have already completed my study abroad program in Wales at Aberystwyth University, but the experience continues to shape me. I am now in the process of reflecting on what I learned and integrating it into my academic and professional goals at American University. This scholarship would help me continue to build on that foundation by supporting my current work and future plans. From the moment I arrived, I knew I did not want to be a tourist. I wanted to live in Wales, not just visit it. I made a conscious effort to embed myself in the local community, and the community embraced me in ways I did not expect. One of the most meaningful connections I made was with the local trading card game (TCG) shop. I was immediately taken in by the regulars there. They did not treat me like a foreigner passing through. They treated me like one of their own. We played games, talked about our lives, and built genuine friendships. Those relationships made Wales feel like home, not just a place I was studying. The connections I built extended beyond the shop. I was also adopted by the local American football club, where I helped coach and consult with players who had never played the sport before. I taught blocking, stance, and positioning, and I helped them build confidence on the field. It was a small role, but it gave me a sense of purpose and belonging in a place where I initially felt like an outsider. KellyJo, the AU Abroad coordinator for the UK, noticed my engagement early on. She immediately set me up as an Abroad Orientation Leader, trusting me to help incoming students navigate the same transition I was going through. She even recommended me for a spotlight article to highlight my experience, though I declined it at the time. Looking back, I realize that her confidence in me was a turning point. It showed me that I was not just surviving abroad, I was thriving. People I met while I was there still reach out to me. They ask when I am coming back. They tell me they miss me. That is not something I expected. It is not something I take for granted. It is proof that I moved beyond being a tourist. I became part of a community. This experience changed me. It taught me that I can adapt, connect, and contribute in spaces where I initially feel out of place. It also taught me that the relationships you build are more important than the places you visit. I am still carrying those lessons with me as I finish my degree at American University. Receiving this scholarship would help me honor that experience and continue to build on it. It would ease the financial burden of my final year and allow me to focus on my academic and professional goals. More importantly, it would be a validation of the work I put into making my study abroad experience meaningful — not just for myself, but for the community that welcomed me.

Growing up as a Black autistic kid in Naperville, Illinois, the world often felt overwhelming. Social rules that came naturally to others were a mystery to me, and I struggled to find my place. I didn't receive my autism diagnosis until I turned 18, but long before that, I had already found my lifeline: professional wrestling. It was more than entertainment; it was a framework for understanding my experiences, a safe space, and a source of hope that saved my life. The outrageous characters, dramatic storylines, and resilience of wrestlers like Stone Cold Steve Austin and Mankind taught me that it was okay to be different, to stand out, and to fight for what you believe in. This feeling of belonging is what I am determined to give back to my community. My vision is to harness the power of professional wrestling to create a better future for individuals with disabilities. I dream of founding The Wrestling Foundation, an organization dedicated to using sports and entertainment as tools for empowerment, mental health support, and community building. Through a program I call the "Strongest Warriors Initiative," I would bring accessible wrestling events and mental health workshops to communities like Chicagoland suburbs where I grew up and the DMV area where I now attend American University. I want to recreate the magic I felt walking into the Allstate Arena for kids who feel lost or misunderstood—proving they are not alone and that their differences are their strengths. I want to see families sitting together, cheering for their favorites and creating lasting memories. To turn this dream into reality, I am using my education to gain the skills necessary to build a sustainable organization. Studying in Washington, D.C., a region with deep pro wrestling history, I see the potential to bridge communities and celebrate diversity. My coursework in nonprofit management, community outreach, and program development is equipping me with the tools I need to lead an organization like this. I am learning how to develop budgets, measure impact, and build partnerships with local schools and community centers. My goal is to create events that are truly inclusive, featuring ASL interpreters, sensory-friendly spaces, and storylines that celebrate resilience. Alongside these events, I would host workshops led by licensed professionals to provide tools for coping, self-expression, and building confidence. The people who inspire me are the wrestlers who defied odds and embraced their unique identities—heroes like Mankind, who showed that being different was a source of strength. I am also inspired by my mother, who always made sure I could experience the magic of live wrestling. Their examples fuel my determination to create a world where everyone feels seen and valued. My education is the foundation upon which I will build this dream. Every class, project, and connection I make at American University brings me one step closer to having the expertise to make The Wrestling Foundation a reality. Ultimately, the change I am determined to create is a world where professional wrestling is recognized not just as a spectacle, but as a force for good. I envision a future where our top stars travel all over this great land, using their athleticism and storytelling to inspire communities in all fifty states. By proving the success of this model, I hope to inspire other organizations to use similar approaches, setting a precedent for using entertainment to support mental health and empower the vulnerable. I want to ensure that no child feels as alone as I once did, and that through the power of wrestling, we can all find our place in the ring of life

As an autistic black male, it was very clear that I always wanted to have my dream job work for WWE. WWE and professional wrestling have the biggest reason for my staying alive even with my bouts of depression and suicidal ideation. Now though I am very grateful to still be alive becoming a cameraman is a tough task. So I spend days and weeks learning all I can, all the secrets and just pour countless hours of research into the art of creating a wrestling show. With that single almost slavish devotion I was too busy to even try and attempt again to end my life. Even if I may not have the physical attributes to go inside the ring, I am still a part of creating something that has bought me joy for almost 20 years. And I just find that so cool about learning about film, that you get to create something that you are passionate about and may even save a person's life. Even when I have many things changing in my life and it feels like my life is crumbling down I know that WWE and other professional wrestling companies will be there and it can be my rock. Pun is most definitely intended because you know The Rock used to be a wrestler and now is the most famous member in Hollywood. Now I know the entertainment industry has a lot of competition and the chances for someone like me to succeed are very low, but I can assure whoever may be reading this that with all might and every fiber of my being, I will accomplish this goal. As the late, great Eddie Guerrero always said "You gotta lie, cheat and steal to win". I have also decided to adopt that as my motto, whether I have to claw my way to my dream I will do it. I will admit sometimes I have not been the best for the job, and I struggle with imposter syndrome every single day. Especially in some of my classes, I have met some of the most talented people I have ever met, I still am head fast and determined because if I am not gonna be a cameraman my life is quite literally without purpose.But I don't let that stop me because becoming a cameraman has without hyperbole saved my life. I hope that this short albeit semi-powerful essay has shown you why I deserve to be in the running for this prestigious prize.