Among the plethora of Nintendo games that fostered cherished memories with friends and family, one standout favorite for me in co-op mode is "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe." Its blend of frantic racing action, whimsical characters, and chaotic multiplayer dynamics never fails to deliver exhilarating moments of joy and camaraderie. One memorable instance that solidified "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" as my top choice for co-op gaming occurred during a gathering with my best friends and siblings. We had spent the entires night engaged in spirited competition, navigating treacherous tracks and hurling colorful shells at each other with gleeful abandon. As the night wore on, tensions rose, and the stakes of each race seemed to escalate with each passing lap. In one particularly intense race, I found myself locked in a neck-and-neck battle for first place with my sister. We jostled for position, executing daring maneuvers and expertly timing our item usage to gain the upper hand. As we approached the final stretch of the track, victory seemed within reach, the finish line tantalizingly close. However, fate had other plans in store. In a heart-stopping twist of events, my sister unleashed a devastating blue shell, the infamous equalizer capable of decimating the lead racer. With a mixture of horror and admiration, I watched as the blue shell homed in on me, shattering my hopes of victory in a spectacular explosion. Despite the setback, I couldn't help but laugh in disbelief at the sheer absurdity of the moment. My sister, grinning triumphantly, crossed the finish line, securing the win by the narrowest of margins. In that instant, amidst the chaos and laughter, I realized the true magic of "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe": it's not just about winning or losing, but about the shared experiences and unforgettable moments of camaraderie that it creates. As we recounted the race with animated enthusiasm, the memory of that epic showdown became etched in our minds, a testament to the enduring appeal of "Mario Kart" as the ultimate co-op gaming experience. From that day onward, whenever the opportunity arises to gather with friends for a round of "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe," I eagerly seize it, knowing that more unforgettable moments await on the track.

I lost my granddad in August 2020. This was the same month I started my freshmen year of college. So much was going on during that time; the world was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I had to start my freshmen year of college online, and I was struggling to deal with the loss of my granddad who I was very close to. The loss of a close family member or loved one is an experience that fundamentally reshapes one's perspective on life. It's an event that thrusts you into the depths of sorrow, forcing introspection and contemplation on what truly matters. When I lost my granddad, it was as if the veil of trivialities that clouded my vision was suddenly lifted, revealing the stark truth about the brevity and fragility of life. In the wake of such a loss, I found myself reevaluating my priorities and redefining what I wanted to fight for in life. The superficial pursuits and fleeting distractions that once held my attention seemed inconsequential in comparison to the profound connections and meaningful experiences that give life its richness. The loss acted as a catalyst for a profound shift in my focus. It illuminated the importance of cherishing moments with loved ones, nurturing relationships, and expressing gratitude for the precious gift of time we're given. Suddenly, the pursuit of material wealth or societal accolades felt hollow compared to the pursuit of happiness, fulfillment, and inner peace. I realized that what truly matters most in life are the intangible qualities: love, kindness, empathy, and compassion. These are the pillars upon which meaningful relationships are built, and they are the essence of a life well-lived. I resolved to fight for these values, not just for myself, but for the betterment of the world around me. Moreover, his loss instilled in me a profound sense of urgency. It served as a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of seizing the moment. I became acutely aware of the preciousness of time and the need to make every moment count. This newfound sense of urgency propelled me to take action toward my goals and aspirations with unwavering determination. In the face of adversity, I found resilience. His loss taught me that I am stronger than I ever imagined, capable of weathering life's storms and emerging from the darkness with newfound strength and clarity. It fueled my resolve to overcome obstacles and pursue my dreams with unwavering passion and perseverance. Ultimately, the loss of my granddad was a profound and transformative experience that compelled me to refocus my priorities, cherish the relationships that enrich my life, and pursue my dreams with unwavering determination. It taught me to find meaning in the face of adversity and to fight for what truly matters most in life: love, connection, and the pursuit of a purposeful existence.

Hi! My name is Devin Alford. I was born and raised in Detroit, MI. I have three siblings which includes a twin sister, a little brother, and an older sister. I've been interested in fashion and music for as long as I can remember. My love for fashion and music definitely comes from my mother. As I grew up my love for fashion grew so much and when I was in highschool I decided I want to pursue a career in the fashion industry. While in high school, I had the amazing opportunity to take dural enrollment classes at the University of Detroit Mercy. I was able to earn college credit while still in highschool. I was able to take business classes like accounting and management at the University of Detroit Mercy. This opportunity led me to want to attend business school for my Bachelor's degree. Education is important to me because I am a first generation college student. I want to be the first person in my family to show that education is an important tool in life. Also, pursuing a higher education will allow me to get a career in my desired career field of marketing.

Hi! My name is Devin Alford. I was born and raised in Detroit, MI. I have three siblings which includes a twin sister, a little brother, and an older sister. I've been interested in fashion and music for as long as I can remember. My love for fashion and music definitely comes from my mother. As I grew up my love for fashion grew so much and when I was in highschool I decided I want to pursue a career in the fashion industry. While in high school, I had the amazing opportunity to take dural enrollment classes at the University of Detroit Mercy and at Lawrence Technological University. I was able to earn college credit while still in highschool. I was able to take business classes like accounting and management the University of Detroit Mercy and at Lawrence Technological University. This opportunity led me to want to attend business school for my Bachelor's degree. I spent most of my life in Detorit until I decided to attend Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Georgetown was not on my radar until I started looking into business schools. My research of business schools led me to discovering Georgetown has one of the top business schools in the United States, thus I decided to apply. I am a Marketing major with a minor in Entrepreneurship. Though, I do love fashion I did not want to go into design. I am more interested in adversiting and public relations which is why I chose to major in Marketing. During my sophomore year at Georgetown, I declared a minor in Entrepreneurship because I am interested in learning more about the ins and outs of how a business is ran. I recently recieved an amazing opportuinty to intern at the marketing firm Legacy Partners this summer. Legacy Partners is a great company that work with non-profit organizations. The marketing firm creates marketing campaigns for non-profit organizations like Oxfam, who work to end the injustice of poverty all over the world. After creating the marketing campaigns, the amazing employees at Legacy Partners go out into the real world and use the marketing campaigns they created to help fundraise money for the non-profit organization. As an intern I will be able to gain the experience of working in the marketing field and working toward ending poverty all around the world. I am extremely exiceted and looking forward to making a difference in the world all while making a difference in the world I live in.

Hi! My name is Devin Alford. I was born and raised in Detroit, MI. I have three siblings which includes a twin sister, a little brother, and an older sister. I've been interested in fashion and music for as long as I can remember. My love for fashion and music definitely comes from my mother. As I grew up my love for fashion grew so much and when I was in highschool I decided I want to pursue a career in the fashion industry. While in high school, I had the amazing opportunity to take dural enrollment classes at the University of Detroit Mercy and at Lawrence Technological University. I was able to earn college credit while still in highschool. I was able to take business classes like accounting and management the University of Detroit Mercy and at Lawrence Technological University. This opportunity led me to want to attend business school for my Bachelor's degree. I spent most of my life in Detorit until I decided to attend Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Georgetown was not on my radar until I started looking into business schools. My research of business schools led me to discovering Georgetown has one of the top business schools in the United States, thus I decided to apply. I am a Marketing major with a minor in Entrepreneurship. Though, I do love fashion I did not want to go into design but rather the business side which is why I chose to major in Marketing. During my sophomore year at Georgetown, I declared a minor in Entrepreneurship because I am interested in possibly starting my own business in the fashion industry. As I stated previously, I fell in love with the fashion when I was child. Even now I enjoy dressing up to go to events or just to attend classes and lectures. I am currently a junior at Georgetown so I have recently been taking a deeper look into what exactly I want to do in life. It was only natural I start my search in the fashion industry. I have spent hours upon hours looking into the right path for me and my passions. I have decided I want to pursue a career in Fashion Advertising and PR. I would love to work with fashion retailers like Nordstrom or directly some of my favorite brands like Steve Madden. I will be able to save money to pay for rent for housing in Washington, DC going into the summer of my junior year with the money I save from paying down my student loans. Also, I will be able to save up and get a car to commute easier to work in DC. Additionally, paying down my student loans will help increase my credit score which will inturn help will rent and getting a car.