I stare down at a fresh packet of legal papers on my desk. The first arrived my freshman year, they haven’t stopped since, starting monthly court proceedings that have droned on in the background of my life ever since. I blow a kiss to my grandfather's purple urn, grab my keys, and step out into the afternoon. My grandfather was a simple GE mechanic who turned hard work into a home. In 1993, he stood proudly beside the house where I would grow up. Thirty years later, dementia took him. While we were still grieving, papers arrived: my aunts and uncle, whom neither of us had seen since his diagnosis, claimed a second will, written after the disease had already taken the man we knew. I could still smell the Cafe Bustelo his aides made each morning, and every room held a birthday, a holiday, an ordinary dinner. Month after month, testimony followed testimony, I lay awake wondering if each year there would be my last. Somewhere in those nights, I realized resilience is not the absence of fear. It is continuing in spite of it. I could not control the court, but I could control what I built while I waited. I kept a 4.0, often finishing homework at 2 a.m. and then lying awake anyway. I led middle and high schoolers as Youth Leader at my church, guiding them through their struggles while quietly managing mine. I joined the student council because showing up for my peers gave my energy somewhere to go. Then I joined WW Realty as a marketer, and my family's crisis began turning into a skill. Now I ride a Bx40 bus packed tighter than a can of sardines, an audio lecture on stock trading in my earbuds. At the office, a young couple waits, barely ten years older than me. The husband taps his foot; his wife grips her purse and smiles too tightly. "We can't stand our apartment anymore," he admits, "but we don't think we'll qualify." I know that look of uncertainty because I have felt it. I have lost too many nights to it. "You're in the right place," I tell him. "We're going to make this work." Then my broker, Chaya, whispers that 2716 Gunther Avenue has closed. I mark the listing "Sold," post a photo of the buyer holding his new keys, and edit a video for our newest listing on East 227th Street. Within fifteen minutes, thousands of followers see it. Later, in the quiet office, I realize I am helping strangers gain the very thing I am afraid to lose. Looking back, the dots connect. The probate case taught me what a home means. That led me to real estate, where I learned to work my fear like clay until it held a shape. The company's online presence was my case. The simple summer job gave me a plan. The plan points to finance, where I want to understand why one family qualifies and another doesn't, and how to change that. The lecture in my earbuds is where that question begins. Outside the office, real estate once meant vulnerability. Inside it, I found agency. I cannot control the court's decision, but I can master the tools that build security, for the families I serve and for myself. My grandfather turned hard work into a home. I will turn what I learned from facing the loss of one into a career that helps families keep theirs. The court may decide who holds the deed. It cannot decide what I build. No one can take that in probate.

Every family I meet at WW Realty asks me the same question in different words: Will we qualify? I know that question by heart, because I have been asking it about my own home since my freshman year. My grandfather was a GE mechanic who turned hard work into the house where I grew up. When dementia took him, my aunts and uncle, whom we had not seen since his diagnosis, challenged his will in probate court. Monthly hearings have followed ever since. My mother and I are a low-income Hispanic family, and every filing and legal fee strains a budget that was already tight. By the end of this year, the only home I have ever known may no longer be ours. I could not control the court, so I controlled what I could. I kept a 4.0, often finishing homework at 2 a.m. I served as Youth Leader at my church, guiding younger students through their struggles while quietly managing mine, and I joined student council to show up for my peers. Then I became a marketer at WW Realty. Now I ride the Bx40 with a stock-trading lecture in my earbuds, edit listing videos, post “Sold” announcements, and reassure first-time buyers, couples barely ten years older than me, who are afraid they won’t be approved. I recognize that fear because it lives in my own house. That is where my educational goal took shape. I plan to study finance, with a focus on real estate and lending. I want to understand why one family qualifies and another does not, and then change those odds. For many Hispanic families in the Bronx, a single home is the whole foundation of their wealth, and one legal or financial gap can erase generations of work. I want to be the person who explains the paperwork before it becomes a crisis: a loan officer, a financial advisor, and eventually a developer of affordable housing who helps families buy and keep what they build. College is how I get there, and cost is the obstacle. With tuition averaging more than $35,000 a year, and my family’s resources already tied up in a legal fight, I cannot count on affording a degree without heavy debt. Debt is exactly what I hope to help other families avoid. A $1,000 award from the Tirado Family would go directly toward tuition and textbooks, so I can spend my energy on learning instead of calculating whether I can afford to stay enrolled. I am not asking for a rescue. I am asking for a rung on the ladder, and I have proven that I climb. I have earned my grades at 2 a.m., led others while carrying my own uncertainty, and turned a family crisis into a professional skill before I could even vote. This scholarship is called Climb to Success, and I have already started the climb. My grandfather turned hard work into a home. With your support, I will turn what I learned from nearly losing it into a career that helps other families keep theirs.

There is a joy when a home is finally yours. I've seen it on the faces of families leaving our brokerage after closing, many of them in homes I spent hours marketing. Long before I understood that joy professionally, I understood it personally — through my grandfather, a GE mechanic who bought the house I grew up in back in 1993, and through my mother, who raised me there alone. My mother didn't just give me a home. She gave me a version of stability that she had to fight for, over and over, often quietly. That fight became impossible to ignore the year my grandfather passed away. Weeks later, legal papers arrived: aunts and an uncle neither of us had seen in years were contesting his will, claiming a second one existed. Suddenly the house that held every memory of my childhood — the smell of his Cafe Bustelo every morning, birthdays, ordinary Tuesdays — was in danger of being taken from us. I was a teenager consumed by questions I couldn't answer. My mother was consumed by something heavier: the responsibility of holding our family together while grieving her own father and defending our home in court, alone. I watched her go to hearing after hearing, work full days, and still show up for me every night, never once letting the uncertainty become an excuse to stop parenting. She taught me, without ever saying it directly, that resilience isn't the absence of fear — it's continuing to build a life even when the ground under it feels unstable. I carried that lesson into everything I did during those years. I maintained a 4.0 GPA, often finishing homework at 2 a.m. only to lie awake thinking about our next court date. I became Youth Leader at my church, guiding middle and high schoolers through their own struggles while quietly managing mine. I served on student council, showing up for my peers during the same years I was fighting for myself. Each of these became a way of proving to myself what my mother had already proven to me: that you can keep building, even without knowing how the story ends. That belief now shapes how I want to use my future. I work at a real estate brokerage, where I help families navigate one of the biggest decisions of their lives. Every closing reminds me that a home's value isn't just financial — it's security, stability, and the place where a life gets built. When I sit with a family buying their first home or an older couple downsizing, I recognize what's really at stake for them, because I've spent years fighting to keep what my grandfather built for us. Three years later, the case over my grandfather's house is still unresolved. I still don't know what the future holds for the only home I've ever known. But I know what my mother gave me: proof that showing up consistently, especially when you're afraid, is its own form of love. I plan to spend my career in real estate doing exactly that — helping other families build the kind of security my mother built for me, no matter what uncertainty stands in the way.

There is a joy when a home is finally yours. Working at a real estate brokerage, I see it on families' faces at closing. For low-income, single-parent families like mine, a home represents stability, shelter, and survival. Watching them celebrate, I think of my grandfather in 1993, standing proudly beside the house that became the foundation for my mother and me. Thirty years later, my grandfather passed away from dementia. While my single mother and I grieved, distant relatives served legal papers to seize our house through a questionable second will. The financial stakes were terrifying—it was our only asset and safety net. Questions consumed me: Where would my mother and I go? How could we afford to start over? Persevering through this meant realizing resilience is continuing despite fear. Unable to control the court, I focused on building my future. I maintained a 4.0 GPA, studying late into the night. At church, I served as Youth Leader, guiding peers through their own struggles while quietly managing mine. On student council, I advocated for classmates facing hidden hardships. Professionally, my real estate work showed me how housing creates generational security. My experience shaped a clear mission: to use real estate, community service, and advocacy to help low-income families protect housing stability and build wealth. Today, three years later, our legal outcome remains uncertain. But I am leaving high school defined not by what my mother and I stood to lose, but by everything I am actively building. My grandfather was a mechanic who turned hard work into a home. The courts may take the physical structure, but the life and career I am building to empower my community is already mine—and no one can take that in probate.

My educational journey did not begin in a classroom. It began in a house in the Bronx that my grandfather — a General Electric mechanic — worked his entire life to own. He did not have a college degree. What he had was discipline, consistency, and an unshakeable belief that the next generation deserved more than he had. That belief became the foundation I have been building on ever since. The second week of my freshman year he passed away from dementia. Before my family had finished grieving, legal papers arrived at our door. Relatives who had been absent throughout his illness claimed ownership of our home through an alleged second will. The probate case that followed has lasted three years with no resolution. My mother and I have navigated sustained legal fees, financial strain, and the persistent uncertainty of not knowing whether the only home I have ever known will remain ours. I carried all of that into every school day for four years. What my educational journey has taught me is that motivation is not something you find when conditions are right. It is something you choose when they are not. I maintained a 4.0 GPA including three AP courses in my junior year. I worked 25 hours a week as a real estate marketer while keeping up with a full academic course load. I led youth ministry at my church, managed finances as student council Treasurer, interned at a real estate brokerage, and earned induction into the National Honor Society. All of those things happened because I decided early that my circumstances were not going to write my story. Mathematics has been one of the most important tools in that story. My passion for finance and commercial real estate investment is rooted in the quantitative skills I developed in the classroom — understanding how calculus connects to cash flow modeling, how statistics inform investment decisions, and how the numbers behind a property tell a story about a community's future. Mrs. Bick Herman spent her career helping students like me see the power in those numbers. I have spent four years learning to use them. What motivates me to keep going is simple. I grew up watching what happens when a community lacks investment — in its housing, its businesses, and its people. I want to be one of the decision makers who changes that. My goal is to work in commercial real estate finance with a focus on underserved communities in New York, building the kind of stability my grandfather believed every family deserved. This scholarship would directly fund that next step. It reduces the financial pressure my family has carried for three years and allows me to arrive at college focused entirely on becoming the person this city needs me to be. My grandfather built something lasting out of hard work and belief in the future. I intend to do the same. This scholarship is how that next chapter begins.

Most students from disadvantaged backgrounds have much potential, yet they lack margin. The difference between a motivated student who makes it and one who does not is rarely talent or work ethic — it is whether anyone or anything gave them enough room to let those qualities actually matter. Scholarships like this one exist to create that margin, and for students who have already proven they can perform under pressure, that investment pays forward in ways that extend far beyond one person's career. I am a high school senior from the Bronx who has spent four years building toward a future in commercial real estate finance and investment while managing circumstances that had nothing to do with how hard I was willing to work. My grandfather passed away from dementia the second week of my freshman year. Before my family had finished grieving, relatives who had been absent throughout his illness initiated a probate case claiming ownership of our home through an alleged second will. That case has remained unresolved for three years. My mother and I have faced sustained legal fees and financial strain on a single income with no guarantee that the home my grandfather spent his life building for us will remain ours. I did not let that become my ceiling. I maintained a 4.0 GPA including three AP courses in my junior year. I worked 25 hours a week as a real estate marketer at WW Realty Group, gaining professional experience in the industry I intend to build my career in. I interned at Core Realty Family, served as Youth Leader at my church, led our Technology Ministry, managed finances as student council Treasurer, and earned induction into the National Honor Society. I did all of this while living inside an uncertainty that most adults would struggle to carry. What kept me moving was not the absence of obstacles. It was the decision — made repeatedly, sometimes daily — that my circumstances were not going to determine my outcome. That decision is easier to sustain when someone believes in you enough to invest in you. That is what this scholarship represents. I am pursuing a finance degree with the intention of entering commercial real estate investment, specifically focused on underserved communities like the one I grew up in. The Bronx is full of people who work hard and deserve stable, well-managed spaces to build their lives. I want to be one of the people making the investment decisions that shape what those communities look like. That goal requires an education I cannot fully fund without support. I have demonstrated the drive to succeed despite real obstacles, I am not asking for an advantage. I am asking for the same starting line that students without those obstacles take for granted. I have done everything within my control to earn this opportunity. This scholarship is the next step on a path I have already been walking — and I do not intend to stop.

When my youth pastor told me that she wanted me to become one of the church's youth leaders, I wasn't sure I was ready. I was a teenager myself, navigating challenges in my own life, and suddenly I was responsible for creating a space where middle and high school students could wrestle with questions of faith, identity, and purpose. What motivated me was the recognition that these students needed someone to show up for them consistently — and I knew I could do that, even when everything else in my life felt uncertain. My motivation ran deeper than a sense of duty. I was raised in that church community and understood firsthand what it meant to have a place where you felt genuinely supported. During my high school years my family was navigating an extremely difficult legal and financial situation at home. Church was the community that held us together. Giving back to that community, especially to its youngest members, felt less like a choice and more like a responsibility I was honored to carry. The obstacles were real. Leading peers and younger students while managing my own grief and uncertainty required a kind of emotional discipline I had never been asked to develop before. There were weeks when I arrived at youth ministry carrying weight I could not share with the students in front of me, because my job in that room was to be present for them — not the other way around. I had to learn how to separate what I was feeling from what the moment required. That lesson — showing up fully for others even when you are not fully okay yourself — is one I will carry for the rest of my life. I also served as Technology Team Leader at the church, managing audio, lighting, and visual production for worship services. That role taught me a different but equally important lesson about community contribution. The work happened entirely behind the scenes. The congregation never saw it when things went right — only when something went wrong. Serving faithfully in that invisible capacity taught me that genuine community investment is not about recognition. It is about making sure the people around you have what they need to thrive, whether or not anyone ever connects that outcome to your name. What I learned across both roles is that the most meaningful contributions to a community are rarely the loudest ones. They are the consistent ones — the weekly presence, the quiet preparation, the decision to show up even when no one is watching and nothing is easy. I plan to continue making a difference through my career in commercial real estate finance and investment, with a specific focus on underserved communities in the Bronx. The connection between community service and real estate is more direct than it might appear. Where investment goes, stability follows. Where stability follows, families can build lives. I have spent four years learning to serve people at the individual level. My career will be how I scale that service — creating housing opportunities and commercial development in the communities that need it most. William Sullivan dedicated his life to showing up for others in both his profession and his community. That combination of professional excellence and genuine service is exactly the model I am working toward. This scholarship would support the next chapter of that work.

Community has always been something I showed up to build. For four years I served as Youth Leader at Throggs Neck Community Church, guiding middle and high school students through some of the most difficult years of their lives. My role was not ceremonial. I planned weekly ministry sessions, mentored students individually, and created a space where young people who were struggling — with identity, with family, with faith — felt genuinely supported. I did that work during the same years my own family was fighting a probate case that threatened our home. Leading others through uncertainty while quietly managing my own taught me something important about community — it is not built by people who have everything figured out. It is built by people who show up anyway. I also served as Technology Team Leader at my church, managing audio, lighting, and visual production for worship services. That role taught me that community is held together by people willing to handle the work that happens behind the scenes — the unglamorous, consistent, necessary work that makes everything visible possible. Beyond the church, I volunteered with Every Day is a Miracle, distributing food and holiday gifts to families facing hardship in my neighborhood. Standing across from families who were struggling to meet basic needs — and knowing firsthand what financial and housing instability feels like — made that work deeply personal. I was not volunteering out of obligation. I was showing up for people whose circumstances I understood from the inside. I served on the Columbus Campus Youth Advocacy Council, collaborating with peers to identify and address issues affecting young people across the Bronx. I co-founded the Bronxdale Invent2Prevent Club, where I helped design anti-bullying campaigns and social media content aimed at creating safer, more supportive environments for students in my school. I served as Treasurer of the student council, managing finances and helping organize events that brought our school community together. Each of these roles asked something different of me — creativity, accountability, empathy, discipline — and each one reinforced the same belief that the health of a community depends on the people inside it choosing to invest in it. That belief now shapes where I am headed. I intend to build a career in commercial real estate finance and investment with a specific focus on underserved communities like the one I grew up in. Housing stability, access to quality commercial spaces, and sustained neighborhood investment are not abstract policy goals to me. They are personal. I grew up in the Bronx watching what it costs families and neighborhoods when those things are absent — and I have spent my high school years serving a community that deserves far better than what it has historically been given. The difference I plan to make is not charitable. It is structural. I want to be one of the people making investment decisions that determine what gets built, what gets funded, and how communities grow over time. The work I have done serving my community has shown me what those communities need. My education and career will be how I deliver it. Service taught me to show up. Real estate will give me the tools to build something lasting from that presence.

My interest in real estate began watching families leave our brokerage after closing on homes I had spent hours marketing — seeing the joy on their faces and understanding, even then, that a home is never just property. That experience led me deeper into the industry, and the more I learned, the more I understood that the decisions shaping what gets built, who owns it, and how communities grow are made at the commercial level. That is where I want to operate. My focus is real estate investment and finance — understanding how capital moves, how assets are acquired and managed, and how to build a portfolio that creates lasting value. The person who shaped that vision most is my grandfather. He was a GE mechanic who spent his working life building something stable for his family. In 1993 he stood proudly beside the house he had bought for us — the house where I grew up. When he passed away after a long battle with dementia, legal papers arrived at our door. Relatives we had not seen since his diagnosis claimed a second will and attempted to take our home. The probate case that followed cast a shadow over my entire high school career. My grandfather never went to college. He built security through labor and discipline alone. Watching everything he worked for become the subject of a legal battle taught me something he could not have planned to teach me — that ownership without the right knowledge is fragile. The people who truly control what happens to property are the ones who understand investment structures, legal frameworks, and financial strategy. I decided early that I would become one of those people, not just to protect what my family had, but to build far beyond it. That decision shaped how I moved through high school. I maintained a 4.0 GPA studying through nights when I finished homework at 2 a.m. only to lie awake thinking about the next court date. I led middle and high school students as Youth Leader at my church, served as Treasurer on student council, and joined a real estate brokerage where I gained hands-on experience helping families navigate one of the most important decisions of their lives. Every one of those experiences reinforced the same lesson — showing up consistently, even under pressure, is what separates the people who build things from the people who only plan to. My long-term goal is to own and manage commercial properties, particularly in underserved communities like the one I grew up in. The Bronx is a market full of potential and full of people who deserve stable, well-managed spaces to live, work, and grow. I want to be the person making those investments — not extracting value from a community but creating it. Receiving this scholarship would directly accelerate that path. It reduces the financial pressure that has followed my family through years of legal uncertainty and allows me to pursue my education focused entirely on building the expertise this industry demands. It is not just support — it is the kind of investment in a person that my grandfather always believed in, even when he could not afford to make it in the traditional way. He turned hard work into a home. I intend to turn this opportunity into something that lasts far longer.

Mental health is important to me because I know how much it can influence every part of a student's life. It affects the ability to learn, build relationships, make decisions, and pursue goals. For many people, mental health challenges are invisible, making it easy for others to overlook the struggles someone may be carrying. As someone who has lived with anxiety, I understand how exhausting those unseen battles can be and why creating supportive communities is so important. My anxiety became especially difficult after my grandfather passed away during my freshman year of high school. My father had passed away when I was a baby, so my grandfather was the father figure in my life. Losing him was devastating, and the uncertainty that followed only intensified my anxiety. My family became involved in a lengthy probate case regarding the home we lived in, creating financial and housing uncertainty. During that time, I experienced persistent fear and worry, often imagining worst-case scenarios and struggling to quiet my thoughts. I found myself overthinking everyday situations, feeling constantly on edge, and sometimes having difficulty concentrating even when I had prepared. Although those experiences were difficult, they also taught me resilience and gave me a greater understanding of what others may be experiencing behind the scenes. Because of my own journey, I have become passionate about creating environments where young people feel supported rather than judged. Since December 2025, I have served as a youth leader at Throggs Neck Community Church, mentoring middle and high school boys. While our meetings focus on faith and character, they also provide a safe place where students can talk honestly about the pressures they face. I encourage them to ask for help when they need it, remind them that struggling does not make them weak, and emphasize that their value is not determined by grades, popularity, or social media. I also volunteer each summer at my church's MEGA Sports Camp, working with elementary-aged children. At that age, confidence and self-esteem are already beginning to develop, so I make a conscious effort to ensure every child feels included, encouraged, and respected. Whether I am teaching soccer, leading activities, or simply listening to a child who feels left out, I believe small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact on a young person's mental and emotional well-being. Advocating for mental health does not always require a large platform. Sometimes it means listening without judgment, checking in on a friend, encouraging someone to seek support, or simply reminding another person that they are not alone. I strive to model those actions every day because I know how meaningful they can be. As I pursue a degree in finance and a career in real estate development, I hope to continue being an advocate for mental health wherever I go. Success means more than achieving professional goals—it means using my experiences to build stronger communities where people feel supported, understood, and valued. My own struggles with anxiety have shown me that compassion can change lives, and I hope to carry that lesson with me throughout my education, career, and service to others.

"It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it. Life is long enough, and it has been given in sufficiently generous measure to allow the accomplishment of the very greatest things if the whole of it is well invested. But when it is squandered through luxury and carelessness, and when it is devoted to no good end, we are forced at last by death's final constraint to realize that it has passed away before we knew it was passing." Seneca, "On the Shortness of Life" Modern society often measures wealth in dollars, possessions, or status, but Seneca argues that the world's most valuable currency is something every person possesses equally: time. My central argument is that Seneca intentionally frames time as an investment rather than a possession in order to demonstrate that the tragedy of human life is not its brevity, but our tendency to spend it without purpose. His paragraph is ultimately a warning against passive living and an invitation to become deliberate stewards of our own lives. The most striking sentence is also the most misunderstood: "It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it." At first glance, Seneca appears to be making a simple observation about productivity. However, he is making a much deeper philosophical claim. He separates the length of life from the experience of life. In other words, a person's years are less important than how consciously those years are lived. Two people may both live to eighty, yet one truly lives while the other merely exists. Seneca strengthens this argument by choosing financial language. He writes that life is "well invested" rather than simply "used." An investment is made with intention and with the expectation of future value. By using this metaphor, Seneca implies that every hour functions like capital. Once it is spent, it cannot be recovered. Unlike money, time cannot be earned back after it has been lost. This comparison transforms the reader from a passive observer into a financial manager responsible for the greatest asset imaginable. Equally important is what Seneca identifies as the causes of wasted time. He does not focus on catastrophic mistakes but on "luxury and carelessness." This distinction reveals an underlying truth about human nature. Our lives are rarely destroyed by one dramatic decision; they are more often diminished by countless small acts of distraction and complacency. Seneca suggests that indifference is more dangerous than adversity because it quietly steals the years while convincing us there will always be tomorrow. The final sentence introduces death not primarily as something frightening but as a source of clarity. Only "at last by death's final constraint" do many people realize that life has already slipped away. Seneca is not emphasizing mortality to create fear. Instead, he uses death as a mirror that exposes how people have lived. Death reveals whether someone's years were intentionally invested or unconsciously spent. This reversal is significant because the real tragedy is not dying; it is reaching the end of life without having truly lived. Although written nearly two thousand years ago, Seneca's insight feels remarkably modern. Today's distractions often come through endless scrolling, constant notifications, and the pressure to remain perpetually entertained. Many people assume they are simply passing time, yet Seneca would argue that time is actually passing them. His philosophy challenges readers to ask not whether they are busy, but whether they are living with purpose. This passage resonates deeply with me because it reminds me that adversity can either consume time or clarify its value. Losing my grandfather during high school and watching my family navigate financial and housing uncertainty taught me that tomorrow is never guaranteed. Those experiences strengthened my determination to pursue a career in finance and real estate, not merely to achieve personal success, but to create affordable housing opportunities and promote financial literacy for families facing similar struggles. Seneca's words reinforce my belief that purpose gives meaning to time. Ultimately, Seneca's paragraph is not about death at all—it is about choice. Every day presents an opportunity to invest our time in learning, serving others, strengthening relationships, and pursuing meaningful goals. The length of our lives remains beyond our control, but the value we create with the time we are given is entirely our responsibility. That timeless truth is why *On the Shortness of Life* continues to challenge readers nearly twenty centuries after it was written.

One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that every young person deserves to feel safe, valued, and encouraged. Whether in school, at church, on a soccer field, or online, children and teenagers are heavily influenced by the words and actions of those around them. That belief has inspired me to become a mentor and leader in my community while pursuing my goal of earning a college degree in finance and building a career in real estate development. I was raised in a low-income, single-parent household after my father passed away when I was a baby. My mother worked tirelessly to provide for our family, and my grandfather helped raise me until his passing during my freshman year of high school. After his death, my family faced financial and housing uncertainty due to a lengthy probate case involving our home. Those experiences taught me resilience, gratitude, and the importance of supporting others through difficult times. They also created a significant financial need as I prepare for college. Receiving scholarship assistance will help lessen the burden of tuition and allow me to focus on my education rather than the financial obstacles that often prevent students from reaching their full potential. Giving back has become one of the most important parts of my life. During the summer, I volunteer at my church's MEGA Sports Camp, where I mentor elementary school children through soccer, games, Bible lessons, and team activities. My goal is not simply to teach sports but to help each child feel included, respected, and encouraged. I make an effort to notice when someone is left out, shy, or struggling to fit in because I know how important it is for children to feel accepted. Throughout the year, I also serve as a youth leader for students in grades six through twelve at my church. Working with middle and high school students has shown me how much influence peers and social media can have on a young person's confidence and mental health. I encourage students to treat one another with kindness, speak respectfully both in person and online, and think carefully before posting or sharing something that could hurt someone else. I remind them that a message, comment, or photo sent in seconds can leave emotional scars that last for years. Preventing bullying starts with creating a culture where kindness is the expectation rather than the exception. When I see someone being excluded or spoken to disrespectfully, I believe it is important to step in rather than stay silent. Online, I encourage young people to report cyberbullying, avoid participating in negative conversations, and use social media to encourage rather than tear others down. I also try to lead by example by communicating respectfully and remembering that every person deserves dignity, even behind a screen. As I continue my education, I hope to use my career to strengthen communities through affordable housing and financial literacy. However, I also want to continue investing in young people because I believe strong communities are built not only with homes but with compassion, mentorship, and positive role models. Every child deserves someone who believes in them, stands up for them, and reminds them that they matter. I strive to be that person, and I will continue doing so wherever life takes me.

Growing up in the inner city taught resilience, perseverance, and the importance of creating opportunities when they are not readily available. While my community has always been full of hardworking people and strong relationships, it has also faced challenges such as financial hardship, limited resources, and housing instability. Those experiences have shaped the person I am today and motivated me to pursue higher education so I can create lasting change in communities like the one that raised me. I was raised in a single-parent household after my father passed away when I was a baby. My mother worked tirelessly to provide for me, often sacrificing her own needs so I could have opportunities she never had. Watching her work through financial challenges without giving up taught me the value of determination and responsibility. She showed me that difficult circumstances do not define a person's future—how you respond to them does. Another person who had a profound impact on my life was my grandfather, who helped raise me and became the father figure I never had. He taught me right from wrong, celebrated every accomplishment, and encouraged me whenever I faced challenges. Some of my favorite memories are sitting on the back deck eating ice cream together, helping him make his famous lemon cake, and listening to stories about his time serving in the Army. Through those everyday moments, he taught me discipline, integrity, and compassion. Losing him during my freshman year of high school was devastating, but what followed made life even more difficult. After his passing, my family became involved in a lengthy probate case concerning the home we lived in. Suddenly, our housing situation became uncertain, and I experienced firsthand how easily financial hardship can threaten a family's stability. At the same time, I struggled with anxiety that often caused me to overthink, worry about worst-case scenarios, and find it difficult to concentrate. Although those challenges were overwhelming, they also strengthened my determination to build a different future. Instead of allowing adversity to discourage me, I focused on preparing for the opportunities ahead. I challenged myself academically, gained professional experience as a Real Estate Marketer at WW Realty, and became committed to pursuing a degree in finance. My experiences showed me that housing is about much more than buildings—it is about security, opportunity, and peace of mind. My long-term goal is to become a real estate developer who revitalizes neighborhoods by creating affordable housing while also promoting financial literacy in underserved communities. I want to help families understand budgeting, credit, investing, and homeownership so they can build lasting financial stability. Growing up in the inner city showed me that many people work incredibly hard but often lack access to the resources and knowledge that can change their lives. I want to help close that gap. Although growing up in the inner city presented many obstacles, it also gave me a deep appreciation for perseverance, community, and hope. The challenges I have faced have not limited my ambitions—they have defined them. Every obstacle has strengthened my desire to earn a college degree, build a meaningful career, and return to communities like my own to create opportunities for others. My goal is not simply to achieve personal success, but to ensure that more families have the stability and opportunities that every community deserves.

Mental health has been one of the greatest challenges I have faced, but it has also become one of my greatest teachers. Living with anxiety has shaped the way I think, the way I interact with others, and the goals I have for my future. Although anxiety often makes everyday situations more difficult, it has also taught me resilience, compassion, and the importance of asking for help instead of suffering in silence. For me, anxiety is involves persistent fear and worry that can feel overwhelming, even in ordinary situations. I find myself overthinking conversations and decisions, imagining worst-case scenarios, and struggling to let go of concerns once they enter my mind. There are times when I feel restless and constantly on edge, and moments when my mind goes completely blank despite being prepared. These symptoms can make it difficult to focus and fully enjoy the present because my thoughts are often consumed by what might happen next. My anxiety became significantly more difficult after my grandfather passed away during my freshman year of high school. My father passed away when I was a baby, so my grandfather helped raise me and became the father figure in my life. He was the person who encouraged me, celebrated my accomplishments, and reminded me that I was capable of overcoming challenges. Losing him left an emptiness that I still carry today. His passing also brought unexpected financial and housing uncertainty. My family became involved in a lengthy probate case regarding the home we lived in, leaving us uncertain about our future. During that time, my anxiety intensified. I constantly worried about what would happen to my family and found myself trapped in cycles of fear and overthinking. It was one of the most difficult periods of my life, but it also taught me that perseverance is not about never struggling—it is about continuing to move forward despite those struggles. Rather than allowing anxiety to define my future, I chose to let it strengthen my purpose. I focused on my education, earned a position as a Real Estate Marketer at WW Realty, and developed a passion for finance and real estate. My long-term goal is to create affordable housing and promote financial literacy in underserved communities because I understand how deeply financial instability can affect a person's sense of security and well-being. Living with anxiety has also changed how I see other people. I have learned that many struggles are invisible, and that kindness, patience, and understanding can have a greater impact than we often realize. Because of my own experiences, I try to be someone who listens without judgment and encourages others to know they are not alone. My journey with mental health is still ongoing, but it has made me stronger, more empathetic, and more determined to create positive change. I hope my story serves as a reminder that challenges do not have to define a person's future. With perseverance, support, and hope, they can become the very experiences that inspire us to build a better one.

Mental health has taught me that many of life's greatest battles are invisible. While people often see accomplishments, grades, or career goals, they rarely see the persistent anxiety that can exist beneath the surface. Living with anxiety has changed the way I see myself, the people around me, and the kind of person I hope to become. For me, anxiety often means experiencing persistent fear and worry, even about everyday situations. I can find myself overthinking problems, imagining worst-case scenarios, and struggling to let go of thoughts that most people would dismiss. There are times when I feel restless and constantly on edge, and moments when my mind seems to go blank even though I know the material or have prepared for a situation. These experiences can be frustrating because anxiety is often invisible, making it difficult for others to understand what is happening internally. My anxiety became especially difficult after my grandfather passed away during my freshman year of high school. He helped raise me after my father passed away when I was a baby and was the person I turned to for encouragement and stability. Losing him was devastating, and the uncertainty that followed only intensified my anxiety. My family became involved in a lengthy probate case regarding the home we lived in, creating constant questions about our future. During that time, I often found myself consumed by fear of what might happen next instead of focusing on what was happening in the present. Those experiences changed the way I relate to other people. I have learned that someone can appear confident, successful, or happy while privately carrying burdens that no one else can see. Because of this, I try to approach others with greater patience, empathy, and compassion. I have become more intentional about checking in on people and recognizing that kindness can have a lasting impact, even when someone never shares what they are going through. Living with anxiety has also shaped my ambitions. Rather than allowing fear to define my future, I have chosen to let it strengthen my purpose. I plan to study finance and pursue a career in real estate with the goal of expanding affordable housing and promoting financial literacy in underserved communities. Having experienced both housing uncertainty and anxiety, I understand how closely financial security and mental well-being can be connected. I want to help create opportunities that give families greater stability, because knowing you have a safe place to live and a plan for your future can provide a sense of hope that is difficult to measure. Perhaps the greatest lesson my mental health journey has taught me is that vulnerability is not weakness. For too long, conversations about mental health have been avoided or misunderstood, leaving many people to struggle in silence. By being honest about my own experiences, I hope to help reduce that stigma and encourage others to seek support when they need it. My anxiety is part of my story, but it does not define who I am. Instead, it has shaped me into someone who is resilient, compassionate, and determined to use my experiences to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Before taking AP English Language and Composition in eleventh grade, I often viewed school as a series of assignments to complete and tests to pass. Mr. Tumbarello changed that perspective. Through his creativity, encouragement, and willingness to go beyond the standard curriculum, he showed me that education could be a form of exploration and self-expression. More importantly, he taught me that growth often begins when someone challenges you to move beyond what you believe you are capable of. Mr. Tumbarello created opportunities for his students to engage with literature in ways that extended far beyond simply reading and analyzing a text. Through creative projects, discussions, and extracurricular opportunities, he encouraged me to express my own ideas and develop confidence in my voice. He worked with me one-on-one introducing me to writers such as Tim O'Brien and Arthur Miller, whose works challenged me to think more deeply about society, morality, memory, success, and the complexity of human experience. One of the most memorable opportunities he gave me was the chance to see Death of a Salesman on Broadway during a school trip. Experiencing Arthur Miller's work onstage after studying literature in the classroom showed me how powerful a story could become when it moved beyond the page. The play's exploration of ambition and the meaning of success caused me to reflect on my own goals. It reinforced the idea that success should not be measured only by money or status, but also by purpose, relationships, and the impact a person has on others. Mr. Tumbarello's influence also became personal when he helped me workshop my college essay. He did more than correct grammar or suggest better wording. He challenged me to dig deeper into my experiences, communicate honestly, and recognize that my own story was worth telling. His feedback pushed me beyond my comfort zone and helped me become a more confident writer. He expected more from me because he believed I was capable of more. That lesson has shaped the way I approach life. I have learned not to settle for what is easy or familiar. Whether I am working toward my education, developing professionally as a Real Estate Marketer, or pursuing my future goals in finance and real estate, I try to challenge myself to grow. Mr. Tumbarello taught me to remain curious, seek new perspectives, and view criticism not as failure but as an opportunity to improve. The best teachers help students discover abilities and perspectives they may not have recognized in themselves. Mr. Tumbarello did that for me. Through literature, creative opportunities, and his willingness to invest in my growth, he pushed me past my perceived limits and changed the way I approach education and life. His influence taught me that learning is not simply about finding the right answers; it is about having the courage to ask better questions, challenge yourself, and continue becoming a better version of who you are.

Anxiety has affected the way I experience everyday life, challenges, and uncertainty. For me, it c takes the form of persistent fear and worry, even when I am in situations that are a regular part of my everyday life. I often overthink problems, imagine the worst possible things happening to me and my family, and I struggle to let go of concerns once they enter my mind. At times, I feel restless and constantly on edge. Anxiety can also make it difficult to concentrate, causing my mind to go blank when I am trying to focus on important tasks at work and school. These experiences have created challenges in my life, but they have also taught me perseverance, self-awareness, and the importance of continuing forward even when my mind tells me to be afraid. Some of the most difficult periods of my life have intensified my anxiety. My father passed away when I was a baby, so my grandfather helped raise me and became a father figure in my life. He was a constant source of stability, encouragement, and support. When he passed away during my freshman year of high school, I lost one of the most important people in my life. His death was followed by a lengthy probate case involving the home my family lived in. The uncertainty surrounding our housing situation added another layer of stress during an already difficult period. Not knowing whether we would be able to remain in our home gave my anxiety endless possibilities to focus on. I would think about what could go wrong, replay concerns in my mind, and struggle to focus on the present. The combination of grief, financial uncertainty, and fear about my family's future made an already challenging time even more difficult. Over time, I have learned that I cannot control every outcome, but I can control the actions I take. Instead of allowing anxiety to prevent me from pursuing my goals, I have tried to channel my tendency to think ahead into preparation and determination. I have focused on my education and pursued opportunities that challenge me to grow. Working as a Real Estate Marketer at WW Realty while still in high school has helped me build confidence, develop professional skills, and become more comfortable with responsibility and uncertainty. Living with anxiety has also made me more aware of struggles that are not always visible. Someone can appear successful or confident while privately dealing with fear, racing thoughts, or difficulty concentrating. My experiences have taught me to approach others with greater patience and empathy. I plan to study finance and pursue a career in real estate, with the long-term goal of expanding access to affordable housing and promoting financial literacy. Having experienced both anxiety and housing uncertainty, I understand how deeply instability can affect a person's sense of security. I want to use my education and career to help families feel more secure about their homes and financial futures. Anxiety has presented challenges that I continue to navigate, but it has also shaped my resilience and empathy. I refuse to allow fear of what could go wrong to prevent me from pursuing what could go right.

My long-term goal is to become a real estate developer who revitalizes neighborhoods by purchasing underutilized properties throughout New York and transforming them into affordable rental housing. Alongside that work, I want to establish free financial literacy programs that equip individuals and families with the knowledge to achieve long-term financial stability. My mission is not only to provide affordable places to live but also to help people build the financial foundation necessary to eventually become homeowners and create generational wealth. The first step in my plan is earning a bachelor's degree in finance. While in college, I will continue gaining industry experience by working in real estate, building on the skills I have already developed as a Real Estate Marketer at WW Realty. I plan to take courses in finance, accounting, real estate law, economics, and investment analysis while pursuing internships with commercial real estate firms and developers. These experiences will strengthen my understanding of property acquisition, financing, construction, and asset management. After graduation, I plan to work in commercial real estate or real estate investment for five to seven years. During that time, my goal is to save approximately $150,000-$200,000 for investment capital while building relationships with lenders, contractors, attorneys, and experienced developers. I also plan to obtain a real estate salesperson's license and later pursue additional certifications related to real estate development and affordable housing programs. My financing strategy will combine personal savings, bank loans, private investors, and government affordable housing incentives to acquire my first multifamily property. My initial investment goal is to purchase a small multifamily building in New York valued between $750,000 and $1.5 million. Renovating older buildings into safe, affordable apartments will require working with licensed contractors, architects, property managers, and local government agencies. As rental income and equity grow, I will reinvest profits into additional properties, allowing the portfolio to expand while maintaining affordable rents for working families. I also want each property to become more than just a place to live. I plan to partner with local churches, schools, libraries, and community organizations to host free monthly financial literacy workshops for residents and community members. These classes will cover budgeting, credit improvement, saving, investing, debt management, and the home-buying process. I estimate annual operating expenses of approximately $12,000-$15,000 for educational materials, guest speakers, marketing, technology, and meeting space, though I hope to reduce these costs through community partnerships and volunteers. Long-term, I plan to establish a nonprofit organization that will oversee these programs and seek grants and sponsorships to keep them free for participants. Growing up in a low-income, single-parent household and experiencing housing uncertainty after my grandfather passed away showed me how life-changing financial stability can be. Those experiences gave me a clear purpose. My plan is detailed because my vision is clear: create affordable housing, provide financial education, and help families build lasting security. Like Joe Gilroy's philosophy of "Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan," I believe success comes from pairing ambition with preparation, and I am committed to following that plan every step of the way.

Books have always been a way to understand people, question ideas, and imagine possibilities beyond my own experiences. Every book I read leaves me with a lesson, whether it's about human nature, ambition, or resilience. Those lessons have not only shaped the way I think but have also influenced the goals I have for my future. One book that challenged my perspective was The Catcher in the Rye. Holden Caulfield's struggle to find authenticity in a world he often viewed as superficial made me think deeply about integrity and staying true to my values. It reminded me that success means little if it comes at the cost of who you are. As I pursue a career in finance and real estate, I want to build my future on honesty, trust, and genuine relationships rather than simply chasing financial success. Another book that had a lasting impact on me was The Accidental Billionaires. I was fascinated by the story behind the founding of Facebook and the innovation, ambition, and entrepreneurship that transformed a college project into one of the world's most influential companies. The book strengthened my interest in business by showing how vision, creativity, and calculated risk-taking can change industries. It inspired me to think beyond simply finding a job and instead consider how I can create opportunities that improve people's lives. The Picture of Dorian Gray taught me a different lesson. Oscar Wilde's novel explores the dangers of allowing ambition, vanity, and personal gain to outweigh character. It reminded me that success without integrity ultimately leads to emptiness. That message has stayed with me and continues to influence how I define achievement. I want my career to be measured not only by professional accomplishments but also by the positive impact I have on others. These lessons have become especially meaningful because of my own experiences growing up in a single-parent household and facing financial and housing uncertainty after the loss of my grandfather, who helped raise me. Those challenges motivated me to pursue finance and real estate so I can help families achieve greater stability through affordable housing and financial literacy. The books I have read reinforced my belief that knowledge carries responsibility—that the skills and opportunities I gain should be used to serve others. Reading has shaped my goals because it has taught me to think critically, empathize with others, and never stop learning. Every great book wisdom that can influence the way we live. As I continue my education, I hope to carry those lessons with me, building a career defined not only by ambition but also by integrity, service, and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in my community.

Math has always been one of my favorite subjects because it challenges me to think logically, solve problems, and look for patterns. Math teaches that there is a process to finding the right answer. Even when a problem seems difficult at first, persistence, critical thinking, and careful analysis eventually lead to a solution. Those lessons extend far beyond the classroom and have shaped the way I approach challenges in my own life. My appreciation for math has also influenced my future career goals. I plan to study finance and pursue a career in real estate because I enjoy applying mathematical concepts to real-world decisions. Whether it's analyzing investments, understanding market trends, evaluating property values, or creating financial plans, math provides the foundation for making informed and responsible decisions. I have already seen the importance of these skills through my work as a Real Estate Marketer at WW Realty, where numbers and data play a significant role in understanding the housing market and helping clients. Growing up in a single-parent household also helped me recognize the value of financial knowledge. Seeing the impact that financial challenges and housing uncertainty can have on a family inspired me to pursue a career where I can help others achieve stability. Math gives me the tools to understand complex financial problems and develop practical solutions that can improve people's lives. What I love most about math is that it teaches confidence. Every equation solved and every problem worked through reinforces the idea that difficult challenges can be overcome with patience and determination. That mindset is one I carry with me both in school and in life. As I continue my education, I hope to use my passion for math to build a successful career in finance and real estate while helping others create brighter financial futures.

Choosing a career in finance and real estate was shaped by the experiences that defined my childhood. Growing up in a low-income, single-parent household, I saw firsthand how financial hardship and housing instability can affect a family's future. My father passed away when I was a baby, and my mother worked tirelessly to provide for me. She taught me the value of perseverance, sacrifice, and hard work, lessons that continue to motivate me every day. My passion for real estate became even stronger after my grandfather, who helped raise me and served as a father figure throughout my life, passed away during my freshman year of high school. His death led to a lengthy probate case involving the home my family lived in, creating uncertainty about whether we would be able to remain there. Experiencing that situation opened my eyes to the importance of housing security and financial planning. It showed me that owning a home is about much more than property—it represents stability, opportunity, and peace of mind for families. Those experiences inspired me to pursue a degree in finance with the goal of building a career in real estate. Today, I work as a Real Estate Marketer at WW Realty, where I have gained valuable experience promoting properties, communicating with clients, and learning how the industry operates. This opportunity has confirmed that I chose the right career path and has strengthened my desire to continue learning through higher education. My long-term goal is to become involved in real estate development, focusing on creating affordable housing and expanding opportunities for homeownership. I also hope to promote financial literacy within underserved communities by educating families about budgeting, credit, investing, and wealth-building strategies. I believe that access to affordable housing and financial education can transform lives by giving people the tools to build lasting stability and generational wealth. Earning a degree in finance will impact my life in ways that extend far beyond my career. It will provide me with the knowledge and professional opportunities needed to achieve financial independence while honoring the sacrifices my mother made to give me a better future. More importantly, it will equip me to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. I want to be someone who helps families navigate important financial decisions, overcome barriers to homeownership, and build brighter futures. For me, a college degree is an opportunity to transform the challenges my family faced into a career dedicated to creating opportunities for others. By combining my education with my personal experiences, I hope to build a life defined not only by professional success but also by service, integrity, and lasting impact.

I am Cody Alvez-O'Brien, a Puerto Rican student with a passion for finance, real estate, and serving my community. While I have faced challenges throughout my life, I have also been blessed with people whose love and guidance shaped the person I am today. The most influential of those people was my grandfather, who helped raise me after my father passed away when I was a baby. Although he was my grandfather by title, he was my father in every way that mattered. Growing up, my grandfather was a constant source of love, encouragement, and stability. He was present for the everyday moments that define childhood—sitting on the deck eating ice cream, making lemon cake, and talking to me about his army days. He taught me that integrity, respect, and hard work were more important than recognition or success. More than anything, he made sure I always knew I was loved and believed in. Knowing that someone believed in me gave me the confidence to believe in myself. He also taught by example. I watched him treat everyone he came across with kindness and respect regardless of who they were. He believed in helping others, putting family first, and doing the right thing even when it wasn't easy. Those lessons became the foundation of my own character. The values I carry today—perseverance, humility, compassion, and responsibility—are reflections of the example he set for me throughout my childhood. Losing him during my freshman year of high school was one of the most difficult experiences of my life. His passing left an emotional void that can never truly be filled. It also brought unexpected financial and housing challenges for my family as we became involved in a lengthy probate case regarding the home we lived in. Experiencing that uncertainty gave me a firsthand understanding of how housing and financial hardship can affect a family's future. Although those challenges were painful, they strengthened my determination to build a career dedicated to helping others find the stability that my family struggled to maintain. Today, I work as a Real Estate Marketer at WW Realty while preparing to study finance in college. My long-term goal is to pursue a career in real estate development focused on expanding affordable housing and increasing financial literacy within underserved communities. I want to help families build financial security through homeownership while educating them about budgeting, credit, investing, and wealth-building. I believe everyone deserves access to the knowledge and opportunities that create long-term stability. Being raised by my grandfather shaped far more than just my childhood, it also shaped my future. He taught me to work hard, care for others, and live with integrity. Although he is no longer here to see the person I am becoming, his influence continues to guide every decision I make. The education I pursue and the career I hope to build are, in many ways, a continuation of the lessons he taught me. By helping others create stable futures for their families, I hope to honor the man who helped create one for me.

Growing up with a single mother has been one of the most influential experiences of my life. My father passed away when I was a baby, leaving my mother to raise me on her own. From a young age, I watched her take on every responsibility necessary to provide for our family. She worked hard, made sacrifices, and never allowed difficult circumstances to prevent her from giving me opportunities to succeed. Her strength and determination became the example that shaped the person I am today. As a child, I did not fully understand the challenges my mother faced. As I grew older, however, I began to recognize the financial pressures, long hours, and constant sacrifices that came with being a single parent. Despite those obstacles, she always prioritized my well-being and encouraged me to pursue my goals. Watching her persevere through adversity taught me that success is not determined by circumstances but by the willingness to keep moving forward despite them. One of the most difficult periods in our lives came during my freshman year of high school when my grandfather passed away. He had helped raise me and served as a father figure throughout my childhood. His death was emotionally devastating for our family, and it also led to a lengthy probate case involving the home we lived in. The uncertainty surrounding our housing situation created significant stress, but my mother continued to face each challenge with courage and resilience. Seeing her navigate that difficult time reinforced my admiration for her and strengthened my own determination to overcome obstacles. Growing up in a single-parent household taught me responsibility at an early age. It showed me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and gratitude. Rather than allowing challenges to discourage me, I learned to use them as motivation. These experiences inspired me to take my education seriously and develop ambitious goals for the future. Today, I work as a Real Estate Marketer at WW Realty and plan to study finance in college with the goal of pursuing a career in real estate. My experiences have also given me a strong desire to help others. Having witnessed the impact that financial hardship and housing uncertainty can have on a family, I hope to one day contribute to affordable housing initiatives and promote financial literacy in underserved communities. I want to help families achieve the stability and opportunities that every person deserves. Most importantly, growing up with a single mother taught me resilience. My mother showed me that strength is not the absence of struggle but the ability to keep going through it. Her example has shaped my character, inspired my ambitions, and motivated me to pursue a future where I can honor her sacrifices by creating opportunities for both myself and others. I am proud of the values she instilled in me, and they will continue to guide me throughout my life.

I believe selflessness means investing your time, energy, and abilities into helping others grow and succeed without expecting anything in return. Throughout my life, I have tried to embody this principle by serving in my community and using my experiences to positively impact those around me. One of the most meaningful ways I have done this is through volunteering at my church's MEGA Sports Camp. At MEGA Sports Camp, I was responsible for mentoring a group of five elementary school-aged children throughout the week. While the camp focused on sports, my role went beyond teaching the fundamentals of soccer. I worked to create an encouraging environment where each child felt valued, supported, and included. I taught them soccer skills, helped them work together as a team, and encouraged them when they became frustrated or lacked confidence. More importantly, I had the opportunity to teach them about following Christ and living out values such as kindness, respect, perseverance, and compassion. One challenge I faced was recognizing that every child learned differently and came from unique backgrounds. One of the children I mentored was naturally confident, while another was shy and hesitant to participate. Rather than focusing only on athletic success, I made it a priority to connect with each child individually. By being patient, listening to them, and offering encouragement, I was able to help them become more comfortable and engaged. Seeing their confidence grow throughout the week was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. My commitment to serving others is also rooted in the challenges I have faced in my own life. Growing up in a single-parent household after losing my father as a baby taught me the importance of having positive role models and supportive mentors. Later, after the loss of my grandfather, who helped raise me, I learned how valuable encouragement and community support can be during difficult times. These experiences inspired me to become the kind of person who shows up for others when they need guidance or support. I am passionate about pursuing a career in finance and real estate, but I believe success should be measured by more than professional accomplishments. I hope to use my education and career to help families achieve financial stability, expand access to affordable housing, and improve financial literacy in underserved communities. Just as I sought to make a difference in the lives of the children I mentored at MEGA Sports Camp, I hope to continue serving others throughout my life and career. To me, selflessness is not about grand gestures. It is about consistently choosing to invest in others, helping them reach their potential, and leaving every person and community better than you found them. That is the legacy I hope to build.

To me, going to college represents opportunity, growth, and the chance to create a better future for myself and my family. As someone who grew up in a single-parent household, I have seen firsthand how financial challenges can limit opportunities. My mother worked hard to provide for me, and her sacrifices have inspired me to pursue higher education as a way to build a more secure and successful future. College is important to me because it will provide the knowledge, skills, and opportunities necessary to turn those goals into reality. I plan to study finance and pursue a career in real estate. Through my current work as a Real Estate Marketer at WW Realty, I have already gained valuable experience and discovered a passion for helping people navigate important decisions about housing and property. A college education will allow me to deepen my understanding of business, finance, and real estate while preparing me for leadership opportunities in the future. One of my long-term goals is to use my education and career in real estate to address issues that directly affect families like mine. I am particularly interested in real estate development that expands access to affordable housing and creates opportunities for homeownership. I have seen how housing instability and financial uncertainty can impact a family’s future, which has inspired me to be part of the solution. In addition, I hope to promote financial literacy within underserved communities by helping people better understand budgeting, credit, investing, and wealth-building strategies. I believe that affordable housing and financial education are powerful tools that can help individuals and families achieve long-term stability and economic independence. Going to college also serves as a way to honor those who have gone before me and those who helped me along my educational journey. My father passed away when I was a baby, and my grandfather, who helped raise me and served as a father figure, passed away during my freshman year of high school. Following his death, my family faced financial and housing uncertainty due to a lengthy probate case involving the home we lived in. These experiences taught me resilience and showed me the importance of financial stability. Rather than discouraging me, these challenges motivated me to work harder and focus on my goals. Living through those challenges gave me a deeper understanding of how easily families can be affected by circumstances beyond their control. During the probate process, I saw how confusing financial and legal matters could be and how stressful housing uncertainty can become. Those experiences made me realize that many families face similar struggles without access to the resources or guidance they need. As a result, I developed a strong desire to help others avoid the hardships my family endured. Whether through creating affordable housing opportunities, promoting financial literacy, or helping families make informed real estate decisions, I want to use my education and career to provide the stability, knowledge, and support that can make a meaningful difference in people's lives. Beyond personal success, I hope my education will allow me to make a positive impact on others. I want to help families achieve greater financial security and create opportunities for people who may be facing challenges similar to those my family experienced. As a minority student, earning a college degree represents the chance to help break cycles of hardship and create a stronger foundation for future generations. For me, college is an investment in my future, a way to honor the sacrifices my family has made, and an opportunity to build a legacy of success, stability, and service to others.

Faith has been one of the most important influences in my life. It has provided me with strength during difficult times, guided my decisions, and given me hope when circumstances seemed uncertain. Growing up in a single-parent household, I learned that my early life would not go according to plan. My father passed away when I was a baby, and my mother worked hard to provide for our family. Through every challenge, my faith reminded me that God had a purpose for my life and that difficult seasons could be overcome through perseverance and trust. One of the most difficult experiences I have faced was the loss of my grandfather during my freshman year of high school. He helped raise me and served as a father figure throughout my childhood. His passing was devastating, and the challenges that followed made the situation even harder. My family became involved in a lengthy probate case regarding the home we lived in, creating uncertainty about our future. During that time, faith gave me peace and perspective. While I did not always understand why things were happening, I trusted that God was with my family and would help us move forward. My faith has also shaped the way I approach my goals and ambitions. Rather than pursuing success solely for personal gain, I believe success should be achieved with honesty, integrity, and service to others. My Christian values encourage me to work hard, treat people fairly, and remain humble regardless of my accomplishments. These principles influence how I interact with others at school, in my community, and in my work as a Real Estate Marketer at WW Realty. In the future, I plan to pursue a business degree and build a career in real estate. I believe my faith will be one of my greatest assets in that journey. Business and real estate often involve important decisions that affect people's lives, finances, and futures. My faith will help me remain ethical, trustworthy, and committed to doing what is right, even when it may not be the easiest option. It will also remind me to use any success I achieve to help others and give back to my community. The story of this scholarship's namesakes resonates with me because it highlights the power of hard work, determination, and faith. Like them, I hope to build a successful career while remaining grounded in my values. My faith has helped me overcome challenges, develop resilience, and pursue my goals with confidence. I am grateful for the foundation it has provided and believe it will continue to guide me throughout my education, career, and life.

Growing up in a single-parent household has shaped nearly every aspect of my educational journey. My father passed away when I was a baby, leaving my mother to raise me on her own. While I have always admired her strength and determination, I also witnessed firsthand the challenges that come with supporting a family as a single parent. Watching her work tirelessly to provide for me taught me the value of perseverance, responsibility, and hard work. The challenges my family faced became even more difficult when my grandfather, who helped raise me and served as a father figure throughout my childhood, passed away during my freshman year of high school. His death led to a lengthy probate case involving the home my family lived in, creating uncertainty about our future and adding financial stress to an already difficult situation. There were moments when it felt overwhelming, but those experiences motivated me rather than discouraged me. I realized that education would be one of the most important tools for creating opportunities and stability for myself and my family. Because of my family's circumstances, I learned to approach school with purpose. Every assignment, test, and opportunity became a step toward building a better future. My experiences inspired me to develop an interest in business and real estate, especially after seeing how housing and financial challenges can affect families. Today, I work as a Real Estate Marketer at WW Realty, where I have gained valuable professional experience while still in high school. This opportunity has strengthened my desire to pursue a business degree and eventually build a career in real estate. Volunteering has also played an important role in my life. Through community service, I have learned that even small acts of kindness can have a meaningful impact on others. Helping people in my community has shown me the importance of giving back and using my abilities to make a difference. These experiences have reinforced the lessons my mother taught me about supporting others whenever possible. In the future, I hope to give back to my community by helping families achieve greater financial stability and access to housing opportunities. Through a career in real estate and business, I want to help people make informed decisions that can improve their lives and create long-term security. I also hope to mentor young people from single-parent households, showing them that their circumstances do not determine their future. By sharing my experiences and supporting others, I can help provide the encouragement and guidance that were so important to me. Coming from a single-parent household has not always been easy, but it has made me resilient, determined, and grateful. The challenges I have faced have shaped my educational journey and inspired me to pursue goals that will allow me to create opportunities not only for myself, but for the community around me.

Growing up in a single-parent household taught about resilience, responsibility, and perseverance before I learned what those words meant. My father passed away when I was a baby, so my grandfather became the primary father figure in my life. He helped raise me, supported my family, and provided a sense of stability that I often took for granted. When he passed away from dementia two weeks into my freshman year of high school, everything changed. His death was not only emotionally devastating, but it also created challenges that affected my family financially and legally. Because he did not leave a will, we became involved in a probate case over the home we lived in. For the past several years, my family has lived with the uncertainty of not knowing whether we would be able to keep our house. Watching my mother navigate that process alone while working to support our family opened my eyes to the realities many families face when financial security is fragile. There were times during my freshman and sophomore years when money was extremely tight. Seeing my mother make sacrifices to provide for me changed the way I viewed success. I realized that financial stability is not something that should be taken for granted, and I became determined to build a future where I could help support my family and create opportunities for others. Rather than allowing those challenges to discourage me, they motivated me to work harder and think more seriously about my future. Ironically, the probate case that caused so much stress also helped shape my career aspirations. Through that experience, I became interested in property ownership, housing, and the business side of real estate. That interest grew into a passion when I began working as a Real Estate Marketer at WW Realty during my junior year. Through my job, I have gained firsthand experience promoting properties, communicating with clients, and learning from successful professionals in the industry. The more I learned, the more certain I became that I wanted to pursue a career in business with a focus on real estate. My goal is to major in business and eventually build a career in real estate investment and development. I want to help create opportunities for families seeking stability and financial growth through property ownership. I also hope to use my success to give back to communities like the one I grew up in, where many hardworking families face the same challenges that mine has. Charles Bowlus built a successful company by taking a risk on an idea he believed in. His story reminds me that meaningful success often begins with determination and a willingness to overcome uncertainty. My experiences growing up in a single-parent, low-income household have given me that determination. They have shaped my career goals, strengthened my work ethic, and motivated me to build a future that honors the sacrifices my family has made for me.

I grew up watching my community show up for people who were struggling, and when things got hard for my own family, I saw firsthand what it means when someone chooses to pour into others even when they don't have much themselves. That stuck with me. It shaped how I move through the world and it's a big part of why I got involved at Throggs Neck Community Church, where I currently serve in two leadership roles. As a Youth Leader, I help organize and run activities, events, and discussions for the younger members of our church community. A lot of these kids are growing up in circumstances similar to mine — single parent households, financial stress, and struggles from being low-income. I show up to be proof that where you start doesn't have to determine where you end up. I try to be the kind of presence for them that I needed when I was their age. I am someone who listens, encourages, and takes them seriously. As Tech Leader, I manage the audio and visual systems during services and events, including livestreams, presentations, and sound equipment. I also train other volunteers on how to use the equipment. It's a behind the scenes role that most people don't notice when it's done right, but it keeps everything running. I took it on because I wanted to contribute in every way I could. Both roles taught me something important about service; it's about consistency. Showing up every week, doing the work, being reliable for people who are counting on you. That's what real community looks like. When I get to college and build my career in real estate development, I plan to take that same mindset and apply it on a much larger scale. My long term goal is to develop affordable housing in underserved communities like the Bronx, where I grew up watching families struggle with housing instability and financial uncertainty. I want to create financial literacy programs that teach people — especially young people — how to build equity, understand property ownership, and use real estate as a tool for generational wealth instead of watching it be used against them. The people I serve at my church right now are the same people I want to build for in my career. The scale will change but the purpose won't. Everything I'm working toward — my education, my career, my goals — is rooted in the same thing that drives my volunteer work: the belief that people deserve access, opportunity, and stability, and that those of us who gain the tools to create those things have a responsibility to do so. Service isn't something I plan to add to my life later. It's already the foundation of everything I'm building.

Everyone has a favorite Eras Tour moment. The friendship bracelets, the surprise songs, the confetti. And those moments are genuinely special. But the Taylor Swift performance that has stuck with me the longest is her 2021 Grammy performance of august and willow — quiet, stripped back, and completely different from anything people expected from her that night. Most people remember that performance for willow since it was the big moment, the folklore debut, the spectacle of it. But what got me was august. She performed it simply, almost delicately, with this wooden cabin stage setup that felt more like a living room than a Grammy stage. There were no pyrotechnics, no backup dancers, nothing to hide behind. Just the song and her voice and this aching, nostalgic feeling that filled every second of it. August is not a typical song fans lead with. It doesn't have a massive chorus or a quotable one liner that ends up on Pinterest boards. It's a song about loving something that was never really yours, about a summer that mattered deeply to one person and barely registered to another. The line that gets me every time is "back when we were still changing for the better, wanting was enough, for me it was enough." There's a grief in that line that has nothing to do with romance for me. It's about wanting something — stability, normalcy, a version of life that felt secure — and learning to sit with the fact that wanting it was sometimes all you got. My freshman year of high school was the hardest year of my life. I lost my grandfather two weeks in. I watched my mom start fighting a legal battle alone that would drag on for years. I went to school every day and performed fine, kept my grades up, showed up for everything I was supposed to show up for — but underneath all of that I was grieving something I couldn't fully name. Not just my grandfather, but the version of my life I thought I was going to have. The stability I thought was guaranteed. Watching Taylor perform august at the Grammys that night, so understated and unhurried in a room full of people expecting something louder, I felt something release in me a little. There was something about the way she committed fully to a quiet moment on the biggest stage in music that gave me permission to feel things without needing to perform okay at the same time. She didn't need the spectacle. The song was enough. And sometimes, when you're going through something heavy, being reminded that quiet and real is enough — that you don't have to dress up your pain or make it more palatable for the people around you — matters more than any production value ever could. That performance is the one I come back to, because it's the one that actually found me when I needed it.

Everyone knows Driver's License. Everyone knows Good 4 U. Those songs are great, but they weren't the ones that stopped me in my tracks. The song that actually got me was 1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back off her album SOUR. It's quieter than the rest of the album, almost uncomfortable in how still it sits. There's no big chorus, no dramatic buildup. It's just this slow, aching loop that feels like being stuck inside your own head at two in the morning. And the line that hit me hardest was simple: "I'd be the one to blame, I'd be the one to hold, I'm the one who's sorry though I don't know what for." That line described something I had been feeling for years but couldn't articulate. Growing up in a household carrying a lot of weight — losing my grandfather freshman year, watching my mom fight a legal battle over our home alone, navigating financial stress that showed up in ways big and small — I developed this habit of internalizing everything. When things went wrong, my first instinct was to figure out what I did to cause it or what I could do to fix it, even when the situation had nothing to do with me. I became the person who absorbed the tension in the room so everyone else didn't have to. I carried guilt that wasn't mine to carry, quietly, for a long time, and I got so used to doing it that I stopped noticing how heavy it actually was. What that song captured so well is the exhaustion of that cycle. The way you can be in a situation that doesn't make sense, that genuinely hurts you, and still somehow end up apologizing for your own pain. You start questioning your own reactions, convincing yourself that if you just handled things better or needed less or said the right thing, everything would be okay. It's a specific kind of emotional drain that's hard to explain to someone who hasn't felt it. Though Olivia didn't write that song about grief or probate cases or financial hardship, it still hit all the same But that's what great songwriting does. It describes one specific feeling so precisely that it accidentally describes a hundred others. It reaches across completely different situations and finds the common thread underneath all of them — that quiet, exhausting feeling of being sorry for things you didn't even do.

I was a fan before Espresso, back when most people didn't know who she was outside of Disney Channel. That's actually what makes her story hit different for me. I watched her career buildup, not just her peak. I got into her music through her earlier albums. Though they didn't chart or go viral but they showed exactly who she was as an artist. Songs like Almost Love and Skin showed a level of emotional honesty that most pop artists her age weren't bringing. She was writing about real feelings — jealousy, heartbreak, self doubt — without wrapping them up in a perfect bow. That rawness is what kept me listening. It felt like she was figuring things out in real time, and honestly so was I. Growing up in the Bronx, dealing with things at home that most of my classmates weren't, music became a place I could actually breathe. Sabrina's earlier work specifically got me through some of my hardest moments in high school. There's a song called I Can't Breathe that I came back to over and over during my freshman year when I lost my grandfather and everything at home started falling apart. It wasn't a single. Nobody was talking about it. But it felt like it was written for exactly what I was going through. What I respect most about her is that she didn't skip steps. She put out music for years that didn't blow up, kept refining her sound, kept showing up, and trusted that eventually it would connect. That kind of patience and belief in yourself is harder than it looks, especially when you're not getting the recognition yet. I think about that a lot when I'm working toward my own goals in real estate building something slowly, learning the industry from the ground up, trusting the process even when results aren't immediate. She also never pretended to be something she wasn't to get there faster. She stayed in her lane, developed her own voice, and let the work speak over time. When the world finally caught up to her, it was because she had already put in years of work nobody was watching. I was watching though. And it taught me alot about persistence and authenticity.

Growing up in the Bronx, I watched my community struggle with something that doesn't get talked about enough the gap between people who understand financial literacy building generational wealth and people who don't. That gap costs families their homes. It costs neighborhoods their stability. It costs people generational wealth before they ever get a chance to build it. Closing that gap is exactly what I plan to do, and my education is how I'm going to get there. I'm heading to college to study real estate, and I'm not starting from zero. Since December 2025, I've been working as a real estate marketer at WW Realty, managing listings, running marketing campaigns, and learning how this industry actually operates from the inside. Being around people who built real success through real estate completely changed how I see what's possible. It also made me more aware of who isn't in those rooms — and why. People from communities like mine rarely have access to this knowledge, and that absence has real consequences for entire neighborhoods. My long term vision is to develop affordable housing and create financial literacy programs specifically designed for underserved communities in the Bronx and beyond. I want to teach people how to build equity, understand their rights as tenants and homeowners, and use real estate as a tool for stability rather than just watching it be used against them. Real estate shapes communities — who lives where, who owns what, who builds wealth and who doesn't. I want to be on the side that's building something for the people who have been left out of that conversation for too long. Beyond development, I want to mentor young people from low income backgrounds who have never considered real estate as a career path. I found my way into this industry through a job opportunity, and it completely redirected my future. That access shouldn't be rare. I want to create pipelines, internship opportunities, and mentorship programs that expose young people in underserved communities to an industry that could genuinely change the trajectory of their lives. The person who inspires me most is my mother. She raised me alone, worked through financial hardship, and never stopped pushing forward when we spent years fighting a probate case just to keep the roof over our heads. Watching her navigate that kind of pressure, the legal stress, the financial strain, the uncertainty of not knowing if we would lose our home, lit something in me that hasn't gone out. It made real estate personal. It made me understand that property is security, dignity, and stability all wrapped into one. My mother never complained, and because of that I learned to channel hard situations into motivation instead of defeat. Everything I'm building is for her first, and for every family in my community that has faced the same kind of uncertainty we did. I am entering college with a clear purpose, hands on experience, and a deep personal connection to the problem I want to solve. This scholarship would remove a significant financial barrier and allow me to pour everything I have into my education and my vision. The Bronx gave me my drive. Real estate gave me my direction. Now I just need the opportunity to see it through and the impact I make will speak for itself.

I grew up in the Bronx with my mom and my grandfather, and for a long time, that was enough. My grandfather was the father figure, the stability, the person who made sure I knew I was loved even when things were hard. My biological father passed away when I was a baby, so he stepped into that role without hesitation. He was the backbone of our household, and I didn't fully appreciate that until he was gone. Two weeks into my freshman year of high school, my grandfather passed away after a long battle with dementia. I was fourteen. Grief hit hard, but what came after made everything harder. Because he didn't leave a will, a probate case opened up over the house we had lived in for years. That was the only home I had ever known. That case has dragged on through my entire high school career. Every year, there's been a chance we could lose it. That kind of uncertainty changes how you move through the world. You grow up faster than you're supposed to. My mom has handled all of it on her own. She works, she fights the legal battle, she keeps our household running, and she has never once made me feel like any of that was my burden to carry. But I see it. I've always seen it. Growing up in a single parent household means you notice things - the late nights, the skipped expenses, the quiet sacrifices your parent make for you. My mom never complained, and because of that, I learned not to either. I learned to keep going. Freshman and sophomore year were especially tight financially. There were real moments of instability that I won't forget. But I also won't forget how my community held us up during those times. My church, Throggs Neck Community Church, became a second home. The people there showed me what it looks like to serve others even when you don't have much yourself. That stuck with me. It's part of why I took on leadership roles there as both a Youth Leader and Tech Leader, I wanted to give back to the same community that helped carry me. Being Hispanic and growing up in the Bronx gave me a specific kind of education that no classroom could provide. I learned resilience by watching my mother. I learned community by living in one. I learned the value of a stable home by almost losing mine. Those lessons sit with me every single day, and they are the reason I show up the way I do at school, at work, at church, and everywhere else. I maintained a 4.0 GPA through all of it. I took AP classes. I got into the National Honor Society. I started working in real estate marketing my junior year because I wanted to build something real for my future. It happened because of it. My neighborhood, my family, and my story are not obstacles I overcame. They are the foundation I stand on. This scholarship would mean that someone looked at everything I've been through and decided my future was worth investing in. That kind of belief goes a long way.

Here's the expanded version: What Are Your Plans for the Future and How Will This Scholarship Help You? My plan is straightforward. I want to study real estate in college, get my license, and build a career in property investment and development. I'm picking this major because I've already been living it. Since December 2025, I've worked as a real estate marketer at WW Realty, managing listings, running social media campaigns, and communicating directly with clients. I've sat in rooms with people who built real wealth through this industry, and I've taken notes on everything. College is the next step in a path I've already started walking. Long term, I want to own property, build a portfolio, and eventually give back to communities like the one I grew up in in the Bronx. Growing up in a household where money was tight and where we spent years fighting a probate case just to keep our home, I understand firsthand what it means when people don't have access to stable housing or financial resources. I want to be someone who changes that, whether through developing affordable housing, educating people on property ownership, or building enough success to open doors for others the way I'm hoping someone opens one for me right now. I also plan to pursue internships and networking opportunities throughout college to keep building on the real world experience I already have. Working at WW Realty didn't just teach me marketing. This experience taught me how deals are structured, how relationships drive business, and how much opportunity exists in this industry for someone willing to put in the work. I want to enter the professional world after graduation already ahead, not starting from zero. This scholarship directly helps me get there. My mom is a single mother who has carried our family through some genuinely difficult years. There is no college fund waiting for me. Every dollar I receive in scholarship money is a dollar I don't have to stress about, which means more energy spent on my coursework, internships, and building the foundation I need for my future. I already know how to work hard under pressure. I maintained a 4.0 through personal loss, financial hardship, and a legal battle over my own home. What I need now is financial support so that money isn't the thing standing between me and where I'm trying to go. I have a clear goal, real experience in my field, and the drive to see it through. This scholarship will help me reach a position where I can create real change for my family and my community. That's what I'm working toward, and I'm not stopping until I get there.

The family home. In my time marketing properties at a real estate brokerage, I have seen dozens of happy families smiling ear to ear leaving my brokers office after the closing of the homes I spent hours marketing. When I see the euphoria on their faces I think back to my grandfather in 1993 when he bought our family home. Thirty years after the purchase of my family home, my grandfather had just passed away after a long battle with dementia. Not even two days after he left this earth, legal papers arrived at my doorstep. Uncle Junior and my aunts Diana and Maria have served my mother, arguing that they are rightful owners to the family home. Neither I nor my grandfather had seen them since he was diagnosed with dementia. The grief from my grandfather’s passing is still fresh. I sit, pondering how they could claim rightful ownership of the home. I was under the presumption that the home would be left to my mother as that was said in the will penned ten years to the date before his death. In that dreaded packet I read that they claimed a second will written during my grandfather’s battle with dementia. It was impossible of him to sign let alone write that will, his mind was dislodged in time that year. The courts claimed that their will was the more valid one. I didn’t sleep that week, I was still adjusting to the silence in that house, but the noises of the anxieties running loose in my head filled the void of that silence. Would I lose my home? What was going to happen to me and my mother? The emotions piling upon my chest was insurmountable. This was my grandfather’s legacy on the line. A simple General Electric’s mechanic bought that home in cash to impress my grandmother. I had spent my entire life in that home, half the memories I have were formed in that house. Three years after my grandfather’s death little has been resolved legally. The case has been dragged along for months on end, testimony after testimony being recorded but little else. Life after lie was told but the relatives who I cannot even bear calling my family. I couldn’t say a thing. I have been awakened many nights by nightmares of their victory. My entire high school career has been the shadow of the probate case. I have maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout these three years, I have held leadership positions in my school and my church. I have worked in real estate for the last year and at my current brokerage for over six months. I still don’t know the outcome of this case. I stay up late wondering if I will lose my house, But i hope I made my grandfather proud.

A new Love Island challenge is the “Who Said That?” challenge. In this challenge islanders are split into two groups based on gender. One group is presented with a series of anonymous quotes, each referencing someone in the villa. These quotes are taken directly from confessionals, private chats, or even juicy moments whispered on the daybeds. The opposite team must guess two things: who said the quote, and who they were talking about. They will have only thirty seconds to figure out the quote. They will have to work and discuss as a team in order to buzz in and guess the person and the subject. The format immediately creates suspense because every line could reveal a crush, a betrayal, or a compliment no one saw coming. If the team guessed both the speaker and the subject correctly, they win a point. If they guess wrong they have to do a dare, decided by the other team. There is going to be ten rounds of total gameplay. There will be five of each gendered team. The winning team with the most points will win a villa perk. They will get a quote from an incoming bombshell. This will keep the stakes high and motivate the contestants to win. Too add a mid-game twist is introduced. One of the quotes from each team were fake, planted there earlier by the opposite team. “Who Said That” is the perfect challenge for bringing out hidden feelings, encouraging islanders to own their words, and giving the audience plenty of laughs and gaps. It dramatic and flirty without being cruel. It builds tensions and lets the islanders squirm. It’s a future Love Island classic.