"Mom you need to pull over right now!" I yelled. In less than one minute, the car jerked and stopped roughly. I quickly opened the door and felt the vomit release from my mouth. Full of pain, I began crying. Over the course of a few weeks following this incident, I was hospitalized. After bloodwork and other tests, the doctors had diagnosed me with Crohn's disease. This is an inflammatory bowel disease that, without proper medication and care, can create agonizing pain for the sufferer. Although there are various medications that can alleviate and reduce symptoms, there is no cure yet. I was eight years old at the time. Ever since my diagnosis, I have been passionate about living a healthy lifestyle as best as I can. Because I want to ensure the highest quality of life while living with Crohn's disease, diet and exercise are important in managing my symptoms. During my college journey, I enrolled in a nutrition class. Along with this class and other research, I feel more adequately knowledgeable on how to live a healthy lifestyle. I include exercise in my life because of the positive physical and mental effects they produce. I try to workout at least three times a week, and in addition to this walk my dog every day. When you workout, the body releases endorphins which can construct a better sense of well-being, which I have personally felt. It is also a great feeling of accomplishment knowing that my hard work results in increased strength and muscle size. Maintaining a well balanced diet is important not only for a longer life but for a higher quality life in the short term as well. When I eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, there is a noticeable difference in how I feel. I try to avoid frozen foods, fast food, and red meats as much as I can. In my experience, when I eat those types of foods I feel groggy, sometimes with an upset stomach. I also try to drink plenty of water throughout the days, avoiding sugary drinks such as soda and juice. Living a healthy lifestyle has been monumental in managing my ailment. Regular exercise and a balanced diet have been key in the high quality of life I currently maintain. Although I am not perfect, I try my best to take care of my body. This is so important because I want to enjoy a long life, one that is full of adventure, in spite of my condition.

My friends, family, and community as a whole are extremely important to me. Life can present unique trials and tribulations of which each individual must face. Because of this, and the obstacles I have had to personally overcome, it is paramount I am there for those I care most about in a physical and emotional manner. My favorite way to help others is through the use of food. Everyone needs to eat, and we all deserve access to nutrient dense foods. I have a big family and as a result we usually have conflicting schedules. Because of my passion for cooking, I make sure to create extra portions so that my brothers, father, and mother can also partake. My oldest brother in particular has expressed high gratitude for my cooking because when he arrives home from his shift he is usually too tired to cook for himself. It is especially rewarding when we can sit together as a family to eat food I have cooked because it shows that we can all be there for each other. When I go out in my community I apply this principle in practice. For example, when I see others who are struggling financially I offer to buy food. Most recently, when I was shopping at Winco Foods, a local grocery store, a man sat down near the entrance with a sign asking for assistance. I asked if I could purchase food for him at the pizza shop inside the store. After agreeing, we walked inside together. The man requested one slice of pizza, although I insisted he could get more. I paid for his slice of pizza and a drink, which he later thanked me with a smile. I think that food can be used as a powerful way to help others.

The first time I read from my emails that someone had purchased a painting of mine, I felt completely ecstatic. Filled with joy, I searched my room for the boxes I had purchased earlier. I pulled out the painting, wrapped it up, and taped the box. After taking the box to the postage office, I reflected on the feeling that arose: appreciation. I have always been fascinated by artwork and started learning how to paint from my best friend. I paint in oil on canvas and love to see how the subject progresses through the addition of new layers. Art can be immensely personal, and as a result, it means a lot to me to hear that others have connected with mine. Having painted numerous styles, my room is colorful and representative of my personality which makes me feel happy. I know that with good care the paintings I create can last many years. In fact, these paintings could potentially last longer than my life, something that is difficult to wrap my mind around. As such, I have reflected on the idea that paintings I make can, in a sense, act as part of my legacy. I hope I can continue creating custom artwork for others because I know that the display of pieces make others feel good. I wish to inspire my friends, family, and community to show that we can develops skills and achieve goals if we truly put our mind to it with enough dedication, patience, and time.

"Mom you need to pull over right now!" I yelled. In less than one minute, the car jerked and stopped roughly. I quickly opened the door and felt the vomit release from my mouth. Full of pain, I began crying. Over the course of a few weeks following this incident, I was hospitalized. After bloodwork and other tests, the doctors had diagnosed me with Crohn's disease. This is an inflammatory bowel disease that, without proper medication and care, can create agonizing pain for the sufferer. Although there are various medications that can alleviate and reduce symptoms, there is no cure yet. I was eight years old at the time. The support from my family, especially my parents, significantly impacted my time at the hospital in a positive manner. When I finally arrived home, to my surprise, a dog gleefully welcomed my presence. Charlie, a pure bred dachshund, wagged his tail and I began to pet his fur coat. I smiled as my father told me that Charlie will be the newest addition to our family. I learned from this that even when life presents obstacles, there is still much to be thankful for. Although it is easier said than done, I try to seek out joy in my life every single day by appreciating all that I have. Even though I have an illness that must be managed, I persevere in spite of my condition. My medication, as well as a healthy lifestyle, have helped me live a high quality of life. Having this mindset helps me work towards my goals and put the important things, such as family and friends, in perspective.

"Much love brother! I appreciate you to the moon and back as always. I'll send you pics the second it goes up in my office," He texted me. I had just received confirmation that one painting I had sold to a former coworker arrived from shipping in good condition. The reaction, extremely positive, helped boost my confidence and made me feel good about all of the work I have put into developing this skill. I love creating custom pieces of art for friends, family, and others because I know how powerful it can be. Custom work, specifically, is oriented towards the purchaser's preferences such as favorite characters, colors, or styles. Art can be immensely personal, and as a result, it means a lot to me to hear that others have connected with mine. As a painter of oil on canvas, I have sold nearly thirty commissioned pieces of art. This type of business requires a lot of networking, as my potential cash flow is dependent upon my ability to draft interest from others. I started selling paintings from my immediate close group of friends, the first of which was of my best friend's cat. Over time I began selling more paintings to others, having been referred to from my friends. I make sure to sign all of my pieces and to display my artwork on social media so that I can connect with as much people as possible. Etsy, an e-commerce company, has also been a useful tool in generating prospects. Through the Etsy marketplace, I have sold several unique paintings. This company has allowed me to connect with a wider base of people from all across the country. It is quite a unique feeling to ship a painting out several states away. I know that with good care the paintings that I create can last many years. In fact, these paintings could potentially last longer than my life, something that is difficult to wrap my mind around. I hope I can continue creating custom artwork for others because I know that the display of pieces make others feel good. Selling paintings has been a great gig for me because I can work at my preferred pace and set my own prices. I wish to inspire my friends, family, and community to show that we can develop skills and achieve goals if we truly put our mind to it with enough dedication, patience, and time.

I fell in love with learning at an early age. As each year progressed, I became excited at the idea of new subjects, teachers, and friends I would encounter. Over the course of my education, I gained a higher understanding of just how powerful it can be to learn from our mistakes and strive to better ourselves. My experiences have shaped the way I see the world. From several years of work experience at various restaurants, I learned how difficult it can be to work in the service industry. This is because customers can be quite rude, and workers are often on the move the whole shift. Through perseverance, I worked my way up and earned a promotion as a shift leader, entailing a higher set of responsibilities. I had to count and verify the cash in the register, conduct openings as well as store closings, fill out necessary paperwork, train employees, ensure employees are following company procedures, work closely with management, and act as a role model or good example for other employees. These jobs taught me so much about leadership. One important principle I always tried to practice while on the job is appreciation. I know how hard it can be working in the food industry, so as a shift leader, I made sure I thanked workers for their time. I also made an effort to check in with employees to see if there were any ways I could make their time with the company better. Some ways that I did this was to check if employees had any scheduling preferences and also helped identify hard working employees who stood out with the manager so that they could receive pay increases. When times get difficult, such as rush periods, it is very important that I, as the shift leader, set a good example for the team. Even though it was very stressful and demanding, if the team takes the job one task at a time and follow procedures, we are guaranteed positive outcomes. While working at this job, I tried to have a positive demeanor to encourage the team and customers. Through this experience, I learned that having positive energy can really help spread to others. For example, I have personally helped upset customers with a positive attitude and I could see how thankful they were for it. I think that good leadership qualities can truly influence others. Having a leader that is reliable, consistent, and communicative can make a huge difference in any organization. Working in the food industry has humbled me and showed me the value of service in society. When I go out to eat at restaurants I tip very well and show understanding if mistakes are made. It’s important to understand that we are all human; showing a little bit of kindness goes a long way. I will always continue to learn new things, and utilize my current knowledge to operate as a leader in the best way I possibly can in the future.

"Mom you need to pull over right now!" I yelled. In less than one minute, the car jerked and stopped roughly. I quickly opened the door and felt the vomit release from my mouth. Full of pain, I began crying. Over the course of a few weeks following this incident, I was hospitalized. After bloodwork and other tests, the doctors had diagnosed me with Crohn's disease. This is an inflammatory bowel disease that, without proper medication and care, can create agonizing pain for the sufferer. Although there are various medications that can alleviate and reduce symptoms, there is no cure yet. I was eight years old at the time. Despite facing these difficult circumstances, I actively choose to live as fulfilling and joyful of a life as I possibly can. Each and every person will face unique difficulties, obstacles, and uncertainties. In recognizing this, I can find happiness in the many positive blessings I have received throughout my life. For example, during my hospitalization, the support from my family, especially my parents, significantly impacted this time in a positive manner. My family showed me immense support, and in turn, illustrated the importance of maintaining close relationships with not only family but friends as well. Although it is easier said than done, I try to seek out joy in my life every single day by appreciating all that I have. Having this mindset helps me work towards my goals and puts the important things, such as family and friends, in perspective.

"Mom you need to pull over right now!" I yelled. In less than one minute, the car jerked and stopped roughly. I quickly opened the door and felt the vomit release from my mouth. Full of pain, I began crying. Over the course of a few weeks following this incident, I was hospitalized. After bloodwork and other tests, the doctors had diagnosed me with Crohn's disease. This is an inflammatory bowel disease that, without proper medication and care, can create agonizing pain for the sufferer. Although there are various medications that can alleviate and reduce symptoms, there is no cure yet. I was eight years old at the time. Ever since my diagnosis, I have been passionate about living a healthy lifestyle as best as I can. Because I want to ensure the highest quality of life while living with Crohn's disease, diet and exercise are important in managing my symptoms. Unfortunately, my family has a history of addiction. As a result, I have had no desire to smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. During my college journey, I enrolled in a nutrition class. Along with this class and other research, I feel more adequately knowledgeable on how to live a healthy lifestyle. I include exercise in my life because of the positive physical and mental effects they produce. I try to workout at least three times a week, and in addition to this walk my dog every day. When you workout, the body releases endorphins which can construct a better sense of well-being, which I have personally felt. It is also a great feeling of accomplishment knowing that my hard work results in increased strength and muscle size. Maintaining a well balanced diet is important not only for a longer life but for a higher quality life in the short term as well. When I eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, there is a noticeable difference in how I feel. I try to avoid frozen foods, fast food, and red meats as much as I can. In my experience, when I eat those types of foods I feel groggy, sometimes with an upset stomach. I also try to drink plenty of water throughout the days, avoiding sugary drinks such as soda and juice. Living a healthy lifestyle has been monumental in managing my ailment. Regular exercise and a balanced diet have been key in the high quality of life I currently maintain. Although I am not perfect, I try my best to take care of my body. This is so important because I want to enjoy a long life, one that is full of adventure, in spite of my condition.

"Mom you need to pull over right now!" I yelled. In less than one minute, the car jerked and stopped roughly. I quickly opened the door and felt the vomit release from my mouth. Full of pain, I began crying. Over the course of a few weeks following this incident, I was hospitalized. After bloodwork and other tests, the doctors had diagnosed me with Crohn's disease. This is an inflammatory bowel disease that, without proper medication and care, can create agonizing pain for the sufferer. Although there are various medications that can alleviate and reduce symptoms, there is no cure yet. I was eight years old at the time. The support from my family, especially my parents, significantly impacted my time at the hospital in a positive manner. When I finally arrived home, to my surprise, a dog gleefully welcomed my presence. Charlie, a pure bred dachshund, wagged his tail and I began to pet his fur coat. I smiled as my father told me that Charlie is the newest addition to our family. Reflecting back on this experience, I would have to say that Charlie helped me stay extremely positive mentally during this time in my life. This dog was especially friendly and cuddled me when I would watch movies on the couch. He loved going out on walks, and it was like an adventure to me to show him different areas of his new neighborhood. I love pets because of how affectionate and caring they can be. When I was recovering from the mental and physical anguish that comes from hospitalization, my family, including this new dog, changed my life. Even though our pets cannot talk to us, they still show their love through other means. The excitement Charlie had for my family members and I, for example, when we would come home always made me feel very happy. Charlie was the first dog our family ever owned as a pet. I cannot fully express how important his companionship was for me at this time. Although he is no longer with us today, he lived for many years and never stopped showing us love. Now, I hold a high sense of pride for pets due to the many positive aspects their fellowship can bring to others.

"Mom you need to pull over right now!" I yelled. In less than one minute, the car jerked and stopped roughly. I quickly opened the door and felt the vomit release from my mouth. Full of pain, I began crying. Over the course of a few weeks following this incident, I was hospitalized. After bloodwork and other tests, the doctors had diagnosed me with Crohn's disease. This is an inflammatory bowel disease that, without proper medication and care, can create agonizing pain for the sufferer. Although there are various medications that can alleviate and reduce symptoms, there is no cure yet. I was eight years old at the time. The support from my family, especially my parents, significantly impacted my time at the hospital in a positive manner. When I finally arrived home, to my surprise, a dog gleefully welcomed my presence. Charlie, a pure bred dachshund, wagged his tail and I began to pet his fur coat. I smiled as my father told me that Charlie is the newest addition to our family. Reflecting back on this experience, I would have to say that Charlie helped me stay extremely positive mentally during this time in my life. This dog was especially friendly and cuddled me when I would watch movies on the couch. He loved going out on walks, and it was like an adventure to me to show him different areas of his new neighborhood. I love pets because of how affectionate and caring they can be. When I was recovering from the mental and physical anguish that comes from hospitalization, my family, including this new dog, changed my life. Even though our pets cannot talk to us, they still show their love through other means. The excitement Charlie had for my family members and I, for example, when we would come home always made me feel very happy. Charlie was the first dog our family ever owned as a pet. I cannot fully express how important his companionship was for me at this time. Although he is no longer with us today, he lived for many years and never stopped showing us love. Now, I hold a high sense of pride for pets due to the many positive aspects their fellowship can bring to others.

I fell in love with learning at an early age. As each year progressed, I became excited at the idea of new subjects, teachers, and friends I would encounter. I found many lessons from teachers extremely valuable and developed a high sense of respect for the time and dedication required for successful lectures. As a student who earned a 4.0 grade point average in High School, I look back at my experience quite positively. Although my High School experience was mostly positive, there were also setbacks and adversity I had to overcome. During this time, I had to come to grips with my identity and sexual orientation. Thanks to the support from my friends and family, I learned to love and accept myself as a gay cisgender man. This was difficult for me at times because I often heard other students joke with each other using homophobic and derogative language. I sometimes felt isolated since I did not know of other students going through the same things as me. I am so thankful that my family and friends supported me. Fortunately, my friends accepted me for who I am and did not treat me any differently after I came out. To this day, I still talk to that same friend group, and we have shared many great memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. My experiences have shaped the way I see the world. As a result, I aspire to accomplish many goals that I have set out for myself. This is particularly important to me because my parents have not attended college and neither have my two brothers. By achieving my goals, I hope to inspire my friends, family, and community to show that hard work can pay off with consistency and patience. Graduating from Chaffey College on May 19th, 2022, I will then transfer to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. The degree I am working towards is finance, real estate, and law, in which my area of focus will be on real estate. Currently in the United States, there is such a high demand for homes yet too low of an inventory. With stagnating wages and record high home values, many families are forced to rent, having been priced out of the housing market. It is my dream to be part of a team that works to innovate the real estate industry. I hope to participate with others in order to find real world solutions to provide cost effective and affordable housing to significantly more families in the United States. One technological advancement that is seeing more popularity in this field is 3d printed houses. With the oversight of one or more professionals, a machine can develop a layout, set from blueprints, using recycled cements and various materials. Although this is a technology that is still evolving, I am incredibly optimistic that this, or other types innovation in real estate, can pave way for more affordable houses to low income individuals and families.

I have lived in the same house for 21 out of the 23 years I have been alive. I am extremely grateful that my parents provided a spacious home for my brothers and I. Over the years, as a family, we have modified and customized our home to fit our needs and comfort. Graduating from Chaffey College on May 19th, 2022, I will then transfer to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. The degree I am working towards is finance, real estate, and law, in which my area of focus will be on real estate. Currently in the United States, there is such a high demand for homes yet too low of an inventory. With stagnating wages and record high home values, many families are forced to rent, having been priced out of the housing market. It is my dream to be part of a team that works to innovate the real estate industry. I hope to participate with others in order to find real world solutions to provide cost effective and affordable housing to significantly more families in the United States. One technological advancement that is seeing more popularity in this field is 3d printed houses. With the oversight of one or more professionals, a machine can develop a layout set from blueprints using recycled cements and various materials. Although this is a technology that is still evolving, I am incredibly optimistic that this, or other types innovation in real estate, can pave way for more affordable houses to low income individuals and families.

"Much love brother! I appreciate you to the moon and back as always. I'll send you pics the second it goes up in my office," He texted me. I had just received confirmation that one painting I had sold to a former coworker arrived from shipping in good condition. The reaction, extremely positive, helped boost my confidence and made me feel good about all of the work I had put into developing this skill. I love creating custom pieces of art for friends, family, and others because I know how powerful it can be. Custom work, specifically, is oriented towards the purchaser's preferences such as favorite characters, colors, or styles. Art can be immensely personal, and as a result, it means a lot to me to hear that others have connected with mine. As a painter of oil on canvas, I know that with good care the paintings that I create can last many years. In fact, these paintings could potentially last longer than my life, something that is difficult to wrap my mind around. As such, I have reflected on the idea that paintings I make can, in a sense, act as part of my legacy. I hope I can continue creating custom artwork for others because I know that the display of pieces make others feel good. I wish to inspire my friends, family, and community to show that we can develops skills and achieve goals if we truly put our mind to it with enough dedication, patience, and time.

The year was 2020. I received an email detailing that due to economic downturn from COVID-19, I will be laid off from my food service job. Not only this, my local community college that I was enrolled in shifted from in person class to online. Additionally, the gym in which I trained jiu-jitsu, a martial arts system that focuses on grappling and submissions on the ground, halted in person classes. Like so many other people, the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically shifted the way in which I was living. In a very short time span I lost important social outlets: the gym, school, and work. I stressed over how I would make an income and over time the lack of social communication made it difficult on my mental health. Having mentioned all of this, staying optimistic through tough times is extremely important. One specific action that I took which helped me during this time was to consistently call my family and friends. Hearing from the ones I care most about was very therapeutic and it taught me how healthy it can be to laugh and joke around. I know that I can rely upon my closest friends and family during hardship, and I hope that they know they can expect a high level of support from me. Although I have always loved my friends and family, through this difficult time I learned just how important they were to me and how much I appreciate their warmth and love.

As a gay man, sometimes it can be difficult to be myself confidently. Ever since I came out to my friends and family, I have learned the power of confidence and identity. I practice bravery through my efforts to comfortably and confidently be myself each day. I have always been interested in athletics, however, at times I have been discouraged to put myself out there in terms of sports because of my fear I would not be welcomed or accepted. In a way that practices living boldly, I circumvented these fears and persevered. Specifically, I pushed myself and decided to enroll in martial arts classes at a gym near my house. I did this because I wanted to learn how to defend myself as well as continue to work on my fitness journey. I was incredibly nervous on my first day of class. I had enrolled in Muay Thai, a martial arts system that focuses on standup striking such as punching, kicking, kneeing, and elbowing. I did not know anything about martial arts at the time and was unsure how I would be treated. Fortunately, the students and coaches were extremely nice and motivating. As time went on and I continued to train I started learning new techniques. For example, I learned how to have a balanced stance, perform striking combinations, head kicks, front kicks, how to block basic strikes, and trips. Each new technique that I practiced correctly helped boost my confidence. Although my body sometimes ached due to soreness and fatigue, I pushed myself to be better. The numerous hours I spent in the gym helped develop my character. It was incredibly important to prove to myself that, in spite of stereotypes and preconceived notions, I can achieve great things if I dedicate my mind to it.

The first time I read from my emails that someone had purchased a painting of mine, I felt completely ecstatic. Filled with joy, I searched my room for the boxes I had purchased earlier. I pulled out the painting, wrapped it up, and taped the box. After taking the box to the postage office, I reflected on the feeling that arose: appreciation. I have always been fascinated by artwork and started learning how to paint from my best friend. I paint in oil on canvas and love to see how the subject progresses through the addition of new layers. Having painted numerous styles, my room is colorful and representative of my personality which makes me feel happy. I regularly watch the YouTube channel "Draw Mix Paint" by Mark Carder because he provides extremely relevant and thoughtful suggestions for artists who paint in oil. Because of this channel, I significantly improved upon my ability to mix paint in order to match the specific color that I am trying to capture. This has drastically enhanced my skills, especially in regard to still life and landscape paintings, which I thoroughly enjoy to do. Seeing the development of this skill has taught me that through hard work and consistency, anyone can build upon skills if they are truly focused. I hope to continue painting throughout the course of my life because it brings me an immense sense of joy and a small stream of additional income.

The first time I read from my emails that someone had purchased a painting of mine, I felt completely ecstatic. Filled with joy, I searched my room for the boxes I had purchased earlier. I pulled out the painting, wrapped it up, and taped the box. After taking the box to the postage office, I reflected on the feeling that arose: appreciation. I would say that my best skill currently is painting. I have always been fascinated by artwork and started learning how to paint from my best friend. I paint in oil on canvas and love to see how the subject progresses through the addition of new layers. Having painted numerous styles, my room is colorful and representative of my personality which makes me feel happy. The best way that I can improve upon my painting abilities is by learning new techniques, methods, and applications from other professional artists. For example, I regularly watch the YouTube channel "Draw Mix Paint" by Mark Carder because he provides extremely relevant and thoughtful suggestions for artists who paint in oil. Because of this channel, I significantly improved upon my ability to mix paint in order to match the specific color that I am trying to capture. This has drastically enhanced my skills, especially in regard to still life and landscape paintings, which I thoroughly enjoy to do. Seeing the development of this skill has taught me that through hard work and consistency, anyone can build upon skills if they are truly focused.

Growing up, my family did not support the LGBT community. I distinctly remember watching movies and television shows that made derogatory gay jokes. This made it quite an uncomfortable experience when I started confronting my identity and sexual orientation. I felt incredibly embarrassed and ashamed of myself. I did not want anyone knowing and worried what others would think of me. Eventually, with time and meditation, I came out during High School. I told my family first because I could not stand the idea of not being able to be open about who I am. After, I shared my newly found identity with my close friends and they accepted me fully. Thanks to the support of my friends and family, I grew a high sense of confidence. This made me feel much more fulfilled and it was easier to connect emotionally with the people that I care most about because I no longer felt that I was hiding anything. Shortly after I came out, the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage nationally. This was an incredibly important time for me because it reinforced the positive feedback I received from my family and peers. The decision helped me feel much more included and proud of my country. Considering that several years have passed since this monumental decision, I feel as though there is a higher degree of welcoming and acceptance of those in the LGBT community. Although there is still lots of work to do in this regard, the social justice movement has positively impacted me and my community.

By the end of this Spring term, on May 19th, I will graduate Chaffey College with an associate degree for transfer in Business Administration. Having accepted an offer of admission by Cal Poly Pomona, I will continue my study in business with a focus on finance, real estate, and law. I was inspired to pursue an education in business because I want to be involved in business decision making that takes more consideration into the communities it affects. After earning a four-year degree, I would love to work for a bank or credit union. Specifically, I am very interested in mortgage lending and investment advisement. I plan on carefully lowering my expenses as much as possible so that I can save and invest. By building a savings and investment account, I can feel more secure with handling life emergencies and even use my wealth to help my community by donating to charities that I care about. I plan on achieving success in my goals by ensuring that I am putting in effort every single day. Although rest days are extremely important, I believe that working a little each day on coursework helps keep things manageable. The support from my friends, family, and significant other help keep me motivated to continue persevering.

As someone who has hiked and summitted several different mountains with my father, I deeply appreciate nature. I love nature because of the mental and physical health benefits that it can provide. Hiking outside allows me to workout my muscles and cardiovascular system. Being outside also effectively acts as a meditative agent. This is because, with no cell phone service, you are completely in touch with nature in a way that allows you to think about things in a different perspective. When I come back home from these types of hikes, I always feel extremely proud of the work that I put in. I try to appreciate nature by limiting my pollution. Recycling is a really powerful way to take care of our environment in a sustainable way. I do not drink water from plastic bottles and also try to limit my driving activities when possible. When I go hiking with my father, we make sure to bring an extra bag with us so that we can dispose of trash that other hikers left.

One thing that I have learned about myself that I've found valuable is that I really enjoy learning new things. Ever since I was in elementary school, I enjoyed going to class because I knew I would learn something new. As the courses got more advanced, my enthusiasm grew and I became more welcoming of various subjects in high school. I attribute much of my k-12 education to my ability to communicate well with others, research difficult topics, and form my own opinions. My excitement to learn new things has translated to the adoption of various hobbies. For example, I love art and became thrilled to learn how to paint in oil on canvas. Once I started painting, I was fascinated with the process. I searched how professionals painted so that I can improve and find what methods work best for me. I also learned how to play eclectic guitar and bass online due to my interest in music. I used the video game "Rocksmith" to play along with real songs as well as searching for tabs of songs that I took particular interest in. I think having an interest in learning new things is extremely valuable because there is no limit. In this world, there is such an array of complex topics that you can always find yourself learning something new. Having an open mind and interest in new things can significantly improve on not only my life, but others as well.

By the end of this Spring term, on May 19th, I will graduate Chaffey College with an associate degree for transfer in Business Administration. Having accepted an offer of admission by California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, I will continue my study in business with a focus on finance, real estate, and law. I was inspired to pursue an education in business because I want to be involved in business decision making that takes more consideration into the communities it affects. After earning a four-year degree, I would love to work for a bank or credit union. Specifically, I am very interested in mortgage lending and investment advisement. I plan on carefully lowering my expenses as much as possible so that I can save and invest. By building a savings and investment account, I can feel more secure with handling life emergencies and even use my wealth to help my community by donating to charities that I care about.

I am an artist. I paint in oil on canvas and play instruments such as electric guitar, bass, piano, and drums. To practice my skills in painting, I regularly view other professional artists on Youtube. The channel "DrawMixPaint" for example, by Mark Carder, includes many tips on how artists can improve their process. I have watched many videos from this channel, and have learned how to better mix paint to accurately reflect the color of which I am trying to capture. He also taught me how to work in layers and to keep loose brushwork on the canvas because it creates texture when viewing the painting from a few feet away. When I am practicing my musical skills, I like to lookup the tabs or chord progressions of songs that I enjoy. This helps me learn new chords and also keeps me engaged with the activity because I feel more motivated to learn songs by artists that I like.

I relax by playing video games, playing guitar, and painting. These activities are fun to me, keep me engaged, and stimulate my mind. They help calm me when I am feeling stressed from work, school, or when other issues arise. I take care of my mental health by taking initiative with my physical health. For example, I know that when I workout I feel much better. This is because cardiovascular activity releases endorphins. It's also a great feeling knowing that I am getting stronger due to my efforts. I also try to take care of my looks such as applying facial scrubs and cutting my own hair. I also try to keep in touch with my friends or family when I am feeling down. Having someone to talk to is very important to me because hearing an outside perspective can change how I am viewing the issue that may be causing my stress. Since I am very close with my friends and family, I know that if I need, they will listen to my problems and give advice. The people that I am most close with also know that if they need to voice their frustrations or if they need someone to talk with, that I would be there for them as well.

As a musician and painter, I love the arts. I would attribute a large amount of my free time towards artwork and expression. In fact, I have written, recorded, and published several singles, an EP, and an album. I have had to use digital marketing skills via social media by creating interesting posts and videos, interacting with others, and promoting upcoming material. The more interaction I can get from my music, the more streams I can get. The more my music is streamed, the more income I can earn. I love to make music because it helps me express myself and connect with others who may be going through similar experiences. I also enjoy painting in oil on canvas. I purchased an easel in which I can bring my artwork supplies and paint from life outside. This has expanded my potential subject matter. I have used my easel several times and have created unique landscape paintings from areas that hold meaning to me. I also love to paint comic book characters and characters from animations. Through networking, I have sold numerous custom paintings.

Although my High School experience was mostly positive, there were also setbacks and adversity I had to overcome. During this time, I had to come to grips with my identity and sexual orientation. Thanks to the support from my father and family, I learned to love and accept myself as a gay cisgender man. This was difficult for me at times because I often heard other students joke with each other using homophobic and derogative language. I sometimes felt isolated since I did not know of other students going through the same things as me. I am so thankful that my family and friends supported me. Fortunately for me, my friends accepted me for who I am and did not treat me any differently after I came out. To this day, I still talk to that same friend group, and we have shared many great memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. My experiences have shaped the way I see the world. As a result, I aspire to accomplish many goals that I have set out for myself. One area of focus that is very important to me is earning a bachelor’s degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. This is particularly important to me because my parents have not attended college and neither have my two brothers. I also want to continue to take care of my health through fitness. I have trained in the martial arts Muay Thai and wish to continue training for self-confidence and to break down stereotypes of masculinity. By accomplishing these goals, I hope to inspire my friends, family, and community to show that hard work can pay off with consistency and patience.

One of my favorite pieces of art is called "Le passage" by the artist Kay Sage. I choose this painting because it immediately caught my attention when examining surrealist artwork in my drawing course from Chaffey College. I like the colors and the composition is thought provoking. The viewer cannot see the the woman's face but her calmness, her stillness, and the background leaves the world depicted up to interpretation. This painting reminds me of the times that I hiked up at the top of mountains with my father and gazed upon the horizon. When you are so high up, you cannot tell any details of buildings, it only appears as lines, colors, and objects which this painting demonstrates. I especially enjoy viewing the sky. The top is dark and somewhat ominous but blends into a beautiful grey-blue tone as it meets with the surface. I also enjoy viewing the shapes in which the subject is sitting on. I say this because the blocks are abstract in nature but also somewhat familiar, roughly depicting rocks or boulders. This painting inspires me as an artist to use concepts that are familiar and comfortable to me and adding abstraction to them to develop a sense of surrealism.

In my opinion happiness comes from within. I try to find happiness in even simple things because it helps keep me fulfilled in my day to day life. Interaction with my friends, family, and significant other help keep me happy. My friends bring out the silly side out of me. I can joke about things and I have great experiences of adventures we have gone on. I deeply appreciate the support of my family and I have enjoyed watching sports and doing fun activities with them as well. My partner is always there for me when things are hard, and I truly feel happy when we share time together such as going out to eat at restaurants together. The arts also make me extremely happy. I love to play guitar, bass, and piano. In fact, I have written and recorded a number of songs. I also love to paint. I paint in oil on canvas, and during this time I usually enjoy listening to music or educational podcasts. These artistic hobbies help relax me and keep me feeling fulfilled in my everyday life.

Although I would reflect on my life in a mostly positive manner, I have been through difficult obstacles and hardship. These experiences, however, have changed the way I see the world and have impacted how I act as a person to this day. When I was eight years old, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. This is an inflammatory bowel disease that created a lot of physical and mental pain for me. I had chronic pain and a result, had to constantly check in with doctors to maintain my health. Fortunately, the medication that I currently take has reduced my symptoms and I have a high quality of life. This has impacted the way I see the world. Because of my condition, I was eager to learn about nutrition. I learned how to maximize my health through diet, exercise, and mental wellness. I regularly drink water, reduce my intake of sugar, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and workout consistently. Today, although there is no cure to my ailment, I feel extremely great both physically and mentally. I learned that with dedication and an eagerness to learn, I can solve real world problems. These hardships and adversity I had to overcome helped with my confidence. I know that I can face any problem that comes my way, and I hope that my difficulties can help inspire my family as well as others in my community. I am extremely hopeful for the future. I believe that through advancements in science one day Crohn's disease will be cured.

One of my favorite pieces of art is called "Le passage" by the artist Kay Sage. I choose this painting because it immediately caught my attention when examining surrealist artwork in my drawing course from Chaffey College. I like the colors and the composition is thought provoking. The viewer cannot see the the woman's face but her calmness, her stillness, and the background leaves the world depicted up to interpretation. This painting reminds me of the times that I hiked up at the top of mountains with my father and gazed upon the horizon. When you are so high up, you cannot tell any details of buildings, it only appears as lines, colors, and objects which this painting demonstrates. I especially enjoy viewing the sky. The top is dark and somewhat ominous but blends into a beautiful grey-blue tone as it meets with the surface. I also enjoy viewing the shapes in which the subject is sitting on. I say this because the blocks are abstract in nature but also somewhat familiar, roughly depicting rocks or boulders.

Confidence entails having the ability to be ones true self without worry, insecurity, or doubt from others. Although I am not perfect, there are several ways in which I have worked on this ability because having the confidence to be oneself translates to more fulfillment and happiness. As a gay man, I have struggled with identity. When I was fighting with this internal conflict, I was so worried about what others would think of me. I lacked the confidence to be myself and as a result I was unhappy with myself. This unhappiness translated to the poor treatment of family and friends, as I lashed out when they tried to get too close to me. Over time, I knew I had to change something because the internal conflict was damaging my mental health. I finally found the courage to come out to my friends and family. Fortunately, these people I hold so closely to my heart were supportive and accepting. This was an extremely positive change in my life. I felt that I could finally be open about who I truly was, allowing me to get closer with my friends and family. Reflecting on this experience, I can say that coming out definitely boosted my confidence. I felt happier and more fulfilled in my life. Although I faced hardship, I learned a valuable lesson about identity, insecurity, and confidence. Every day I try act in a way that is true to myself. I worry less about how others view me, and as a result I have been much more at ease.

The love I have for my family, friends, and significant other motivates me to better myself every single day. As someone who loves to learn, I try to interact with new material on a daily basis so that I am stimulating my mind. Sharing new things that I have learned from school or other outlets is a great way to connect with those that are important in my life. I know that the more I learn about things, the more capable I am at critically assessing situations and potential problems that may arise in my life. Maintaining a consistent workout schedule also helps me stay motivated in my other tasks. This is because it improves my overall physical and mental health. It is a great feeling experiencing increases of strength as time passes. I have noticed that working out acts as a great stress reliever, which helps me stay motivated to continue working on other duties I have in my day to day life.

Although many people have different views in regard to the meaning of life and how they choose to live their lives, I personally feel that there is no inherent meaning to life. To many people who hear that perspective, it can sound extremely depressing or saddening. I feel as though I have a unique viewpoint on this because I think quite the opposite. I believe, although there is no empirical meaning to our lives, that doesn't mean we cannot find personal satisfaction or meaning. As each day passes, for example, I always try to improve on myself. I love to learn and I believe that sharing knowledge is a powerful way to empower and connect with others. I love to listen to music because I can empathize with how the artists were feeling when they recorded their songs. I try to be there for my family, friends, and significant other because it makes me feel fulfilled. I hope by acting in a way that is fair, honest, upstanding, and moral to others, that I would receive that same type of treatment. I think that respecting others can make a significant difference in our communities and society as a well. As a result hopefully we can treat each other better and look out for each other in this complex and unpredictable world we all live in.

One of the most helpful pieces of financial advice I have ever received is to invest a portion of my income when possible. Thanks to the education that I have received through my business administration courses from Chaffey College and expert testimony from real life business professionals who have discussed this topic on outlets such as YouTube, I feel extremely hopeful about my future. Unfortunately, in High School nobody told me about the power of investments. I worked several jobs in the food industry, and although I got by, I felt that I never really was getting ahead financially, despite my hard work. I made sure to spend only what I knew I had and tried to make frugal choices when possible. I tried budgeting, but between health care costs, the costs of maintaining transportation, rent, and college tuition, I was living nearly pay check to pay check with little saved for emergencies. As a 23 year old, I have many years of work and income generation ahead of me. After learning that, for example, over the long term, investing in a simple market index fund on a regular basis can result in exponential wealth building. This is because, historically, a market index fund, encapsulating the entire stock market, can on average yield anywhere between a 7-12% return per year, with dividends reinvested. Fortunately, there are many brokerages to choose from, and now it is easier than ever to invest. This is because I can access my personal financial portfolio all through my smart phone. I can move funds from my checking account through my bank into my investment account with ease. As such, I have made it a habit of mine to invest a small portion of every check that I earn through work into my investment account.

One of the most helpful pieces of financial advice I have ever received is to invest a portion of my income when possible. Thanks to the education that I have received through my business administration courses from Chaffey College and expert testimony from real life business professionals who have discussed this topic on outlets such as YouTube, I feel extremely hopeful about my future. Unfortunately, in High School nobody told me about the power of investments. I worked several jobs in the food industry, and although I got by, I felt that I never really was getting ahead financially, despite my hard work. I made sure to spend only what I knew I had and tried to make frugal choices when possible. I tried budgeting, but between health care costs, the costs of maintaining transportation, rent, and college tuition, I was living nearly pay check to pay check with little saved for emergencies. As a 23 year old, I have many years of work and income generation ahead of me. After learning that, for example, over the long term, investing in a simple market index fund on a regular basis can result in exponential wealth building. This is because, historically, a market index fund, encapsulating the entire stock market, can on average yield anywhere between a 7-12% return per year, with dividends reinvested. Fortunately, there are many brokerages to choose from, and now it is easier than ever to invest. This is because I can access my personal financial portfolio all through my smart phone. I can move funds from my checking account through my bank into my investment account with ease. As such, I have made it a habit of mine to invest a small portion of every check that I earn through work into my investment account.

As a college student, my courses take much of my time. Having said this, when I do have free time I love to paint in oil on canvas. Usually I enjoy painting comic book characters, from still life, and of nature. During my first year in college, I was out of state and my brother sent me a picture of himself with the family dog. It made me feel quite homesick and the picture inspired me to paint. I used the photo my brother sent me as a reference for my painting and I was happy with how it turned out. I wanted to keep it a surprise, so when I got home I shared it with him and our family. It was a nice family moment and my brother still has the painting in his room to this day. I attached a picture of the painting in the "attach files" section.

My father, a veteran, taught my family and I the value of hard work and persistence. At this point, I have several years of work experience in the food industry, in which I attribute much of my work ethic to my father. When I was a senior in High School, in fact, I worked as a delivery driver at Pizza Hut, earning an income for over a year at that location. This was my first job and I learned how difficult it can be to work in the service industry. This is because customers can be quite rude, and workers are often on the move the whole shift. Having acknowledged this, I found this job extremely rewarding because it was the first time in my life in which I had earned my own money. I was able to use this money to pay for activities with my friends and purchase music equipment. It also helped me save and taught me money management skills. I stopped working at that location because I moved out of state. When I moved, I got another job in food service. This time, I worked my way up and earned a promotion as a shift leader. This position was different from my last job because I had a higher set of responsibilities. I had to count and verify the cash in the register, conduct openings as well as store closings, fill out necessary paperwork, train employees, ensure employees are following company procedures, work closely with management, and act as a role model or good example for other employees. This job taught me so much about leadership. One important principle I always tried to practice while on the job is appreciation. I know how hard it can be working in the food industry, so as a shift leader, I made sure I thanked workers for their time. I also made an effort to check in with employees to see if there were any ways I could make their time with the company better. Some ways that I did this was to check if employees had any scheduling preferences and also helped identify hard working employees who stood out with the manager so that they could receive pay increases. When times get difficult, such as during rush periods, it is very important that I, as the shift leader, set a good example for the team. Even though it was very stressful and demanding, if the team takes the job one task at a time and follow procedures, we are guaranteed positive outcomes. While working at this job, I tried to have a positive demeanor to encourage the team and customers. Through this experience, I learned that having positive energy can really help spread to others. For example, I have personally helped upset customers with a positive attitude and I could see how thankful they were for it. I think that good leadership qualities can truly influence others. Having a leader that is reliable, consistent, and communicative can make a huge difference in any organization. Working in the food industry has humbled me and showed me the value of service in society. When I go out to eat at restaurants I tip very well and show understanding if mistakes are made. It’s important to understand that we are all human, showing a little bit of kindness goes a long way.

1. I deserve this scholarship because I am too lazy to work a job to help pay for college. 2. My academic goals include graduating college with a bachelor's so that I can brag to my parents about how successful I will be in the future! After I graduate college, I would love to work in a circus as a clown. 3. In a class I took in the past, I crammed all my study time the night before a final. I remembered some things, but forgot most. As a result, I had to guess on numerous questions, but I still passed! I overcame that obstacle.

I fell in love with learning at an early age. As each year progressed, I became excited at the idea of new subjects, teachers, and friends I would encounter. I found many lessons from teachers extremely valuable and developed a high sense of respect for the time and dedication required for successful lectures. As a student who earned a 4.0 grade point average in High School, I look back at my experience quite positively. Although my High School experience was mostly positive, there were also setbacks and adversity I had to overcome. During this time, I had to come to grips with my identity and sexual orientation. Thanks to the support from my father and family, I learned to love and accept myself as a gay cisgender man. This was difficult for me at times because I often heard other students joke with each other using homophobic and derogative language. I sometimes felt isolated since I did not know of other students going through the same things as me. I am so thankful that my family and friends supported me. Fortunately for me, my friends accepted me for who I am and did not treat me any differently after I came out. To this day, I still talk to that same friend group, and we have shared many great memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. My experiences have shaped the way I see the world. As a result, I aspire to accomplish many goals that I have set out for myself. I am graduating from Chaffey College with an associate for transfer on May 19th, after much hard work and study. One area of focus that is very important to me is earning a bachelor’s degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Having accepted an offer of admission from this school, this goal is particularly important to me because my parents have not attended college and neither have my two brothers. The degree that I am seeking is finance, real estate, and law. After graduating, I would love to work in the real estate industry because I am very passionate about homeownership. Currently in the United States, there is a high demand for homes yet too low of an inventory. I would find fulfillment working in this field in which more families had homes and could create generational wealth. By accomplishing these goals, I hope to inspire my friends, family, and community to show that hard work can pay off with consistency and patience.

"Bored in the USA" by the artist Father John Misty is a song that sticks out to me when considering music that inspires me. As a songwriter, I pull heavy inspiration from Father John Misty, and this song more specifically, because I love the piano playing, support of the orchestra, and thought provoking lyrics. When I listen to music, I feel most connected when the singer conveys interesting ideas or themes. I particularly enjoy when an artist feels comfortable expressing ideas that may not be conventionally accepted. I love to hear different opinions in music, especially when the artist is revealing their true inner feelings or perspective. This inspires me a lot and shows me that songwriters can be successful even if the subject matter is different than what one may expect. It demonstrates to me that honesty and vulnerability can be extremely powerful in songwriting, enabling listeners to connect with the art in an almost spiritual manner.

As someone who has had periods of sadness in my life, I have used songwriting and painting as an outlet. When I am in a negative and sad mental space, picking up the guitar and playing music soothes my body. Plucking the strings and organizing my fingers in a way that sounds pleasant is an experience quite like no other. I have written a large numbers of original songs, and have released several singles, an EP, and an album under the artist name "Nic Dreary". My lyrics speak out of the pain that life sometimes brings, but reflect on the positive light as well. Writing and publishing songs is very important to me because I want to share with listeners that it is okay to be upfront and honest about our feelings, even if they are sometimes negative. Personally, I truly appreciate when a song from an artist feels real because I feel that I can connect with it easier. I feel a sense of respect for these types of artists especially when I can relate to the experiences they speak out to through their music. I want my music to be a source in which listeners can feel comfortable knowing that there are others who may have gone through similar obstacles in their lives and are still able find happiness and success. I plan on continuing to make such positive impacts on the world through my music in the future. I truly have a passion for songwriting and will continue to write, record, and publish music as long as I am able bodied. People from various places in the world, in fact, have written to me via social media sharing that they found meaning in my music. Words cannot express how much that means to me, and I hope to continue hearing such feedback from listeners.

If I had to select one quality or characteristic that I value most in myself I would choose my curiosity to learn new things. My fascination with learning has helped increase the quality of my life in several ways. As someone who was excited to go to school as a child, I have grown to appreciate the value of knowledge. Ever since I was young, I always enjoyed attending school because I loved to learn different subjects. I enjoyed reading new books and discussing the themes in class because it provoked thought and contemplation. I loved learning about sciences because I felt more connected to the natural world that I live in. Further, I enjoyed mathematic courses because it helped me put important concepts such as personal finance in perspective. Because I have a solid grasp on advanced levels of mathematics, my family regularly comes to me when they are seeking financial aid or problems that require numbers to help solve. As a currently enrolled full time college student, many of the principles that I learned from my K-12 education have directly impacted my success in college. I value my interest in learning so much because I know that having a college education can help me stand out and look for better and higher paying jobs. In my life, I have also explored the arts. For example, I have been playing guitar for over five years. I learned how to play guitar from watching YouTube videos, playing the game "Rocksmith", and searching for the tabs and chords of songs that I enjoy listening to. Because I found a passion through music, I have even earned an income from streaming revenues from music that I have written and recorded. In addition to this, I also learned how to paint. I primarily paint in oils, and I learned how to do this from my friend, and various Youtube channels like "DrawMixPaint". Throughout the several years I have been painting, I have sold numerous commissions. I feel that having such a high interest in learning new things will help me in my life journey because things in life are always changing. Laws and our understanding of science, for example, regularly change as professionals develop a higher level of understanding in their fields. Having the ability to keep up with our everchanging world is extremely important. Someone who is naturally curious, such as myself, will benefit the more they acquire new skills and understandings.

As someone who thoroughly enjoyed their California K-12 educational experience, I do feel that I was adequately prepared for college. I am currently a student at Chaffey College and this is my last term, graduating May 19th with an associate for transfer in Business Administration. My current GPA is 3.55 and I have accepted an offer of admission at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in which I am planning on continuing my education in Business. The area of focus that I am planning on studying at this school is finance, real estate, and law. Having taken numerous classes at Chaffey College, including but not limited to economics, accounting, English, anthropology, and nutrition, I feel as though I have a good grasp and understanding to analyze how my K-12 education has successfully prepared me. In my K-12 experience, a high degree of focus was placed on English. For example, I have read a great number of books which helped develop my understanding of reading, writing, and speaking. This has positively helped me thrive in college courses because I feel very comfortable learning new material and asking relevant or specific questions if I am unsure about something. As a business major, I have taken several courses in college that require the use of mathematics. For instance, I am currently enrolled in Business for Calculus. I am beyond thankful that I received a high quality K-12 education because the math courses that I took in elementary, middle, and high school helped lay the foundation to apply those mathematic principles. I would not be nearly as successful in my Calculus, or other business courses, that use math if my K-12 experience was inadequate. I also am very grateful for the high level of care many of my teachers placed on me and others in teaching us how to take good notes and be outstanding students. In my K-12 experience, I learned the importance of improving on mistakes from exams. By focusing on areas I got wrong, I can advance my understanding of the material so that I am best prepared for finals. I was also taught how to conduct research and how to cite my sources. These practices have tremendously helped me in my college courses as well, as you are expected to have a high level of competency. Overall, I do feel that my California K-12 experience adequately prepared me for college because many of the effective educational practices translate well into college courses.

I came out as a gay man in my sophomore year of high school. My family did not quite understand it, however, through time and many conversations they became supportive. The support from my family has been monumental in my growth, specifically allowing me to focus on my academic goals. Although I faced challenges in high school in regards to how people perceived me because of my sexual orientation, I had several close friends who stood by me that I still talk with to this day. I would regularly hear derogatory comments about the LGBT community from other students, but fortunately I received little direct comments or bullying. I am currently a student at Chaffey College and I am graduating May 19th with an associate for transfer in Business Administration. I am ecstatic about this accomplishment, since I am the first person in my family that has attended college. I have been accepted by California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in which I will focus on earning a Bachelors degree. The area of focus I am interested in pursuing is Finance, Real Estate, and Law. After graduating from college, I would love to work in real estate. I feel that, unfortunately, obtaining a house is quite difficult for many families and I would feel very fulfilled to help others achieve the American Dream and generational wealth.