During my time as a freshman senator in the Student Government Association (SGA) at Arkansas State University, I encountered a significant challenge that required me to demonstrate exceptional leadership skills. As a freshman senator, I was initially focused on acclimating to the responsibilities of my role and addressing issues that my first-year peers perceived as problematic. One of the challenges that caught my attention was the limited weekend hours of the Red Wolf Center (RWC), our campus recreational facility. Several classmates had highlighted this issue in a project for our microeconomics class, and I recognized its impact on students who relied on campus amenities for weekend activities, especially those without access to transportation. Despite agreeing with the need for extended hours, I initially hesitated to take action due to my newness to the SGA. However, as time passed and I observed the ongoing inconvenience faced by students, I decided to propose a resolution to extend the RWC's weekend hours. The process of drafting and presenting the resolution was not without its challenges. Initially, I sought feedback from the RWC director, but unfortunately, I did not receive a response. Additionally, during my first presentation to the senate, I faced criticism regarding grammar and lacked essential information about the proposed time changes and budget implications. Despite these setbacks, I remained resilient and revised the resolution to address grammatical errors and improve its content. In my subsequent presentation, I emphasized the significant impact of extended RWC hours on student well-being and recreation. Although I still lacked detailed information about logistics and funding, I appealed to the senate's understanding of the issue's importance, which ultimately led to the resolution's passage. However, the work did not end with the resolution's approval. I recognized the importance of gathering data to inform the implementation process effectively. Therefore, I took the initiative to create a survey to collect information about students' weekend RWC usage patterns, anticipating that this data would be crucial in shaping future decisions regarding operating hours. While the resolution's full implementation may extend into my sophomore year, I am confident that it will significantly benefit not only freshmen but also many other students who rely on the RWC for physical and mental well-being. This experience has reinforced my belief in the importance of persistence and determination in effecting positive change. Looking ahead to my future career as a business developer, I see this experience as foundational. The skills of persistence, resilience, and effective communication that I honed throughout this process will undoubtedly serve me well in navigating the complexities of the business world and striving to make a positive impact in my professional endeavors.

Since August of 2022 Arkansas student loan debt has surpassed 15 billion dollars. This impacts roughly 13% of the Arkansas population. I desire to not be a part of that statistic, which is why winning this scholarship would impact my life tremendously. College is without a doubt expensive and the lack of finances adds additional stress. With aid from the Joan Free Thompson scholarship, I will be able to not only take a step further with my education, but I’ll be able to do so without the stress of not having enough money to cover the required expenses. As a child of parents who were not able to earn a college degree due to the lack of finances, I am motivated to not let that be my story. For them, scholarships were not an option. In addition, being awarded scholarships will allow me the time to focus on academics rather than having to work additional hours at a job to pay for school. I am excited about beginning college this fall where I plan to major in business. I know that earning a college degree will increase my career options. And with those options, I plan to have a successful and stable life. With your help and financial support, I will be one step closer to accomplishing my educational goals and becoming the successful man I am determined to be.