This is our pack sitting on our deck in Tressler Woods! The Shih Tzu is Maci Ducati and the two Toy Fox Terriers are Master Chief and Tinley Ann (the brown and tan female). Pictured in my dad's favorite chair, the pups are on our new back porch! Through more than two years of hard work, we now have a small deck overlooking the woods with an occassional visit by a herd of deer. My dad is a veteran recently involuntarily stricken with many disabling conditions. Tinley studied hard and is now his service dog, accompanying him everywhere! Puppies heal!

Nature Heals Abandoned at 5 years of age by my mother, I went to my father for everything. He was a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty working full-time during the day and coaching me and thousands of kids in fours sports on nights and weekends to local, state, and national championships. My father made sure that I knew the importance of community service, completing hundreds of hours each year with me for various charities and encouraging me to coach children myself for many years. My father also made sure that I took routine respits from training, playing, enjoying, and respecting nature. Whether it was whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking, fishing, or photography, my perspective has been to love, honor, and interact with nature daily. Unbelievably, nature became even more to me. It became a healer. Tragically, in 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated and became wheelchair bound. We lost everything, moved into a 24/7 caregiver's home, and became food insecure. I delayed college, working full time at Home Depot to support my father and pay some of the bills while rallying the family around my father. I also drew support from those organizations that my father and I had previously served, reaching out to his fellow veterans and to those children he had coached. All came to our aid. My adult friendship with my father blossomed. Yet, my father was relatively isolated, becoming depressed and angry. He had lost so much. Standing in a food line one day at a local charity, I decided to get him back to nature by climbing a nearby mountain with my father even if I had to carry him. Fashioning an offroad wheelchair and taking hours and hours, we climbed. We did it! Now, I am in college. He's emboldened and healing.

Abandoned at 5 years of age by my mother, I went to my father for everything. He was a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty working full-time during the day and coaching me and thousands of kids in fours sports on nights and weekends to local, state, and national championships. My father made sure that I knew the importance of community service, completing hundreds of hours each year with me for various charities and encouraging me to coach children myself for many years. Tragically, in 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated and became wheelchair bound. We lost everything. My father moved us into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. Yet, my friendship with my father blossomed. I delayed college, working full time at Home Depot to support my father and pay the bills while rallying the family around my father. I also drew support from those organizations that my father and I had previously served, also reaching out to his fellow veterans and to those children he had coached. All came to our aid. My daily routines changed from studying and gaming to standing in food lines for donations from the very charities that I served. Some recognized me, warmly greeting me! Although hard, these struggles strengthened me and my friendship with my dad. Soon, my dad told me to get to college. He was ready! I was ready! So, I am in college! Attending military college for its structure and discipline even though I have not decided whether to join the military, I have been entrusted elected by my cadet peers to serve as Delta Company Assistant Cadet Chaplain. My experiences gained help me to counsel peer cadets. Thank you!

Creatively Helping Others My mother abandoned me when I was 5 years old. Literally, she left on a walkabout and never returned, divorcing my father and me. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty. He ran a small company during the day and coached me and thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends to local, state, and national titles. Over the years, his solo role and actions were exaggerated due to the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. He made sure that I knew the importance of community service, allowing me the opportunity to coach children myself in track & field for many years. Tragically, in late 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. While my father has struggled and faced his morbidity, he has remained gracious and, humble. We lost everything and had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he became wheelchair bound and needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. I was caught up in the inequities of our struggles. At that moment, my father asked me to read "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. Providing a firsthand experience and survival of the WW2 Holocaust, Frankl has a depth of character and severity of historical context intending the reader to find oneself when their entire world is turned upside down. Quickly, I realized that our struggles were nothing in comparison. I began to listen better to others. My friendship with my father blossomed. Now I am a freshman in military college, and I am happiest serving as the elected Assistant Cadet Chaplain...counseling many cadets with their struggles. Some are serious. Using creativity, I often succeed with my peer cadets using firsthand experience. Thank you.

Normalcy. I am just a college freshman who likes to act silly, game for hours, and goof off, when possible, but this scholarship would help all my strugglges. In my first semester in college, I have already undergone chaplain training and been selected by my student community to serve as the Delta Company Assistant Chaplain, mentoring peer cadets daily through challenges and counseling them on daily misgivings. If anyone knew how much of an accomplishment that was... Abandoned at 5 years of age by my mother, I went to my father for everything. My mother left on a walkabout, never returned, and divorced us, disappearing as she suffered from mental health struggles. Her instability caused family significant struggles, sometimes physical, most times verbal, and always misunderstood by me. My father is a disAbled veteran. Until the pandemic, his line of duty injuries never prevented him from working hard, showing me his warm and caring side, nurturing his small business, coaching me and thousands of other children to local, state, and national titles, and performing hundreds of community service hours annually. He never wavered. Through various forms of therapy, my father supported my mother's relationship with me, rebuilding and rehabilitating it several times even when I categorically rejected any effort. I was quite aware of her disloyalty and hijacking of reunification therapy sessions, returning those efforts with my own tactics. My father responded with strength and commitment, reinforcing that all children require both parents where possible. Tragically, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated during the pandemic. We lost everything, moving into his 24/7 caregiver's home. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. His struggles became mine. Our rock needed us. Delaying college to stabilize my family's reality, I took a night job at Home Depot to pay our bills and, during days, often stood in food lines or went with my father to therapy. My father remained gracious, humble, and loving, providing stability through guidance. Together, our adult friendship blossomed, bolstered by these challenges. Our attitudes never changed. Once stable, my father demanded I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he repeatedly told me. As I prepared to leave, I was surprised by the inner peace accompanying my realization that it was time to bridge the gap between my mother and me. Reaching out to my mother, I found her guarded but receptive. We talked. That was a start. Soon, I left for FROG week...a "boot camp" like first week of military college that I am voluntarily attending for its structure and discipline. At this point, I am not planning on joining the military. With my father in the hospital on life support, I invited my mother to my FROG week graduation, hoping to rebuild our relationship. She attended! Unfortunately, she was a destructive presence but I tried. Through it all, however, my peers have seen my strength, integrity, and innate desire to help others, electing me to serve as the Delta Company Assistant Cadet Chaplain. In just this first semester, that position has allowed me to help counsel many cadets struggling with the whole range of mental health issues, including suicidal ideations. I have been empowered to also involve my company in support of a growing list of local community charities and local 5Ks, one of which provided for mental health awareness. I am happy. I am helping others with daily misgivings and struggles. Being there helps me process my past even further. However, the financial struggle is very real and I am not above asking for help. Thank you.

Overcoming Adversity Then Helping Others 12/13/2021 Daniel A. Tressler III My mother abandoned me when I was 5 years old. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty. He ran a small company during the day and coached me and thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends to local, state, and national titles. Over the years, his solo role and actions were exaggerated due to the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. He made sure that I knew the importance of community service, allowing me the opportunity to coach children myself in track & field for many years. Tragically, in late 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. While my father has struggled and faced his morbidity, he has remained gracious and, humble. We lost everything and had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he became wheelchair bound and needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. Delaying college to stabilize my family, I took a full nighttime job at Home Depot to pay our bills and, during the days, often stood in food or other charity lines. College became a distant dream as family stability took precedence. Taking my father to medical appointments and hospitalizations and helping with my young nephew became my daytime tasks. I was honored to receive support from those organizations that my father and I had previously served in our community, whether they were veteran, fraternal, or social in nature. Together, my friendship and closeness with my father grew exponentially. At that moment, my father asked me to read "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. It provided a firsthand view of a Jew's experience and survival of the WW2 Holocaust. Frankl's muse provided a depth of character and honesty in historical context similar to Art Spiegelman's illustrations in Maus 1 & 2, allowing the reader to find oneself when their entire world is turned upside down. Quickly, I realized that our struggles were nothing in comparison. I began to listen better to others. My friendship and closeness with my father blossomed. Now I am a freshman in military college, and I am happiest serving others. My peers have seen my strength, integrity, and innate desire to help others, electing me to serve as Delta Company Assistant Cadet Chaplain. In just this first semester, that position has allowed me to help counsel many cadets struggling with the whole range of mental health issues, including suicidal ideations. In fact, I changed rooms from a 3rd floor room with a view of the mountains to a 1st floor view of a parking lot, extending my chaplain services to a struggling roommate with whom I have become dear friends in only a few short weeks. I have also established volunteer opportunities for my company with the VFW, American Legion, and VA. I have been personally blessed myself through my service. Being there and being present for others helps me process my past even further. However, the financial struggle is very real and I am not above asking for help... This scholarship would help me very much. I have not signed a contract yet as I have not decided whether to accept a commission in the military. So, I am voluntarily participating in the organized military preparation of the Cadet Corp at UNG senior military college, working over all breaks at Home Depot. Any and all help would be extremely appreciated. Thank you in advance for your consideration. Thank you.

Helping my father, helping veterans My mother abandoned me when I was 5 years old. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty. He ran a small company during the day and coached me and thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends to local, state, and national titles. Over the years, his solo role and actions were exaggerated due to the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. He made sure that I knew the importance of community service, allowing me the opportunity to coach children myself in track & field for many years. Tragically, in late 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. While my father has struggled and faced his morbidity, he has remained gracious and, humble. We lost everything and had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he became wheelchair bound and needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. At that moment, my father asked me to read "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. It provided a firsthand view of a Jew's experience and survival of the WW2 Holocaust. Frankl's muse provided a depth of character and honesty in historical context similar to Art Spiegelman's illustrations in Maus 1 & 2, allowing the reader to find oneself when their entire world is turned upside down. Quickly, I realized that our struggles were nothing in comparison. I began to listen better to others. My friendship with my father blossomed. Now I am a freshman in military college, and I am happiest serving as the elected Assistant Cadet Chaplain...counseling many cadets with mental health struggles including suicidal ideations. I have also established volunteer opportunities for my company with the VFW, American Legion, and VA. Thank you. Daniel Tressler

My favorite book... 12/13/2021 My mother abandoned me when I was 5 years old. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty. He ran a small company during the day and coached me and thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends to local, state, and national titles. Over the years, his solo role and actions were exaggerated due to the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. He made sure that I knew the importance of community service, allowing me the opportunity to coach children myself in track & field for many years. Tragically, in late 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. While my father has struggled and faced his morbidity, he has remained gracious and, humble. We lost everything and had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he became wheelchair bound and needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. At that moment, my father asked me to read "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. It provided a firsthand view of a Jew's experience and survival of the WW2 Holocaust. Frankl's muse provided a depth of character and honesty in historical context similar to Art Spiegelman's illustrations in Maus 1 & 2, allowing the reader to find oneself when their entire world is turned upside down. Quickly, I realized that our struggles were nothing in comparison. I began to listen better to others. My friendship with my father blossomed. Now I am a freshman in military college, and I am happiest serving as the elected Assistant Cadet Chaplain...counseling many cadets with mental health struggles including suicidal ideations. Each day, I meet new challenges that are nothing compared to Spiegleman's father & Frankl. Thank you. Daniel Tressler III

Mental Health Struggles 12/13/2021 My mother abandoned me when I was 5 years old. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty. He ran a small company during the day and coached me and thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends to local, state, and national titles. Over the years, his solo role and actions were exaggerated due to the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. He made sure that I knew the importance of community service, allowing me the opportunity to coach children myself in track & field for many years. Tragically, in late 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. While my father has struggled and faced his morbidity, he has remained gracious and, humble. We lost everything and had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he became wheelchair bound and needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. At that moment, my father asked me to read Art Spiegleman's graphic comic set, "Maus 1&2," and "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. Both provide a firsthand view of a Jew's experience and survival of the WW2 Holocaust. Spiegelman's illustrations reveal the depth of character and severity of historical context similar to Frankl. Both allow the reader to find oneself when their entire world is turned upside down. Quickly, I realized that our struggles were nothing in comparison. I began to listen better to others. My friendship with my father blossomed. Now I am a freshman in military college, and I am happiest serving as the elected Assistant Cadet Chaplain...counseling many cadets with mental health struggles including suicidal ideations. Each day, I meet new challenges that are nothing compared to Spiegleman's father & Frankl. Thank you. Daniel Tressler

I am happiest when... My mother abandoned me when I was 5 years old. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty. He ran a small company during the day and coached me and thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends to local, state, and national titles. Over the years, his solo role and actions were exaggerated due to the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. He made sure that I knew the importance of community service, allowing me the opportunity to coach children myself in track & field for many years. Tragically, in late 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. While my father has struggled and faced his morbidity, he has remained gracious and, humble. We lost everything and had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he became wheelchair bound and needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. At that moment, my father asked me to read Art Spiegleman's graphic comic set, "Maus 1&2," and "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. Both provide a firsthand view of a Jew's experience and survival of the WW2 Holocaust. Spiegelman's illustrations reveal the depth of character and severity of historical context similar to Frankl. Both allow the reader to find oneself when their entire world is turned upside down. Quickly, I realized that our struggles were nothing in comparison. I began to listen better to others. My friendship with my father blossomed. Now I am a freshman in military college, and I am happiest serving as the elected Assistant Cadet Chaplain...counseling many cadets with mental health struggles including suicidal ideations. Each day, I meet new challenges that are nothing compared to Spiegleman's father & Frankl. Thank you. Daniel Tressler

Listening and Learning from It My mother abandoned me when I was 5 years old. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty. He ran a small company during the day and coached me and thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends to local, state, and national titles. Over the years, his solo role and actions were exaggerated due to the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. He made sure that I knew the importance of community service, allowing me the opportunity to coach children myself in track & field for many years. Tragically, in late 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. While my father has struggled and faced his morbidity, he has remained gracious and, humble. We lost everything and had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he became wheelchair bound and needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. At that moment, my father asked me to read Art Spiegleman's graphic comic set, "Maus 1&2," and "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. Both provide a firsthand view of a Jew's experience and survival of the WW2 Holocaust. Spiegelman's illustrations reveal the depth of character and severity of historical context similar to Frankl. Both allow the reader to find oneself when their entire world is turned upside down. Quickly, I realized that our struggles were nothing in comparison. I began to listen better to others. My friendship with my father blossomed. Now I am a freshman in military college, and I am happiest serving as the elected Assistant Cadet Chaplain...counseling many cadets with mental health struggles including suicidal ideations. Each day, I meet new challenges that are nothing compared to Spiegleman's father & Frankl. Thank you.

Blessings Coming Full Circle My mother abandoned me when I was 5 years old. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty. He ran a small company during the day and coached me and thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends to many local, state, and national titles. Over the years, his solo role and actions were exaggerated due to the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. He made sure that I knew the importance of community service, allowing me the opportunity to coach children myself in track & field for many years. Tragically, in late 2019 as I prepared to graduate early from high school and attend college, my father suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. While facing his morbidity, my father remained gracious and, humble. We lost everything and had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he became wheelchair bound and needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. Delaying college to stabilize my family, I took a full nighttime job at Home Depot to pay our bills and, during the days, often stood in food or other charity lines. College became a distant dream as family stability took precedence. Taking my father to medical appointments and hospitalizations, became my daytime task. I was honored to receive support from those organizations that my father and I had previously served in our community, whether they were veteran, fraternal, or social in nature. Together, my friendship and closeness with my father grew exponentially. During this time, my father asked me to read Art Spiegleman's graphic comic set, "Maus 1&2," and "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. Both provide a firsthand view of a Jew's experience and survival of the WW2 Holocaust. Spiegelman's illustrations reveal the depth of character and severity of historical context similar to Frankl. Both allow the reader to find oneself when their entire world is turned upside down. Quickly, I realized that our struggles were nothing in comparison. Now I am a freshman in military college, and I am happiest serving others. My peers have seen my strength, integrity, and innate desire to help others, electing me to serve as Delta Company Assistant Cadet Chaplain. In just this first semester, that position has allowed me to help counsel many cadets struggling with the whole range of mental health issues, including suicidal ideations. In fact, I changed rooms from a 3rd floor room with a view of the mountains to a 1st floor view of a parking lot, extending my chaplain services to a struggling roommate with whom I have become dear friends in only a short few weeks. I have been personally blessed myself through my service. Being there and being present for others helps me process my past even further. However, the financial struggle is very real and I am not above asking for help... This scholarship would help me very much. I have signed a contract yet as I have not decided whether to accept a commission in the military. So, I am voluntarily participating in the organized military preparation of the Cadet Corp at UNG senior military college, working over all breaks at Home Depot. Any and all help would be extremely appreciated. Thank you in advance for your consideration. Daniel Tressler

Don't think differently, I am a college freshman. Sometimes, I act silly, game for hours, or goof off. My life is not comparable but during terrifyingly difficult struggles my father had me read Art Spiegleman's graphic comic set, "Maus 1&2," and Viktor E. Frankl's novel, "Man's Search for Meaning,". Both provide a firsthand view of a Jew's experience and survival of the WW2 Holocaust. Spiegelman's illustrations reveals the depth of character and severity of historical context similar to Frankl. Both allow the reader to find oneself when their entire world is turned upside down. After maternal abuse and abandonment, my life was turned further upside in 2019. My father, already a 100% disAbled veteran, further deteriorated. We lost everything and became food insecure. I took a job with Home Depot and thought college was unattainable. In college now, I was elected student chaplain. I'm helping others find themselves. Thank you.

Don't think differently, I am a normal college freshman who likes to act silly, game for hours, and goof off, when possible, but this scholarship would make the difference with my financial struggles. They are real. Please allow me to explain how my pro-life position shaped my life and those around me. In my first semester in college, I have already undergone chaplain training and been selected by my student community to serve as the Delta Company Assistant Chaplain, mentoring peer cadets daily through challenges and counseling them on daily misgivings. I duplicate that love, compassion and admiration for others and desire to help others instilled in me by my father and experiences gained during my childhood. Abandoned at 5 years of age by my mother, I went to my father for everything. My mother divorced us, disappearing as she suffered from mental health struggles. Literally leaving on a walk about one day and never returning, her instability had caused our family significant struggles, sometimes physical, most times verbal, and always misunderstood by me. My father is a disAbled veteran. Until the pandemic, his line of duty injuries never prevented him from working hard, showing me his warm and caring side, nurturing a small business, coaching me and thousands of other children to local, state, and national titles, and performing hundreds of community service hours annually. He never wavered. Through various forms of therapy, my father supported my mother's relationship with me, rebuilding and rehabilitating it several times even when I categorically rejected any effort. I was quite aware of her disloyalty and hijacking of reunification therapy sessions, returning those efforts with my own tactics. My father responded with strength and commitment, reinforcing that all children require both parents where possible. One significant dispute between us was her pro-choice and participation in demonstrations against pro-lifers. My father took a hard line pro-life stance, both religiously and personally. My father was not expected to be able to have children due to his military injuries. For years he struggled and I am his biological miracle child from God. At two years of age, Kawasaki disease almost killed me. These struggles reinforced my father's pro-life commitment and teachings to me, and rejection of anyone's pro-choice "garbage." Tragically, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated during the pandemic. We lost everything, moving into his 24/7 caregiver's home. My mother refused any assistance, instead suing for more alimony. The courts are handling her. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. His struggles became mine. Our rock needed us. Delaying college to stabilize my family, I worked nights at Home Depot to pay our bills, also standing in stood in food lines or taking my father to therapy. He remained gracious, humble, and loving, providing stability through guidance. Together, our adult friendship blossomed, bolstered by these challenges. Once stable, he demanded I go to college... "It's your time to shine." I am now in military college on my own nickel. This first semester, my peers elected me the Assistant Cadet Chaplain, allowing me to help counsel many cadets struggling with the whole range of issues, including unwanted pregnancies. I am happy to help others. These struggles are very real and I am not above asking for help. Thank you. Thank you.

Don't think differently, I am a normal college freshman who likes to act silly, game for hours, and goof off, when possible, but this scholarship would make the difference with my financial struggles. They are real. Please allow me to explain how I help those around me and how I could use some help. In my first semester in college, I have already undergone chaplain training and been selected by my student community to serve as the Delta Company Assistant Chaplain, mentoring peer cadets daily through challenges and counseling them on daily misgivings. I duplicate that love, compassion and admiration for others and desire to help others instilled in me by my father and experiences gained during my childhood. Abandoned at 5 years of age by my mother, I went to my father for everything. My mother divorced us, disappearing as she suffered from mental health struggles. Literally leaving on a walk about one day and never returning, her instability had caused our family significant struggles, sometimes physical, most times verbal, and always misunderstood by me. My father is a disAbled veteran. Until the pandemic, his line of duty injuries never prevented him from working hard, showing me his warm and caring side, nurturing a small business, coaching me and thousands of other children to local, state, and national titles, and performing hundreds of community service hours annually. He never wavered. Through various forms of therapy, my father supported my mother's relationship with me, rebuilding and rehabilitating it several times even when I categorically rejected any effort. I was quite aware of her disloyalty and hijacking of reunification therapy sessions, returning those efforts with my own tactics. My father responded with strength and commitment, reinforcing that all children require both parents where possible. Tragically, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated during the pandemic. We lost everything, moving into his 24/7 caregiver's home. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. His struggles became mine. Our rock needed us. Delaying college to stabilize my family's reality, I took a night job at Home Depot to pay our bills and, during days, often stood in food lines or took my father to therapy. My father remained gracious, humble, and loving, providing stability through guidance. Together, our adult friendship blossomed, bolstered by these challenges. Our attitudes never changed. Once stable, my father demanded I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he repeatedly told me. As I prepared to leave, I was surprised by the inner peace that accompanying my realization that it was time to bridge the gap between my mother and me. Reaching out to my mother, I found her guarded but receptive. We talked. That was a start. Soon, I left for FROG week...a "boot camp" like first week of military college that I am voluntarily attending for its structure and discipline regardless of the significant debt I must incur. At this point, I am not planning on joining the military. With my father in the hospital on life support, I invited my mother to my FROG week graduation, hoping to extend her the opportunity to rebuild our relationship. She attended! Unfortunately, she was a destructive presence and I could not remove her without embarrassing my command and myself. Through it all, however, my peers have seen my strength, integrity, and innate desire to help others, electing me to serve as Delta Company Assistant Cadet Chaplain. In just this first semester, that position has allowed me to help counsel many cadets struggling with the whole range of mental health issues, including suicidal ideations. I have been empowered to also involve my company in support of a growing list of local community charities and local 5Ks, one of which provided for mental health awareness. I am happy. I am helping others with daily misgivings and struggles. Being there and being present for others helps me process my past even further. However, the financial struggle is very real and I am not above asking for help. Please and thank you. Have a great rest of your day. Daniel Tressler III

Circling Back...Kind Of! My mother abandoned me when I was 5 years old. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty. He ran a small company during the day, and coached me and thousands of kids on nights and weekends to many local, state, and national championships. Over the years, his solo role and actions were exaggerated due to the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. He made sure that I knew the importance of community service, allowing me the opportunity to coach children myself in track & field for many years. Tragically, in late 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. While my father struggled and faced his morbidity, he remained gracious and, humble. We lost everything and had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he became wheelchair bound and needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. To help, I delayed college, took a full nighttime job at Home Depot, paid the family's bills, and provided stability to my family. College became a distant dream. Taking my father to medical appointments and hospitalizations, became my daytime task. I was honored to receive support from those organizations that my father and I had previously served in our community, whether they were veteran, fraternal, or social in nature. Now, with stability at home, I am a freshman Army ROTC cadet in college. Serving as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, I was elected by my peers and trained by my cadre, listening, counseling, and providing strength to each cadet during their daily challenges. Ultimately, however, I find my most joy when involving by entire brigade with those organizations that remain so vital to my family. Life, for me, is about going full circle. Thank you.

Don't think differently, I am a normal college freshman who likes to act silly, game for hours, and goof off when possible, but a little bit about me may explain how I help those around me feel loved. In my first semester in college, I have already undergone chaplain training and been selected by my student community to serve as the Delta Company Assistant Chaplain, mentoring peer cadets daily through challenges and counseling them on daily misgivings. I duplicate that love, compassion and admiration for others and desire to help others instilled in me by my father and experiences gained during my childhood. My father is a disAbled veteran. Until the pandemic, his line of duty injuries never prevented him from working hard, showing me his warm and caring side, nurturing a small business, coaching me and thousands of other children to local, state, and national titles, and performing hundreds of community service hours annually. He never wavered. Tragically, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated during the pandemic. We lost everything, moving into his 24/7 caregiver's home. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. Delaying college to stabilize my family's reality, I took a night job at Home Depot to pay our bills and, during days, often stood in food lines or took my father to therapy. My father remained gracious, humble, and loving, providing stability and guidance. Together, our friendship blossomed, bolstered by these challenges. Our attitudes never changed. Once stable, my father demanded I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he said. Now in college, I am happiest serving as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, helping them with daily misgivings and their struggles. Being there and being present for others, that's how each are loved. Helping others will be my legacy.

My mother abandoned me when I was 5 years old. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty. He was an engineer running a small company during the day, and a coach to me and to thousands of other kids in four sports on nights and weekends to local, state, and national titles. He never wavered, performing hundreds of community service hours annually. Over the years, my father's solo parenting role and actions were exaggerated due to the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. Certainly, he made sure that I knew the importance of community service, allowing me the opportunity to coach elementary age children myself for Dreadhead Sports in track & field for several years. Instilling in those children the same core values of positivity, humility, determination, inclusion, and integrity was very rewarding. Unfortunately, in late 2016, my father was unable to maintain his work in our local community. To avoid any letdown, I stepped in, serving the Central Florida Navy League as its Flag Manager for the federal memorial known as the Lone Sailor Memorial. Providing hundreds of hours, I maintained this Federal memorial for three (3) years, including organizing JROTC cleanups, maintaining the US Flag Code, and helping with its annual 5K. Tragically, in late 2019, my father's suddenly deteriorated, requiring us to relocate to the Atlanta, GA area for medical care and treatment. His abilities left him. We lost everything and had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he became wheelchair bound and needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. While my father struggled, facing his morbidity, he remained gracious and, humble. My father asked me to read "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. Frankl's premise is finding oneself when your entire world is turned upside down. My friendship with my father has blossomed. My independent self came slowly, prodded on by our difficulties. Yet, our struggles were nothing in comparison to Frankl's. I delayed college, took a full nighttime job at Home Depot, and provided stability to my family. College was a distant dream. Taking my father to medical appointments and hospitalizations, my father is now rather 410% disAbled by the VA. Prodded on by our difficulties like food insecurity, loss of our house, living with my father's 24/7 caregiver, etcetera, I have volunteered 175+ hours for the local charities that have provided us food like, "Satisfeed," "The Place at Forsyth", "CarePointe Pantry," etc. Through it all, my father demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. So, I did. Now I am a freshman in college, I am happiest serving as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, listening to each, counseling them on daily misgivings, challenges, and struggling along with them through their rougher experiences like suicidal ideations. Through hard work, I earned my belief in myself. While we are involved endlessly in our community, I want my legacy to be my daily walk helping my student. That is my most gratifying community service legacy. Listening closely is my secret weapon. Empathy is my nature. I am committed to community service. That is my lifelong commitment. Thank you.

Abandoned at 5 years of age by my mother, I went to my father for everything. My mother suffered from mental health, leaving on a walk about and never returning. The instability that her struggles caused our family were significant and misunderstood by me when I was young. But my father, who himself was a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty, worked hard to hold the family together and help my mother. Working full-time during the day and coaching me and thousands of kids in fours sports on nights and weekends to local, state, and national championships, my father also researched mental health issues and sought guidance from local therapists on how best to intervene and support my mother. Simultaneously, my father made sure that I knew the importance of community service, completing hundreds of hours each year with me for various charities and encouraging me to coach children myself for many years. Tragically, in 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated and became wheelchair bound. We lost everything. My father moved us into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. Yet, my friendship with my father blossomed. We demanded a lot from each other, checking it with our therapists to manage and support our mental health through this latest struggle. I delayed college, working full time at Home Depot while rallying the family around my father. During this time, I drew support from those organizations that my father and I had previously served, also reaching out to his fellow veterans and to those children he had coached. All came to our aid. Personally, I realized it was time to bridge the gap between my mother and me, requesting reunification therapy and hoping to promote both strong mental health and a recommitted relationship with her. It worked! My daily routines changed from studying and gaming to standing in food lines for donations from the very charities that I served. Some recognized me, warmly greeting me! Although hard, these struggles strengthened me and my friendship with my dad and my mom. Soon, my dad told me to get to college. He was ready! So, I am in college, attending military college for its structure and discipline even though I am not planning on joining the military. My peers have seen in me my strength, integrity, and innate desire to help others, electing me to serve as Delta Company Assistant Cadet Chaplain. I have used that position to involve my company in support of a growing list of local community charities. We have also participated in local 5Ks, one of which provided for mental health awareness. While I initially intended to be a child psychologist, I have amended that choice and am pursuing criminal justice/investigations. There is a significant need in law enforcement for empathetic critical thinkers. My background and experiences have led me to that field and mental health awareness will support my efforts throughout my career. Thank you!

Abandoned at 5 years of age by my mother, I went to my father for everything. He was a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty working full-time during the day and coaching me and thousands of kids in fours sports on nights and weekends to local, state, and national championships. My father made sure that I knew the importance of community service, completing hundreds of hours each year with me for various charities and encouraging me to coach children myself for many years. Tragically, in 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated and became wheelchair bound. We lost everything. My father moved us into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. Yet, my friendship with my father blossomed. I delayed college, working full time at Home Depot while rallying the family around my father. I drew support from those organizations that my father and I had previously served, also reaching out to his fellow veterans and to those children he had coached. All came to our aid. My daily routines changed from studying and gaming to standing in food lines for donations from the very charities that I served. Some recognized me, warmly greeting me! Although hard, these struggles strengthened me and my friendship with my dad. Soon, my dad told me to get to college. He was ready! So, I am in college, attending military college for its structure and discipline even though I am not planning on joining the military. My peers have seen in me my strength, integrity, and innate desire to help others, electing me to serve as Delta Company Assistant Cadet Chaplain. I have used that position to involve my company in support of a growing list of local community charities. Thank you!

Abandoned at 5 years of age by my mother, I went to my father for everything. He was a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty working full-time during the day and coaching me and thousands of kids in fours sports on nights and weekends to local, state, and national championships. My father made sure that I knew the importance of community service, completing hundreds of hours each year with me for various charities and encouraging me to coach children myself for many years. Tragically, in 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated and became wheelchair bound. We lost everything. My father moved us into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. Yet, my friendship with my father blossomed. I delayed college, working full time at Home Depot while rallying the family around my father. I drew support from those organizations that my father and I had previously served, also reaching out to his fellow veterans and to those children he had coached. All came to our aid. My daily routines changed from studying and gaming to standing in food lines for donations from the very charities that I served. Some recognized me, warmly greeting me! Although hard, these struggles strengthened me and my friendship with my dad. Soon, my dad told me to get to college. He was ready! So, I am in college, attending military college for its structure and discipline even though I am not planning on joining the military. My peers have seen in me my strength, integrity, and innate desire to help others, electing me to serve as Delta Company Assistant Cadet Chaplain. I have used that position to involve my company in support of a growing list of local community charities. Thank you!

My mother abandoned me when I was 5 years old. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty. He was an engineer running a small company during the day, and a coach of thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. Over the years, his solo role and actions were exaggerated due to the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. He made sure that I knew the importance of community service, allowing me the opportunity to coach children myself in track & field for many years. Tragically, in late 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. While my father has struggled and faced his morbidity, he has remained gracious and, humble. We lost everything and had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he became wheelchair bound and needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. At that moment, my father asked me to read "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. Frankl's premise is finding oneself when your entire world is turned upside down. My friendship with my father has blossomed. My independent self came slowly, prodded on by our difficulties. Yet, our struggles were nothing in comparison to Frankl's. Now I am a freshman in college, I am happiest serving as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, listening to each, counseling them on daily misgivings, challenges, and struggling along with them through their rougher experiences like suicidal ideations. Through hard work, I earned my belief in myself. While we are involved endlessly in our community, I want my legacy to be my daily walk, listening, empathizing, and helping my fellow cadets. That is where my gratitude and appreciation for my upbringing shines most brightly. I am blessed in life. Thank you.

Growing up with a disAbled veteran father, I am very excited about the huge advances made lately in locomotion aids. But, we must do better for those disAbled in our society. My dad is a 100% disAbled veteran; yet, went to college and graduate school, worked full-time and coached thousands of kids to local, regional, district, state, and national titles. Now, though, he is retired due to his medical conditions. His experiences and desires and passions were instilled in me. Hello, I am Cadet Daniel Tressler, attending military school for its structure, leadership, and physical training opportunities. I am not contracted to the military. As a freshman, I have already been elected as the Treasurer of one student organization and I have been chosen as Assistant Student Chaplain for Delta Company of the Boar's Head Brigade. I plan an empowerment technology startup that will employ disAbled persons and seek federal, state and local funding, grants, and other service programs, focusing on need-based research to exceed the ADA's minimalist guidelines. Our think tank will evolve an R&D program for aids to empower and improve the lifestyles by reducing the isolation caused by disAbilities of all kinds. Watching veterans struggle in isolation has been heartbreaking. Function can be improved in the lives of people with disAbilities, whether cognitive, physical, emotional, etcetera. R&D requires both funding and acceptance of standards better than the minimum offered by the ADA. It is time to view the ADA standards as they should be -- a minimum standard not a ceiling. Our society, especially veterans deserve more. Their rates of suicide, although static, are not acceptable but stagnant. Innovation reducing isolation can drive those numbers down! It is time to best empower the disAbled, addressing the isolating character of their disabilities through direct empowerment. Thank you.

Growing up with a disAbled veteran father, I am very excited about the huge advances made lately in locomotion aids. But, we must do better for those disAbled in our society. My dad is a 100% disAbled veteran; yet, went to college and graduate school, worked full-time and coached thousands of kids to local, regional, district, state, and national titles. Now, though, he is retired due to his medical conditions. His experiences and desires and passions were instilled in me. Hello, I am Cadet Daniel Tressler, attending military school for its structure, leadership, and physical training opportunities. I am not contracted to the military. As a freshman, I have already been elected as the Treasurer of one student organization and I have been chosen as Assistant Student Chaplain for Delta Company of the Boar's Head Brigade. I plan an empowerment technology startup that will employ disAbled persons and seek federal, state and local funding, grants, and other service programs, focusing on need-based research to exceed the ADA's minimalist guidelines. Our think tank will evolve an R&D program for aids to empower and improve the lifestyles by reducing the isolation caused by disAbilities of all kinds. Watching veterans struggle in isolation has been heartbreaking. Function can be improved in the lives of people with disAbilities, whether cognitive, physical, emotional, etcetera. R&D requires both funding and acceptance of standards better than the minimum offered by the ADA. It is time to view the ADA standards as they should be -- a minimum standard not a ceiling. Our society, especially veterans deserve more. Their rates of suicide, although static, are not acceptable but stagnant. Innovation reducing isolation can drive those numbers down! It is time to best empower the disAbled, addressing the isolating character of their disabilities through direct empowerment. Thank you.

Overcoming Obstacles with Cheetos 12/06/2021 Daniel A. Tressler, III Abandoned at 5 years of age by my mother, I went to my father for everything. He was a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty working full-time during the day and coaching me and thousands of kids in fours sports on nights and weekends to local, state, and national championships. My father made sure that I knew the importance of community service, completing hundreds of hours each year with me for various charities and encouraging me to coach children myself. When I was ten, I was diagnosed with a learning disability. My father taught me to demand of myself first, refusing to allow my learning disAbility to get in my way. Tragically, in 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated and became wheelchair bound. We lost everything. My father moved us into his Suwanee, GA 24/7 caregiver's home as he needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. Yet, my friendship with my father blossomed. At that moment and even though he was struggling, my father asked me to read "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. The premise of the book is appropriate -- finding oneself when your entire world is turned upside down. Surviving WW2 and Auschwitz, where Hitler and his cronies justified xenophobic murder for economic gain and the world almost lost an entire race and culture, Frankl's firsthand account illuminates the Nazi evils hidden away from the eyes of the world. Once freed, those Jews who survived were cast afloat without much to anchor them in place. Frankl's survival mechanisms greatly inspired me. My struggles paled in comparison. Really, almost any struggles today do. I delayed college, working full time at Home Depot to support my father and pay the bills while rallying the family around my father. I also drew support from those organizations that my father and I had previously served, also reaching out to his fellow veterans and to those children he had coached. All came to our aid. My daily routines changed from studying and gaming to standing in food lines for donations from the very Atlanta charities that I served. Some recognized me, warmly greeting me! Although hard, these struggles strengthened me and my friendship with my dad. Soon, my dad told me to get to college. We were ready! Attending military college on my own dime, I have not decided whether to join the military. That's where Clairo's "Flamin' Hot Cheetos" and I came full circle and even a couple close cadet friends agreed. My mom showed up for FROG week graduation. In the past, I had romanticized having both parents, unrealistically giving her the benefit of the doubt. Quickly, I realized that she wasn't there for me but for a Facebook post, glorifying herself. I sent her on her way. That was rough. My cadet peers rallied. I have earned their respect. They have also seen in me my strength, integrity, and innate desire to help others, electing me to serve as Delta Company Assistant Cadet Chaplain. In that role, I counsel cadets on daily misgivings and sometimes on more serious issues such as suicidal ideations, seeking to guide them through their difficulties. Also, as cadet chaplain. I am involving my company in a growing list of both college activities and, more importantly, local community charities. Yet, because of the obstacles, I have a real admiration for people, a deep belief in myself, and a desire to humbly serve my community. My plan is to become Cadet Chaplain and continue serving others! Thank you.

Overcoming Obstacles with Cheetos 12/06/2021 Daniel A. Tressler, III Abandoned at 5 years of age by my mother, I went to my father for everything. He was a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty working full-time during the day and coaching me and thousands of kids in fours sports on nights and weekends to local, state, and national championships. My father made sure that I knew the importance of community service, completing hundreds of hours each year with me for various charities and encouraging me to coach children myself. Tragically, in 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated and became wheelchair bound. We lost everything. My father moved us into his Suwanee, GA 24/7 caregiver's home as he needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. Yet, my friendship with my father blossomed. At that moment and even though he was struggling, my father asked me to read "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. The premise of the book is appropriate -- finding oneself when your entire world is turned upside down. Surviving WW2 and Auschwitz, where Hitler and his cronies justified xenophobic murder for economic gain and the world almost lost an entire race and culture, Frankl's firsthand account illuminates the Nazi evils hidden away from the eyes of the world. Once freed, those Jews who survived were cast afloat without much to anchor them in place. Frankl's survival mechanisms greatly inspired me. My struggles paled in comparison. Really, almost any struggles today do. I delayed college, working full time at Home Depot to support my father and pay the bills while rallying the family around my father. I also drew support from those organizations that my father and I had previously served, also reaching out to his fellow veterans and to those children he had coached. All came to our aid. My daily routines changed from studying and gaming to standing in food lines for donations from the very Atlanta charities that I served. Some recognized me, warmly greeting me! Although hard, these struggles strengthened me and my friendship with my dad. Soon, my dad told me to get to college. We were ready! Attending military college on my own dime, I have not decided whether to join the military. That's where "Flamin' Hot Cheetos" and I came full circle and even a couple close cadet friends agreed. My mom showed up FROG week graduation. In the past, I had romanticized having both parents, unrealistically giving her the benefit of the doubt. Quickly, I realized that she wasn't there for me but for a Facebook post, glorifying herself. I sent her on her way. My cadet peers have seen in me my strength, integrity, and innate desire to help others, electing me to serve as Delta Company Assistant Cadet Chaplain. In that role, I counsel cadets on daily misgivings and sometimes on more serious issues such as suicidal ideations, seeking to guide them through their difficulties. Also, as cadet chaplain. I am involving my company in a growing list of both college activities and, more importantly, local community charities. Yet, through all of the obstacles, I have a real admiration for people, a deep belief in myself, and a desire to humbly serve those in my community. I trust those around me will continue to look towards me for direction. My plan is to be promoted by my peers to Delta Company Cadet Chaplain ("no longer the bridesmaid"), being even more influential across the Brigade in involving others in my community. College is fun with my bag of Cheetos! Thank you!

Overcoming Obstacles, Giving Back Through Leadership 12/06/2021 Daniel A. Tressler, III Abandoned at 5 years of age by my mother, I went to my father for everything. He was a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty working full-time during the day and coaching me and thousands of kids in fours sports on nights and weekends to local, state, and national championships. My father made sure that I knew the importance of community service, completing hundreds of hours each year with me for various charities and encouraging me to coach children myself for many years. Tragically, in 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated and became wheelchair bound. We lost everything. My father moved us into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. Yet, my friendship with my father blossomed. At that moment and even though he was struggling, my father asked me to read "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. The premise of the book is appropriate -- finding oneself when your entire world is turned upside down. Surviving WW2 and Auschwitz, where Hitler and his cronies justified xenophobic murder for economic gain and the world almost lost an entire race and culture, Frankl's firsthand account illuminates the Nazi evils hidden away from the eyes of the world. Once freed, those Jews who survived were cast afloat without much to anchor them in place. Frankl's survival mechanisms greatly inspired me. My struggles paled in comparison. Really, almost any struggles today do. I delayed college, working full time at Home Depot to support my father and pay the bills while rallying the family around my father. I also drew support from those organizations that my father and I had previously served, also reaching out to his fellow veterans and to those children he had coached. All came to our aid. My daily routines changed from studying and gaming to standing in food lines for donations from the very charities that I served. Some recognized me, warmly greeting me! Although hard, these struggles strengthened me and my friendship with my dad. Soon, my dad told me to get to college. He was ready! I was ready! So, I am in college, attending military college for its structure and discipline even though I have not decided whether to join the military. My cadet peers have seen in me my strength, integrity, and innate desire to help others, electing me to serve as Delta Company Assistant Cadet Chaplain. In that role, I counsel cadets on daily misgivings and sometimes on more serious issues such as suicidal ideations, seeking to guide them through their difficulties. I have used that cadet chaplain position to involve my company in support of a growing list of college activities and, more importantly, local community charities. Yet, through all of the obstacles, I have a real admiration for people, a deep belief in myself, and a desire to humbly serve those in my community. I trust those around me will continue to look towards me for direction. My plan is to be promoted by my peers to Delta Company Cadet Chaplain ("no longer the bridesmaid"), being even more influential across the Brigade in involving others in my community. Thank you!

Abandoned at 5 years of age by my mother, I went to my father for everything. He was a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty working full-time during the day and coaching me and thousands of kids in fours sports on nights and weekends to local, state, and national championships. My father made sure that I knew the importance of community service, completing hundreds of hours each year with me for various charities and encouraging me to coach children myself for many years. Tragically, in 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated and became wheelchair bound. We lost everything. My father moved us into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. Yet, my friendship with my father blossomed. I delayed college, working full time at Home Depot while rallying the family around my father. I drew support from those organizations that my father and I had previously served, also reaching out to his fellow veterans and to those children he had coached. All came to our aid. My daily routines changed from studying and gaming to standing in food lines for donations from the very charities that I served. Some recognized me, warmly greeting me! Although hard, these struggles strengthened me and my friendship with my dad. Soon, my dad told me to get to college. He was ready! So, I am in college, attending military college for its structure and discipline even though I am not planning on joining the military. My peers have seen in me my strength, integrity, and innate desire to help others, electing me to serve as Delta Company Assistant Cadet Chaplain. I have used that position to involve my company in support of a growing list of local community charities. Thank you!

Educational inequity exists, whether it is structural or procedural. For the most part, this is an economic not a racial problem in America. We should prevent those in our society attempting to perversely capitalize on this American problem by mischaracterizing this as a racial division merely for the sake of racism. It is fundamentally important to consider the historic patterns the inequitable allocation of both financial and human resources in America. Districting and redistricting are political distributions of power and routinely abuses of processes. While there may be a racial component, this routine gerrymandering sets boundaries to favor political interests of the two political parties empowered by “we the people.” Sadly, these politicians have created diversity in funding, wherein data confirms more affluent districts and schools within districts traditionally receive more funds while the high-poverty ones receive less. (Bireda, 2011; Equity and Excellence Commission, 2013; Hall & Ushomirsky, 2010). Arguably, this disparity between school funding leads to diversity in student achievement; however, related research is not conclusive. (Equity and Excellence Commission, 2013). Within that research, nothing suggests race is the issue. Economic influence is the common denominator. There is a moral imperative afoot. We must equitably deliver rigorous academic standards to students everywhere whether living in affluent or in high-poverty districts. In the latter, a lack of access to high-quality teachers, curriculum and coursework demonstrates a clear unacceptable inequity. This inequity must create a disadvantage that translates to remedial needs in future education and employment recruitment. This must be fixed.

Growing up with a disAbled veteran father, I am very excited about the huge advances made lately in locomotion aids. But, we must do better for those disAbled in our society. My dad is a 100% disAbled veteran; yet, went to college and graduate school, worked full-time and coached thousands of kids to local, regional, district, state, and national titles. Now, though, he is retired due to his medical conditions. His experiences and desires and passions were instilled in me. Hello, I am Cadet Daniel Tressler, attending military school for its structure, leadership, and physical training opportunities. I am not contracted to the military. As a freshman, I have already been elected as the Treasurer of one student organization and I have been chosen as Assistant Student Chaplain for Delta Company of the Boar's Head Brigade. I plan an an empowerment technology startup that will employ disAbled persons and seek federal, state and local funding, grants, and other service programs, focusing on need-based research to exceed the ADA's minimalist guidelines. Our think tank will evolve an R&D program for aids to empower and improve the lifestyles by reducing the isolation caused by disAbilities of all kinds. Watching veterans struggle in isolation has been heartbreaking. Function can be improved in the lives of people with disAbilities, whether cognitive, physical, emotional, etcetera. R&D requires both funding and acceptance of standards better than the minimum offered by the ADA. It is time to view the ADA standards as they should be -- a minimum standard not a ceiling. Our society, especially veterans deserve more. Their rates of suicide, although static, are not acceptable but stagnant. Innovation reducing isolation can drive those numbers down! It is time to best empower the disAbled, addressing the isolating character of their disabilities through direct empowerment. Thank you.

My mother abandoned me when I was 5 years old. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty. He was an engineer running a small company during the day, and a coach of thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. Over the years, his solo role and actions were exaggerated due to the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. He made sure that I knew the importance of community service, allowing me the opportunity to coach children myself in track & field for many years. Tragically, in late 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. While my father has struggled and faced his morbidity, he has remained gracious and, humble. We lost everything and had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he became wheelchair bound and needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. At that moment, my father asked me to read "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. Frankl's premise is finding oneself when your entire world is turned upside down. My friendship with my father has blossomed. My independent self came slowly, prodded on by our difficulties. Yet, our struggles were nothing in comparison to Frankl's. Now I am a freshman in college, I am happiest serving as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, listening to each, counseling them on daily misgivings, challenges, and struggling along with them through their rougher experiences like suicidal ideations. Through hard work, I earned my belief in myself. While we are involved endlessly in our community, I want my legacy to be my daily walk helping my student. That is my most gratifying community service legacy. Listening closely is my secret weapon. Empathy is my nature. Thank you.

My mother abandoned me when I was 5 years old. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty. He was an engineer running a small company during the day, and a coach of thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. Over the years, his solo role and actions were exaggerated due to the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. He made sure that I knew the importance of community service, allowing me the opportunity to coach children myself in track & field for many years. Tragically, in late 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. While my father has struggled and faced his morbidity, he has remained gracious and, humble. We lost everything and had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he became wheelchair bound and needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. At that moment, my father asked me to read "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. Frankl's premise is finding oneself when your entire world is turned upside down. My friendship with my father has blossomed. My independent self came slowly, prodded on by our difficulties. Yet, our struggles were nothing in comparison to Frankl's. Now I am a freshman in college, I am happiest serving as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, listening to each, counseling them on daily misgivings, challenges, and struggline along with them through their rougher experiences like suicidal ideations. Through hard work, I earned my belief in myself. Helping others will be my legacy. Listening is my secret weapon. Empathy is my nature. Thank you.

Don't think differently, I am a normal college freshman who like to act silly, game for hours, and goof off when possible, but a little bit about me may explain why I find joy in helping others. In my first semester in college, I have already undergone chaplain training and been selected by my student community to serve as the Delta Company Assistant Chaplain, mentoring peer cadets, helping them through day-to-day challenges, and counseling them on daily misgivings. I will duplicate the love, compassion and admiration for others and desire to help others instilled in me by my father and experiences gained during the pandemic. My father is a disAbled veteran. Until the pandemic, his line of duty injuries never prevented him from working hard, showing me his warm and caring side, nurturing a small business, coaching me and hundreds of other children to local, state, and national titles, and performing hundreds of community service hours annually. He never wavered. Tragically, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated during the pandemic. We lost everything, moving into his 24/7 caregiver's home. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. I took a night job at Home Depot to pay our bills and, during days, often stood in food lines rather than gamed. My father remained gracious, humble, and loving, providing stability and guidance. Together, our friendship blossomed, bolstered by these challenges. Our attitudes never changed. My father eventually demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. Now in college, I am happiest serving as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, helping with daily misgivings, and struggling through even rougher experiences. So far, three have threatened suicide but I have happily and strongly held their hand through it. Helping others will be my legacy.

Don't think differently, I am a normal college freshman who like to act silly, game for hours, and goof off when possible, but a little bit about me may explain why I find joy in helping others. In my first semester in college, I have already undergone chaplain training and been selected by my student community to serve as the Delta Company Assistant Chaplain, mentoring peer cadets, helping them through day-to-day challenges, and counseling them on daily misgivings. I will duplicate the love, compassion and admiration for others and desire to help others instilled in me by my father and experiences gained during the pandemic. My father is a disAbled veteran. Until the pandemic, his line of duty injuries never prevented him from working hard, showing me his warm and caring side, nurturing a small business, coaching me and hundreds of other children to local, state, and national titles, and performing hundreds of community service hours annually. He never wavered. Tragically, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated during the pandemic. We lost everything, moving into his 24/7 caregiver's home. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. I took a night job at Home Depot to pay our bills and, during days, often stood in food lines rather than gamed. My father remained gracious, humble, and loving, providing stability and guidance. Together, our friendship blossomed, bolstered by these challenges. Our attitudes never changed. My father eventually demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. Now in college, I am happiest serving as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, helping with daily misgivings, and struggling through even rougher experiences. So far, three have threatened suicide but I have happily and strongly held their hand through it. Helping others will be my legacy.

Independence, for me, means freedom from self-doubt created when my mother abandoned me at the age of five years. The realization that I was independent came at graduation from FROG week! My mother was never maternal, warm, or caring. She was distant, cold, and calculating. For nurturing, I went to my father. For everything, I went to my father...a disabled veteran injured twice in the line of duty; he was an engineer and lawyer during the day, and a coach of thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. His tireless actions exaggerated the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. My father was concerned that I would project a misunderstanding on all women, misbelieving them to all be mean and self-absorbed. He was right, surrounding me with a strong support group some of which were strong, confident women. Through years of analysis and work, I realized that my mother's abandonment and mistreatment was a reflection of her and shouldn't cause me to project those feelings on others. Close relationships, even ones with family members, were negatively impacted by my misperception that those closest to me would do me similar harm. Honestly, my grasp took some time. My independent self came slowly, prodded by difficulties like food insecurity, loss of our house, living with my father's 24/7 caregiver, etcetera. At first, I resented my mother. Through it all, my father demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. So, I did. I am now in college, and, at the end of FROG week, my mother showed up to earn false admiration for herself. That was okay. You see, in my eyes and in the eyes of those that loved me was the real admiration of my growing independence. Thank you.

It is great to finally experience my first semester in college! By other students, I have now been elected as Treasurer of one student organization and also to serve as the Delta Company Assistant Chaplain, mentoring peer cadets, helping them through day-to-day challenges and with daily misgivings. My approach mostly duplicates the love, compassion and admiration instilled in me by my father. My father is a disAbled veteran rated 410% disAbled... He and I were abandoned by my mother abandoned when I was five years old. Showing me a warm and caring paternal side, my father also nurtured a small business, coached me and hundreds of other children to local, state, and national titles, and performed hundreds of community service hours annually. He never wavered. Tragically, however, in late 2019 and early 2020, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. He lost everything. We lost everything. My father was forced to retire. We had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home. Quickly, he became wheelchair bound while requiring daily home nursing and therapy care. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. My father needed me. I took a night job at Home Depot and began giving back, taking care of the family by paying back. I knew just how lucky I had been all these years but how had my father done it? My daily routines changed from studying and gaming to standing in food lines for donations from the very services that I used serve in the community. Our attitudes never changed. He demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. So, I am in college, striving to similarly mentor those around me. It's my turn!

Growing up with a disAbled veteran father, I am very excited about the huge advances made lately in locomotion aids. But, we must do better for those disAbled in our society. My dad is a disAbled veteran, rated 410% disabled due to his individual injuries. He still went to college and graduate school, working full-time and coaching thousands of kids to local, regional, district, state, and national titles. Now, though, he is retired due to his medical conditions. His desires and passion were instilled in me. My plan is to distill them in others throughout my life. Hello, my name is Daniel Tressler, III. I am a cadet not contracted to the military, attending military school for its structure, leadership, and physical training opportunities. As a freshman, I have already been elected as the Treasurer of one student organization. I have also trained and been chosen as the Assistant Student Chaplain for Delta Company of the Boar's Head Brigade at the University of North Georgia. I have a plan for an empowerment technology startup that will employ disAbled (veterans and others) to seek federal, state and local funding, grants, and other service programs, and focus need-based research starting and exceeding the ADA guidelines. Our think tank will evolve an R&D program and eventually production, solely focused on empowering and improving the lifestyles and productivity of those with disabilities. My underlying goal is reduce the isolation caused by the disAbilities so that everyone, starting with veterans, but everyone can play an equal and integral part in our society and in their own lives. Watching my father's friends, all disAbled veterans, struggle with many rudamentary tasks, I have developed a plan and innately desire to help solve many of functional problems that they face in their routines of daily life. From an R&D side, the basic limitations are funding and acceptance of minimum standards. In the US, the ADA provides a minimum set of guidelines. Veterans, however, deserve much more that minimums but these minimums have become unreachable ceilings in may ways. Some in society believe that we should abandon our veterans, recently seen where some in Congress voicing that public opinion. While shocking, I am thankful for the challenge. Innovating perspectives to increase R&D budgets is the challenge. It is a must to help eliminate the isolation caused by traumatic and developmental disabilities. Veteran suicide would not be at its current levels if innovation and technology were sufficiently static. Funding innovation must occur, evolving from traditional grants, internships, and externships, to small business funding and empowerment. Certainly, we can innovate how society approaches the needs of those disabled, better, more appropriately funding the grants and other programs so that small business can help our veterans with these efforts. For instance, my father was eligible and medically prescribed a chair lift. The VA bidding process took three years. That's unacceptable and violative of the ADA's minimum standards. Holding the federal government to the minimum standards is a start. We must. Thank you.

Don't think differently, I am a normal college freshman who like to act silly, game for hours, and goof off when possible, but a little bit about me may explain why I find joy in helping others. In my first semester in college, I have already undergone chaplain training and been selected by my student community to serve as the Delta Company Assistant Chaplain, mentoring peer cadets, helping them through day-to-day challenges, and counseling them on daily misgivings. I will duplicate the love, compassion and admiration for others and desire to help others instilled in me by my father and experiences gained during the pandemic. My father is a disAbled veteran. Until the pandemic, his line of duty injuries never prevented him from working hard, showing me his warm and caring side, nurturing a small business, coaching me and hundreds of other children to local, state, and national titles, and performing hundreds of community service hours annually. He never wavered. Tragically, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated during the pandemic. We lost everything, moving into his 24/7 caregiver's home. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. I took a night job at Home Depot to pay our bills and, during days, often stood in food lines rather than gamed. My father remained gracious, humble, and loving, providing stability and guidance. Together, our friendship blossomed, bolstered by these challenges. Our attitudes never changed. My father eventually demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. Now in college, I am happiest serving as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, helping with daily misgivings, and struggling through even rougher experiences. So far, three have threatened suicide but I have happily and strongly held their hand through it. Helping others will be my legacy.

I can. I will. I must. My dad is a disAbled veteran, rated 410% disabled due to his individual injuries. He still went to college and graduate school, working full-time and coaching thousands of kids to local, regional, district, state, and national titles. Now, though, he is retired due to his medical conditions. His desires and passion were instilled in me. My plan is to distill them in throughout my life. Hello, my name is Daniel Tressler, III. I am a cadet not contracted to the military, attending military school for its structure, leadership, and physical training opportunities. As a freshman, I have already been elected as the Treasurer of one student organization. I have also trained and been chosen as the Assistant Student Chaplain for Delta Company of the Boar's Head Brigade at the University of North Georgia. I have a plan for an empowerment startup that will strictly employ disabled veterans to seek federal, state and local funding, grants, and other service programs, and focus need-based research starting and exceeding the ADA guidelines. Our think tank will evolve an R&D program and eventually production, solely focused on empowering and improving the lifestyles and productivity of those with disabilities. My underlying goal is reduce the isolation caused by the disabilities so that everyone, starting with veterans, but everyone can play an equal and integral part in our society and in their own lives. Watching my father's friends, all disAbled veterans, struggle with many rudamentary tasks, I have developed a plan and innately desire to help solve many of functional problems that they face in their routines of daily life. The ADA provides a minimum set of guidelines. These heroes deserve much more that our minimum effort but often the ADA minimums are seen as unreachable ceilings for our veterans. In fact, many people in society believe that we should abandoned our veterans. Some in Congress have recently voiced that opinion in public. That shocked me. For me, I am thankful for the innovation seen but it is nowhere near enough to end the isolation caused by traumatic and developmental disabilities. Veteran suicide would not be at its current levels if innovation and technology was sufficiently static. It is time to break through the perceived ceilings of the ADA guidelines. We can do much, much better using technology, hardware, software, etcetera. Innovation can also occur in approaches to funding. It is time for traditional grants to evolve into more than money outlay programs. Sure, money in our society has always "helped." Internships and externship innovations would be much more beneficial in the long run. Innovation in the approach to the small businesses has occured, as well, through associations with universities and large corporations. But, these innovations have not vastly occurred in the areas of empowerment. Certainly, we can innovate how society approaches the needs of those disabled, better, more appropriately funding the grants and other programs so that small business can help our veterans with these efforts. For instance, my father needed a chair lift. Need not want. The VA''s bidding process set a maximum budget and other internal restrictions that latter of which were arguably violative of the ADA. Apparently, the federal government does not hold itself to its own guidelines. Why not? Instead of accommodating my father's needs pursuant to the VA's own mandate and his eligibility, the VA took three (3) years and required two state congresspersons involvement before it would consider its errors. The entire time, my father drug himself up stairs... My father eventually received the chairlift. This delay is a travesty where innovations could and should help our veterans. Funding and influence entrepreneurship will require battles for seed, grant, and other money. But, we should try, right? We should demand it, right? Able body America should, shouldn't we? Innovation must occur. Our veterans can help and will help? Thank you.

In my first semester in college, I have already undergone chaplain training and been selected by my student community to serve as the Delta Company Assistant Chaplain, mentoring peer cadets, helping them through day-to-day challenges, and counseling them on daily misgivings. I will duplicate the love, compassion and admiration for others and desire to help others instilled in me by my father and experiences gained during the pandemic. My father is a disAbled veteran. Until the pandemic, his line of duty injuries never prevented him from working hard, showing me his warm and caring side, nurturing a small business, coaching me and hundreds of other children, and performing hundreds of community service hours annually. He never wavered. Tragically, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated during the pandemic. We lost everything, moving into his 24/7 caregiver's home. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. I took a night job at Home Depot to pay our bills and, during days, often stood in food lines rather than gamed. My father remained gracious, humble, and loving, providing stability and guidance. Together, our friendship blossomed, bolstered these challenges. Now, in college, I can help others through these experiences.

In my first semester in college, I have already undergone chaplain training and been selected by my student community to serve as the Delta Company Assistant Chaplain, mentoring peer cadets, helping them through day-to-day challenges, and counseling them on daily misgivings. I will duplicate the love, compassion and admiration for others and desire to help others instilled in me by my father. My father is a disAbled veteran. His line of duty injuries include a TBI impacting his mental health. Yet, he worked hard, showing me a warm and caring paternal side, while nurturing a small business, coaching me and hundreds of other children, and performing hundreds of community service hours annually. He never wavered. Tragically, however, in late 2019 and early 2020, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. He lost everything. We lost everything. My father was forced to retire. We had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home. Quickly, he became wheelchair bound while requiring daily home nursing and therapy care. His TBI-related conditions, including his mental health became much more pronounced. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. My father needed me. I took a night job at Home Depot and began giving back, taking care of my family by paying back. I knew just how lucky I had been all these years but how had my father done it? While I had a learning disability, nothing compared to his mental health struggles. My daily routines changed from studying and gaming to supporting my father, standing in food lines for donations from the very services that I used serve in the community. Yet, my father has remained gracious, humble, and loving even though he has been facing his morbidity. He has continued to give me guidance, stability, harmony, grace, love, support, commitment, trust...he has given me his friendship. In turn, I have met his challenges and his friendship even keel. While his mental health challenges have been insidious and pervasive, my father has risen to the challenge...bolstered by my support. I have committed to his privacy when requested and collaborated with him at every opportunity. During sessions, demand for details have drawn us close. I have discovered we are more alike, realizing that his efforts to raise me while disAbled were miraculous. My spirit and independence have come slowly. Our difficulties like food insecurity, loss of our house, living with my father's 24/7 caregiver, etcetera have prodded it along. Yet, I have never been concerned. We are strong men, reinforcing one another. Through it all, our friendship has blossomed, and his attitude never changed. My father demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. I didn't want to leave him, but, I did. I had to realize that that was okay. So, I am in college, striving to similarly mentor those around me. It's my turn! I attend a college close to home, talk to my father daily, and return home almost every weekend. You see, in my eyes and in his, we have a real friendship and real growing admiration for each other as men. Giving of ourselves to one another as father and son...now as friends.

It's My Turn! In my first semester in college, I have already undergone chaplain training and been selected by my student community to serve as the Delta Company Assistant Chaplain, mentoring peer cadets, helping them through day-to-day challenges, and counseling them on daily misgivings. I will duplicate the love, compassion and admiration for others and desire to help others instilled in me by my father. This is America. Here, we give to others and trust in God. My father is a disAbled veteran. He and I were abandoned by my mother abandoned when I was five years old. Showing me a warm and caring paternal side, my father also nurtured a small business, coached me and hundreds of other children, and performed hundreds of community service hours annually. He never wavered. Tragically, however, in late 2019 and early 2020, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. He lost everything. We lost everything. My father was forced to retire. We had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home. Quickly, he became wheelchair bound while requiring daily home nursing and therapy care. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. My father needed me. I took a night job at Home Depot and began giving back, taking care of the family by paying back. I knew just how lucky I had been all these years but how had my father done it? My daily routines changed from studying and gaming to standing in food lines for donations from the very services that I used serve in the community. My father's attitude never changed. He demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. So, I am in college, striving to similarly mentor those around me. It's my turn!

My mother abandoned me when I was five. My father, on the other hand, gave of himself to his core. While disAbled, he ran a small business, coached thousands of children, and performed hundreds of community service hours annually. He never waivered, succeeding in business, fatherhood, friendship, and life. However, in late 2019 and early 2020, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. He lost everything. We lost everything. My father was forced to retire and sell his small business. We had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home but that was the smallest of the changes. Quickly, he became wheelchair bound while requiring daily home nursing and therapy care. But, America quickly rallied around him. His family, his fellow veterans, and his coached children came to his aid. His investment of time, effort, and community paid dividends similar to his financial 401K & IRA investments. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. My father needed me. I took a night job at Home Depot and began giving back, taking care of my extended family by paying back. I knew just how lucky I had been all these years but my, now, my father needed me. Daily routines changed from studying and gaming to standing in food lines where before I performed community service. Some recognized me, warmly greeting me and even giving us a little more. These real struggles were hard, but we persevered, relying on each other. My father's attitude never changed. He eventually demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. Giving... So, I am in college, striving to better our family's situation. I am also the company chaplain, helping others in their struggles.

Sometimes, an anchor is desperately needed. The book that has most inspired me is "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. Explaining why is tragic but not a tragedy. Frankl's premise is finding oneself when your entire world is turned upside down. Surviving WW2 and Auschwitz, where Hitler and his cronies justified xenophobic murder for economic gain and the world almost lost an entire race and culture, Frankl's firsthand account illuminates the Nazi evils hidden away from the eyes of the world. Once freed, those Jews who survived were cast afloat without much to anchor them in place. Frankl's survival mechanisms greatly inspired me. When I was five years old, my mother abandoned me. She was always cold and calculating...never maternal, warm, or caring. For nurturing...for everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty. He worked hard during the day and coached me and thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. His tireless actions exaggerated the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. My father never wavered, while always guiding me forward. Tragically, in late 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. We lost everything and had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he became wheelchair bound and needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. At that moment, my father asked me to read Frankl's book. My struggles paled in comparison. I delayed college, took a full nighttime job at Home Depot, and provided stability to my family. College was a distant dream. Now, I am there, serving as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets. Last week, two had suicidal ideations. We made it through. You see, I have an anchor. I am an anchor. No one should be afloat. Thank you

Believing in Myself, Giving to Others, and Hoping for Help. My mother abandoned me when I was 5 years old. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty. He was an engineer running a small company during the day, and a coach of thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. Over the years, his solo role and actions were exaggerated due to the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. He made sure that I knew the importance of community service, allowing me the opportunity to coach children myself in track & field for many years. Tragically, in late 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. While my father has struggled and faced his morbidity, he has remained gracious, humble, giving me guidance, stability, harmony, grace, love, support, commitment, trust.. Most importantly, he has given me his friendship. We lost everything and had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he became wheelchair bound and needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. At that moment, my father asked me to read "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. Frankl's premise is finding oneself when your entire world is turned upside down. Surviving WW2 and Auschwitz, where Hitler and his cronies justified xenophobic murder for economic gain and the world almost lost an entire race and culture, Frankl's firsthand account illuminates the Nazi evils hidden away from the eyes of the world. Once freed, those Jews who survived were cast afloat without much to anchor them in place. Frankl's survival mechanisms greatly inspired me. Our friendship blossomed. My struggles paled in comparison. Really, almost any struggles today do. My independent self came slowly, prodded by difficulties like food insecurity, loss of our house, living with my father's 24/7 caregiver, etcetera. At first, I resented my mother. Through it all, my father demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. So, I did. Candidly, my father and our challenges made me believe in myself and seek opportunities to give to others. Now in college, I serve as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, counseling them on daily misgivings. This week, two had suicidal ideations that I helped them through. You see, those that loved me instilled in me a real admiration for people. Through hard work, I earned the belief in myself. I am pursuing computer science & cybersecurity, focusing on Homeland Security and the US Marshall Service. My paternal grandfather was an industry pioneer, telling me stories of his use of punch cards and tape reels back when computers took up entire floors in large buildings. Growing up in my father's business knowing the "tech guy" almost as if he was my friend, I was amazed at the evolution of hardware and software just in the relative short time of my youth. Yet, through everything, I give all to others, serving as the Assistant Chaplain for cadets.

Believe in yourself. My mother abandoned me at the age of five years. The realization that I was free...independent of any baggage from her misconduct and strong in the belief in myself came at graduation from FROG week! My mother was never maternal, warm, or caring. She was distant, cold, and calculating. For nurturing, I went to my father. For everything, I went to my father...a disabled veteran injured twice in the line of duty; he was an engineer during the day, and a coach of thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. His tireless actions exaggerated the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. My father was concerned that I would misunderstand women, them to all be mean and self-absorbed. He was right to surround me with a strong support group of strong, confident women. Through years of analysis and work, I realized that my mother's abandonment and mistreatment was a reflection of only her and not others. Close relationships, even ones with family members, that were negatively impacted by my early misperception were rehabilitated through my hard work. Honestly, it took time. My independent self came slowly, prodded by difficulties like food insecurity, loss of our house, living with my father's 24/7 caregiver, etcetera. At first, I resented my mother. Through it all, my father demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. So, I did. Those challenges made be believe in myself and seek opportunities to give to others. Now in college, I serve as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, counseling them on daily misgivings. This week, two had suicidal ideations that I helped them through. You see, those that loved me instilled in me a real admiration for people. Through hard work, I earned the belief in myself.

Succeeding to Give. My mother abandoned me at the age of five years. She was never maternal, warm, or caring. Rather, she was distant, cold, and calculating. For nurturing, I went to my father. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty; he worked during the day and coached thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. His tireless actions exaggerated the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. While disAbled, my father never waivered, though, succeeding in business, helping me provide more than 350 community service hours, and seeing me through a successful graduation from high school. However, in late 2019 and early 2020, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. He lost everything. We lost everything. My father was forced to retire. We had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home but that was the smallest of the changes. Quickly, he became wheelchair bound while requiring daily home nursing and therapy care. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. My father needed me. I took a night job at Home Depot, taking care of the family's bills. I knew just how lucky I had been all these years. My daily routines changed. These real struggles were hard. Our attitudes never changed. My father eventually demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. Giving... I am now in college and I serve as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, counseling them on daily misgivings. Last week, two had suicidal ideations that I helped them through. You see, those that loved me instilled in me a real admiration for people that I give to others. My motivation? I want others to know the power of giving of themselves.

Giving to Others. My mother abandoned me at the age of five years. She was never maternal, warm, or caring. Rather, she was distant, cold, and calculating. For nurturing, I went to my father. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty; he worked during the day and coached thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. His tireless actions exaggerated the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. While disAbled, my father never waivered, though, succeeding in business, helping me provide more than 350 community service hours, and seeing me through a successful graduation from high school. However, in late 2019 and early 2020, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. He lost everything. We lost everything. My father was forced to retire and sell his small business. We had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home but that was the smallest of the changes. Quickly, he became wheelchair bound while requiring daily home nursing and therapy care. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. My father needed me. I took a night job at Home Depot, taking care of the family's bills. I knew just how lucky I had been all these years. My daily routines changed. These real struggles were hard. Our attitudes never changed. My father eventually demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. Giving... I am now in college and I serve as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, counseling them on daily misgivings. Last week, two had suicidal ideations that I helped them through. You see, those that loved me instilled in me a real admiration for people that I give to others. My legacy? I want to give to others.

Independence, for me, means freedom from self-doubt created when my mother abandoned me at the age of five years. The realization that I was independent came at graduation from FROG week! My mother was never maternal, warm, or caring. She was distant, cold, and calculating. For nurturing, I went to my father. For everything, I went to my father...a disabled veteran injured twice in the line of duty; he was an engineer and lawyer during the day, and a coach of thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. His tireless actions exaggerated the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. My father was concerned that I would project a misunderstanding on all women, misbelieving them to all be mean and self-absorbed. He was right, surrounding me with a strong support group some of which were strong, confident women. Through years of analysis and work, I realized that my mother's abandonment and mistreatment was a reflection of her and shouldn't cause me to project those feelings on others. Close relationships, even ones with family members, were negatively impacted by my misperception that those closest to me would do me similar harm. Honestly, my grasp took some time. My independent self came slowly, prodded by difficulties like food insecurity, loss of our house, living with my father's 24/7 caregiver, etcetera. At first, I resented my mother. Through it all, my father demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. So, I did. I am now in college, and, at the end of FROG week, my mother showed up to earn false admiration for herself. That was okay. You see, in my eyes and in the eyes of those that loved me was the real admiration of my growing independence. Thank you.

My mother abandoned me at the age of five years. She was never maternal, warm, or caring. Rather, she was distant, cold, and calculating. For nurturing, I went to my father. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty; he worked during the day and coached thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. His tireless actions exaggerated the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. While disAbled, my father never waivered, though, succeeding in business, helping me provide more than 350 community service hours, and seeing me through a successful graduation from high school. However, in late 2019 and early 2020, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. He lost everything. We lost everything. My father was forced to retire and sell his small business. We had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home but that was the smallest of the changes. Quickly, he became wheelchair bound while requiring daily home nursing and therapy care. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. My father needed me. I took a night job at Home Depot, taking care of the family's bills. I knew just how lucky I had been all these years. My daily routines changed. These real struggles were hard. Our attitudes never changed. My father eventually demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. Giving... I am now in college and I serve as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, counseling them on daily misgivings. Last week, two had suicidal ideations that I helped them through. You see, those that loved me instilled in me a real admiration for people that I give to others. My memory? Don't repeat.Give of myself.

My mother abandoned me at the age of five years. She was never maternal, warm, or caring. Rather, she was distant, cold, and calculating. For nurturing, I went to my father. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty; he worked during the day and coached thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. His tireless actions exaggerated the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. While disAbled, my father never waivered, though, succeeding in business, helping me provide more than 350 community service hours, and seeing me through a successful graduation from high school. However, in late 2019 and early 2020, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. He lost everything. We lost everything. My father was forced to retire and sell his small business. We had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home but that was the smallest of the changes. Quickly, he became wheelchair bound while requiring daily home nursing and therapy care. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. My father needed me. I took a night job at Home Depot, taking care of the family's bills. I knew just how lucky I had been all these years. My daily routines changed. These real struggles were hard. Our attitudes never changed. My father eventually demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. Giving... I am now in college and I serve as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, counseling them on daily misgivings. Last week, two had suicidal ideations that I helped them through. You see, those that loved me instilled in me a real admiration for people that I give to others. My legacy? I want to give of myself.

Sometimes, an anchor is desperately needed. The book that has most inspired me is "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. Explaining why is tragic but not a tragedy. Frankl's premise is finding oneself when your entire world is turned upside down. Surviving WW2 and Auschwitz, where Hitler and his cronies justified xenophobic murder for economic gain and the world almost lost an entire race and culture, Frankl's firsthand account illuminates the Nazi evils hidden away from the eyes of the world. Once freed, those Jews who survived were cast afloat without much to anchor them in place. Frankl's survival mechanisms greatly inspired me. When I was five years old, my mother abandoned me. She was always cold and calculating...never maternal, warm, or caring. For nurturing...for everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty. He worked hard during the day and coached me and thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. His tireless actions exaggerated the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. My father never wavered, while always guiding me forward. Tragically, in late 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. We lost everything and had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he became wheelchair bound and needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. At that moment, my father asked me to read Frankl's book. My struggles paled in comparison. I delayed college, took a full nighttime job at Home Depot, and provided stability to my family. College was a distant dream. Now, I am there, serving as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets. Last week, two had suicidal ideations. We made it through. You see, I have an anchor. I am an anchor. No one should be afloat. Thank you

Giving... My father is a disAbled veteran. My mother abandoned us when I was five years of age, always being cold, distant, and calculating. Even though disAbled, my father worked full-time and coached me and thousands of kids to local, state, and national championships, while performing routine community service. In late 2019 and early 2020, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated even further. His abilities left him. He lost everything. We lost everything. We had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home but that was the smallest of the changes. Quickly, he became wheelchair bound while requiring daily home nursing and therapy care. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. My father needed me. I took a night job at Home Depot and began giving back, taking care of the family by paying back. I knew just how lucky I had been all these years but how had my father done it? My daily routines changed from studying and gaming to standing in food lines for donations from the very services that I used serve in the community. Some of those recognized me, warmly greeting my efforts and even giving us a little more. These real struggles were hard, but we persevered, relying on each other. My father's attitude never changed. He eventually demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. So, I am in college, striving to better our family's situation and finding in me my father's strength of conviction and community. There, I am an Assistant Chaplain, helping day-to-day and counseling them on daily misgivings. This week, I had two with suicidal ideations. No problem. Those that loved me instilled in me a real admiration for people that I freely give to others. Thank you.

Giving to Others and why. My mother abandoned me at the age of five years. She was never maternal, warm, or caring. Rather, she was distant, cold, and calculating. For nurturing, I went to my father. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty; he worked during the day and coached thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. His tireless actions exaggerated the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. While disAbled, my father never waivered, though, succeeding in business, helping me provide more than 350 community service hours, and seeing me through a successful graduation from high school. However, in late 2019 and early 2020, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. He lost everything. We lost everything. My father was forced to retire and sell his small business. We had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home but that was the smallest of the changes. Quickly, he became wheelchair bound while requiring daily home nursing and therapy care. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. My father needed me. I took a night job at Home Depot, taking care of the family's bills. I knew just how lucky I had been all these years. My daily routines changed. These real struggles were hard. Our attitudes never changed. My father eventually demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. Giving... I am now in college and I serve as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, counseling them on daily misgivings. Last week, two had suicidal ideations that I helped them through. You see, those that loved me instilled in me a real admiration for people that I give to others.

Sometimes, an anchor is desperately needed. The book that has most inspired me is "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. Explaining why is tragic but not a tragedy. Frankl's premise is finding oneself when your entire world is turned upside down. Surviving WW2 and Auschwitz, where Hitler and his cronies justified xenophobic murder for economic gain and the world almost lost an entire race and culture, Frankl's firsthand account illuminates the Nazi evils hidden away from the eyes of the world. Once freed, those Jews who survived were cast afloat without much to anchor them in place. Frankl's survival mechanisms greatly inspired me. When I was five years old, my mother abandoned me. She was always cold and calculating...never maternal, warm, or caring. For nurturing...for everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty. He worked hard during the day and coached me and thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. His tireless actions exaggerated the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. My father never wavered while always guiding me forward. Tragically, in late 2019, my father suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. We lost everything and had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home as he became wheelchair bound and needed daily home nursing and therapy care. Soon, we were food insecure. At that moment, my father asked me to read Frankl's book. My struggles paled in comparison. I delayed college, took a full nighttime job at Home Depot, and provided stability to my family. College was a distant dream. Now, I am there, serving as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets. Last week, two had suicidal ideations. We me it through. You see, I have an anchor. I am an anchor. No one should be afloat. Thank you.

Giving to Others. My mother abandoned me at the age of five years. She was never maternal, warm, or caring. Rather, she was distant, cold, and calculating. For nurturing, I went to my father. For everything, I went to my father...a disAbled veteran injured twice in the line of duty; he worked during the day and coached thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. His tireless actions exaggerated the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. While disAbled, my father never waivered, though, succeeding in business, helping me provide more than 350 community service hours, and seeing me through a successful graduation from high school. However, in late 2019 and early 2020, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. He lost everything. We lost everything. My father was forced to retire and sell his small business. We had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home but that was the smallest of the changes. Quickly, he became wheelchair bound while requiring daily home nursing and therapy care. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. My father needed me. I took a night job at Home Depot, taking care of the family's bills. I knew just how lucky I had been all these years. My daily routines changed. These real struggles were hard. Our attitudes never changed. My father eventually demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. Giving... I am now in college and I serve as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, counseling them on daily misgivings. Last week, two had suicidal ideations that I helped them through. You see, those that loved me instilled in me a real admiration for people that I give to others. My legacy? I want to give of myself.

Giving... Throughout my entire life, my father was a disAbled veteran. My mother abandoned us when I was five years of age, always being cold, distant, and calculating. But, my father nurtured me, showing a warm and caring paternal side that bolstered my independence and insured that I would not and do not project any misunderstanding on women. In doing so, my father gave of himself to his core. While disAbled, he nurtured a small business into a successful, statewide one, never missing a single event of mine. While disAbled, my father coached children in four sports annually, becoming nationally certified as a coach in two sports in which he never participated. Why? Because I enjoyed them. Hundreds of community service events later, thousands of coached kids and teens later, dozens of state titles and thirteen nationals, and my father retired from coaching. My father never waivered, though, succeeding in business and seeing me through a successful graduation from high school. However, in late 2019 and early 2020, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated. His abilities left him. He lost everything. We lost everything. My father was forced to retire and sell his small business. We had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home but that was the smallest of the changes. Quickly, he became wheelchair bound while requiring daily home nursing and therapy care. But, America quickly rallied around him. His family, his fellow veterans, and his coached children came to his aid. For me, college became a dream as food insecurity became our reality. My father needed me. I took a night job at Home Depot and began giving back, taking care of the family by paying back. I knew just how lucky I had been all these years but how had my father done it? My daily routines changed from studying and gaming to standing in food lines for donations from the very services that I used serve in the community. Some of those recognized me, warmly greeting my efforts and even giving us a little more. These real struggles were hard, but we persevered, relying on each other. My father's attitude never changed. He eventually demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. Giving... So, I am in college, striving to better our family's situation and finding in me my father's strength of conviction, community, and patriotism. We are solid...a team. I depend on him and he on me. That relationship is critical, and I am just as important now to it as he was to me. It is my turn...my turn to become something! In college only part of one semester, I am already giving to my student community, serving it as an Assistant Chaplain for other peer cadets, helping them through day-to-day challenges and counseling them on daily misgivings. This week, two had suicidal ideations that I helped them through. You see, those that loved me instilled in me a real admiration for people that I freely give to others. This is America. Here, we give to others and trust is God. Thank you.

Friendship means giving. My mother abandoned me when I was five years old. My father, a disabled veteran injured twice in the line of duty, worked tirelessly during the day as an engineer and lawyer and coached me and thousands of other kids in four sports on nights and weekends. He was strong, courageous, supportive, confident, and admirable in all facets. Over the years, his solo role and actions were exaggerated due to the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. He made sure that my mother's abandonment and mistreatment was seen by me as a reflection of her, avoiding any projection by me of those feelings on other women. But, as a young adult, I have found out what my father is most of all - giving. Over the last years, my father has struggled with medical and cognitive deteriorations, remaining gracious, humble, and loving even though he has been facing his morbidity. He has given me guidance, stability, harmony, grace, love, support, commitment, trust...he has given me his friendship. In turn, I have met his friendship even keel. While my spirit and independence has come slowly, our difficulties like food insecurity, loss of our house, living with my father's 24/7 caregiver, etcetera have prodded it along. Yet, I have never been concerned. Through it all, our friendship has blossomed. My father demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. I didn't want to leave him, but, I did. That was okay. We talk daily. You see, in my eyes and in his, we have a real friendship and real growing admiration for each other as men. Giving of ourselves to one another as father and son...now as friends. Thank you.

Independence, for me, means freedom from self-doubt created when my mother abandoned me at the age of five years. The realization that I was independent came at graduation from FROG week! My mother was never maternal, warm, or caring. She was distant, cold, and calculating. For nurturing, I went to my father. For everything, I went to my father...a disabled veteran injured twice in the line of duty; he was an engineer and lawyer during the day, and a coach of thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. His tireless actions exaggerated the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. My father was concerned that I would project a misunderstanding on all women, misbelieving them to all be mean and self-absorbed. He was right, surrounding me with a strong support group some of which were strong, confident women. Through years of analysis and work, I realized that my mother's abandonment and mistreatment was a reflection of her and shouldn't cause me to project those feelings on others. Close relationships, even ones with family members, were negatively impacted by my misperception that those closest to me would do me similar harm. Honestly, my grasp took some time. My independent self came slowly, prodded by difficulties like food insecurity, loss of our house, living with my father's 24/7 caregiver, etcetera. At first, I resented my mother. Through it all, my father demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. So, I did. Self-care is my daily reminders. My mother showing up to earn false admiration for herself was vacuous. In my eyes, that did not hurt me. She cannot hurt me. In the eyes of those that love me is the real admiration of my growing independence. Thank you.

Broken homes don't mean broken futures. My mother abandoned me at the age of five years. The realization that I was free...independent of any baggage from her misconduct came at graduation from FROG week! My mother was never maternal, warm, or caring. She was distant, cold, and calculating. For nurturing, I went to my father. For everything, I went to my father...a disabled veteran injured twice in the line of duty; he was an engineer and lawyer during the day, and a coach of thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. His tireless actions exaggerated the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. My father was concerned that I would project a misunderstanding on all women, misbelieving them to all be mean and self-absorbed. He was right, surrounding me with a strong support group some of which were strong, confident women. Through years of analysis and work, I realized that my mother's abandonment and mistreatment was a reflection of her and shouldn't cause me to project those feelings on others. Close relationships, even ones with family members, were negatively impacted by my misperception that those closest to me would do me similar harm. Honestly, my grasp took some time. My independent self came slowly, prodded by difficulties like food insecurity, loss of our house, living with my father's 24/7 caregiver, etcetera. At first, I resented my mother. Through it all, my father demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. So, I did. I am now in college and I serve as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, counseling them on daily misgivings. This week, two had suicidal ideations that I helped them through. You see, those that loved me instilled in me a real admiration for people that I give to others.

Broken homes don't mean broken futures. My mother abandoned me at the age of five years. The realization that I was free...independent of any baggage from her misconduct came at graduation from FROG week! My mother was never maternal, warm, or caring. She was distant, cold, and calculating. For nurturing, I went to my father. For everything, I went to my father...a disabled veteran injured twice in the line of duty; he was an engineer and lawyer during the day, and a coach of thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. His tireless actions exaggerated the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. My father was concerned that I would project a misunderstanding on all women, misbelieving them to all be mean and self-absorbed. He was right, surrounding me with a strong support group some of which were strong, confident women. Through years of analysis and work, I realized that my mother's abandonment and mistreatment was a reflection of her and shouldn't cause me to project those feelings on others. Close relationships, even ones with family members, were negatively impacted by my misperception that those closest to me would do me similar harm. Honestly, my grasp took some time. My independent self came slowly, prodded by difficulties like food insecurity, loss of our house, living with my father's 24/7 caregiver, etcetera. At first, I resented my mother. Through it all, my father demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. So, I did. I am now in college and I serve as an Assistant Chaplain for cadets, counseling them on daily misgivings. This week, two had suicidal ideations that I helped them through. You see, those that loved me instilled in me a real admiration for people that I give to others.

Independence, for me, means freedom from self-doubt created when my mother abandoned me at the age of five years. The realization that I was independent came at graduation from FROG week! My mother was never maternal, warm, or caring. She was distant, cold, and calculating. For nurturing, I went to my father. For everything, I went to my father...a disabled veteran injured twice in the line of duty; he was an engineer and lawyer during the day, and a coach of thousands of kids in four sports on nights and weekends. His tireless actions exaggerated the juxtaposed, drastic differences between my parents. My father was concerned that I would project a misunderstanding on all women, misbelieving them to all be mean and self-absorbed. He was right, surrounding me with a strong support group some of which were strong, confident women. Through years of analysis and work, I realized that my mother's abandonment and mistreatment was a reflection of her and shouldn't cause me to project those feelings on others. Close relationships, even ones with family members, were negatively impacted by my misperception that those closest to me would do me similar harm. Honestly, my grasp took some time. My independent self came slowly, prodded by difficulties like food insecurity, loss of our house, living with my father's 24/7 caregiver, etcetera. At first, I resented my mother. Through it all, my father demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. So, I did. I am now in college, and, at the end of FROG week, my mother showed up to earn false admiration for herself. That was okay. You see, in my eyes and in the eyes of those that loved me was the real admiration of my growing independence. Thank you.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, I learned that family relationships are vital in life. In high school, I had the grades and participated in hundreds of hours of community service. My friends and I were challenged by little, believing that the next "hurdle" would be choosing our college. Once I graduated a semester early, my entire life literally changed forever. For my entire life, my father has always been a disabled veteran. Thus, serving veterans' causes has been very important. However, in late 2019 and early 2020, my father's medical condition suddenly deteriorated and, as a result, our household lost everything. My father was forced to retire and sell his small business. We had to move into his 24/7 caregiver's home but that was the smallest of the changes. Quickly, he became wheelchair bound while requiring daily home nursing and therapy care. College became a dream when food insecurity became our reality. My father needed me. I took a night job at Home Depot and began paying our bills. I knew just how lucky I had been all these years but how had my father done it? My daily routines changed from studying and gaming to standing in food lines for donations from the very services that I used serve in the community. These real struggles were hard, but we perservered, relying on each other. My father demanded that I go to college... "It's your time to shine," he always said. So, I am in college, striving to better our family's situation and finding in me my father's strength of conviction. We are solid...a team. I depend on him and he on me. That relationship is critical and I am just as important now to it as he was to me. It is my turn...my turn to become something! Thank you.

First, thank you for this opportunity. When I discovered my learning disability, it explained why I struggled academically and felt so different from my peers. My therapist's kind, compassionate approach bridged that gap and helped discover my talents. Yet, that was not my largest struggle in my adolescence. My parents divorced. It wasn't ugly in large part because I had a strong yet disabled veteran father, willing to protect the family through the bizarre ordeal crafted by our mother. He sought therapists for the family and attempted to reunify everyone, reminding all of us that we needed both parents for life even when one struggles for awhile with mental health. For six years, my father held it together until his health disintegrated. However, that fortitude carried me into my adult years, making all the difference. It is a shining example of the positive impact I will make on those I will touch in my mental health career. I have seen both of my parents struggle with significant disabilities...physical and mental. Some would rightfully argue that mental health conditions can be, at times, more disabling or debilitating. As my future patients and those around me struggle, I will utilize the tools of my trade, gathering up their spirit and aiding them during their struggles. I will not judge. I will not limit. I will make every effort to lift them up with the strength of character that my father exhibited until he was no longer able. Again, thank you. Daniel Tressler