My name is Coleton Boles and this is my Ideal #BookTok Inspired Bookshelf As a political science major with a passion for understanding different perspectives, my ideal bookshelf would contain a collection of fiction and nonfiction titles that have resonated with the #BookTok community. Though each book offers its own unique story, together on my shelf they would provide deeper insight into the human experience that informs my studies. The backbone of my #BookTok shelf would be made up of literary fiction exploring themes of identity, society, and activism lifted up by TikTok’s reader base. Novels like “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett, “Such a Fun Age” by Kiley Reid, and “The City We Became” by N.K. Jemisin spotlight diverse protagonists while tackling issues of race and gender roles through compelling character-driven narratives. These books entertain, but they also shake up dominant cultural narratives and promote empathy, giving nuance to my political science research on inequality and representation. For lighter fare, Emily Henry’s “Beach Read” brings levity with its heartwarming romance centered on two writers challenging each other to engage new perspectives while finding connection. Alongside these fiction titles, my ideal #BookTok curation would contain nonfiction highlighting stories that underline my studies in political systems and activism strategies. Works like Matthew Desmond’s “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” and Isabel Wilkerson’s “Caste” offer painfully lucid models for research into systemic injustices in housing and American castes. "Hood Feminism" by Mikki Kendall and "We Do This 'Til We Free Us" by Mariame Kaba provide roadmaps to intersectional activism, fueling my interests in grassroots organizing. More individual stories of overcoming adversity and fighting for progress also earn spots on my shelf through timely memoirs like Amanda Gorman’s poetry collection “Call Us What We Carry” and Tarana Burke’s “Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement.” While each work enlightens distinct elements of the political and social spheres I study, together this blend of fiction and nonfiction titles endorsed by #BookTok creates a modern American bookshelf brimming with unique perspectives. Every compelling narrative, dose of insight, and spark of inspiration serves to inform my understanding of human experience as I prepare for a career centered on advocacy, policy, and positive change from within political systems. And likely these books will continue to motivate spirited discussion in the vibrant #BookTok community that brought them to my attention, underscoring literature’s power to illuminate issues, start conversations, shift attitudes, and prompt action towards justice.

My name is Coleton Boles and I am a Senior Political Science major at The University of Texas at Arlington. I've faced adversity in my life, but it has only strengthened my resolve and motivation. After earning my associate's degree, I found employment close to home in Fort Worth. I was able to provide financial aid for my mom and brothers while climbing the corporate ladder for four years, but last year the company that employed me was impacted by an economic downturn that resulted in layoffs, including my own. This was a difficult setback, but it also opened my eyes to new possibilities. I realized that while financial stability and security is important, I wanted more meaning and purpose in my work. That's why I've decided to return to higher education and pursue a degree that will allow me to dedicate my career to humanitarian efforts. I come from a low-income family, so the cost of college has always been a concern. However, the potential impact I could make for people who have faced similar hardships by working for a non-profit or non-governmental organization outweighs the financial challenges. With the right education and assistance, I'll be prepared to tackle complex issues and make a positive difference in people's lives. My experiences have instilled in me both empathy and perseverance. I understand the struggle of those less fortunate because I have lived it. This gives me a unique perspective that fuels my passion to make the world a little bit better for others. My path has not always been easy, but I have yet to give up. I'm as determined as ever to obtain the knowledge and skills I'll need to pursue a career that aligns with my values. There are so many worthy causes in need of people committed to doing good. I know my calling is to be one of those people. That's why I'm seeking support to continue my education. With your help, I can graduate prepared to change lives through a career aimed at improving social, environmental, and humanitarian issues. For me, It's not just about getting a degree; it's about gaining the ability to make an impact. Your investment in my education will help immensely as I dedicate myself to empowering others. The challenges I've faced have shaped who I am today. Now I'm ready and eager to put my experiences to work on building a better tomorrow.

In my academic journey as a political science major, I’ve embraced numerous extracurricular activities that have not only enriched my college experience but have also honed my leadership skills. Balancing these commitments while maintaining a GPA of 3.79 has been a testament to my dedication, time management, and passion for both academics and extracurricular engagement. One of the primary avenues through which I’ve exercised leadership is my involvement with the UTA Tennis Club. As a passionate tennis player, I recognized the potential for fostering a stronger sense of community among students. Taking the initiative, I organized several get-togethers, ranging from casual game nights to more structured tournaments. These events not only brought tennis enthusiasts together but also provided a platform for skill enhancement and camaraderie. Leading these initiatives required early planning, effective communication, and the ability to motivate members to participate actively. Moreover, my involvement with UTA’s political science honor society, Pi Sigma Alpha, where I have cultivated a close relationship with the officers, has been instrumental in my leadership journey. Working alongside them, I’ve contributed to organizing club meetings and activities that promote political awareness and discourse on campus. Through collaborative efforts, we’ve developed engaging sessions, invited speakers, and hosted debates that have enriched the academic experience for members. My role in these endeavors demanded strong organizational skills and the ability to coordinate various aspects to ensure the smooth execution of events. Managing my time effectively between these extracurricular engagements and my academic pursuits has been a priority. To maintain a GPA of 3.79, I’ve adopted a structured approach to time management. Creating a schedule and prioritizing tasks has allowed me to allocate time for studying while still allowing myself time for extracurricular activities. Furthermore, I’ve learned to leverage my organizational skills, ensuring that both my academic responsibilities and extracurricular commitments receive the attention they require. As a political science major, my leadership experiences have complemented my academic studies by providing practical applications of theories learned in the classroom. I’ve witnessed firsthand how effective leadership can foster inclusivity, encourage political participation, and drive positive change within communities. These experiences have deepened my understanding of governance, leadership dynamics, and the importance of engagement in shaping societal values. In conclusion, my journey through extracurricular leadership roles has been a huge part of my college experience. It has taught me the significance of effective communication, teamwork, and adaptability. Balancing these commitments while maintaining a high GPA has been challenging but immensely rewarding. I’m committed to continuing my growth as a leader, utilizing the skills and experiences gained to contribute meaningfully to both academic and community pursuits.

When a tornado touched down in our small town of Weatherford Texas in the spring of last year it left destruction in its wake. As my family and I returned home from the designated community shelter, we were confronted with the remnants of our home - shattered glass, debris-strewn rooms, and no roof, with the pale gray sky visible above. We picked through the wreckage to salvage what few possessions were left, then went to stay with relatives while we figured out the next steps. In the following days, the enormity of rebuilding began to sink in. Money was extremely tight, my father and I realized that much of the reconstruction work would fall to us. Though neither of us had any formal experience in construction, we were determined not to be defeated by the huge obstacles that lay before us. Through perseverance, problem-solving, and some YouTube tutorials, my dad and I taught ourselves the necessary skills and set to work on the house. For months, every waking hour outside of school and my part-time job was spent framing walls, shingling roofs, laying floors, and completing whatever other tasks were needed to make our battered home livable again. Though exhausted, seeing tangible progress with each passing day motivated me to keep learning and pushing through. My dad's optimism and steadfast resolve through our setbacks also inspired me to adopt his attitude. When resources ran low, I joined with neighbors to organize community supply drives. The outpouring of support from friends, family, church members, and small businesses enabled us to achieve what at times had seemed impossible. After nearly a year of determined collaboration, our ordeal culminated in moving back into a rebuilt house we had brought to life together. Tornado damage can still be seen some throughout the town, but what remains in my heart is immense gratitude for the way our community pulled together in resilience and hope. My ability to confront difficulty has also driven my passion for activism and leadership. As a political science major with a keen interest in human rights issues, I was compelled to take action when conflict broke out in Gaza during my freshman year of college. Heartbroken over the lives lost and people displaced, I helped organize an on-campus demonstration to advocate for peace and acknowledge the tragedy unfolding overseas. Designing posters, drafting speeches, recruiting attendees, liaising with university officials - I poured all my energy into making our voices heard. On the day of the event, seeing hundreds gather in solidarity reminded me that even in circumstances where one feels powerless, raising awareness and standing up for your values can spark change. Whether rebuilding a home or speaking out against injustice, overcoming adversity has taught me perseverance and shown me the power of community. My experiences have given me essential skills in analysis, planning, networking with diverse groups, and maintaining composure during difficulty - strengths I look forward to applying to my academic journey. When faced with obstacles, I do not see barriers but rather opportunities for growth.

The most valuable money lesson I have learned on my journey to become financially literate is the importance of living within my means and avoiding debt whenever possible. As a political science student working toward a bachelor's degree, I have made sacrifices and practical financial choices to ensure I can graduate without the burden of student loans. When I was considering attending university straight out of high school, I researched my options extensively. With college costs rising every year, I knew taking on a large amount of debt at a young age could negatively impact my financial future. I decided I did not want to start my adult life owing tens of thousands of dollars. So rather than take out extensive loans, I chose to work full-time while living at home with my parents. This allowed me to save a substantial amount over three years to pay the majority of my tuition and expenses. Choosing to work and live frugally rather than assume debt is the best financial decision I have made so far. I learned the value of patience and diligence to save for my goals. Contributing my earnings toward tuition also taught me budgeting skills and how to prioritize needs versus wants. Because I funded much of my education upfront, I can focus more wholly on my academics rather than stressing about payments. While borrowing money is sometimes necessary, I believe it should be avoided whenever possible. I have seen too many friends struggle under the crushing weight of student loan repayments, unable to pursue career or life goals because of this financial burden. By working hard and making sacrifices like living with my parents longer than some of my peers, I have avoided this fate thus far. My journey toward financial literacy taught me this lesson early on: make intentional choices, live frugally within your means, work diligently toward goals, and exercise patience to reap rewards. With this principle guiding me, I feel confident I can manage my money wisely in the future. I view the hunt for scholarship awards as a continuation of this idea of avoiding debt and finding help wherever it is available. That’s why I am grateful for the opportunity to write on financial literacy, with the added benefit that my writing will help fund my education. I view this opportunity as a realization of the lessons I have learned in my academic journey.

As a political science major with a deep interest in the workings of human societies, I believe it is profoundly important that we work to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos in which we exist. While political science focuses more narrowly on the dynamics within and between social groups and governing bodies here on Earth, the broader context of humanity’s place in the grand scheme of things remains critically relevant even to my chosen academic discipline. By pushing the boundaries of knowledge outward into the endless frontiers of space and time, I hope we can gain insight into the forces that shaped the conditions for our very existence and better understand our responsibilities toward one another as brief participants in an ancient, unfolding universal drama. As a student of politics, I am compelled to wonder what organizing principles might structure the lives of alien civilizations elsewhere in the cosmos. Are there political universals that would likely recur on other inhabited worlds, or would entirely foreign systems emerge that we cannot yet envision? In studying distant planets and seeking radio signals from the depths of space, I dream we might someday gain vital context for how societies form, advance, and interact that no single planet could ever hope to provide. Even if we never make contact, searching the stars forces us to think expansively about what other “political animals” might one day teach us. Meanwhile, tools like the James Webb Space Telescope offer glimpses backward in time to witness the birthing moments of galactic systems that ultimately lead to our small corner of the present universe. Piecing together the origins of matter and energy themselves points toward answers about celestial mechanics and our place within this incomprehensible structure. As mysteries surrounding dark matter and dark energy are decoded, I eagerly anticipate revolutionary insights that shake up existing paradigms in fields as disparate as astrophysics, philosophy, and yes – political thought. Studying politics is at its core about studying power, conflict, and change over time. Developments in cosmology that reshape our narrative of how the universe evolves necessarily impact our conceptions of humanity’s evolution. In short, expanding the horizons of humankind’s collective knowledge through ambitious space exploration and cosmological investigation represents a supreme exercise of our native political faculties. We undertake the challenge not for private glory but on behalf of all people for all time; we marshal public resources pooled from society to launch these intellectual ventures into the unknown. In the quest to understand the nature of our universe more completely, what we are truly trying to understand is ourselves within the context of all creation. I consider joining this mission no less than a duty for its far-reaching implications toward progress and peace between all members of the human family.

Mental health has significantly influenced my life, both through my own experiences with anxiety and depression and through the struggles of loved ones. These challenges have shaped my beliefs, relationships, and aspirations in profound ways. As someone diagnosed with general anxiety disorder and coming from a family history of depression, I understand firsthand the obstacles mental health can create. My issues with anxiety and depression made pursuing higher education extremely difficult. Simply getting through each day felt daunting, let alone succeeding academically. However, with treatment and support from family and friends, I learned how to manage my mental health. Though it is an ongoing process, I’ve developed coping strategies and resilience. I now recognize that my struggles have given me greater empathy and motivation to help others facing similar challenges. Through therapy, I’ve made significant progress with depression. Just having someone listen and provide guidance has lifted tremendous weight off my shoulders. Medication has also helped immensely with managing anxiety. Buspirone has enabled me to feel more calm and clear-headed. With these tools, I’ve been able to push forward in accomplishing my academic and career goals. However, the most vital component has been the unconditional love and understanding of friends and family. Knowing they stand beside me, especially during the darkest times, keeps me going. I’m beyond grateful for their patience and encouragement. My relationships have deepened exponentially through this shared experience. Despite the positives, engaging with the mental health industry has not always been easy. Between insurance frustrations and finding the right specialists, accessing care can be complicated. One of my career goals is to. help improve healthcare access so that cost and convenience do not hinder people from getting help. My experiences have fueled my aspirations to work for a non-profit and help others struggling with mental health challenges. I want to promote education, availability of resources, and elimination of stigmas. My journey has given me insight into how to truly support those in need. There is still so much work to be done, but I know I can make a difference. Though managing my mental health will be a lifelong process, the perspective and strength it has provided are invaluable. With the knowledge I have gained, I am determined to not just overcome my own obstacles, but improve the lives of others. My past does not have to dictate my future. Instead, it can inform my path toward purpose and making a positive impact.

My name is Coleton Boles and I am a Senior Political Science major at The University of Texas at Arlington. I've faced a few challenges in my life, but they have only strengthened my resolve and motivation. After earning my associate's degree, I found employment close to home in Fort Worth. I was able to provide financial aid for my mom and brothers while climbing the corporate ladder for four years, but last year the company that employed me was impacted by an economic downturn that resulted in layoffs, including my own. This was a difficult setback, but it also opened my eyes to new possibilities. I realized that while financial stability and security is important, I wanted more meaning and purpose in my work. That's why I've decided to return to higher education and pursue a degree that will allow me to dedicate my career to humanitarian efforts. I come from a low-income family, so the cost of college has always been a concern. However, the potential impact I could make for people who have faced similar hardships by working for a non-profit or non-governmental organization outweighs the financial challenges. With the right education and assistance, I'll be prepared to tackle complex issues and make a positive difference in people's lives. My experiences have instilled in me both empathy and perseverance. I understand the struggle of those less fortunate because I have lived it. This gives me a unique perspective that fuels my passion to make the world a little bit better for others. My path has not always been easy, but I have yet to give up. I'm as determined as ever to obtain the knowledge and skills I'll need to pursue a career that aligns with my values. There are so many worthy causes in need of people committed to doing good. I know my calling is to be one of those people. That's why I'm seeking support to continue my education. With your help, I can graduate prepared to change lives through a career aimed at improving social, environmental, and humanitarian issues. For me, It's not just about getting a degree; it's about gaining the ability to make an impact. Your investment in my education will help immensely as I dedicate myself to empowering others. The challenges I've faced have shaped who I am today. Now I'm ready and eager to put my experiences to work on building a better tomorrow.