Being part of a supportive community that gives back through service opportunities has greatly influenced me and has taught me the importance of making time to serve others. More importantly, committing to service projects and volunteer service has changed my life. Dedicating time each week to support others has helped me focus less on myself and the pressures of academics and more on the needs of others. I have had many opportunities to volunteer in various community service projects through Beta Club, National Honor Society Club, and Gwinnett Church, and have over 300 documented service hours. These include food drives for the North Gwinnett Co-Op, pajama drives for the JAMBOS organization, which serves foster children, book drives for local elementary schools, including two that I organized for a Title I school, packing Operation Christmas Child toy boxes, serving the elderly with various tasks, and making disposable protective gowns for hospital workers during Covid. Most recently, I was selected to intern at Gwinnett Church, where I volunteer several hours weekly to help prepare for upcoming church events and welcome first-time high school students. In addition to this leadership role, I served as a small group co-leader in the middle school ministry at Gwinnett Church. I led and mentored a group of middle school boys, weekly, for 2 years. As a small group leader, I was able to take a group of boys under my wing and help them prepare for high school, while also sharing my experiences with them to help them mature spiritually and as a person. My role was to facilitate discussions on spiritual matters as well as other life relevant issues. I also attended 2 retreats a year with the middle school students to participate in various church related activities, sports and games. While this was meant to benefit them, it also helped me realize the importance of mentoring my peers. I learned how dedicating time to others, in a consistent manner, could help change a life. Volunteering as a small group leader taught me how to lead discussions, but equally important, how to listen as well. In many cases, our small group was the one place where my boys could open up and share about their daily struggles at home and at school. Supporting them through hardships, a loss of a family member, anxiety, depression and peer pressure at school has taught me the importance of being a good listener, showing empathy, and giving encouragement. I created an environment where they could open up and talk about whatever issues were affecting them. It feels great to know that they value, and look up to me as a mentor and friend. I am proud to know that my time spent with them has been an investment in their lives that will hopefully motivate them to be the next generation of leaders and to serve their community. Over the last 4 years, I have made volunteer service a priority in my life and have tried to positively impact my community, especially my peers. Whether by donating resources or sacrificing my time, I feel like I have made a difference in the lives around me and will use what I have learned to continue to help make my surrounding community a better place. It would be an honor to be the recipient of the Michael Rudometkin Memorial Scholarship. Thank you for your consideration. Conner Moniri

I have always participated in sports growing up, specifically academy soccer and recreational basketball. This past year I decided to leave competitive soccer behind to pursue a new interest in bodybuilding. During Covid, most sports were cancelled which left me with a big gap in my day-to-day schedule. I had access to a small weight room so I decided to lift weights. Initially it was a nice distraction from the digital learning at home, however, it slowly grew into what is now a passion of mine. I started doing research on how to build muscle properly, alternating different muscles groups, learning how many repetitions to do of each exercise and when to increase weight. I also learned safety techniques, daily caloric intake needed to help build and maintain muscle as well as the benefits of nutrition supplements. I began to watch weight training videos and started setting personal goals. I also set up a “weight training” story on social media where I started tracking my progress and sharing it with my peers. Looking back at my pictures, it has been an incredible year of progress and growth which required great dedication and commitment. Although I enjoy bodybuilding it has also taught me the importance of setting goals, working hard and staying committed. This year I have gained physical strength. In one year, I’ve gone from bench pressing 135 pounds to benching 235 pounds. I have discovered a positive way to control my stress. I enjoy listening to music during my work-outs which helps me relax and clears my mind from the day’s responsibilities. Music keeps me going and helps me push through difficult work-outs. I’ve met new friends at the gym that share similar goals. We’ve exchanged techniques and supported one another. Lastly, setting specific goals for my weight training has driven me to become more educated regarding nutrition and adjusting diet to support muscle building. I was initially disappointed that soccer ended for me, however, it opened up the opportunity for a new interest to form. Staying fit and healthy is important to me and I actually enjoy the hard work that goes along with the weight training. I have seen and experienced the benefits of committing to an exercise plan and will continue to strive to reach further goals.

I believe leadership is a quality that has been taught, nurtured and developed over the years with the help of my parents, church leaders, teachers and school administrators. I grew up in a school system where being a leader was always encouraged. Being a leader was something we could all strive to do every day no matter how small the task. In high school, I became a freshman mentor where I would lead discussions and answer questions for freshman students during advisement. This experience led me to volunteer in my church’s middle school ministry. I became a small group co-leader for middle school boys. I have been meeting weekly with the same group of boys since they were in 7th grade. Each week a faith-based message is shared and I help facilitate discussion on relevant issues that affect today’s young people. Being a small group leader has taught me how to lead discussions, but equally important, how to listen as well. Listening is an important part of leading so that you can understand the needs and concerns of those whom you are serving. In many cases, our small group has been the one place where my boys have been able to open up and share about their daily struggles at home and at school. Leading them through hardships, a loss of a family member, anxiety, depression and peer pressure at school has taught me the importance of being a good listener. I have discovered that great leadership allows time for listening, asking questions, showing empathy, and encouragement. Being a great leader doesn’t mean you always have the answers, but it does mean you have a responsibility to support and lead others with compassion and understanding. Leading a group of boys at my church has enabled me to help others which has been very gratifying, but it has also changed me and my perspective. I have been able to come along side of these young boys, which are experiencing an incredible amount of change, to lend support and encouragement. I have been able to create an environment where these boys can open up and talk about whatever issues are affecting them and it feels great to know that they value me as a mentor and friend. As a leader I am proud to know that my time spent with them has been an investment in their lives that will hopefully motivate them to lead their own small group in the future. It can seem daunting at first however we can all lead in some capacity no matter how small the task.