and work ethic to become the best man I can be and make my family proud. I want to set a good example for my baby brother and hopefully he will follow in my collegiate footsteps one day. I understand resilience as the ability to cope with adverse situations and bounce back stronger. When I was 4 years old, I remember vividly that I was pushed off the slide by a fellow student. Even at such a young age, I remember that pain and I wouldn’t allow any teachers to touch me without screaming out in pain. After an ER visit with my mom, we found out that my elbow was broken. After wearing a cast for six weeks, I was all healed up and ready to resume normal boy activities. When I was 12, I fell on this same elbow. After many visits to several specialist, I was told that my elbow never healed correctly. Present day, I am unable to fully extend my right arm. Many specialists are amazed that I still have full range of motion. Thankfully, I am left-handed, but I have not allowed this difference to limit any possibilities for me. Yes, I have to alter my workouts lifting weights. I have a slight variation for each athletic position I will participate in. However, I never quit. I am still playing basketball. My Soccer teammates look to me to throw the ball inbound due to my arm strength. This is resilience in my life. I may have to train longer hours, but I will never give up. Life as a college student will require the same resilience. I am ready for the challenge.

Growing up, I’ve always been taught that there is always room for improvement in our lives. From a young age, I’ve always tried to work hard to be the best I can be in the classroom, on the soccer field and especially in my relationships with other people. One key thing that I’ve learned is that failure isn’t final, it can be used as fertilizer or fuel to help me move forward in the future. Keeping this kind of mindset has helped me become and learn how to make necessary adjustments to my character traits. For me, becoming a better or greater person begins with having a positive perspective about life in general. I fully understand that every day is not going to be perfect nor is everything going always go my way, but even when things go wrong, there is always something good to learn from it. Change can be good. Having a positive perspective to me means that I acknowledge the blessings that I have in life more than the burdens that may come my way. I’m excited that I have the opportunity to continue my education after high school. Not just to have more degrees or awards to hang on a wall, but I also see continued opportunities to develop my character. It’s been said that “character is who you are or what you do when no one is watching’” and I want my character to be kind, strong, and positive. To be that kind of person takes work, but I believe that it will be so worth it in the long run. I’m looking forward to the experiences that college and life itself have to offer me in the years to come. I hope to be able to not only be able to grow into greater myself, but I want to be able to rub off on anyone who I come in contact with in a more positive way. Greatness to me is not about what others can do for you, but to me its in the positive impressions that we leave. I understand I will make mistakes in life, but to me, that’s ok because those mistakes will just allow me even more opportunities to grow. When I think about my foundational beliefs about accountability, I’m often reminded that every living person has a responsibility to be the best them they can be. I’ve been raised and taught that a true leader needs to be accountable for their actions and attitudes. I would never expect anyone I’m working with or teaming up with to take responsibility for the outcome of something they had nothing to do with. I am striving to become the type of leader that can not only take ownership of my actions but help other to understand that team success is greater than individual success no matter how you look at it. When it comes to being a leader, no matter what the task, I feel that we all need to be accountable to one another for us all to succeed. Finally, I think that every great leader, including myself needs to always be willing to work on communication. I believe that a great leader can prompt others to share their insights or experiences especially in areas where they would normally be silent. I am striving to become the type of leader that others realize I am doing the work for us all to be successful. I’m not afraid to fail. Failure isn’t final. It can be used as fuel to help move us forward.

I can honestly say that one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is a true leader never stops learning. I’ve always known one of my callings in life was to be a leader. However, to live in my God given leadership qualities, I can see beyond what’s right in front of me and use it as a foundation not just for myself, but also anyone I encounter. True leadership has much more to do with who is willing to sacrifice for the advancement of the entire team. I’ve been playing competitive basketball and soccer since the age of five. I love being a leader on the court and on the field, but as I’ve grown and matured, I’ve realized that being able to win and succeed is never just about me no matter how good I am. I’ve been chosen and voted to be team captain on many of the teams. I feel being asked to be in these leadership roles has not been because of my possible ability on the court or field, but also my approach to building the team up based upon my core values of accountability, communication and gratitude. When I was in the second grade, I fractured a bone in my elbow. I was unable to play any sports for a long while. I must admit I was upset and depressed because I was just learning to love sports. Even at that young age, I realized that not being able to play in the moment, did not mean that I would never be able to come back to my team. It realized that I had opportunities many kids didn’t have, and I should be thankful and show others how to do the same. I believe and my coaches confirmed that my positive attitude even when not playing helped our team get to the next level. When I think about my foundational beliefs about accountability, I’m often reminded that every living person has a responsibility to be the best them they can be. I’ve been raised and taught that a true leader needs to be accountable for their actions and attitudes. I would never expect anyone I’m working with or teaming up with to take responsibility for the outcome of something they had nothing to do with. I am striving to become the type of leader that can not only take ownership of my actions but help other to understand that team success is greater than individual success no matter how you look at it. When it comes to being a leader, no matter what the task, I feel that we all need to be accountable to one another for us all to succeed. Finally, I think that every great leader, including myself needs to always be willing to work on communication. Real communication means being able to listen, process and present with integrity. I strive to be the type of communicator that invites others to share their perspectives. I believe that a great leader can prompt others to share their insights or experiences especially in areas where they would normally be silent. Great communicators are not always the individuals with the most to say, but they say the most that others can build from. I pride myself on not always leading the discussions, but I work to empower others to use their voices. I am striving to become the type of leader that others realize I am doing the work for us all to be successful. I’m not afraid to fail. Failure isn’t final. It can be used as fuel to help move us forward.

Diversity in the classroom refers to differences in social identities. A person's age, race, socioeconomic status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, and nationality all comprise a person's social identity. As Junior and now Senior Class President on my High School campus, I have strived to encourage a diverse, inclusive environment where all students feel valued, accepted, and an integral member within our school and local community. This commitment aligns with our church and campus events to have meaningful student engagement, and more opportunities to collaborate together on school/church projects. Diversity among students in education directly impacts their performance. It’s important for me to ensure that we as students realize how much we can work better together in a diverse environment, enabling students to concentrate and push ourselves further when there are people of other backgrounds working alongside them. As a black young man, I recognize my experiences may not be the same as another nationality in my class. However, that does negate anyone else’s experiences, but it helps us to have empathy for each other and our life lessons. I believe being respectful is the key to adapting to any diverse environment. To prevent or resolve conflicts that may occur in many social interactions, we should all maintain an attitude of respect for others, be open-minded and willing to compromise, and know how to work together calmly to resolve conflicts. I feel that diversity is not something to be afraid of. It should be something to celebrate and promote. It can help people come out of their own ‘bubble’ and teach them something new about the world we live in. I understand resilience as the ability to cope with adverse situations and bounce back stronger. When I was 4 years old, I remember vividly that I was pushed off the slide by a fellow student. Even at such a young age, I remember that pain and I wouldn’t allow any teachers to touch me without screaming out in pain. After an ER visit with my mom, we found out that my elbow was broken. After wearing a cast for six weeks, I was all healed up and ready to resume normal boy activities. When I was 12, I fell on this same elbow. After many visits to several specialist, I was told that my elbow never healed correctly. Present day, I am unable to fully extend my right arm. Many specialists are amazed that I still have full range of motion. Thankfully, I am left-handed, but I have not allowed this difference to limit any possibilities for me. Yes, I have to alter my workouts lifting weights. I have a slight variation for each athletic position I will participate in. However, I never quit. I am still playing basketball. My Soccer teammates look to me to throw the ball inbound due to my arm strength. This is resilience in my life. I may have to train longer hours, but I will never give up. Life as a college student will require the same resilience. I am ready for the challenge.

I can honestly say that one of the greatest lessons that I’ve learned is that a true leader never stops learning. I’ve always known from a very young age that one of my callings in life was to be a leader. This doesn’t mean that I am not good at following others. However, what it does mean is that because of what I believe to be my God given leadership qualities, I can see beyond what’s right in front of me and use it as a foundation not just for myself, but also anyone I may meet along my life’s journey. True leadership has much more to do with who is willing to sacrifice for the advancement of the entire team. I feel like at times me taking a step back so someone else can step forward has been some of the best leadership moves. I’ve been playing competitive basketball and soccer since the age of five. I love being a leader on the court and on the field, but as I’ve grown and matured, I’ve realized that being able to win and succeed is never just about me no matter how good I am. I’ve been chosen and voted to be team captain on many of the teams. I feel being asked to be in these leadership roles has not been because of my possible ability on the court or field, but also my approach to building the team up based upon my core values of accountability, communication and gratitude. When I was in the second grade, I fractured a bone in my elbow. I was unable to play any sports for a long while. I must admit I was upset and depressed because I was just learning to love sports. Even at that young age, I realized that not being able to play in the moment, did not mean that I would never be able to come back to my team. It realized that I had opportunities many kids didn’t have, and I should be thankful and show others how to do the same. I believe and my coaches confirmed that my positive attitude even when not playing helped our team get to the next level. I’ve never lost my focus on being grateful for the opportunity to learn and lead others to their greatest successes. When I think about my foundational beliefs about accountability, I’m often reminded that every living person has a responsibility to be the best them they can be. I’ve been raised and taught that a true leader needs to be accountable for their actions and attitudes. I would never expect anyone I’m working with or teaming up with to take responsibility for the outcome of something they had nothing to do with. I am striving to become the type of leader that can not only take ownership of my actions but help other to understand that team success is greater than individual success no matter how you look at it. When it comes to being a leader, no matter what the task, I feel that we all need to be accountable to one another for us all to succeed. Finally, I think that every great leader, including myself needs to always be willing to work on communication. Real communication means being able to listen, process and present with integrity. I strive to be the type of communicator that invites others to share their perspectives. I believe that a great leader can prompt others to share their insights or experiences especially in areas where they would normally be silent. Great communicators are not always the individuals with the most to say, but they say the most that others can build from. I pride myself on not always leading the discussions, but I work to empower others to use their voices. I am striving to become the type of leader that others realize I am doing the work for us all to be successful. I’m not afraid to fail. Failure isn’t final. It can be used as fuel to help move us forward.

My college success is important for many reasons, including increased career stability and satisfaction, and the ability to make an impact in my community. With more and more careers requiring an advanced education, a college degree can be critical to my success in today's workforce. Characteristics and abilities such as critical thinking skills, time management, perseverance, communication, and presentation skills are all great assets not only for future work but for personal life outside of my college success as well. These are just a few of my strengths that I feel will be able to help me contribute to any collaborative effort with my fellow college students. As a college graduate, I will be further along in life, not just because of the degree I have earned, but the experiences I have encountered along my path. My college education will enable me to learn new things as it gives me a feeling of accomplishment which, in turn, boosts my confidence in my own capabilities as a student. I will be prepared to take on challenges and explore new business ventures. All of the above will certainly aid in my quest for success. I believe college will help develop my knowledge skills, develop my soft skills, and all these experiences will develop my work skills. I have learned the importance of taking charge of and for myself. I feel I have also been able to learn higher and greater time-management skills. My college education will teach me the importance of perseverance. I will grow to have a deeper appreciation for the true meaning of friendship. I anticipate taking on greater responsibility and I will become better with my communication skills. I envision the ability to constantly improving myself, both personally and professionally, and striving to be the best version of myself that I can be. It is about self-awareness, reflecting on strengths and weaknesses, and using that knowledge to improve and evolve. In the next 30 years, I hope to be making a positive impact on the world around me. It is about using my talents and abilities to help others and make a difference in my community and the world. Whether it is through my career, volunteer work, or personal relationships, success is about leaving a lasting and meaningful impact on the world. Although, I have chosen to pursue a degree in the field of Information Technology and STEM, I know I cannot do this by myself. I am looking forward to aligning my beliefs in academic excellence, respectfully engaging with others while expanding my knowledge in an area of study that I enjoy so much. I have always been curious about how people obtain and process information using data tables, along with how they use the data to help others. I feel like helping others is an area where I excel, and I am able to show my passionate for working together for the common goal. I know that Cybersecurity and Data Analytics are very slightly different in comparison to each other, but I believe that my experiences and curiosity will be helpful in both fields. I believe that this scholarship will give me the push that I really need to succeed. As a student within this program, I will have the opportunity to also learn from peers and contribute my skills and knowledge as well. l also desire to make my parents proud of the young man they have raised. I have excelled in academics and sports as my parents have supported me and encouraged me every step of the way.

My college success is important for many reasons, including increased career stability and satisfaction, and the ability to make an impact in my community. With more and more careers requiring an advanced education, a college degree can be critical to my success in today's workforce. Characteristics and abilities such as critical thinking skills, time management, perseverance, communication, and presentation skills are all great assets not only for future work but for personal life outside of my college success as well. These are just a few of my strengths that I feel will be able to help me contribute to any collaborative effort with my fellow college students. As a college graduate, I will be further along in life, not just because of the degree I have earned, but the experiences I have encountered along my path. My college education will enable me to learn new things as it gives me a feeling of accomplishment which, in turn, boosts my confidence in my own capabilities as a student. I will be prepared to take on challenges and explore new business ventures. All of the above will certainly aid in my quest for success. I believe college will help develop my knowledge skills, develop my soft skills, and all these experiences will develop my work skills. I have learned the importance of taking charge of and for myself. I feel I have also been able to learn higher and greater time-management skills. My college education will teach me the importance of perseverance. Success is about progress, learning from mistakes, and ultimately feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment in what I have achieved. Success is all about personal growth and development. It is about pushing myself outside my comfort zone and taking on new challenges that help me learn and grow. I envision the ability to constantly improving myself, both personally and professionally, and striving to be the best version of myself that I can be. It is about self-awareness, reflecting on strengths and weaknesses, and using that knowledge to improve and evolve. In the next 30 years, I hope to be making a positive impact on the world around me. It is about using my talents and abilities to help others and make a difference in my community and the world. Whether it is through my career, volunteer work, or personal relationships, success is about leaving a lasting and meaningful impact on the world. Although, I have chosen to pursue a degree in the field of Information Technology, I know I cannot do this by myself. I am looking forward to aligning my beliefs in academic excellence, respectfully engaging with others while expanding my knowledge in an area of study that I enjoy so much. I have always been curious about how people obtain and process information using data tables, along with how they use the data to help others. I feel like helping others is an area where I excel, and I am able to show my passionate for working together for the common goal. I know that Cybersecurity and Data Analytics are very slightly different in comparison to each other, but I believe that my experiences and curiosity will be helpful in both fields. As a college student, I will have the opportunity to also learn from peers and contribute my skills and knowledge as well. l also desire to make my parents proud of the young man they have raised. I have excelled in academics and sports as my parents have supported me and encouraged me every step of the way.

My college success is important for many reasons, including increased career stability and satisfaction, and the ability to make an impact in my community. With more and more careers requiring an advanced education, a college degree can be critical to my success in today's workforce. Characteristics and abilities such as critical thinking skills, time management, perseverance, communication, and presentation skills are all great assets not only for future work but for personal life outside of my college success as well. These are just a few of my strengths that I feel will be able to help me contribute to any collaborative effort with my fellow college students. As a college graduate, I will be further along in life, not just because of the degree I have earned, but the experiences I have encountered along my path. My college education will enable me to learn new things as it gives me a feeling of accomplishment which, in turn, boosts my confidence in my own capabilities as a student. I will be prepared to take on challenges and explore new business ventures. All of the above will certainly aid in my quest for success. I believe college will help develop my knowledge skills, develop my soft skills, and all these experiences will develop my work skills. I have learned the importance of taking charge of and for myself. I feel I have also been able to learn higher and greater time-management skills. My college education will teach me the importance of perseverance. I will grow to have a deeper appreciation for the true meaning of friendship. I anticipate taking on greater responsibility and I will become better with my communication skills. The ability and privilege to obtain a college degree is a success for me. It means achieving my goals and aspirations. It means setting a clear direction for myself and working hard to reach that destination. It is about the finish line and enjoying the journey. Success is about progress, learning from mistakes, and ultimately feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment in what I have achieved. Success is all about personal growth and development. It is about pushing myself outside my comfort zone and taking on new challenges that help me learn and grow. I envision the ability to constantly improving myself, both personally and professionally, and striving to be the best version of myself that I can be. It is about self-awareness, reflecting on strengths and weaknesses, and using that knowledge to improve and evolve. In the next 30 years, I hope to be making a positive impact on the world around me. It is about using my talents and abilities to help others and make a difference in my community and the world. Whether it is through my career, volunteer work, or personal relationships, success is about leaving a lasting and meaningful impact on the world.

I can honestly say one of the greatest lessons that I’ve learned is that a true leader never stops learning. I’ve always known that one of my callings in life was to be a leader. This doesn’t mean that I am not good at following others.True leadership has much more to do with who is willing to sacrifice for the advancement of the entire team. I’ve been playing competitive basketball and soccer since the age of five. I love being a leader on the court and on the field, but as I’ve grown and matured, I’ve realized that being able to win and succeed is never just about me no matter how good I am. I’ve been chosen and voted to be team captain on many of the teams. I feel being asked to be in these leadership roles has not been because of my possible ability on the court or field, but also my approach to building the team up based upon my core values of accountability, communication and gratitude. When I was in the second grade, I fractured a bone in my elbow. I was unable to play any sports for a long while. I must admit I was upset and depressed because I was just learning to love sports. Even at that young age, I realized that not being able to play in the moment, did not mean that I would never be able to come back to my team. It realized that I had opportunities many kids didn’t have, and I should be thankful and show others how to do the same. I believe and my coaches confirmed that my positive attitude even when not playing helped our team get to the next level. I’ve never lost my focus on being grateful for the opportunity to learn and lead others to their greatest successes. When I think about my foundational beliefs about accountability, I’m often reminded that every living person has a responsibility to be the best them they can be. I’ve been raised and taught that a true leader needs to be accountable for their actions and attitudes. I would never expect anyone I’m working with or teaming up with to take responsibility for the outcome of something they had nothing to do with. I am striving to become the type of leader that can not only take ownership of my actions but help other to understand that team success is greater than individual success no matter how you look at it. When it comes to being a leader, no matter what the task, I feel that we all need to be accountable to one another for us all to succeed. Finally, I think that every great leader, including myself needs to always be willing to work on communication. Real communication means being able to listen, process and present with integrity. I strive to be the type of communicator that invites others to share their perspectives. I believe that a great leader can prompt others to share their insights or experiences especially in areas where they would normally be silent. Great communicators are not always the individuals with the most to say, but they say the most that others can build from. I pride myself on not always leading the discussions, but I work to empower others to use their voices. I am striving to become the type of leader that others realize I am doing the work for us all to be successful. I’m not afraid to fail. Failure isn’t final. It can be used as fuel to help move us forward.

Diversity in the classroom refers to differences in social identities. A person's age, race, socioeconomic status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, and nationality all comprise a person's social identity. As Junior and now Senior Class President on my High School campus, I have strived to encourage a diverse, inclusive environment where all students feel valued, accepted, and an integral member within our school and local community. This commitment aligns with our church and campus events to have meaningful student engagement, and more opportunities to collaborate together on school/church projects. Diversity among students in education directly impacts their performance. It’s important for me to ensure that we as students realize how much we can work better together in a diverse environment, enabling students to concentrate and push ourselves further when there are people of other backgrounds working alongside them. As a black young man, I recognize my experiences may not be the same as another nationality in my class. However, that does negate anyone else’s experiences, but it helps us to have empathy for each other and our life lessons. I believe being respectful is the key to adapting to any diverse environment. To prevent or resolve conflicts that may occur in many social interactions, we should all maintain an attitude of respect for others, be open-minded and willing to compromise, and know how to work together calmly to resolve conflicts. I feel that diversity is not something to be afraid of. It should be something to celebrate and promote. It can help people come out of their own ‘bubble’ and teach them something new about the world we live in. I am interested in STEM and Information Technology because it encompasses all of my strengths throughout school which involves all things computers and data analytics. The reason why I chose STEM and IT over computer science is because I would rather use code to develop ideas and protect data rather than focus on building the code myself. Another reason why I am interested in STEM and Information Technology is because it is less math than computer science. In the coding classes that I have completed, we learned how to use certain programming languages and code to solve problems that we were given. We did learn the basics of programming, but the classes were more so focused on figuring out the problems and how to solve them using code. I have also gone to a certified coding class in the Bob Jones University summer program, where I learned the basics of coding and how to code certain games through Python. I learned the basics of where to begin when your code is not working and the general fixes for how to find the solution. I like STEM related disciplines because it is a way to influence my curiosity and help me find the answers to the questions and problems I am given in life. With a STEM focused degree, I would like to go into the data analytics field or the cybersecurity field. In summary, I would like to pursue the STEM and Information Technology degree because it will strengthen my curiosity and problem-solving skills and will prepare me for the data analytics work and cybersecurity work that I will hopefully pursue after graduation.

My college success is important for many reasons, including increased career stability and satisfaction, and the ability to make an impact in my community. With more and more careers requiring an advanced education, a college degree can be critical to my success in today's workforce. Characteristics and abilities such as critical thinking skills, time management, perseverance, communication, and presentation skills are all great assets not only for future work but for personal life outside of my college success as well. These are just a few of my strengths that I feel will be able to help me contribute to any collaborative effort with my fellow college students. As a college graduate, I will be further along in life, not just because of the degree I have earned, but the experiences I have encountered along my path. My college education will enable me to learn new things as it gives me a feeling of accomplishment which, in turn, boosts my confidence in my own capabilities as a student. I will be prepared to take on challenges and explore new business ventures. All of the above will certainly aid in my quest for success. I believe college will help develop my knowledge skills, develop my soft skills, and all these experiences will develop my work skills. I have learned the importance of taking charge of and for myself. I feel I have also been able to learn higher and greater time-management skills. My college education will teach me the importance of perseverance. I will grow to have a deeper appreciation for the true meaning of friendship. I anticipate taking on greater responsibility and I will become better with my communication skills. The ability and privilege to obtain a college degree is a success for me. It means achieving my goals and aspirations. It means setting a clear direction for myself and working hard to reach that destination. It is about the finish line and enjoying the journey. Success is about progress, learning from mistakes, and ultimately feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment in what I have achieved. Success is all about personal growth and development. It is about pushing myself outside my comfort zone and taking on new challenges that help me learn and grow. I envision the ability to constantly improving myself, both personally and professionally, and striving to be the best version of myself that I can be. It is about self-awareness, reflecting on strengths and weaknesses, and using that knowledge to improve and evolve. In the next 30 years, I hope to be making a positive impact on the world around me. It is about using my talents and abilities to help others and make a difference in my community and the world. Whether it is through my career, volunteer work, or personal relationships, success is about leaving a lasting and meaningful impact on the world.

My college success is important for many reasons, including increased career stability and satisfaction, and the ability to make an impact in my community. With more and more careers requiring an advanced education, a college degree can be critical to my success in today's workforce. Characteristics and abilities such as critical thinking skills, time management, perseverance, communication, and presentation skills are all great assets not only for future work but for personal life outside of my college success as well. These are just a few of my strengths that I feel will be able to help me contribute to any collaborative effort with my fellow college students. As a college graduate, I will be further along in life, not just because of the degree I have earned, but the experiences I have encountered along my path. My college education will enable me to learn new things as it gives me a feeling of accomplishment which, in turn, boosts my confidence in my own capabilities as a student. I will be prepared to take on challenges and explore new business ventures. All of the above will certainly aid in my quest for success. I believe college will help develop my knowledge skills, develop my soft skills, and all these experiences will develop my work skills. I have learned the importance of taking charge of and for myself. I feel I have also been able to learn higher and greater time-management skills. My college education will teach me the importance of perseverance. I will grow to have a deeper appreciation for the true meaning of friendship. I anticipate taking on greater responsibility and I will become better with my communication skills. The ability and privilege to obtain a college degree is a success for me. It means achieving my goals and aspirations. It means setting a clear direction for myself and working hard to reach that destination. It is about the finish line and enjoying the journey. Success is about progress, learning from mistakes, and ultimately feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment in what I have achieved. Success is all about personal growth and development. It is about pushing myself outside my comfort zone and taking on new challenges that help me learn and grow. I envision the ability to constantly improving myself, both personally and professionally, and striving to be the best version of myself that I can be. It is about self-awareness, reflecting on strengths and weaknesses, and using that knowledge to improve and evolve. In the next 30 years, I hope to be making a positive impact on the world around me. It is about using my talents and abilities to help others and make a difference in my community and the world. Whether it is through my career, volunteer work, or personal relationships, success is about leaving a lasting and meaningful impact on the world.

My college success is important for many reasons, including increased career stability and satisfaction, and the ability to make an impact in my community. With more and more careers requiring an advanced education, a college degree can be critical to my success in today's workforce. Characteristics and abilities such as critical thinking skills, time management, perseverance, communication, and presentation skills are all great assets not only for future work but for personal life outside of my college success as well. These are just a few of my strengths that I feel will be able to help me contribute to any collaborative effort with my fellow college students. As a college graduate, I will be further along in life, not just because of the degree I have earned, but the experiences I have encountered along my path. My college education will enable me to learn new things as it gives me a feeling of accomplishment which, in turn, boosts my confidence in my own capabilities as a student. I will be prepared to take on challenges and explore new business ventures. All of the above will certainly aid in my quest for success. I believe college will help develop my knowledge skills, develop my soft skills, and all these experiences will develop my work skills. I have learned the importance of taking charge of and for myself. I feel I have also been able to learn higher and greater time-management skills. My college education will teach me the importance of perseverance. I will grow to have a deeper appreciation for the true meaning of friendship. I anticipate taking on greater responsibility and I will become better with my communication skills. The ability and privilege to obtain a college degree is a success for me. It means achieving my goals and aspirations. It means setting a clear direction for myself and working hard to reach that destination. It is about the finish line and enjoying the journey. Success is about progress, learning from mistakes, and ultimately feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment in what I have achieved. Success is all about personal growth and development. It is about pushing myself outside my comfort zone and taking on new challenges that help me learn and grow. I envision the ability to constantly improving myself, both personally and professionally, and striving to be the best version of myself that I can be. It is about self-awareness, reflecting on strengths and weaknesses, and using that knowledge to improve and evolve. In the next 30 years, I hope to be making a positive impact on the world around me. It is about using my talents and abilities to help others and make a difference in my community and the world. Whether it is through my career, volunteer work, or personal relationships, success is about leaving a lasting and meaningful impact on the world.

My life before Christ was very metaphorically blind. I was around seven years old when I became a Christian. Before then, I was a troubled child. I was prone to temper tantrums and sometimes aggressive towards others. One day, when I was in the third grade, I was talking to my teacher about God. She was telling me about the gospel and how I could change my life around while I am still young. At that moment, I asked her how to repent and become a Christian. I said the prayer of salvation right there, and became a Christian. I told my dad what I had done when I got home, and he told me about how I should get baptized. My dad is the pastor of Destiny Church, and he said he would be delighted to baptize me. A few weeks later, my dad had a baptism at our church. A few other kids and I were ready to give our lives to Christ and live for Him. When it was my turn to be baptized, my dad was crying while trying to speak the words. After I was baptized, he hugged me and told me that he loved me. It felt as though I had taken the best one second bath in my life. It was like I had left all my sins in the bathtub like a pool of murky water. From that moment on, I was never the same person. I was no longer the kid that made people say “Don't go near him, he’s bad news”. Even though I was still young, I noticed the big change that I had gone through. My life after finding Christ has been challenging and refreshing at the same time. In my younger years, I was still somewhat mischievous. However, I was able to control my emotions with the help of my family and counseling. I was faced with unfortunate scenarios, like my dad getting very sick and me injuring my arm. Even so, I was still reading my Bible plans and taking in all the information that was being preached to me by my Dad in church. I have been able to overcome many negative and unfortunate situations, God has always been with me. I am growing in my faith now by opening my mind and heart to the thoughts and beliefs of the people around me. I’m learning from my teachers and my dad on how to view the Bible differently. I thank God for my teachers, my dad, and my friends for believing in me and making me the person I am today.

My college success is important for many reasons, including increased career stability and satisfaction, and the ability to make an impact in my community. With more and more careers requiring an advanced education, a college degree can be critical to my success in today's workforce. Characteristics and abilities such as critical thinking skills, time management, perseverance, communication, and presentation skills are all great assets not only for future work but for personal life outside of my college success as well. These are just a few of my strengths that I feel will be able to help me contribute to any collaborative effort with my fellow college students. As a college graduate, I will be further along in life, not just because of the degree I have earned, but the experiences I have encountered along my path. My college education will enable me to learn new things as it gives me a feeling of accomplishment which, in turn, boosts my confidence in my own capabilities as a student. I will be prepared to take on challenges and explore new business ventures. All of the above will certainly aid in my quest for success. I believe college will help develop my knowledge skills, develop my soft skills, and all these experiences will develop my work skills. I have learned the importance of taking charge of and for myself. I feel I have also been able to learn higher and greater time-management skills. My college education will teach me the importance of perseverance. I will grow to have a deeper appreciation for the true meaning of friendship. I anticipate taking on greater responsibility and I will become better with my communication skills. The ability and privilege to obtain a college degree is a success for me. It means achieving my goals and aspirations. It means setting a clear direction for myself and working hard to reach that destination. It is about the finish line and enjoying the journey. Success is about progress, learning from mistakes, and ultimately feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment in what I have achieved. Success is all about personal growth and development. It is about pushing myself outside my comfort zone and taking on new challenges that help me learn and grow. I envision the ability to constantly improving myself, both personally and professionally, and striving to be the best version of myself that I can be. It is about self-awareness, reflecting on strengths and weaknesses, and using that knowledge to improve and evolve. In the next 30 years, I hope to be making a positive impact on the world around me. It is about using my talents and abilities to help others and make a difference in my community and the world. Whether it is through my career, volunteer work, or personal relationships, success is about leaving a lasting and meaningful impact on the world.

Growing up, I’ve always been taught that there is always room for improvement in our lives. From a young age, I’ve always tried to work hard to be the best I can be in the classroom, on the soccer field and especially in my relationships with other people. One key thing that I’ve learned is that failure isn’t final, it can be used as fertilizer or fuel to help me move forward in the future. Keeping this kind of mindset has helped me become and learn how to make necessary adjustments to my character traits. For me, becoming a better or greater person begins with having a positive perspective about life in general. I fully understand that every day is not going to be perfect nor is everything going always go my way, but even when things go wrong, there is always something good to learn from it. Change can be good. Having a positive perspective to me means that I acknowledge the blessings that I have in life more than the burdens that may come my way. I’m excited that I have the opportunity to continue my education after high school. Not just to have more degrees or awards to hang on a wall, but I also see continued opportunities to develop my character. It’s been said that “character is who you are or what you do when no one is watching’” and I want my character to be kind, strong, and positive. To be that kind of person takes work, but I believe that it will be so worth it in the long run. I’m looking forward to the experiences that college and life itself have to offer me in the years to come. I hope to be able to not only be able to grow into greater myself, but I want to be able to rub off on anyone who I come in contact with in a more positive way. Greatness to me is not about what others can do for you, but to me its in the positive impressions that we leave. I understand I will make mistakes in life, but to me, that’s ok because those mistakes will just allow me even more opportunities to grow. As a future college student, I look forward to the opportunity to learn from peers and contribute my skills and knowledge as well. l also desire to make my parents proud of the young man they have raised. I excelled in academics and sports as my parents have supported me and encouraged me every step of the way.

College is important for many reasons, including increased career stability and satisfaction, and the ability to make an impact in my community. With more and more careers requiring an advanced education, a college degree can be critical to my success in today's workforce. Characteristics and abilities such as critical thinking skills, time management, perseverance, communication, and presentation skills are all great assets not only for future work but for personal life outside of college as well. These are just a few of my strengths that I feel will be able to help me contribute to any collaborative effort with my fellow college students. As a college graduate, I will be further along in life, not just because of the degree I have earned, but the experiences I have encountered along my path. My college education will enable me to learn new things as it gives me a feeling of accomplishment which, in turn, boosts my confidence in my own capabilities as a student. I will be prepared to take on challenges and explore new business ventures. All of the above will certainly aid in my quest for success. I believe college will help develop my knowledge skills, develop my soft skills, and all these experiences will develop my work skills. I have learned the importance of taking charge of and for myself. I fell I have also been able to learn higher and greater time-management skills. My college education will teach me the importance of perseverance. I will grow to have a deeper appreciation for the true meaning of friendship. I anticipate taking on greater responsibility and I will become better with my communication skills. My interest in Information Technology encompasses all of the things I was good at in school along with my favorite thing: computers. The reason why I chose IT over computer science is because I would rather use code to develop things and protect things rather than focus on building the code myself. Another reason why I am interested in Information Technology is because it is less math than computer science. In the coding classes that I took, we learned how to use certain programming languages and code to solve problems that we were given. We did learn the basics of programming, but the classes were more so focused on figuring out the problems and how to solve them using code. I have also gone to a certified coding class in the Bob Jones University summer program, where I learned the basics of coding and how to code certain games through Python. I learned the basics of where to begin when your code is not working and the general fixes for how to find the solution. I like Information Technology because it is a way to influence my curiosity and help me find the answers to the questions and problems I am given in life. With a Information Technology degree, I would like to go into the data analytics field or the cybersecurity field. In summary, I would like to pursue the Information Technology fellowship because it will strengthen my curiosity and problem-solving skills and will prepare me for the data analytics work and cybersecurity work that I will hopefully pursue after graduation.

I understand resilience as the ability to cope with adverse situations and bounce back stronger. When I was 4 years old, I remember vividly that I was pushed off the slide by a fellow student. Even at such a young age, I remember that pain and I wouldn’t allow any teachers to touch me without screaming out in pain. After an ER visit with my mom, we found out that my elbow was broken. After wearing a cast for six weeks, I was all healed up and ready to resume normal boy activities. When I was 12, I fell on this same elbow. After many visits to several specialist, I was told that my elbow never healed correctly. Present day, I am unable to fully extend my right arm. Many specialists are amazed that I still have full range of motion. Thankfully, I am left-handed, but I have not allowed this difference to limit any possibilities for me. Yes, I have to alter my workouts lifting weights. I have a slight variation for each athletic position I will participate in. However, I never quit. I am still playing basketball. My Soccer teammates look to me to throw the ball inbound due to my arm strength. This is resilience in my life. I may have to train longer hours, but I will never give up. Life as a college student will require the same resilience. I am ready for the challenge. College is an honorary achievement, and it separates the determined from the undetermined. To accomplish obtaining a college degree is an honor and a privilege. Through college and personal growth, I will be that much closer to ideal and dream job. As a college student, I want to continue my quest to perform at an elite level and really push myself for continued greatness. I wish to attend college to further enhance my education and become a better version of myself. First, I wish to enhance and further my education. Knowledge is the key to success and those keys can unlock doors never seen or experienced. A high school diploma is great, but I wish to learn more. I have a few things I need to work on as a person. One key thing I must change is, procrastination. I have been procrastinating during most of high school education. I rather put it off then to just get it over with. In the real world, I can potentially lose my job if I put a project or a piece of work off until later. I believe college will change that. One of my goals is to become an outstanding man that can handle business and take care of my responsibilities s a maturing young man. That is my ultimate goal and in return I will teach other young boys to strive to do the same. Overall, I wish to attend college to be better in all aspects of my life. I will maximize my potential and work ethic to become the best man I can be and make my family proud. I want to set a good example for my baby brother and hopefully he will follow in my collegiate footsteps one day.

I can honestly say that one of the greatest lessons that I’ve learned is that a true leader never stops learning. I’ve always known from a very young age that one of my callings in life was to be a leader. This doesn’t mean that I am not good at following others. However, what it does mean is that because of what I believe to be my God given leadership qualities, I can see beyond what’s right in front of me and use it as a foundation not just for myself, but also anyone I may meet along my life’s journey. True leadership has much more to do with who is willing to sacrifice for the advancement of the entire team. I feel like at times me taking a step back so someone else can step forward has been some of the best leadership moves. I’ve been playing competitive basketball and soccer since the age of five. I love being a leader on the court and on the field, but as I’ve grown and matured, I’ve realized that being able to win and succeed is never just about me no matter how good I am. I’ve been chosen and voted to be team captain on many of the teams. I feel being asked to be in these leadership roles has not been because of my possible ability on the court or field, but also my approach to building the team up based upon my core values of accountability, communication and gratitude. I understand resilience as the ability to cope with adverse situations and bounce back stronger. When I was 4 years old, I remember vividly that I was pushed off the slide by a fellow student. Even at such a young age, I remember that pain and I wouldn’t allow any teachers to touch me without screaming out in pain. After an ER visit with my mom, we found out that my elbow was broken. After wearing a cast for six weeks, I was all healed up and ready to resume normal boy activities. When I was 12, I fell on this same elbow. After many visits to several specialist, I was told that my elbow never healed correctly. Present day, I am unable to fully extend my right arm. Many specialists are amazed that I still have full range of motion. Thankfully, I am left-handed, but I have not allowed this difference to limit any possibilities for me. Yes, I have to alter my workouts lifting weights. I have a slight variation for each athletic position I will participate in. However, I never quit. I am still playing basketball. My Soccer teammates look to me to throw the ball inbound due to my arm strength. This is resilience in my life. I may have to train longer hours, but I will never give up. Life as a college student will require the same resilience. I am ready for the challenge.

I can honestly say that one of the greatest lessons that I’ve learned is that a true leader never stops learning. I’ve always known from a very young age that one of my callings in life was to be a leader. This doesn’t mean that I am not good at following others. However, what it does mean is that because of what I believe to be my God given leadership qualities, I can see beyond what’s right in front of me and use it as a foundation not just for myself, but also anyone I may meet along my life’s journey. True leadership has much more to do with who is willing to sacrifice for the advancement of the entire team. I feel like at times me taking a step back so someone else can step forward has been some of the best leadership moves. I’ve been playing competitive basketball and soccer since the age of five. I love being a leader on the court and on the field, but as I’ve grown and matured, I’ve realized that being able to win and succeed is never just about me no matter how good I am. I’ve been chosen and voted to be team captain on many of the teams. I feel being asked to be in these leadership roles has not been because of my possible ability on the court or field, but also my approach to building the team up based upon my core values of accountability, communication and gratitude. When I was in the second grade, I fractured a bone in my elbow. I was unable to play any sports for a long while. I must admit I was upset and depressed because I was just learning to love sports. Even at that young age, I realized that not being able to play in the moment, did not mean that I would never be able to come back to my team. It realized that I had opportunities many kids didn’t have, and I should be thankful and show others how to do the same. I believe and my coaches confirmed that my positive attitude even when not playing helped our team get to the next level. I’ve never lost my focus on being grateful for the opportunity to learn and lead others to their greatest successes. When I think about my foundational beliefs about accountability, I’m often reminded that every living person has a responsibility to be the best them they can be. I’ve been raised and taught that a true leader needs to be accountable for their actions and attitudes. I am striving to become the type of leader that can not only take ownership of my actions but help others to understand that team success is greater than individual success. When it comes to being a leader, no matter what the task, I feel that we all need to be accountable to one another for us all to succeed.

I can honestly say that one of the greatest lessons that I’ve learned is that a true leader never stops learning. I’ve always known from a very young age that one of my callings in life was to be a leader. This doesn’t mean that I am not good at following others. However, what it does mean is that because of what I believe to be my God given leadership qualities, I can see beyond what’s right in front of me and use it as a foundation not just for myself, but also anyone I may meet along my life’s journey. True leadership has much more to do with who is willing to sacrifice for the advancement of the entire team. I feel like at times me taking a step back so someone else can step forward has been some of the best leadership moves. I’ve been playing competitive basketball and soccer since the age of five. I love being a leader on the court and on the field, but as I’ve grown and matured, I’ve realized that being able to win and succeed is never just about me no matter how good I am. I’ve been chosen and voted to be team captain on many of the teams. I feel being asked to be in these leadership roles has not been because of my possible ability on the court or field, but also my approach to building the team up based upon my core values of accountability, communication and gratitude. I understand resilience as the ability to cope with adverse situations and bounce back stronger. When I was 4 years old, I remember vividly that I was pushed off the slide by a fellow student. Even at such a young age, I remember that pain and I wouldn’t allow any teachers to touch me without screaming out in pain. After an ER visit with my mom, we found out that my elbow was broken. After wearing a cast for six weeks, I was all healed up and ready to resume normal boy activities. When I was 12, I fell on this same elbow. After many visits to several specialist, I was told that my elbow never healed correctly. Present day, I am unable to fully extend my right arm. Many specialists are amazed that I still have full range of motion. Thankfully, I am left-handed, but I have not allowed this difference to limit any possibilities for me. Yes, I have to alter my workouts lifting weights. I have a slight variation for each athletic position I will participate in. However, I never quit. I am still playing basketball. My Soccer teammates look to me to throw the ball inbound due to my arm strength. This is resilience in my life. I may have to train longer hours, but I will never give up. Life as a college student will require the same resilience. I am ready for the challenge.

College is important for many reasons, including increased career stability and satisfaction, and the ability to make an impact in my community. With more and more careers requiring an advanced education, a college degree can be critical to my success in today's workforce. Characteristics and abilities such as critical thinking skills, time management, perseverance, communication, and presentation skills are all great assets not only for future work but for personal life outside of college as well. These are just a few of my strengths that I feel will be able to help me contribute to any collaborative effort with my fellow college students. As a college graduate, I will be further along in life, not just because of the degree I have earned, but the experiences I have encountered along my path. My college education will enable me to learn new things as it gives me a feeling of accomplishment which, in turn, boosts my confidence in my own capabilities as a student. I will be prepared to take on challenges and explore new business ventures. All of the above will certainly aid in my quest for success. I believe college will help develop my knowledge skills, develop my soft skills, and all these experiences will develop my work skills. I have learned the importance of taking charge of and for myself. I feel I have also been able to learn higher and greater time-management skills. My college education will teach me the importance of perseverance. I will grow to have a deeper appreciation for the true meaning of friendship. I anticipate taking on greater responsibility and I will become better with my communication skills. I understand resilience as the ability to cope with adverse situations and bounce back stronger. When I was 4 years old, I remember vividly that I was pushed off the slide by a fellow student. Even at such a young age, I remember that pain and I wouldn’t allow any teachers to touch me without screaming out in pain. After an ER visit with my mom, we found out that my elbow was broken. After wearing a cast for six weeks, I was all healed up and ready to resume normal boy activities. When I was 12, I fell on this same elbow. After many visits to several specialist, I was told that my elbow never healed correctly. Present day, I am unable to fully extend my right arm. Many specialists are amazed that I still have full range of motion. Thankfully, I am left-handed, but I have not allowed this difference to limit any possibilities for me. Yes, I have to alter my workouts lifting weights. I have a slight variation for each athletic position I will participate in. However, I never quit. I am still playing basketball. My Soccer teammates look to me to throw the ball inbound due to my arm strength. This is resilience in my life. I may have to train longer hours, but I will never give up. Life as a college student will require the same resilience. I am ready for the challenge.

College is an honorary achievement, and it separates the determined from the undetermined. To accomplish obtaining a college degree is an honor and a privilege. Through college and personal growth, I will be that much closer to ideal and dream job. As a college student, I want to continue my quest to perform at an elite level and really push myself for continued greatness. I wish to attend college to further enhance my education and become a better version of myself. First, I wish to enhance and further my education. Knowledge is the key to success and those keys can unlock doors never seen or experienced. A high school diploma is great, but I wish to learn more. I have a few things I need to work on as a person. One key thing I must change is, procrastination. I have been procrastinating during most of high school education. I rather put it off then to just get it over with. In the real world, I can potentially lose my job if I put a project or a piece of work off until later. I believe college will change that. One of my goals is to become an outstanding man that can handle business and take care of my responsibilities s a maturing young man. That is my ultimate goal and in return I will teach other young boys to strive to do the same. Overall, I wish to attend college to be better in all aspects of my life. I will maximize my potential and work ethic to become the best man I can be and make my family proud. I want to set a good example for my baby brother and hopefully he will follow in my collegiate footsteps one day. I understand resilience as the ability to cope with adverse situations and bounce back stronger. When I was 4 years old, I remember vividly that I was pushed off the slide by a fellow student. Even at such a young age, I remember that pain and I wouldn’t allow any teachers to touch me without screaming out in pain. After an ER visit with my mom, we found out that my elbow was broken. After wearing a cast for six weeks, I was all healed up and ready to resume normal boy activities. When I was 12, I fell on this same elbow. After many visits to several specialist, I was told that my elbow never healed correctly. Present day, I am unable to fully extend my right arm. Many specialists are amazed that I still have full range of motion. Thankfully, I am left-handed, but I have not allowed this difference to limit any possibilities for me. Yes, I have to alter my workouts lifting weights. I have a slight variation for each athletic position I will participate in. However, I never quit. I am still playing basketball. My Soccer teammates look to me to throw the ball inbound due to my arm strength. This is resilience in my life. I may have to train longer hours, but I will never give up. Life as a college student will require the same resilience. I am ready for the challenge.

As a Pastor's son, I have been living for Jesus for as long as I can remember. I began school at 4 years old attending a private Christian school and I will graduate high school from a private Christian school. I was given the opportunity to attend public school but I felt my Christian school was better alligned with my beliefs. Most of my friends are hanging out on Sundays but I choose to attend church with my family. I assist my dad wign setting up the sound equipment for our church service. I am also responsible for recording service for our YouTube and Facebook pages to stream during service. The video I edit are also replayed during the week on Wednesdays for our streaming platforms. I don't know what God has planned for my life but I trust Him. He's always taken care of my family. He's always lead me in the right direction. I'm convinced that as long as I continue to do good to others and always praise God for his many blessings, I will succeed in my college quest. I am growing in my faith now by opening my mind and heart to the thoughts and beliefs of the positive peers and Christian teachers around me. I’m learning from my school community and my dad on how to view the Bible and apply it to my everyday living situations. I thank God for my teachers, my dad, and my friends for believing in me and making me the person I am today.

I understand resilience as the ability to cope with adverse situations and bounce back stronger. When I was 4 years old, I remember vividly that I was pushed off the slide by a fellow student. Even at such a young age, I remember that pain and I wouldn’t allow any teachers to touch me without screaming out in pain. After an ER visit with my mom, we found out that my elbow was broken. After wearing a cast for six weeks, I was all healed up and ready to resume normal boy activities. When I was 12, I fell on this same elbow. After many visits to several specialist, I was told that my elbow never healed correctly. Present day, I am unable to fully extend my right arm. Many specialists are amazed that I still have full range of motion. Thankfully, I am left-handed, but I have not allowed this difference to limit any possibilities for me. Yes, I have to alter my workouts lifting weights. I have a slight variation for each athletic position I will participate in. However, I never quit. I am still playing basketball. My Soccer teammates look to me to throw the ball inbound due to my arm strength. This is resilience in my life. I may have to train longer hours, but I will never give up. Life as a college student will require the same resilience. I am ready for the challenge. College is important for many reasons, including increased career stability and satisfaction, and the ability to make an impact in my community. With more and more careers requiring an advanced education, a college degree can be critical to my success in today's workforce. Characteristics and abilities such as critical thinking skills, time management, perseverance, communication, and presentation skills are all great assets not only for future work but for personal life outside of college as well. These are just a few of my strengths that I feel will be able to help me contribute to any collaborative effort with my fellow college students. As a college graduate, I will be further along in life, not just because of the degree I have earned, but the experiences I have encountered along my path. My college education will enable me to learn new things as it gives me a feeling of accomplishment which, in turn, boosts my confidence in my own capabilities as a student. I will be prepared to take on challenges and explore new business ventures. All of the above will certainly aid in my quest for success. I believe college will help develop my knowledge skills, develop my soft skills, and all these experiences will develop my work skills. I have learned the importance of taking charge of and for myself. I feel I have also been able to learn higher and greater time-management skills. My college education will teach me the importance of perseverance. I will grow to have a deeper appreciation for the true meaning of friendship. I anticipate taking on greater responsibility and I will become better with my communication skills.

Listening to music is one of my favourite things to do when I am not around other people. Music is very important to me and I like to express myself through the music I listen to. A particular song that stands out to me is “The Color of Love” by Jalen Tyree. This song is very impactful to me because it has helped me grasp what it means to be in love and how feelings can be described as colours. My favourite lyrics of the song is actually the intro of the song which is a quote from N.H Kleinbaum. The quotes say “We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love...” and it cuts to the song. Although the song is about love, the intro adds another element of compassion to it. What Jalen Tyree is trying to demonstrate is that love can be found in all people.It can also be found through material aspects, like literature and acts of kindness. My next set of lyrics is towards the end of the song, which are “Cause when I see your face It makes the colour of I love you”. This lyric is more important to me than the intro because it basically reels the song back into a love letter to someone. The rest of the lyrics are referring to specific colours for different emotions, like blue for sadness and distress. Jaylen talks about how his love is “a range of hues” because feelings for someone can encompass a lot of different emotions in one. It makes me believe that love for someone must stem from multiple different factors, like beauty and compassion. This is shown in the lyrics when Jaylen says his significant other's face is like all the combinations of the joyous things that make up love. In short, “The Color of Love” by Jaylen Tyree is a perfect example of how love can be viewed from a vibrant standpoint of colors. It has often been explained that music stimulates the brain which in turn helps with pain relief, reducing stress and memory. A study from Harvard has shown that relaxing music may lower blood pressure and heart rate after physical exertion. For me, music has been my release and calming vibes for my soul.