I have always been interested in Geography and other cultures. Whether it be trying foods from different countries or reading about different cultures I have always been fascinated by how where you live dictates how you live. I never thought I could turn geography into a viable career until I took AP Human Geography in my freshman year of high school. During this class I learned about many things including different cultures and geography in general. This class also introduced me to Geographic information systems or GIS as it is commonly referred to. I was immediately enthralled by how much information could be stored and presented using this technology. Little did I know that this class would show me what I wanted to do with my life. Shortly after I took this class I was connected with a real estate development company that hired me as a geospatial data analyst. This job was very challenging and involved using GIS programs to create maps. The company that I worked for specialized in completing government contracts for section 8 housing in South Carolina. I created maps using data that showed which census areas had the greatest need for affordable housing . This really opened my eyes to how I could make a living doing work with maps and geography. This experience helped me realize that I want to study geography and planning more and I am attending East Carolina University in the fall to double major in geographic information science and technology and urban planning and development. After college I plan on getting a job as a geospatial data analyst and using my expertise to solve problems that relate to geography and geospatial issues. Eventually I plan on opening my own geospatial data consultancy firm where I can take contracts from anyone that needs help with geospatial solutions. There are many ways to make the world a better place through geospatial data analysis and I have already seen how I can make a difference by creating maps that provide much-needed housing to people in need. I could also help solve many environmental problems as well that may be difficult to map using old-school expertise and technology. For example, you could map out a chemical spill using GIS technology by collecting the data from different areas and pinpointing where the most affected areas are. GIS is an important tool and there aren't many people learning it in today's world. There are only two schools that offer GIS in my state and I am going to attend one of them. I chose East Carolina University because I can double major in urban planning and development. Proper urban planning can also help stop many problems that are associated with dense urban areas and can make urban living experiences more pleasant. If I was awarded this scholarship it would help me pay for my college tuition and any other expenses that come with getting a college education. If I was awarded this scholarship I would be able to solve many problems in the future that deal with geography and planning. My specific degree is one of the most practical geography-related degrees and I could solve a lot of problems that the world faces. Geographic information systems are an important tool in today's world and I could contribute to society with my degree.

Last September I lost my uncle Brad to a rare blood disease that led to organ failure. I was very close to my uncle and he lived right down the street from us for the better part of a decade. It was a very common occurrence to hear him walk through the door around dinner time to join us. Brad's positive personality was extremely contagious and it was very true to say that he had never met a stranger. Brad was always very supportive in everything that I did and he motivated me towards greatness whether it be toward getting my next belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or getting Eagle rank in boy scouts. I remember that Brad used to drive me to BJJ classes and he would tell me to not let myself get beat up by the higher belts. This has motivated me to improve my skill on the mats and get better. Brad had his own unique ways of motivation and one of the ways that he would motivate me to get my Eagle rank is to say that I didn't have enough time to finish everything that I needed. I recently finished everything that I needed for my Eagle rank and the only regret I have is that I didn't complete it sooner so he could attend my Eagle ceremony. One of my favorite things about Brad is how he was always there for me. Whether I needed a ride to work or if I had something on my mind I wanted to talk about I knew that Brad would be there to help me with that. After his passing, I realized how important family is and how much of an impact he had made in my life. The first few months after his passing was hard for me but I eventually realized that he would not want me to keep dwelling on his passing but to instead live my life in a way that honors his memory. To this day I strive to achieve the most and go out of my way to not just honor his memory but make my entire family proud of my achievements. For example, I served as the captain of my swim team during my senior year. Instead of sitting around during meets, I chose to exhibit the same enthusiasm about swimming that Brad had about life. I did this by constantly motivating my teammates to swim faster and work harder. The blood disease that my uncle suffered from is not a fast-acting illness. It takes a long time to finally become fatal and my uncle battled it for the better part of two years. He did not let that keep him from being positive and kept his head held high the entire time. Seeing him stay positive while fighting a life-threatening illness has shown me that I can remain positive through whatever challenges life throws at me. Not a day goes by that I don't think about Brad and the impact he has had on my life. My last memory of him was when he was laying on his deathbed and my entire family was gathered around him. When it was my turn to say my final words I told him how much he meant to me and how he was always there for me. My grandmother told me that he probably couldn't hear me anymore but after I said my final words I saw his head nod slightly. I like to think that he understood what I was saying and that gives me peace. Although I wish he was still here with us today. experiencing this loss has shown me that I can fight through any challenge that I face in life and adopting a positive attitude can get me through any hardship. I hope to take the lessons that I have learned from this tough time in my life and turn it into a positive thing by continuously using it to motivate me to achieve great things in life.