
Derek Wurtz
635
Bold Points1x
Finalist
Derek Wurtz
635
Bold Points1x
FinalistBio
My passion in life is farming. I've grown up on the family farm and have fallen in love with the life it brings. I plan to attend college and receive my bachelor's degree in animal science. I hope to continue farming and building a successful career afterward.
In my free time, I enjoy things like baseball, basketball, fishing, and hanging out with friends. I am a proud T1D.
Education
Nemaha Central High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
- Animal Sciences
Career
Dream career field:
Animal Science
Dream career goals:
Farmhand
Rottinghaus Family Dairy2024 – Present1 year
Sports
Baseball
Varsity2021 – 20254 years
Basketball
Varsity2021 – 20254 years
Arts
Nemaha Central Drama
Theatre2022 – 2024
Public services
Volunteering
Catholic Heartwork Camp — Volunteer2023 – 2024
Skin Grip Diabetes Scholarship
CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY Mid-Career Writing Scholarship
I love writing as it can help express one's true thoughts and feelings. I love writing stories and exploring the boundless realm of imagination and self-expression. Composing a story helps to explore emotions and share experiences. I can create worlds that may only exist in my mind, yet are somehow relatable to others. Just like John Steinbeck and Of Mice and Men, I like to write stories that are relatable to readers. My passion for writing and storytelling is more than just a pastime, it is a way to connect and relate with others. Through my writing, I have expressed inner feelings with others, which was hard for me to do before.
One of the most exhilarating aspects of writing stories is the freedom it offers. The blank page is an open canvas, inviting the writer to paint vivid pictures with words. It allows for the creation of characters who live, breathe, and face challenges within the writer’s invented worlds. Writing lets us step into other lives, exploring perspectives and emotions that we might not encounter in our own daily experiences. Through characters, we can be heroes, villains, adventurers, or dreamers, discovering truths about ourselves along the way.
Writing also serves as a powerful tool for self-expression. Often, it’s easier to convey emotions or ideas through the lens of fiction. Writing gives voice to feelings that might otherwise remain unspoken, allowing me to confront fears, celebrate joys, and navigate complex emotions. This process can be both therapeutic and enlightening, helping the writer make sense of their world while simultaneously inviting readers to reflect on theirs.
Perhaps the most rewarding part of writing stories is the connection they create with others. When readers engage with a story, they bring their interpretations and emotions, making the narrative a shared experience. A well-told story can inspire, comfort, or challenge its audience, leaving a lasting impact that bridges the gap between writer and reader. Knowing that one’s words have touched someone else is an incomparable feeling, fueling the desire to write more.
Loving to write stories is about more than just putting words on a page—it’s about embracing creativity, expressing oneself, and forging connections. For those who feel this passion, storytelling becomes a way of life, a source of joy and discovery that enriches both the writer and their audience. Through stories, we not only explore the limits of our imagination but also celebrate the timeless power of words to inspire and unite.