"His hands were covered in mud, ensnared by the dirt and decay that reached out to take him, dragging him down into their murky depths..." The words flowed seamlessly together as I typed them, conceived with delight and anticipation for the impact they would play on the rest of my story. I loved it, all of it: the dreary imagery, conveying pictures of despair and weakness; the ominous tone, establishing the weight of the challenges before the protagonist; and the overall story, full of emotion and expression that words can barely begin to convey. Writing has enabled me to not only indulge my love of creating stories, but also provided me with a way to improve the world around me. At first, I hated writing. In elementary school, writing evoked images of essays about spring break and summer vacation, topics that failed to interest my active imagination. Instead, I was daydreaming: thinking about cats and dogs and robots fighting on the field of battle for the fate of two kingdoms; two arch-enemies locked in mortal combat above the fires of a blazing volcano; or a group of friends banded together to save their people from destruction by formidable feline foes. As these ideas developed, they became more than mere daydreams: they were stories, stories that I wanted to share with others. It was then that I realized I wanted to write. And so I did, taking a creative writing class in middle school and further developing my ideas, even writing a sixty-thousand word draft on a story about a group of pioneers on the Oregon Trail. In high school, I shifted gears to focus on what will be the first book I attempt to publish: a story about a potential plot to overthrow a decaying empire, featuring indulgent yet dissatisfied royals, ambitious yet inexperienced youths, and complicated yet ruthless villains. Creating complex stories and characters is the reason that I became a writer, and it helps inspire me to continue writing and grow as an author. Moreover, writing has provided me with a way to help others, by creating entertaining and impactful stories with relevant themes, such as the power of forgiveness, hope, and love. I want my characters to be relatable, whether it be an insecure and uncertain youth striving to grow and learn; an elderly politician hoping to make one final, lasting contribution to her empire; or an emperor embittered by hatred who is torn between preserving his pride and reconciling with his estranged brother. I intend to make these characters and their struggles resonate with others, reminding us all of the power of doing what is right and loving our neighbor. In college, I plan to pursue a degree in history with the intent of becoming a teacher; however, that by no means dampens my commitment to writing. I have already outlined the first book I plan to publish and plan to complete its rough draft in my freshman year of college, having taken a hiatus my senior year to focus on applying to college, making Eagle Scout, and schoolwork. I will use writing to love other people by providing encouragement through my works and reminding them of the power of hope and redemption. In conclusion, writing has helped me grow and develop as a person, providing me with both a creative outlet and a way of communicating with and encouraging other people. Hopeful with great expectations for the future, I am looking forward to pursuing writing and making the world a better place both in college and throughout the rest of my life.

"What was the Second French Intervention in Mexico?" I asked myself one day in the spring of my eighth grade year, having learned of it during my history class. This question became one of many that I began to ask then, as I grew interested in the story of the past. I started conducting research of my own, particularly on the history of France and its kings, from Merovech to Louis-Philippe. Later I studied Mongols like Genghis and Kublai Khan, as well as the empire they ruled. I constructed genealogies of these historical figures, learning about the reigns and times of English kings, Russian tsars, and Roman emperors along the way. During all of this I realized how much I had come to love history and its intricate, fascinating stories; I wondered if this passion would ever be more than a hobby. This led me to engage my interest in history during high school, taking several AP courses such as AP World History, AP United States History, and AP European History; in my spare time I began to read history books instead of fiction, primarily focusing on the Middle Ages in Europe and the sixteenth century. In my junior year my history teacher invited me to join my school's University Interscholastic League (UIL) Social Studies team. To prepare for competition meets I had to read a book on the Election of 1800 while studying people and events that took place in early nineteenth-century politics. I enjoyed the competitions and the subject matter, eagerly researching and learning about well-known figures like Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, and John C. Calhoun. It was during that time that I also competed in the Citizen's Bee, which helped me gain a better understanding of the Constitution and important events in our nation's history. I won region and placed fourth at state for the Citizen's Bee, which was hosted in Austin; during my visit I toured the state capitol and UT Austin. I would return to both those places in a month, for the UIL Social Studies State Meet. This competition, where I placed first, was hosted at UT Austin, which is known for its excellent liberal arts and history programs; impressed with the campus and after doing further research, I decided that it was the right school for my postsecondary career. My time in UIL and the Citizen's Bee, both of which I am doing again this year, have deepened my love of history by encouraging me to take deep dives into historical topics while teaching me the importance of adequately understanding the past. I plan to pursue a master's degree in history in order to teach that subject either as a college professor or in a high school environment. I have a deep love and respect for the past, and want to instill that in my pupils, as historical events help us to interpret the world around us, and can guide us towards making it a better place. In this complex and rapidly-changing world, it is more important than ever to be conscious of the past while aware of how it can guide our actions in the present. Understanding how people behaved and lived thousands of years ago, as well as the mistakes they made and the successes they achieved, can provide guidelines for what we should do in order to live a meaningful life and make the world a better place. Thank you for reading this application and providing me with this amazing opportunity; thank you for giving me this chance to express my love of history and plans for the future.