1. I have decided to pursue a degree in biology. My fascination with the natural world and a desire to help underserved populations live better lives have been motivating factors in my decision. Growing up, I always enjoyed hiking, excursions to zoos and aquariums, and any activities focused on better understanding ecosystems. This passion expanded as my parents encouraged both domestic and foreign travel to destinations including Boston, Williamsburg, VA, Washington, DC, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Ecuador. These experiences provided opportunities to witness nature’s beauty, man’s impact on it, and the conditions (both social and environmental) created as a result of human activities. I have interacted with people of all walks of life and discovered that many have inherited or been forced to contend with unfortunate situations that they have little to no control over. I have met individuals who struggle against negative circumstances, yet maintain a positive disposition with an optimistic outlook on life. I consider my own life with T1D. I had no choice in the diagnosis. It became part of my life. I had moments of doubt and despair while learning to manage the condition. I remember breaking down on the drive home after being released from the hospital following my diagnosis. I did not know how I would adjust to my new reality. I decided to stay positive and focus on achieving goals. I consider myself to be a well-adjusted and thriving individual. I hope to use my education to improve others’ lives that may have had no choice in the conditions they struggle with. I want to help correct injustices I see injuring those who had no hand in creating difficult conditions. 2. Encountering challenges and setbacks has been part of my growing process in managing T1D. Immediately after my diagnosis, I struggled with calculating the correct ratios for administering insulin, worried about how my peers would view me as I tested blood glucose, and was terrified of injections. The learning curve was steep, but I was determined that I would be in control of the situation. I became more confident in managing T1D with each day. I became comfortable with calculating my injections. I realized my friends did not care that I had to test my blood sugar levels. I remember the first time I was able to self-administer an injection. My father (who usually did it) was not home. I decided it was time to do it. I did. I was so pleased, I called him to let him know. Now, when I encounter a challenging situation, I reflect on those days immediately following my diagnosis. I especially think of the first time I gave myself an injection. Today I use an insulin pump and have no desire to return to injections. However, I know that if necessary, I can. My experiences of overcoming those initial challenges provide the confidence I need to face obstacles that present themselves. 3. Guiding me in making career decisions is a desire to combine my passions of the natural world, travel, and other cultures. I am also inspired by my journey with T1D. Just as I had no choice in my diagnosis, I know many others had no choice in their own circumstances. I hope to be an agent of change and correct injustices for such individuals. I hope to use my education to help indigenous people of Latin America learn sustainable land use practices, even as they struggle with the devastation brought to it by the modern world. This endeavor could help these underrepresented populations recover and thrive with access to dependable healthy food sources.

As I complete my high school education I contemplate my future career goals. I know I will need to pursue what interests me, what piques my curiosity, and what will be fulfilling beyond work. I have decided to study biology with a concentration in conservation practices because it suits my active lifestyle, it stimulates my interest in how the natural world functions, and it will provide opportunities to gain employment in my chosen career goals as well as developing my interests outside of my chosen career. I settled on pursuing a biology degree because this course of study suits me. I have always enjoyed an active, outdoor lifestyle. I enjoy hiking, biking, and watersports. I have participated in organized athletics since I was a young child. I know that a biology degree with a concentration in conservation practices will provide me the opportunities to engage in hands-on outdoor research that can be used for the advancement of humanity. Further, I have always been curious by nature. The outdoor activities I enjoy have stimulated my interest in how the natural world functions, and what we can do to use it for our betterment, while still respecting and preserving it for future generations. Finally, this degree will provide me with the educational background needed for my career goals. Because of my life experiences and travels I hope to be able to work with indigenous farming populations of Latin America, advising them on sustainable land use practices. This work will ensure that they have consistent access to quality food, and will ease burdens on the land. As stated I hope to use a biology degree to pursue a career helping indigenous farming populations in Latin America learn sustainable land use practices. I have experienced first-hand the hardships that many of these people face in providing for their families. I have seen how foreign corporations enter their homelands and push them off their property once the land is depleted, then using it for strip-mining and other devastating profiteering ventures. I hope my knowledge will help them learn to use the land responsibly so they can provide for their families for decades to come. Hopefully, it will be preserved and saved from wanton destruction by companies looking to exploit it at the cost of the local people and environment. My work and my community service ambitions are closely linked. I envision much of my work taking place in foreign nations. When in the United States I see myself providing workshops and hands-on activities to people of all ages and backgrounds teaching them about land preservation. I wish to make people aware of ways that everyone can take part in preservation activities so that all may enjoy the benefits the natural world has to offer. I would especially like to offer such programs to youngsters. The earlier people are exposed to these ideas, the more likely they make them part of their lives. Now as I look forward to higher education I have a biology degree with a concentration in conservation as my goal. I hope to use this to help indigenous farming people in Latin America learn sustainable land use practices. This will give them the tools to be able to provide for themselves and their families, without being bought out by large companies that will destroy the land. My community service ambitions will further these goals. I desire to lead workshops designed to introduce people to land conservation practices, with an emphasis on teaching children. All of these goals are with the intent to improve humanity’s conditions for now and in the future.

I consider myself a pretty serious person most of the time. I work hard for good grades, I strive for excellence in athletic competitions, and I have aspirations to do important work during and after college. However, my personality is one that allows for some creative levity now and then. It’s a story Dad loves to tell in front of the history classes he teaches (even one that I was a student in) when describing the ideas of strict and loose interpretations of Constitutional wording…but maybe that’s a little too intellectual for an essay like this. I have vague recollections of the events surrounding the story Dad loves to tell so much. According to him I was only three or four years old. I know back then I always demanded to sit in either his or Mom’s lap at mealtimes. Both my parents indicate that I was pretty headstrong–and maybe a bit hard-headed too. I found ways to get what I wanted. I suppose not too much different from now. Anyway, Dad says I was sitting in his lap that evening to eat my steak dinner…Mom and Dad also say I’ve always had kind of expensive tastes. I’ve never been satisfied with second best. So it’s steak instead of a bologna sandwich. One of my parents had cut the steak into tiny bite-sized morsels to make sure that I could adequately chew them and not choke. Apparently there had been enough trips to the emergency room and they didn’t want to make new memories there. I was enjoying my dinner. I’ve always enjoyed the experience of a good steak dinner. Then Dad stopped me. Developmental psychologists suggest that there are ages that children should be taught certain social norms. Table manners must fall into the category of three or four-year-olds because Dad requested that I use my fork to eat my steak nuggets. I guess I wasn’t ready for this new stage of life. My fingers seemed to work just fine. I also didn’t want to make Dad too mad at me…or maybe I just wanted to prove a point. Yeah, probably that. I worked the fork that he gave me in my hand and got a chunk of meat on it. I made sure to clearly show him I was using the fork. (He contends I put it just a couple inches from his nose.) Then, according to Dad, I made a statement that I was going to be a handful to deal with for years to come (albeit a creative handful, willing to think outside of the box to solve problems). So, with my other hand I pulled the bit of meat off the fork, showed him once again how I was handling my food with perfect ease, and popped it in my mouth. I don’t exactly recall what happened next. I’m sure I was strongly encouraged to use my fork and not my hands and fingers to eat my food. That was, after all, the spirit of what Dad meant. Dad says that although he couldn’t outwardly show it, he was impressed with my creativity of interpretation of words at such a young age. He also realized he and Mom were in for a number of quite interesting years as they watched me grow and develop. Now, as I prepare to graduate from high school I’m excited about the next stages of life. I hope to continue to think outside of the box to creatively solve problems. I know the challenges that society faces today require new ways of thinking to ensure positive progress for humanity.

During high school, I was fortunate to have many influential teachers. Each encouraged me and pushed me to grow academically and personally. Of these educators, the most influential was my Spanish teacher and mother, Mrs. Joanna Sayblack. Mrs. Sayblack is my most influential teacher because her practices and personality have prompted me to develop education and career goals relating to continued study of the Spanish language and the Latin American world. She accomplished this by teaching beyond a set curriculum of academic information and making content relevant and accessible to students. She always showed genuine concern and compassion for her students. Lastly, she created opportunities for students to practice language skills in real-world situations. Thanks to her example I have decided to continue studying the Spanish language, and I hope to study abroad in Latin America. After graduating I hope to work with indigenous people in Latin America, helping them learn sustainable farmland use practices ensuring they have consistent access to quality food. Mrs. Sayblack always ensured that her teaching was relevant and accessible for students. Although she had a set curriculum to follow, her teaching practices were engaging. She created scenarios that interested students in such a way that they worked enthusiastically to learn. Students quickly mastered objectives she planned for classes. Many of her students went beyond the two levels of foreign language required for state university entrance. Many, like me, decided to pursue higher levels of Spanish. I have enjoyed learning the language so much that study abroad during college is now part of my higher education plans. Next, Mrs. Sayblack always displayed concern and compassion for her students. Some teachers I encountered taught a lesson, administered an assessment, and had nothing more to do with students. I witnessed Mrs. Sayblack provide snacks for needy students, take extra time to help students struggling with academics, and provide a safe place for students who felt they had nowhere else to turn for comfort. Students she does not know recongize her compassion and go to her in times of trouble. I have seen how appreciative the students she helped were and I hope to emulate her charitable character. I have decided to pursue an education and career path that will help improve the conditions of my fellow man. Finally, I recognize Mrs. Sayblack as my most influential teacher because her passion for her subject matter shines. She actively works to create authentic opportunities for students to practice language skills and immerse themselves in Latin American culture. Most recently she hosted a ten-day tour to Ecuador. I jumped at the chance to take part in this experience. The excursion proved to be the defining event in the studies I shared with Mrs. Sayblack. Not only did our group witness the beauty of Ecuador's natural wonders, but also interacted with Ecuadorians from large cities to small villages. We did all of this in the context of being able to practice language skills that were the center of our studies. The time I spent in the culture shaped my desire to work with people of the region. Mrs. Sayblack, my Spanish teacher and mother, has influenced me like no other teacher. The experiences I have had with her as an educator have shaped who I hope to become. Her teaching style captured my attention and created a desire to learn and pursue Spanish. Her compassion for students made me want to help others. Finally, her passion for her content and creating authentic experiences to practice Spanish has instilled a desire in me to work with Latin Americans. Thank you Mrs. Joanna Sayblack.

The word justice has multiple meanings. As I read through them, the one that resonates with me the most is “a particular distribution of benefits and burdens fairly in accordance with like situations.” In my life I have been afforded opportunities to witness varying degrees of justice for people from many walks of life. As such, I hope to be able to contribute to a more just society. My travels have been the most influential experiences contributing to this desire. From a young age my parents have encouraged travel. Some memorable US destinations include Boston, Washington, DC, and Williamsburg, VA. I have also visited Mexico and Costa Rica. Each had an impact in shaping me. However, the most inspiring and meaningful one was to Ecuador in June 2024. This ten-day excursion provided me with a unique opportunity to develop a plan to contribute to a more just society. This journey was more than just a sight-seeing trip. While there were plenty of chances for fun and entertainment, the tour guide ensured that my group witnessed situations of injustice. We were pushed to experience circumstances that were sometimes uncomfortable. During our tour, we were exposed to both the merits and challenges of Ecuador. Not only did we see the beauty of the land and its people, but also cases in which the land was being ravaged by development, greed, and climate change. We witnessed the poverty in which many Ecuadoreans live and how many of them were unable to provide themselves or their families with basics of survival including food, shelter, and water. Ultimately, the Ecuadorean’s optimism, love for their country, and resilience in the face of hardships led me to understand that a fight for just treatment of the people and their land would be a worthy cause. At the journey’s conclusion, I began to shape concrete plans for my future. I realized that I can be an instrument of change and justice for underserved people of Central and South America. Conservation biology with study abroad options became my desired educational course of study. I have been accepted to East Tennessee State University and its Honors in Biology program. I have also been accepted into the university’s prestigious Changemakers program, which will provide me with opportunities and skills to identify and solve problems at all levels of society. After my university education is complete I hope to put it to use to create a more just world. I would like to work with indigenous people in Central and South America to develop sustainable land use practices, ensuring their consistent access to quality food, while easing the burden placed on the land. As I reflect on the meaning of justice, I recognize that injustice exists in many capacities. I also recognize that I have been fortunate to have been born into a situation affording me privileges and opportunities not available to many people around the world. My travels have allowed me to witness many of these situations. Now I hope to be able to give back to humanity with a university education that will allow me to create a more just society for those who have previously been denied basic means of survival in their lives.

“That’s not Danny Diaz!? That’s not Danny Diaz!?” The words shouted by Coach Jim “Blanco” White (Kevin Costner) at the climax of the 2015 movie McFarland, USA still inspire me to do whatever it takes to run my best race. I remember the first time I watched the movie as a middle school student. I was amazed that people could push themselves to be able to run like the boys in the movie. Now, as a senior with running at the center of my life, I recognize the impact McFarland has had on me. It instilled a desire to run, created a cultural awareness that greatly influenced my education and career goals, and helped build an internal desire to achieve my best in all my endeavors. McFarland inspired me to begin running. The first time I watched it, I was immediately motivated to become a cross country runner. I viewed the boys on McFarland’s XC team as heroes of their community; a community lacking heroes. I saw them as people who could create a culture of success and excellence for those who lacked positive role models. I realized they not only succeeded for themselves, but created hope and realization for their community that success was possible. I wanted to be like them. Today I am a team leader. I work to inspire younger runners to achieve their full potential. My passion for running began with McFarland. McFarland is not only about sports. It is also about cultural awareness. Coach White’s background was one of homogeneity. He and his family had little knowledge of the world they entered, and were initially fearful of the culture into which they were thrust. They quickly learned that people have the same hopes and dreams regardless of background and upbringing. I have watched the movie numerous times, and I recognize it influenced me to broaden my own cultural awareness. I am fascinated by and have travelled to several Latin American countries. I have taken and excelled in four levels of Spanish. I have had the opportunity to witness how people outside of my culture live. Now I wish to continue my education by majoring in biology, concentrating in conservation. Ultimately I hope to work with Latin American farming communities, helping them learn sustainable land use practices, ensuring their access to quality food and easing the burden on the land. McFarland has been instrumental in broadening my cultural awareness. Finding inspiration and motivation to consistently work toward one’s best can be difficult. McFarland provides that inspiration for me. I occasionally wonder why I work so hard on my endeavors. I aspire to achieve high grades, excellence in athletics, and positive relationships with family and friends. The boys on the team wondered the same, and their hopes of success were far slimmer than mine. Throughout the movie they began to realize hard work toward a goal created success. I remember that lesson when I begin to feel something is too difficult or unattainable. I am realistic. I know success is not guaranteed. However, I know that a goal with a clear path to success creates a high likelihood of achievement. Witnessing the boys’ dedication and determination in the movie helped me develop a desire to always achieve my best. McFarland, USA has helped shape me into who I am, and who I hope to become. Without it I would have been less likely to develop my love for running. I also would not have a broad cultural awareness and future goals. Finally, without McFarland I would lack the internal drive to achieve success in my endeavors.

Imagine waking up day after day being tired, thirsty, and hungry. You continue to try and get good rest, but are unable to ever feel energized. You eat, but never feel like you get the energy you need. You drink fluids, but never feel your thirst is quenched. All the while you are expected to continue regular school work, extracurricular activities, and responsibilities at home causing you to feel helpless and hopeless. This was my reality for several weeks in the fall of 2019 prior to being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Upon receiving the diagnosis I was relieved to have an understanding of the problem, but terrified for what it might mean for my future. Today I am proud of who I have become. I am more mature and responsible than most of my peers. I am active and enjoy a healthy lifestyle. I am excited about everything the future holds for me. Upon diagnosis I was left with a feeling that life would change forever; it did. I had never worried about things such as diet, carbs, or blood glucose. I believed my life was over. But only briefly. I quickly learned to count carbs, calculate insulin ratios, and was soon giving myself injections. These are considerations few of my peers have dealt with. I know that taking on these responsibilities have made me far more mature than most people my age. Learning to handle T1D influenced me to better manage many areas of life, including academics, personal relationships, and athletics. I have always lived an active life. I have played organized sports since kindergarten. Currently I run cross country, swim, and run indoor and outdoor track. I enjoy outdoor activities including hiking, cycling, kayaking, and skiing. I feared this would all change when I was diagnosed. As I learned how to manage my new situation, I realized I did not have to abandon my lifestyle. Instead, as I learned more, I realized that managing T1D was part of a health-conscious life that would enhance my activities. Although my diagnosis was life-changing, the skills I gained gave me the knowledge needed to live a fulfilling life of my choosing. Now I am preparing to graduate from high school and begin the next chapter of life. I will begin college in the fall, with the first opportunity to live life on my own and be fully responsible for myself. This creates some worry, however I am mainly filled with excitement and anticipation. Being a recipient of the Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship would greatly aid me in reaching my education and career goals. I will pursue a degree in biology, and I hope to study abroad in Latin America. Ultimately, I wish to work with indigenous people in Latin America, helping them learn sustainable land use practices to decrease stress on rainforests, and provide them with consistent access to healthy food. T1D will not hinder my future plans and goals. I reflect back to my diagnosis in October 2019. I consider how drastically my life changed as a result. Although I had to adopt a completely new mindset of how to live, the outcomes from these changes have positively impacted my life. I have become a mature and responsible individual. I have learned how to continue living the active lifestyle I love in a healthy way. Finally, the life skills I have gained have given me the focus to shape the future of what my education and career will look like. T1D is a part of who I am, however it will not define me.

I am riding with my parents, returning home from a trip to see my grandmothers during my spring break. They live over 300 miles away. The journey takes about 5 ½ hours. Halfway through the drive I start to search, looking through my bag five times. I look under the seats and inside all the compartments in the vehicle. My Dad notices something is not right. He asks, “What are you looking for?” My reply; “I cannot find my blood sugar testing kit.” I know I had it earlier in the day. I know it should be with us, however it is nowhere to be found. A sinking feeling hits my stomach. As a type 1 diabetic I have to have this equipment to survive. We stop and search the car, but still cannot find the kit. Fortunately my parents are very supportive of me. We immediately drive to a pharmacy to buy a new testing kit. While there, I see the prices of the life-sustaining equipment, and wonder aloud to my parents how companies can feel good charging so much to people. I am old enough and mature enough to understand that not everyone with chronic, life-threatening medical conditions can afford the necessary equipment. This bothers me the rest of the ride. I voice my concerns to my parents several times that afternoon. Similar thoughts have come to my mind many times since my diagnosis in 2019. Prior, I never really considered the issue of being able to afford necessary medical equipment. Now, as a member of the community of people with physical disabilities, questions like this often come to my mind. I wonder how my life might have turned out if my parents had been unable to support me the way they have. My struggles would probably go beyond physical problems. I would not have had the esteem or drive to decide to excel as a student and an athlete. I might have decided that the active lifestyle I have always enjoyed would have been impossible. I would have been afraid to travel to various places around the country and the world. I would have believed the dream of attending college would be unreachable. Thanks to my parents’ support, all of these have become realities. As I have considered how those less fortunate might be affected by corporate greed, I have become determined to make a difference in the lives of people unable to advocate for themselves. I have combined my life’s passions to plan how to do this. My loves of active, outdoor life, travel, and a commitment to help those less fortunate have pushed me in a particular direction for education and career goals. I will obtain a biology degree. Eventually I will help indigenous people in Central and South America learn sustainable land use practices, ensuring they will have consistent access to quality food. I am headed in the right direction. I have been admitted to my university of choice (East Tennessee State University). Thanks to my hard work and dedication I have been admitted into its Honors College which will allow me to conduct undergraduate research with professors in my major. I have also been accepted into its prestigious Changemaker’s Program, in which I will learn the leadership and collaboration skills necessary to accomplish my goals. Today I am thankful to my parents and everyone who encouraged me to strive for excellence in spite of difficulties associated with type 1 diabetes. Further, I appreciate that without the experience I might not have been as empathetic to people struggling with problems outside of their control.

I have always enjoyed an active lifestyle, with sports at the center. I feared this would all change in 7th grade when I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Overnight I was forced to adopt a new outlook on life. I had never had to consider nutrition, let alone contemplate injecting myself with insulin to survive. After a brief period of personal doubt, I decided I would not allow diabetes to control me. Although I must live with it, it does not define me. Only I do that. Although I had to learn to live in a new way, managing the condition caused me to become more dedicated as a student and athlete, and more responsible as a person. Today I am the captain of my high school cross country team, working to encourage younger runners achieve their best. Further, as captain, I am in a position to collaborate with my coaches to develop and implement ways to boost team performance. Over the years, I have qualified for my state’s championship race three times and performed at an All-Conference level all four seasons. I have run on the track and field team in the winter and spring all four years of high school. I have qualified for regional championships multiple times. I have participated in swim for the past two years, qualifying once for a regional championship. I know these activities have led to dedication and determination to commitments and excellence, and will help lead to success in my future goals. I have endeavored to maintain high academic marks. I currently have a weighted GPA of 4.339. My class rank is 15 of 214. I have earned A’s in all classes except for B’s in an Honors Biology class and a college math class. I have taken Honors and Advanced Placement classes whenever possible. I have earned AP exam scores high enough for college credit in all of those classes I have taken. I have been a member in good standing in the National Honor Society since my sophomore year. I will attend East Tennessee State University beginning August, 2025. I have earned a spot in their Honors College, and in the university’s Changemakers Program in which I will have opportunities to collaborate with peers, professionals, and community leaders to create and implement positive social changes. I am active in community volunteering opportunities. There are two of which I am particularly proud. One was as a “Counselor In Training” for a local parks department’s summer youth day camp. I worked as an aid from June-August in 2022, helping staff organize, facilitate, and monitor campers. This eventually led to full time summer employment in the camp the following summer, as the director came to recognize me as an energetic and dedicated volunteer. In July 2024, I served as a co-organizer and co-leader of my town’s first youth summer running camp. With my coach’s guidance, another senior runner and I planned, promoted, organized, and ran the camp. We created excitement and enthusiasm in youngsters for an activity that I love. Athletics have been instrumental in shaping who I am, and who I will continue to become. I plan on majoring in biology with a concentration in conservation ecology. I hope to study abroad for a semester or year, working to improve my Spanish language skills. Ultimately, I wish to work with indigenous Latin American populations helping them learn sustainable land use practices to ensure they have consistent access to quality food sources. Without athletics I never would have developed the skills and work ethics I will need to accomplish these goals.

Opening Scene: "Raíces de Carrera” (Running Roots) The camera opens on a sweeping aerial shot of a lush, mist-draped rainforest in the early morning. Birds cry out in the distance as the sun pierces through the dense canopy. A river winds below, golden and silent. The camera glides down toward a small, remote village nestled between the hill. It’s a place where tradition and time seem to pause. Cut to a close-up: the soft beep of an insulin pump breaks the silence. A hand reaches for the pump, beginning the process of replacing it with practiced ease. The camera pans up to reveal Daniel Sayblack, 28, sitting cross-legged in a small hut, his face groggy with sleep, but focused. He's slender, a product of his passion for running. Dark hair is a bit unkempt, eyes intense but kind. He pricks his finger and tests his blood sugar, then scribbles the number in a small journal, flipping past pages filled with sketches of plants, maps, and glucose levels. Around him are signs of a life lived at the intersection of modern culture and ancient history: a phone and laptop plugged into a solar-powered charger beside a vial of insulin cooled in a small clay pot half-buried in the soil. A colorful woven blanket hangs on one wall. It was gifted to him by the village elders. A child’s laughter is heard outside. Daniel looks up, a small smile forming. He tucks the journal into his bag, puts on a worn pair of running shoes, and steps into the morning sun. Voiceover (Daniel): "When you live with Type 1 diabetes, every morning begins with numbers. Numbers that tell you if you're safe... or on the edge. But numbers can’t tell you why you feel full of passion for life in a place like this." Cut to: Daniel beginning his morning run consisting of an out-and-back route, greeted by locals speaking in Kichwa and Spanish. He responds fluently. Children swarm around him, attempting to cling to his arms and laughing as he runs by. In the background, indigenous farmers work side by side with volunteers from Daniel’s organization, Raíces Vivas (Living Roots), building terraces along a hillside to prevent erosion caused by the rains certain to come. Daniel completes his run and stops as he reaches an elder seated by a fire. They share a silent nod. He kneels, placing a laminated photo beside her. An old satellite image showing the damaged land five years ago. He pulls out a new one, vibrant with regrowth. The elder smiles. She knows her people are better off for the knowledge and practices introduced by Daniel’s group. Voiceover (Daniel): "Raíces Vivas was an idea that evolved over time. My diagnosis came when I was 12. Apart from a brief moment of personal doubt, I decided it wouldn’t define me. As I learned to manage my condition, I embraced the active lifestyle I already loved. I worked for excellence. I hiked, kayaked, swam, studied, travelled, led, volunteered; but most of all I ran. Running was the center of my life for years. It taught me discipline, dedication, camaraderie, and humility. I was fortunate to have many travel opportunities. From these I learned how blessed I was in my life, regardless of dealing with diabetes. I decided my purposes would be to help people better their conditions, while working to improve the health of the planet. I remember a phrase one of my biology professors in college said that stuck with me: 'The earth, like the body, can heal when you treat it with knowledge, patience, and care.'" Flashback sequence: quick cuts of Daniel in various situations in college, studying textbooks, in classroom labs, and in the field conducting ecological research. Back to present: Daniel climbs a ridge overlooking a reforested valley. He pauses to check his blood sugar again—low. He sits, eats a package of fruit-flavored gummies and waits, as a light rain shower begins pattering on the foliage around him. Voiceover (Daniel): "Managing this condition never stops. It's invisible and constant. But it also made me listen more—to myself, to the people around me, and to the land." He looks out over the valley, then down at a group of teenagers from the village who are listening intently to the college intern teaching them to build a compost system. One wears a Raíces Vivas t-shirt. Daniel smiles, not as a leader, but as someone who is part of something larger than himself. Cut to: Daniel placing a new sticker on a large map in the community center indicating another village where they’ve begun training. The sticker reads, “Hope begins here.” As the sun dips below the treetops and the screen fades to black, the title appears: "Raíces de Carrera"

As a child I had aspirations of pursuing many different careers. At various times I hoped to be a professional soccer player, an airline pilot, and even a rapper. One of the careers in my mind continued to keep my interest; a professional chef. My dad would routinely watch cooking shows, and I was impressed by the excitement, enthusiasm, and creativity shown by all of the young chefs that competed on shows like Chopped and Iron Chef. I was in the kitchen from a young age trying to put my perceived skills to use so that I could prove to myself and everyone else that being a chef was the right path for me. Today I do not plan on pursuing professional cooking, however I continue to use cooking as a creative outlet to express my thoughts and feelings. Cooking competition shows were regular programming at my home when I was a youngster. The chefs I saw as competitors inspired me. They were young, enthusiastic, and creative. There were individuals of diverse backgrounds who brought all kinds of new ideas into their kitchens. They took their careers seriously and were well-respected by others in their profession. I wished for people to recognize talent in things I did and take note of hard work and creativity in my career. Even at a young age I desired to be part of that world. The influence of the cooking competition shows I watched created a desire to test my culinary skills early on. I saw the chefs on television and I wanted to prove to myself and others that I had the talent to be one of those individuals. I wanted to learn to do all the things I saw them do. Fortunately my parents encouraged my curiosity to learn new skills. Under supervision they allowed me to prepare basic dishes, and helped me learn techniques appropriate for young chefs. They also provided me with cookbooks for young chefs to stimulate ideas of things I would like to try in the kitchen. Today I have decided not to pursue culinary arts as a profession. Instead, I enjoy cooking and learning new culinary techniques as a hobby. Cooking competitions and YouTube videos regarding cooking remain staple viewing in my home. Cooking serves as both a creative outlet and a way for me to learn new skills. It keeps my mind fresh and sharp, and I still respect the chefs that I watch. I also find it is something that my parents and I are able to bond over and do together. Although I have chosen not to pursue cooking as a career path, that early desire to be a chef has had huge implications on my chosen course of study and profession. I hope to pursue a degree in biology with a concentration in conservation. I wish to eventually put my knowledge to use helping indigenous people in Central and South America learn sustainable land use practices to provide them access to food without placing too much stress on their fields. I would not have come to this decision without my early desires to be part of the culinary world. Although my career objectives have changed I realized that I must be part of something interactive and engaging. My career must stimulate my curiosity and creativity, much the same way that cooking does. Ultimately, my initial desire to cook as a career taught me I need to be involved in something service-oriented, nourishing people’s needs.

Success. It has different meanings for different people. For some it means winning. For others it means earning the highest grades. I was forced to evaluate my own meaning for success at the age of twelve upon being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Receiving the diagnosis both relieved and terrified me at the same time. I was glad to have an understanding of the strange signals my body was giving me: why I could never quench my thirst no matter how much water I drank, why I never felt energized regardless of my attention to diet and nutrition, and why I never felt rested even though I slept far more than what seemed necessary. I was frightened of what it might mean for my future, and I believed my life as I knew it was over. It was, but now I recognize it as a new beginning. My journey in life has taught me that success means setting a goal and working hard to achieve it. If an individual is able to say that they have worked as hard as possible to meet a goal, they have succeeded. Immediately after my diagnosis I set two goals for myself. One was to learn to count all of the nutrition facts that I had to calculate in order to properly dose myself with insulin. The other was to be able to inject myself so that I did not have to rely on others for that routine. I was scared to do both. If I miscalculated I could send myself into diabetic shock with a hypoglycemic episode. Further, I was terrified of needles and shots. However, within a week I was regularly doing both. I immediately realized this as a success in life, and I decided that T1D would not define me. Before my T1D diagnosis I always lived an active life. I have played organized sports since my first years of school, and enjoyed outdoor activities including hiking, cycling, kayaking, and skiing. I briefly feared my condition would put an end to this lifestyle. I decided not to allow that, and to live how I chose to. As I learned how to manage my new situation, I realized I did not have to abandon my lifestyle. Instead, as I learned more, I realized that managing T1D was part of a health-conscious life that would enhance my activities. Currently I run cross country, swim, and run indoor and outdoor track. I continue to enjoy all the outdoor activities I did before my diagnosis. Although it was life-changing, the skills I gained gave me the knowledge needed to live a fulfilling life of my choosing. This success has made me realize I can set and accomplish any goal of my choosing. Now I am preparing to graduate from high school and begin the next chapter of life. I will begin college in the fall, with the first opportunity to live life on my own and be fully responsible for myself. This creates some worry. However I am mainly filled with excitement and anticipation. I know the successes of setting goals, working toward them, and ultimately achieving them will serve as a solid foundation as I plan my education and career objectives. The Redefining Victory Scholarship will play a major role in helping me meet my goals. I plan on pursuing a degree in biology with a concentration in conservation. I hope to study abroad in Central or South America. I wish to pursue a masters degree as well. Ultimately, I wish to work with indigenous people in Latin America. I hope to help them learn sustainable land use practices to decrease stress on rainforests, and provide them with consistent access to healthy food. Meeting this goal would be an enormous success, proving that T1D will not hinder me. I reflect back to my diagnosis in October 2019. I consider how drastically my life changed as a result. Although I had to adopt a completely new mindset of how to live, the outcomes have defined my understanding of success. I have navigated life with my condition, setting goals for myself to keep it from dictating my choices. I have learned to face frightening situations, and now understand I can overcome them. I have learned how to continue living the active lifestyle I love in a healthy way. Finally, the life skills I have gained have given me the focus to shape the future of what my education and career will look like. T1D is a part of who I am, however it will not define me.

Imagine waking up day after day being tired, thirsty, and hungry. You continue to try and get good rest, but are unable to ever feel energized. You eat, but never feel like you get the energy you need. You drink water, juice, and other fluids, but never feel like your thirst is quenched. All the while you are expected to continue your regular school work, extracurricular activities, and responsibilities at home causing you to feel helpless and hopeless. This was my reality for several weeks in the fall of 2019 prior to being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Upon receiving the diagnosis I was relieved to have an understanding of the problem, but terrified for what it might mean for my future. Today I am proud of who I have become. I am more mature and responsible than most of my peers. I am active and enjoy a healthy lifestyle. I am excited about everything the future holds for me. Upon diagnosis I was left with a feeling that life would change forever; it did. I had never worried about things such as diet, carbs, or blood glucose. I believed my life was over. But only briefly. I quickly learned to count carbs, calculate insulin ratios, and was soon giving myself injections. These are considerations few of my peers have dealt with. I know that taking on these responsibilities have made me far more mature than most people my age. Learning to handle T1D has influenced me to better manage many areas of my life, including academics, personal relationships, and athletics. I have always lived an active life. I have played organized sports since my first years of school, and have continued throughout high school. Currently I run cross country, swim, and run indoor and outdoor track. I enjoy outdoor activities including hiking, cycling, kayaking, and skiing. I feared this would all change when I was diagnosed. As I learned how to manage my new situation, I realized I did not have to abandon my lifestyle. Instead, as I learned more, I realized that managing T1D was part of a health-conscious life that would enhance my activities. Although my diagnosis was life-changing, the skills I gained gave me the knowledge needed to live a fulfilling life of my choosing. Now I am preparing to graduate from high school and begin the next chapter of life. I will begin college in the fall, with the first opportunity to live life on my own and be fully responsible for myself. This creates some worry, however I am mainly filled with excitement and anticipation. I plan on pursuing a degree in biology, and I hope to study abroad in Central or South America. Ultimately, I wish to work with indigenous people in Latin America. I hope to help them learn sustainable land use practices to decrease stress on rainforests, and provide them with consistent access to healthy food. T1D will not hinder my future plans and goals. I reflect back to my diagnosis in October 2019. I consider how drastically my life changed as a result. Although I had to adopt a completely new mindset of how to live, the outcomes from these changes have positively impacted my life. I have become a mature and responsible individual. I have learned how to continue living the active lifestyle I love in a healthy way. Finally, the life skills I have gained have given me the focus to shape the future of what my education and career will look like. T1D is a part of who I am, however it will not define me.

When I think about my Granddaddy (John), who was my mother’s father, there are many stories that come to my mind that have tremendous meaning to me. Granddaddy was a US Navy Veteran who was always immensely proud of his service and thankful for the opportunities it provided for him. Sadly, we lost Granddaddy in the summer of 2024, however the memories I made with him as a youngster will stay in my heart and soul forever. My memories of Granddaddy are treasures of the times I was able to spend with him. I fondly recall my first fishing trip with Granddaddy and my Dad on Granddaddy’s boat. I remember rolling around on his living room floor with him and wrestling while he tickled me all over. I recollect many holiday and birthday celebrations that would have felt incomplete without Granddaddy’s presence. The memory I have that I wish to share is the one that was most impactful regarding who I am now, and the earliest I can recall with him. That is a day I spent with him, my Dad, my uncle Darryl, and my cousin Charles at an outdoor sporting expo when I was only four years old. The Dixie Deer Classic is an annual event that celebrates all things hunting, fishing, and outdoor lifestyle. This event seemed tailor-made for Granddaddy’s liking. According to my Dad, he could not have been happier when he discovered that both of his grandsons would be accompanying him to the event that year. Even from so many years ago, I clearly remember my excitement on the day of the event. I was elated to be able to spend the day with Granddaddy and my older cousin. Many of my memories of that day are somewhat cloudy in my mind because I was so young. I remember snippets of walking around the fairgrounds and looking at one exhibit or another. There are two memories in my mind that clearly stand out. The first was sharing a funnel cake with my older cousin Charles that Granddaddy bought for us. The second was sitting in a miniature race car with Charles and pretending to drive. In each case I have a distinct recollection of Granddaddy standing and watching as he beamed a huge smile. I remember having the thought in those moments that I love my family. Although I was only four years old at the time of this experience, it made a lasting impact on who I am today. There are many things I do not remember from that day, however something I comprehended in those moments was Granddaddy’s dedication to and pride of family. There are some vague memories I have prior to that day of having fun with Granddaddy, but from then on I always recognized the strong sense of pride and dedication that he had for his family. That feeling never left in the days before we lost him last summer. Even as he became less lucid in the last few days of his life, I still felt that fierce sense of pride he had for me and all of his family. Now, as I contemplate the impact Granddaddy had on my life, I know that my own dedication to family is a direct result of Granddaddy’s interactions with me. I recognize that whenever we spent time together, our relationship was a reflection of how much he loved his family. I know that his love will continue through me as he taught me the value of love for family.

Leadership and science are two aspects of society that have a great impact on the world. Although seemingly unrelated the two are intricately intertwined. Scientific researchers investigate the natural world, how it affects our lives, and how to improve the quality of life. Leadership, typically in the form of business executives and government officials, make important decisions regarding the legality, relevance, and funding related to scientific research. To ensure that leaders make decisions that improve mankind’s quality of life in the future, researchers must be allowed to maintain open communication and freely evaluate the work of their peers. If this happens, the public will have the opportunity to learn of new discoveries and how they may relate to continued progress. Scientific research has always been the spearhead of progress for humanity. Whether the advancements have related to medical research, exploration, or a further understanding of man’s place in the universe, researchers are at the forefront of hypothesizing, experimenting, collecting data, and putting new information to use for humanity. As we move forward through the 21st century scientists continue to make breakthroughs in various fields that have the potential to improve human life. Society’s leaders have the responsibility to ensure that scientific developments are put to the best use for humanity. While the vast majority of scientists are altruistic with humans’ best interest at heart, their research and discoveries can be misused by political leaders who aim to consolidate power through fear, misinformation, and social discord. Further, business leaders may choose to overlook funding scientific research that may have the potential to positively affect many individuals, but does not guarantee a huge corporate payout. For these reasons scientists must maintain open communication and free transmission of ideas amongst one another, ensuring that all have access to information. This will guarantee that scientific peers have the opportunity to review one another’s work, checking the validity of conclusions reached by researchers, and putting new knowledge to use for further developments and breakthroughs. Researchers will be able to inform the public when business or government leaders are making the best decisions for society, or if they are misconstruing facts to suit their own purposes. If scientists are able to freely evaluate the work and research of others, and have the opportunity to report findings to the public, people will understand researchers do not have ulterior motives; instead they work for the love of uncovering truth and how to use it for society’s best interest. If, however, leaders restrict how researchers share information with their colleagues, the public will have no way of knowing what scientific developments occur, or how those developments may be put to use. Therefore, the public must demand that business and government leaders allow scientists to pursue research they feel is valid, and that it remain disclosed for all to learn of the results. As scientists continue to make discoveries there is no doubt that knowledge can be put to use to improve the human condition. Conversely, it can be manipulated by leaders for the purposes of greed, power, and destruction. This means that scientists must be able to openly communicate their research to others and the public. In this way, other researchers will be able to test the validity of the work, and build on new knowledge. Finally, the public will have the ability to learn of research being done, and demand that government and business leaders encourage continued work on projects that will improve humanity’s quality of life.

Throughout my youth I have always been involved in athletics. I played recreation soccer and baseball in elementary and middle school. I ran cross country, played baseball, and soccer for my middle school. In high school I was on the varsity cross country, track and field, and swim teams. Each experience presented challenges and provided lessons along the way. My high school student-athlete career was the most formative in facing and overcoming challenges. During these years I routinely faced pressures of time commitments of practices and competitions, stressful academic requirements, and a feeling of having to meet expectations of coaches and parents. Students not involved in extra-curricular athletics may feel some pressures to keep grades up and maintain high academic standards. However, the extra time dedicated to athletics compounded with physical and mental demands associated with the competitive nature of high school athletics creates added burdens on student-athletes. The most obvious challenge as a high school student-athlete is the time associated. With practices being daily, and competitions often taking place on weekends, there is little time for physical or mental relaxation. Many student athletes participate in one or multiple sports throughout the calendar year. Little time remains for time with friends, family, or vacation with so much time dedicated to athletics. Another serious challenge for high school student-athletes is maintaining academic standards. Schools require minimum academic standards for participation, however most student-athletes strive for marks well above those minimums. The majority know they will never be offered large sums from colleges or universities to continue playing at the next level. Therefore high academic achievement is a necessity to ensure help in paying for higher education. Those fortunate enough to be offered full tuition to play at the next level know they must maintain high grades to ensure entrance into their chosen institution. A final challenge faced by high school student-athletes is the pressure of expectations (whether real or perceived) from coaches and parents. High school athletics are supposed to supplement a student’s educational experience, however the expectation to succeed in competition can overwhelm the athlete. Although coaches and parents are almost always well-meaning in their encouragement, the expectation of success may prove to be too much for an adolescent to bear. When this happens, negative outcomes are likely for the student-athlete. All of these challenges may make someone question why athletes continue to compete. The answer is simple; the lessons and benefits outweigh the associated challenges. Each of the challenges mentioned above lead to important life lessons and skills learned by student-athletes. They quickly learn to manage their time. They know they cannot wait to complete assignments and study for tests. This trait follows them into life, making them productive individuals. Next, student athletes tend to maintain high GPAs and academic success. They learn what is necessary for earning and maintaining the best grades in their academic endeavors helping to ensure good careers following formal education. Finally, successful student athletes learn to manage expectations of others with what they know they can handle in a healthy way. This helps them in creating healthy personal and professional relationships throughout life. High school student-athletes can be burdened with many challeges that non-athletes are not as likely to have to endure. For all of the challenges, individuals can learn many important lessons. Facing and overcoming these challenges successfully creates well-rounded individuals who are mentally and physically healthy. This makes high school athletics meaningful and worthwhile for all participants.

As I prepare to graduate from high school I realize I am fortunate to have received a high quality education from passionate instructors. These individuals helped shape the course of study and career path I hope to pursue in ecological/conservation biology. I have also been fortunate to have participated in community activities that helped determine my future goals. Several of these experiences afforded me opportunities to protect children from in-person and cyberbullying. Researching options for higher education has been exciting, however financial planning has been fraught with anxiety. Now with the annual costs of my top college choices being approximately $20,000 I worry that my goals could be in jeopardy. I have endeavored to achieve my best in all I attempt and I know I will continue this trait upon entering college. I hope to avoid having to rely on student loans to achieve my goals. Receiving this scholarship will alleviate financial burden, allowing me to continue focusing on academic excellence so I may pursue the goal of preserving the beauty of the natural world for posterity. As a natural biologist, protecting the environment will be a top priority. However, ensuring the safety of future generations to be able to enjoy the world’s natural beauty is just as important. I have been fortunate to have had opportunities to provide safe places for local children. One such activity was volunteer work as a counselor-in-training at a summer youth day camp in the summer of 2022. My official responsibility in this role was to aid the counselors in jobs including setting up games, leading campers from place to place, and accompanying them on field trips to monitor campers. Unofficially I became a person both the children and counselors came to trust. The campers realized they could rely on me as someone who would not tolerate bullying. The counselors knew they could count on me to ensure the campers treated each other with respect. Following the summer as a CIT, I was eligible to become a full-fledged counselor. I was hired and found myself with far more responsibilities than as a CIT. Although my volunteer work had prepared me for many of the jobs I did as a counselor, the full responsibility was now mine to ensure the safety and well-being of the campers each day. I flourished in this new role. Not only did I make sure the campers were safe in a fun and inviting atmosphere, but that they treated one another with dignity. Further, the other counselors and I strictly regulated the campers’ access to phones, and focused on teaching appropriate ways to express their thoughts and feelings. Another community activity I participated in that worked against bullying was as a co-organizer and leader of a youth summer running camp. I worked with another rising senior on my cross country team to organize the event, and served as a group leader during the camp. This three-day event taught children to learn new skills away from screens, work as teammates encouraging and uplifting each other, and instilled confidence in youngsters as they found they could accomplish feats of which they previously believed they were incapable of. Participants came away with a new-found sense of confidence and teamwork. At the close of my high school years, I look with anticipation and excitement to begin the next chapter of my life. I also reflect on the opportunities that I have had to work with youngsters in my community. I know that I have been an instrument to improve children’s safety and helped teach them to treat one another with respect and dignity.

Imagine that you are deep in the Amazon rainforest, interacting with indigenous people: eating their native food, discussing with them how their children learn, and experiencing some of their cultural traditions and heritage. Then just two days later, hiking towards the summit of one of South America’s tallest stratovolcanoes and struggling to breathe at the high altitudes while being in awe of the majesty of the landscape. This is part of what I experienced last summer during a trip to Ecuador. Encouraged by my parents, I have been an international traveler since before I began kindergarten. This was my latest journey exposing me to cultures and regions very different from my own. As I have made several of these journeys throughout my life, I have come to appreciate the importance of working to understand how both cultures and ecological biomes around us function and are influenced by one another. I know that as humanity is the center of the universe on which most of us focus, we must strive to understand how we affect one another and the natural world around us if we hope to advance in a positive way. Experiencing and working to understand world cultures is key to recognizing humanity’s place in the universe. I have been blessed in that my parents have encouraged me to do both from a very young age. These experiences have helped me better appreciate my place in humanity’s role in the universe. I realize that many individuals’ focus is self-centered and self-serving. I realize that many of my peers that have not been exposed to other ways of life have a narrow view of the world and the universe. While many people are unaware of and even fearful of other ways of life, I realize that the best way for humanity to advance is with a deepened knowledge and respect for various ways of life. Having a perspective on how and why others live the way they do provides important insights on ways for all of us to work together to achieve equity and justice for all people in a cooperative and collaborative way. Without this appreciation xenophobia, mistrust, and greed threaten to hinder or even destroy important progress humans have made in promoting peaceful progress that can uplift everyone. Beyond understanding one another, we must also work to understand our natural world and how humanity’s universe fits into it. Earth is the only refuge for life that we have for the foreseeable future. As our population expands, natural resources and habitable spaces are stretched thin. My travels have exposed me to many examples of the strains being put on the planet and its living spaces. I have had opportunities to witness the fragility of the natural world, and how dependent we, as its tenants, are on its continued functioning. This has instilled a curiosity within me to understand how the Earth’s ecosystems are interrelated and a desire to develop ways and ideas to allow for co-existence of human progress and advancement along with the maintenance and sustainability of the natural world. I know that without my travel experiences I would not have recognized the depth at which people are interconnected to the planet’s biomes. I know that my experiences have provided me with opportunities to recognize relationships that humans have with the natural world in ways that most other people lack. My personal experiences as an international traveler have created my awareness of the importance of understanding other cultures and the need to work to conserve our planet’s natural resources. Understanding our small place in the universe is imperative to ensuring humanity’s continued survival and creating a society in which all people have access to equity and fairness in life. I have witnessed firsthand the struggle for survival that many people have from day to day. I recognize the inadequacy of resources available to many people around the world and how that creates a struggle for survival, even at the cost of depleting necessary natural resources on which we all depend. I have witnessed the inequity in distribution of basic human needs for people around the world. I see the close-mindedness that many individuals carry towards those from differing backgrounds, and how that lack of openness creates strife and struggle. I know that greed has hindered the development of progress, policies, and practices that could benefit the overall condition of humanity. All of this has pushed me toward a desire to take action in improving human existence and our place in our universe. Recognizing the link between humans and the natural world is not sufficient to make positive impacts for everyone’s benefit. I have considered possibilities of how I can be part of a solution to humanity’s problems regarding a lack of awareness and understanding between cultures and an effort to conserve our natural resources for the benefit of everyone. I know that I would begin this process through post-secondary education focusing on international relations and cultural awareness and biology with a focus on ecology and conservation. I have taken and excelled in four levels of Spanish language classes in high school. I intend on continuing this course of study in college, with the ultimate goal of studying abroad in a Spanish speaking country. I will continue to develop my cultural awareness and understanding of different cultures. Preferably I would like to study in Central or South America. I wish to couple this experience with an academic study of ecological and biological processes that could eventually be used to aid native populations. I know these courses of study would guide me to being part of making our place in the universe more positive for everyone on the planet. After completing my studies I would employ my new skills to create positive changes for all humanity. I hope to be able to work with, or possibly start a non profit organization aimed at creating ecological awareness among native and indigenous populations in Central and South America. I can imagine an organization that may work to educate individuals about proper land use, reclaiming previously exhausted natural areas, and methods to ensure the land’s continued feasibility. I envision the organization working with citizens from multiple nations to help develop international cooperation and cultural awareness. Further, I desire to create a sense of savvy among Central and South American native peoples of how to work with corporations that may wish to use their lands. This would help them develop an understanding of how to advocate for themselves in negotiations. They would be empowered with a feeling of competence in their ability to make their voices heard as they work on a level at parity with people from around the world. To conclude my thoughts, I wish to reemphasize why I will work to help humanity understand its place in the universe in which we live. The vast majority of us focus on our world as our universe. Too many of us believe that there is no need for an understanding or awareness of other cultures around the world. Many are of the mindset that there is no cause for working to conserve our world’s limited natural resources. My experiences as a world traveler from a young age have taught me that cultural awareness and conservation practices are necessary to create positive progress for humanity. I wish to be part of a movement to change these beliefs and put new methods in place to counter such ideas and create positive impacts for all of humanity.

Throughout life I have always been active. I have participated in team sports including soccer and swimming. I have also enjoyed activities such as hiking, kayaking, and cycling. However, in middle school I discovered my athletic passion as a middle and longer distance runner. I have excelled in the 1600-5000m events. As I have become more experienced in the sport, I have enjoyed following and cheering for elite distance runners. Athletes such as Yared Nuguse, Grant Fisher, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, and Eliud Kipchoge inspire me. Recently, my favorite distance runner and Team USA athlete to cheer for became Cole Hocker. As a distance runner, Hocker inspires me. He specializes in the same events that I compete in. I understand the work and dedication it takes in his training regimen to consistently set personal records and win titles. All the while he maintains a self-controlled and modest attitude. He does not rely on dramatics or theatrics to gain recognition among fans. Instead, he lets his actions on the track speak for him and prove that he is worthy of the accolades that he has accumulated. I also see that he works strategically with his teammates, so that they can finish with the best possible times and places. When I watch Hocker race I can see that he never gives up and runs his hardest until after crossing the finish line. The greatest example of Hocker’s hard work ethic and thirst to compete at his best was displayed last summer at the 2024 Summer Olympics. I was excited to watch him run in the men’s 1500m finals; typically his best event. As the race started, there was no surprise to see favorites Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Josh Kerr pull out front, while Hocker settled into the back third of the pack with teammates Hobbs Kessler and Yared Nuguse right ahead. The race quickly progressed with the three teammates working together to move up through the pack into the middle. The top three leaders looked as if they would pull away as the runners entered the final lap. However, Nuguse had eased into fourth with Hocker close behind. Starting with about 250-300 meters to go Hocker began his kick with Nuguse right behind. The second place runner fell back. Hocker made his move and took him. Looking at him at this point I saw the pain and determination I understand so well myself. Both Ingebrigtsen and Kerr struggled to maintain their positions. In one final burst of resolve with about 50 or 60 meters remaining, I saw Hocker was going to take the victory. Ingebrigtsen knew he was beaten and just gave in. Kerr kept coming, but it was too late. He finished second. All the while Nuguse fought to maintain pace with Hocker and finished third as he worked with his teammate, earning a bronze medal. Cole Hocker’s 3:27.65 performance in this race embodies why he is my favorite Team USA athlete to cheer for. It earned him an Olympic gold medal, an Olympic record, and a North American area record. It was three seconds faster than his previous PR, which he set not long before at the 2024 Olympic Trials. I saw that he worked with his teammates in a strategic way, encouraging them as the race progressed. Finally, at the end of the race when he could have easily given in to fatigue and pain, he collected himself, fought as hard as he could, and won. Cole Hocker’s performance in this race should instill an extraordinary sense of pride in all Americans as we cheer on Team USA.

As I have grown into young adulthood I have found that I have many passions and characteristics that define me as an individual. I am a world traveler and an outdoor enthusiast who loves hiking, cycling, and kayaking. I am an athlete with a passion for running, a leader among my peers and teammates, and a type 1 diabetic who has never let that hold me from my passions. All of these together have led me to desire pursuing a degree in environmental biology with a concentration in conservation practices. I also hope to be able to study abroad to improve my Spanish language abilities. Further, after graduating from college I wish to establish some sort of non-profit organization that would focus on helping indigenous groups in Central and South America. The focus would be on aiding them in maintaining their lands, heritage, and cultures as they relate to outside influences and introducing sustainable land use practices. My passions in life have led me toward these educational and career goals. I have travelled to several Spanish-speaking countries in Central and South America. I have learned first-hand the importance of being able to work and communicate with people from various backgrounds, and so wish to work with people from different cultures. My travels have also been focused largely on outdoor activities, adding to my understanding that I desire a career that allows for significant time in nature. My passion for outdoor activities also includes many organized athletics. I discovered a passion for running during my middle school years. I have been involved in cross country and track and field throughout my school years. These experiences have led me to realize leadership potential and capabilities, and shown me that I can positively influence those around me. I know that these characteristics will aid in work that I do during college in team-oriented projects, and after graduation in leading others to make positive changes. Finally, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in middle school. This situation caused me to have to mature much faster than my peers. I realized that if I wanted to continue living the passions of my life, I would have to take my life in my own hands and be responsible for it. I had to learn to manage my diet and all of my diabetic supplies as a part of everyday life. I have had to check in with medical specialists routinely who monitor my progress, and I know they scrutinize all the choices I make. This experience has taught me the importance of personal discipline in achieving goals. As I graduate from high school and prepare to move into the college world, I know that my personal passions will guide me toward a future that I desire. Evaluating my passions will ensure that the direction I go will be the one that was truly meant for me as I strive to make a positive impact on the world.

I have always been told that performing acts of kindness, volunteering, and giving back to the community to create positive change is an important part of life. My parents have emphasized that life should not be about the accumulation of money or material items, but should instead be about uplifting your fellow man. As I have become older and had opportunities to live by this idea I have come to believe in its importance as well. One such opportunity I have had to give back to my community was participating in a volunteer program through a local parks and recreation department called Counselors in Training (CIT). The program was part of a youth summer day camp in my community. I participated in this program in the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of high school. In it, I was responsible for helping the older counselors manage younger children enrolled in the camp. I helped supervise the campers, set up activities, and accompanied the group on field trips to various local destinations. Not only did I learn how to help manage the youngsters for their safety and enjoyment of camp, but I also had chances to understand how much my presence and attention meant to them. I had conversations with many of the children in which I discovered they were looking for someone to listen to them and pay attention to them. I learned that these acts of kindness were appreciated by the young campers more than I was aware when at the end of the summer several of them gave me thank you notes for all the time I spent with them. Further, I took the skills I learned that summer and put them to use as a full-fledged day camp counselor for the next two summers leading up to my senior year in high school. Another act of kindness in which I was able to give back to my community was as an organizer and leader of my town’s first Youth Summer Running and Track camp in July, 2024. One of my cross country and track coaches expressed interest in holding the camp and asked if I would be willing to help. I immediately agreed, being excited to combine my passion for running and what I had learned working with youngsters as a CIT and youth camp counselor. I wanted to introduce children to the sport that has given me so many opportunities to overcome obstacles in life, make me believe in myself, and chances to work with others as a part of a team. I also knew that there would be a great deal of work, in that it would be the inaugural event. I worked to spread the information by contacting local elementary and middle schools and the local newspaper. I participated in planning sessions with my coach and other volunteers. I served as a group leader coaching youngsters during the camp. After the event, I provided more information to the newspaper so they could print a brief article about our success. I am proud of my work with this event. Ultimately we held a mini track meet that I helped to organize and run. The children were able to compete and show off what they had learned during the camp. We presented awards and recognitions at the conclusion. It was fulfilling to see that my work had created pride and happiness for the participants. The children had a positive experience, and parents have already been making inquiries about next year’s program. Now I am preparing for my college education. I hope to pursue a degree in biology with a focus on conservation practices so that the world may be preserved for generations to come. I have chosen this course of study largely due to my dedication to kindness toward my fellow man. I know that if we take no actions to protect our environment, there will be numerous negative consequences for untold numbers of people. Therefore, I wish that my career will help to conserve our natural environment, assuaging potential hardships for as many people as possible. I know that my choices in study and career will follow the pattern of volunteerism, kindness, and giving back to my community that has been a part of my life for many years. My work will promote the legacies of kindness of Jennifer and Rob Tower.

I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes in October, 2019 in the 7th grade. Until that time I had never given a thought to diet, blood sugar, or insulin. When I was released from the hospital following my diagnosis I felt much better physically, however I realized my life was going to change forever. I immediately decided that diabetes would not control me or limit me in my goals and desires. I have always enjoyed being active and being outside. I played soccer throughout elementary school and into middle school and also ran cross country. I also enjoyed hiking, bicycling, and kayaking with my father. I was determined that diabetes would not stop me from pursuing these activities. I learned what I needed to do to ensure that my body remained healthy so that I could continue my active lifestyle. As a high school senior I have been a top runner on my cross country and track teams, qualifying for state championships. Further, I am a member of my school’s swim team. I have also worked to maintain a 4.313 weighted GPA and I am ranked 14th in my class. Now, as I prepare for college I wish to study biology, concentrating in ecology. This parallels my love of outdoors and an active lifestyle. I will be required to be in the field for much of the time. Diabetes will not stop me from achieving this, as I have never allowed it to stop me from accomplishing my goals.

I have always been told that giving back to create positive change is an important part of life. My parents have emphasized that life should not be about the accumulation of money or material items, but should instead be about uplifting your fellow man. As I have become older and had opportunities to live by this idea I have come to believe in its importance as well. One such opportunity I have had to give back was participating in a volunteer program through the Waynesville, NC Parks and Recreation Department called Counselors in Training (CIT). The program was part of Waynesville’s Youth Summer Day Camp. I participated in this program in the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of high school. In it, I was responsible for helping the older counselors manage younger children enrolled in the camp. I helped supervise the campers, set up activities, and accompanied the group on field trips to various local destinations. I learned how much the young campers appreciated my work with them at the end of the summer when several of them gave me thank you notes for all the time I spent with them. Further, I took the skills I learned that summer and put them to use as a full-fledged counselor in Waynesville the next summer, and then as a counselor in Canton’s first summer day camp before my senior year in high school. Another opportunity I had to give back was as an organizer and leader of Canton, NC’s first Youth Summer Running and Track camp in 2024. One of my cross country and track coaches expressed interest in holding the camp and asked if I would be willing to help. I immediately agreed, being excited to combine my passion for running and what I had learned working with youngsters as a CIT and youth camp counselor. I wanted to introduce children to the sport that has given me so many opportunities to overcome obstacles in life, make me believe in myself, and chances to work with others and be part of a team. I also knew that there would be a great deal of work, in that it would be the inaugural event. I worked to spread the information by contacting local elementary and middle schools and the local newspaper. I participated in planning sessions with my coach and other volunteers. I served as a group leader coaching youngsters during the camp. After the event, I provided more information to the newspaper so they could print a brief article about our success. I am proud of my work with this event. The children had a positive experience, and parents have already been making inquiries about next year’s program. Now I am preparing for my college education. I hope to pursue a degree in biology with a focus on conservation practices so that the world may be preserved for generations. I am very near the top of my class with a weighted GPA of 4.313. I am excited to begin my studies at East Tennessee State University, however I will be relying solely on scholarships with loans making up the remainder of what I must pay. As a recipient of the Jackie Hudson Memorial Scholarship, I will be able to continue giving back to my fellow man, as I have been taught from a young age.

As I have grown into young adulthood I have found that I have many passions and characteristics that define me as an individual. I am a world traveler and an outdoor enthusiast who loves hiking, cycling, and kayaking. I am an athlete with a passion for running, a leader among my peers and teammates, and a type 1 diabetic who has never let that hold me from my passions. All of these together have led me to desire pursuing a degree in environmental biology with a concentration in conservation practices. I also hope to be able to study abroad to improve my Spanish language abilities. Further, after graduating from college I wish to establish some sort of non-profit organization that would focus on helping indigenous groups in Central and South America. The focus would be on aiding them in maintaining their lands, heritage, and cultures as they relate to outside influences and introducing sustainable land use practices. My passions in life have led me toward these educational and career goals. I have travelled to several Spanish-speaking countries in Central and South America. I have learned first-hand the importance of being able to work and communicate with people from various backgrounds, and so wish to work with people from different cultures. My travels have also been focused largely on outdoor activities, adding to my understanding that I desire a career that allows for significant time in nature. My passion for outdoor activities also includes many organized athletics. I discovered a passion for running during my middle school years. I have been involved in cross country and track and field throughout my school years. These experiences have led me to realize leadership potential and capabilities, and shown me that I can positively influence those around me. I know that these characteristics will aid in work that I do during college in team-oriented projects, and after graduation in leading others to make positive changes. Finally, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in middle school. This situation caused me to have to mature much faster than my peers. I realized that if I wanted to continue living the passions of my life, I would have to take my life in my own hands and be responsible for it. I had to learn to manage my diet and all of my diabetic supplies as a part of everyday life. I have had to check in with medical specialists routinely who monitor my progress, and I know they scrutinize all the choices I make. This experience has taught me the importance of personal discipline in achieving goals. As I graduate from high school and prepare to move into the college world, I know that my personal passions will guide me toward a future that I desire. Evaluating my passions will ensure that the direction I go will be the one that was truly meant for me as I strive to make a positive impact on the world.