My dream is to become not only a successful football coach but to become a math teacher who will impact the lives of other students, the same way my teacher has.

My name is Dylan Odom and I am a senior attending Reagan County High School in Big Lake, Texas. I am involved in multiple sports, including football, track & field, and basketball. In my free time, I enjoy reading sports articles and keeping up with collegiate and professional football. Recently, I have decided to pursue a career in teaching math at the high school level. Two years ago, I never would have imagined my adult self teaching math in a classroom full of kids. Although I considered myself to be good at math, I never really enjoyed it. Throughout all of my years in school, Mr. Little is the only teacher who has made math an enjoyable experience for me. Many kids are not fortunate enough to have a good math teacher, leading them to discount the subject overall. Mr. Little showed me how awesome math can be, especially at a high level. So, my appreciation for math grew tremendously. Because of this, I want to follow in my teacher’s footsteps and allow other students to have the same experience. He has had a great influence on my decision to become a high school math teacher. In college, I plan to major in kinesiology and minor in math, as I see this as the best way to pursue my goals of becoming a football coach and a math teacher, which has been a lifelong goal of mine. Whether he knows it or not, he has played a huge role in my life, guiding me along this path. Considering my family's current financial situation, any form of financial aid is greatly appreciated. For any student that wants to further their education, taking away the worry of student debt can be extremely beneficial to their academic success. Doing so can lift an incredible amount of weight off their shoulders, allowing them to focus on their education rather than on student debt. My family is generous enough to pay for a part of my tuition and housing, which I will be endlessly grateful for. However, it is my responsibility to pay the remaining tuition. I have been saving as much money as I can, but that will only go so far for college tuition. That is the exact reason I am applying for this scholarship. This scholarship will help by lowering the costs of college and the number of hours I'll need to work throughout my studies. This way, I'll be able to continue with my academic achievements.

I have been involved in sports since before I could remember. Being the “momma’s boy” that I am, I only played non-contact sports for most of my early childhood. Even though I enjoyed basketball, I didn’t have a huge interest in sports. That was until I got my first chance to play football in the 3rd grade. Outside of school, football has always been the center of my attention since that first pee-wee game. Football has had its ups and downs, all of which have led me in a positive direction. Thankfully, during my senior season of high school football, I was named one of the four captains on the team. I knew I wasn't picked just to go shake hands at midfield before the game, but to show my team some leadership and to set an example. Although the season was cut short in the early rounds of the playoffs, the season was still considered a success as we had won our first district championship in over two decades, and finished with a 7-4 record. We surpassed any expectations our school had set for us and had several players make 1st team all-district. Since a young age, I have had my mind set on becoming a football coach and a math teacher. The only way to reach my goal is to pursue a college education after high school. I want to become a football coach because every male role model in my life was at one point a football coach. I want to follow in their footsteps and help contribute to a successful football program. Along with coaching, I also want to become a math teacher, preferably Algebra II. At a majority of schools, coaches are required to teach classes. These past two years, I have been fortunate enough to have a good math teacher, making math class enjoyable for the first time since elementary school. This has encouraged me to help other students with the same issue and have a good experience learning math. In college, I plan to major in kinesiology and minor in math, as I see this as the best way to pursue my goals of becoming a football coach and a math teacher. Coming from a middle-class family, any form of financial aid is greatly appreciated. For any student that wants to further their education, taking away the worry of student debt can be extremely beneficial to their academic success. Doing so can lift an incredible weight off their shoulders, allowing them to focus on their education rather than on student debt. Graduating from college will not be easy, but it will most definitely be worth it.

My name is Dylan Odom and I am a senior attending Reagan County High School in Big Lake, Texas. I am involved in multiple sports, including football, track & field, and basketball. In my free time, I enjoy reading sports articles and keeping up with college and professional football. In my family, I am the youngest of three children. I have a sister that is 22 years old and a brother that is 27 years old. My dad has always worked in the school system, ranging from a football coach, to the athletic director, and finally principal. Similarly, my mom has been an elementary teacher her entire career. We first moved to Big Lake in the summer of 2021, and have felt welcome ever since. The staff at Reagan County and the people of Big Lake made it an easy transition from our last school. Since that first summer, I’ve made more connections and relationships than I ever would imagine. One of these connections is with My head football coach and athletic director, Coach Brown. Not only has he treated me with respect, but has pushed me beyond expectations and has heavily encouraged me to become a coach myself. I want to become a football coach because a majority of the male role models in my life were all football coaches at some point in their careers. Contributing to a successful football program the same way these men did, is one of my many goals. I have also made a connection with my calculus teacher here at Reagan County. Throughout all of my years in school, Mr. Little is the only teacher who has made math an enjoyable experience for me. Many kids are not fortunate enough to have a good math teacher, leading them to discount the subject overall. Because of this, I want to follow in my teacher’s footsteps and allow other students to have the same experience. These two men have had a great influence on my decision to become a teacher and a coach after I graduate from college. In college, I plan to major in kinesiology and minor in math, as I see this as the best way to pursue my goals of becoming a football coach and a math teacher, which has been a lifelong goal of mine. Whether they know it or not, the teachers and coaches at Reagan County have played a huge role in my life, guiding me along this path.

In college, I plan to major in kinesiology and minor in math, as I see this as the best way to pursue my goals of becoming a football coach and a math teacher, which has been a lifelong goal of mine. Many kids are not fortunate enough to have a good math teacher, leading them to discount it overall. Throughout all of my years in school, Mr. Little is the only teacher who has made math an enjoyable experience for me. In my first year here, I was significantly farther behind compared to the other students in my Precalculus class. It started rough, and I was barely passing Mr. Little's class throughout the first semester. However, He was able to guide me through the course, with a little tough love, and showed me how amazing math can be. Because of him, my appreciation for math grew tremendously, and I enjoyed taking his class. Now, a year later, We are preparing to take the AP Calculus test. Something that I found impossible to comprehend 7 months ago, is now something I understand fluently. After highschool, I am going to attend ASU to earn my degree and become a High School math teacher and Coach, following in his footsteps. I was fortunate enough to have a good math teacher, and I want other kids to have the same experience.

Nice to meet you, where you been? I could show you incredible things Magic, madness, heaven, sin Saw you there and I thought "Oh, my God, look at that face You look like my next mistake Love's a game, wanna play?" Ay New money, suit and tie I can read you like a magazine Ain't it funny? Rumours fly And I know you heard about me So hey, let's be friends I'm dying to see how this one ends Grab your passport and my hand I can make the bad guys good for a weekend BARZ So it's gonna be forever Or it's gonna go down in flames You can tell me when it's over, mm If the high was worth the pain Got a long list of ex-lovers They'll tell you I'm insane 'Cause you know I love the players And you love the game 'Cause we're young, and we're reckless We'll take this way too far It'll leave you breathless, mm Or with a nasty scar Got a long list of ex-lovers They'll tell you I'm insane But I've got a blank space, baby And I'll write your name Cherry lips, crystal skies I could show you incredible things Stolen kisses, pretty lies You're the King, baby, I'm your Queen Find out what you want Be that girl for a month Wait, the worst is yet to come, oh, no Screaming, crying, perfect storms I can make all the tables turn Rose garden filled with thorns Keep you second guessing like "Oh, my God, who is she?" I get drunk on jealousy But you'll come back each time you leave 'Cause, darling, I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream So it's gonna be forever Or it's gonna go down in flames You can tell me when it's over, mm If the high was worth the pain Got a long list of ex-lovers They'll tell you I'm insane 'Cause you know I love the players And you love the game 'Cause we're young, and we're reckless (oh) We'll take this way too far It'll leave you breathless, mm (oh) Or with a nasty scar Got a long list of ex-lovers They'll tell you I'm insane (insane) But I've got a blank space, baby And I'll write your name Boys only want love if it's torture Don't say I didn't, say I didn't warn ya Boys only want love if it's torture Don't say I didn't, say I didn't warn ya So it's gonna be forever Or it's gonna go down in flames You can tell me when it's over (over) If the high was worth the pain Got a long list of ex-lovers They'll tell you I'm insane (I'm insane) 'Cause you know I love the players And you love the game 'Cause we're young, and we're reckless We'll take this way too far (ooh) It'll leave you breathless, mm Or with a nasty scar (leave a nasty scar) Got a long list of ex-lovers They'll tell you I'm insane But I've got a blank space, baby And I'll write your name

My name is Dylan Odom and I am a senior attending Reagan County High School in Big Lake, Texas. I am involved in multiple sports, including football, track & field, and basketball. In my free time, I enjoy reading sports articles and keeping up with college and professional football. In my family, I am the youngest of three children. I have a sister that is 22 years old and a brother that is 27 years old. My dad has always worked in the school system, ranging from a football coach to the athletic director, and finally principal. Similarly, my mom has been an elementary teacher her entire career. We first moved to Big Lake in the summer of 2021, and have felt welcome ever since. The staff at Reagan County and the people of Big Lake made it an easy transition from our last school. Since that first summer, I’ve made more connections and relationships than I ever would imagine. One of these connections is with My head football coach and athletic director, Coach Brown. Not only has he treated me with respect, but has pushed me beyond expectations and has heavily encouraged me to become a coach myself. I want to become a football coach because a majority of the male role models in my life were all football coaches at some point in their careers. Contributing to a successful football program the same way these men did, is one of my many goals. I have also made a connection with my calculus teacher here at Reagan County. Throughout all of my years in school, Mr. Little is the only teacher who has made math an enjoyable experience for me. Many kids are not fortunate enough to have a good math teacher, leading them to discount the subject overall. Because of this, I want to follow in My teacher’s footsteps and allow other students to have the same experience. These two men have had a great influence on my decision to become a teacher and a coach after I graduate from college. In college, I plan to major in kinesiology and minor in math, as I see this as the best way to pursue my goals of becoming a football coach and a math teacher, which has been a lifelong goal of mine. Whether they know it or not, the teachers and coaches at Reagan County have played a huge role in my life, guiding me along this path.

Whether it be a professional athlete, your parent, or even a teacher, having a role model in your life is super important for your development as a person. My biggest role model is without a doubt, my dad. My dad lived a different childhood than most kids, as his father was in the Navy and was stationed in different places around the globe. He was born in the Philippines, moved to Alaska, then several other states in America before ending up in Texas. He met my mom at Tarleton State University, where he attended college for four years. They have been married for more than 27 years, and have three kids together. My father has impacted my life in countless ways. He preaches to me, daily, that “your work-ethic shows who you are as a person”. He continuously proves to me that with a hard work ethic, results will come, and people will see them. My dad has been a high school football coach for the majority of his career and has even coached some high school basketball and track. Being the coach's son, I have been involved in sports since I could walk. Not only was I playing sports, but he allowed me to be a waterboy for his team. Being there to see how he motivates and pushes his players and staff influenced me greatly to also become a coach. Whether they liked him or not, my dad was always going 100 miles an hour during football season. One of his best attributes is his ability to gain the trust of his athletes. One way he does this is by showing up every day with a positive mindset and hustle mentality. If it is a game day walk-through or a Monday practice, he was putting in 100% effort. Because of this, he sees results in his work. Then, when the players see the results, they respect and trust him. My dad has explained to me many times that trust and respect are key to success as a coach. With the trust and respect of your athletes, they will do anything you ask of them. And this is why many other people view my dad as a role model. However, I am fortunate enough to have been around him for longer than almost anyone else. Hopefully, with a hard work ethic and a positive mindset, I can influence the lives of other student-athletes in the same way my dad has done.

Most people spend nearly the first 20 years of their life in the school system, earning their education. With school being about 8 hours a day, kids spend almost the same amount of time with their teachers as they do with their parents. This means that educators in America have a huge impact on the development of these young people. Thankfully, I am fortunate enough to have several teachers that guided me along the right path. Throughout all of my years in school, I have had two teachers make math an enjoyable experience for me. Many kids are not fortunate enough to have a good math teacher, leading them to discount the subject overall. Early on, I did not enjoy math classes. It was either because the math was too simple and quick, or because I felt lost without the help of my teacher. This was up until 4th grade when Ms. Halfmann became our math teacher. She used this unique way of teaching us math, making it competitive among the students. She would teach the concept, we'd practice on worksheets, then see who could solve it the fastest. There wasn't any kind of reward for finishing first, other than Ms. Halfmann writing a good note to send home to my parents. However, it was very motivating to do my best every day. Mr. Little, my senior calculus teacher, has become one of the most influential people in my life. My class with him is early in the morning, which means that he sets the tone for the day, every day. To my benefit, Mr. Little walks into the classroom every day with a smile on his face and a positive attitude. Whenever I am in his class, he sets the tone for the day. This is one of his best qualities and has made a daily impact on the lives of students and teachers around him. Because of this, I want to follow in My teacher’s footsteps and allow other students to have the same experience. These two people have had a great influence on my decision to become a teacher and a coach after I graduate from college. In college, I plan to major in kinesiology and minor in math, as I see this as the best way to pursue my goals of becoming a football coach and a math teacher, which has been a lifelong goal of mine. Whether they know it or not, the teachers and coaches at Reagan County have played a huge role in my life, guiding me along this path.

My name is Dylan Odom and I am a senior attending Reagan County High School in Big Lake, Texas. I am involved in multiple sports, including football, track & field, and basketball. In my free time, I enjoy reading sports articles and keeping up with college and professional football. In my family, I am the youngest of three children. I have a sister that is 22 years old and a brother that is 27 years old. My dad has always worked in the school system, ranging from a football coach to athletic director, and finally principal. Similarly, my mom has been an elementary teacher her entire career. We first moved to Big Lake in the summer of 2021, and have felt welcome ever since. The staff at Reagan County and the people of Big Lake made it an easy transition from our last school. Since that first summer, I’ve made more connections and relationships than I ever would imagine. One of these connections is with My head football coach and athletic director, Coach Brown. Not only has he treated me with respect, but has pushed me beyond expectations and has heavily encouraged me to become a coach myself. I want to become a football coach because a majority of the male role models in my life were all football coaches at some point in their careers. Contributing to a successful football program the same way these men did, is one of my many goals. I have also made a connection with my calculus teacher here at Reagan County. Throughout all of my years in school, Mr. Little is the only teacher who has made math an enjoyable experience for me. Many kids are not fortunate enough to have a good math teacher, leading them to discount the subject overall. Because of this, I want to follow in My teacher’s footsteps, and allow other students to have the same experience. These two men have had a great influence on my decision to become a teacher and a coach after I graduate from college. In college, I plan to major in kinesiology and minor in math, as I see this as the best way to pursue my goals of becoming a football coach and a math teacher, which has been a lifelong goal of mine. Whether they know it or not, the teachers and coaches at Reagan County have played a huge role in my life, guiding me along this path.

My name is Dylan Odom and I am a senior attending Reagan County High School in Big Lake, Texas. I am involved in multiple sports, including football, track & field, and basketball. In my free time, I enjoy reading sports articles and keeping up with college and professional football. In my family, I am the youngest of three children. I have a sister that is 22 years old and a brother that is 27 years old. My dad has always worked in the school system, ranging from a football coach to athletic director, and finally principal. Similarly, my mom has been an elementary teacher her entire career. We first moved to Big Lake in the summer of 2021, and have felt welcome ever since. The staff at Reagan County and the people of Big Lake made it an easy transition from our last school. Since that first summer, I’ve made more connections and relationships than I ever would imagine. One of these connections is with My head football coach and athletic director, Coach Brown. Not only has he treated me with respect, but has pushed me beyond expectations and has heavily encouraged me to become a coach myself. I want to become a football coach because a majority of the male role models in my life were all football coaches at some point in their careers. Contributing to a successful football program the same way these men did, is one of my many goals. I have also made a connection with my calculus teacher here at Reagan County. Throughout all of my years in school, Mr. Little is the only teacher who has made math an enjoyable experience for me. Many kids are not fortunate enough to have a good math teacher, leading them to discount the subject overall. Because of this, I want to follow in My teacher’s footsteps, and allow other students to have the same experience. These two men have had a great influence on my decision to become a teacher and a coach after I graduate from college. In college, I plan to major in kinesiology and minor in math, as I see this as the best way to pursue my goals of becoming a football coach and a math teacher, which has been a lifelong goal of mine. Whether they know it or not, the teachers and coaches at Reagan County have played a huge role in my life, guiding me along this path.

Everyone knows that exercise and diet are the keys to a long and healthy life. However, what most people don’t realize is that your diet is by far the most important factor in becoming physically healthy. Not only can your diet offset the benefits of exercise, but it can even increase the benefits tremendously. Implementing a good diet is most definitely the hardest part of a clean lifestyle, especially compared to exercising. Although eating right is hard, there are plenty of ways to make it enjoyable. One way I practice a good diet is by meal prepping. I have set a goal of gaining 15 pounds of healthy weight for my sport, and I knew that creating a meal plan would help me reach that goal. Every Saturday morning, my dad and I go to town for groceries, bring them home, and begin cooking our meals. This was nearly an all-day process, and at first, the meals we cooked were not exactly enjoyable. Neither of us was any good at cooking. However, we continued on our path and now it is pleasant to eat the food we made. So not only are we able to enjoy healthy foods, we got some cooking experience along the way. Meal prepping is also extremely helpful if you have a busy schedule. All you need is a few hours of free time, one day a week. This has benefited me greatly as I have school for 8 hours during weekdays, and sports after school. Instead of paying for fast food or rushing to cook a meal during my lunch break, I can just heat my pre-made meal. Typically for meals, I choose from eating grilled chicken breast with a side of rice and asparagus or ground turkey meat with a side of Spanish rice and salad. I also use low-fat condiments to add flavor to my meals, because I can be a pretty picky eater. Also, I try to drink as little sugar as possible, so I only drink water and Gatorade zero. Finally, the last thing I have before I go to bed is a protein shake. For the shake, I mix two scoops of whey protein, three cups of oat milk, frozen strawberries, and low-fat chocolate syrup. Overall, this meal plan has successfully helped me reach my goal of gaining healthy weight for my sport. Not only has it changed the way I look or feel, but it has also taught me independence and how to cook for myself.

Putting in hours of community service is very important. Thankfully, there are plenty of opportunities to give back to the people of my town. At my previous school, there were several occasions when my teammates and I would participate in cleaning up the local park. Before the paths were covered with brush and the wood on every bench had rotted. After replacing the benches and cleaning up the pathways, the people could now walk through the park and have a nice place to sit. That year, our welding teacher also allowed us to make our art for the local garden. Not only did this give us more welding experience, but it allowed us to add our touch for others to see. Another one of my favorite ways to help the community is by refereeing the little-league football games every Saturday of the season. My friend's parents were the people who organized these games, and they allowed my classmates and me to earn some community service hours. Not only is it fun to watch my favorite sport, but the parents also get to watch their kids play a fair game. This also gives me a great opportunity to gain experience refereeing games, which I might consider as a part-time job while I attend school in the future. In college, I plan to major in kinesiology and minor in math, as I see this as the best way to pursue my goals of becoming a football coach and a math teacher, which has been a lifelong goal of mine. Many kids are not fortunate enough to have a good math teacher, leading them to discount it overall. I was fortunate enough to have a good math teacher throughout high school, and I want other kids to have the same experience. Considering my family's current financial situation, any form of financial aid is greatly appreciated. For any student that wants to further their education, taking away the worry of student debt can be extremely beneficial to their academic success. Doing so can lift an incredible amount of weight off their shoulders, allowing them to focus on their education rather than on student debt. My family is generous enough to pay for a part of my tuition and housing, which I will be endlessly grateful for. However, it is my responsibility to pay the remaining tuition. I have been saving as much money as I can, but that will only go so far for college tuition. That is the exact reason I am applying for this scholarship. This scholarship will help by lowering the costs of college and the number of hours I'll need to work throughout my studies. This way, I'll be able to continue with my academic achievements.

I have been involved in sports since before I could remember. Being the “momma’s boy” that I am, I only played non-contact sports for most of my early childhood. Even though I enjoyed basketball, I didn’t have a huge interest in sports. That was until I got my first chance to play football in the 3rd grade. Outside of school, football has always been the center of my attention since that first pee-wee game. Football has had its ups and downs, all of which have led me in a positive direction. Thankfully, during my senior season of high school football, I was named one of the four captains on the team. I knew I wasn't picked just to go shake hands at midfield before the game, but to show my team some leadership and to set an example. Although the season was cut short in the early rounds of the playoffs, the season was still considered a success as we had won our first district championship in over two decades and finished with a 7-4 record. We surpassed any expectations our school had set for us and had several players make 1st team all-district. Since a young age, I have had my mind set on becoming a football coach and a math teacher. The only way to reach my goal is to pursue a college education after high school. I want to become a football coach because every male role model in my life was at one point a football coach. I want to follow in their footsteps and help contribute to a successful football program. Along with coaching, I also want to become a math teacher, preferably Algebra II. At a majority of schools, coaches are required to teach classes. These past two years, I have been fortunate enough to have a good math teacher, making math class enjoyable for the first time since elementary school. This has encouraged me to help other students with the same issue, and have a good experience learning math. In college, I plan to major in kinesiology and minor in math, as I see this as the best way to pursue my goals of becoming a football coach and a math teacher. Coming from a middle-class family, any form of financial aid is greatly appreciated. For any student that wants to further their education, taking away the worry of student debt can be extremely beneficial to their academic success. Doing so can lift an incredible weight off their shoulders, allowing them to focus on their education rather than on student debt. Graduating from college will not be easy, but it will most definitely be worth it.

Since a young age, I have had my mind set on becoming a football coach and a math teacher. The only way to reach my goal is to pursue a college education after high school. College is not only a place to meet new people and has fun, but it is also a place to better yourself through education."There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs." It can be one of the most fun and important times in a person’s life, but it is by no means easy. In my family, I am the youngest of three children. I have a sister that is 22 years old and a brother that is 27 years old. All of my immediate family has lived in the United States their entire life, other than my dad who lived in several places across the world due to his father's occupation. When my parents got married, they worked all across Texas in High School education. And after having three kids, nothing has changed. My dad started his career as a small-town football coach. After moving a couple of times for better opportunities, he became the athletic director of our school, then principal shortly after. My mom, however, has been a grade school teacher her entire career. My brother, Austin, now owns two restaurants in Hico, Texas. My sister, Marlee, is in her second year of nursing school in San Angelo, Texas. In college, I plan to major in kinesiology and minor in math, as I see this as the best way to pursue my goals of becoming a football coach and a math teacher, which has been a lifelong goal of mine. Many kids are not fortunate enough to have a good math teacher, leading them to discount it overall. I was fortunate enough to have a good math teacher throughout high school, and I want other kids to have the same experience. Considering my family's current financial situation, any form of financial aid is greatly appreciated. For any student that wants to further their education, taking away the worry of student debt can be extremely beneficial to their academic success. Doing so can lift an incredible amount of weight off their shoulders, allowing them to focus on their education rather than on student debt. My family is generous enough to pay for a part of my tuition and housing, which I will be endlessly grateful for. However, it is my responsibility to pay the remaining tuition. I have been saving as much money as I can, but that will only go so far for college tuition. That is the exact reason I am applying for this scholarship. This scholarship will help by lowering the costs of college and the number of hours I'll need to work throughout my studies. This way, I'll be able to continue with my academic achievements.

Putting in hours of community service is very important. Thankfully, there are plenty of opportunities to give back to the people of my town. At my previous school, there were several occasions when my teammates and I would participate in cleaning up the local park. Before the paths were covered with brush and the wood on every bench had rotted. After replacing the benches and cleaning up the pathways, the people could now walk through the park and have a nice place to sit. That year, our welding teacher also allowed us to make our art for the local garden. Not only did this give us more welding experience, but it allowed us to add our touch for others to see. Another one of my favorite ways to help the community is by refereeing the little-league football games every Saturday of the season. My friend's parents were the people who organized these games, and they allowed my classmates and me to earn some community service hours. Not only is it fun to watch my favorite sport, but the parents also get to watch their kids play a fair game. This also gives me a great opportunity to gain experience refereeing games, which I might consider as a part-time job while I attend school in the future. In college, I plan to major in kinesiology and minor in math, as I see this as the best way to pursue my goals of becoming a football coach and a math teacher, which has been a lifelong goal of mine. Many kids are not fortunate enough to have a good math teacher, leading them to discount it overall. I was fortunate enough to have a good math teacher throughout high school, and I want other kids to have the same experience. Considering my family's current financial situation, any form of financial aid is greatly appreciated. For any student that wants to further their education, taking away the worry of student debt can be extremely beneficial to their academic success. Doing so can lift an incredible amount of weight off their shoulders, allowing them to focus on their education rather than on student debt. My family is generous enough to pay for a part of my tuition and housing, which I will be endlessly grateful for. However, it is my responsibility to pay the remaining tuition. I have been saving as much money as I can, but that will only go so far for college tuition. That is the exact reason I am applying for this scholarship. This scholarship will help by lowering the costs of college and the number of hours I'll need to work throughout my studies. This way, I'll be able to continue with my academic achievements.

Putting in hours of community service is very important. Thankfully, there are plenty of opportunities to give back to the people of my town. At my previous school, there were several occasions when my teammates and I would participate in cleaning up the local park. Before the paths were covered with brush and the wood on every bench had rotted. After replacing the benches and cleaning up the pathways, the people could now walk through the park and have a nice place to sit. That year, our welding teacher also allowed us to make our art for the local garden. Not only did this give us more welding experience, but it allowed us to add our touch for others to see. Another one of my favorite ways to help the community is by refereeing the little-league football games every Saturday of the season. My friend's parents were the people who organized these games, and they allowed my classmates and me to earn some community service hours. Not only is it fun to watch my favorite sport, but the parents also get to watch their kids play a fair game. This also gives me a great opportunity to gain experience refereeing games, which I might consider as a part-time job while I attend school in the future. In college, I plan to major in kinesiology and minor in math, as I see this as the best way to pursue my goals of becoming a football coach and a math teacher, which has been a lifelong goal of mine. Many kids are not fortunate enough to have a good math teacher, leading them to discount it overall. I was fortunate enough to have a good math teacher throughout high school, and I want other kids to have the same experience. Considering my family's current financial situation, any form of financial aid is greatly appreciated. For any student that wants to further their education, taking away the worry of student debt can be extremely beneficial to their academic success. Doing so can lift an incredible amount of weight off their shoulders, allowing them to focus on their education rather than on student debt. My family is generous enough to pay for a part of my tuition and housing, which I will be endlessly grateful for. However, it is my responsibility to pay the remaining tuition. I have been saving as much money as I can, but that will only go so far for college tuition. That is the exact reason I am applying for this scholarship. This scholarship will help by lowering the costs of college and the number of hours I'll need to work throughout my studies. This way, I'll be able to continue with my academic achievements.

From a young age, athletics has been a huge part of my life. High school athletics has not only taught me to be disciplined and keep my body in shape- but to work together as a team. It was not until recently, when I played my last ever organized game of football, that I realized its importance to me. We were by far and away the underdogs- and for good reason. Even though we lost, I will always remember how everyone on the team believed we had a chance. No one backed down from the fight, even though we didn't stand a chance. There is something about this underdog mentality that I just absolutely love. Before this game, I had no idea what field I wanted to pursue after graduating from high school. I'd figure I would just find a career that paid a six-figure salary and just live a mediocre life. However, I now know that pursuing a career in an athletics-related field is what would make me happy. Whether that be an athletic trainer, a football coach, or even a strength and conditioning coach. Thankfully, if I do pursue one of these careers, I'd have plenty of guidance. Several male role models in my family have encouraged me to become a coach, following in their footsteps. One of these role models is my dad. He has always been one of my role models, and one thing I admire most about him is his ability to grab the attention of everyone. To me, that just seems special, to have everyone listen to you and trust every word you say. Along with my dad, my grandfather also influenced me to become a coach. He says that his experiences as a young adult were very similar to mine, as he did not know exactly what he wanted to do. However, he credits becoming a coach as the best decision he has ever made. Also, to become a coach, I will most likely become a teacher too. At first, teaching seemed intimidating. I've never had experience standing up in front of a classroom and talking to a class. Thankfully, over the past year, I have been given multiple opportunities to explain calculus problems to my class, which has given me more confidence. I have several other family members that pursued careers in general education also, all of which have encouraged me to do the same. While teaching is not a athletics-related field, it is a requirement to pursue my goal as a football coach.