Have you heard the quote, "'No' means 'ask Grandma'"? People always say that grandparents spoil their grandchildren and allow them to get away with a lot more than they permitted for their own kids. This is totally true for me! (I promise this is related to Nintendo.) Before I started kindergarten, my grandparents took care of my brother and me while my parents worked. They also watched us for a while after school until my parents got home. Sometimes, they brought us to our house, but most of the time, we went to theirs. We didn't really do "screens" in either location at that age, but at school, I learned about a magical thing called... Mario Kart. That Christmas, my grandpa gave me a toy catalog and told me to circle everything I wanted, and put 2 circles around the things I really wanted. I put 10 circles around an ad for a Nintendo Wii. However, my parents refused to buy it, so my grandparents got one for their house! I. Was. In. Heaven! One of the first things I tried was Mario Kart. It is a racing game with multiplayer capabilities. I loved being able to pick a character. I usually picked Yoshi and dressed as him for Halloween the following year. My brother always picked Donkey Kong, and my parents even joked that they were going to change his middle name to Donkey Kong. My skill level quickly increased, and I was eventually able to navigate Rainbow Road with ease. I will never forget when my uncle came over and joined us for a few races. His son was only 2, so we gave him an un-connected controller so that he would think he was playing. We were not going to sacrifice anything for this competition! Obviously, I won. I have lots of memories with Mario Kart and playing with my grandparents, brother, parents, uncle, and cousins. However the real reason it brings back so many memories is because it proves the rule that all grandkids will get spoiled at grandma's house.

I have watched "The Walking Dead" series multiple times, and recently, I finally convinced my brother to watch it, too. This year, I moved out of state to attend college at the University of Tennessee, but my brother and I text each other regularly because of "The Walking Dead." Without giving away too many spoilers -- "The Walking Dead" is a zombie saga. However, it's not just about blood, brains, and gore. "The Walking Dead" is about survival and resilience. It has a huge cast, and you can find just about every type of character in the series. Some are heroes, some are villains. Some are brave and some are frustratingly incompetent. Yes, there is violence and death, but there is also love and hope for a better future. The basic storyline begins with a zombie apocalypse after which the "walkers" (zombies) start to spread across the country and globe in search of humans to eat. The survivors learn about the pathogen that causes the zombies to mutate, and discover that it lives within almost everyone. Groups of survivors set up various encampments and try to protect themselves through isolation and extreme defense. The story shows the struggle of building a community in an environment that has just suffered a massive catastrophe. During the chaos and violence of the post-apocalyptic life the survivors are leading, one of the main characters, Rick Grimes, is faced with several moral dilemmas. Social structures have broken down and the very foundations of civilization have crumbled. "The Walking Dead" sort of centers on him to start off. He had been a police officer who was in a coma at the start of the series, and he emerges as one of the first leaders of a group of survivors. Although he does face conflict over his leadership style and decisions, Rick tries to be democratic. If you have read "Animal Farm" or "Lord of the Flies," you will find similar themes in "The Walking Dead." Rick struggles to hold on to his code of ethics and his humanity when faced with incredible challenges. The reader/watcher is supposed to learn a lesson about the challenges of creating a moral, equitable society. Of course, you can enjoy "The Walking Dead" without feeling the need to analyze themes or ask yourself deep philosophical questions. The story itself is a thrilling adventure, and since all eleven seasons are available on Netflix, it will keep you captivated for over 250 hours! So although you will need more than a weekend to watch the entire series, it is definitely worth a spot on "Continue Watching."

The benefits of bike-riding are widely known; it improves muscle strength, balance, heart health, can assist with weight loss, and improve a person’s mood and energy levels. So why don’t more people choose a bicycle for their primary mode of transportation? Let’s take a few ideas for a "spin." Many people hesitate to get on a bike for some type of safety reason. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Nearly 1,000 bicyclists die and over 130,000 are injured in crashes that occur on roads in the United States every year.” Distracted drivers and drunk drivers are a major safety hazard for bicycle riders who share the road with them. These safety concerns highlight the "Achilles wheel" for cities of all sizes: very few have bicycle-friendly infrastructure that can help protect riders. It takes a lot of planning for a city to have properly connected bike lanes, and bike-only pathways. I am from a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, which is consistently ranked one of the worst cities for bicyclists. Bicycle safety researchers cite high speed limits, inaccessibility to transit hubs, and unprotected bike lanes as some of the main reasons for this low ranking. Bicycle safety is worthy of attention from individuals and community leaders. By improving safety, more people will reap the benefits that come from increased bicycle ridership. A study published by the College of Family Physicians of Canada linked the personal health benefits of cycling to the overall health of the environment. Just like in Canada, transportation is the second-largest contributor to greenhouse emissions in the United States. By doing everything we can to increase bicycle ridership, we are reducing our consumption of polluting vehicles, which will improve a community’s air quality for everyone who lives there. It’s time to "brake the cycle" of car-centric city planning and start transforming our cities into bike-friendly zones. City councils should direct planners to create protected and well-connected bike lanes, and provide ample parking for bicycles. Cities like Chicago should increase the number of docking stations for their Divvy rideshare bicycles and scooters. Leaders should work with local advocacy groups to increase accessibility for those with disabilities, and make sure the infrastructure improvements are also made in communities that serve underrepresented populations. Many police and public safety departments host bicycle safety events to help educate people, including children. They might teach helmet-use and inform the public about lesser-known traffic tips for sharing the road with bicycles, such as yielding before turning right. Leaders can encourage bicycle ridership by hosting celebrations and events that feature bike riding, such as the Bike Bus that recently went viral on social media. Individuals and community leaders can also call for new and improved legislation that will protect bicycle riders. One relatively easy law to modify is the speed limit law in areas where bike ridership is high. A simple reduction from a 35 mph limit to a 20 mph limit on city streets can improve a pedestrian or biker’s chances of surviving a motor vehicle accident up to 5 times. It also increases the perceived safety of riding a bike in these areas, which helps to promote cycling. Although many ideas for bicycle safety and traffic infrastructure and legislation aren’t new, this topic is important to revisit and modernize. As technology and society change, we can use these advantages to improve our health and environment. By making our cities safe for cycling, we send a message that our communities value healthy lifestyles.

I was a freshman in high school the year COVID-19 shut down the world and forced everyone to pivot to online learning. This remained a prominent feature of the remainder of my high school education, even when restrictions were lifted. Now, as a freshman in college, I use several of the tools and resources I learned about back then to help me better understand the subjects I am studying. The majority of the teaching in my AP Statistics course during my senior year was from Khan Academy. Our teacher assigned certain modules, but I also used unassigned units to clarify information. I liked how Khan Academy used a color-coded landing page for each module, showing which units were mastered, proficient, familiar, or attempted. Anything red or orange got a review before it was time to take the test in class. (I got a 4 on the AP test, so this was a successful method for me!) Online video and multimedia resources are also great tools for learning! There have been a few instances where a TED Talk provided relevant information for a classroom topic. I have also taken advantage of streaming services to watch documentaries related to my topics of study, such as when I had to write a paper discussing whether Abraham Lincoln was truly an emancipator. The ability to see pictures, interwoven with commentary from experts, helped me get a fuller picture of the history of the time, which made my paper better. I was able to merge this knowledge with information I found in the digital archive from the National Constitution Center. My mother was a history major in the 1990s, and she would have had to visit libraries in person and pull multiple journals in order to retrieve the same information I could find at the tap of a screen. The digitization of these resources has made them more convenient and accessible to more people. At the University of Tennessee, students like me have access to Inclusive Access (IA) which we access through Canvas. All of the material for my courses, including the “textbook,” are available online. Besides the regular homework that my professors assign, most of the courses have supplemental material that I can use for extra practice. I have definitely used this for my Psychology class this semester! I am glad that I am receiving my education during this digital age. I think online resources have made it much easier for me to access the information I need, get extra practice or examples, see a variety of perspectives or ways of doing something, and broadened my understanding of the topics we are covering in class. Since less time is wasted on gathering information, more time can be spent on gaining wisdom from it. Meanwhile, my generation are becoming experts in applying these technologies to solving real-world problems, and online accessibility will ensure that our collective knowledge is never locked away.

Do you know what seems odd to me? Numbers that aren’t divisible by two, and people who don’t love math! I have always loved math and took a math class every year of high school. I love math because it uses a logical approach to solving problems. It doesn’t rely on emotion, politics, or social cues, so once you learn the patterns and formulas, you can solve anything. Just like an abacus or your own fingers, you can always count on math. Numerical data can help us make sound decisions in many areas of life, from finance to sports. It helps us develop our ability to reason and to think analytically. Statistical data can be used to bolster or refute an argument. I once had an argument with a 90 degree angle, but it turns out, he was right. When we open our minds to math, we open our minds to new ideas and perspectives. Math is an important subject because it forms the basis of many other fields, including physics, economics, and medicine. People who learn math will have greater access to these disciplines and more. In college, certain levels of math competency are often required in order to take coursework in other areas. Still, some people treat math class like they’re afraid of negative numbers and will stop at nothing to avoid them. Even if a person is going into a field that does not directly involve math, some math ability is required to function in everyday life. It’s not mean to say that the average person will use math to manage their personal finances and design their living spaces. There’s a fine line between a numerator and a denominator, just as there is a fine line between art and math. Patterns, perspective, and musical time signatures are just some of the ways that math influences one’s ability to appreciate and fully enjoy art. I am a Journalism & Electronic Media major with a minor in Advertising & Public Relations. For a career in my field, I will need to understand statistics and other mathematical principles. I might have to use algebra and calculus, and graphing is where I’ll draw the line to show my results. Unlike a circle, math isn’t pointless, so thankfully I love learning this essential subject!

My generation, Gen Z, has many qualities that can help unite the country as we move into adulthood and positions of leadership. We are, as a group, more tech-savvy, educated, and inclusive than any other generation before ours. I believe these qualities will save our nation and make it better than it’s ever been before. As “digital natives,” my generation has grown up with modern technology infused in our daily lives. We’ve always had access to the internet and social media, and as we age, we are learning to use it to make the world a better place. Previous generations never had access to other cultures and ideas in the same way that we do, thanks to the variety of online platforms that connect us. Social media is a powerful tool. Gen Z has always had the collective wisdom of the world at our fingertips. We also have the desire to use that wisdom to effect change where it is needed. This easy access to information and ideas has made Gen Z more educated than any previous generation. Although the internet and social media are rife with misinformation, these tools can also be used to combat ignorance and correct misunderstandings. Our generation has learned to apply critical thinking skills to the “facts” we learn online, which has made us more discerning and more demanding of verifiable proof to back up claims. We do not form our opinions based on prejudice or gut feelings. Gen Z has the ability to learn about any topic in depth. When we are in charge, our decisions will be based on good information. Technology and education have also made my generation more inclusive than any other generation in history. Because we are easily able to learn about each other, we are more understanding of different backgrounds and experiences. This empathy is essential for building bridges and healing divisions between people. Gen Z not only advocates for diversity, but embraces it. We want to see a variety of people and cultures represented in our government, entertainment, sports, schools, and workplaces. My generation believes that by engaging a diverse group of people, we can create a dialogue to find common ground on complex issues. Our country is very divided on many issues. It seems that no matter is too small to be split into left versus right. Gen Z, however, is a passionate generation, and will meet the energy of division with an overwhelming force for positive change. We are just starting to join movements to advocate for issues from climate change to social equality. My generation is motivated by a sense of collective well-being, which will help heal our country. We need to be led by people who welcome all voices. I can’t wait to see how Gen Z harnesses our talent, passion, education, technological skills, and concern for others to make the United States stronger than ever before. I think we will make the older generations proud, and set an example for the rest of the world to follow.

Pam! Pam Pam! Pam Beesly. Just like Pam, if you think I’m cute now, you should have seen me a few years ago. Also like Pam, I am a loyal friend who tries to get along with everyone. I’m the one who makes sure the task gets done. There is a subtle creative side to my personality, and I like a good joke or unexpected prank now and then. In school or the workplace, it is important to work well with others. Pam Beesly Halpert is one of the most-liked coworkers at Dunder Mifflin because she is kind and patient with every type of personality. Even those who are difficult to like, such as Nellie Bertram, find a friend in Pam. I also try to find something to like about everyone I meet, especially if I have to complete a work or school project with that person. Pam is also a creative person. She loves to draw and paint, and although she had some major accomplishments and big projects, she never flashed her talent. Her creativity and sense of humor collided beautifully when she had a caption contest for her doodles. This resonates with me because I love to create graphic designs with a humorous twist. Most people in my high school were surprised to find out it was me who created an Instagram page that was widely followed in our community. It was focused on promoting school activities and traditions, often with silly inside jokes. Fans of “The Office” would probably choose Pam as the character who demonstrated the most growth over the nine seasons the show was on air. As she matured, she gained assertiveness and tenacity. As I continue my journey through college, I will take inspiration from Pam’s journey to become more confident in her talent and ability. Maybe I’ll even take a page from Phyllis’ playbook and copy Pam’s wedding in tribute. Every office and every classroom needs a Pam.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” I believe Dr. King was correct, and that people should try to serve their communities in any way they can, even if their contribution seems small. I come from a family of volunteers who are leaders in a variety of local charity groups. Growing up, I have always been involved in their projects, and it comes naturally that I have started to branch out into contributing in my own way. One of my mom’s fundraisers is an annual 5K, and in the past, I only helped with registration and set-up. My main sport is soccer, but this year I entered the 5K as a racer and won my age group! It was such a fun experience that I am hoping to run in other 5K races, especially if they are fundraisers for good causes. I have also supported these organizations by serving soup at the Empty Bowls event to support our local food pantry every year. When I was a member of 4-H, our club tried to do a community service project every month or so, although some of that was interrupted by COVID-19. Even so, our club regularly volunteered at Feed My Starving Children to pack meals for children growing up in impoverished areas of the world. Some other projects I participated in were organizing donations at a food pantry, leading a class on ice cream-making at a senior center, laying Christmas wreaths at the Abraham Lincoln Cemetery, working the 4-H Foodstand at the county fair, and helping with the annual fundraiser dinner to support the 4-H Youth Foundation. I enjoyed spending time with the other members of my club while working on projects that made a difference for people in my community. I have also participated in community service through school and sports. One favorite activity has been hosting and serving dinner at the Ronald McDonald House in Oak Lawn. I have done this with school or soccer team groups several times. Most recently, however, I helped prepare lunch at the RMH in Chicago as part of a personal/friend group. One of my “poker buddies” was awaiting a kidney transplant, so his family was living at RMH Chicago. The night before our shift, we received a phone call that a kidney had been located for my friend! To this day, I believe the donation became available that day in order to teach us a lesson that patience, generosity, and kindness are rewarded. In the Fall, I will be heading to the University of Tennessee to become another type of Volunteer. I will arrive a week early to participate in the Ignite community service program, which introduces new students to the city of Knoxville and the volunteer opportunities that are available there. I hope to make a positive impact on my community during college and in my future career. In classes, I will be working toward a career in sports media. Many sports-related organizations have done great work raising awareness of breast cancer research, racial inequality, mental health issues, and the importance of physical fitness, to name a few. I can’t wait to be a part of it and have a broader audience for causes that mean a lot to me. I hope to continue to be involved in my community in big and small ways throughout my life.

The things I am best known for are my honesty and integrity, my enthusiasm for sports, and the way I am always trying to organize games and events to promote togetherness and fun. I try my best to have a positive impact on everyone around me by being accepting and encouraging of all people. These qualities have helped me achieve success at school, and I believe they will help me make a positive impact on the world through my future career. My dream job is to become a social media manager for an organization related to sports. I hope that college will give me the opportunity to learn and network with individuals in the field of sports journalism. I am looking for chances to participate in internships and other activities that will give me hands-on experience. Sports-related organizations have big platforms for spreading positive and important messages about many causes, in addition to promoting interest in their teams. I believe I will be successful by continuing to demonstrate the qualities that helped me achieve various honors in high school. My friends, family, classmates, and co-workers all know they can trust me to be honest and follow through on my responsibilities. I work hard to achieve good grades and do (sometimes more than) my part on group projects. I have experience with a variety of community service activities and earned the Focus on Youth award from my county's farm bureau due to my contributions in the local area. I stay active and involved in my school and community, which helps broaden my network while helping me develop leadership skills necessary for future success. During high school, I have participated in school spirit-related groups, such as helping to organize the student section at various sports games and tournaments. I have been recognized by my school’s administration as an influencer for school spirit via social media, as well. I combine humorous posts with real announcements of my classmates’ accomplishments, and I have earned a following of over 1000 people from my area. Because of my reputation for trustworthiness and enthusiasm for sports, by general consensus among the student body, I became the organizer for my school's Senior Assassin competition this spring. This is a tradition that is taking off nationwide at many schools. It’s a massive water gun battle, typically run in a bracket-style competition. I coordinated 160 participants from over 40 teams, organized and oversaw a governing committee to publish rules and resolve conflicts, handled the financial accounting, and maintained constant contact with the competitors (and interested members of the community). I took care with each post to make them fun while incorporating consistent themes and design elements. I believe the leadership, organization, and conflict resolution skills I learned from this experience will have broad applications for my education, career, and life in general. I hope to make a positive impact on my community during college and in my future career. By working in sports media, I will have a chance to promote teams and organizations that align with my interest in sports. At the same time, knowing that many sports organizations have large followings, I will be able to work on promoting awareness and action on outside issues that the organization endorses. Many sports-related organizations have done great work raising awareness of breast cancer research, racial inequality, mental health issues, and the importance of physical fitness, to name a few. I can’t wait to be a part of it and have a broader audience for causes that mean a lot to me.

When you think “leader,” who comes to mind? Whether you picture a politician or CEO, an employer, or a spiritual leader, they are likely a charismatic individual with an outgoing personality. They probably take command of a room easily. Without hesitation, everyone agrees this person is a “natural” leader. That’s not me. I’m not an introvert, but I’m not the kind of person who tries to draw attention to myself. However, I definitely have leadership experience and believe my style is highly effective. I think of it as “quiet leadership.” Most of the time, I don’t make a strong initial impression, but I possess many other leadership qualities that have a lasting impact. Although quiet leadership isn’t as assertive, quiet leaders still possess all of the essential qualities that make leaders successful. Leaders need to understand the importance of diverse perspectives and create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. A quiet leader may be less intimidating by fostering communication and collaboration. Quiet leaders also exhibit a genuine interest in the growth of others. We encourage everyone to reach their full potential and celebrate each other’s talents. These leaders understand that actions speak louder than words, and so they behave ethically. A quiet leader is reliable. People can count on a quiet leader to create a focused work environment where conflicts are resolved fairly. I stay active in my community and have taken on many leadership roles without pushing myself to the front of the room or commanding everyone’s attention. During high school, I was recognized by my school’s administration as an influencer for school spirit via social media. I combine humorous posts with real announcements of my classmates’ accomplishments, and I have earned a following of over 1000 people from my area. People are attracted to my school spirit account because it promotes everyone – it’s not about me. Because of my reputation for trustworthiness and enthusiasm for sports, by general consensus among the student body, I became the organizer for my school's Senior Assassin competition. This tradition is taking off nationwide at many schools. It’s a massive water gun battle, typically run in a bracket-style competition. I coordinated 160 participants from over 40 teams, organized and oversaw a governing committee to publish rules and resolve conflicts, handled the financial accounting, and maintained constant contact with the competitors (and interested members of the community). I made each post fun while incorporating consistent themes and design elements. “Senior Assassin Coordinator” may seem like a strange role to point to as an example of quiet leadership, but I think it allowed me to exercise many leadership skills in ways that being president of a club did not. My peers recruited me to lead the competition, not a teacher. They had seen me at school for 12 years and knew I would be organized, positive, approachable, and fair. Clear, consistent communication made the competition run smoothly, and I listened to feedback from participants. Our class had a lot taken away due to COVID, so I was proud that my leadership could provide a capstone high school event for all of my classmates. American entrepreneur Jim Rohn once said, “The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” I believe this quote captures what it means to be a quiet leader, and I will strive to continue to develop these skills in college and beyond.

Besides being a soccer player, the things I am best known for are my honesty and integrity, my enthusiasm for all sports, and the way I am always trying to organize games and events to promote togetherness and fun. I try my best to have a positive impact on everyone around me by being accepting and encouraging of all people. Because of these things, I am planning to pursue a career as a social media manager for an organization related to sports. I have been accepted into the University of Tennessee - Knoxville as a Journalism & Electronic Media major. I intend to add a major in Public Relations, as well. I hope that college will give me the opportunity to learn and network with individuals in the field of sports journalism. I am looking for chances to participate in internships and other activities that will give me hands-on experience. I believe I will be successful as a Volunteer at UTK by continuing to demonstrate the qualities that helped me achieve various honors in high school. In sports, I have learned about hard work, discipline, and the importance of setting goals. My friends, family, classmates, and co-workers all know they can trust me to be honest and follow through on my responsibilities. I work hard to achieve good grades and do (sometimes more than) my part on group projects. I stay active and involved in my school and community, which helps broaden my network while helping me develop leadership skills necessary for future success. During high school, I have participated in school spirit-related groups, such as helping to organize the student section at various sports games and tournaments. I have been recognized by my school’s administration as an influencer for school spirit via social media, as well. I combine humorous posts with real announcements of my classmates’ accomplishments, and I have earned a following of over 1000 people from my area. Because of my reputation for trustworthiness and enthusiasm for sports, by general consensus among the student body, I became the organizer for my school's Senior Assassin competition this spring. This is a tradition that is taking off nationwide at many schools. It’s a massive water gun battle, typically run in a bracket-style competition. I coordinated 160 participants from over 40 teams, organized and oversaw a governing committee to publish rules and resolve conflicts, handled the financial accounting, and maintained constant contact with the competitors (and interested members of the community) through Snapchat and Instagram @lwc_seniorassassin_23. I took care with each post to make them fun while incorporating consistent themes and design elements. I believe the leadership, organization, and conflict resolution skills I learned from this experience will have broad applications for my education, career, and life in general. I hope to make a positive impact on my community during college and in my future career. By working in sports media, I will have a chance to promote teams and organizations that align with my interest in sports. At the same time, knowing that many sports organizations have large followings, I will be able to work on promoting awareness and action on outside issues that the organization endorses. Many sports-related organizations have done great work raising awareness of breast cancer research, racial inequality, mental health issues, and the importance of physical fitness, to name a few. I can’t wait to be a part of it and have a broader audience for causes that mean a lot to me. I believe I would have a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment from a career in sports media.

I am a student athlete, so many people assume a healthy lifestyle comes with the territory. However, “health” involves more than just physical fitness. A truly healthy lifestyle covers five main areas: nutrition, stress management, appropriate sleep, social connection, and physical activity. At different times in my life, and especially during my high school journey, I have had to make a conscious effort to develop good habits in these areas due to the pressures of academic life. First, I have not always been the best eater. Intellectually, I know that a balanced diet is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. I’ve learned about eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. As an athlete, I’m always being reminded to stay hydrated. However, I have definitely found myself in a fast food rut from time to time. My family eats dinner together every night, and my parents always tell us it’s partly to make sure my brother and I have at least one vegetable that day. When I’m in college, I will be on my own to make those choices in the dining hall. Next, many students my age struggle to get the appropriate amount of sleep. This is an area of health that I prioritize. Before COVID, I was the shortest male in my grade. During lockdown, I grew more than 6 inches. My doctor told me that growth hormone is secreted during sleep. When school was remote for a full year, I was able to wake up 5 minutes before my first class, adding an extra hour of sleep to every day. This had a huge impact on the natural growth spurt that was occurring anyway, so I have been a guardian of my sleeping hours ever since. Mental health is another major piece of our overall well-being. It’s important for everyone to have techniques to manage the stress that comes from balancing school, a part-time job, extracurricular activities, and personal life. Some people might do deep breathing exercises or meditation, but I have found that spending time on hobbies is a major stress reliever. I enjoy creating brackets for sports competitions, making video montages of sports highlights, and creating graphics for my sports fan social media accounts. I have also worked on time management so that I can avoid feeling overwhelmed by my responsibilities. Teenagers also need to spend time with their friends, just like adults do. Building meaningful relationships with peers provides a sense of support and belonging. We can create these social connections by joining clubs, participating in athletics, volunteering, or just hanging out with compatible people. Not only do these interactions provide a relief from the day-to-day pressures of being a student, but they also help us create a support network. I have tried to be active in my school and community by participating in a wide variety of organizations in order to build connections. Finally, of course I also stay healthy by getting plenty of physical activity. My main sport is soccer, and I train year-round with my school or club (or both). I also play basketball with friends regularly, and in my part-time job as a field house supervisor and referee, I can stay active at work. Recently, I completed my first 5K and hope to participate in more. It’s important for teenagers to find ways to remain active and get their heart rates pumping every day! Living a healthy lifestyle as a student requires conscious effort and commitment. By paying attention to these five areas of health, students like me can enhance our overall well-being, academic performance, and personal growth.

The very first PG-rated film I was ever allowed to see was "Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure." My parents joked that it was an educational film, so it should be fine to watch. This movie didn’t necessarily change the course of my life, but it encapsulates three core principles that I strive to follow as I work to achieve my goals. First - keep learning even when failure seems inevitable, or you don’t currently have the knowledge and skills it takes for success. In the movie, the main characters aren’t the most “intellectual” kids at their school. They struggle with grasping basic academic concepts. Socrates tells them “the only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing,” and the boys enthusiastically agree that they know nothing! However, they understand what they don’t know and work to find a solution to their problem. They trust in the expertise of others and listen to the advice of wiser associates. Bill and Ted take risks and never give up in pursuit of their goal. When confronted with a new challenge that has stymied me, I try to think about a solution in a creative way and seek out learned counsel. Second - use humor to smooth the way! "Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure" is full of jokes, puns, and silly pranks that help the boys (and the historical figures they meet) get out of trouble. In real life, too, we can strengthen interpersonal relationships by sharing a joke. Humor is a great way to develop bonds of friendship. Humor can even be used to defuse conflict. It can shift the mood of a situation and encourage people to try and work together. The Mayo Clinic reports that laughter stimulates your organs by increasing the endorphin levels in your body, relieves tension and pain, and strengthens your immune system! In my life, I have used humor to connect with friends and family and to de-escalate situations. Third, and most importantly - treat others as you would want to be treated. The Golden Rule is universal, and by using it as a guide in decision-making, we are sure to make ethical decisions and develop a reputation for trustworthiness and respect. Ever since I was young, my parents and grandparents have used this phrase in a variety of situations – usually when I needed help remembering to be kind to my younger brother. Today I follow this principle at school and work, as well. Bill and Ted’s catchphrase, “be excellent to each other,” is an overarching theme of the movie, and it summarizes the Golden Rule in another way. Even though most people might think of "Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure" as a goofy 80s movie without any deeper meaning or lesson, I think that a look beneath the surface reveals important principles that can, and should, be applied to real life.

Beyond classes and grades, I am a fan of all sports. When most people talk about the things that make them lose all track of time, they are likely to talk about being captivated by music, engrossed in video games, or absorbed by a good book, but what I find most riveting is creating brackets for various sports competitions. I love looking at complicated scenarios, even if they are imaginary, and organizing them into something that is clear and professional-looking. It has been my go-to method for decompressing. It comes as no surprise to my friends to hear that I make over 50 brackets for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament every March. While the prize money for a perfect bracket is definitely an added incentive for filling out so many entries, I would absolutely make just as many for fun and to build my own interest in the competition. Thanks to my school and local park district, I have had the chance to participate in a wide variety of sports as an athlete. My main sport is soccer – I have been playing on a competitive club team for 9 years and my school’s team all 4 years, the last 2 on Varsity. In junior high I was on the basketball team. I have also tried volleyball, fencing, football, floor hockey, tennis, and swimming. I am thinking of trying high jump in the spring! I also try to inspire my peers to be enthusiastic about sports. One of my “unofficial” activities is acting as a student organizer for the Knightmares, which is a school spirit group at my high school. The Knightmares attend games and competitions at Lincoln-Way Central. We cheer for our classmates from the stands to show them our support. Although this is not an official organization, my school’s administration has recognized my role as an “influencer” through social media who can help increase attendance at school competitions. I do not sell products! I use my influence to promote my fellow student-athletes. Along with other organizers, we decide themes for the student section, lead cheers and chants from the front row, and promote school spirit in person and through social media. My involvement in the Knightmares has inspired my dream future career. I aspire to become a social media manager for an organization related to sports. I have been accepted into a school with a great Communications & Journalism program. I hope that college will give me the opportunity to learn and network with individuals in the field of sports journalism. I am looking for chances to participate in internships and other activities that will give me hands-on experience. No matter what happens on my path in life, I will be a sports fan forever!

I was a member of 4-H for 9 years, and during that time I won a few county awards. I had the chance to enter an Intercultural project about Japan and a Cooking project at the Illinois State Fair. However, the award I am most proud of is winning Grand Champion at the 2020 State Fair for Video Making. This project was perfect for the virtual fair that was held that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, when many 4-H activities were limited. It was my first year in the project, and I have enjoyed being creative with digital media projects ever since. One of my “unofficial” activities at school gave me the opportunity to use this creativity in a fun way. I have acted as a student organizer for the Knightmares, which is a school spirit group at my high school. The Knightmares attend games and competitions for all sports at Lincoln-Way Central. We cheer for our classmates from the stands to show them our support. Participating in the Knightmares has allowed me to combine my passion for sports with my interest in social media. Although this is not an official organization, my school’s administration has recognized my role as an “influencer” through my Instagram account, which is widely followed by the students at my school. Instead of selling products, other Knightmares and I seek to help increase attendance at school competitions. We decide themes for the student section, lead cheers and chants from the front row, and promote school spirit in person and through social media. My dream job is to become a social media manager for an organization related to sports. I have been accepted into 2 schools that each have great Communications & Journalism programs, and I am currently deciding which will give me the best opportunity to pursue my dream. I hope that college will give me the opportunity to learn and network with individuals in the field of sports journalism. I am looking for chances to participate in internships and other activities that will give me hands-on experience. I am especially interested in gaining experience with live reporting, and learning all the things that go on "behind the scenes" to create effective public relations campaigns for well-known organizations. A college education will give me the tools I need to add to my skill set, learn how to reach a broader audience, and pursue a career with sports media.