In my sophomore year of high school, I had the honor of serving as a drum major in the Vines High School Band under the direction of Mr. Jonathan Cao. Mr. Cao was more than a director, but a mentor and role model—a man who leads by example. Mr. Cao is one of the kindest people I have ever met. He truly cares about every person he interacts with. He has not only been a teacher of mine but has played a significant role in shaping who I am today. As a drum major under Mr. Cao, one of the main tasks he gave me was getting to know each band member personally. Heading into this role, I assumed my job would include directing the band and serving as a leader. Mr. Cao taught me the importance of showing those around me that they are all important as people and not just band members. This experience is one that I have taken with me and continue to use. Mr. Cao is no longer one of my teachers. However, he is someone that I continue to turn to and lean on for wisdom and guidance. He never fails to drop what he is doing to talk or spend time with me when I ask. Mr. Cao has been hugely influential in demonstrating the qualities I hope to incorporate into my life. Three years ago, I switched churches to Citizens Church in Plano, where I met one of my youth leaders, mentor, and friend, Braedon Taylor. Since I met Braedon, he has always been open to me about his life and reached out to me to check in on my life. Braedon has shown me what it means to be intentional with others, seeking no personal gain. Instead, Braedon chose to do this because of his deep love for others. Because of Braedon's love for me, I have seen a premier example of what it looks like to be sincere with others. When serving other people, I want nothing more than for them to be seen and experience love from me. I want those around me to know I genuinely care about them and am here whenever they need me. Sincerity is one of the most necessary traits for a leader because it creates bonds with those they lead, resulting in a work environment that produces exceptional results. My greatest achievement to date is incorporating what the two men mentioned above have taught me into my own life. I've been able to find ways to be intentional with my friends, classmates, and family. For my friends, I regularly spend time checking in on them and finding out ways that I can be of support to them in their lives. For my classmates, it comes as asking if they need help with something that they may be struggling with or not turning them down when they come to me for help. Also, I focus on building relations while still putting forward high-quality work in group projects. For my family, as the son of a single mother, I attempt to take initiative when it comes to fixing things around the house or doing any extensive lifting. What this has taught me about myself is that working for other people is more fulfilling than working for myself. Working for other people doesn't necessarily mean being at the bottom of the food chain, but everything I do is with others in mind. This is important because of the career path that I have set out in my mind, where I will eventually become a team lead or project manager for an engineering company. With this in mind, I want to serve the people I am leading. I want to get down in the dirt with them when necessary, and I want them to feel safe under my leadership, knowing that I am there for them as more than a "boss" but a friend.

My entire life, I have struggled with anxiety. My anxiety was very extreme when I was younger. I had significant separation anxiety when I was young, which only got worse when I was five and my parents divorced. Being dropped off at school was very difficult for me and my mother. The nights I was supposed to spend with my dad also almost always ended up with my mom having to come and pick me up. I dropped out of Boy Scouts because leaving home to go on the campouts was highly stressful and made Boy Scouts become something I dreaded. I had trouble sleeping every night and was constantly nervous. I did not know that I could feel any different. In middle school, my anxiety got even worse. I went to see a doctor who started me on anxiety medication, which reduced my anxiety to a tolerable level. It was amazing to me to feel like I was in control of my emotions for once and to be able to enjoy my life more. I also started seeing a counselor whom I quickly connected with and who helped me immensely. During that time, I grew and had to increase my medication, which led to some bad side effects, forcing me to have to change medications. Switching medications created a period where I once again felt my anxiety in full force. It was awful to feel like that again, and it reaffirmed that anxiety medication was something I may always need. I cannot imagine where my life would be had my mother not sought out help for me. With medicine and therapy, I have grown to be much less anxious and have become a more confident, social, and happy person. My time at Plano Senior High School was great. With my anxiety more under control, I truly thrived during high school. I had a fantastic group of friends, was highly involved in the band as a drum major and the lead trumpet, and made great grades. Like everyone, I still struggled at moments, but I could handle it with the support of those around me. I am headed to Baylor University in the fall to study Mechanical Engineering and plan to work in the aerospace industry eventually. I am both nervous and excited about starting college. I will miss my family and home, and I know it will be a huge transition, but I am confident I will adjust. Counseling taught me the value of talking to others about my emotions, and although I no longer see a counselor, I still turn to my mother, friends, and mentors regularly when I am struggling. Baylor offers free counseling, which I will use if needed. I know that not everyone needs medication in the way that I do, but counseling and talking to others about your emotions and your struggles is something that everyone could benefit from. My mental health journey has made me more empathetic to others and the struggles that they are going through. I can relate to those around me who are struggling, and I am open to listening and caring for them. The world we live in is not an easy one, and it is growing more complex with social media, economic issues, and pressure to be successful. Being able to manage strong emotions is something that we all need to be able to do. I am not always successful at controlling my emotions and anxiety, but I can do it the majority of the time, and when I cannot, I am willing to reach out for help.

I have experienced many ups and downs throughout my life. The biggest thing that has impacted me throughout the challenging moments is the people who have supported and encouraged me. From them, I have learned the importance of being there for others, putting others' needs before my own, being present and intentional with people, and ensuring everyone around me feels welcome, seen, and heard. I had the opportunity to serve as one of the Drum Majors in my marching band for two years. One of my apparent goals was to lead my band well. However, an even more important goal was getting to know each band member I was leading. My 9th and 10th-grade band director taught me that band was not life, a lesson I needed to learn. He taught me that relationships meant more and that genuinely investing in others was important. My youth pastor taught me the same lesson. He regularly checks in with all of us in the youth group, attends all our events, and is always willing to listen when we need someone to talk to. I have been grateful to have such incredible mentors to teach me the value of relationships. I now prioritize reaching out to my friends, checking in with them, ensuring they are doing well, and planning events for us to get together and have fun. I want to emulate the lessons that my mentors taught me. I want others to know that I genuinely care about them and what is going on in their lives. I want them to know that I am a person they can turn to who will listen when they are having a hard time. I love to celebrate my friends' successes as much as my own. In short, I strive to be someone others can count on, lean on, and truly feel loved by. I will be entering college this Fall and studying mechanical engineering. I plan to eventually work as a project manager in the aerospace field. As a project manager, I want to apply the same focus on relationships that I have in the past. I want to instill in my group the desire to listen to one another, form actual personal bonds, and work cohesively as a group where every team member feels valued. I want to be a leader who excites people to come to work each day because they know that they are an essential piece of the puzzle and that it takes each of us in our project group to complete the puzzle we are working on perfectly. I want to instill a sense of belonging and pride in the work of everyone I work with and manage. This will not only make everyone excited to be a part of my team, but it will also make our team successful and able to achieve amazing things. Life can be challenging. I have experienced many struggles throughout my life and have been immensely grateful for those who have been there for me. We are not meant to do life alone. Unfortunately, in our culture, this has become more of the norm, and I see more people who are lonely and struggling than ever before. I want to be a person who sees people and what they are going through and reaches out a hand to offer help and support. One of my goals to make this world a better place is to strive to impact the people I encounter in my life positively. We all need help from others, and I want to be that help to those around me.

A few weeks ago at my youth group's summer camp, we listened to several panels from several of the youth leaders and pastors about their lives leading up to Jesus and how Jesus lives in their day to day lives. One of the leaders, Ross, is an engineer, the same profession I wish to have one day. Not only because of his profession, but the way he acts as a servant of God, do I admire him. Ways that he mentioned he tries to share his faith in his workplace that I want to do as well include teaching younger employees. Teaching them in a way that is uplifting but also promotes the opportunity for friendship in a career where people leave at 5pm without a second thought about doing anything else in the office. This leads to another point Ross made. When we get work done, we feel good. When we do not get work done, we feel bad. However, to serve as a representative of Christ, we are called to offer to do more. To help other with their load. To stay late. To ask what else needs to be done. This is not to say that we should live in the office, but that our time in the office should be well spent and have others in mind. My long term career goals include becoming a project manager or team lead for an engineering company. The reason that I wish to do this as opposed to "working as an engineer" is because of the direct effect I can have on others as someone who is "higher up" than them. I want to lead by example, and I want that example to be Jesus Christ. I want those who I lead to know that I will care for them more than any project. That I will jump into the fire with them to help out on whatever needs to be done. I want them to see Jesus through me, and I want to fulfil what has been set out for me to do in living like Jesus. Sharing my faith in the workplace will also look like one on one conversation with those around me. Not in a confrontational or judgmental manner, but a loving one. Whether this be while working on a project, during down time, on a lunch break, or outside of work gathering, I want to actively participate in conversation about my faith and share it with others. All in all, I am excited to work in a manner that will ultimately glorify the Kingdom of God.

We as humans do not know many things about this world, but there are two big things that so many people do not realize. The first is that we are each a piece of a beautiful puzzle composed of every single person on Earth. Second, people are given the notion that the puzzle is beautiful, regardless of whether their piece is there or not. The problem is that the puzzle becomes fragmented when their piece leaves. When another person puts them down or self-doubt creeps in; they think they are not seen in this world. We all think about these things when we are not reminded of how beautiful our puzzle pieces are. One of my most constant reminders of how my piece fits into the puzzle comes from Mr. Jonathan Cao, Head Band Director of Vines High School. At first glance, all you see on the surface is that Mr. Cao is an average man. On the outside, you would see someone who might blend into the crowd. Looking further inside, you will discover one of the kindest personalities this world offers. You will find an extremely humble person despite having accomplished so much. It is easy to tell that Mr. Cao cares deeply about his students. He looks at them as more than musicians, more than students, but as people. And one of the things that Mr. Cao wants most for his students is for them to feel known. It is a big goal of his for his students to discover more about themselves as a person throughout their time knowing him. I have often gone to Mr. Cao for advice about things that are going on in my life. Anytime Mr. Cao sees any of his students who are stressed or struggling in any way, he jumps at the opportunity to encourage them. I have experienced this countless times, where Mr. Cao has noticed me when I was down and took time out of his day to check in on me. Not only does he listen and respond intentionally, but Mr. Cao will also make himself available for anything you need in the future. Mr. Cao ensured that I knew there was always an open space in his office for me to go and talk to him. One of the most extraordinary things about the Vines Band is the community, and one of the best things about the community is the phrases shared across the entire band. One of my favorite phrases that the band shares is "equal contribution." Mr. Cao uses this phrase to remind the band of how the music is to be played but also to remind the band members that the marching show is only complete with them. There will be a gap in the visuals, a part missing in the music, and something in the show will feel off to the audience with just one piece missing. That is why Mr. Cao uses "equal contribution" as a reminder that we all have a part in this world, even if it does not feel like it. Sometimes, you must step back and look at the show from the audience's perspective. Then you see what the world is like without you. Best described by Mr. Cao, "we are a little bit less beautiful without you." The marching show becomes less beautiful. The world becomes less beautiful. There is a place in this world for every single person, and Mr. Cao desperately wants his students to know that he sees them and their place in this world. He wants them to see that for themselves.

Growing up in a single-parent household in a house that constantly needed a lot of major home repairs and watching my mother struggle with money daily has led me to have a strong desire to be more financially stable in my own life. Over the past several years, since getting my license and wanting to do more things with friends, I have learned to watch my spending and be responsible about how I spend money. I have worked part-time jobs, but with the cost of gas and going out with friends, I have seen how quickly the money I make can disappear. This summer, in particular, has been incredibly stressful and frustrating. My goal was to work a lot this summer to make money to pay for my gas and personal expenses at college this next year. I have applied for nearly forty jobs, have been on interview after interview, and am still looking for a job. I do not want to spend my last summer at home stressed out all summer, but jobs are tough to find right now. I plan to referee soccer this summer, which pays well, but I wanted to work a lot and pad my bank account so that I felt comfortable going off to college, knowing that I would have the money necessary to pay for expenses that arose. Between watching my mother and my experience this summer, I have had my eyes opened to just how stressful it can be to not be financially secure. I would one day love to be able to give back to my mom for all the sacrifices she has made for me throughout my life and to ease her financial stress in some way. I a.m hoping that getting my degree in engineering and eventually working in that field will lead to a fair amount of financial security. I have learned to evaluate every purchase I make to determine if it is a need or just a want and how important it is. I have also learned to price-compare everything before I make any purchases. Making smart financial decisions can dramatically impact one's quality of life. I want to have plenty of money in the future so as not to worry about every penny I spend, but I also want to constantly weigh the options before making purchases and look at the big picture instead of just my short-term wants. One day, I want to be married and have kids, and I want them to grow up in a financially stable home. My goal will be to provide for them entirely and teach them how to be responsible with money, the value of work, saving, and being conscientious regarding spending. I still hope to find a job this summer to supplement refereeing. If I cannot find something, I will have to be very careful throughout my first year regarding spending, and if it comes down to it, I will need to find an on-campus job to supplement what I start the year with. Financial wisdom is so important. So many people are living above what they can afford, and I have personally witnessed that it just leads to stress and even more debt. My goal in the future is to be financially wise and avoid the stress and extra debt that come from making poor financial decisions.

It is hard to believe that my high school senior year is over. This past week has been a blur of my senior band recital, last band concert, band banquet, graduation, and graduation parties. Moving on to this next chapter in my life is both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. I am headed to Baylor University to major in Mechanical Engineering and plan to work in the aerospace field eventually. Leaving behind the band and the trumpet, which has been a massive part of my life for the past seven years, feels weird. Still, I want to focus solely on school for at least one semester before determining if I can juggle playing in an ensemble while maintaining the grades needed for one of the prominent scholarships Baylor gave me. Leaving home will also be a significant change. I was raised by a single mom to whom I am very close. My mother is a school counselor, so being a single parent and having an older brother who will also be in college next year will make paying for college very challenging. Earning a scholarship like this would greatly help reduce some of the financial stress for me and my mother. The thought of starting engineering classes is exciting to me. The feeling of a project coming together, of multiple pieces of physical material and ideas of study playing their role in completing one colossal puzzle. This is what draws me to engineering, and I know there is no other field where I will be able to experience this same feeling. More specifically, I love to see the principles of physics applied to real-life scenarios. I love to see my ideas take form into something tangible and complete. Upon earning my degree, I plan to work in the Aerospace Engineering field. My career objectives come in two different stages. Out of college, I would love to work on continuing to hone my knowledge as an engineer at a company such as NASA, Boeing, or Raytheon. The second part of my career goals includes handling the more logistical side of a project as a project manager. Engineering is a field that can have a fantastic impact on so many aspects of our lives. One of the most critical ways in which I hope to make an impact in my community is by making aircraft travel safer. Using my engineering background to improve the design of aircraft to allow it to travel through brutal weather conditions while still maintaining the ability to get passengers where they are going safely is one goal I see myself working towards in my future. Another future goal is to make spacecraft more energy-efficient and more environmentally friendly. Air pollution from planes and spacecraft is a concern in many ways. Air pollution is leading to frightening climate changes that we see worldwide. Air pollution is also causing more health issues. Working to reduce the emissions of gases and other dangerous chemicals in aircraft is an important role that I see myself potentially working towards in the future. I am excited to begin my journey in this field as a student and, eventually, as an engineer. Like my career objectives, my education objectives come in two phases. I intend to obtain my Bachelor's degree. After this, I would like to begin working, then, after some time, commit part of my time to school once again to obtain my master's degree. I have had the privilege of touring my future college campus several times and meeting several engineering professors on staff. Several of the professors are working on some exciting research projects. I am thrilled at the prospect of doing research alongside some of my professors during my college years. College is costly. My mother has always made it clear that my education is a priority to her, but helping to fund my and my brother's college tuition is putting her in a situation where I do not know how she will ever be able to retire. In the future, I hope to be a support in my mom's life, and fulfilling my dreams of being an engineer would set me up to help my mom as she has helped me.

I have experienced many ups and downs throughout my life, but the one thing that has impacted me throughout the challenging moments is the people in my life who have supported and encouraged me. From them, I have learned the importance of being there for others, putting others' needs before my own, being present and intentional with people, and making sure everyone around me feels welcome, seen, and heard. I had the opportunity to serve as one of the Drum Majors in my marching band for two years. One of my apparent goals was to lead my band well. However, an even more important goal for me was to get to know each band member I was leading. My 9th and 10th-grade band director taught me that band was not life, a lesson I needed to learn. He taught me that relationships meant more and that genuinely investing in others was important. My youth pastor taught me the same lesson. He regularly checks in with all of us in the youth group, attends all our events, and is always willing to listen when we need someone to talk to. I have been grateful to have such incredible mentors to teach me the value of relationships. I now prioritize reaching out to my friends, checking in with them, ensuring they are doing well, and planning events for us to get together and have fun. I want to emulate the lessons that my own mentors taught me. I want others to know that I genuinely care about them and what is going on in their lives. I want them to know that I am a person they can turn to who will listen when they are having a hard time. I love to celebrate my friends' successes as much as I celebrate my own. In short, I strive to be someone others can count on, lean on, and truly feel loved by. I will be entering college next year and studying mechanical engineering. I plan to eventually work as a project manager in the aerospace field. As a project manager, I want to apply the same focus on relationships that I have in the past. I want to instill in my group the desire to listen to one another, form actual personal bonds, and work cohesively as a group where every team member feels valued. I want to be a leader who excites people to come to work each day because they know that they are an essential piece of the puzzle and that it takes each of us in our project group to complete the puzzle we are working on perfectly. I want to instill a sense of belonging and pride in the work of everyone I work with and manage. This will not only make everyone excited to be a part of my team, but it will also make our team successful and able to achieve amazing things.

I have been a leader in my high school band for years. In 10th grade, I auditioned and was selected as one of the drum majors for my band. My role consisted of leading and directing the band. However, it was more than that. My band director tasked me to get to know every student in the band and make a connection with them all. I worked hard that year at conducting the band, but I worked even harder to ensure everyone in the band felt welcome, seen, and heard. My director at the time was one of the most remarkable men that I have ever met. He is also a deacon at my church and has become a mentor to me in many ways. He served as a role model for me during my time at Vines High School by showing every band member that he cared about them, not just as band members but as people. That created the desire in me to do the same. Moving to Plano Senior High for my junior and senior years, I wanted to continue in leadership roles. This year, as a senior, I am the lead trumpet in our jazz band and was thrilled to be once again chosen as one of the drum majors for the band. It is both an honor and a privilege to once again be able to serve my band in this role. Again this year, my goal was to lead our band on the podium and to build a community where everyone felt valued. I also have had opportunities to serve as a leader and mentor in my youth group programs. Starting high school, I attended Chase Oaks Church. As one of the students who had been there for several years, I took on the role of a student leader. I was able to help facilitate small groups, lead prayer time, and assist with worship. Beginning three years ago, I moved to Citizens Church in Plano. The youth leaders at Citizens have been fantastic role models and mentors in my life. As I got older, I became responsible for mentoring some of the younger students in our youth group. I have gained so much wisdom from the leaders that I have had in my time in youth group, so being able to give that same wisdom and guidance to younger students is something I have enjoyed tremendously. My experiences with leadership have taught me a great deal. I have learned that being a leader does not mean being in charge but rather guiding the group that you are in charge of leading. I have been grateful to witness others demonstrate what authentic leadership means. Being a true servant leader is something that I am called to do. Once I finish my engineering degree and work in mechanical engineering for some time, I plan to eventually work my way up to serving as a project manager, where I can apply the leadership skills I have learned.

My mom has provided unwavering support for me throughout my entire life. Watching my mom throughout the years, I can attest that being a single parent is hard. My mom has worked diligently to be immensely involved in my life, including academics, extracurriculars, social, emotional, and spiritual. My mother has been a constant source of support and encouragement as I have grown up. Growing up in a single-parent home is very different than growing up in a house with two parents. Single parents are forced to do the job of two people in countless ways and do not have the same built-in support system within the home. In some ways, being raised by a single mom was hard because she was very busy and more stressed than other parents I saw, but it also created a unique bond between us that may not have occurred otherwise. My mother is a school counselor who has instilled in me the importance of education and hard work. Fortunately, for the most part, school has come easily to me. However, anytime I need help, she is always willing to pause what she is doing and help me. One of the ways that I frequently ask her to help me is by quizzing me for an upcoming test. I give her my notes, and she will spend however long it takes asking me questions for me to feel prepared for the test. As I near the end of high school and look forward to starting college next year, I am so grateful for the help and guidance my mother has given me throughout college applications, FAFSA, and applying for scholarships. Being a single parent and a public educator, I know that there is no way that my mother can afford to pay for all of my college tuition, but she has helped me seek out financial support in many ways. I am lucky to have had my mother's love and encouragement throughout the years, as I have met many people who sadly do not have that. My mother has sacrificed a lot to ensure that I have the opportunity to get a good education and have an easier life than she has had. I plan to study mechanical engineering in college and work in the aerospace industry. One day, when I am out of college and working, I look forward to giving back to her for all she has done for me as I have grown up. Having a parent who truly cares about you and wants the best for you is one of the greatest gifts. I have had that in my mother, and I am truly grateful for everything she has done for me to have me on the path that I am on. I am excited to start college next year, and though I know it is bittersweet for my mom and that she will miss me, she is excited for me and for the endless possibilities that reaching my educational goals will provide. After graduation, I hope to work at NASA. I see the potential in the future to significantly impact our world. One way I foresee doing this is by making spacecraft more energy-efficient and more environmentally friendly. Air pollution from planes and spacecraft is a concern in many ways. Air pollution is leading to frightening climate changes that we see worldwide. Air pollution is also causing more health issues. Working to reduce the emissions of gases and other dangerous chemicals in aircraft is an important role that I see myself potentially working towards in the future.

It is hard to believe that my high school senior year ends in a few short days. This past week has been a blur of my senior band recital, last band concert, band banquet, and graduation parties. Moving on to this next chapter in my life is both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. I am headed to Baylor University to major in Mechanical Engineering and plan to work in the aerospace field eventually. Leaving behind the band and the trumpet, which has been a massive part of my life for the past seven years, feels weird. Still, I want to focus solely on school for at least one semester before determining if I can juggle playing in an ensemble while maintaining the grades needed for one of the big scholarships Baylor gave me. Leaving home will also be a significant change. I was raised by a single mother with whom I am very close. My mother is a school counselor, and so, being a single parent and the fact that my brother will also be in college next year will make paying for college very challenging. Earning a scholarship like this would be huge and help reduce some of the financial stress for both me and my mother. Living in a dorm will also be a change in many ways. My family is hugely involved in fostering and volunteering with two animal rescue groups. I have felt like I was being raised in a zoo, in a good way, many times over the years. We have fostered over seventy animals, and although it is a lot of work, it is also an immense joy to have them in our home and to be part of their journey to their forever family. Living in a dorm with no animals will be a change. Also, adjusting to living independently for the first time will be new, although fortunately, I will be rooming with one of my best friends who is also majoring in engineering. I have been intensely involved in my church and youth group throughout high school and will miss them immensely. My roommate and I have already identified a church in Waco with a strong college group that is very similar to our current church home. I am grateful to know that I will continue to have a strong church family throughout my time in college, and I know that my current youth leader, who is also a mentor and friend, is only a phone call away. I also joined the Plano Dance Club this year and have developed a love for country dancing. I am excited that Baylor has a dance club run by the same group so that I can continue with this newfound passion in college. Despite the nervousness about all the changes coming my way in a few short months, I am excited to see where this next chapter leads. Financing this chapter, though, is something that I strongly need help with.

Life is full of challenges. Some of the adversity that I have overcome include severe anxiety, my parent's divorce, my mother's drinking, and house issues that created significant financial strains on my family. I have fought hard throughout all of this to get to where I am now, on the cusp of heading off to begin college. My entire life, I have struggled with anxiety. I had significant separation anxiety when I was young, which only got worse when I was five and my parents divorced. The nights I was supposed to spend with my dad almost always ended up with my mom having to come and pick me up. I dropped out of Boy Scouts because leaving home to go on the campouts was highly stressful and made Boy Scouts become something I dreaded. I had trouble sleeping and was constantly nervous. After my parent's divorce, which shook my world, my mother, who also struggles with anxiety, started going out and drinking more often. Eventually, her drinking got to a point where she fortunately did something about it. Around the same time, I started on anxiety meds. These changes were massive for me. It felt like a weight had been lifted. During the same time frame, our house started having significant plumbing issues. We had to replace the entire sewer system, which was extremely expensive, only to learn later that the plumbers had not replaced all of the cast iron. We had to hire another plumber to replace the remaining cast iron, which was again extremely expensive. My mother, a single mom and public school counselor, does not make the kind of money it took to pay for all of these repairs. Without the repairs, though, we went through a period where we could not shower, use the bathrooms, or wash dishes or clothes, so we had no choice but to fix it. Fast forward, and the house has continued to have plumbing issues, requiring us to replace the entire freshwater system. Despite all this, I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by good friends and mentors. I was involved in band and youth group throughout middle and high school. School has always been something that I have excelled at, and starting in ninth grade, I was able to begin taking STEM classes. Those classes led to a love of engineering and the desire to pursue that as my career. Engineering has been something that grabbed hold of me and quickly led to a passion for the field. The feeling of a project coming together, of multiple pieces of physical material and ideas of study playing their role in completing one colossal puzzle. This is what draws me to engineering, and I know there is no other field where I will be able to experience this same feeling. More specifically, I love to see the principles of physics applied to real-life scenarios. I love to see my ideas take form into something tangible and complete. I plan to get my degree in Mechanical Engineering and then work in the Aerospace field, eventually working my way up to being a project manager. Starting school this Fall, my brother and I will both be in college. The expense of just one of us being in college would be more than my mother could manage, but with both of us, it will be impossible. Scholarships like this one are a must for me to achieve my dream of getting my degree and working in the engineering field without vast amounts of debt to pay off once I am out of school.

My entire life, I have struggled with anxiety. My anxiety was very extreme when I was younger. I had significant separation anxiety when I was young, which only got worse when I was five and my parents divorced. Being dropped off at school was very difficult for me and my mother. The nights I was supposed to spend with my dad also almost always ended up with my mom having to come and pick me up. I dropped out of Boy Scouts because leaving home to go on the campouts was highly stressful and made Boy Scouts become something I dreaded. I had trouble sleeping every night and was constantly nervous. I did not know that I could feel any different. Still, finally, in middle school, I went to see a doctor who started me on anxiety medication, and I eventually started seeing a counselor. Life changed drastically for the better in a short amount of time. In middle school, which is one of the roughest years for most kids, I started taking Lexapro, which instantly helped my anxiety reduce to a tolerable level. It was amazing to me to feel like I was in control of my emotions for once and to be able to enjoy my life more. I also started seeing a counselor whom I quickly connected with and who helped me immensely. I saw my counselor consistently for over a year and then, as needed, for another year. During that time, I grew, and they increased the dose of my Lexapro, which unfortunately led to some harmful side effects and forced us to change my medication. Getting off of Lexapro and onto Zoloft created a period where I once again felt my anxiety in full force. It was awful to feel like that again, and it reaffirmed that anxiety medication was something that I may always need. I cannot imagine where my life would be had my mother not sought out help for me. With medicine and therapy, I have grown to be much less anxious and have become a confident, social, and happy person. I am thriving now and looking forward to leaving home to go to college and start this next chapter of my life. I will miss my mother and my home, and starting college will be a big adjustment, but I know that it is something that I can handle now due to the help I received as I grew up. I no longer see my counselor, but I learned the value of talking to others. I talk openly to my mother and have found several mentors through church and youth groups that I reach out to when I am anxious and need a sounding board. I know that not everyone needs medication in the way that I do, but counseling and talking to others about your emotions and your struggles is something that everyone could benefit from. My mental health journey has made me more empathetic to others and the struggles that they are going through. I can relate to those around me who are struggling, and I am open to listening and caring for them. The world we live in is not an easy one, and it is growing more complex with social media, economic issues, and pressure to be successful. Being able to manage strong emotions is something that we all need to be able to do. I am not always successful at controlling my emotions and anxiety, but I can do it the majority of the time, and when I am not, I turn to my family and mentors and seek out help. I am grateful to have overcome my anxiety to the extent that I feel in control of my anxiousness. I am heading to Baylor University in the Fall to study Mechanical Engineering and plan to one day work in the aerospace industry, hopefully at NASA. I worked very hard in high school and earned excellent grades and high test scores. As a result, I earned some great merit money from Baylor and a good financial need-based grant due to being raised by a single mother who works in public education as a high school counselor. With the money I have been given, Baylor, a very costly private school, will actually be less than the public colleges I was looking at. However, the outstanding balance for next year is still over twenty thousand dollars, and I also have an older brother in college. Earning some external scholarships is something that I desperately need to prevent either my mother or me from accruing some significant debt. My anxiety comes from my mother's side of the family, and to say that my mother is anxious about paying for college is an understatement. I would love to be able to help contribute financially through scholarships to help alleviate her anxiety. My mother has done so much for me throughout my life and helped get me the help that I needed to get control of my anxiety, and I would love to be able to pay her back in this way.

People talk about living in a zoo, which describes my home well. We have always had pets, but we started volunteering at Operation Kindness around ten years ago. After volunteering for a few years, we took an even more significant step into community service by becoming a foster home for two rescue groups. Over the past seven years, we have fostered over 50 animals. Fostering is a lot of work, but the reward that comes with seeing a scared, hurt, malnourished, or abused animal slowly turn into one that is happy, healthy, and ready for a home is nothing short of amazing. I have truly loved fostering dogs and cats, and despite becoming quite attached to some of them during their time with us, it is a fantastic feeling to know that you played a role in saving their life and helping them find a good home. Being surrounded by animals is one of the things that I will miss as I head off to college in a few months. I am nervous about this next phase of my life but also excited at the opportunity to experience college and eventually become an engineer in the Aerospace field.

Success can be defined in so many ways. I hope to succeed in my future career, in my relationships, including a marriage and family one day, and financially so that I can live comfortably without worrying about every penny I spend. The ultimate success that I believe will lead to success in all of these areas is being successful in becoming the man that God has called me to be. I wish to be successful in living my life so that I positively impact all of the people whose lives I touch. Undoubtedly, we are people partly formed through our life experiences. There is also no doubt that humans can beat the odds and write their own stories. Looking back at my life, I can see how I've been defined by the people around me and the places I've been, but I am always more surprised when I see how I've grown by separating myself from ideas that do not strengthen me as a man. My life experiences have led me to know what values I believe in most and what it means to live with those values in mind. I have been extremely fortunate to have had some amazing friends and mentors who have made lasting impressions on me. Humility is one of the most admirable qualities that a person can have. There are two sides to humility. The first is perfectly described by C.S. Lewis when he says, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's thinking of yourself less." The second part of humility comes from the ability to admit when you've made a mistake. In my sophomore year of high school, one of my best friends, Noah, taught me through example how to show grace, acknowledge others' strengths, and admit weaknesses. Learning these lessons about life and how it should be lived has dramatically strengthened me. As I've learned to live this way, I've improved mentally and spiritually as a leader and friend. Also, in my sophomore year of high school, I had the honor of serving as a drum major in the Vines High School Band under the direction of Mr. Jonathan Cao. Mr. Cao was more than a director, but a mentor and role model—a man who leads by example. Mr. Cao is one of the kindest people I have ever met. He truly cares about every person he interacts with. He has not only been a teacher of mine but has played a significant role in shaping who I am today. As a drum major under Mr. Cao, one of the main tasks he gave me was getting to know each band member personally. Heading into this role, I assumed my job would include directing the band and serving as a leader. Mr. Cao taught me the importance of showing those around me that they are all important as people and not just band members. This experience is one that I have taken with me and continue to use. Mr. Cao is no longer one of my teachers. However, he is still someone that I continue to turn to and lean on for wisdom and guidance. Mr. Cao has been hugely influential in demonstrating the qualities I hope to incorporate into my life. Three years ago, I switched churches to Citizens Church in Plano, where I met one of my youth leaders, mentor, and friend, Braedon Taylor. Since I met Braedon, he has always been open to me about his life and reached out to me to check in on my life. Braedon has shown me what it means to be intentional with others, seeking no personal gain. Instead, Braedon chose to do this because of his deep love for others. Because of Braedon's love for me, I have seen a premier example of what it looks like to be sincere with others. When serving other people, I want nothing more than for them to be seen and experience love from me. I want those around me to know I genuinely care about them and am here whenever they need me. These three people, through their love and kindness, have each, in their own way, had a significant impact on my life. I will be forever grateful for the qualities that they have helped to instill in me through their example. I have been very fortunate to have had such wise and caring individuals who have led me to grow into a person of integrity. I hope to be that person for others in the future. Through my kindness and compassion, I hope to have an equally significant impact on the lives of those around me. If I can do that, I will consider my life a success.

The feeling is like no other. The feeling of a project coming together, of multiple pieces of physical material and ideas of study playing their role in completing one colossal puzzle. This is what draws me to engineering, and I know there is no other field where I will be able to experience this same feeling. More specifically, I love to see the principles of physics applied to real-life scenarios. I love to see my ideas take form into something tangible and complete. The engineering field is one of the most extensive areas of study, with many different types of specific disciplines. That being said, the engineering field provides opportunities that are different from other areas of study because of the variations between disciplines. That's one of the biggest reasons engineering appeals to me: there are so many specifics to dive into. I am more interested in particular disciplines, such as mechanical and aerospace. It would be a dream of mine to attend a university where the education provided is reputable for having some of the highest quality in the field. As far as my career goals in engineering, I've looked big at companies I could work at with a degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, and several stand out to me. NASA, Raytheon, and Boeing are all corporations that I would be interested in working for once I reach the professional world. College is very costly. Next year, my brother and I will both be in college, putting a tremendous financial strain on my mother, a single parent and public educator. As I near the end of high school and look forward to starting college next year, I am so grateful for the help and guidance my mother has given me throughout my life, especially this year with college applications, FAFSA, and scholarship applications. Being a single parent and a public educator, I know that there is no way that my mother can afford to pay for all of my college tuition, but she has helped me seek out financial support in many ways. I am still awaiting final financial offers and the chance to commit to a school, but I have several good options. I wish I already knew where I would be next year. However, our financial situation requires a lot of financial aid, so I am still waiting as colleges receive students' FAFSAs and determine what financial assistance they will be offering. I have worked extremely hard throughout high school and have excellent grades and high test scores, so I am hopeful that between merit money, need-based money, and scholarships such as this one, I will be able to commit to a school soon with an excellent financial aid package that makes the out of pocket cost for my mother and I a realistic option.

My mom has provided unwavering support for me throughout my educational journey. Watching my mom throughout my life, I can attest that being a single parent is a lot of work. My mom has worked hard to be immensely involved in my life in all areas, including academics, extracurriculars, social, emotional, and spiritual. My mother has been a constant source of support and encouragement as I have grown up. My mother is a school counselor who has instilled in me the importance of education and hard work. Fortunately, for the most part, school has come easily to me. However, anytime I need help, she is always willing to pause what she is doing and help me. One of the ways that I frequently ask her to help me is by quizzing me for an upcoming test. I give her my notes, and she will spend however long it takes asking me questions for me to feel prepared for the test. As I near the end of high school and look forward to starting college next year, I am so grateful for the help and guidance my mother has given me throughout college applications, FAFSA, and applying for scholarships. Being a single parent and a public educator, I know that there is no way that my mother can afford to pay for all of my college tuition, but she has helped me seek out financial support in many ways. I am still awaiting final financial offers and the chance to commit to a school, but I have several good options. I know that I am lucky to have had my mother's love and encouragement throughout the years, as I have met many people who sadly do not have that. My mother has sacrificed a lot to ensure that I have the opportunity to get a good education and have an easier life than she has had. I plan to study mechanical engineering in college and work in the aerospace industry. One day, when I am out of college and working, I look forward to supporting her as she has done for me as I have grown up. Having a parent who truly cares about you and wants the best for you is one of the greatest gifts. I have had that in my mother, and I am truly grateful for everything she has done for me to have me on the path that I am on. I am excited to start college next year, and though I know it is bittersweet for my mom and that she will miss me, she is excited for me and for the endless possibilities that reaching my educational goals will provide.

Growing up in a home that firmly believes in community service has taught me the value of serving others. We started volunteering with Operation Kindness and quickly learned of the immense need for fosters and volunteers with animal rescue groups. As a result, my family started fostering for Dallas Cat Lady and eventually, Dallas Street Dog Advocates. We have been fostering and volunteering with both rescues throughout my entire time in high school. The work we do with these rescues is a lot, but seeing the dogs and cats we have rescued, fostered, and nurtured find homes provides a massive sense of satisfaction. Over the years, we have fostered over 50 animals. Fostering requires that I walk the dogs, vacuum the house, clean up messes, socialize and train the animals, and take pictures for social media. I attend adoption events with our fosters to help them get exposure and meet potential adopters. I also help get our foster animals to vet appointments. We are the supply coordinators for our dog rescue, so all donated supplies come to our house where I help unpack them and put them away. As other fosters need supplies, I help gather them, especially the heavy items, and put them in front of our house for them to pick up. It occasionally becomes overwhelming with the amount of work and time that it takes and is sometimes challenging to let fosters that I have become attached to go, but knowing I am helping save an animal's life is a great feeling. Along with volunteering and community service, my life is constantly busy with school, working as a soccer referee, youth group, band and friends. My academic journey has included a lot of advanced, dual credit and AP classes as well as great deal of time spent in band. I have had the immense honor of serving as the Drum Major for our marching band for two of my high school years. I have also had the opportunity to be the lead trumpet in our jazz band both my junior and senior years. Band has been a huge part of my academic journey and has provided me with amazing friends and opportunities that I would have missed otherwise. Academically, I have always been a strong student. I am graduating in the top 6% of my graduating class and will head into college with around twenty college credits. Having the chance to take several STEM electives in high school has led me to be quite certain in regards to what I want to study in college. I plan to study mechanical engineering in college and eventually work in the aerospace field. The feeling of a project coming together, of multiple pieces of physical material and ideas of study playing their role in completing one colossal puzzle. This is what draws me to engineering, and I know there is no other field where I will be able to experience this same feeling. More specifically, I love to see the principles of physics applied to real-life scenarios. I love to see my ideas take form into something tangible and complete. Beginning this new chapter of my life is both nerve-wracking and exciting. Out of college, I would love to work on continuing to hone my knowledge as an engineer at a company such as NASA, Boeing, or Raytheon. Eventually, I would like to move into handling the more logistical side of projects as a project manager. I am excited at the prospect of starting this journey to achieve all the goals I have set for myself.

The feeling is like no other. The feeling of a project coming together, of multiple pieces of physical material and ideas of study playing their role in completing one colossal puzzle. This is what draws me to engineering, and I know there is no other field where I will be able to experience this same feeling. More specifically, I love to see the principles of physics applied to real-life scenarios. I love to see my ideas take form into something tangible and complete. Beginning this new chapter of my life is both nerve-wracking and exciting. I plan on majoring in Mechanical Engineering and using my degree to work in the Aerospace field. My career objectives come in two different stages. Out of college, I would love to work on continuing to hone my knowledge as an engineer at a company such as NASA, Boeing, or Raytheon. The second part of my career goals includes handling the more logistical side of a project as a project manager. Engineering is a field that can have a fantastic impact on so many aspects of our lives. One of the most critical ways in which I hope to make an impact in my community is by making aircraft travel safer. Using my engineering background to improve the design of aircraft to allow it to travel through brutal weather conditions while still maintaining the ability to get passengers where they are going safely is one goal I see myself working towards in my future. Another future goal is to make spacecraft more energy-efficient and more environmentally friendly. Air pollution from planes and spacecraft is a concern in many ways. Air pollution is leading to frightening climate changes that we see worldwide. Air pollution is also causing more health issues. Working to reduce the emissions of gases and other dangerous chemicals in aircraft is an important role that I see myself potentially working towards in the future. I am excited to begin my journey in this field as a student and, eventually, as an engineer. Like my career objectives, my education objectives come in two phases. I intend to obtain my Bachelor's degree. After this, I would like to begin working, then, after some time, commit part of my time to school once again to obtain my master's degree. I have had the privilege of touring my future college campus several times and meeting several engineering professors on staff. Several of the professors are working on some exciting research projects. I am thrilled at the prospect of doing research alongside some of my professors during my college years. College is costly. Next year, my brother and I will both be in college, putting a tremendous financial strain on my mother, a single parent and public educator. In the future, I hope to be a support in my mom's life, and fulfilling my dreams of being an engineer would set me up to help my mom as she has helped me.

We as humans do not know many things about this world, but there are two big things that so many people do not realize about themselves. The first thing most people do not realize is that they are a piece of a beautiful puzzle composed of every single person on Earth. Second, people are given the notion that the puzzle is beautiful, regardless of whether their piece is there or not. The problem is that the puzzle becomes fragmented when their piece leaves. When another person puts them down, when self-doubt creeps in, they think that they are not seen in this world. We all think about these things when we do not have reminders of how beautiful our puzzle piece is. One of my most constant reminders of how my piece fits into the puzzle comes from Mr. Jonathan Cao, Band Director of Vines High School. At first glance, all you see on the surface of Mr. Cao is an average man in his early thirties. On the outside, you would see someone who might blend into the crowd. However, looking further inside, you will discover one of the kindest personalities this world has to offer. Mr. Cao cares deeply about his students. It is easy to see that he looks at them as more than students, but as people. One of the things that Mr. Cao wants for his students is for them to feel known. There have been many times that I have gone to Mr. Cao for advice about things going on in my life and he never fails to stop what he is doing to listen and give me words of encouragement. I have experienced countless times, where Mr. Cao has noticed me when I was down and taken time out of his day to check on me. Not only does he actually listen but he responds with intentionality. Looking back, I remember one interaction in specific when thinking about this. Walking back into school after a rough orthodontist appointment and an argument during the car ride back, Mr. Cao showed me love and understanding. He made sure that I knew there was always an open space in his office for me to go and talk to him. I've never met a single person who doesn't like Mr. Cao. He is patient and understanding. He is an inspiring leader. My Sophomore year serving as drum major under Mr. Cao was one of the best years of my life. I learned so much from him that year. One of Mr. Cao's favorite phrases is "equal contribution". He uses this phrase to remind the band how the music is to be played but also how the marching show is only complete with each of them. There will be a gap in the visuals, a part missing in the music, and something in the show will feel off to the audience with just one piece missing. That is why Mr. Cao uses "equal contribution" as a reminder that we all have a part in this world, even if it does not feel like it. Sometimes, you need to take a step back and look at the show from the audience's perspective. Then you see what the world is like without you. Best described by Mr. Cao, "we are a little bit less beautiful without you." The marching show becomes less beautiful. The world becomes less beautiful. There is a place in this world for every single person, and Mr. Cao wants so desperately for his students to know that he sees them and their place in this world.

Undoubtedly, who we are as people is partly formed through our life experiences. Looking back at my life, I can see how I've been defined by the kindness shown to me by others. My life experiences have led me to know what values I believe in most and what it means to live life with those values in mind. I have been extremely fortunate to have had some amazing friends and mentors who have made lasting impressions on me and helped me become the man I am today. In my sophomore year of high school, I had the honor of serving as a drum major in the Vines High School Band under the direction of Mr. Jonathan Cao. Mr. Cao was more than a director, but a mentor and role model—a man who leads by example. Mr. Cao is one of the kindest people I have ever met. He truly cares about every person he interacts with. He has not only been a teacher of mine but has played a significant role in shaping who I am today. As a drum major under Mr. Cao, one of the main tasks he gave me was getting to know each band member personally. Heading into this role, I assumed my job would include directing the band and serving as a leader. Mr. Cao taught me the importance of showing those around me that they are all important as people and not just band members. This experience is one that I have taken with me and continue to use. Mr. Cao is no longer one of my teachers. However, he is someone that I continue to turn to and lean on for wisdom and guidance. He never fails to drop what he is doing to talk or spend time with me when I ask. Mr. Cao has been hugely influential in demonstrating the qualities I hope to incorporate into my life. Three years ago, I switched churches to Citizens Church in Plano, where I met one of my youth leaders, mentor, and friend, Braedon Taylor. Since I met Braedon, he has always been open to me about his life and reached out to me to check in on my life. Braedon has shown me what it means to be intentional with others, seeking no personal gain. Instead, Braedon chose to do this because of his deep love for others. Because of Braedon's love for me, I have seen a premier example of what it looks like to be sincere with others. When serving other people, I want nothing more than for them to be seen and experience love from me. I want those around me to know I genuinely care about them and am here whenever they need me. Sincerity is one of the most necessary traits for a leader because it creates bonds with those they lead, resulting in a work environment that produces exceptional results. These two men, through their love and kindness, have each, in their own way, had a significant impact on my life. I will be forever grateful for the qualities that they have helped to instill in me through their example. I have been very fortunate to have had such wise and caring individuals who have led me to grow into a person of integrity. I hope to be that person for someone else in the future. Through my kindness and compassion, I hope to have an equally significant impact on the lives of those around me.

The feeling is like no other. The feeling of a project coming together, of multiple pieces of physical material and ideas of study playing their role in completing one colossal puzzle. This is what draws me to engineering, and I know there is no other field where I will be able to experience this same feeling. More specifically, I love to see the principles of physics applied to real-life scenarios. I love to see my ideas take form into something tangible and complete. Beginning this new chapter of my life is both nerve-wracking and exciting. I plan on majoring in Mechanical Engineering and using my degree to work in the Aerospace field. My career objectives come in two different stages. Out of college, I would love to work on continuing to hone my knowledge as an engineer at a company such as NASA, Boeing, or Raytheon. The second part of my career goals includes handling the more logistical side of a project as a project manager. Engineering is a field that can have a fantastic impact on so many aspects of our lives. One of the most critical ways in which I hope to make an impact in my community is by making aircraft travel safer. Using my engineering background to improve the design of aircraft to allow it to travel through brutal weather conditions while still maintaining the ability to get passengers where they are going safely is one goal I see myself working towards in my future. Another future goal is to make spacecraft more energy-efficient and more environmentally friendly. Air pollution from planes and spacecraft is a concern in many ways. Air pollution is leading to frightening climate changes that we see worldwide. Air pollution is also causing more health issues. Working to reduce the emissions of gases and other dangerous chemicals in aircraft is an important role that I see myself potentially working towards in the future. I am excited to begin my journey in this field as a student and, eventually, as an engineer. Like my career objectives, my education objectives come in two phases. I intend to obtain my Bachelor's degree. After this, I would like to begin working, then, after some time, commit part of my time to school once again to obtain my master's degree. I have had the privilege of touring my future college campus several times and meeting several engineering professors on staff. Several of the professors are working on some exciting research projects. I am thrilled at the prospect of doing research alongside some of my professors during my college years. College is costly. Next year, my brother and I will both be in college, putting a tremendous financial strain on my mother, a single parent and public educator. In the future, I hope to be a support in my mom's life, and fulfilling my dreams of being an engineer would set me up to help my mom as she has helped me.

A Christian, a son, a brother, a musician, a future engineer, that describes me in a few words. I am being raised by my mother who is a public school counselor. My dad, who is in my life, is a Sheriff's Department Detective. Being from a divorced family where my parents are paying for 2 households and are both public servants, I am in great need of financial aid for college. I am a very strong Christian and have a deep sense of integrity. The world to many is very gray, but to me, it is much more black and white than it is to many others. I see the world in terms of right and wrong and strive hard to be on the side of right. I am a leader in my school and in my friend group and someone that others frequently turn to for advice. I do not have all of the answers nor am I perfect in any way, but I have a deep desire to help others with their struggles and to support them however I can. I love music and have been playing trumpet since the 6th grade. Trumpet, especially jazz is a passion of mine and something that I plan to continue with throughout my lifetime. I considered the possibility of going to college for a music degree and eventually becoming a band director. I think I would be very good in this role, however, I also have a love of engineering and have determined that my work and hobbies can coincide. Therefore, I have decided to major in mechanical engineering and continue playing in an ensemble or jazz band for fun and to continue a hobby that I dearly love. Honesty and integrity are both important qualities that I strive to live by daily. As a Christian and as someone with anxiety, I am quite firm in my belief system. I hold myself to a strict standard and truly want to be the best version of myself that I can be. I am honest to a fault. I find it hard to be anything other than honest. I am gentle with my opinions and advice, but find it important to be honest and truthful in all that I do and with others that seek my opinion and advice. I have built a reputation for myself as a leader and as someone with integrity. It is not necessarily something that I am proud of, but rather just who I am. I cannot live my life in any other way and feel good about it. For me, it is important for me to be the best person that I can be and to in turn support others that look to me for support. My goal in life is to obtain my degree in Mechanical Engineering and to go on to do great work in the field of engineering. I hope to work in Aerospace Engineering at NASA, but if not, I see the future as wide open for myself with a Mechanical Engineering degree. As an adult, through my job, my church, and other connections, I hope to continue to inspire and support others in need. My moral compass is set and I do not see it wavering in the future. I know who I am, what I stand for, and what I want for my life, and above being an engineer and a musician, I want to be someone that others can turn to and rely on for support and good advice.

One of my goals in life is to be a leader, not just someone who is in charge, but someone who lives a life that inspires others to follow. I believe being a leader involves living your life to a standard that makes others take notice and want to try to live to that standard as well. Leadership is about trying to reach your potential and encouraging others to do the same. I do hold some leadership positions in my life, but they all involve me trying to motivate a group to do our very best. I am one of the drum majors for my marching band for the second time in my high school career. As a leader in my band, I am tasked with making sure everyone is ready and prepared to perform our show. I am in charge of big things such as standing on the podium and conducting the band and making sure everyone is in sync and playing at the right pace. I am also in charge of things like the metronome and the speakers and setting up the equipment. I am expected to be the first one there and the last one to leave at every practice and game. One of my main objectives is to make sure everyone feels known and heard and welcome in the band. Another leadership role I have is being the lead trumpet in our jazz band. My role in the jazz band involves setting the pace and tempo for our band. Band is a passion of mine, so being a leader within those groups is very humbling for me because it shows me that others see leadership potential in me. I am also a strong Christian and want to live my life in a way that others can see that in me. I want to live in a way that leads others to Christ. I have a strong moral compass of what is right and wrong and work hard to always do what is right. That is not to say that I don't make mistakes, because as humans we all do, but I try very hard to live in a way that makes Jesus proud to be my Heavenly Father. I see being a leader as a privilege and as a responsibility. As someone in leadership roles, I feel responsible for the entire group that I am leading. It is my job and privilege to make sure that the entire group is running well and that each member is alright. I try to get to know everyone that I am leading within my band and make myself accessible to them should they need to talk or ask questions. Being a leader is an honor and I hope that throughout my life I will continue to strive to be seen by others as a leader through my words and actions.

Music has been a passion of mine since I first picked up a trumpet in the 6th grade. Ever since I joined the band in middle school, music has become an integral part of my life. Music, both playing it and listening to it has become something that feeds my soul. I have a diverse interest in music. I love jazz, contemporary Christian, classical, and some current pop music. My life centers around music. I am the drum major for my marching band, the lead trumpet for my jazz band, 2nd chair in my wind ensemble group, and a member of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra. I can't imagine a world without music. Playing and listening both bring me joy. I have also found all of my close friends through band because we spend so much time together rehearsing and we all share the same passion for music. Music has shaped my view of the world in the sense that to me the world is a more beautiful place because of music. Music can soothe you, excite you, calm you, and speak to you. Music is powerful! When I am not playing my trumpet, I am almost always listening to music. What I listen to at any given time depends on my mood. I am a senior this year and looking forward to starting college next year. I am planning on majoring in mechanical engineering, however, I also plan to continue playing my trumpet. I love to play and have spoken to the directors at all of the colleges that I am applying to. I want to continue playing in either an ensemble or a jazz group. I know that majoring in engineering will lead to me being busy and stressed out, but being able to continue to play my trumpet in an ensemble will allow me to tune out that stress and just do what I love with other people at my college who also love music. I am grateful that my school district required us all to participate in either band, choir or orchestra. Without that requirement, I don't know if I would have picked up an instrument and learned just how much I love to play. One thing I love about playing my trumpet is that it is something that I can do forever. I can do it by myself just for my enjoyment or I can do it in front of a crowd for others to listen and enjoy. Either way, it is something that I can do throughout my lifetime. I love to play and know that it is something that will remain a part of me forever. I am a musician at heart and the world is much brighter because of music.