All of my family has been tied to the military for generations. We are mainly a military family. Both of my grandfathers and their sons went into the military. On one side, it was the Army, and on the other, the Navy. My uncle and my father both served in the United States Navy right after high school. They both became honorably discharged, and my uncle fell back on the skills he acquired from the Navy to form his aviation career. My sister had no desire to go to college, due to this, she followed in our family’s footsteps and joined the United States Air Force. She has been active for the past two years. Multiple members of my family who are or were mechanical engineers in the military have told me about mechanical engineering first-hand, personally driving me to major in mechanical engineering. That was one aspect of my military connections influencing my development. I’ve learned many things about the military from my family over the years. Being conscious of its importance, especially in a world like we have today, makes it all the more respectable. The United States Military houses our nation’s finest. Many brave people lay their life on the line daily, just to protect our freedom. These freedoms, which are basically granted to us by being born in the great USA, do not exist within other nations. Some nations don’t even allow their citizens to have thoughts that differ from the government’s. These soldiers put their life at risk and leave a lot behind to keep the lives of American citizens safe. Families are left behind, as many soldiers are parents, siblings, sons, daughters, and caretakers. Families have to suffer without their loved ones, concerned with the thought of safety for their beloved. A soldier could lose their life at any given moment, which is why it’s an extraordinary honor and sacrifice to serve in the U.S. Military. While I desire to take a different path, the military has aided my personal development with discipline and respect. My father is very structured due to the military. He passed this down to me to make me a more reputable young man, saying “Yes/no sir and ma’am” and giving the utmost respect to my elders and superiors. My sister, following our family’s military legacy, is the first woman in our family serving in the Air Force. For her, the military is an occupation that she will grow and progress in until she retires. She is serving honorably and I’m extremely proud of her. Although I chose the college route, being the first college student in my family is quite the challenge, but I know I have my family’s support behind me. I will accomplish my goal and be the first one in my family with a Bachelor’s Degree. The inspiration of the military has driven me to strive to do my very best to etch my name alongside a bunch of accomplished veterans in my family’s history.

There’s a common thought process that as technology evolves, humans devolve. Technology is advanced for our own convenience and there’s less for us to do as the technology we rely on accomplishes all of the functions we would previously do. This thought process is not only true, but confirmable. Technology is developing rapidly, beyond what we used to deem as science fiction just three decades ago. It doesn’t show any sign of slowing down at all, and as convenience becomes more and more commonplace for humans, we continue to accept it as a society to diminish our effort and responsibility we have to input into things. I agree with the statement that “The faster technology develops the more humans are degraded”. Technology decreases our desire to do things for ourselves. As it advances, technology begins to take over the basic functions we would otherwise have to do ourselves. This devolves us physically, structurally, and emotionally. When technology evolves and allows us more convenience in our daily life, such as being able to order food online rather than having to travel to go get it, and having remotes in our hand that allow us to change what we’re viewing by moving a finger, we become more slothful. This physically affects humans, causing us to gain weight and indulge in increasingly unhealthy habits. Due to technology being more of a distraction, there are constant screens in every home, rather it be on a wall, on a table, or in front of a user’s face. When these screens became common forms to view entertainment, we as humans began to spend majority of our time sitting in front of them, instead of doing something active or getting outside. Slouching is more common now, and spine damage increases as more people hunch over to look down at a screen. Our standards of health and fitness have only decreased as technology’s quality increased, and it’s an issue that still continues today. Structurally, technology is taking over human places in societies. As robots and machines get introduced into jobs to replace humans, more people become unemployed. Robots only have to be bought once, don’t require payment, and can work for unlimited hours without a break. They phase out human employees and simplify a business into a streamlined process, where human error is no longer able to happen, and work runs at a consistently faster pace than it did prior. Technology has devolved us as humans emotionally as well. The aspect of life that technology has most likely affected the most is communication. Communication is now fast, efficient, and almost instant. This makes us so desperate for instant response, and sometimes people spend so much time communicating from behind a screen and through a device that they reduce their ability to socialize in person. There are people in our society who can’t functionally be social with another human in person, but would have ease with such a confrontation from over technology. Face-to-face communication is becoming increasingly phased out, as we rely on these devices that can give us instant replies and conversations. This makes us weaker emotionally, as well. When receiving a text that has a tone of being hostile or sorrowful, we still feel the emotional weight behind it, without physically seeing a person communicate this emotion to us. As this occurs more, humans increasingly feel strong emotion from words on a screen, than witnessing it raw and in person, from a human face. Our accordance with becoming more emotionally sensitive and desiring instantaneous results from our devices has made us impatient, and has devolved our attention span, becoming increasingly worse every generation. Distracted driving is a severe issue now due to the advanced appeal of technology, as well as distractions in general, keeping people from their goals. The effects of technology upon our society has had a linear result with how we have devolved. From our posture, to our social skills, to our emotions and ability to focus, technology has had a negative impact on multiple aspect of human life that people used to excel in before the mainstream induction of technology into everyday life. If things aren’t changed soon, the average physical condition of humans will only degenerate. Technology doesn’t need to slow down, but people need to be fully aware of the effects technology has put upon our society, so that we can fight against it. Exercise and limited screen time need to be enforced and frequently executed within homes. As we further deeper into the new age, we as humans must evolve along with technology, in every aspect, before it overtakes us.

My family has been tied to the military for generations. Both of my grandfathers and their sons went into the military. On one side, it was the Army, and on the other, the Navy. My uncle and my father both served in the US Navy right after high school. They both were honorably discharged, and my uncle fell back on the skills he acquired from the Navy to form his aviation career. My sister had no desire to go to college, and she followed in our family’s footsteps and joined the military. She has been enlisted for the past five years, currently on active duty in Japan, serving in the US Air Force. I’ve learned many things about the military from my family over the years. Being conscious of its importance, especially in a world like we have today, makes it even more respectable. The United States Military houses our nation’s finest. Many brave people lay their life on the line daily, just to protect our freedom. These freedoms, which are basically granted to us by being born in the great USA, do not exist within other nations. Some nations don’t even allow their citizens to have thoughts that differ from the government’s. These soldiers put their life at risk and leave a lot behind to keep the lives of American citizens safe. Families are left behind, as many soldiers are parents, siblings, sons, daughters, and caretakers. Families have to suffer without their loved ones, concerned with the thought of safety for their beloved. A soldier could lose their life at any given moment, which is why it’s an extraordinary honor and sacrifice to serve in the U.S. Military. Although I chose the college route, being the first college student of my family comes with many challenges. The big one that comes to mind is the pressure from my family. It’s the pressure of staying focused and avoiding the pitfalls of college. The pressure of not being a disappointment to everyone who aided me on my journey to college. The pressure of earning a rite of passage into adulthood, independence, and new experiences without failure. All of this can be overwhelming and cause an extreme degree of anxiousness, but my motto is failure is not an option and there is too much on the line to prevent me from being successful. I’m determined to achieve success and I won’t allow the emotional baggage of college force me into accepting failure. In conclusion, what I learned is that nothing in this world is given. You have to earn it. I had to work extremely hard to get where I am in college so far. Application after application, essay after essay, and I can see the results of hard work literally paying off. Although I was born into a family with no prior college experience, my goal is overcome these financial obstacles, to be the first of our namesake, to not only graduate with a bachelor’s degree, but also graduate debt free.

My grandpa has lived with my family since I was a newborn. During my childhood, he would always entertain me, playing with toys, watching TV, or just showing me some cool card tricks. He would always talk and teach me many valuable life lessons. He taught me what my generation would call the “old school” way of speaking. Being respectful by saying, “Yes sir, no sir, yes ma’am, no ma’am”. He taught me about working hard, saving and investing. He taught me to be a leader and not a follower as I journey through life. He showed me some life skills, about tipping, talking to women and having confidence. He taught me that no good thing ever came easy, that nothing beats a failure but a try, and to take care of my health. He instructed me to live each day as if it were my last and showed me examples of having self-awareness and empathy because not everybody had it as good as others. He practiced having calmness, self-control, and assertiveness and passed this on to me, as they are integral and crucial life skills. My grandpa instilled a lot of things in me that make me who I am. We were very close, and it was devastating when he passed at 79. My grandpa died peacefully after being admitted to the hospital due to multiple organ failures. When it was announced that he passed, I was ravaged. I was 12 at the time, and while I fully grasped the concept of death, I wasn’t ready when it occurred. It was the first death I had experienced that affected me directly. My whole family and grandmother attended his funeral. He was the last of all his siblings to pass, but all his offspring were in attendance, as well as many cousins and friends. He was a very faithful man who accepted Christ. An eternal sleep sounds simple on paper, but it’s difficult to fathom when confronted with reality. I couldn’t bring myself to look at the body in the open casket. I had never seen a corpse before, and the thought of my grandpa laying there still and lifeless, but well-dressed sickened me. I attempted the walk towards his casket, but I turned away. I couldn’t make the journey. I felt like if I approached the casket, his eyes would open and he would sit up and greet me. I wanted to directly look at him one last time, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it, and while it’s a regret I have today, I know that in the moment, I could not muster up the courage. My grandfather’s one regret I’ve ever heard him mutter was not attending college. He messed around after high school and got shipped off to the Navy. Although he served honorably while in the military and managed to get a job after, he always steered me towards education. He wanted me to accomplish my dreams, and didn’t want anything to cause me to fall short of that. Losing him was painful, but it’s a constant reminder for myself to do good and become successful because I know that’s what he’d want to see. Graduation rates, distractions, student loans, and the like all exist to challenge the weak and deter them from reaching their goals. I won’t succumb to this. I will fight to achieve my degree. I’ll succeed where he felt his legacy fell short, and get my degree in film and be a critically acclaimed screenwriter and director. This drives me every day, as I carry my grandpa’s teachings with me.

I’ve done a lot of community service involving children. I am a member of the First Baptist Church of Woodstock, and every Sunday, I teach Sunday school lessons in the Elementary Ministry. I have been a leader in the church since 6th grade. This was the grade I was allowed to work in classrooms to instruct the younger students. Over summer break, I work at a camp for children with special needs. These community service opportunities allow me to have an impact on those around me. I have a class of 2nd graders that I teach for 1.5 hours every Sunday morning. We always have a lesson plan to review, each usually focusing on a Bible story. The mission is to break it down onto a comprehensive level for them. We have the lesson and sometimes a correlated game with it, to help the children retain what they learned. We also have snacks, and then some free time to allow them to get some energy out. Over my years of teaching in the Elementary Ministry, I’ve seen many of these young children come to know Jesus and get saved, which is why I continue to serve. It’s an outcome of my service that I am always welcome to see. Through these lessons and my efforts, many children become strong in their faith, getting to know Christ, and the morals and values of Christianity as they journey through life. The impact my service has on them is unmatched, and it feels rewarding to be aiding these children through their walks with the Lord. It is comforting to know that my contribution is a benefit to them. Over my summers, I work at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I’m an assistant to the music therapist. I set up the instruments, tend to the children when they need aid, hold up instrument cues, set up snacks, and take the children for a walk outside when they need to vent their frustrations. Before Triad Music, I had a common misperception about people with special needs. Working in the music therapy camp taught me that people with special needs are just like us, but express themselves differently. From my experiences at camp, and getting to know the children personally, I saw people with special needs in a whole new light, one that the world’s dark opinion on them is too blind to see. Due to my time at camp, whenever a person with special needs is spoken upon negatively, I correct the person speaking and tell them that there’s nothing “wrong” with a special needs person, they just have a different way of self-expression. Through being enlightened myself, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better.

The fearlessness of opening the door to a higher education is a struggle for a young man who grew up in a military family, but I pride myself on being the first-generation college student amongst them. The Military Spouse and Child Scholarship combined with my drive, dedication, and work ethics can only equal success. Since I was a youth, it has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting. I am currently attending Georgia Southern University, and plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s. I dream of becoming a screenwriter and director to produce revolutionary films that make huge strides in the entertainment industry. My education especially has contributed to this lifelong goal I’ve had for as long as I can remember. My academic history aligns with my long-term career goal, displayed through the pathways I have pursued throughout my education. Throughout my high school career, I’ve chosen all Honors and Advanced Placement Literature classes and received all A’s, usually at a 99%. What I learned in my literature classes will aid me in my experiences as I work towards my degree. I learned college-level writing while in the pathway, and ways to improve my writing and analysis of text, in order to break down the elements of what enhances a piece of work to achieve greatness. I also attended a Video Broadcasting class as an elective. This really solidified my interest as I learned the trades of cameras, filming, and editing, while putting my all into any work I produced in the class. There was never a dull moment in class, and I was ecstatic doing anything related to it! It was an incredibly insightful experience, and I couldn’t have chosen a greater elective to help me confirm a career. My educational support of writing and film has enhanced my abilities and passion, cementing my assurance in my future career. Over the years, I’ve also had numerous experiences and encounters with displaying my writing skills. I’ve won numerous writing contests and have been honored for my above-average writing prowess since elementary school. I once entered a writing contest to become one of the 100 winners of Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine’s Disney Dreamer’s Academy, which earned me an all-expenses paid trip to Disney World with the opportunity to meet Mr. Steve Harvey. As soon as I was old enough to have a job, I worked two jobs and saved up all the money that I could to pay for my first year at Georgia Southern University. My second year and third year, I signed up to be a Resident Advisor (R/A), which pays for my housing, and I apply daily for scholarships. I wish my drive, dedication, and work ethics alone were enough to succeed but I realize that none of this can be accomplished without the necessary funding. This scholarship will assist with my overall goal to graduate debt free without drowning in a sea of debt post college.

There’s a standard of life in America dating all the way back to the birth of the nation. We are born, attend educational institutions for schooling, become a working-class American, and retire living the American Dream off our nest egg of retirement, doing as we like. Lamentably, not everybody achieves this idealistic standard. People may work their entire life, only to get to the end of the road, with no money, no retirement funds, and no means of survival. This is due to many Americans spending every dollar and being uneducated about the methods of saving. This obliviousness may not be each citizen’s fault, as it depends on how they were raised and taught, but it’s certainly their responsibility to seek the financial knowledge to escape the ignorance of living paycheck to paycheck. There are specific strategies that people can execute to avoid the pitfall of lacking retirement funds. The flaws that cause people to lack retirement funding need to be addressed and the landscape of the system needs an overhaul to see improvement. Otherwise, the financial standings of working-class Americans, after decades of dedicated work, will always be distorted. The key to all of the following strategies is time. No matter who you are, it takes time to build wealth. So that’s why it’s important to start as soon as possible. Interest, the repayment on a principal sum at a particular rate, is the holy grail to saving and investing. Keeping money within a financial institution for safekeeping guarantees that money grows on its own, slowly but surely. Compound interest will make the original amount grow over time, even without further deposits. Another necessary financial aspect that takes time is credit. The subject of credit is hardly touched upon in schools, and yet it’s a necessity to achieve any asset in the American world. Credit is every person’s eligibility to being able to receive a loan. Loans are needed to purchase vehicles and property, obtain an education, and afford other miscellaneous high-priced desires. Every American needs to be educated on how to properly build credit, seek the lowest interest rates possible, and how to pay purchases on-time to keep their consumer rating intact. Due to consumers’ own ignorance of not knowing the affiliation of credit-reporting corporations, they are taken advantage of. A solution to this problem is introducing credit courses in high school and college. Financial education is the only way to combat this ignorance of people falling prey to a flawed credit system. Especially in college, and I can speak from experience, students receive credit card offers in the mail constantly. These offers often range from $100-$1000, with a high interest rate that’s hidden in the fine print of the contractual obligation. Many students without knowledge of credit take the card and use it irresponsibly, not knowing the repercussions of what they signed up for. This destroys credit, and it’ll take more time to repair credit rather than being responsible with credit originally. Bad financial decisions and spending every dollar earned has hurt a lot of Americans and their futures, barring them from retirement and a comfortable life after working for decades. From credit cards to student loans, debt traps are easy to fall into, and being informed of the strategies to build wealth and have it waiting for oneself down the line is the first step to avoid being blindsighted and making bad financial decisions. Educating people on these strategies would not only aid in achieving the American Dream and living freely after retiring but help improve the American quality of life as well.

Disney, as a whole, represents something very special to me. I took a liking to Mickey Mouse and his friends when I was young, found an interest in Disney history, and now I’m a Senior film major in college. Through many rigorous courses of screenwriting, directing and filmmaking, I have learned many skills necessary to make my own television series and films. With my degree, I want to create television shows that star my own characters that become beloved icons known in the industry. An intriguing and obscure tale is that this passion… all started with a rabbit. When I was eight years old, I saw this Disney Channel commercial for a Mickey Mouse game called Disney’s Epic Mickey. I was immediately interested. When I finally bought the video game, I could not have had the slightest idea that this game would change my life, challenge everything I know, and form who I am. When putting it into the Nintendo Wii for the first time, I did not know that it would become my favorite video game of all time. Following real history, Disney’s Epic Mickey is not just a video game, but an experience. The depth of the characters and the worldbuilding of the game drew me in. The way it richly represented and taught the Disney legacy was something brilliant and otherworldly. It is something that no other video game can state it had the privilege of doing. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Walt Disney’s original cartoon star before Mickey, rules over a land for all forgotten and rejected Disney ideas and properties. This could not be more ideal, as he himself was replaced by the more-successful Mickey Mouse and forgotten. This kingdom he rules was designed after Walt Disney’s greatest dream; Disneyland. It is twisted yet familiar, tugging on all the memories of what should be and slightly warping it to represent a cartoon afterlife. The Forgotten Kingdom, known as Wasteland in the game, is a fantastical take on Disney Parks that Disney fans everywhere have a childhood memory of. This story and concept had me emotionally invested, and the writing of the game displayed to me everything I wanted out of characters I would create. Every second of the game just sucked me in and changed what I knew about Disney forever. The game shaped who I am and introduced me to my favorite Disney character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. The feeling of how real the game was and how deeply I connected with it is something I want to replicate in everything I create going forward. The 1920s cartoon characters work expertly as the inhabitants of this land for forgotten Disney creative efforts. As if that wasn't enough, you go into the game simultaneously as the antagonist of the world and the protagonist, as in the one who's going to save it. It's a beautiful dichotomy, and Epic Mickey is the first game to do it. Oswald is a character that deserved to be brought back into the limelight, and I'm glad Epic Mickey reintroduced the world into such an interesting and delightful character who never deserved to fall by the wayside. He’s the lost father of cartoons. Many antics that cartoon characters do, Mickey Mouse included, all spawned from him. Epic Mickey is a legacy in a video game. Introducing us to Wasteland, where our old, unloved characters reside, just perfectly works for this masterclass of a Disney project. I love Disney’s Epic Mickey, and it truly made me who I am today. My life, goals, and career choice wouldn’t be the same without it.

The fearlessness of opening the door to a higher education is a struggle for a young man who grew up in a military family, but I pride myself on being the first-generation college student amongst them. Since I was a youth, it has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting. I am currently attending Georgia Southern University, and will graduate with a Bachelor’s in film production. I dream of becoming a screenwriter and director to produce revolutionary films that make huge strides in the entertainment industry. My education especially has contributed to this lifelong goal I’ve had for as long as I can remember. My academic history aligns with my long-term career goal, displayed through the pathways I have pursued throughout my education. Throughout my high school career, I’ve chosen all Honors and Advanced Placement Literature classes and received all A’s, usually at a 99%. What I learned in my literature classes will aid me in my experiences as I work towards my degree. I learned college-level writing while in the pathway, and ways to improve my writing and analysis of text, in order to break down the elements of what enhances a piece of work to achieve greatness. I also attended a video broadcasting class as an elective. This really solidified my interest as I learned the trades of cameras, filming, and editing, while putting my all into any work I produced in the class. There was never a dull moment in class, and I was ecstatic doing anything related to it! It was an incredibly insightful experience and I couldn’t have chosen a greater elective to help me confirm a career. My educational support of writing and film has enhanced my abilities and passion, cementing my assurance in my future career. To get involved with an extracurricular activity in high school, I joined the Georgia Technology Student Association (TSA), in which we worked in teams on many engineering-related projects to go to a state competition and compete against other schools on the best product. I was a member of Georgia TSA since my Freshman year. As a Senior, I went to the State Leadership Conference for the first time and had my project place as a finalist! My peers and I all had to develop a video game, and I crafted the story of the game. Seeing it enjoyed by judges and an audience of players is confirming evidence that I will be successful at screenwriting. Over the years, I’ve also had multiple experiences and encounters with displaying my writing skills. I’ve won numerous writing contests that I’ve submitted stories to and have been honored for my above-average writing prowess, since elementary school. I entered a writing contest to become one of the 100 winners of Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine’s Disney Dreamer’s Academy, which earned me an all-expenses paid trip to Disney World with the opportunity to meet Mr. Steve Harvey. It was an irreplaceable experience where I received many skills and advice from successful figures of today. All of these experiences have provided me with opportunities to solidify my interest in my career path of film. Growing up, I’ve always been a writer, but in pursuing my career path and attending college for it, it’s changed my trajectory of being just another soldier in my family and doing something different with my life. Many of my family members didn’t have a choice to go to college, so the military was the best opportunity offered to them, but I have strived to open more doors for myself to achieve success.

It has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting since I was a youth. I am currently attending Georgia Southern University, and plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s, and then progress to a Master’s in screenwriting. I dream of becoming a screenwriter and director to produce revolutionary films that make huge strides in the entertainment industry. My academic history aligns with my long-term career goal, displayed through the pathways I have pursued throughout my education. Throughout my high school career, I’ve chosen Honors and Advanced Placement Literature classes where I learned college-level writing and analysis of text, to break down the elements of what enhances a piece of work to achieve greatness. I also attended a Video Broadcasting class as an elective. This really solidified my interest as I learned the trades of cameras, filming, and editing. My educational support of writing and film has enhanced my abilities and passion, cementing my assurance in my future career. As an extracurricular activity at my school, I joined the Georgia Technology Student Association (TSA), in which we work in teams on many engineering-related projects to compete against other schools on which product is better. I’ve been a member of Georgia TSA since my Freshman year. As a Senior, I went to the State Leadership Conference for the first time and had my project place as a finalist! My peers and I all had to develop a video game, and I crafted the story of the game. Seeing it enjoyed by judges and an audience of players is confirming evidence that I will be successful at screenwriting. Over the years, I’ve also had numerous experiences with displaying my writing skills. I’ve won numerous writing contests that I’ve submitted stories to and have been honored for my above-average writing prowess, since elementary school. I entered a writing contest to become one of the 100 winners of Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine’s Disney Dreamer’s Academy, which earned me an all-expenses paid trip to Disney with the opportunity to meet Mr. Steve Harvey. Even outside my academic excellence in writing, I’ve had extraordinary success in my regular academics as well. In my junior year of high school, I was awarded the Academic Letter of Woodstock High, an honor achievable by consecutively keeping your GPA above a 3.0 throughout your high school career. In my senior year, I was awarded the Woodstock High Lamp of Knowledge for continuing the same achievement. Thanks to Georgia Southern University’s multimedia film & production program, I can realistically pursue my future career path. Ten years from now, after my degrees, I see myself owning my own film studio. As I progress in college, I plan to take internships at movie studios in Atlanta. While interning on set, I’ll have the opportunity to observe and study great screenwriters and directors in action and incorporate their advice to improve my work. Eventually, I will seek employment at a film company and once I have proven the caliber of my work and become successful, I’ll branch off and start my own studio, creating my own movies and living my lifelong dream. In addition, numerous movies and shows are shot in Atlanta, and by Georgia being my home state, this provides an excellent opportunity for my career to complement my place of residency.

The dream version of my future self is a person that loves.

It has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting since I was a youth. I am currently attending Georgia Southern University, and plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s, and then progress to a Master’s in screenwriting. I dream of becoming a screenwriter and director to produce revolutionary films that make huge strides in the entertainment industry. My academic history aligns with my long-term career goal, displayed through the pathways I have pursued throughout my education. Throughout my high school career, I’ve chosen Honors and Advanced Placement Literature classes where I learned college-level writing and analysis of text, to break down the elements of what enhances a piece of work to achieve greatness. I also attended a Video Broadcasting class as an elective. This really solidified my interest as I learned the trades of cameras, filming, and editing. My educational support of writing and film has enhanced my abilities and passion, cementing my assurance in my future career. As an extracurricular activity at my school, I joined the Georgia Technology Student Association (TSA), in which we work in teams on many engineering-related projects to compete against other schools on which product is better. I’ve been a member of Georgia TSA since my Freshman year. As a Senior, I went to the State Leadership Conference for the first time and had my project place as a finalist! My peers and I all had to develop a video game, and I crafted the story of the game. Seeing it enjoyed by judges and an audience of players is confirming evidence that I will be successful at screenwriting. Over the years, I’ve also had numerous experiences with displaying my writing skills. I’ve won numerous writing contests that I’ve submitted stories to and have been honored for my above-average writing prowess, since elementary school. I entered a writing contest to become one of the 100 winners of Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine’s Disney Dreamer’s Academy, which earned me an all-expenses paid trip to Disney with the opportunity to meet Mr. Steve Harvey. Even outside my academic excellence in writing, I’ve had extraordinary success in my regular academics as well. In my junior year of high school, I was awarded the Academic Letter of Woodstock High, an honor achievable by consecutively keeping your GPA above a 3.0 throughout your high school career. In my senior year, I was awarded the Woodstock High Lamp of Knowledge for continuing the same achievement. Thanks to Georgia Southern University’s multimedia film & production program, I can realistically pursue my future career path. Ten years from now, after my degrees, I see myself owning my own film studio. As I progress in college, I plan to take internships at movie studios in Atlanta. While interning on set, I’ll have the opportunity to observe and study great screenwriters and directors in action and incorporate their advice to improve my work. Eventually, I will seek employment at a film company and once I have proven the caliber of my work and become successful, I’ll branch off and start my own studio, creating my own movies and living my lifelong dream. In addition, numerous movies and shows are shot in Atlanta, and by Georgia being my home state, this provides an excellent opportunity for my career to compliment my place of residency.

When I found the book titled Your Screenplay Sucks, I knew I had to read it. The book is written by William M. Akers. It is an enchiridion on how to make your screenwriting work better. The tagline is “100 Ways to Make It Great”. More than that, it’s a guide to avoid the sins of screenwriting. The book has 100 tips of advice, listing the mistake that screenplays often make, a few examples of mistakes being committed, and what to do instead. You can use this tome as a screenplay checklist, just to go over it with a fine-toothed comb and make sure it’s the best work you could have possibly produced before submitting it to any executive or agent. I aspire to be a director and screenwriter, with dreams to produce revolutionary films that make huge strides in the entertainment industry. My academic history of writing aligns with my career goal, displayed through the pathways I have pursued throughout my education. Throughout my high school career, I’ve chosen Honors and Advanced Placement Literature classes where I learned college-level writing and analysis of text, to break down the elements of what enhances a piece of work to achieve greatness. I also attended a series of video broadcasting classes as electives. This solidified my interest as I learned the trades of cameras, filming, and editing. My educational support of writing and film has enhanced my abilities and passion, cementing my assurance in my future career, and Your Screenplay Sucks only amplified my skillset once I found it in college. Over the years, I’ve also had numerous experiences with displaying my writing skills in competitions. Since elementary school, I’ve won numerous writing contests that I’ve submitted stories to and have been honored for my above-average writing prowess. I entered a writing contest to become one of the 100 winners of Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine’s Disney Dreamer’s Academy, which earned me an all-expenses paid trip to Disney with the opportunity to meet Mr. Steve Harvey. This was all before I discovered Your Screenplay Sucks, so the quality of my writing has only skyrocketed since then. The impact this book has had on perfecting my craft is no mere accomplishment. I am now a multimedia film & production major at Georgia Southern University, and since I was a child, I have been enamored with the world of film and the entertainment industry. I’ve always wanted to learn a mastery of screenwriting, and this is the perfect guide that has aided me in achieving that goal. Due to it, everything I submit in my studies is better than it would be without this source. I now find myself regularly using advice from the book to steer clear of clichés, contrived plot points, and specifying who my audience is before I write a word. I’ve also gained an additional layer of knowledge on cinematography as the book names specific examples of each screenwriting sin. Now, movies I’ve never even heard of, I can watch the scene the book is informing me of, and not only can I be enlightened on a new film, but I can see precisely what not to do, as the book highlighted. Applying this handbook in all the writing I do enables me to avoid the common pitfalls of many written submissions. Akers outdid himself on this literary prize. It’s so full of knowledge, good advice, and insightful instruction that every aspiring person with an interest in production should read. It has certainly impacted me and how I continue to delicately craft my work to achieve my vision.

The fearlessness of opening the door to a higher education is a struggle for a young man who grew up in a military family, but I pride myself on being the first-generation college student among them. All of my family has been tied to the military for generations. Both of my grandfathers and their sons went into the military. On one side, it was the Army, and on the other, the Navy. My uncle and my father both served in the United States Navy after high school. My sister had no desire to attend college, due to this, she followed in our family’s footsteps and joined the military. She’s serving in the United States Air Force actively in Japan. I’ve learned many things about the military from my family over the years. Being conscious of its importance, especially in the world of today, makes it all more respectable. The US Military houses our nation’s finest. Many brave people lay their life on the line daily, just to protect our freedom. The freedoms that are basically granted to us by being born in the great USA. These soldiers put their life at risk and leave a lot behind to keep the lives of American citizens safe. A soldier could lose their life at any given moment, which is why it’s an extraordinary honor and sacrifice to serve in the United States Military. While I desire to take a different path, the military has aided my personal development with discipline and respect. My father is very structured due to the military. He passed this down to me to make me a more reputable young man, saying “Yes/no sir and ma’am” and giving the utmost respect to my elders and superiors. My sister, following our family’s military legacy, is the first woman in our family serving in the Air Force. For her, the military is an occupation that she plans to retire from. Being the child of a veteran has influenced me to be independent, as my parents never saved a dollar towards my college tuition. They expected me to follow in the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. My goal is to take advantage of these opportunities to avoid devastating student loan debt, post-college. Between you and me, I also want to rub it in my parents’ face, that I did it without their help and remained debt free. Ha! Being raised in a family of military personnel has influenced me to be a strong-minded, driven young man, and as a result, I won’t give up on what I have set out to accomplish in college. I won’t let myself fall under the extreme pressure and difficulties of this role, and I will strive to do my very best in college to etch my name in my family’s history as the fearless first who broke the mold in the pursuit of higher education.

The fearlessness of opening the door to a higher education is a struggle for a young man who grew up in a military family, but I pride myself on being the first-generation college student amongst them. All of my family has been tied to the military for generations. Both of my grandfathers and their sons went into the military. On one side, it was the Army, and on the other, the Navy. My uncle and my father both served in the United States Navy after high school. My sister had no desire to attend college, due to this, she followed in our family’s footsteps and joined the military. She’s serving in the United States Air Force actively in Japan. I’ve learned many things about the military from my family over the years. Being conscious of its importance, especially in the world of today, makes it all more respectable. The US Military houses our nation’s finest. Many brave people lay their life on the line daily, just to protect our freedom. The freedoms that are basically granted to us by being born in the great USA. These soldiers put their life at risk and leave a lot behind to keep the lives of American citizens safe. A soldier could lose their life at any given moment, which is why it’s an extraordinary honor and sacrifice to serve in the United States Military. While I desire to take a different path, the military has aided my personal development with discipline and respect. My father is very structured due to the military. He passed this down to me to make me a more reputable young man, saying “Yes/no sir and ma’am” and giving the utmost respect to my elders and superiors. My sister, following our family’s military legacy, is the first woman in our family serving in the Air Force. For her, the military is an occupation that she plans to retire from. Being the child of a veteran has influenced me to be independent, as my parents never saved a dollar towards my college tuition. They expected me to follow in the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. My goal is to take advantage of these opportunities to avoid devastating student loan debt, post-college. Between you and me, I also want to rub it in my parents’ face, that I did it without their help and remained debt free. Ha! Being raised in a family of military personal has influenced me to be a strong-minded, driven young man, and as a result, I won’t give up on what I have set out to accomplish in college. I won’t let myself fall under the extreme pressure and difficulties of this role, and I will strive to do my very best in college to etch my name in my family’s history as the fearless first who broke the mold in the pursuit of higher education.

Leadership is a vital aspect of any organization of people. Leaders need to be there to keep things under control. Without leaders, people don’t have someone to guide them or mentor them. Being a leader comes with the full responsibility of being liable for your group or organization and requires the skillset to accept accountability when things go wrong. I believe the most critical aspects of being a leader are being respectful and responsible. Without these characteristics, a leader can’t prosper within their role. That’s what leadership means to me. Leaders have to be respectful to everybody. Respect should be given on all levels, from a fellow leader, down to the subordinates. Being the head of an organization doesn’t make the leader better than any other person. The leader should be approachable and treat everybody with dignity and respect. Every follower is vital to the leader’s mission, so no one should receive the short end of the stick when it comes to the leader’s attention, respect, or kindness. When someone takes on the mantle of being a leader, they take upon themselves the responsibility of being in charge of the actions of others. Anything the followers do will be presumed to be the orders of the leader, and the leader will be held responsible from the view of whoever confronts the group, whether it is the law, an opposition, or protestors. The leader is fully liable for the actions of the group, even when all goes wrong. Every leader needs followers, and without followers, one cannot lead. To develop traits of a leader, one must be strong-minded, dedicated, honest and persuasive in order to get people into the message they’re trying to send. The aim is for the followers to trust that the leader speaks the truth and has their best interests in mind. I’m already a leader within my community. At my college, Georgia Southern University, I am a Resident Advisor (RA). My job entails being a leader and gatekeeper of my community. I am assigned to a plethora of residents, and I assist these students with personal concerns, transitions into school life, and roommate mediations. I can recommend them a variety of resources on behalf of the university for any counseling, academic support, or other aid they might need. Additionally, I host events for my residents, offering treats, community bonding, and insightful information. More importantly, I’m responsible for my resident’s safety. If residents report any concerns of safety to me, then I can escalate them up to the proper respondents. On my assigned Duty Night, I patrol the halls of the housing facility with my duty partner, doing “rounds” to keep an eye out for anything suspicious, or any strange smells or appalling noises. Should I discover anything suspicious, I have a direct line to campus security and or the police, depending on the level of the threat.

By being the first-generation college student in my family, I’ve overcome the obstacle that my parents didn’t save any money for me to attend college. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college tuition due to having to keep food on the table, and not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I’m extremely persistent in seeking all possible scholarship funding available to me. While I fully understand why my parents could not focus on my education due to having to provide; what’s challenging is attending college with no money while trying to avoid the student loan debt trap. Even having the grades isn’t enough, as no university will admit you if you don’t have the adequate funding. College tuition is outrageously high nowadays, to the point that some people are still paying their college tuition well into their 50s, years past earning their degree and having a career. Only the rich can afford to pay for a debt-free college education, and then continue making money right out the gate with a successful career. Meanwhile, the average person will come out of college with crushing debt that they will have to continuously pay far into their old age. Due to my insistence, I want to avoid this pitfall when beginning my career for a greater chance of success post college. My parents, although they excelled as providers, have told me since I could comprehend it: They don’t have any money saved for me attend college, so they encouraged me to excel in school to get scholarship nominations and grant funding for my college education. My persistence in seeking scholarship funding is a continuous journey, as I plan to graduate and begin my career without drowning in a sea of debt. This financial obstacle has affected me by becoming the fuel of my drive and motivation. Everything I’ve accomplished in my education was to build financial building blocks towards my future. With a degree in hand and a debt-free future on the line, I work extremely hard to accomplish great things in college. I sacrifice so much and avoid some of the things that others have time for. While other students party, play video games, and attend movies, I study, grind out homework, and work. I work hard now so I can enjoy leisure time later. To be a step above the rest, you have to put in the work. In conclusion, what I learned is that nothing in this world is given. You have to earn it. I had to work extremely hard to get where I am in college so far. Application after application, essay after essay, and I can see the results of hard work literally paying off. Two years of college and still debt-free is quite the accomplishment, but no time for basking in the sun, as I must continue to set myself up for success. Although, I was born into a family with no prior college experience, my goal is overcome these financial obstacles, to be the first of our namesake, to not only graduate with a bachelor’s degree, but also graduate debt free.

Although I chose the college route, my whole family has been tied to the military for generations. Both of my grandfathers and their sons went into the military. On one side, it was the Army, and on the other, the Navy. My uncle and father both served honorably in the Navy. My sister followed in our family’s footsteps by joining the Air Force. She has been active for the past five years, serving honorably in Japan. However, this was not always the case. My sister’s first duty station was Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana. She struggled with being a soldier and being away from home for the first time. She had to get approval to take time off, and if it was declined, she had to tough it out. In such a highly competitive environment, when she got promoted, she lost many friends and acquaintances as jealousy grew when she progressed faster than they did. Soon, she had no friends and spent her time between work and being sheltered in her room, alone. Then, COVID struck, which made her ability to get approved for leave virtually impossible. She began to gain weight from stress-eating, and her state of mind eventually began to physically wear her down, and she became very ill. She began to take oxycodone to ease her pain. These became highly addictive, and she eventually overdosed, and woke up in the psych ward, with the military labeling her as suicidal. She underwent therapy with trained professionals who assisted in getting her past the addiction and back on the right track. This is when I knew I had to bring the homely feeling to her. My sister is only three years older than me and has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. We grew up together and were thick as thieves. Even though I was going through a tough time myself with COVID, I knew I had to step in and reinvent my relationship with my sister, because she needed constant family love and support. I began to reach out more frequently, and although I’m in college and didn’t always have time to call, I would make it my mission to call and text daily. She deeply appreciated and acknowledged my support and words of encouragement, as our love for each other continued to grow and helped us get through a difficult time. The military therapist recommended she be removed from her toxic environment and relocated to Yokota Air Force Base. Now she is thriving in her military career, and she absolutely loves it. I’m overjoyed that those dark days are far behind her, and that I contributed to getting her through that rough patch in her life. Although The United States Military houses our nation’s finest, I wish the American people understood that being a solider can be quite the challenge on one’s mental health. I wish that they understood the stressors this career field can provide. The loneliness, the social anxiety, and the depression of being away from loved ones. The pressures of the high standards that the military expects of them, which in some cases can lead to a soldier’s suicide. In conclusion, I want to the American people to be aware of the mental health struggles of our nation’s finest soldiers.

It has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting since I was a youth. I am currently attending Georgia Southern University, and plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s in screenwriting. I dream of becoming a screenwriter and director and make huge strides in the entertainment industry. My academic history aligns with my long-term career goal, displayed through the pathways I have pursued throughout my education. Throughout my high school career, I’ve chosen Honors and Advanced Placement Literature classes where I learned college-level writing and analysis of text, to break down the elements of what enhances a piece of work to achieve greatness. I also attended a Video Broadcasting class as an elective. This really solidified my interest as I learned the trades of cameras, filming, and editing. My educational support of writing and film has enhanced my abilities and passion, cementing my assurance in my future career. Thanks to GSU's multimedia film & production program, I can realistically pursue my future career path. Ten years from now, after my degrees, I see myself owning my own film studio. As I progress in college, I plan to take internships at movie studios in Atlanta. While interning on set, I’ll have the opportunity to observe and study great screenwriters and directors in action and incorporate their advice to improve my work. Eventually, I will seek employment at a film company and once I have proven the caliber of my work and become successful, I’ll branch off and start my own studio, creating my own movies and living my lifelong dream. In addition, numerous movies and shows are shot in Atlanta, and by Georgia being my home state, this provides an excellent opportunity for my career to compliment my place of residency.

The fearlessness of opening the door to a higher education is a struggle for a young man who grew up in a military family, but I pride myself on being the first-generation college student amongst them. All of my family has been tied to the military for generations. We are mainly a military-family. Both of my grandfathers and their sons went into the military. On one side, it was the Army, and on the other, the Navy. My uncle and my father both served in the United States Navy right after high school. They both became honorably discharged, and my uncle fell back on the skills he acquired from the Navy to form his aviation career. My sister had no desire to go to college, due to this, she followed in our family’s footsteps and joined the military. She has been enlisted for the past five years, currently on active duty in Japan, serving in the United States Air Force. I’ve learned many things about the military from my family over the years. While I desire to take a different path, being the first-generation college student in my family, I’ve overcome the obstacle that my parents didn’t save any money for me to attend college. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college tuition due to having to keep food on the table, and not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I’m extremely persistent in seeking all possible scholarship funding available to me. My parents, although they excelled as providers, have told me since I could comprehend it: They don’t have any money saved for me attend college, so they encouraged me to excel in school to get scholarship nominations and grant funding for my college education. My persistence in seeking scholarship funding is a continuous journey, as I plan to graduate and begin my career without drowning in a sea of debt. This financial obstacle has affected me by becoming the fuel of my drive and motivation. Everything I’ve accomplished in my education was to build financial building blocks towards my future. With a degree in hand and a debt-free future on the line, I work extremely hard to accomplish great things in college. I sacrifice so much and avoid some of the things that others have time for. While other students party, play video games, and attend movies, I study, grind out homework, and work. I work hard now so I can enjoy leisure time later. To be a step above the rest, you have to put in the work. In conclusion, what I learned is that nothing in this world is given. You have to earn it. I had to work extremely hard to get where I am in college so far. Application after application, essay after essay, and I can see the results of hard work literally paying off. Two years of college and still debt-free is quite the accomplishment, but no time for basking in the sun, as I must continue to set myself up for success. Although, I was born into a family with no prior college experience, my goal is overcome these financial obstacles, to be the first of our namesake, to not only graduate with a bachelor’s degree, but also graduate debt free.

Being American means legacy to me. Legacy doesn’t simply mean leaving material items to someone when you pass. To me, legacy means leaving behind your belongings, life earnings, lessons taught, knowledge, and your mark on the world for all of history to come. To leave a legacy, you must have an everlasting influence on the world that continues once you depart. This is what I want my legacy to be. I don’t just want to have money to leave behind for my family, but I want to have a permanent impact on the world that will last until the end of time. There are different kinds of valuable legacies. There are legacies that pass down all material gain to the offspring, giving the family good fortunes to last down the line. There are legacies that bring a family’s name into the spotlight, giving all members within the family fame that lasts unto the future to come. There are infamous legacies that condemn whole bloodlines, alarming people to fear anyone related to it. There are legacies that leave wise words and advice to anyone seeking it. Lastly, there are legacies that leave a change on the world, and will be constantly brought up and discussed throughout history. I want to leave behind a legacy of making a good change or advancement on this world while I inhabit it. I want to invent something that will revolutionize technology and provide more convenience to life. After I’m gone, I want to be remembered for the invention I brought into the world and how it’s changed the world as we know it. I want to be up there with the significant inventors who brought change to the world such as Nikola Tesla, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington Carver, Henry Ford, and Leonardo da Vinci. They all left amazing legacies by how they revolutionized the world with that they created, and I strive to accomplish this. There’s a lot of technology that hasn’t been developed or perfected yet. Hovering cars, autonomous bodies, advanced AIs, wireless battery transfer, etc. It is my desire to invent such technology and leave behind my legacy. As an engineer, I want to become prosperous from my invention, and for my bloodline to be widely-recognized long after I’m gone. After becoming prosperous from my invention, I’ll teach my offspring how to maintain the family name and our generational wealth, keeping the family affluent for futures to come. They won’t have to do something renowned or invent something else to keep our success going. It can all flourish off of my invention, and if I financially educate my offspring, they can financially educate their children and so on. I’ll educate them on saving, investing, and the importance of credit, so that my future family can be financially stable for generations. This is the legacy I desire to leave.

When I found the book titled Your Screenplay Sucks… I knew it was a book I had to read. Your Screenplay Sucks is written by William M. Akers. It is an enchiridion on how to make your screenwriting work better. The tagline is even “100 Ways to Make It Great”. More than that, it’s a guide to avoid the sins of screenwriting. The book has 100 tips of advice, each entry listing the mistake that screenplays often make, a few examples of that mistake being committed, and what to do instead. You can use this tome as a checklist upon completing a screenplay, just to go over it with a fine-toothed comb and make sure it’s the best work you could have possibly produced before submitting it to any executive, agent, or meeting. I aspire to be a renowned director and screenwriter, with dreams to produce revolutionary films that make huge strides in the entertainment industry. My academic history of writing aligns with my career goal, displayed through the pathways I have pursued throughout my education. Throughout my high school career, I’ve chosen Honors and Advanced Placement Literature classes where I learned college-level writing and analysis of text, to break down the elements of what enhances a piece of work to achieve greatness. I also attended a series of video broadcasting classes as electives. This really solidified my interest as I learned the trades of cameras, filming, and editing. My educational support of writing and film has enhanced my abilities and passion, cementing my assurance in my future career, and Your Screenplay Sucks only amplified my skillset once I found it in college. Over the years, I’ve also had numerous experiences with displaying my writing skills in competitions. Since elementary school, I’ve won numerous writing contests that I’ve submitted stories to and have been honored for my above-average writing prowess. I entered a writing contest to become one of the 100 winners of Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine’s Disney Dreamer’s Academy, which earned me an all-expenses paid trip to Disney with the opportunity to meet Mr. Steve Harvey. This was all before I discovered Your Screenplay Sucks, so the quality of my writing has only skyrocketed since then.

All of my family has been tied to the military for generations. We are a military-family. Both of my grandfathers and their sons went into the military. On one side, it was the Army, and on the other, the Navy. My uncle and my father both served in the United States Navy right after high school. They both became honorably discharged, and my uncle fell back on the skills he acquired from the Navy to form his aviation career. My sister had no desire to go to college, due to this, she followed in our family’s footsteps and joined the United States Air Force. She has been active for the past two years. Multiple members of my family who are or were mechanical engineers in the military have told me about mechanical engineering first-hand, personally driving me to major in mechanical engineering. That was one aspect of my military connections influencing my development. I’ve learned many things about the military from my family over the years. Being conscious of its importance, especially in a world like we have today, makes it all the more respectable. The United States Military houses our nation’s finest. Many brave people lay their life on the line daily, just to protect our freedom. These freedoms, which are basically granted to us by being born in the great USA, do not exist within other nations. Some nations don’t even allow their citizens to have thoughts that differ from the government’s. These soldiers put their life at risk and leave a lot behind to keep the lives of American citizens safe. Families are left behind, as many soldiers are parents, siblings, sons, daughters, and caretakers. Families have to suffer without their loved ones, concerned with the thought of safety for their beloved. A soldier could lose their life at any given moment, which is why it’s an extraordinary honor and sacrifice to serve in the U.S. Military. While I desire to take a different path, the military has aided my personal development with discipline and respect. My father is very structured due to the military. He passed this down to me to make me a more reputable young man, saying “Yes/no sir and ma’am” and giving the utmost respect to my elders and superiors. My sister, following our family’s military legacy, is the first woman in our family serving in the Air Force. For her, the military is an occupation that she will grow and progress in until she retires. She is serving honorably and I’m extremely proud of her. Although I chose the college route, being the first college student of my family is quite the challenge, but I know I have my family’s support behind me. I will accomplish my goal and be the first one in my family with a Bachelor’s Degree. The inspiration of the military has driven me to strive to do my very best to etch my name alongside a bunch of accomplished veterans in my family’s history.

The most difficult part of my life is being the first-generation college student in my family. None of my grandparents ever went to college. Neither did my aunts or uncles. My family has mainly been a military-family. Both of my grandfathers and their sons went into the military. On one side, it was the Army, and on the other, the Navy. My uncle and my father both served in the Navy right after high school. My sister didn’t quite know what she wanted to do with her life, but she had no desire to go to college. Due to this, she followed in our family’s footsteps and joined the Air Force. My mother started college to attain a law degree, as her dream in life was to become a lawyer. Due to having my sister and I, she dropped out to work to be able to support my dad and the lifestyle we have. However, she never went back to finish her degree. Everyone in my family has gone into the military or went straight into the workforce. I want to have a college degree for a greater chance of earning a higher salary out the gate post-college. There are many challenges that come with being a first-generation college student in my family. The big one that comes to mind is the pressure from my family. It’s the pressure of staying focused and avoiding the pitfalls of college. The pressure of not being a disappointment to everyone who aided me on my journey to college. The pressure of earning a rite of passage into adulthood, independence, and new experiences without failure. All of this can be overwhelming and cause an extreme degree of anxiousness, but my motto is failure in not an option and there is too much on the line to prevent me from being successful. The reminder of what’s on the line constantly looming overhead can discourage students and cause all the pros of college life to seem futile compared to the risk of what’s at stake upon giving up. This feeling is a very real struggle for many students, causing many to crack and drop out to avoid the risk and anxiety of college altogether. Although this struggle is understandable and has been seen time and time again, it’s the quitter’s way out, which is a path my morals and standards prevent me to take. I’ll achieve my success one way or another, and I won’t allow the emotional baggage of college weigh me down, forcing me to accept failure. Another challenge of being the first-generation college student is that my parents didn’t save any money for me to attend college. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college tuition due to not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me to avoid devastating student loan debt, post college. Im a strong-minded, driven young man, and as a result, I won’t give up on what I have set out to do here at college. Being a first-generation college student is quite a challenge, and with my family’s support behind me, I will accomplish my goal and be the first one in my family with a Bachelor’s Degree. I won’t let myself fall under the extreme pressure and difficulties of this role, and I will strive to do my very best in college to etch my name in my family’s history as the first.

While I fully understand why my mom could not focus on my education due to having to provide; what’s challenging is attending college with no money while trying to avoid the student loan debt trap. Even having the grades isn’t enough, as no university will admit you if you don’t have the adequate funding. College tuition is outrageously high nowadays, to the point that some people are still paying their college tuition well into their 50s, years past earning their degree and having a career. Only the rich can afford to pay for a debt-free college education, and then continue making money right out the gate with a successful career. Meanwhile, the average person will come out of college with crushing debt that they will have to continuously pay far into their old age. Due to my insistence, I want to avoid this pitfall when beginning my career for a greater chance of success post college. My mom excelled as a provider, have told me since I could comprehend it: She don’t have any money saved for college, so she encouraged me to excel in school to get scholarship funding for my college education. My persistence in seeking scholarship funding is a continuous journey, as I plan to graduate and begin my career without drowning in a sea of debt. This financial obstacle has affected me by becoming the fuel of my drive and motivation. Everything I’ve accomplished in my education was to build financial building blocks towards my future. With a degree in hand and a debt-free future on the line, I work extremely hard to accomplish great things in college. I sacrifice so much and avoid some of the things that others have time for. While other students party, play video games, and attend movies, I study, grind out homework, and work. I work hard now so I can enjoy leisure time later. To be a step above the rest, you have to put in the work. In conclusion, what I learned is that nothing in this world is given. You have to earn it. I had to work extremely hard to get where I am in college so far. Application after application, essay after essay, and I can see the results of hard work literally paying off. Two years of college and still debt-free is quite the accomplishment, but no time for basking in the sun, as I must continue to set myself up for success. Although, I was born into a family with no prior college experience, my goal is overcome these financial obstacles, to be the first of our namesake, to not only graduate with a bachelor’s degree, but also graduate debt free.

Our society today has an issue for those who wish to pursue a higher education. Those who seek it are met with devastating costs, life-changing decisions, heavy expectations, and crumbling desires. These socioeconomic and financial issues all dissuade students from attempting a higher education, and there are no signs of these issues being reduced in the years to come. Being met with forceful, backbreaking student loans to pay for higher education is what is keeping students from seeking a college degree. The price of college tuition in current day, compared to its price in the past, is unjustifiable. College tuition is outrageously high to the point that some people are still paying their college tuition well into their 50s, way past earning their degree and having a career. By continuing our college system with massively inflated tuitions, we're making the rich richer. They can afford to pay college tuition without loans, be debt-free, and continue making more money right out the gate, while the average student will come out of college with enormous debt they still have to pay, far into old age. There’s a majority of people who believe that education doesn’t matter, and that college is a waste of time and money. I understand their views, for college is expensive, but the payoff is landing a career after graduating. College isn’t for the weak-minded. Students must be determined and driven to graduate and make their education worth the cost. People who believe that education doesn’t matter aren’t thinking about their future. These students are typically burnt-out high school graduates who don’t want to return to school for another four years. When investing in yourself by attending college, you set yourself up for a greater chance of success in the future. In most professions, those with a degree earn $1 million more across a lifespan than those without. Yearly, college graduates make around $17,500 more than those with just a high school diploma. In my opinion, the educational investment to overcome the income gap is well worth the time and money, though most people wouldn’t recognize it until they are on the lower end of the income spectrum. Now you don’t have to go to school to receive an education. It’s very possible invest in yourself by learning a skill or a trade. In summary education is not the key to success, but it damn sure opens the doors. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college education due to keeping food on the table and not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in high school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. In addition, as soon as I was old enough to have a job, I’ve began saving money towards my college tuition. I worked two jobs and saved up all the money that I could to pay for my first year at Georgia Southern University. My second year and third year, I signed up to be a Resident Advisor (R/A), which pays for my housing, and I apply daily for scholarships. Along with scholarships and “some” financial assistance from my family, to date I have no student loan debt. I wish my drive, dedication, and work ethics alone were enough to succeed but I realize that none of this can be accomplished without the necessary funding. However, I plan to graduate debt free and refuse to be drowning in a sea of debt post college and this how I address student loan debt.

It has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting since I was a youth. I am currently attending Georgia Southern University, and plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s, and then progress to a Master’s in screenwriting. I dream of becoming a screenwriter and director to produce revolutionary films that make huge strides in the entertainment industry. My academic history aligns with my long-term career goal, displayed through the pathways I have pursued throughout my education. Throughout my high school career, I’ve chosen Honors and Advanced Placement Literature classes where I learned college-level writing and analysis of text, to break down the elements of what enhances a piece of work to achieve greatness. I also attended a Video Broadcasting class as an elective. This really solidified my interest as I learned the trades of cameras, filming, and editing. My educational support of writing and film has enhanced my abilities and passion, cementing my assurance in my future career. As an extracurricular activity at my school, I joined the Georgia Technology Student Association (TSA), in which we work in teams on many engineering-related projects to compete against other. I’ve been a member of Georgia TSA since my Freshman year. As a Senior, I went to the State Leadership Conference for the first time and had my project place as a finalist! My peers and I all had to develop a video game, and I crafted the story of the game. Seeing it enjoyed by judges and an audience of players is confirming evidence that I will be successful at screenwriting. Over the years, I’ve also had numerous experiences with displaying my writing skills. I’ve won numerous writing contests that I’ve submitted stories to and have been honored for my above-average writing prowess, since elementary school. I entered a writing contest to become one of the 100 winners of Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine’s Disney Dreamer’s Academy, which earned me an all-expenses paid trip to Disney with the opportunity to meet Mr. Steve Harvey. Even outside my academic excellence in writing, I’ve had extraordinary success in my regular academics as well. In my junior year of high school, I was awarded the Academic Letter of Woodstock High, an honor achievable by consecutively keeping your GPA above a 3.0 throughout your high school career. In my senior year, I was awarded the Woodstock High Lamp of Knowledge for continuing the same achievement. Thanks to Georgia Southern University’s multimedia film & production program, I can realistically pursue my future career path. As I progress in college, I plan to take internships in Atlanta to observe and study great screenwriters and directors in action and incorporate their advice to improve my work. Eventually, I will seek employment and branch off to start my own studio, creating movies and living my lifelong dream. In addition, numerous movies and shows are filmed in Atlanta, and by Georgia being my home state, this provides an excellent opportunity for my career to compliment my place of residency.

Although the word “community” has evolved to mean a group of people that share a similar characteristic, such as the LGBTQ+ or Black Community, I prefer the original connotation of community to be the place where I grew up and reside. This safe place has provided me with a feeling of what I can call home. Due to this, I am set on giving back. I am committed because of the good fortune I’m given, and I set out to return the favor to the less fortunate in my community. A large part of why I grew up in this community is due to my parents. They both lived a less-fortunate life than I live now, and wanted to give me the best life they could, full of opportunities. They work hard and sacrificed so much to put me in a Grade-A public school for an excellent education, and provided me with a comfortable residence in a safe neighborhood. I cannot thank them enough for the lifestyle they have given me, nor for the strong values they have instilled in me so that I can better myself as a person and help others in need. A way I am committed to my community is through leading the youth. I have a class of 2nd graders that I teach for 1.5 hours every Sunday. We always have a lesson plan to review, each usually focusing on a Bible story. The mission is to break it down to a comprehensive level for them. We have the lesson and a correlated game with it, to help the children retain what they learned. We also have snacks, and then some free time to allow them to release some energy. Over my years of teaching in the Elementary Ministry, I’ve seen many of these young children come to know Jesus and get saved, which is why I continue to serve. It’s an outcome of my service that I am always welcomed to see. Through these lessons and my efforts, many children become strong in their faith, getting to know Christ, and the morals and values of Christianity as they journey through life. The impact of my service is unmatched, and it’s rewarding to be aiding these children through their walks with the Lord. It is comforting to know that they benefit from my contribution. Since I wish to see this benefit continue, I encourage the children to come back and be leaders in the Elementary Ministry. Over my summers, I serve at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I assist the music therapist. I set up the instruments, hold up cues, and assist the children when they need to vent their frustrations. There’s a common misperception about people with special needs, and they often get overlooked. They’re still people, they just express themselves differently. The goal of Triad Music was to right this wrong and host a summer camp for these children, and this was a goal I was honored to be supporting. After getting to know the children personally, I saw my efforts come to fruition as I began to realize that people like this don’t have a voice or anybody to stand up for them. They have unique abilities and bright attitudes that the world’s dark opinion of them is too blind to see. Now that I’m enlightened myself, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better, through aiding the unrepresented and uncared for.

Our society today has an issue for those who wish to pursue a higher education. Those who seek it are met with devastating costs, life-changing decisions, heavy expectations, and crumbling desires. These socioeconomic and financial issues all dissuade students from attempting a higher education, and there are no signs of these issues being reduced in the years to come. In fact, college tuition is drastically increasing every year. Being met with forceful, backbreaking student loans to pay for a higher education is what is keeping students from seeking a college degree. If our country doesn’t make a change, education will continue to be elusive, and the dilemma will only grow over time. The price of college tuition in current day, compared to its price in the past, is unjustifiable. College tuition is outrageously high to the point that some people are still paying their college tuition well into their 50s, way past earning their degree and having a career. By continuing our college system with massively inflated tuitions, we're making the rich richer. They can afford to pay college tuition without loans, be debt-free, and continue making more money right out the gate, while the average student will come out of college with enormous debt they still have to pay, far into old age. There’s a majority of people who believe that education doesn’t matter, and that college is a waste of time and money. I understand their views, for college is expensive, but the payoff is landing a career after graduating. College isn’t for the weak-minded. Students must be determined and driven to graduate and make their education worth the cost. People who believe that education doesn’t matter aren’t thinking about their future. These students are typically burnt-out high school graduates who don’t want to return to school for another four years. When investing in yourself by attending college, you set yourself up for a greater chance of success in the future. In most professions, those with a degree earn $1 million more across a lifespan than those without. Yearly, college graduates make around $17,500 more than those with just a high school diploma. In my opinion, the educational investment to overcome the income gap is well worth the time and money, though most people wouldn’t recognize it until they are on the lower end of the income spectrum. Now you don’t have to go to school to receive an education. It’s very possible invest in yourself by learning a skill or a trade. In summary education is not the key to success, but it damn sure opens the doors. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college education due to keeping food on the table and not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in high school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. In addition, as soon as I was old enough to have a job, I’ve began saving money towards my college tuition. I signed up to be an Resident Advisor (R/A), which pays for my housing and I apply daily for scholarships. Along with scholarships and “some” financial assistance from my family, to date I have no student loan debt. I wish my drive, dedication, and work ethics alone were enough to succeed but I realize that none of this can be accomplished without the necessary funding. However, I plan to graduate debt free and refuse to be drowning in a sea of debt post college.

Mental health was really tested against the wire in the times of COVID-19. I am no stranger to these struggles. What I tried to do when I was struggling with mental health was seek strength in the connections around me. Sometimes it takes that human concern; that loving, heartfelt touch from another person. This is especially the case when it’s someone close, like a friend or family member. I experienced the devastating effects of the situation surrounding COVID-19 as it caused mental health struggles within me throughout the year. A way I kept myself mentally strong was strengthening my connections. My sister is in the Air Force, stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base. She struggled with being a soldier, as being away from home for the first time was taking a toll on her. She had restricted freedoms, and all her requests for leave were declined due to COVID-19. She didn’t have many friends, and she spent her time between work and being sheltered in her room, alone. She began to gain weight from stress-eating, and her state of mind eventually began to physically wear her down and she became very ill. I was also coping with us being apart for the first time, as we had been inseparable since my birth. So as a way to help us both, I decided to bring home to her. She deeply appreciated and acknowledged my support and words of encouragement, as our love for each other continued to help us get through such a difficult time. Sometimes, we would text back and forth for hours, reminiscing on the golden days of our childhood, and all the funny things we’ve said or amazing moments we’ve shared. I was bringing home to her however I could. It’s these texts that strengthened our bond during COVID and kept us both going. At my college, Georgia Southern University, I am a Residential Advisor, working for the university’s housing department. I help residents with personal problems, check in on their mental health and wellbeing, and serve as an advisor and referral to the resources on campus for their needs. I meet with them to talk about their grades, or any academic or social struggles they’re having in college, and am always here as a confidant for anything going on in their lives. I also build community engagement, hosting fun, free events for the residents to participate in, just for living here in this community with me. In this community of my peers, I am always talking to residents being an advocate for the normalizing of mental health awareness, and I ask them about the state of their mental health as college students deal with a lot on a daily basis: academically, socially and otherwise. I have taken numerous students succumbing to the stresses of college to the counseling center to get them a therapist. I’ve helped out through relationship turmoil as breakups, heartbreak and personal affairs run rampant here on a campus, getting a boy with a broken heart the licensed professional he needed to assist him in seeing that this isn’t the end of his world. I have saved an academic performance by getting a student who confided in me about her grades in touch with her academic advisor, for them to work out a way for her to still graduate. Through my job, I have been spreading awareness of mental health and aiding whoever needs me by getting them to the appropriate resources they need to improve their mental health.

Our society today has an issue for those who wish to pursue a higher education. Those who seek it are met with devastating costs, life-changing decisions, heavy expectations, and crumbling desires. These socioeconomic and financial issues all dissuade students from attempting a higher education, and there are no signs of these issues being reduced in the years to come. In fact, college tuition is drastically increasing every year. The price of college tuition in current day, compared to its price in the past, is unjustifiable. College tuition is outrageously high to the point that some people are still paying their college tuition well into their 50s, way past earning their degree and having a career. By continuing our college system with massively inflated tuitions, we're making the rich richer. They can afford to pay college tuition without loans, be debt-free, and continue making more money right out the gate, while the average student will come out of college with enormous debt they still have to pay, far into old age. There’s a majority of people who believe that education doesn’t matter, and that college is a waste of time and money. I understand their views, for college is expensive, but the payoff is landing a career after graduating. College isn’t for the weak-minded. Students must be determined and driven to graduate and make their education worth the cost. People who believe that education doesn’t matter aren’t thinking about their future. These students are typically burnt-out high school graduates who don’t want to return to school for another four years. . When investing in yourself by attending college, you set yourself up for a greater chance of success in the future. In most professions, those with a degree earn $1 million more across a lifespan than those without. Yearly, college graduates make around $17,500 more than those with just a high school diploma. In my opinion, the educational investment to overcome the income gap is well worth the time and money, though most people wouldn’t recognize it until they are on the lower end of the income spectrum. Now you don’t have to go to school to receive an education. It’s very possible invest in yourself by learning a skill or a trade. In summary, education is not the key to success, but it damn sure opens the doors. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college education due to keeping food on the table and not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in high school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. In addition, as soon as I was old enough to have a job, I’ve began saving money towards my college tuition. With college knocking on my door, I worked two jobs and saved up all the money that I could to pay for my first year at Georgia Southern University. My second year and third year, I signed up to be a Resident Advisor (R/A), which pays for my housing, and I apply daily for scholarships. Along with scholarships and “some” financial assistance from my family, to date I have no student loan debt. I wish my drive, dedication, and work ethics alone were enough to succeed but I realize that none of this can be accomplished without the necessary funding. However, I plan to graduate debt free and refuse to be drowning in a sea of debt post college and this is what financial responsibility means to me.

It has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting since I was a youth. I am currently attending Georgia Southern University, and plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s, and then progress to a Master’s in screenwriting. I dream of becoming a screenwriter and director to produce revolutionary films that make huge strides in the entertainment industry. My education especially has contributed to this lifelong goal I’ve had for as long as I can remember. Throughout my high school career, I’ve chosen Honors and Advanced Placement Literature classes where I learned college-level writing and analysis of text, to break down the elements of what enhances a piece of work to achieve greatness. I also attended a Video Broadcasting class as an elective. This really solidified my interest as I learned the trades of cameras, filming, and editing. My educational support of writing and film has enhanced my abilities and passion, cementing my assurance in my future career. The price of college tuition in current day, compared to its price in the past, is unjustifiable. College tuition is outrageously high to the point that some people are still paying their college tuition well into their 50s, way past earning their degree and having a career. By continuing our college system with massively inflated tuitions, we're making the rich richer. They can afford to pay college tuition without loans, be debt-free, and continue making more money right out the gate, while the average student will come out of college with enormous debt they still have to pay, far into old age. When investing in yourself by attending college, you set yourself up for a greater chance of success in the future. In most professions, those with a degree earn $1 million more across a lifespan than those without. Yearly, college graduates make around $17,500 more than those with just a high school diploma. In my opinion, the educational investment to overcome the income gap is well worth the time and money, though most people wouldn’t recognize it until they are on the lower end of the income spectrum. Now you don’t have to go to school to receive an education. It’s very possible invest in yourself by learning a skill or a trade. In summary education is not the key to success, but it damn sure opens the doors. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college education due to keeping food on the table and not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in high school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. In addition, as soon as I was old enough to have a job, I’ve began saving money towards my college tuition. With college knocking on my door, I worked two jobs and saved up all the money that I could to pay for my first year at Georgia Southern University. My second year and third year, I signed up to be a Resident Advisor (R/A), which pays for my housing, and I apply daily for scholarships. Along with scholarships and “some” financial assistance from my family, to date I have no student loan debt. I wish my drive, dedication, and work ethics alone were enough to succeed but I realize that none of this can be accomplished without the necessary funding. However, I plan to graduate debt free and refuse to be drowning in a sea of debt post college and this is what financial responsibility means to me.

Generational wealth means to me legacy. Legacy doesn’t simply mean leaving material items to someone when you pass. To me, legacy means leaving behind your belongings, life earnings, lessons taught, knowledge, and your mark on the world for all of history to come. To leave a legacy, you must have an everlasting influence on the world that continues once you depart. This is what I want my legacy to be. I don’t just want to have money to leave behind for my family, but I want to have a permanent impact on the world that will last until the end of time. There are different kinds of valuable legacies. There are legacies that pass down all material gain to the offspring, giving the family good fortunes to last down the line. There are legacies that bring a family’s name into the spotlight, giving all members within the family fame that lasts unto the future to come. There are infamous legacies that condemn whole bloodlines, alarming people to fear anyone related to it. There are legacies that leave wise words and advice to anyone seeking it. Lastly, there are legacies that leave a change on the world, and will be constantly brought up and discussed throughout history. I want to leave behind a legacy of making a good change or advancement on this world while I inhabit it. I want to invent something that will revolutionize technology and provide more convenience to life. After I’m gone, I want to be remembered for the invention I brought into the world and how it’s changed the world as we know it. I want to be up there with the significant inventors who brought change to the world such as Nikola Tesla, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington Carver, Henry Ford, and Leonardo da Vinci. They all left amazing legacies by how they revolutionized the world with that they created, and I strive to accomplish this. There’s a lot of technology that hasn’t been developed or perfected yet. Hovering cars, autonomous bodies, advanced AIs, wireless battery transfer, etc. It is my desire to invent such technology and leave behind my legacy. As an engineer, I want to become prosperous from my invention, and for my bloodline to be widely-recognized long after I’m gone. After becoming prosperous from my invention, I’ll teach my offspring how to maintain the family name and our generational wealth, keeping the family affluent for futures to come. They won’t have to do something renowned or invent something else to keep our success going. It can all flourish off of my invention, and if I financially educate my offspring, they can financially educate their children and so on. I’ll educate them on saving, investing, and the importance of credit, so that my future family can be financially stable for generations. This is the legacy I desire to leave.

The song that has the most important message to me is Kanye West - All falls Down featuring Syleena Johnson. This song is off Kanye West's The College Dropout album. Even though I'm not a college drop out, I absolutely love this album, I believe it to be Kayne's best work to date and I keep this song on repeat in my playlist. It's my daily motivation for me from the time that I wake up to the time I prepare myself for bed. I sing these Lyrics daily. Man, I promise, she's so self-conscious She has no idea what she doin' in college That major that she majored in don't make no money But she won't drop out, her parents'll look at her funny Now, tell me that ain't insecurr The concept of school seems so securr Sophomore, three yurrs, ain't picked a carurr She like, "Fuck it, I'll just stay down hurr and do hair" 'Cause that's enough money to buy her a few pairs Of new Airs, 'cause her baby daddy don't really care She's so precious with the peer pressure Couldn't afford a car, so she named her daughter Alexis She had hair so long that it looked like weave Then she cut it all off, now she look like Eve And she be dealin' with some issues that you can't believe Single black female addicted to retail, and well

Mental health was really tested against the wire in the times of COVID-19. I am no stranger to these struggles. What I tried to do when I was struggling with mental health was seek strength in the connections around me. Sometimes it takes that human concern; that loving, heartfelt touch from another person. This is especially the case when it’s someone close, like a friend or family member. I experienced the devastating effects of the situation surrounding COVID-19 as it caused mental health struggles within me throughout the year. A way I kept myself mentally strong was strengthening my connections. My sister is in the Air Force, stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base. She struggled with being a soldier, as being away from home for the first time was taking a toll on her. She had restricted freedoms, and all her requests for leave were declined due to COVID-19. She didn’t have many friends, and she spent her time between work and being sheltered in her room, alone. She began to gain weight from stress-eating, and her state of mind eventually began to physically wear her down and she became very ill. I was also coping with us being apart for the first time, as we had been inseparable since my birth. So as a way to help us both, I decided to bring home to her. She deeply appreciated and acknowledged my support and words of encouragement, as our love for each other continued to help us get through such a difficult time. Sometimes, we would text back and forth for hours, reminiscing on the golden days of our childhood, and all the funny things we’ve said or amazing moments we’ve shared. I was bringing home to her however I could. It’s these texts that strengthened our bond during COVID and kept us both going. Also to keep my mind strong, I got a lot more sleep during COVID-19. School was always keeping me up, with the combined homework from both Honors and AP classes. I hadn’t had a full night of rest in forever before COVID struck. Once it did, I began to get a proper eight hours, setting a bedtime for myself that I could finally meet since school was now online and it was easier to finish everything and have leftover time to myself. This “Me Time” is what I used to keep my state of mind regulated. I would often write, immersing myself into stories that my mind conjured up. I would call friends and see how they’re enjoying their staycation. I would attend the online sermons of my church, since nobody was allowed in the building. I also have a philosophy of using no social media, so I didn’t have to worry about the toxicities and addictions of social media affecting me throughout the pandemic. I have been averse to social media ever since I first learned about it, but learning about the effects it had on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic just gave me a greater resolve to never have any. These are all opportunities I seized to keep my mind mentally strong. At my college, Georgia Southern University, I am a Residential Advisor, working for the university’s housing department. I help residents with personal problems, check in on their mental health and wellbeing, and serve as an advisor and referral to the resources on campus for their needs. I meet with them to talk about their grades, or any academic or social struggles they’re having in college, and am always here as a confidant for anything going on in their lives. I also build community engagement, hosting fun, free events for the residents to participate in, just for living here in this community with me. In this community of my peers, I am always talking to residents being an advocate for the normalizing of mental health awareness, and I ask them about the state of their mental health as college students deal with a lot on a daily basis: academically, socially and otherwise. I have taken numerous students succumbing to the stresses of college to the counseling center to get them a therapist. I’ve helped out through relationship turmoil as breakups, heartbreak and personal affairs run rampant here on a campus, getting a boy with a broken heart the licensed professional he needed to assist him in seeing that this isn’t the end of his world. I have saved an academic performance by getting a student who confided in me about her grades in touch with her academic advisor, for them to work out a way for her to still graduate. Through my job, I have been spreading awareness of mental health and aiding whoever needs me by getting them to the appropriate resources they need to improve their mental health.

I’ve done a lot of community service involving children. I am a member of the First Baptist Church of Woodstock, and every Sunday, I teach Sunday school lessons in the Elementary Ministry. I have been a leader in the church since 6th grade. This was the grade I was allowed to work in classrooms to instruct the younger students. Over summer break, I work at a camp for children with special needs. These community service opportunities allow me to have an impact on those around me. I have a class of 2nd graders that I teach for 1.5 hours every Sunday morning. We always have a lesson plan to review, each usually focusing on a Bible story. The mission is to break it down onto a comprehensive level for them. We have the lesson and sometimes a correlated game with it, to help the children retain what they learned. We also have snacks, and then some free time to allow them to get some energy out. Over my years of teaching in the Elementary Ministry, I’ve seen many of these young children come to know Jesus and get saved, which is why I continue to serve. It’s an outcome of my service that I am always welcomed to see. Through these lessons and my efforts, many children become strong in their faith, getting to know Christ, and the morals and values of Christianity as they journey through life. The impact my service has on them is unmatched, and it feels rewarding to be aiding these children through their walks with the Lord. It is comforting to know that my contribution is a benefit to them. Over my summers, I work at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I’m an assistant to the music therapist. I set up the instruments, tend to the children when they need aid, hold up instrument cues, set up snacks, and take the children for a walk outside when they need to vent their frustrations. Before Triad Music, I had a common misperception about people with special needs. Working in the music therapy camp taught me that people with special needs are just like us, but express themselves differently. From my experiences at camp, and getting to know the children personally, I saw people with special needs in a whole new light, one that the world’s dark opinion on them is too blind to see. Due to my time at camp, whenever a person with special needs is spoken upon negatively, I correct the person speaking and tell them that there’s nothing “wrong” with a special needs person, they just have a different way of self-expression. Through being enlightened myself, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better.

Over my summers, I serve at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I assist the music therapist. I set up the instruments, hold up cues, and assist the children when they need to vent their frustrations. There’s a common misperception about people with special needs, and they often get overlooked. They’re still people, they just express themselves differently. The goal of Triad Music was to right this wrong and host a summer camp for these children, and this was a goal I was honored to be supporting. After getting to know the children personally, I saw my efforts come to fruition as I began to realize that people like this don’t have a voice or anybody to stand up for them. They have their unique abilities and bright attitudes that the world’s dark opinion of them is too blind to see. Now that I’m enlightened myself, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better, through aiding the unrepresented and uncared for. It has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting since I was a youth. I am currently attending Georgia Southern University, and plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s, and then progress to a Master’s in screenwriting. I dream of becoming a screenwriter and director to produce revolutionary films that make huge strides in the entertainment industry. My academic history aligns with my long-term career goal, displayed through the pathways I have pursued throughout my education. Throughout my high school career, I’ve chosen Honors and Advanced Placement Literature classes where I learned college-level writing and analysis of text, to break down the elements of what enhances a piece of work to achieve greatness. I also attended a Video Broadcasting class as an elective. This really solidified my interest as I learned the trades of cameras, filming, and editing. My educational support of writing and film has enhanced my abilities and passion, cementing my assurance in my future career. Thanks to Georgia Southern University’s multimedia film & production program, I can realistically pursue my future career path. Ten years from now, after my degrees, I see myself owning my own film studio. As I progress in college, I plan to take internships at movie studios in Atlanta. While interning on set, I’ll have the opportunity to observe and study great screenwriters and directors in action and incorporate their advice to improve my work. Eventually, I will seek employment at a film company and once I have proven the caliber of my work and become successful, I’ll branch off and start my own studio, creating my own movies and living my lifelong dream. In addition, numerous movies and shows are shot in Atlanta, and by Georgia being my home state, this provides an excellent opportunity for my career to compliment my place of residency.

It has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting since I was a youth. I am currently attending Georgia Southern University, and plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s, and then progress to a Master’s in screenwriting. I dream of becoming a screenwriter and director to produce revolutionary films that make huge strides in the entertainment industry. My academic history aligns with my long-term career goal, displayed through the pathways I have pursued throughout my education. Throughout my high school career, I’ve chosen Honors and Advanced Placement Literature classes where I learned college-level writing and analysis of text, to break down the elements of what enhances a piece of work to achieve greatness. I also attended a Video Broadcasting class as an elective. This really solidified my interest as I learned the trades of cameras, filming, and editing. My educational support of writing and film has enhanced my abilities and passion, cementing my assurance in my future career. As an extracurricular activity at my school, I joined the Georgia Technology Student Association (TSA), in which we work in teams on many engineering-related projects to compete against other schools on which product is better. I’ve been a member of Georgia TSA since my Freshman year. As a Senior, I went to the State Leadership Conference for the first time and had my project place as a finalist! My peers and I all had to develop a video game, and I crafted the story of the game. Seeing it enjoyed by judges and an audience of players is confirming evidence that I will be successful at screenwriting. Over the years, I’ve also had numerous experiences with displaying my writing skills. I’ve won numerous writing contests that I’ve submitted stories to and have been honored for my above-average writing prowess, since elementary school. I entered a writing contest to become one of the 100 winners of Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine’s Disney Dreamer’s Academy, which earned me an all-expenses paid trip to Disney with the opportunity to meet Mr. Steve Harvey. Even outside my academic excellence in writing, I’ve had extraordinary success in my regular academics as well. In my junior year of high school, I was awarded the Academic Letter of Woodstock High, an honor achievable by consecutively keeping your GPA above a 3.0 throughout your high school career. In my senior year, I was awarded the Woodstock High Lamp of Knowledge for continuing the same achievement. Thanks to Georgia Southern University’s multimedia film & production program, I can realistically pursue my future career path. Ten years from now, after my degrees, I see myself owning my own film studio. As I progress in college, I plan to take internships at movie studios in Atlanta. While interning on set, I’ll have the opportunity to observe and study great screenwriters and directors in action and incorporate their advice to improve my work. Eventually, I will seek employment at a film company and once I have proven the caliber of my work and become successful, I’ll branch off and start my own studio, creating my own movies and living my lifelong dream. In addition, numerous movies and shows are shot in Atlanta, and by Georgia being my home state, this provides an excellent opportunity for my career to compliment my place of residency.

I’ve done a lot of community service involving children. I am a member of the First Baptist Church of Woodstock, and every Sunday, I teach Sunday school lessons in the Elementary Ministry. I have been a leader in the church since 6th grade. This was the grade I was allowed to work in classrooms to instruct the younger students. Over summer break, I work at a camp for children with special needs. These community service opportunities allow me to have an impact on those around me. I have a class of 2nd graders that I teach for 1.5 hours every Sunday morning. We always have a lesson plan to review, each usually focusing on a Bible story. The mission is to break it down onto a comprehensive level for them. We have the lesson and sometimes a correlated game with it, to help the children retain what they learned. We also have snacks, and then some free time to allow them to get some energy out. Over my years of teaching in the Elementary Ministry, I’ve seen many of these young children come to know Jesus and get saved, which is why I continue to serve. It’s an outcome of my service that I am always welcomed to see. Through these lessons and my efforts, many children become strong in their faith, getting to know Christ, and the morals and values of Christianity as they journey through life. The impact my service has on them is unmatched, and it feels rewarding to be aiding these children through their walks with the Lord. It is comforting to know that my contribution is a benefit to them. Over my summers, I work at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I’m an assistant to the music therapist. I set up the instruments, tend to the children when they need aid, hold up instrument cues, set up snacks, and take the children for a walk outside when they need to vent their frustrations. Before Triad Music, I had a common misperception about people with special needs. Working in the music therapy camp taught me that people with special needs are just like us, but express themselves differently. From my experiences at camp, and getting to know the children personally, I saw people with special needs in a whole new light, one that the world’s dark opinion on them is too blind to see. Due to my time at camp, whenever a person with special needs is spoken upon negatively, I correct the person speaking and tell them that there’s nothing “wrong” with a special needs person, they just have a different way of self-expression. Through being enlightened myself, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better.

Mental health was really tested in the times of COVID-19 and I am no stranger to these struggles. Sometimes all it takes is that heartfelt concern to be displayed to the one in need. This is especially the case when it’s someone close, like a friend or family member. I saw the firsthand devastating effects of the situation surrounding COVID-19 as it caused mental health struggles within my sister, and I was there for her as she struggled with the disease. Although I chose the college route, my whole family has been tied to the military for generations. Both of my grandfathers and their sons went into the military. On one side, it was the Army, and on the other, the Navy. My uncle and father both served honorably in the Navy. My sister followed in our family’s footsteps by joining the Air Force. She has been active for the past five years, serving honorably in Japan. However, this was not always the case. My sister’s first duty station was Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana. She struggled with being a soldier and being away from home for the first time. She had to get approval to take time off, and if it was declined, she had to tough it out. In such a highly competitive environment, when she got promoted, she lost many friends and acquaintances as jealousy grew when she progressed faster than they did. Soon, she had no friends and spent her time between work and being sheltered in her room, alone. Then, COVID struck, which made her ability to get approved for leave virtually impossible. She began to gain weight from stress-eating, and her state of mind eventually began to physically wear her down, and she became very ill. She began to take oxycodone to ease her pain. These became highly addictive, and she eventually overdosed, and woke up in the psych ward, with the military labeling her as suicidal. She underwent therapy with trained professionals who assisted in getting her past the addiction and back on the right track. This is when I knew I had to bring the homely feeling to her. My sister is only three years older than me and has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. We grew up together and were thick as thieves. Even though I was going through a tough time myself with COVID, I knew I had to step in and reinvent my relationship with my sister, because she needed constant family love and support. I began to reach out more frequently, and although I’m in college and didn’t always have time to call, I would make it my mission to call and text daily. She deeply appreciated and acknowledged my support and words of encouragement, as our love for each other continued to grow and helped us get through a difficult time. The military therapy recommended she be removed from her toxic environment and relocated to Yokota Air Force Base. Now she is thriving in her military career, and she absolutely loves it. I’m overjoyed that those dark days are far behind her, and that I contributed to getting her through that rough patch in her life.

My grandpa has lived with my family since I was a newborn. During my childhood, he would always entertain me, playing with my toys, watching TV, or showing me cool tricks he learned. He thought me what my generation would call the “old school” way of speaking to adults: Being respectful and saying “Yes sir, no sir, yes ma’am, no ma’am”. He taught me about working hard and saving. He told me to be a leader and not a follower as I journey through life. He taught me some general life skills, about tipping, talking to women and having confidence. He taught me that no good thing ever came easy, that nothing beats a failure but a try, and to take care of my health. He instructed me to live each day as if it’s my last, so that I could make the most of everyday. He showed me examples of having self-awareness and empathy, because not everybody had it as good as others. He practiced having calmness, self-control, and assertiveness and passed this onto me, as they are integral life skills. The life lesson he showed me that resonated with me the most was that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. I see the reasoning behind this lesson come to fruition especially within my peers. When I witness people exploding from anger or jumping into something without thinking it through, being rash and reckless, his teachings come to mind. There’s a reaction to every action, so everyone must treat each word with caution and think through their actions before they follow through on them. My grandpa instilled a lot of things in me that make me who I am today. We were very close, and it was devastating when he passed at the ripe age of 79.

One book in particular has become the gospel of my selected career field, and continues to help me even now. In my major, I must take several writing, film, and theatre classes, and my Introduction to Media Writing class has been the one that has been the most impactful upon my ability in this field. Not only was my instructor, fantastic and supportive, but the book introduced to us within the class became a lifesaver in the field of writing I want to go into. Your Screenplay Sucks! by William M. Akers is a book I unexpectedly fell in love with. Different from the standard “textbooks” that are required for courses, this was a lighthearted, whimsical yet invaluable book that was a literal guidebook of 100 reasons why a screenplay could be horrendous, and a way to correct each reason. It’s a very easy read, as cued in by the title, and is genuinely formatted like a checklist. The book is complete with stock scripts, examples in Hollywood, and drafts that are marked up to drive home its point on the reasons it presents. This book has not only inspired me to make the greatest scripts and screenplays possible, but the book has genuinely improved my life, teaching me to avoid the problems that plague even a lot of published works. Your Screenplay Sucks! has shown me many valuable lessons in screenwriting that have improved both the quality of my writing and my enjoyment of doing it. Incorporating lessons from the book has refined my skillset to reach a higher writing prowess. The book has taught me the importance of writing about something I care about, being original, picking the right main character and most importantly, having an antagonist who is the hero from their point of view.

The one problem that the world faces that I would like to help change is the access to higher education. Our society today has an issue for those who wish to pursue a higher education. Those who seek it are met with devastating costs, life-changing decisions, heavy expectations, and crumbling desires. These socioeconomic and financial issues all dissuade students from attempting a higher education, and there are no signs of these issues being reduced in the years to come. In fact, college tuition is drastically increasing every year. Being met with forceful, backbreaking student loans to pay for a higher education is what is keeping students from seeking a college degree. If our country doesn’t make a change, education will continue to be elusive, and the dilemma will only grow over time. The price of college tuition in current day, compared to its price in the past, is unjustifiable. College tuition is outrageously high to the point that some people are still paying their college tuition well into their 50s, way past earning their degree and having a career. European nations have significantly cheaper tuition due to having no fees or small fees along with the tuition. By continuing our college system with massively inflated tuitions, we're making the rich richer. They can afford to pay college tuition without loans, be debt-free, and continue making more money right out the gate, while the average student will come out of college with enormous debt they still have to pay, far into old age. Student loans gain interest over time, therefore long term students just pay more and more money towards a system that leaves them drowning in a sea of debt. College tuition should be reduced by 75% of its original cost, and we spend the remaining profits in the college system on necessities and upkeep for their campuses. When those funds are depleted, tax dollars should be rerouted to a section that goes into the college system.

When preparing for a test, I take it seriously and approach it with the best mindset. Being stressed, under-prepared, or even hungry can offset the best test score I could potentially receive. Since I always strive to achieve a score to the best of my ability, I have developed many astounding test preparation habits. When preparing for a test, I study weekly and work on online practice tests for the upcoming exam. Doing at least four practices every week ensures that the material remains in my brain. This method of studying is the main and most helpful one, as it constantly reviews the information on the test, getting me used to the forthcoming material. Another method I use to prepare for an upcoming test is to get plenty of rest before it. Being tired while taking a test can hinder neurotic function and blur words that you need to read. If you fall asleep during a test, you may not even finish it, leaving a horde of answers blank. I like to get a full 8-10 hours of sleep the night before a test. Being well-rested and ready to test puts you in the right mindset to become a successful. The last method I use to prepare for a test is to start the day of the exam with a hearty breakfast. Doing anything on an empty stomach ruins your ability to focus. I like to have a healthy breakfast consisting of a protein, fruit, and one sugary food to keep me going. Eating prior to a test gives you the energy you need to make it through its entirety, but not enough to crash you, like an energy drink. These preparation practices aid me in achieving academic success.

An obstacle I had to over come in my life is being the first-generation college student in my family. None of my grandparents ever went to college. Neither did my aunts or uncles. My family has mainly been a military-family. Both of my grandfathers and their sons went into the military. On one side, it was the Army, and on the other, the Navy. My uncle and my father both served in the US Navy right after high school. Another challenge of being the first-generation college student in my family is that my parents didn’t save any money for me to attend college. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college tuition due to not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. My ultimate goal is to take advantage of these opportunities to avoid devastating student loan debt, post college. My family raised me to be a strong-minded, driven young man, and as a result, I won’t give up on what I have set out to do over the next two and a half years of college. Being the first-generation college student of my family is quite the challenge, even though I know I’ll have my family’s support behind me. I will accomplish my goal and be the first one in my family with a Bachelor’s Degree. I won’t let myself fall under the extreme pressure and difficulties of this role, and I will strive to do my very best in college to etch my name in my family’s history as the first.

I would put the $1000 towards my tuition.

My favorite hobby is playing Minecraft. Minecraft is an incredible game. Not only is it a wide-open world fueled by creativity, survival, realism, and a unique look, but it incorporates innovation, discovery, and resourcefulness straight into its game play. Minecraft is a completely safe and inspirational game. The world of Minecraft has its own set of rules, but doesn’t go out of its way to be inherently violent or dark. The basis of the game, as the title suggests, is mining and crafting, but these two simple elements give a much deeper insight when you understand them within the laws of the game. You mine objects to craft materials that further your progress and abilities within the vast never-ending world. Once you have all the basic tools you need, you are set to begin your long journey of survival. In addition to the survival mode Minecraft also has a Creative Mode, where anything goes. Every player has complete mastery and control over a world to build whatever they like, however they’d like, with no restrictions. Gravity can be broken and players can take flight and build as high in the sky as they desire. This inspires to create the vision, without the restraints. This is how why Minecraft is my favorite hobby.

The thing that motivates me on a daily basis is success. However, the measure of success is subjective. Some people measure it by how many valuable material objects one can own in a lifetime. Having great wealth and richness is a common goal that is thought to mean someone has “made it”. People who with this mindset can’t be blamed, as years of capitalism and the concept of “The American Dream” has been burned into the mental of the masses for years. This concept is planted at birth, all through schooling, to pursuing a higher education for a degree saying you’re qualified to work a good-paying job. Eventually, you will pass and leave all your material possessions to someone you believe is worthy of the fruits of your labor. That’s the cycle of the world today. If you reach your expiration with a lot of worldly possessions to leave, that’s a general measure of you being “successful”, which is my motivation, because failure is not an option.

The most difficult part of my life is being the first-generation college student in my family. None of my grandparents ever went to college. Neither did my aunts or uncles. My family has mainly been a military-family. Both of my grandfathers and their sons went into the military. On one side, it was the Army, and on the other, the Navy. My uncle and my father both served in the United States Navy right after high school. My sister didn’t quite know what she wanted to do with her life, so she followed in our family’s footsteps and joined the US Air Force. There are many challenges that come with being a first-generation college student in my family. The big one that comes to mind is the pressure from my family. It’s the pressure of staying focused and avoiding the pitfalls of college. The pressure of not being a disappointment to everyone who aided me on my journey to college. The pressure of earning a rite of passage into adulthood, independence, and new experiences without failure. All of this can be overwhelming and cause an extreme degree of anxiousness, but my motto is failure in not an option and there is too much on the line to prevent me from being successful. The reminder of what’s on the line constantly looming overhead can discourage students and cause all the pros of college life to seem futile compared to the risk of what’s at stake upon giving up. This feeling is a very real struggle for many students, causing many to crack and drop out to avoid the risk and anxiety of college altogether. Although this struggle is understandable and has been seen time and time again, it’s the quitter’s way out, which is a path my morals and standards prevent me to take. I’ll achieve my success one way or another, and I won’t allow the emotional baggage of college weigh me down, forcing me to accept failure. Another challenge of being the first-generation college student in my family is that my parents didn’t save any money for me to attend college. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college tuition due to not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. My ultimate goal is to take advantage of these opportunities to avoid devastating student loan debt, post college. My family raised me to be a strong-minded, driven young man, and as a result, I won’t give up on what I have set out to do over the next two and a half years of college. Being the first-generation college student of my family is quite the challenge, even though I know I’ll have my family’s support behind me. I will accomplish my goal and be the first one in my family with a Bachelor’s Degree. I won’t let myself fall under the extreme pressure and difficulties of this role, and I will strive to do my very best in college to etch my name in my family’s history as the first.

Since I want to see the youth prosper, I’ve done a lot of community service involving children. I'm a member of the Church of Woodstock, and I teach Sunday School in the Elementary Ministry. I have a class of 2nd graders that I teach every Sunday morning. We always have a Bible lesson plan to review. The mission is to break it down to a comprehensive level for them. Over my years of teaching in the Elementary Ministry, I’ve seen many young children come to know Jesus and get saved, which is why I continue to serve. Through these lessons and my efforts, many children become strong in their faith, getting to know Christ, and the morals and values of Christianity as they journey through life. Over my summers, I serve at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I assist the music therapist. I set up the instruments, tend to the children when they need aid, hold up instrument cues, and take the children for a walk outside when they need to vent their frustrations. There’s a common misperception about people with special needs, and they often get overlooked, when they’re still people. They just express themselves differently. From my experiences at camp, and getting to know the children personally, I saw my efforts come to fruition as I began to realize that people like this don’t have a voice, and nobody really stands up for them. They have their unique abilities and bright attitudes that the world’s dark opinion on them is too blind to see. Now that I’m educated and enlightened on them, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I'm impacting my community all the better.

I would tell my peer that there’s a majority of people who believe that education doesn’t matter, and that college is a waste of time and money. I understand their views, for college is expensive, but the payoff is in landing a career after graduating. College isn’t for the weak-minded. Students have to be determined and driven to graduate and make their education worth the cost. People who believe that education doesn’t matter aren’t thinking about the bigger picture. They’re caught up in the present and not putting a full amount of thought into their future. These students are typically high school graduates who are burnt out and don’t want to immediately return back to school for another four years. When you put in the effort to go to college, you set yourself up for a greater chance of success in the future. In most professions, those with a degree make $1 million more in earnings across a lifespan than those without. Yearly, college graduates make around $17,500 more than those with just a high school diploma. In my opinion, striving to overcome the income gap is well worth the time and money. Higher education does matter and it’s best for your life in the long run, even though most people wouldn’t recognize it until they are on the lower end of the income spectrum. Now you don’t have to go to school to receive an education. It’s possible to educate yourself. Education is not the key to success, but it damn sure opens the doors.

I am a sophomore at Georgia Southern University, working towards my goal of becoming a screenwriter. Your Screenplay Sucks! by William M. Akers is a book I unexpectedly fell in love with. Different from the standard “textbooks” this was a lighthearted, whimsical yet invaluable book that was a literal guidebook of 100 reasons why a screenplay could be horrendous, and a way to correct each reason. It’s a very easy read, as cued in by the title, and is genuinely formatted like a checklist. The book is complete with stock scripts, examples in Hollywood, and drafts that are marked up to drive home its point on the reasons it presents. This book has not only inspired me to make the greatest scripts and screenplays possible, but the book has genuinely improved my life, teaching me to avoid the problems that plague even a lot of published works. Your Screenplay Sucks! has shown me many valuable lessons in screenwriting that have improved both the quality of my writing and my enjoyment of doing it. Incorporating lessons from the book has refined my skillset to reach a higher writing prowess necessary to get a work of mine picked up by producers and directors. The book has taught me the importance of writing about something I care about, being original, crafting a story that interests people outside of myself, picking the right main character, developing a catching title, and most importantly, having an antagonist who is the hero from their point of view. The last one resonated with me because I have witnessed many works without a compelling villain, and without that requisite, half of the dynamic of the story falters and it all falls on the protagonist to carry the slack. I have learned many inspiring lessons like these from this book.

I want to be remembered for graduating college debt free. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college tuition due to not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. My ultimate goal is to take advantage of these opportunities to avoid devastating student loan debt, post college.

1. Why do you deserve this scholarship? I need the money!! 2. What are your academic and/or career goals? To graduate and get a job, so i can make money. Thus back to question 1. I need the money!! 3. Tell me about a time you’ve overcome an obstacle. The obstacle of being the first-generation college student in my family is that my parents didn’t save any money for me to attend college. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college tuition due to not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. My ultimate goal is to take advantage of these opportunities to avoid devastating student loan debt, post college. Thus back to the original question. I need the money!!

The word “community” has evolved with time. The original connotation was more literal to define the location of where someone resides, or referred to the people in that central location. Today, community can mean a group of people that share a common identity. Community is a type of people, with common interest based on a shared characteristic. Over the years, community has come to be a group’s identity, and this change has occurred due to more events concerning different identities becoming prominent in recent times. There are many different communities of people. The Black Community, the LGBTQ+ Community, the Farmer Community, the Christian Community, etc. Recent cultural and social events have really brought out more communities than in the past century. All communities have a unanimous goal to stand for the unrepresented. The type of people who join these communities band together against an injustice towards an underrepresented or unrepresented social group. Recent events, rather positive or negative, have caused communities to increase in both size and activity. The legalization of homosexual marriage became a huge advancement point for the LGBTQ+ Community. It could be argued that it was the first step of the community being validated. The death of George Floyd caused a huge uproar on the topic of police brutality that sparked major activity, support, and discussion amongst the Black Community. It became a worldwide trending issue, due to a terrible tragedy. Protests, riots, and deaths occurred. There was such an outcry for equal justice that these communities grew because people witnessed a need for aid. They desire to see a change, and push the community’s agenda to receive that change. That is the goal of any community. Since the term community has changed to refer to a group’s identity now, people who want to build strong, healthy communities simply have to join or form one that supports a cause. From there, as long as the community gains support, and doesn’t attract hate externally or from within itself, it will grow strong and healthy. The community will be on a path to achieve their goal. Many communities have formed within the last decade, like the aforementioned Black Community. A huge driving force of that community is the Black Lives Matter Movement, which gained immerse amounts of fuel from the police brutality incident. The Special Needs Community has grown and improved as well. More people are getting degrees to be instructors and assistants to aid people with special needs. I’ve come through for the Special Needs Community, working with such instructors. Over my summers at a camp, I work with music therapists. The camp is run by a company named Triad Music, LLC. Music therapy aids special needs people in coping, responding, and expression, through the use of practicing music and instruments. The goals of these music therapists come from the overarching goal of the Special Needs Community: to aid an unrepresented and uncared for group. The Special Needs community is only uncared about because there’s a common misperception about people with special needs being inhuman, causing them to often get overlooked. However, they’re just people who express themselves differently. From my experiences at camp, and getting to know these children personally, I saw my efforts come to fruition as I began to realize that special needs people don’t have a voice, and nobody stands up for them. They have their unique abilities and bright attitudes that the world’s dark opinion on them is too blind to see. Now that I’m educated and enlightened on them, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better. This is how I came through for a community and how that experience has changed my life, as I continue to change others’.

The fearlessness of opening the door to a higher education is a struggle for a young man who grew up in a military family, but I pride myself on being the first-generation college student amongst them. All my family has been tied to the military for generations. We are a military-family. None of my grandparents ever went to college. Neither did my aunts or uncles. Both of my grandfathers and their sons went into the military. On one side, it was the Army, and on the other, the Navy. My uncle and my father both served in the United States Navy right after high school. They both became honorably discharged. My sister didn’t quite know what she wanted to do with her life, but she had no desire to go to college. Due to this, she followed in our family’s footsteps and joined the military. She’s currently on active duty in Korea, serving in the United States Air Force. While I desire to take a different path, the military has aided my personal development with discipline and respect. My father is very structured due to the military. He passed this down to me to make me a more reputable young man, saying “Yes/no sir and ma’am” and giving the utmost respect to my elders and superiors. My sister, following our family’s military legacy, is the first woman in our family serving in the Air Force. For her, the military is an occupation that she will grow and progress in until she retires. She is serving honorably and I’m extremely proud of her. Although I chose the college route, being the first college student of my family comes with many challenges. The big one that comes to mind is the pressure from my family. It’s the pressure of staying focused and avoiding the pitfalls of college. The pressure of not being a disappointment to everyone who aided me on my journey to college. The pressure of earning a rite of passage into adulthood, independence, and new experiences without failure. All of this can be overwhelming and cause an extreme degree of anxiousness, but my motto is failure in not an option and there is too much on the line to prevent me from being successful. The reminder of what’s on the line constantly looming overhead can discourage students and cause all the pros of college life to seem futile compared to the risk of what’s at stake upon giving up. This feeling is a very real struggle for many students, causing many to crack and drop out to avoid the risk and anxiety of college altogether. Although this struggle has been seen time and time again, it’s the quitter’s way out, and my morals and military upbringing will not allow me to travel that path. I’m determined to achieve success and I won’t allow the emotional baggage of college force me into accept failure. My family raised me to be a strong-minded, driven young man, and as a result, I won’t give up on what I have set out to do over the next two and a half years of college. Being the first-generation college student of my family is quite the challenge, but I will accomplish my goal and be the first one in my family with a Bachelor’s Degree. I won’t let myself fall under the extreme pressure and difficulties of this role, and I will strive to do my very best in college to etch my name in my family’s history as the fearless first who broke the mold in the pursuit of higher education.

Treat others as you would want to be treated. Its a very simple concept, as everyone wants to be treated nice and or fairly. If everyone lived by that code, the world would live in harmony. There would be no more hatred, racism, or judgement.

Since I want to see the youth prosper, I’ve done a lot of community service involving children. I teach Sunday School in the Elementary Ministry and over summer break, I work at a camp for children with special needs. I have a class of 2nd graders that I teach every Sunday morning. We always have a Bible lesson plan to review. The mission is to break it down to a comprehensive level for them. Over my years of teaching in the Elementary Ministry, I’ve seen many young children come to know Jesus and get saved. Through these lessons and my efforts, many children become strong in their faith, getting to know Christ, and the morals and values of Christianity as they journey through life. Over my summers, I serve at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I assist the music therapist. I set up the instruments, tend to the children when they need aid, hold up instrument cues, and take the children for a walk outside when they need to vent their frustrations. There’s a common misperception about people with special needs, and they often get overlooked, when they’re still people. They just express themselves differently. From my experiences at camp, and getting to know the children personally, I saw my efforts come to fruition as I began to realize that people like this don’t have a voice, and nobody really stands up for them. They have their unique abilities and bright attitudes that the world’s dark opinion on them is too blind to see. Now that I’m educated and enlightened on them, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better.

The methods to living a long healthy life may seem simple on paper, but it takes diet, exercise, and dedication to prolong a life. For starters, one must train their body to maintain homeostasis. Drastic food changes, such as going from eating meat to being vegan, will disrupt the body’s balance. If one trained themselves to ween off junk foods slowly, and intake more nutritious foods, their body would begin to regulate and accept the new eating habits, rather than going cold turkey and having the body react negatively to the new lifestyle. Consuming healthier foods with the occasional exception is one sure way to start living a better life. It’s all about moderation. Along with healthier foods in general, foods grown through organic agriculture would fare better for a healthier lifestyle. Not only does organic agriculture have more stability in the long-term than conventional agriculture, but products have higher retentive properties in nutrients and water. Natural soil that is free of chemical fertilizers, modified organisms, pesticides, and herbicides yield the best produce with healthier properties. It’s important to prioritize organic agriculture to achieve a long healthy life. Another method to living a long, healthy life is consistent exercise. It doesn’t require being a gym rat but staying active is the key to successful health. Just denying convenient ways of accomplishing tasks in exchange for tasks that involve more movement is a way to make a conscious effort to living healthily. Dependence on technology, instant gratification, and convenience have contributed to the overweight epidemic plaguing our society. Burning more calories than you take in per day is the “secret” formula to losing weight and traveling down the road of a healthy lifestyle.

My grandpa has lived with my family since I was a newborn. I believe I improves his life and much as he improved mine. During my childhood, he would always entertain me, playing with my toys, watching TV with me, or showing me cool tricks he learned over the many years of his life. He would always talk to me and teach me many valuable life lessons. He thought me what my generation would call the “old school” way of speaking to adults: Being respectful and saying “Yes sir, no sir, yes ma’am, no ma’am”. He taught me about working hard and saving now so that I could rest easy later and retire early. He told me to be a leader and not a follower as I journey through life, walking on my own path, and not following in the path of some fool. He taught me some general life skills, about tipping, talking to women and having confidence, acting where others would hesitate. He taught me that no good thing ever came easy, that nothing beats a failure but a try, and to take care of my health early to avoid worrying about it later. He instructed me to live each day as if it’s my last, and as we shared time he smiled and practiced what he preached. I'm happy that i was the one to improve his quality of life as his health declined. As I write this I will never forget my that my grandpa instilled a lot of things in me that make me who I am today. We were very close, and it was devastating when he passed at the ripe old age of 79.

Generosity should be recognized as the things people do without the intention of being reimbursed. It should be performed out of the kindness of their heart. Generosity means to give back to the community, performing acts that better the life of others around you. Due to this, I am set on giving back to my community. I am committed to this because I like to pay forward the good fortunes I have been given, setting out to return the favor to the less fortunate.

My favorite hobby is playing Minecraft. It' a wide-open world fueled by creativity, survival, realism, and a unique look, but it incorporates innovation, discovery, and resourcefulness straight into its game play. It may have been a big deal to video game fans for years, but there’s a reason why many schools have adopted it into their educational system. First, there was the Education Edition, and then schools allowed students of all ages to enjoy the positive influence of the full game. The world of Minecraft has its own set of rules, but doesn’t go out of its way to be inherently violent or dark. The basis of the game, as the title suggests, is mining and crafting, but these two simple elements give a much deeper insight when you understand them within the laws of the game. You mine objects to craft materials that further your progress and abilities within the vast never-ending world. Once you have all the basic tools you need, you are set to begin your long journey of survival. This starts with introducing a need for shelter due to various creatures that lurk in the night, just like they would in the wilderness of the real world. Creating this first shelter for protection causes students to think critically. How do they want it to look? How big does it have to be to accommodate a substantial living space and other materials? What material should it be made out of to remain sturdy? Will there be a roof you can stand on to watch the dangerous ground safely from above? Minecraft has a positive influence on education by inspiring critical thinking for career development, especially for children who desire skills in any career that involves design, such as architecture, engineering, interior design, etc. Minecraft is a critical part of education by allowing freedom of creativity and expression. In addition to the survival mode that tests a student’s wits, thinking ability, strategy, and ingenious, Minecraft also has a Creative Mode, where anything goes. Every player has complete mastery and control over a world to build whatever they like, however they’d like, with no restrictions. Gravity can be broken and players can take flight and build as high in the sky as they desire. This freedom of creativity allows any child to just experiment with building to their heart’s content. This inspires students to create whatever they envision, without the restraints of physics and reality. This is how Minecraft has a positive impact on career development. Students can play it, see which mode they enjoy the most, and then take that hobby and seek further information to assist on a career path. Minecraft is also a good influence as it encourages vital life skills, such as teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, planning, and decision-making. Due to this, students who’d like to pursue a career in something pertaining to design have had the necessary skills and exposure to further their interest.

Patience is important to me because I don’t own any amount of time. Nobody does. Everybody is on borrowed time from somewhere else. Therefore, since no time is really “mine”, why be impatient when things are happening at different rates than I expect, or I want? This is why patience is said to be a virtue. It’s a flaw if you can’t tolerate something that takes up time that isn’t even yours. Being impatient does nothing to solve the issue, and instead only increases how much you’re bothered. It’s unproductive. Reacting to something taking a long time doesn’t cause it to get done any faster. How you act doesn’t increase the speed at which something occurs. So it is pointless to be impatient. Elevating your heart rate and letting negative thoughts overtake your concentration are not worth the stress. It is better to be patient and remain level-headed and understanding, so that you don’t work yourself up over something out of your control. This is why I am always patient and calm, because everyone is using time that isn’t really theirs to begin with. We’re all living on borrowed time, so let’s at least respect each other, even when some use more than others. Complaining and hating on how long a wait is will only stir up trivial feelings. Be patient to live happier.

Interesting question! As I'm excited about automation, I'm also lurie of it. There is a common thought process that as technology evolves, humans devolve. Technology has advanced for our own convenience and there is a lot less for us to do as technology accomplishes the functions of a task that we would previously do. This thought process is not only true, but confirmable. Technology is developing rapidly, beyond what we used to deem as science fiction just three decades ago. There are no signs of technology slowing down, as convenience becomes more commonplace for humans. We will continue to accept it to diminish our efforts into daily tasks. However, the faster technology develops, the more humans are degraded. This is what automation has done to the technology-based market we have come to know. Technology decreases the number of things we do for ourselves. As it advances, technology begins to overtake jobs that would otherwise be consumed by humans. This devolves us as a society and causes a powerful economic impact. When technology evolves and allows more convenience in many career fields, physical human labor grows closer to becoming defunct. Technology is replacing human labor within the economic structure. As robots and machines get introduced into the job market, more and more people become unemployed. Robots are a one-time purchase, do not require a salary and can work for unlimited hours without a break. They eliminate the human employee and simplify a business into a streamlined process, where human error is non-existent, allowing production to consistently run at a faster pace than it did before. The general job market will become obsolete, and standard degrees will hold no value as jobs for humans will become scarce. Specialized degrees will increase drastically. People who hold such degrees in fields that cannot be eliminated by automation will find themselves in a highly competitive and limited market. Many career fields will simply become extinct due to the spread of automation. The repercussions of automation have resulted in a linear decline of human job involvement. From the worthiness of our degrees to job opportunities, technology has had a negative impact on multiple facets of human life. There are numerous occupations that workers used to excel in prior to the mainstream induction of automation into business. If things are not changed soon, the average economical condition of humans will only degenerate. In a decade, unemployment will be outrageously high and available jobs will be rare and extremely competitive. Without jobs, many would be without an income, and the circulation of money would decrease, as citizens will not have earnings to spend and buy goods. As we travel deeper into the new age, we as humans must recognize the detrimental future automation poses to us and solve the problem now as to not have a dystopian future.

To me, friendship means unwavering loyalty. Friendship goes beyond a simple acquaintanceship or dedication to someone out of obligation. You choose your friends and you know them, from the most generic aspect about them, to their deepest, personal traits. From this, you understand them, and they should know the same about you, too. It’s a mutual deep understanding of each other that makes friendship so valuable. I don’t believe that you can have many true friends. If you find yourself having many true friends, I guarantee only a handful of those would really have your back when it’s pressed up against a wall. A true friend is someone who is with you through thick and thin. They won’t abandon you when you’re at your lowest. You’ve known them for a long time, they know your history, you know their history, and they’re with you for life. If you’ve found someone that feels like an inseparable family member to you, chances are that’s a true friend, who displays their allegiance to you constantly. The effort and giving you both put into the relationship builds an unshakable foundation, and that’s what every true friendship should have. Your friend should indeed be devoted to you, however, this doesn’t mean your friend views you as an untouchable being who can do no wrong. A true friend knows you and really has a deep-rooted care for you, so they’ll tell you when you are wrong, and try their darnedest to pull you out of the mud you’ve become encased in. When counting your actual friends, focus on the small handful that would actually be there for you in a pickle, no matter what. I can name about two friends I have this with. This is what friendship means to me.

My parents wanted me to understand money at an early age. To teach me how to save, they had me put away 30% of all wages I earned. They wanted to teach me about saving money for a rainy day, and we always put these 30% amounts into an interest bearing saving account that I was not allowed to touch. They told me to never draw money out of it for something insignificant like my car breaking down, but only in extreme emergency situations, like I didn’t have somewhere to live or food to eat. I’ve been saving for as long as I’ve been receiving money, and I have the account reserved for my future to help me out on any rainy days. If anything horribly wrong occurs in my life, that emergency fund is there for me to be able to bounce back. My parents wanted me to understand money at an early age. To teach me how to save, they had me put away 30% of all wages I earned. They wanted to teach me about saving money for a rainy day, and we always put these 30% amounts into an interest bearing saving account that I was not allowed to touch. They told me to never draw money out of it for something insignificant like my car breaking down, but only in extreme emergency situations, like I didn’t have somewhere to live or food to eat. I’ve been saving for as long as I’ve been receiving money, and I have the account reserved for my future to help me out on any rainy days. If anything horribly wrong occurs in my life, that emergency fund is there for me to be able to bounce back.

My mother was born in California and lived a less-fortunate life than I live now. Her parents worked hard and provided for her the best they could, which still was not much. She decided that her kids would have a better life than she had. I am very fortunate to have a mom that I can talk to about anything. I’ve seen her work hard and sacrificed so much to put me in a Grade-A public school for an excellent education. I cannot thank her enough for the strong values she has instilled in me. My mother started college to attain a law degree, as her dream in life was to become a lawyer. Due to having my sister and I, she dropped out to work to help my dad support us. However, she never went back to finish her degree. Due to her struggles and sacrifices she is the woman that makes me who I am today. I owe her everything.

I want to win this scholarship opportunity because it will assist in accomplishing my goals and prove that I followed my heart and took the right route. For me the fearlessness of opening the door to a higher education is a struggle for a young man who grew up in a military family, but I pride myself on being the first-generation college student amongst them. The Tyde Memorial Scholarship combined with my drive, dedication, and work ethics can only equal success. The most difficult part of my life is being the first-generation college student in my family. None of my grandparents ever went to college. Neither did my aunts or uncles. My family has mainly been a military-family. Both of my grandfathers and their sons went into the military. On one side, it was the Army, and on the other, the Navy. My uncle and my father both served in the United States Navy right after high school. My sister didn’t quite know what she wanted to do with her life, but she had no desire to go to college. Due to this, she followed in our family’s footsteps and joined the military. She’s currently active duty in Korea, serving in the United States Air Force. My mother started college to attain a law degree, as her dream in life was to become a lawyer. Due to having my sister and I, she dropped out to work to be able to support my dad and the lifestyle we have. However, she never went back to finish her degree. Everyone in my family has gone into the military or went straight into the workforce. I want to have a college degree for a greater chance of earning a higher salary out the gate post-college. Another challenge of being the first-generation college student in my family is that my parents didn’t save any money for me to attend college. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college tuition due to not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. My ultimate goal is to take advantage of these opportunities to avoid beginning my career drowning in a sea of in student loan debt. Thanks to Georgia Southern University’s multimedia film & production program, I can realistically pursue my future career path. Ten years from now, after my degrees, I see myself owning my own film studio. As I progress in college, I plan to take internships at movie studios in Atlanta. While interning on set, I’ll have the opportunity to observe and study great screenwriters and directors in action and incorporate their advice to improve my work. Eventually, I will seek employment at a film company and once I have proven the caliber of my work and become successful, I’ll branch off and start my own studio, creating my own movies and living my lifelong dream. In addition, numerous movies and shows are shot in Atlanta, and by Georgia being my home state, this provides an excellent opportunity for my career to compliment my place of residency.

My grandpa has lived with my family since I was a newborn. During my childhood, he would always entertain me, playing with my toys, watching TV with me, or showing me cool tricks he learned over the many years of his life. He would always talk to me and teach me many valuable life lessons. He thought me what my generation would call the “old school” way of speaking to adults: Being respectful and saying “Yes sir, no sir, yes ma’am, no ma’am”. He taught me about working hard and saving now so that I could rest easy later and retire early. He told me to be a leader and not a follower as I journey through life, walking on my own path, and not following in the path of some fool. He taught me some general life skills, about tipping, talking to women and having confidence, acting where others would hesitate. He taught me that no good thing ever came easy, that nothing beats a failure but a try, and to take care of my health early to avoid worrying about it later. He instructed me to live each day as if it’s my last, so that I could make the most of everyday. He showed me examples of having self-awareness and empathy, because not everybody had it as good as others. He practiced having calmness, self-control, and assertiveness and passed this onto me, as they are integral and crucial life skills. The life lesson he showed me that resonated with me the most was that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. I see the reasoning behind this lesson come to fruition throughout society, especially within my peers. When I witness people exploding from anger or jumping into something without thinking it through, being rash and reckless, his teachings come to mind. There’s a reaction to every action, so everyone must treat each word with caution and think through their actions before they follow through on them. My grandpa instilled a lot of things in me that make me who I am today. We were very close, and it was devastating when he passed at the ripe old age of 79.

Over my summers, I serve at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I assist the music therapist. I set up the instruments, hold up cues, and assist the children when they need to vent their frustrations. There’s a common misperception about people with special needs, and they often get overlooked. They’re still people, they just express themselves differently. The goal of Triad Music was to right this wrong and host a summer camp for these children, and this was a goal I was honored to be supporting. After getting to know the children personally, I saw my efforts come to fruition as I began to realize that people like this don’t have a voice or anybody to stand up for them. They have their unique abilities and bright attitudes that the world’s dark opinion of them is too blind to see. Now that I’m enlightened myself, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better, through aiding the unrepresented and uncared for.

My future goal is to educate myself on finances. Being financially literate is important to me because we as Americans are born, attend educational institutions for schooling, join the working class, and retire living the American Dream off our nest egg of retirement, doing as we like. At least this is the standard set by our forefathers, but lamentably, not everybody achieves this idealistic standard. People may work their entire life, only to get to the end of the road, with no money, no retirement funds, and no means of survival. This is due to many Americans spending every dollar and being uneducated about the methods of saving and investing. This obliviousness may not be each citizen’s fault, as it depends on how they were raised and taught, but I refuse to live in this ignorance of living paycheck to paycheck, and embrace the financial knowledge required to escape it. To avoid this pitfall, I’m constantly submitting applications for available scholarships. In addition to my goal of becoming financially literate, I aim to graduate without drowning in a sea of debt, for a greater chance of investing my salary, post-college.

Hello my name is DJ. I'm named after my father and I'm a first generation college student. By being the first-generation college student in my family, I’ve overcome the fact that my parents didn’t save any money for me to attend college. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college tuition due to having to keep food on the table, and not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I’m extremely persistent in seeking all possible scholarship funding available to me.

By being the first-generation college student in my family, I’ve overcome the fact that my parents didn’t save any money for me to attend college. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college tuition due to having to keep food on the table, and not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I’m extremely persistent in seeking all possible scholarship funding available to me. College tuition is outrageously high nowadays, to the point that some people are still paying their college tuition well into their 50s, years past earning their degree and having a career. Only the rich can afford to pay for a debt-free college education, and then continue making money right out the gate with a successful career. While the average person will come out of college with crushing debt that they will still have to pay, far into their old age. Due to my insistence, I want to avoid this pitfall when beginning y career. My parents, while excellent providers, have told me since I could comprehend it: They don’t have any money saved up for me to go to college. When planning for my future, I have always desired to attend college, so my parents encouraged me to excel in school to get scholarships and grant funding for my education. My persistence in seeking scholarship funding is a continuous journey, as I want to education myself and begin my career without drowning in a sea of debt. Being the first-generation college student of my family is another obstacle to overcome, but I'm very persistent and I will accomplish my goal and be the first one in my family with a Bachelor’s Degree.

What inspires me to keep going is my dedication to success. The main key to success is financial freedom, therefore constantly educating myself on finances. Being financially literate is important to me because we as Americans are born, attend educational institutions for schooling, join the working class, and retire living the American Dream off our nest egg of retirement, doing as we like. At least this is the standard set by our forefathers, but lamentably, not everybody achieves this idealistic standard. People may work their entire life, only to get to the end of the road, with no money, no retirement funds, and no means of survival. This is due to many Americans spending every dollar and being uneducated about the methods of saving and investing. This obliviousness may not be each citizen’s fault, as it depends on how they were raised and taught, but I refuse to live in this ignorance of living paycheck to paycheck, and embrace the financial knowledge required to escape it. To avoid this pitfall, I’m constantly submitting applications for available scholarships. In addition to my goal of becoming financially literate, I aim to graduate without drowning in a sea of debt, for a greater chance of investing my salary, post-college.

It has been my aspiration to learn the studies of engineering. I am convinced that there is no better place to continue my studies in the field of engineering than an accredited University with a stellar reputation for success. My years of academic success and excellence have prepared me for preeminence at a university. In my junior year of high school, I was awarded the Academic Letter of Woodstock High School, an honor achievable by consecutively keeping your GPA above a 3.0 throughout your high school career. I have maintained a 3.4+ GPA throughout my entire academic career, and pushed myself to achieve academic excellence in Honors and Advanced Placement classes. I have participated in many clubs and other activities outside of my academic achievements, sharpening my social, teamwork, and leadership skills. I am a member of the Technology Student Association (TSA), where I have worked in a team environment on STEM-related projects, practicing first-hand engineering. I am a member of the Latin Club, where we keep Latin culture alive in our modern civilization. I am also the President of the Video Game Club, a club where many students that are well-versed in gaming history bond over the skillful and competitive nature of video games. I want to leave behind a legacy of making a good change or advancement on this world while I inhabit it. I want to invent something that will revolutionize technology and provide more convenience to life. After I’m gone, I want to be remembered for the invention I brought into the world and how it’s changed the world as we know it. I want to be up there with the significant inventors who brought change to the world such as Nikola Tesla, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington Carver, Henry Ford, and Leonardo da Vinci. They all left amazing legacies by how they revolutionized the world with that they created, and I strive to accomplish this. There’s a lot of technology that hasn’t been developed or perfected yet. Hovering cars, autonomous bodies, advanced AIs, wireless battery transfer, etc. It is my desire to invent such technology and leave behind my legacy. As an engineer, I want to become prosperous from my invention, and for my bloodline to be widely-recognized long after I’m gone. After becoming prosperous from my invention, I’ll teach my offspring how to maintain the family name and our generational wealth, keeping the family affluent for futures to come. They won’t have to do something renowned or invent something else to keep our success going. It can all flourish off of my invention, and if I financially educate my offspring, they can financially educate their children and so on. I’ll educate them on saving, investing, and the importance of credit, so that my future family can be financially stable for generations. This is the legacy I desire to leave.

The one thing that give me hope that the future will be better is children. Therefore, most of my community service involves the youth. I am a member of the First Baptist Church of Woodstock, and for seven years, I taught Sunday School in the Elementary Ministry. I had a class of 2nd graders that I taught every Sunday morning. Over my years of teaching, I saw many of those young children become strong in their faith, getting to know Christ and the values of Christianity. The impact of my service is unmatched, and it was rewarding to aid those children through their walks with the Lord. Before I departed for college, I encouraged the children to come back and be leaders in the Elementary Ministry. This way, they can influence their students to become leaders too, and my service can continue giving. Over my summers, I serve at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I assist the music therapist. I set up instruments, tend to the children when they need aid, hold up instrument cues, and take the children for a walk when they need to vent their frustrations. There’s a common misperception about people with special needs being inhuman, causing them to often get overlooked. However, they’re just people who express themselves differently. From my experiences at camp, and getting to know these children personally, I saw my efforts come to fruition as I began to realize that special needs people don’t have a voice, and nobody stands up for them. They have their unique abilities and bright attitudes that the world’s dark opinion on them is too blind to see. Now that I’m educated and enlightened on them, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better. In the famous words of the late great Whitney Houston, I believe that children are the future.

It has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting since I was a youth. I am currently attending Georgia Southern University, and plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s, and then progress to a Master’s in screenwriting. I dream of becoming a screenwriter and director to produce revolutionary films that make huge strides in the entertainment industry. My academic history aligns with my long-term career goal, displayed through the pathways I have pursued throughout my education. Throughout my high school career, I’ve chosen Honors and Advanced Placement Literature classes where I learned college-level writing and analysis of text, to break down the elements of what enhances a piece of work to achieve greatness. I also attended a Video Broadcasting class as an elective. This really solidified my interest as I learned the trades of cameras, filming, and editing. My educational support of writing and film has enhanced my abilities and passion, cementing my assurance in my future career. As an extracurricular activity at my school, I joined the Georgia Technology Student Association (TSA), in which we work in teams on many engineering-related projects to compete against other schools on which product is better. I’ve been a member of Georgia TSA since my Freshman year. As a Senior, I went to the State Leadership Conference for the first time and had my project place as a finalist! My peers and I all had to develop a video game, and I crafted the story of the game. Seeing it enjoyed by judges and an audience of players is confirming evidence that I will be successful at screenwriting. Over the years, I’ve also had numerous experiences with displaying my writing skills. I’ve won numerous writing contests that I’ve submitted stories to and have been honored for my above-average writing prowess, since elementary school. I entered a writing contest to become one of the 100 winners of Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine’s Disney Dreamer’s Academy, which earned me an all-expenses paid trip to Disney with the opportunity to meet Mr. Steve Harvey. Even outside my academic excellence in writing, I’ve had extraordinary success in my regular academics as well. In my junior year of high school, I was awarded the Academic Letter of Woodstock High, an honor achievable by consecutively keeping your GPA above a 3.0 throughout your high school career. In my senior year, I was awarded the Woodstock High Lamp of Knowledge for continuing the same achievement. Thanks to Georgia Southern University’s multimedia film & production program, I can realistically pursue my future career path. Ten years from now, after my degrees, I see myself owning my own film studio. As I progress in college, I plan to take internships at movie studios in Atlanta. While interning on set, I’ll have the opportunity to observe and study great screenwriters and directors in action and incorporate their advice to improve my work. Eventually, I will seek employment at a film company and once I have proven the caliber of my work and become successful, I’ll branch off and start my own studio, creating my own movies and living my lifelong dream. In addition, numerous movies and shows are shot in Atlanta, and by Georgia being my home state, this provides an excellent opportunity for my career to compliment my place of residency.

It has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting since I was a youth. I am currently attending Georgia Southern University, and plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s, and then progress to a Master’s in screenwriting. I dream of becoming a screenwriter and director to produce revolutionary films that make huge strides in the entertainment industry. My education especially has contributed to this lifelong goal I’ve had for as long as I can remember. Thanks to Georgia Southern University’s multimedia film & production program, I can realistically pursue my future career path. Ten years from now, after my degrees, I see myself owning my own film studio. As I progress in college, I plan to take internships at movie studios in Atlanta. While interning on set, I’ll have the opportunity to observe and study great screenwriters and directors in action and incorporate their advice to improve my work. Eventually, I will seek employment at a film company and once I have proven the caliber of my work and become successful, I’ll branch off and start my own studio, creating my own movies and living my lifelong dream. In addition, numerous movies and shows are shot in Atlanta, and by Georgia being my home state, this provides an excellent opportunity for my career to compliment my place of residency.

A way I am committed to my community is through leading the youth. I have a class of 2nd graders that I teach for 1.5 hours every Sunday. We always have a lesson plan to review, each usually focusing on a Bible story. The mission is to break it down onto a comprehensive level for them. We have the lesson and a correlated game with it, to help the children retain what they learned. We also have snacks, and then some free time to allow them to release some energy. Over my years of teaching in the Elementary Ministry, I’ve seen many of these young children come to know Jesus and get saved, which is why I continue to serve. It’s an outcome of my service that I am always welcomed to see. Through these lessons and my efforts, many children become strong in their faith, getting to know Christ, and the morals and values of Christianity as they journey through life. The impact of my service is unmatched, and it’s rewarding to be aiding these children through their walks with the Lord. It is comforting to know that they benefit from my contribution. Since I wish to see this benefit continue on into the future, I encourage the children to come back and be leaders in the Elementary Ministry. This way, they can influence their students to become leaders too, and my service can continue giving.

Being American to me means legacy. Legacy doesn’t simply mean leaving material items to someone when you pass. To me, legacy means leaving behind your belongings, life earnings, lessons taught, knowledge, and your mark on the world for all of history to come. To leave a legacy, you must have an everlasting influence on the world that continues once you depart. This is what I want my legacy to be. I don’t just want to have money to leave behind for my family, but I want to have a permanent impact on the world that will last until the end of time. There are different kinds of valuable legacies. There are legacies that pass down all material gain to the offspring, giving the family good fortunes to last down the line. There are legacies that bring a family’s name into the spotlight, giving all members within the family fame that lasts unto the future to come. There are infamous legacies that condemn whole bloodlines, alarming people to fear anyone related to it. There are legacies that leave wise words and advice to anyone seeking it. Lastly, there are legacies that leave a change on the world, and will be constantly brought up and discussed throughout history. I want to leave behind a legacy of making a good change or advancement on this world while I inhabit it.

The best financial advice ever received was from my wise ole man. My dad voluntold me to become financially literate. Therefore, being financially literate is important to me because we as Americans are born, attend educational institutions for schooling, join the working class, and retire living the American Dream off our nest egg of retirement, doing as we like. At least this is the standard set by our forefathers, but lamentably, not everybody achieves this idealistic standard. People may work their entire life, only to get to the end of the road, with no money, no retirement funds, and no means of survival. This is due to many Americans spending every dollar and being uneducated about the methods of saving. This obliviousness may not be each citizen’s fault, as it depends on how they were raised and taught, but I refuse to live in this ignorance of living paycheck to paycheck, and embrace the financial knowledge that was bestowed upon me.

It has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting since I was a youth. I am currently attending Georgia Southern University, and plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s, and then progress to a Master’s in screenwriting. I dream of becoming a screenwriter and director to produce revolutionary films that make huge strides in the entertainment industry. My education has contributed to who I am today by providing me with an environment that I could use to my full advantage. My school was full of opportunities, and I jumped at those chances. School provided many open subjects and methods to find an interest in, and it really aided me in exploring my passion and solidifying my goals in film and screenwriting. It shaped me into the successful student I am today and introduced me to some great comrades along the way who are like-minded individuals on the same journey. Thanks to Georgia Southern University’s multimedia film & production program, I can realistically pursue my future career path. Ten years from now, after my degrees, I see myself owning my own film studio. As I progress in college, I plan to take internships at movie studios in Atlanta. While interning on set, I’ll have the opportunity to observe and study great screenwriters and directors in action and incorporate their advice to improve my work. Eventually, I will seek employment at a film company and once I have proven the caliber of my work and become successful, I’ll branch off and start my own studio, creating my own movies and living my lifelong dream. In addition, numerous movies and shows are shot in Atlanta, and by Georgia being my home state, this provides an excellent opportunity for my career to compliment my place of residency.

When preparing for a test, I take it seriously and approach it with the best mindset. Being stressed, under-prepared, or even hungry can offset the best test score I could potentially receive. Since I always strive to achieve a score to the best of my ability, I have developed many astounding test preparation habits. When preparing for a test, I study weekly and work on online practice tests for the upcoming exam. Doing at least four practices every week ensures that the material remains in my brain. This method of studying is the main and most helpful one, as it constantly reviews the information on the test, getting me used to the forthcoming material. Another method I use to prepare for an upcoming test is to get plenty of rest before it. Being tired while taking a test can hinder neurotic function and blur words that you need to read. If you fall asleep during a test, you may not even finish it, leaving a horde of answers blank. I like to get a full 8-10 hours of sleep the night before a test. Being well-rested and ready to test puts you in the right mindset to become a successful. The last method I use to prepare for a test is to start the day of the exam with a hearty breakfast. Doing anything on an empty stomach ruins your ability to focus. I like to have a healthy breakfast consisting of a protein, fruit, and one sugary food to keep me going. Eating prior to a test gives you the energy you need to make it through its entirety, but not enough to crash you, like an energy drink. These preparation practices aid me in achieving academic success.

It has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting since I was a youth. I am currently attending Georgia Southern University, and plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s, and then progress to a Master’s in screenwriting. I dream of becoming a screenwriter and director to produce revolutionary films that make huge strides in the entertainment industry. My education has contributed to who I am today by providing me with an environment that I could use to my full advantage. My school was full of opportunities, and I jumped at those chances. School provided many open subjects and methods to find an interest in, and it really aided me in exploring my passion and solidifying my goals in film and screenwriting. It shaped me into the successful student I am today and introduced me to some great comrades along the way who are like-minded individuals on the same journey. Thanks to Georgia Southern University’s multimedia film & production program, I can realistically pursue my future career path. Ten years from now, after my degrees, I see myself owning my own film studio. As I progress in college, I plan to take internships at movie studios in Atlanta. While interning on set, I’ll have the opportunity to observe and study great screenwriters and directors in action and incorporate their advice to improve my work. Eventually, I will seek employment at a film company and once I have proven the caliber of my work and become successful, I’ll branch off and start my own studio, creating my own movies and living my lifelong dream. In addition, numerous movies and shows are shot in Atlanta, and by Georgia being my home state, this provides an excellent opportunity for my career to compliment my place of residency.

By being the first-generation college student in my family, I’ve overcome the fact that my parents didn’t save any money for me to attend college. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college tuition due to having to keep food on the table, and not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I’m extremely persistent in seeking all possible scholarship funding available to me. College tuition is outrageously high nowadays, to the point that some people are still paying their college tuition well into their 50s, years past earning their degree and having a career. Only the rich can afford to pay for a debt-free college education, and then continue making money right out the gate with a successful career. While the average person will come out of college with crushing debt that they will still have to pay, far into their old age. Due to my insistence, I want to avoid this pitfall when beginning my career. My parents, while excellent providers, have told me since I could comprehend it: They don’t have any money saved up for me to go to college. When planning for my future, I have always desired to attend college, so my parents encouraged me to excel in school to get scholarships and grant funding for my education. My persistence in seeking scholarship funding is a continuous journey, as I want to education myself and begin my career without drowning in a sea of debt. Being the first-generation college student of my family is another obstacle to overcome, but I'm very persistent and I will accomplish my goal and be the first one in my family with a Bachelor’s Degree.

There are many reasons why I’ve run short on hope in humanity lately. Conflict, methods of handling a global pandemic, political bickering, social justice wars, civil unrest, the list goes on. The one that gets me the most is the highest, most crucial issue of them all. Being told what I can and can’t watch. When did things intended for “Everyone” become labeled as “kid stuff” or “baby stuff”? Can’t a man watch shows of his choosing in peace? This is an issue that’s plagued me more than any other issue this past year, and I’m sick of it. So, I’m going to break down the argument of why I watch what I watch. And I know the cliché “They’re not dolls, they’re action figures”, but unlike that baseless claim, I have legitimate, good reasoning behind my argument. First off, why do people believe that animation and cartoons are a lower form of entertainment? What caused this way of thinking? Animation is just a media used to tell a story. Being drawn or put together on a computer doesn’t make any piece of animation any less compelling at storytelling than a live-action show or movie. This is proven by a time like World War II, where cartoons were being used to sway the support of citizens. Cartoons were used to sell war bonds, create positive and negative propaganda, convince people to enlist, and more during wartime. They were targeted at adults, not children. Did this make people disregard it as nonsensical child entertainment? No, they watched these cartoons and saw the adult themes and present issues that they portrayed. This further proves that animation is just a media used to tell a story. In addition to that, there’s adult cartoons. A glance from a typical adult will deem that these cartoons are safe for their children to watch, but people who are actual fans of these cartoons know that they’re anything but. Because something is simply animated, it must be “for kids”, and I find this to be a big issue. It doesn’t make it any less mature because it’s colorful and drawn. Our society would have you believe otherwise. What bothers me the most is when people bring their views upon me. I’m an adult man, and I can watch what I’d like to watch. So what if I want to go see the newest Disney movie out? So what if I want to binge DuckTales? Last I checked, cartoons being for “everyone” meant being “for everyone”, not “for children and look down upon those who aren’t children and desire to watch this”. Because live-action shows have cussing in every sentence, and gore and murder, that makes it “mature”? If so, then people can keep their “mature” shows. I’ll stick with my animated shows with profound insights, philosophies on change, and questions about the purpose of working day to day to achieve a well-paying job and then being a slave to a system for the rest of your life.

The methods to living a long healthy life may seem simple on paper, but it takes diet, exercise, and dedication to prolong a life. For starters, one must train their body to maintain homeostasis. Drastic food changes, such as going from eating meat to being vegan, will disrupt the body’s balance. If one trained themselves to ween off junk foods slowly, and intake more nutritious foods, their body would begin to regulate and accept the new eating habits, rather than going cold turkey and having the body react negatively to the new lifestyle. Consuming healthier foods with the occasional exception is one sure way to start living a better life. It’s all about moderation. Along with healthier foods in general, foods grown through organic agriculture would fare better for a healthier lifestyle. Not only does organic agriculture have more stability in the long-term than conventional agriculture, but products have higher retentive properties in nutrients and water. Natural soil that is free of chemical fertilizers, modified organisms, pesticides, and herbicides yield the best produce with healthier properties. It’s important to prioritize organic agriculture to achieve a long healthy life. Another method to living a long, healthy life is consistent exercise. It doesn’t require being a gym rat but staying active is the key to successful health. Just denying convenient ways of accomplishing tasks in exchange for tasks that involve more movement is a way to make a conscious effort to living healthily. Dependence on technology, instant gratification, and convenience have contributed to the overweight epidemic plaguing our society. Burning more calories than you take in per day is the “secret” formula to losing weight and traveling down the road of a healthy lifestyle.

I almost jeopardized my ability for academic success once. If I could have one “do-over” in life, it would be my freshman year of high school. Even though in the beginning of my freshman year, the educational institution held assemblies that stressed the importance of starting the high school year strong, I apparently took these warnings with a grain of salt. In what should’ve been an easy year to accomplish straight A’s, I almost tossed all my academic success down the drain by focusing on pretty girls and video games. I was literally lowering my academic standards by allowing my grades to fall by the wayside. In subjects like Algebra and Biology, my grades slipped down to becoming C’s. This isn’t the usual standard I hold for myself, as I always strive to be above passing. When I actually became aware of these grades it was near the end of the school year, and with the “uninvited help” of my parents I had to work extremely hard to bring up my grades. I had one A, two C’s, and the rest were B’s. This was a disappointing moment for me, when I realized how far I had let my grades slip. In a difficult clutch, I pulled one of my C’s up to a B, and my B’s up to A’s. If I could have a do-over, I would redo the freshman year coming out the gate strong, putting my best foot forward in every subject and receiving straight A’s.

My experience with mental health has gone unnoticed, but it was a significant impact in the grand scheme of things. I saved a life. For the sake of anonymity in this essay, I shall call my friend "Jake". We met in class and I found out that we had the same major, lived in the same Residence Hall, and shared the same interests. Soon we were getting lunch, hanging out, and playing games together. When my birthday came around in September, he introduced me to his friends, and they offered to take me out for my birthday. They took me to dinner and I had a great time getting to know all of them. After that night of fun, I didn't hear from Jake nor any of his friends for a long time. It was nearing Halloween, and I was wondering what had happened, as everything seemed to have gone quiet. I didn't see Jake in class, and eventually I grew worried. One day, I needed to get supplies from Walmart for my dorm, and had no other source of a ride. I thought I'd text Jake, and to my surprise, he responded. I met him at his dorm and he took me to Walmart. I inquired about not seeing him for a while, and he informed me that he was in a really tough spot and was depressed. From social issues with friends, to grades, he was having suicidal thoughts. I asked him if he wanted to talk about it, but he opted not to share. After I got my supplies and he dropped me off at my dorm, I made an effort to speak with him every day, to the point that he said that I'm welcomed at his dorm any time. I began to visit often to check in on him and be a sounding board as he vented about his problems. Often, he would speak with his mother via speaker phone and told her what was going on, and all three of us would talk together to work through his issues. Eventually, his mother and I convinced him to go to the Counseling Center. I went with him to ensure he had support and some sense of comfortability during counseling. He was soon taken to be counseled in confidentiality, and when he returned, I walked him back to his dorm. He told me that counseling really helped, and he wanted to continue the sessions. I kept up the support as he kept going to talk to his therapist at the Counseling Center. His mood and mindset really improved, and he got his head back in the game with his grades. After a few weeks of these sessions, Jake thanked me for being there for him, and concluded that he no longer felt suicidal, and now wanted to restore the damage he had done to the beginning of his college career before it was irreversible. I helped him with his studies and we worked together on the classes we shared. I helped him make his schedule for following semester and Jake and his mother thanked me for everything and for being there with him through a difficult time. With my support and tutoring sessions, Jake passed all his classes before school let out for the holidays. Although my contribution may not have been on display for everyone to witness, I'm comfortable knowing my good deed had an astounding effect on a fellow student. Although Jake and I do not share any classes this semester, we remain good friends to this day.

At the age of 11, my family and I were playing Scrabble. Now I’ve always been a champion of words, acing any spelling test that dare challenge me! I’ve even been in the spelling bee every year, although I’ve never won. Long story short, I can hold my own in a simple game of Scrabble. I drew the letter Q and began to formulate the perfect strategy to use the tricky letter and declare victory over my inferior family. The opportunity presented itself where I could use all of my letters and I triumphantly slammed REQUEEN down on the board, smug and ready to count the points. Unfortunately, my victory was short-lived. My jealous family all looked at the board and said, “Define requeen!” I, being the articulator that I am, gave a perfectly logical explanation: If a queen gets dethroned, but then comes back into power, she is requeened. My family of comedians burst into laughter and challenged my word. I had no worries though, as I knew my genius would not fail me, and requeen would be bold in the dictionary, shining like the requeened woman that earned back her crown. As my father consulted with Webster, requeen was nowhere to be found. I felt tears welling up in my eyes as I was betrayed, not only by my family, but by Webster as well. I quit the game that very moment, and vowed to never play Scrabble again for as long as I shall live. True story!

The word “community” has evolved with time. The original connotation was more literal to define the location of where someone resides, or referred to the people in that central location. Today, community can mean a group of people that share a common identity and interest. Over the years, community has grown to be a group’s identity, due to different identities becoming prominent in recent times. There are many different communities of people. The Black Community, the LGBTQ+ Community, the Farmer Community, the Christian Community, etc. Recent cultural and social events have really brought out more communities than in the past. All communities have a unanimous goal to stand for the unrepresented. These communities band together against an injustice towards an underrepresented or unrepresented social group. Recent events, rather positive or negative, have caused communities to increase in both size and activity. The legalization of homosexual marriage became a huge advancement point for the LGBTQ+ Community. It could be argued that it was the first step of the community being validated. The death of George Floyd caused a huge uproar on the topic of police brutality that sparked major activity, support, and discussion amongst the Black Community. It became a worldwide trending issue, due to a terrible tragedy. Protests, riots, and deaths occurred. There was such an outcry for equal justice that these communities grew because people witnessed a need for aid. They desire to see a change, and push the community’s agenda to receive that change. That is the goal of any community. Since the term community has changed to refer to a group’s identity now, people who want to build strong, healthy communities simply have to join or form one that supports a cause. From there, as long as the community gains support, and doesn’t attract hate externally or from within itself, it will grow strong and healthy. The community will be on a path to achieve their goal. Many communities have formed within the last decade, like the aforementioned Black Community. A huge driving force of that community is the Black Lives Matter Movement, which gained immerse amounts of fuel from the police brutality incident. The Special Needs Community has grown and improved as well. More people are getting degrees to be instructors and assistants to aid people with special needs. I’ve come through for the Special Needs Community, working with such instructors. Over my summers at a camp, I work with music therapists. The camp is run by a company named Triad Music, LLC. Music therapy aids special needs people in coping, responding, and expression, through the use of practicing music and instruments. The goals of these music therapists come from the overarching goal of the Special Needs Community: to aid an unrepresented and uncared for group. The Special Needs community is only uncared about because there’s a common misperception about people with special needs being inhuman, causing them to often get overlooked. However, they’re just people who express themselves differently. From my experiences at camp, and getting to know these children personally, I saw my efforts come to fruition as I began to realize that special needs people don’t have a voice, and nobody stands up for them. They have their unique abilities and bright attitudes that the world’s dark opinion on them is too blind to see. Now that I’m educated and enlightened on them, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better. This is how I came through for a community and how that experience has changed my life, as I continue to change others.

It has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting since I was a youth. I am currently attending Georgia Southern University, and plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s, and then progress to a Master’s in screenwriting. I dream of becoming a screenwriter and director to produce revolutionary films that make huge strides in the entertainment industry. My education especially has contributed to this lifelong goal I’ve had for as long as I can remember. Thanks to Georgia Southern University’s multimedia film & production program, I can realistically pursue my future career path. Ten years from now, after my degrees, I see myself owning my own film studio. As I progress in college, I plan to take internships at movie studios in Atlanta. While interning on set, I’ll have the opportunity to observe and study great screenwriters and directors in action and incorporate their advice to improve my work. Eventually, I will seek employment at a film company and once I have proven the caliber of my work and become successful, I’ll branch off and start my own studio, creating my own movies and living my lifelong dream. In addition, numerous movies and shows are shot in Atlanta, and by Georgia being my home state, this provides an excellent opportunity for my career to compliment my place of residency.

It has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting since I was a youth. I am currently attending Georgia Southern University, and plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s. I dream of becoming a screenwriter and director to produce revolutionary films that make huge strides in the entertainment industry. Giving back to the community is a significant virtue everyone should keep in mind as they achieve their dreams. Even though I want to share my productions with the rest of the world, there’s greater things the world needs to be given. Fortune doesn’t smile upon everyone equally. Some people had greater chances of success due to the opportunities they were presented. Others got successful by working hard and beating all the odds. These people are typically the type that will give back to the community because they understand what it’s like on the other side of the economic spectrum. Since I want to see the youth prosper, I’ve done a lot of community service involving children. I am a member of First Baptist Church of Woodstock, and every Sunday, I teach Sunday School in the Elementary Ministry. I have been a leader in the church since 6th grade. I always have a Bible lesson plan to review with my 2nd graders. The mission is to break it down to a comprehensive level for them. Over my years of teaching in the Elementary Ministry, I’ve seen many young children come to know Jesus and get saved, which is why I continue to serve. Over my summers, I work at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I assist the music therapist. I set up the instruments, tend to the children when they need aid, hold up instrument cues, and take the children for a walk outside when they need to vent their frustrations. There’s a common misperception about people with special needs, and they often get overlooked, when they’re still people. They just express themselves differently. From my experiences at camp, and getting to know the children personally, I saw my efforts come to fruition as I began to realize that special needs people don’t have a voice, and nobody really stands up for them. They have their unique abilities and bright attitudes that the world’s dark opinion on them is too blind to see. Now that I’m educated and enlightened on them, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better. A service I would love to do is donating to efforts of reconstructing run-down neighborhoods. Growing up, my parents worked hard to provide a better life for me than they had. I am very fortunate to have such hard-working parents that want me to succeed. They have sacrificed so much to ensure that I received an excellent education to reach the goals I’m striving for. Since I know that many children don’t have this same opportunity due to their environment and parentage, I want to donate money to reconstruction efforts of low-income neighborhoods. My parents, teachers, and family have been supportive of me and my education, but also raised me not to be ignorant to the less fortunate. I believe they instilled this in me so that I would never turn a blind eye to those in need. I will continue to give back to the community, no matter how successful I get. It’s a virtue I hold myself to.

I'm passionate about educating myself on finances. Being financially literate is important to me because we as Americans are born, attend educational institutions for schooling, join the working class, and retire living the American Dream off our nest egg of retirement, doing as we like. At least this is the standard set by our forefathers, but lamentably, not everybody achieves this idealistic standard. People may work their entire life, only to get to the end of the road, with no money, no retirement funds, and no means of survival. This is due to many Americans spending every dollar and being uneducated about the methods of saving and investing. This obliviousness may not be each citizen’s fault, as it depends on how they were raised and taught, but I refuse to live in this ignorance of living paycheck to paycheck, and embrace the financial knowledge required to escape it. To avoid this pitfall, I’m constantly submitting applications for available scholarships. In addition to my passion of becoming financially literate, I aim to graduate without drowning in a sea of debt, for a greater chance of investing my salary, post-college.

My future goal is to educate myself on finances. Being financially literate is important to me because we as Americans are born, attend educational institutions for schooling, join the working class, and retire living the American Dream off our nest egg of retirement, doing as we like. At least this is the standard set by our forefathers, but lamentably, not everybody achieves this idealistic standard. People may work their entire life, only to get to the end of the road, with no money, no retirement funds, and no means of survival. This is due to many Americans spending every dollar and being uneducated about the methods of saving and investing. This obliviousness may not be each citizen’s fault, as it depends on how they were raised and taught, but I refuse to live in this ignorance of living paycheck to paycheck, and embrace the financial knowledge required to escape it. To avoid this pitfall, I’m constantly submitting applications for available scholarships. In addition to my goal of becoming financially literate, I aim to graduate without drowning in a sea of debt, for a greater chance of investing my salary, post-college.

Legacy doesn’t simply mean leaving material items to someone when you pass. To me, legacy means leaving behind your belongings, life earnings, lessons taught, knowledge, and your mark on the world for all of history to come. To leave a legacy, you must have an everlasting influence on the world that continues once you depart. This is what I want my legacy to be. I want to have a permanent impact on the world that will last until the end of time. There are different kinds of valuable legacies. There are legacies that pass down all material gain to the offspring, giving the family good fortunes to last down the line. There are legacies that bring a family’s name into the spotlight, giving all members within the family fame that lasts unto the future to come. There are infamous legacies that condemn whole bloodlines, alarming people to fear anyone related to it. There are legacies that leave wise words and advice to anyone seeking it. Lastly, there are legacies that leave a change on the world, and will be constantly brought up and discussed throughout history. I want to leave behind a legacy of making a good change or advancement on this world while I inhabit it. I want to invent something that will revolutionize technology and provide more convenience to life. After I’m gone, I want to be remembered for the invention I brought into the world and how it’s changed the world as we know it. I want to be up there with the significant inventors who brought change to the world such as Nikola Tesla, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington Carver, Henry Ford, and Leonardo da Vinci. They all left amazing legacies by how they revolutionized the world with that they created, and I strive to accomplish this.

Over my summers, I serve at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I assist the music therapist. I set up the instruments, tend to the children when they need aid, hold up instrument cues, and take the children for a walk outside when they need to vent their frustrations. There’s a common misperception about people with special needs, and they often get overlooked, when they’re still people. They just express themselves differently. From my experiences at camp, and getting to know the children personally, I saw my efforts come to fruition as I began to realize that people like this don’t have a voice, and nobody really stands up for them. They have their unique abilities and bright attitudes that the world’s dark opinion on them is too blind to see. Now that I’m educated and enlightened on them, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better.

The most difficult part of my life is being the first-generation college student in my family. None of my grandparents ever went to college. Neither did my aunts or uncles. My family has mainly been a military-family. Both of my grandfathers and their sons went into the military. On one side, it was the Army, and on the other, the Navy. My uncle and my father both served in the Navy right after high school. My sister didn’t quite know what she wanted to do with her life, but she had no desire to go to college. Due to this, she followed in our family’s footsteps and joined the military. She’s currently active duty in Korea, serving in the Air Force. There are many challenges that come with being a first-generation college student in my family. The big one that comes to mind is the pressure from my family. It’s the pressure of staying focused and avoiding the pitfalls of college. The pressure of not being a disappointment to everyone who aided me on my journey. The pressure of earning a rite of passage into adulthood, independence, and new experiences without failure. All of this can be overwhelming and cause an extreme degree of anxiousness, but my motto is failure in not an option. The reminder of what’s on the line constantly looming overhead can discourage students and cause all the pros of college life to seem futile compared to the risk of what’s at stake upon giving up. This feeling is a very real struggle for many students, causing many to crack and drop out to avoid the risk and anxiety of college altogether. Although this struggle is understandable and has been seen time and time again, it’s the quitter’s way out, which is a path my morals and standards prevent me to take. I’ll achieve my success one way or another, and I won’t allow the emotional baggage of college weigh me down, forcing me to accept failure. Since neither of my parents finished at a university, they don’t know how much has changed and how much more vigorous it is to obtain the degree. They won’t be able to aid me in my rigorous courses and won’t be there to give me constraints on my academic and social life. The freedom of college comes at the cost of my own judgement, and in being a first-generation college student in my family, this is vital. I will overcome this by being responsible and managing my academic and social life, with a healthy balance of both. Another challenge of being the first-generation college student in my family is that my parents didn’t save any money for me to attend college. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college tuition due to not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. My ultimate goal is to take advantage of these opportunities to avoid devastating student loan debt, post college. My family raised me to be a strong-minded, driven young man, and as a result, I won’t give up on what I have set out to do over the next two and a half years of college. Being the first-generation college student of my family is quite the challenge, even though I know I’ll have my family’s support behind me. I will accomplish my goal and be the first one in my family with a Bachelor’s Degree.

Due to recent events, circumstances have arisen to complicate my funding for college. These events are troubling as I am the first one in my family to attend a university. None of my grandparents went to college. Neither did my aunts or uncles. My family has mainly been a military-family. Everyone in my family has gone into the military or went straight into the workforce. I strive to receive a college degree for a greater chance of earning a decent salary out the gate, post-college. I want to be the first member of my family to create a legacy by obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree. The challenges and difficulties in my efforts to attend college is due to me being the first-generation college student in my family. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college education due to keeping food on the table and not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in high school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. In addition to working hard in school, as soon as I was old enough to have a job, I’ve began saving money towards my college tuition. With college knocking on my door, over this past summer, I worked two jobs and saved up all the money that I could to pay for my first few semesters at Georgia Southern University, but I have no idea how I am going to pay for my next semester. Being the first-generation college student of my family is quite the challenge, but I will accomplish my goal and be the first one in my family with a Bachelor’s Degree.

Joy to me means enjoying some personal ME time. Due to my college hectic schedule, I'm always on a phone or computer. It's nice to just disconnect from the matrix, enjoy the fresh air on a walk, catch a movie or read a good book.

My simple pleasures in life is providing community service. I teach Sunday School in the Elementary Ministry. Over summer break, I also work at a camp for children with special needs. I have a class of 2nd graders that I teach every Sunday morning. We always have a Bible lesson plan to review. The mission is to break it down to a comprehensive level for them. Over my years of teaching in the Elementary Ministry, I’ve seen many young children come to know Jesus and get saved, which is why I continue to serve. Through these lessons and my efforts, many children become strong in their faith, getting to know Christ, and the morals and values of Christianity as they journey through life. Over my summers, I work at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I assist the music therapist. I set up the instruments, tend to the children when they need aid, hold up instrument cues, and take the children for a walk outside when they need to vent their frustrations. There’s a common misperception about people with special needs, and they often get overlooked, when they’re still people. They just express themselves differently. From my experiences at camp, and getting to know the children personally, I saw my efforts come to fruition as I began to realize that people like this don’t have a voice, and nobody really stands up for them. They have their unique abilities and bright attitudes that the world’s dark opinion on them is too blind to see. Now that I’m educated and enlightened on them, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better.

Since I want to see the youth prosper, I’ve done a lot of community service involving children. I am a member of the Church of Woodstock, and I teach Sunday School in the Elementary Ministry. I have a class of 2nd graders that I teach. We always have a Bible lesson plan to review. The mission is to break it down to a comprehensive level for them. Over my years of teaching in the Elementary Ministry, I’ve seen many young children come to know Jesus and get saved, which is why I continue to serve. Through these lessons and my efforts, many children become strong in their faith, getting to know Christ, and the morals and values of Christianity as they journey through life. Over my summers, I work at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I assist the music therapist. I set up the instruments, tend to the children when they need aid, hold up instrument cues, and take the children for a walk outside when they need to vent their frustrations. There’s a common misperception about people with special needs, and they often get overlooked, when they’re still people. They just express themselves differently. From my experiences at camp, and getting to know the children personally, I saw my efforts come to fruition as I began to realize that people like this don’t have a voice, and nobody really stands up for them. They have their unique abilities and bright attitudes that the world’s dark opinion on them is too blind to see. Now that I’m educated and enlightened on them, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better.

I have been passionate about natural foods and the environment for as long as I can remember. This is mostly due to my interest in agricultural science. I have been intrigued to further my learning in the studies of agricultural science since I was a youth. I admire agricultural engineers for developing huge technological advancements in the field of science to improve machine efficiency, agricultural health, and water and air pollution control. The world will be better off with organic agriculture. Organic agriculture is crucial in how we get our most important source of energy: food. Not only does organic agriculture have more stability in the long-term than conventional agriculture, but products have higher retentive properties in nutrients and water. Natural soil that is free of chemical fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, pesticides and herbicides grows the best produce in terms of health. This is why it’s so important to protect organic agriculture. To survive against the heavily-used conventional agriculture. I've always had a strong appreciation and support for The Soil and Water Management Research Group. I intend to aid them in their mission to develop methods to manage poorly drained soils for the production of food and nutrients while preserving the environmental quality. I desire to see them develop more efficient treatment technologies to minimize losses of fiber within produce, and reduce the number of pollutants that plague water and soil. My support to their group will benefit their goal to improve water and crop quality and nourishment. I desire to accomplish this because of how significant organic agriculture is to its environment and our society. Natural foods farmed using natural products are just generally healthier for us than industrial foods. A huge problem in America is weight. A lot of Americans are overweight, and it's due to the massive increase in steroids and chemicals used on our daily foods these days. The weight of the population has only increased with each generation, and I'm passionate about natural foods because I want to counteract this. Back in prior generations, people would drink, chainsmoke, and eat fast food regularly, but still maintained amazing fitness compared to today's standards. This is purely due to all the things that are featured in our food nowadays. There are steroids to make food grow faster, or make it meatier, or to cause any alteration we want to make food taste better or be bigger. This has only harmed us in the long run, and an important on natural food needs to be reestablished, not just for our sake, but for the sake of the environment, as well.

To me, friendship means unwavering loyalty. Friendship goes beyond a simple acquaintanceship or dedication to someone out of obligation. You choose your friends and you know them, from the most generic aspect about them, to their deepest, personal traits. From this, you understand them, and they should know the same about you, too. It’s a mutual deep understanding of each other that makes friendship so valuable. I don’t believe that you can have many true friends. If you find yourself having many true friends, I guarantee only a handful of those would really have your back when it’s pressed up against a wall. A true friend is someone who is with you through thick and thin. They won’t abandon you when you’re at your lowest. You’ve known them for a long time, they know your history, you know their history, and they’re with you for life. If you’ve found someone that feels like an inseparable family member to you, chances are that’s a true friend, who displays their allegiance to you constantly. The effort and giving you both put into the relationship builds an unshakable foundation, and that’s what every true friendship should have. Your friend should indeed be devoted to you, however, this doesn’t mean your friend views you as an untouchable being who can do no wrong. A true friend knows you and really has a deep-rooted care for you, so they’ll tell you when you are wrong, and try their darnedest to pull you out of the mud you’ve become encased in. When counting your actual friends, focus on the small handful that would actually be there for you in a pickle, no matter what. I can name two people in my life that I consider true friends. This is what friendship means to me.

There’s a majority of people who believe that education doesn’t matter, and that college is a waste of time and money. I understand their views, for college is expensive, but the payoff is in landing a career after graduating. College isn’t for the weak-minded. Students have to be determined and driven to graduate and make their education worth the cost. People who believe that education doesn’t matter aren’t thinking about the bigger picture. They’re caught up in the present and not putting a full amount of thought into their future. These students are typically high school graduates who are burnt out and don’t want to immediately return back to school for another four years. In addition, our society today has an issue for those who wish to pursue a higher education. Those who seek it are met with devastating costs, life-changing decisions, heavy expectations, and crumbling desires. These socioeconomic and financial issues all dissuade students from attempting a higher education, and there are no signs of these issues being reduced in the years to come. In fact, college tuition is drastically increasing every year. Being met with forceful, backbreaking student loans to pay for a higher education is what is keeping students from seeking a college degree. If our country doesn’t make a change, education will continue to be elusive, and the dilemma will only grow over time. The price of college tuition in current day, compared to its price in the past, is unjustifiable. College tuition is outrageously high to the point that some people are still paying their college tuition well into their 50s, way past earning their degree and having a career. European nations have significantly cheaper tuition due to having no fees or small fees along with the tuition. By continuing our college system with massively inflated tuitions, we're making the rich richer. They can afford to pay college tuition without loans, be debt-free, and continue making more money right out the gate, while the average student will come out of college with enormous debt they still have to pay, far into old age. However, when you put in the effort to go to college, you set yourself up for a greater chance of success in the future. In most professions, those with a degree make $1 million more in earnings across a lifespan than those without. Yearly, college graduates make around $17,500 more than those with just a high school diploma. In my opinion, striving to overcome the income gap is well worth the time and money. Higher education does matter and it’s best for your life in the long run, even though most people wouldn’t recognize it until they are on the lower end of the income spectrum. Now you don’t have to go to school to receive an education. It’s possible to educate yourself. Education is not the key to success, but it damn sure opens the doors.

Legacy doesn’t simply mean leaving material items to someone when you pass. To me, legacy means leaving behind your belongings, life earnings, lessons taught, knowledge, and your mark on the world for all of history to come. To leave a legacy, you must have an everlasting influence on the world that continues once you depart. This is what I want my legacy to be. I don’t just want to have money to leave behind for my family, but I want to have a permanent impact on the world that will last until the end of time. As I write this today, my most meaningful or biggest achievement in life is redefining my family’s legacy. I’m the first-generation college student in my family. My parents were both born in California and lived a less-fortunate life than I live now. Their parents worked hard and provided for them the best they could, which still was not much. They decided together that their kids would have a better life than they had. I am very fortunate to have two working parents that I can talk to about anything. They performed excruciating work and sacrificed so much to put me in a Grade-A public school for an excellent education. I cannot thank them enough for the lifestyle they have given me, nor for the strong values they have instilled in me so that I can achieve my goals.

It is always said that, “It’s the little things that count”. This saying relates to how the most insignificant-seeming things can be the most meaningful to a person. I received a gift that didn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it defined me as a person, changed my life, and made me who I am. It wasn’t the most expensive gift, but the sentiment behind it and all the joy it brought me is what comes to mind as the highlight of my childhood when I reminiscence on it. This gift for me was my Nintendo Wii.

It has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting since I was a youth. I aim to graduate with a Bachelor’s and progress to a Master’s in screenwriting. Due to my academic achievements, I was accepted to several universities, but I decided on GSU because of their Multimedia Film & Production, Communication Arts Program. My academic history aligns with my long-term career goals, displayed through the pathways I have pursued throughout my education. Throughout high school, I’ve chosen all Honors and Advanced Placement Literature classes and received all As. What I learned in my literature classes will aid me in my experiences as I work towards my degree. I also attended a Video Broadcasting class as an elective. This really solidified my interest as I learned the trades of cameras, filming, and editing. It was an incredibly insightful experience and I couldn’t have chosen a greater elective to help me confirm a career. My educational support of writing and film has enhanced my abilities and passion, cementing my assurance in my future career. Due to recent events, circumstances have arisen to complicate my funding for college. These events are troubling as I am the first one in my family to attend a university. My family has mainly been a military-family, and no one graduated college. I strive to receive a degree for a greater chance of earning a decent salary, post-college. I want to be the first member of my family to create a legacy by obtaining a Bachelors Degree. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college education due to keeping food on the table and not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in high school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. In addition to working hard in school, as soon as I was old enough to have a job, I’ve began saving money towards my college tuition. With college knocking on my door, over this past summer, I worked two jobs and saved up all the money that I could to pay for my first year at Georgia Southern University, but I have no idea how I am going to pay for my next semester. I wish my drive, dedication, and work ethics alone were enough to succeed but I realize that none of this can be accomplished without the necessary funding. This is the situation that prompts me to require financial assistance to overcome these obstacles.

Over my summers, I serve at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I assist the music therapist. I set up the instruments, tend to the children when they need aid, hold up instrument cues, and take the children for a walk outside when they need to vent their frustrations. There’s a common misperception about people with special needs, and they often get overlooked, when they’re still people. They just express themselves differently. From my experiences at camp, and getting to know the children personally, I saw my efforts come to fruition as I began to realize that people like this don’t have a voice, and nobody really stands up for them. They have their unique abilities and bright attitudes that the world’s dark opinion on them is too blind to see. Now that I’m educated and enlightened on them, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better.

Our society today has an issue for those who wish to pursue a higher education. Those who seek it are met with devastating costs, life-changing decisions, heavy expectations, and crumbling desires. These socioeconomic and financial issues all dissuade students from attempting a higher education, and there are no signs of these issues being reduced in the years to come. In fact, college tuition is drastically increasing every year. Being met with forceful, backbreaking student loans to pay for a higher education is what is keeping students from seeking a college degree. If our country doesn’t make a change, education will continue to be elusive, and the dilemma will only grow over time. The price of college tuition in current day, compared to its price in the past, is unjustifiable. College tuition is outrageously high to the point that some people are still paying their college tuition well into their 50s, way past earning their degree and having a career. European nations have significantly cheaper tuition due to having no fees or small fees along with the tuition. By continuing our college system with massively inflated tuitions, we're making the rich richer. They can afford to pay college tuition without loans, be debt-free, and continue making more money right out the gate, while the average student will come out of college with enormous debt they still have to pay, far into old age. To avoid this pitfall, I’m constantly submitting applications for available scholarships. The one financial goal that I’d like to achieve in the near future is to graduate without drowning in a sea of debt, for a greater chance of investing my salary, post-college. In addition due to recent events, circumstances have arisen to complicate my funding for college. These events are troubling as I am the first one in my family to attend a university. My family has mainly been a military-family, and no one graduated college. I strive to receive a degree for a greater chance of earning a decent salary, post-college. I want to be the first member of my family to create a legacy by obtaining a Bachelors Degree. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college education due to keeping food on the table and not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in high school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. In addition to working hard in school, as soon as I was old enough to have a job, I’ve began saving money towards my college tuition. With college knocking on my door, over this past summer, I worked two jobs and saved up all the money that I could to pay for my first year at Georgia Southern University, but I have no idea how I am going to pay for my next semester. I wish my drive, dedication, and work ethics alone were enough to succeed but I realize that none of this can be accomplished without the necessary funding. This is the situation that prompts me to be a good candidate for financial assistance.

If someone asked me my story, it would be that I am a well-raised young man that strives to better myself as a person and in turn, help others in need. My parents gave me a life full of opportunities that they never had and I cannot thank them enough for the lifestyle they have given me, nor for the excellent education and strong values they have instilled in me so that I can be resilient, and help others throughout my life despite any obstacles. What makes me resilient is my determination to achieve anything I set out to do. I have achieved academic excellence throughout all of school. I’ve been in many recognized societies such as National Junior’s Honors Society, Beta Club, and the Georgia Technology Student Association. In middle school, I was offered the opportunity to take the SAT, and I exceeded the test. Education has always been a top priority for me along with acts of volunteerism within my community, so that I can aid the underrepresented. In addition to academic achievements, I’ve done community service and volunteer work involving children. At the First Baptist Church of Woodstock, I taught Sunday school lessons in the Elementary Ministry. Over my years of teaching in the Elementary Ministry, I’ve seen many young children come to know Jesus and get saved, which is why it was rewarding to serve. Over my summers, I work as an assistant to the music therapist for Triad Music; a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. During the school year, teachers assist special needs children, but during summers, they are mostly neglected. These children are left to the responsibility of their parents, when their parents still have to work. One goal of Triad Music was to right this wrong and host a summer camp for these children, and this was a goal I was proud to support. The camp aids the children in responding and expression, using music therapy. Working in music therapy camp taught me that people with special needs are just like us but express themselves differently. From my experiences at camp, and getting to know the children personally, I saw people with special needs in a whole new light, one that the world’s dark opinion on them is too blind to see. Through being enlightened myself, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better. There are many different communities of people. The Black Community, the LGBTQ+ Community, the Farmer Community, the Christian Community, etc. Recent cultural and social events have really brought out more communities than in the past century. All communities have a unanimous goal to stand for the unrepresented. The type of people who join these communities band together against an injustice towards an underrepresented or unrepresented social group. The Special Needs Community especially has grown and improved. More people are getting degrees to be instructors and assistants to aid people with special needs. I work with such instructors, the music therapists. The goals of these music therapists come from the overarching goal of the Special Needs Community: to aid an unrepresented and uncared for group. Drawing inspiration from there, once I have my degree in Film from Georgia Southern University, I’ll use the media of film to show underrepresented communities like these on the big screen, in a bright, new light. With positive portrayals, these underrepresented communities can grow strong and healthy, and will have a voice to make active change as they advocate for those they represent.

Your Screenplay Sucks! by William M. Akers is a book I unexpectedly fell in love with. I consider this book a piece of art because its different from the standard “textbooks” that are required for courses, this was a lighthearted, whimsical yet invaluable book that was a literal guidebook of 100 reasons why a screenplay could be horrendous, and a way to correct each reason. It’s a very easy read, as cued by the title, and is genuinely formatted like a checklist. The book is complete with stock scripts, examples in Hollywood, and drafts that are marked up to drive home its point on the reasons it presents. This book has not only inspired me to make the greatest scripts and screenplays possible, but the book has genuinely improved my life, teaching me to avoid the problems that plague even a lot of published works. Your Screenplay Sucks! has shown me many valuable lessons in screenwriting that have improved both the quality of my writing and my enjoyment of doing it. Incorporating lessons from the book has refined my skillset to reach a higher writing prowess necessary to get a work of mine picked up by producers and directors. The book has taught me the importance of writing about something I care about, being original, crafting a story that interests people outside of myself, picking the right main character, developing a catching title, and most importantly, having an antagonist who is the hero from their point of view. The last one resonated with me because I have witnessed many works without a compelling villain, and without that requisite, half of the dynamic of the story falters and it all falls on the protagonist to carry the slack. I have learned many inspiring lessons like these from this piece of art.

Your Screenplay Sucks! by William M. Akers is a book I unexpectedly fell in love with. Different from the standard “textbooks” that are required for courses, this was a lighthearted, whimsical yet invaluable book that was a literal guidebook of 100 reasons why a screenplay could be horrendous, and a way to correct each reason. It’s a very easy read, as cued in by the title, and is genuinely formatted like a checklist. The book is complete with stock scripts, examples in Hollywood, and drafts that are marked up to drive home its point on the reasons it presents. This book has not only inspired me to make the greatest scripts and screenplays possible, but the book has genuinely improved my life, teaching me to avoid the problems that plague even a lot of published works. Your Screenplay Sucks! has shown me many valuable lessons in screenwriting that have improved both the quality of my writing and my enjoyment of doing it. Incorporating lessons from the book has refined my skillset to reach a higher writing prowess necessary to get a work of mine picked up by producers and directors. The book has taught me the importance of writing about something I care about, being original, crafting a story that interests people outside of myself, picking the right main character, developing a catching title, and most importantly, having an antagonist who is the hero from their point of view. The last one resonated with me because I have witnessed many works without a compelling villain, and without that requisite, half of the dynamic of the story falters and it all falls on the protagonist to carry the slack. I have learned many inspiring lessons like these from this book.

There’s a standard of life in America dating all the way back to the birth of the nation. We are born, attend educational institutions for schooling, become a working-class American, and retire living the American Dream off our nest egg of retirement, doing as we like. Lamentably, not everybody achieves this idealistic standard. People may work their entire life, only to get to the end of the road, with no money, no retirement funds, and no means of survival. This is due to many Americans spending every dollar and being uneducated about the methods of saving. This obliviousness may not be each citizen’s fault, as it depends on how they were raised and taught, but it’s certainly their responsibility to seek the financial knowledge to escape the ignorance of living paycheck to paycheck. There is one specific strategies that people can execute to avoid the pitfall of lacking retirement funds and it's the one investment tip that I've taken to heart. The main key to investing is time. No matter who you are, it takes time to build wealth. So that’s why it’s important to start as soon as possible. Interest, the repayment on a principal sum at a particular rate, is the holy grail to saving and investing. Keeping money within a financial institution for safekeeping guarantees that money grows on its own, slowly but surely. Compound interest will make the original amount grow over time, even without further deposits.

Ever since I was young, I wanted to go to Disney World, but my parents could never afford it. There were other kids my age that always talked about their trips to Disney World and what park they went to and what new rides they rode. They would always talk about what new stuff was there and how cool their resort looked at night. They talked about how every day at Disney World ended with an awe-inspiring fireworks show. All of their talk made me envision Disney World as one of the greatest places to visit. Fortunately, in my sophomore year of high school, I heard an ad on the radio speaking about Steve Harvey’s Disney Dreamer’s Academy. The ad mentioned how the Top 100 Winners of a writing contest would travel on an all-expenses-paid trip to Disney World and get to meet Steve Harvey. I was super excited to take a shot at the opportunity. I wrote the required essay and submitted it. A few months later, I received mail officially congratulating me on being one of the 100 winners of the Disney Dreamer’s Academy Essay Contest! In April of 2018, it was time to attend the academy, and my mother and I were flown out to Florida. I was nervous but hyped to meet Steve Harvey, who I’ve known through watching Family Feud while growing up. We were chauffeured to an auditorium where all 100 of us winners were officially congratulated and welcomed to the Disney Dreamers Academy by Steve Harvey himself. It was quite an honor, and part of me was still in disbelief that the whole thing was happening. After being inducted by Steve Harvey, we were able to walk up to him and introduce ourselves and take pictures with him. He greeted everyone with that iconic smile, but was also really humble when I actually introduced myself. I asked him what drove him to sponsor an event like this, and he told me he just wants to see every one of us succeed, even if all of us don’t have the support, opportunities, or resources to. That was admirable, and I was undoubtedly was grateful for the opportunity. Being able to just shake hands which such a well-known and successful person was enlightening, and I knew I could achieve just like him. Steve Harvey’s program taught us that, we can do anything we set our minds to, but we can’t just dream and put nothing behind it. We’d have to put in the work behind it to accomplish it. His words were inspiring and by him taking time out of his busy life to encourage us and share his story was meaningful to me. He thanked all of us for our hard work and our dedication to better ourselves in society. He congratulated us on being the best, the selected 100 to be here, and putting in the work to achieve what we really set our mind to. Steve Harvey really influenced me. He pays out of pocket every year, along with Essence Magazine, to fund this program, because he wants all children to be able to have such an enlightening experience, even those who don’t have much. I aspire to be philanthropic, successful, and influential like that one day. He has his own show and enough money to host something like the Dreamers Academy every year, which are astounding accomplishments. This is why he is my greatest role model and this experience impacted me.

All of my family has been tied to the military for generations. We are a military-family. Both of my grandfathers and their sons went into the military. On one side, it was the Army, and on the other, the Navy. My uncle and my father both served in the United States Navy right after high school. They both became honorably discharged, and my uncle fell back on the skills he acquired from the Navy to form his aviation career. My sister had no desire to go to college, due to this, she followed in our family’s footsteps and joined the United States Air Force. She has been active for the past two years. Multiple members of my family who are or were mechanical engineers in the military have told me about mechanical engineering first-hand, personally driving me to major in mechanical engineering. That was one aspect of my military connections influencing my development. I’ve learned many things about the military from my family over the years. Being conscious of its importance, especially in a world like we have today, makes it all the more respectable. The United States Military houses our nation’s finest. Many brave people lay their life on the line daily, just to protect our freedom. These freedoms, which are basically granted to us by being born in the great USA, do not exist within other nations. Some nations don’t even allow their citizens to have thoughts that differ from the government’s. These soldiers put their life at risk and leave a lot behind to keep the lives of American citizens safe. Families are left behind, as many soldiers are parents, siblings, sons, daughters, and caretakers. Families have to suffer without their loved ones, concerned with the thought of safety for their beloved. A soldier could lose their life at any given moment, which is why it’s an extraordinary honor and sacrifice to serve in the U.S. Military. While I desire to take a different path, the military has aided my personal development with discipline and respect. My father is very structured due to the military. He passed this down to me to make me a more reputable young man, saying “Yes/no sir and ma’am” and giving the utmost respect to my elders and superiors. My sister, following our family’s military legacy, is the first woman in our family serving in the Air Force. For her, the military is an occupation that she will grow and progress in until she retires. She is serving honorably and I’m extremely proud of her. Although I chose the college route, being the first college student of my family is quite the challenge, but I know I have my family’s support behind me. I will accomplish my goal and be the first one in my family with a Bachelor’s Degree. The inspiration of the military has driven me to strive to do my very best to etch my name alongside a bunch of accomplished veterans in my family’s history.

Giving back to the community is a significant virtue that everyone should keep in mind as they achieve their dreams. Some people had greater chances of success due to the opportunities they were given, while others got successful by working hard and beating all the odds. These people are typically the type that will give back to the community, because they understand what it was like on the other side of the economic spectrum and want to create opportunities for the less fortunate. I’ve paid it forward by doing a lot of community service over the past six years of my life, and I strive to do more upon reaching college. Since I want to see the youth prosper, I’ve done a lot of community service involving children. I am a member of the Church of Woodstock, and every Sunday, I teach Sunday School in the Elementary Ministry. I have been a leader in the church since 6th grade. Over summer break, I work at a camp for children with special needs. These service opportunities allow me to have an impact on my community and the children that I serve. I have a class of 2nd graders that I teach for 1.5 hours every Sunday morning. We always have a lesson plan to review, each usually focusing on a Bible story. The mission is to break it down onto a comprehensive level for them. We have the lesson and sometimes a correlated game with it, to help the children retain what they learned. We also have snacks, and then some free time to allow them to get some energy out. Over my years of teaching in the Elementary Ministry, I’ve seen many of these young children come to know Jesus and get saved, which is why I continue to serve. Through these lessons and my efforts, many children become strong in their faith, getting to know Christ, and the morals and values of Christianity as they journey through life. It is comforting to know that my contribution is a benefit to them, and since I wish to see this benefit continue on into the future, even after I move away for college, I encourage the children to come back and be leaders in the Elementary Ministry once they enter 6th grade. This way, they can influence their students to become leaders too, and my service can continue giving. Over my summers, I serve at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I assist the music therapist. I set up the instruments, tend to the children when they need aid, hold up instrument cues, and take the children for a walk outside when they need to vent their frustrations. There’s a common misperception about people with special needs, and they often get overlooked, when they’re still people. They just express themselves differently. From my experiences at camp, and getting to know the children personally, I saw my efforts come to fruition as I began to realize that people like this don’t have a voice, and nobody really stands up for them. They have their unique abilities and bright attitudes that the world’s dark opinion on them is too blind to see. Many people stray from getting involved with children and people like this, but I do it, even on the tough days, because I know some person with a heart to serve would do the same for me, if I was in the kids’ position. Now that I’m educated and enlightened on them, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better. To date, my work in community service shows no signs of stopping. My parents, teachers, and family have been supportive of me and my education, but also raised me not to be ignorant to the less fortunate. I believe they instilled this in me so that I wouldn’t forget and turn a blind eye to those in need upon becoming successful. I will continue to give back to the community, no matter how successful I become. It’s a virtue I want to continue throughout my life, as I do unto those around me what I would like to be done for me. I serve and volunteer in order to give back to the society around me. This is what has made me who I am today.

The quote that means the most to me is probably my high school senior quote: "Don't judge the path I choose to take if you haven't been on the journey I had to make". This quote means a lot to mean because of how much the education system had influence on my life. Growing up, I've had many people try to tell me where to go. What electives to choose. What path to take for what amount of money, to secure a successful future. In high school, I've dated, and have been mocked for who I dated, have been mocked for breaking up with them, have been talked about for the things I did or didn't do. By the end of high school, it came to a point where I was tired of everyone's judgment. This is my life, and nobody else has a right to tell me how I should go about achieving their idea of success. Nobody can judge my path if they haven't been walking the journey I have been.

Being financially literate mean financial freedom for me. We as Americans are born, attend educational institutions for schooling, join the working class, and retire living the American Dream off our nest egg of retirement, doing as we like. At least this is the standard set by our forefathers, but lamentably, not everybody achieves this idealistic standard. People may work their entire life, only to get to the end of the road, with no money, no retirement funds, and no means of survival. This is due to many Americans spending every dollar and being uneducated about the methods of saving and investing. This obliviousness may not be each citizen’s fault, as it depends on how they were raised and taught, but I refuse to live this lifestyle of ignorance by living paycheck to paycheck, and embrace the financial knowledge required to escape it. I can achieve this goal in the future by simply investing in myself and my financial education.

One personal finance lesson that I find important is to be financially literate. This is important to me because we as Americans are born, attend educational institutions for schooling, join the working class, and retire living the American Dream off our nest egg of retirement, doing as we like. At least this is the standard set by our forefathers, but lamentably, not everybody achieves this idealistic standard. People may work their entire life, only to get to the end of the road, with no money, no retirement funds, and no means of survival. This is due to many Americans spending every dollar and being uneducated about the methods of saving and investing. This obliviousness may not be each citizen’s fault, as it depends on how they were raised and taught, but I refuse to live this lifestyle of ignorance by living paycheck to paycheck, and embrace the financial knowledge required to escape it, by investing in myself overtime.

I’ve faced numerous challenges to date, but none greater than being the first college student in my family. The significance of that challenge is the pressure from my family, since my whole family has been tied to the military for generations. Both of my grandfathers and their sons went into the military. On one side, it was the US Army, and on the other, the US Navy. My uncle and my father both served in the US Navy right after high school. My sister followed in our family’s footsteps and joined the military. She’s currently serving in the United States Air Force. My mother started college to attain a law degree, as her dream in life was to become a lawyer. Due to having my sister and I, she dropped out to work to be able to support my dad and the lifestyle we have. However, she never went back to finish her degree. Everyone in my family has gone into the military or went straight into the workforce. I want to have a college degree for a greater chance of earning a higher salary out the gate post-college. There are many challenges that come with being a first-generation college student in my family. The big one that comes to mind is the pressure from my family. It’s the pressure of staying focused and avoiding the pitfalls of college. The pressure of not being a disappointment to everyone who aided me on my journey to college. The pressure of earning a rite of passage into adulthood, independence, and new experiences without failure. All of this can be overwhelming and cause an extreme degree of anxiousness, but my motto is failure in not an option and there is too much on the line to prevent me from being successful. The reminder of what’s on the line constantly looming overhead can discourage students and cause all the pros of college life to seem futile compared to the risk of what’s at stake upon giving up. This feeling is a very real struggle for many students, causing many to crack and drop out to avoid the risk and anxiety of college altogether. Although this struggle is understandable and has been seen time and time again, it’s the quitter’s way out, which is a path my morals and standards prevent me to take. I’ll achieve my success one way or another, and I won’t allow the emotional baggage of college weigh me down, forcing me to accept failure. Another challenge of being the first-generation college student in my family is that my parents didn’t save any money for me to attend college. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college tuition due to not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. My family raised me to be a strong-minded, driven young man, and due to this, I won’t give up on what I have set out to do over the next four years of college. Being the first-generation college student of my family is quite the challenge, even though I know I’ll have my family’s support behind me. I will accomplish my goal and be the first one in my family with a Bachelor’s Degree. I won’t let myself fall under the extreme pressure and difficulties of this role, and I will strive to do my very best in college to etch my name in my family’s history as the first.

"Nine-to-five is how you survive, I ain't trying to survive I'm trying to live it to the limit and love it a lot" Jay-Z D’Evils

Death is an inevitable aspect of life. Although it may seem far for everyone, it can come upon anyone at any given moment. It’s a fact of reality that comes for everyone eventually. It can be a tough pill to swallow, whether you’re on your death bed and realizing that your life is finally coming to an end, or if death is quickly approaching someone close to you. Funerals are held as a memorial to human life. They are not meant to be a memoir of a person’s death, but celebrate what the person did while alive. I’ve had a dear family member who’s been vital in the contribution to who I am today, and his departure affected me personally. For me, this person was my grandpa. My grandpa has lived with my family since I was a newborn. During my childhood, he would always entertain me, playing with my toys, watching TV with me, or showing me cool card tricks he learned over the years. He would always talk to me and teach me many valuable life lessons. He thought me what my generation would call the “old school” way of speaking to adults: Being respectful and saying “Yes sir, no sir, yes ma’am, no ma’am”. He taught me about working hard, saving and investing. He taught me to be a leader and not a follower as I journey through life. He showed me some life skills, about tipping, talking to women and having confidence. He taught me that no good thing ever came easy, that nothing beats a failure but a try, and to take care of my health early to avoid worrying about it later. He instructed me to live each day as if it’s my last, and showed me examples of having self-awareness and empathy, because not everybody had it as good as others. He practiced having calmness, self-control, and assertiveness and passed this onto me, as they are integral and crucial life skills. My grandpa instilled a lot of things in me that make me who I am today. We were very close, and it was devastating when he passed at the ripe old age of 79. My grandpa died peacefully in his sleep, after being admitted to the hospital due to multiple organ failures. When it was announced that he passed peacefully, I was ravaged. I was 12 years old at the time, and while I fully grasped the concept of what death meant, I wasn’t ready when it actually occurred to someone I loved. It was the first death I had experienced within my own family, and the first death that affected me directly. My whole family and grandmother attended his funeral. He was the last of all his siblings to pass, but all his offspring were in attendance, as well as many cousins and friends. He was a very faithful man and accepted Christ. An eternal sleep sounds so simple of a concept on paper, but it’s difficult to fathom when confronted with the reality of the situation. I couldn’t bring myself to look at the body in the open casket. I had never seen a corpse before, and the thought of my grandpa laying there still, cold, and lifeless, but dressed so well as if he could spring back to life sickened me. I attempted the walk towards his casket, but I turned away. I couldn’t make the journey. I felt like if I approached the casket, his eyes would open and he would sit up and greet me. I wanted to directly look at him one last time, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it, and while it’s a regret I have today, I know that in the moment, I could not muster up the courage to do it, and I accept that fact. My grandfather’s one regret I’ve ever heard him mutter was not attending college. He messed around after high school and got shipped off to the Navy. Although he served honorably while in the military and managed to get a job after, he always steered me towards education. He wanted me to accomplish my dreams, and didn’t want anything to cause me to fall short of that. Losing him was painful, but it’s a constant reminder for myself to do good and become successful, because I know that’s what he’d want to see. Graduation rates, distractions, student loans, and the like all exist to challenge the weak, and deter them from reaching their goals. I won’t succumb to this. I will fight to achieve my degree. I’ll succeed where he felt his legacy fell short, and get my degree in film and be a critically-acclaimed screenwriter and director. This is what drives me every day, as I carry my grandpa’s teachings with me.

I am no stranger to the struggles of mental health. While I’m not personally struggling with mental health issues, I am a victim of its devastation as I’ve seen my sister struggle with the disease. My sister had no desire to go to college and followed in our family’s footsteps by joining the U.S. Air Force. She has been active for the past three years, serving honorably in South Korea. However, this was not always the case. My sisters first duty station was Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana. She struggled with being a soldier, as being away from home for the first time was taking a toll on her. She didn’t have the freedom to come home whenever she wanted. She had to get approval to take time off, and if it was declined, she had to tough it out. She began to gain weight from stress-eating, and her state of mind eventually began to physically wear her down, and she became very ill. She began to take oxycodone to ease her pain. These became highly addictive, and she eventually overdosed, and woke up in the psych ward, where she had to stay for weeks, with the military labeling her as suicidal. She underwent therapy with trained professionals who assisted in getting her past her addiction and back on the right track. They recommended she be removed from her toxic environment and relocated to South Korea. Now she is thriving in her military career and loves it. I’m overjoyed that those dark days are far behind her. My career path is multimedia film & production. There’s a stigma surrounding mental health issues, and that those dealing with it are not fit to be in society and are a burden. Having my sister personally go through such a tough time, I’m beyond aware that that is not the case. People with such struggles hit a point in their lives where devastating events have occurred, affecting them emotionally or physically. From there, the human mind can spiral down a rabbit hole of negativity and pain.

Our society today has an issue for those who wish to pursue a higher education. Those who seek it are met with devastating costs, life-changing decisions and crumbling desires. These socioeconomic and financial issues all dissuade students from attempting a higher education, and there are no signs of these issues being reduced in the years to come. In fact, college tuition is drastically increasing every year. Being met with forceful, backbreaking student loans to pay for a higher education is what is keeping students from seeking a college degree. If our country doesn’t make a change, education will continue to be elusive, and the dilemma will only grow over time. The price of college tuition in current day, compared to pricing in the past, is unjustifiable. College tuition is outrageously high to the point that some people are still paying their college tuition well into their 50s, drowning in a sea of debt, way past earning their degree and having a career. These are the barriers that's keeping the youth from pursuing a higher education. Fear of financial struggles that will stay attached to you for the majority of your life, poor preparation to be able to maintain a college education, and being uneducated in setting goals and choosing a major for college are all issues that still commonly occur. As tuition rates rise and college attendants decrease, our society is putting more of an emphasis on the downfalls that come along with getting a higher education than actually getting the education itself. Detriments like these shouldn’t be the first discussion point for youths attempting to determine their future, and without implemented solutions, nothing will change, lest this situation gets worse.

It has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting since I was a youth. I am currently attending Georgia Southern University, and plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s. I dream of becoming a screenwriter and director to produce revolutionary films that make huge strides in the entertainment industry. In high school, I attended a video broadcasting class as an elective. This really solidified my interest as I learned the trades of cameras, filming, and editing. It was an incredibly insightful experience and I couldn’t have chosen a greater elective to help me confirm a career. There is nothing more exciting in life than writing a story, casting people you see fit to play your characters, and then seeing it come to life as you put all the pieces of your project together to produce a completed masterpiece. Everybody has ideas. Seeing them come to fruition is what causes satisfaction. Film is one of the biggest payoffs of taking what is in your head, and outwardly sharing it with the rest of the world. Giving back to the community is a significant virtue everyone should keep in mind as they achieve their dreams. Even though I want to share my productions with the rest of the world, there’s greater things the world needs to be given. Fortune doesn’t smile upon everyone equally. Some people had greater chances of success due to the opportunities they were presented. Others got successful by working hard and beating all the odds. These people are typically the type that will give back to the community, because they understand what it’s like on the other side of the economic spectrum. They want to create opportunities for the less fortunate. I’ve paid it forward by doing a lot of community service over the past eight years of my life, and there’s still service I would like to do. Since I want to see the youth prosper, I’ve done a lot of community service involving children. I am a member of First Baptist Church of Woodstock, and every Sunday, I teach Sunday School in the Elementary Ministry. I have been a leader in the church since 6th grade. I always have a Bible lesson plan to review with my 2nd graders. The mission is to break it down to a comprehensive level for them. Over my years of teaching in the Elementary Ministry, I’ve seen many young children come to know Jesus and get saved, which is why I continue to serve. Over my summers, I work at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I assist the music therapist. I set up the instruments, tend to the children when they need aid, hold up instrument cues, and take the children for a walk outside when they need to vent their frustrations. There’s a common misperception about people with special needs, and they often get overlooked, when they’re still people. They just express themselves differently. From my experiences at camp, and getting to know the children personally, I saw my efforts come to fruition as I began to realize that special needs people don’t have a voice, and nobody really stands up for them. They have their unique abilities and bright attitudes that the world’s dark opinion on them is too blind to see. Now that I’m educated and enlightened on them, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better. A service I would love to do is donating to efforts of reconstructing run-down neighborhoods. Growing up, my parents worked hard to provide a better life for me than they had. I am very fortunate to have such hard-working parents that want me to succeed. They have sacrificed so much to ensure that I received an excellent education to reach the goals I’m striving for. Since I know that many children don’t have this same opportunity due to their environment and parentage, I want to donate money to reconstruction efforts of low-income neighborhoods. My parents, teachers, and family have been supportive of me and my education, but also raised me not to be ignorant to the less fortunate. I believe they instilled this in me so that I would never turn a blind eye to those in need. I will continue to give back to the community, no matter how successful I get. It’s a virtue I hold myself to.

In the famous words of the late great Whitney Houston, I believe that children are the future. Therefore, most of my community service involves the youth. I am a member of the First Baptist Church of Woodstock, and for seven years, I taught Sunday School in the Elementary Ministry. I had a class of 2nd graders that I taught every Sunday morning. Over my years of teaching, I saw many of those young children become strong in their faith, getting to know Christ and the values of Christianity. The impact of my service is unmatched, and it was rewarding to aid those children through their walks with the Lord. Before I departed for college, I encouraged the children to come back and be leaders in the Elementary Ministry. This way, they can influence their students to become leaders too, and my service can continue giving. Over my summers, I serve at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I assist the music therapist. I set up instruments, tend to the children when they need aid, hold up instrument cues, and take the children for a walk when they need to vent their frustrations. There’s a common misperception about people with special needs being inhuman, causing them to often get overlooked. However, they’re just people who express themselves differently. From my experiences at camp, and getting to know these children personally, I saw my efforts come to fruition as I began to realize that special needs people don’t have a voice, and nobody stands up for them. They have their unique abilities and bright attitudes that the world’s dark opinion on them is too blind to see. Now that I’m educated and enlightened on them, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better. In addition to the challenge of being a first-generation college student, my parents never saved a dollar towards my college education due to keeping food on the table and not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in high school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. As soon as I was old enough to have a job, I’ve began saving money towards my college tuition. I worked two jobs and saved up all the money that I could to pay for my first year at Georgia Southern University, but I have no idea how I am going to pay for the upcoming fall semester. I wish my drive, dedication, and work ethics alone were enough to succeed but I realize that none of this can be accomplished without the necessary funding. This is the situation that prompts me to require financial assistance. Despite the impending circumstance for which my future depends on, I won’t let myself succumb to the extreme pressure and difficulties. I will strive to do my very best in college to etch my name in my family’s history as the first.

Ronald Mallett is my favorite scientist. An American physicist and a professor at the University of Connecticut, he is famous for his scientific position on the possibility of time travel. His late father passed from a sudden heart attack when he was 10 years old. His dedication towards something considered "science fiction", and drive to make it a reality, all for the humble wish to see his father again, is one that really touches me and I respect that this is the reason he has become the leading authority in the field of the theory of time travel.

My father was an aspiring artist. In his youth, he DJed events, and by the end of high school, he was trying out rap. He had talent and wanted to make it big as a rapper. Once he created a family, he decided to give up on that rap career and fall back on his degree. His group also started their own families and moved on just the same. However, my father still was decently big for his time. They sold albums, held concerts, and still have promotional material out there. To celebrate the birth of his son, my father created a song called Fatherhood, and I thought it would be interesting to share. Not everyone can say they have a song dedicated to them.

Legacy doesn’t simply mean leaving material items to someone when you pass. To me, legacy means leaving behind your belongings, life earnings, lessons taught, knowledge, and your mark on the world for all of history to come. To leave a legacy, you must have an everlasting influence on the world that continues once you depart. This is what I want my legacy to be. I don’t just want to have money to leave behind for my family, but I want to have a permanent impact on the world that will last until the end of time. There are different kinds of valuable legacies. There are legacies that pass down all material gain to the offspring, giving the family good fortunes to last down the line. There are legacies that bring a family’s name into the spotlight, giving all members within the family fame that lasts unto the future to come. There are infamous legacies that condemn whole bloodlines, alarming people to fear anyone related to it. There are legacies that leave wise words and advice to anyone seeking it. Lastly, there are legacies that leave a change on the world, and will be constantly brought up and discussed throughout history. I want to leave behind a legacy of making a good change or advancement on this world while I inhabit it. I want to invent something that will revolutionize technology and provide more convenience to life. After I’m gone, I want to be remembered for the invention I brought into the world and how it’s changed the world as we know it. I want to be up there with the significant inventors who brought change to the world such as Nikola Tesla, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington Carver, Henry Ford, and Leonardo da Vinci. They all left amazing legacies by how they revolutionized the world with that they created, and I strive to accomplish this. There’s a lot of technology that hasn’t been developed or perfected yet. Hovering cars, autonomous bodies, advanced AIs, wireless battery transfer, etc. It is my desire to invent such technology and leave behind my legacy. As an engineer, I want to become prosperous from my invention, and for my bloodline to be widely-recognized long after I’m gone. After becoming prosperous from my invention, I’ll teach my offspring how to maintain the family name and our generational wealth, keeping the family affluent for futures to come. They won’t have to do something renowned or invent something else to keep our success going. It can all flourish off of my invention, and if I financially educate my offspring, they can financially educate their children and so on. I’ll educate them on saving, investing, and the importance of credit, so that my future family can be financially stable for generations. This is the legacy I desire to leave.

It has been my aspiration to learn the studies of engineering since I was a youth. I aim to attend a four-year university, graduate with a Bachelor’s, and progress to a Master’s in mechanical engineering. I dream of becoming an inventor to develop machines and devices that make life easier, and to make huge technical advancements in the field of science. My strengths are that I’m very dependable, wildly imaginative and creative, mechanically-inclined, and that when I have a goal set in my heart, I have unrelenting determination to achieve it. My education especially has contributed to this lifelong goal I’ve had for as long as I can remember. Over the years, I’ve also had numerous experiences and encounters with mechanical devices, machines, robots, and inventions. When my parents offered to take me to engineering and tech conventions, I would always jump at the chance to attend them. At the very first tech convention I attended, there were inventions and devices of all kinds! There was a basketball court in the center of the convention where robots were engineered to play in a match against the Harlem Globetrotters. Watching this was influential and awe-inspiring! It made me want to create things like that; machines that will surprise and inspire people. These multiple experiences solidified my future goals of becoming an inventor, and creating amazing inventions that can do things never thought possible before. I want to make big changes for a better world, and I strive to achieve that goal every day. Due to my experiences growing up, I was exposed to this passion and actually witnessed how this career is a good fit for me, and how it will add value to the world.

All of my family has been tied to the military for generations. We are mainly a military-family. Both of my grandfathers and their sons went into the military. On one side, it was the Army, and on the other, the Navy. My uncle and my father both served in the United States Navy right after high school. They both became honorably discharged, and my uncle fell back on the skills he acquired from the Navy to form his aviation career. My sister had no desire to go to college, due to this, she followed in our family’s footsteps and joined the United States Air Force. She has been active for the past two years. Multiple members of my family who are or were mechanical engineers in the military have told me about mechanical engineering first-hand, personally driving me to major in mechanical engineering. That was one aspect of my military connections influencing my development. I’ve learned many things about the military from my family over the years. Being conscious of its importance, especially in a world like we have today, makes it all the more respectable. The United States Military houses our nation’s finest. Many brave people lay their life on the line daily, just to protect our freedom. These freedoms, which are basically granted to us by being born in the great USA, do not exist within other nations. Some nations don’t even allow their citizens to have thoughts that differ from the government’s. These soldiers put their life at risk and leave a lot behind to keep the lives of American citizens safe. Families are left behind, as many soldiers are parents, siblings, sons, daughters, and caretakers. Families have to suffer without their loved ones, concerned with the thought of safety for their beloved. A soldier could lose their life at any given moment, which is why it’s an extraordinary honor and sacrifice to serve in the U.S. Military. While I desire to take a different path, the military has aided my personal development with discipline and respect. My father is very structured due to the military. He passed this down to me to make me a more reputable young man, saying “Yes/no sir and ma’am” and giving the utmost respect to my elders and superiors. My sister, following our family’s military legacy, is the first woman in our family serving in the Air Force. For her, the military is an occupation that she will grow and progress in until she retires. She is serving honorably and I’m extremely proud of her. Although I chose the college route, being the first college student of my family is quite the challenge, but my greatest achievement to date. With my families support, I will accomplish my goal and be the first one in my family with a Bachelor’s Degree. The inspiration of the military has driven me to strive to do my very best to etch my name alongside a bunch of accomplished veterans in my family’s history.

My passion is in engineering. I love designing and engineering objects. I like using AutoCAD to design things how I imagine them, and then get the satisfying results when I 3D-Print and use them. I first got interested in engineering when I went to a technology convention when I was young. There were inventions and devices of all kinds! There was a basketball court in the center of the convention where robots were engineered to play in a match against the Harlem Globetrotters. Watching this was influential and awe-inspiring, and I wanted to grow up to engineer incredible inventions like that. Throughout my high school career, I’ve chosen all STEM classes for my electives, and completed the engineering and computer science pathways at my school. What I’ve learned in my engineering courses will aid me in my experiences as I work towards my engineering degree. I learned the basics of engineering while in the pathway, and became OSHA, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint certified. I was taught many things about mechanical engineering, such as applying the principles of stress, resistance, and torque. I was introduced to doing designs for mechanical engineering using AutoCAD and Pro Engineering. My computer science classes taught me about hardware and software, and how to write code. My educational introduction to engineering and technology has enhanced my abilities and passion, cementing my assurance in my future career. To get involved with an extracurricular activity, I joined the Georgia Technology Student Association (TSA), in which we work in teams on many engineering-related projects to go to a state competition and compete against other schools on which product is better. I’ve been in Georgia TSA since my freshman year, and as a senior, I went to the State Leadership Conference for my first time and had my project place as a finalist! My dedicated work throughout my academic career and the extracurricular activities will aid in advancing my career. After graduating from Georgia Southern University, I plan to make an impact using mechanical engineering to change the modern world we know. Technology only evolves, and I want to be a primary force in evolving it. My inventions will redefine transportation and bring about a future with beneficial technology. I will also aid in the functionality of electric vehicles, in order to have a huge effect on the reduction of pollution. My research will affect the world’s lifespan, as my new methods of transportation will improve the health of this planet. Through continuing my college education, I’ll be able to further my goals and impact life around us for the better. This is my strategy for applying my mechanical engineering degree. The motivation and passion I have for my career has already displayed itself through everything I’ve accomplished thus far and how I sought out a club like TSA to gain more engineering experience. So far, the ride has been a blast and I’ve made some great comrades along the way with like-minded individuals on the same journey.

Due to recent events, circumstances have arisen to complicate my funding for college. These events are troubling as I am the first one in my family to attend a university. None of my grandparents went to college. Neither did my aunts or uncles. My family has mainly been a military-family. Everyone in my family has gone into the military or went straight into the workforce, like my mother. I strive to receive a college degree for a greater chance of earning a decent salary out the gate, post-college. I want to be the first member of my family to create a legacy by obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree. The challenges and difficulties in my efforts to attend college is due to me being the first-generation college student in my family. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college education due to keeping food on the table and not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in high school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. In addition to working hard in school, as soon as I was old enough to have a job, I’ve began saving money towards my college tuition. With college knocking on my door, over this past summer, I worked two jobs and saved up all the money that I could to pay for my first few semesters at Georgia Southern University, but I have no idea how I am going to pay for my next semester. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, my situation has only gotten worse. Many companies and families have been greatly affected by the pandemic. Corporations have had their hands forced to reduce staff, creating a direct impact on my family financially, especially when my father was laid off from his job. This financial instability also affects my ability to return to Georgia Southern. My family raised me to be a strong-minded, driven young man, and due to this, I won’t give up on what I have set out to do over the next four years of college. Being the first-generation college student of my family is quite the challenge, but I will accomplish my goal and be the first one in my family with a Bachelor’s Degree. I wish my drive, dedication, and work ethics alone were enough to succeed but I realize that none of this can be accomplished without the necessary funding. This is the situation that prompts me to require financial assistance.

Before I get into the challenges of being the first-generation college student in my family, I would like to start with my parents. I am very fortunate to have two working parents that I can talk to about anything. They work hard and sacrifice so much to put me in a Grade-A public school for an excellent education. I cannot thank them enough for the lifestyle they have given me, nor for the strong values they have instilled in me so that I can achieve my goals. None of my grandparents ever went to college. Neither did my aunts or uncles. My family has mainly been a military-family. Both of my grandfathers and their sons went into the military. On one side, it was the Army, and on the other, the Navy. My uncle and my father both served in the United States Navy right after high school. My sister didn’t quite know what she wanted to do with her life, but she had no desire to go to college. Due to this, she followed in our family’s footsteps and joined the military. She’s currently active duty, and serving in the United States Air Force. She has been for the past three years. My mother started college to attain a law degree, as her dream in life was to become a lawyer. Due to having my sister and I, she dropped out to work to be able to support my dad and the lifestyle we have. However, she never went back to finish her degree. Everyone in my family has gone into the military or went straight into the workforce. I want to have a college degree for a greater chance of earning a higher salary out the gate post-college. There are many challenges that come with being a first-generation college student in my family. The big one that comes to mind is the pressure from my family. It’s the pressure of staying focused and avoiding the pitfalls of college. The pressure of not being a disappointment to everyone who aided me on my journey to college. The pressure of earning a rite of passage into adulthood, independence, and new experiences without failure. All of this can be overwhelming and cause an extreme degree of anxiousness, but my motto is failure in not an option and there is too much on the line to prevent me from being successful. The reminder of what’s on the line constantly looming overhead can discourage students and cause all the pros of college life to seem futile compared to the risk of what’s at stake upon giving up. This feeling is a very real struggle for many students, causing many to crack and drop out to avoid the risk and anxiety of college altogether. Although this struggle is understandable and has been seen time and time again, it’s the quitter’s way out, which is a path my morals and standards prevent me to take. I’ll achieve my success one way or another, and I won’t allow the emotional baggage of college weigh me down, forcing me to accept failure. Since neither of my parents finished at a university, they don’t know how much has changed and how much more vigorous it is to obtain the degree. They won’t be able to aid me in my rigorous courses and won’t be there to give me constraints on my academic and social life. The freedom of college comes at the cost of my own judgement, and in being a first-generation college student in my family, this is vital. I will overcome this by being responsible and managing my academic and social life, with a healthy balance of both. Another challenge of being the first-generation college student in my family is that my parents didn’t save any money for me to attend college. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college tuition due to not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. My family raised me to be a strong-minded, driven young man, and due to this, I won’t give up on what I have set out to do over the next four years of college. Being the first-generation college student of my family is quite the challenge, even though I know I’ll have my family’s support behind me. I will accomplish my goal and be the first one in my family with a Bachelor’s Degree. I won’t let myself fall under the extreme pressure and difficulties of this role, and I will strive to do my very best in college to etch my name in my family’s history as the first.

Since I want to see the youth prosper, I’ve done a lot of community service involving children. I am a member of the Church of Woodstock, and every Sunday, I teach Sunday School in the Elementary Ministry. I have been a leader in the church since 6th grade. Over summer break, I work at a camp for children with special needs. These service opportunities allow me to have an impact on my community and the children that I serve. I have a class of 2nd graders that I teach every Sunday morning. We always have a Bible lesson plan to review. The mission is to break it down to a comprehensive level for them. Over my years of teaching in the Elementary Ministry, I’ve seen many young children come to know Jesus and get saved, which is why I continue to serve. Through these lessons and my efforts, many children become strong in their faith, getting to know Christ, and the morals and values of Christianity as they journey through life. Over my summers, I serve at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I assist the music therapist. I set up the instruments, tend to the children when they need aid, hold up instrument cues, and take the children for a walk outside when they need to vent their frustrations. There’s a common misperception about people with special needs, and they often get overlooked, when they’re still people. They just express themselves differently. From my experiences at camp, and getting to know the children personally, I saw my efforts come to fruition as I began to realize that people like this don’t have a voice, and nobody really stands up for them. They have their unique abilities and bright attitudes that the world’s dark opinion on them is too blind to see. Now that I’m educated and enlightened on them, I’m able to correct ignorant misconceptions, and I am impacting my community all the better.

Films have several jobs to accomplish. They must provide a form of escapism and tell a story that engages an audience. A luxury of most films is they entertain. My all-time favorite film accomplishes all of these, with an insanely charming, unconventional, thought-provoking, and heartwarming family story. My favorite film is Meet the Robinsons. It’s a story about a pre-teen orphan boy who desires the mother he never got to know. He’s a misunderstood genius who repels all potential parents because they find him odd. The boy, Lewis, gets his worldview expanded when his son from the future, Wilbur, comes back in a time machine he invented to bring him to the future and try to warn him of a looming threat. Being a Multimedia Film & Production major myself, I admit, this movie has its flaws. However, it’s my favorite. I never said it’s the best film ever made. The future, as displayed in this movie, is a place that everybody would want to be our world’s future. Energy is clean and bountiful, and transportation is advanced. There are flying cars, self-made buildings, robotic assistants, and more. All the advanced technology is inspiring to see, and it makes you want to do whatever it takes to achieve this future. Lewis is roused out of self-doubt by his future family, and he learns to keep pursuing his ambitions. When a petty, selfish man steals in order to change the past and make the future into his own vision, this future becomes a hellish dystopia, where humanity is past the brink of corruption. The film is essentially a more wholesome and kid-friendly version of Back to the Future Part II. I could watch it endlessly, and it’s a phenomenal film to its core, with its stimulating writing and impressive message.

I grew up in a Christian family, and thanks to this, I’ve been in a church since I was three years old. My family went every Sunday, so growing up in a church is something I know all too well. In my 4th grade Sunday School class, I learned about living for Jesus. Immediately after the lesson, I was asked if I accepted Jesus into my heart, and I answered yes. Reflecting on it now, I think this was premature because I really didn’t know what it meant then. Being in the south, Christianity was common, and most of anybody I met also went to church with their families and called themselves “Christian”. However, their actions always seemed contradictory to what they claimed. As early as 7th grade, I witnessed my peers cursing, spreading hatred, and being violent, and these traits only worsened as time went on. Middle schoolers around me were saying such foul things in school but on their best behavior in their parents’ presence. For a brief period, I tried to indulge in this vocabulary, as any impressionable kid would. I tried to fit in with what my so-called “likeminded individuals” were doing, finding it socially acceptable. If the cool kids were enhancing their sentences with curse words, I wanted to as well. However, the more invective I spoke, the less right it felt. It didn’t sit right with me. It was as if I was acting different around these children than I would in any other environment. Soon my cursing dwindled, as I felt uncomfortable saying the words myself and then discovered that I despised it when other kids spoke in that manner, too. By high school, not only was cursing more commonplace, but children were doing despicable things, even as early as 9th grade. Behind closed doors, there were fights, sexual escapades, negative ideologies, nihilism, and other toxic and contemptible behaviors occurring. I wanted to steer away from all this stuff and keep my nose clean. I knew I was only in high school for one thing, and that was my diploma. I didn’t involve myself with any of the circles of troubles that you could find within the place. In Junior Year, I even got myself a girlfriend, and we kept our relationship on a Christian level. By that year, though, I began to feel unfulfilled. Things seemed routine, and there were lots of pressures on my upcoming future. I didn’t know what path to take, nor what I wanted to do. At church, I was now a Sunday School instructor in the Elementary Ministry, and I seemed to have everything together to my 2nd graders, but as for my own life, I was lacking. It was the summer following that year that I stayed with my grandmother for two months. She’s not only a wise, intelligent woman with a Ph.D., but she’s a “spiritual leader” of sorts, within my family. We attended her church every Sunday and on a personal level, she really went in-depth with me on what it means to surrender yourself to Jesus. Her bible study sessions helped me seek out the truths of the Bible, and brought to me the decision to start living for Him. Now that I was conscious of what it really meant, I was ready to accept Him as my personal savior and become saved. I was prepared to reject the ways of just any person that called themselves a “Christian” and really live as an exemplary Christian should. Since then, my life has changed for the better. Opportunities have presented themselves to me, ensuring my success along the end of high school and helping me get into my dream school and major in the studies of film. My success in college, and even in my relationships with others are all attributed to that day I began to live for Jesus. All those old “friends” are now out of my life and are but a distant memory along with the many tainted views from high school. I now surround myself with true Christians, people I can really relate to, study and spread the love of Jesus with. My life has bettered tremendously since that day, and I can’t be thankful enough for having a Christian grandmother that was able to show me the light in the way of the Lord, so I could live a blessed life.

It has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting since I was a youth. I aim to graduate with a Bachelor’s and progress to a Master’s in screenwriting. Due to my academic achievements, I was accepted to several universities, but I decided on GSU because of their Multimedia Film & Production, Communication Arts Program. My academic history aligns with my long-term career goals, displayed through the pathways I have pursued throughout my education. Throughout high school, I’ve chosen all Honors and Advanced Placement Literature classes and received all As. What I learned in my literature classes will aid me in my experiences as I work towards my degree. I also attended a Video Broadcasting class as an elective. This really solidified my interest as I learned the trades of cameras, filming, and editing. It was an incredibly insightful experience and I couldn’t have chosen a greater elective to help me confirm a career. My educational support of writing and film has enhanced my abilities and passion, cementing my assurance in my future career. As an extracurricular activity in high school, I joined the Georgia Technology Student Association (TSA), in which we worked in teams on many engineering-related projects to go to a state competition and compete against other schools. I’ve been in Georgia TSA since my freshman year. As a senior, I went to the State Leadership Conference for my first time and had my project place as a finalist! My peers and I had to develop a video game, and I crafted the story of the game. Seeing it enjoyed by judges and an audience of players is confirming evidence that I will be successful at screenwriting. Over the years, I’ve also had numerous experiences displaying my writing skills. I’ve won numerous writing contests that I’ve submitted stories to and have been honored for my above-average writing prowess. I entered a writing contest to become one of the 100 winners of Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine’s Disney Dreamer’s Academy, which earned me an all-expenses paid trip to Disney World with the opportunity to meet Mr. Steve Harvey. Even outside my academic excellence in writing, I’ve had extraordinary success in my regular academics as well. In my junior year of high school, I was awarded the Academic Letter of Woodstock High School, an honor achievable by consecutively keeping your GPA above a 3.0 throughout your high school career. In my senior year, I was awarded the Woodstock High School Lamp of Knowledge for continuing the same achievement. I have maintained a 3.4+ GPA throughout my entire academic career and pushed myself to achieve academic excellence in Honors and AP classes. I have taken college courses in a program called Duke TIP. I’ve been in many recognized societies such as National Junior’s Honors Society and Beta Club. All of these academic achievements have made me who I am: a driven and well-educated young man, striving for success in anything I do.

When people choose a role model, they often choose someone they admire or aspire to be like. While this is inspiring, most people have never actually met their role model in person. This excludes my case; I discovered who my role model was by actually meeting him. My role model is Steve Harvey, and I have met him on the most incredulous and life-changing experience I’ve ever had. Ever since I was young, I wanted to go to Disney World, but my parents could never afford it. Fortunately, in my Sophomore year of high school, I heard an ad on the radio speaking about Steve Harvey’s Disney Dreamer’s Academy. The ad mentioned how the Top 100 Winners of a writing contest would travel on a paid trip to Disney World and get to meet Steve Harvey. I was super excited to take a shot at the opportunity. I wrote the required essay and submitted it. A few months later, I received mail officially congratulating me on being one of the 100 winners of the Disney Dreamer’s Academy Essay Contest! In April of 2018, it was time to attend the academy, and my mother and I were flown out to Florida. I was nervous but hyped to meet Steve Harvey, who I’ve known through watching Family Feud while growing up. We were chauffeured to an auditorium, officially congratulated and welcomed to the Disney Dreamers Academy by Steve Harvey himself. It was quite an honor, and part of me was still in disbelief that the whole thing was happening. After being inducted by Steve Harvey, we were able to introduce ourselves and take pictures with him. He greeted everyone with that iconic smile, but was also really humble when I actually introduced myself. I asked him what drove him to sponsor an event like this, and he told me, he just wants to see every one of us to succeed, even if we don’t have the support system or resources do so. That was admirable, and I was undoubtedly was grateful for the opportunity. Being able to shake hands which such a well-known and successful person was enlightening, and I knew I could achieve just like him. Steve Harvey’s program taught us that, we can do anything we set our minds to, but we can’t just dream and put nothing behind it. We’d have to put in the work to accomplish it. His words were inspiring and him taking time out of his busy life to encourage us and share his story was meaningful to me. Steve Harvey really influenced me. He pays out of pocket every year, along with Essence Magazine, to fund this program, because he wants all children to be able to have such an enlightening experience. I aspire to be philanthropic, successful, and influential like that one day. He has his own show and enough money to host something like the Dreamers Academy every year, which are astounding accomplishments. This is why he is my greatest role model.

Legacy doesn’t simply mean leaving material items to someone when you pass. To me, legacy means leaving behind your belongings, life earnings, lessons taught, knowledge, and your mark on the world for all of history to come. To leave a legacy, you must have an everlasting influence on the world that continues once you depart. This is what I want my legacy to be. I don’t just want to have money to leave behind for my family, but I want to have a permanent impact on the world that will last until the end of time. There are different kinds of valuable legacies. There are legacies that pass down all material gain to the offspring, giving the family good fortunes to last down the line. There are legacies that bring a family’s name into the spotlight, giving all members within the family fame that lasts unto the future to come. There are infamous legacies that condemn whole bloodlines, alarming people to fear anyone related to it. There are legacies that leave wise words and advice to anyone seeking it. Lastly, there are legacies that leave a change on the world, and will be constantly brought up and discussed throughout history. I want to leave behind a legacy of making a good change or advancement on this world while I inhabit it. I want to invent something that will revolutionize technology and provide more convenience to life. After I’m gone, I want to be remembered for the invention I brought into the world and how it’s changed the world as we know it. I want to be up there with the significant inventors who brought change to the world such as Nikola Tesla, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington Carver, Henry Ford, and Leonardo da Vinci. They all left amazing legacies by how they revolutionized the world with that they created, and I strive to accomplish this. There’s a lot of technology that hasn’t been developed or perfected yet. Hovering cars, autonomous bodies, advanced AIs, wireless battery transfer, etc. It is my desire to invent such technology and leave behind my legacy. As an engineer, I want to become prosperous from my invention, and for my bloodline to be widely-recognized long after I’m gone. After becoming prosperous from my invention, I’ll teach my offspring how to maintain the family name and our generational wealth, keeping the family affluent for futures to come. They won’t have to do something renowned or invent something else to keep our success going. It can all flourish off of my invention, and if I financially educate my offspring, they can financially educate their children and so on. I’ll educate them on saving, investing, and the importance of credit, so that my future family can be financially stable for generations. This is the legacy I desire to leave.

It is always said that, “It’s the little things that count”. This saying relates to how the most insignificant-seeming things can be the most meaningful to a person. I received a gift that didn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it defined me as a person, changed my life, and made me who I am. It wasn’t the most expensive gift, but the sentiment behind it and all the joy it brought me is what comes to mind as the highlight of my childhood when I reminiscence on it. This gift for me was my Nintendo Wii. It probably seems unbelievable for such a recognizable character, but for a while, I went throughout childhood not knowing who Mario was. My father grew up on Mario in the 80s, and wanted me to experience the joy he did as a child, with the modern version of Super Mario Bros. I never had video games before that point. My dad, in his deepest sentiment, purchased me a Nintendo Wii. It wasn’t my birthday or any holiday, but my dad gave me such a wondrous gift on a random day just out of his love. I instantly fell in love with it. I adored every Mario game and moment on the Wii, especially when playing with my dad. This got me into my love and appreciation for video games, and in current day, I am the President of my school’s Video Game Club due to this one gift I received.

When people choose a role model, they often choose someone they admire or aspire to be like. While this is inspiring, most people have never actually met their role model in person. This excludes my case; I discovered who my role model was by actually meeting him. My role model is Steve Harvey, and I have met him on the most incredulous and life-changing experience I’ve ever had. Ever since I was young, I wanted to go to Disney World, but my parents could never afford it. Fortunately, in my Sophomore year of high school, I heard an ad on the radio speaking about Steve Harvey’s Disney Dreamer’s Academy. The ad mentioned how the Top 100 Winners of a writing contest would travel on a paid trip to Disney World and get to meet Steve Harvey. I was super excited to take a shot at the opportunity. I wrote the required essay and submitted it. A few months later, I received mail officially congratulating me on being one of the 100 winners of the Disney Dreamer’s Academy Essay Contest! In April of 2018, it was time to attend the academy, and my mother and I were flown out to Florida. I was nervous but hyped to meet Steve Harvey, who I’ve known through watching Family Feud while growing up. We were chauffeured to an auditorium, officially congratulated and welcomed to the Disney Dreamers Academy by Steve Harvey himself. It was quite an honor, and part of me was still in disbelief that the whole thing was happening. After being inducted by Steve Harvey, we were able to introduce ourselves and take pictures with him. He greeted everyone with that iconic smile, but was also really humble when I actually introduced myself. I asked him what drove him to sponsor an event like this, and he told me, he just wants to see every one of us to succeed, even if we don’t have the support system or resources do so. That was admirable, and I was undoubtedly was grateful for the opportunity. Being able to shake hands which such a well-known and successful person was enlightening, and I knew I could achieve just like him. Steve Harvey’s program taught us that, we can do anything we set our minds to, but we can’t just dream and put nothing behind it. We’d have to put in the work to accomplish it. His words were inspiring and him taking time out of his busy life to encourage us and share his story was meaningful to me. Steve Harvey really influenced me. He pays out of pocket every year, along with Essence Magazine, to fund this program, because he wants all children to be able to have such an enlightening experience. I aspire to be philanthropic, successful, and influential like that one day. He has his own show and enough money to host something like the Dreamers Academy every year, which are astounding accomplishments. This is why he is my greatest role model.

I’ve done a lot of community service involving children. I am a member of the Church of Woodstock, and I teach Sunday School in the Elementary Ministry. Over my summers, I serve at a summer camp in Forsyth County. The camp is run by Triad Music, LLC., a music therapy company that hosts summer camps for children with special needs. I’m a member of a brotherhood known as Men of Vision and Excellence (M.O.V.E.), an organization that takes initiative to better the community and educate on the topics of a positive social impact. Resident Advisor at Georgia Southern University. Due to recent events, circumstances have arisen to complicate my funding for college. These events are troubling as I am the first one in my family to attend a university. My family has mainly been a military-family. Everyone in my family has gone into the military or went straight into the workforce. I strive to receive a college degree for a greater chance of earning a decent salary out the gate, post-college. I want to be the first member of my family to create a legacy by obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree. The challenges and difficulties in my efforts to attend college is due to me being the first-generation college student in my family. My parents never saved a dollar towards my college education due to keeping food on the table and not knowing the path I would want to take. They most likely thought I’d follow the footsteps of our family’s military roots. Due to this, I worked extremely hard in high school to obtain all scholarship opportunities available to me. In addition to working hard in school, as soon as I was old enough to have a job, I’ve began saving money towards my college tuition. With college knocking on my door, over this past summer, I worked two jobs and saved up all the money that I could to pay for my first few semesters at Georgia Southern University, but I have no idea how I am going to pay for my next semester. Unfortunately, due to COVID, my situation has only gotten worse. Many companies and families have been greatly affected by the pandemic. Corporations have had their hands forced to reduce staff, creating a direct impact on my family financially, especially when my father was laid off from his job. This financial instability also affects my ability to return to Georgia Southern. Being the first-generation college student of my family is quite the challenge, but I will be the first one in my family with a Bachelor’s Degree. I wish my drive, dedication, and work ethics alone were enough to succeed but I realize that none of this can be accomplished without the necessary funding. This is the situation that prompts me to require financial assistance. It has been my aspiration to learn the mastery of screenwriting since I was a youth. I aim to graduate with a Bachelor’s and progress to a Master’s in screenwriting.