Military service and the protection of our country are very important to me because of my family heritage and personal values. My dad, Darren White; my grandfather, Dennis White; and my stepgrandfather, Sonny Arcano, all served in the Navy. Their dedication and sacrifices have profoundly influenced my understanding of the military's role and inspired my motivations in life. It symbolizes a great deal of duty, honor, and sacrifice. The men and women who serve in the armed forces exemplify the greatest example of courage and fortitude; very often, they put their lives at stake so that we might enjoy our freedoms and security today. Their preparedness to give their lives to defend our nation and its people is reflective of their selflessness and dedication. One example that comes most readily to mind regards the dedication of military personnel is my father's service as a hospital corpsman, or what his peers affectionately referred to him as, "Doctor White." The position required both medical skills and colossal acts of bravery to treat the wounded under extremely difficult conditions. His decision to extend his service beyond the initial four years to return home and be with his wife, despite missing the opportunity to serve on a military cruiser, exemplifies the complexities of serving in the military. I am very proud and inspired by my grandfather Dennis White's and step-grandfather Sonny Arcano's service in the Navy. Their contributions to the defense of our nation at critical times underline vigilance and readiness for the security of our freedom. Their example instilled in me a sense of responsibility for their service by emulating the values they upheld. My girlfriend, Janie Banducci, currently serving in the United States National Guard, epitomizes these values. Her desire to serve our country stands to remind us all that military service is quite relevant in our modern world. Having a firsthand view of her devotion and the sacrifices she has made has further made me appreciate persons in uniform and increased my urge to contribute toward societal good. I am studying for a degree in Journalism at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and one day hope to work for such respectable news organizations as Fox, CBS, or CNN. My ultimate aspiration is to write unbiased news to ensure that the public receives correct information so that people may make informed decisions for themselves. Through the motivation of my family's legacy, I strive to leave a meaningful mark. I endeavor to live life to its fullest so that I can leave a lasting impact because of my integrity and dedication. Instilled values through the family's service to the military elevate my desire to approach my career just like they did, matching that level of commitment and honor.

Travel does not simply imply movement from one place to another. It means a change in perspective, growth of self, and finding a new understanding concerning the world. The immersing experiences of different cultures, environments, and perspectives can make travel a potential deep-change catalyst. This, perhaps, is the strongest characteristic of travel: exposing one to varied cultures. People will be pushed out of their comfort zones to be exposed to other cultures, customs, traditions, and ways of life that might be very different from their own. For an individual, this immersion cultivates cultural sensitivity and empathy and broadens his or her worldview with respect for diversity. Travel opens one's eyes to new aspects of global issues and problems within society. How this works in countries with differing socio-economic conditions gives a taste of the present-day resilience and struggle of communities worldwide. Most experiences of this nature will appreciate privileges more and motivate a person to become socially conscious and globally aware. Personally, travel is for growth because it challenges people to adapt and overcome. One acquires resilience and builds character by navigating through territories that are new to one, crossing language barriers, and adjusting to different climates. Experiences like these make a person enhance problem-solving skills and foster independence to thrive in such diverse environments. Moreover, traveling gives a chance for introspection and self-realization. The distance created from everyday routines forms a platform that reflects values, goals, and personal aspirations. Most of the time, it offers new interests and discovers hidden interests that shape the future career path or lifestyle option. One more important factor of personal well-being during travel is the connectedness with nature. In contact with natural wonders, by trekking in forests or simply seeing breathtaking landscapes, one induces feelings of awe, awakening the conscience towards environmental protection. Quite often, this connectedness paves the way to change some practices towards sustainability and raise voices in protectiveness over the environment. Last but not least, travel puts one on the road to meaningful relationships with others. Such interactions can be either in the form of long-lasting friendships formed with fellow travelers or by interaction with locals. Besides, shared experiences create bonds among people across cultural divides, based on mutual respect and curiosity that foster empathy for one another and a sense of world unity. The travel experience is transformative in terms of the enrichment that occurs through cultural immersion, new perspectives, self-improvement, and appreciation of both the environment and people. It offers invaluable skills and insights to shape individuals as more informed, compassionate and involved global citizens. Travel can indeed change lives in both inspirational and profound ways within this increasingly interdependent world.

Concerts have always been a big part of my life, and my favorite artist, Post Malone, has played a significant role in those experiences. I've been lucky enough to see him perform live twice, and both concerts were incredible and created lasting memories. The first concert I ever attended was when Post Malone came to Fresno, California, as part of his "Hollywood's Bleeding" tour. This was a huge deal for me because it was my first exposure to the high energy of live music. I went to the concert with my friend Maya, my dad, and a few family friends. The atmosphere on the way to the venue was filled with excitement and anticipation. As soon as Post Malone took the stage, the arena exploded with energy. My friend Maya and I were thrilled, singing along to every song with passion. We knew all the lyrics by heart and sang them at the top of our lungs. We instantly connected over the music and the artist. The visuals, the light show, and the energy in the crowd made it an incredible experience. My favorite concert memory, however, was the second time I saw Post Malone in concert. The venue for this concert was the Kia Forum in Los Angeles as part of his tour for the album "Twelve Karat Toothache." This time, I went with my girlfriend, Janie Banducci, so that made it even more special. The atmosphere at the Kia Forum was electrifying. Janie and I were both more than excited to be able to view my favorite artist together. We sang along to every single song during the performance of Post Malone, just as I did in Fresno. This bonding further solidified the concert as one of my greatest memories. One of the electrifying moments of the night was when Post Malone smashed a guitar on stage, signed it, and gave it out to the fans close to the stage. The gesture was symbolic of his connection with his audience and added an element of raw, unfiltered energy to the performance. I wish I could have been close enough to have been given a piece of the guitar. However, this was still a very memorable concert. Another memorable thing about this concert was the merchandise we purchased. Janie got a cool shirt, and I got an awesome hoodie that I still have on up to this day, even though it's been two years since the concert in 2022. Every time I wear that hoodie, it reminds me of the great night we shared and the fantastic performance we had witnessed. These concert-going experiences have been very deep for me. They sealed my reverence for live music and the experience that goes with it—very unique and communal. Going to these concerts with very close friends and loved ones has further tightened our bonds by creating shared memories that we hold very dear. Both my favorite concert memory and first concert memory revolve around the performances of Post Malone. The first concert in Fresno turned me on to live music; my favorite one was at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles because special moments like that created with Janie there can never be forgotten, along with the amazing performance of Post Malone. These experiences have left a lasting impression on me regarding my love for music and live performances.

My name is Dylan White, currently seeking to obtain a degree in Journalism from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. My drive for education comes from my need to discover and deliver the objective truth, primarily in any news-related occurrence. Having been raised in a family with a long history of military service where integrity, commitment, and service to the community were paramount, I have always wanted to pursue a career that manifested these principles. I want to work with big news stations like Fox, CBS, or CNN and apply the skill set given to me in a manner that provides the public with information fairly and correctly. Meanwhile, I will write often in my free time. My principal career aspiration is to write unbiased news, for it is my firm belief that people need to be armed with the proper information against the odds in making appropriate decisions concerning their lives. With the age, especially in the wake of social media and selected news channels, misrepresentation spreads fast, and this heightens the importance of correct reporting of unbiased news. Most people tend to believe the first thing they see, whether true or not. Misinformation can, therefore, perpetuate inaccurate ideas and uninformed choices. By offering unbiased news, I hope to enable people to form their own opinions and make informed decisions. I've always been drawn to the idea of working for a major news organization like Fox, CBS, or even CNN. These organizations are far-reaching, and therefore, being part of them is an opportunity to be part of something huge and astounding. The thought that I'd contribute a bit towards making their history of great journalism even richer is very exciting. The allure of these opportunities includes covering big stories that mold our world. I also highly value the work being done through local news stations. Local journalism must continue to deliver to communities the latest information on issues close to home. I acknowledge this important work and its equally exciting opportunity for contribution to a local news station. This would mean I could engage very closely with the community, understand its unique challenges, and highlight stories that might not receive national attention but are important nonetheless. While this remains the same—be it at a national or local level—to provide members of the public with clear, truthful, and balanced reporting that should help them make informed decisions. My education in Journalism at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has been the real turning point in the acquisition of skills and knowledge to meet the goals of my career. Beginning with a well-rounded curriculum thus far, which includes courses on media ethics, investigative reporting, digital journalism, and communication theory, has grounded me in the principles and practices of journalism. Equally fundamental in my educational journey has been training on media ethics and how to be objective and fair while reporting news. It is this training that has helped me view things rationally as an asset, enabling me to commit to unbiased journalism and do the proper fact-checking and responsible reporting—this being one of the most important features of today's journalism, especially at times like these when misinformation can spread like wildfire. Equally important has been the practical experience earned from the varied assignments and projects. Technical skills for modern-day journalism have been well acquired through the writing of articles, conducting interviews, and producing multimedia products. These hands-on experiences not only polished my writing and reporting skills but also instilled in me how to work under tight deadlines and deal with the pressures of the newsroom environment. Additionally, the experiential learning offered by Cal Poly connected me with internships and collaborative projects with news organizations in the community. Such participation provided insight into real-world industry experiences, along with establishing professional networking for my prospective career. Engaging with seasoned journalists and their mentorship gave me a clear, much-needed grasp of the challenges and rewards of a career in journalism. As a journalist, I hope to make a great deal of difference by creating a much more knowledgeable and participative public. Amidst so much information but not necessarily accurate, I have aimed to provide transparent, truthful, and balanced reporting that helps people make well-founded decisions about their lives and society. I'd like to be the voice of the voiceless within a community. I hope that through everyday issues and local stories, important to a community, the struggles and triumphs are highlighted so that matters that need public awareness and action come to the fore. Be it social injustices, environmental concerns, or community achievements, my reporting will try to reflect the diverse experiences and views of community members. At a larger level, I would like to be able to give back to the industry by living according to the highest standards of journalism. I would like to be in a position to say that I was part of the movement that brought back trust in media, and for this to be so by delivering quality, balanced news consistently to our public. I strive to be one of those journalists who inspires others to keep truth and integrity at a higher level than their ratings by living up to the tenets of ethical journalism. I would like to remain open to new tools and media that can engage the public in meaningful ways. I am excited to embrace digital journalism and multimedia storytelling in this way so that I may be able to present the news in both more dynamic and accessible formats—making it easier for people to remain informed and current. In innovating within this field, I hope to challenge the notion that quality journalism cannot thrive in the digital age. In summary, my career goal is to be a credible journalist known for unbiased and impactful reporting. My education in Journalism at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is providing me with the tools and experiences needed to reach these goals. Whether working for a major national outlet or locally, I will have further positive impacts on both the community and the greater field through facilitating informed public discourse and upholding truth and integrity values within journalism.

Now, as I grow older, I find myself reminiscing about questions that were asked—and perhaps even more to the point, those that were not. Among the many usual questions concerning school, hobbies, and aspirations, there is one question that I wish my parents, teachers, and other influential adults had asked me more often: "What do you like to do, and why?" The answer to this question is what I am passionate about. As a Journalism student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a passion for writing the unbiased truth about news events, I most enjoy exploring and articulating what brought me the happiest moments and a sense of fulfillment. Having someone ask me this question would have made me reflect not only on the activities I undertook but also on the reasons why certain pursuits had to engross me more than others. But the absence of that question subconsciously set the course of my journey to follow paths that would impress society rather than follow my inner drive. From an early age, I did well in school and was interested in extracurricular activities that were practical and fulfilling. My parents hoped for me to train in some field that assured me of a strong and stable future. However, though I scored well and managed to have people appreciate my work, somewhere down the lane, it remained a curiosity as to where my actual interests lay. It was only recently, when I started college, that I began to seriously reconsider priorities and goals. Only in hindsight, of course, did the actual question of "what do you like to do, and why" seem buried beneath more mundane questions about career potential and academic achievement. Not understanding where my inner drive was leading me caused me to follow paths that reflected poorly on my personality, even though they were respectable and had big potential. When I started college, I also started working on a path of self-discovery and pursuit of real passions. My focus shifted toward fields that inspire and truly interest me, such as working for news stations like Fox, CBS, or CNN, where I will be able to write about news events with integrity and objectivity. This journey of self-discovery has not only given shape to my career goals but has also enriched my life personally in the pursuit of those things that give me a sense of purpose and satisfaction. In essence, what I wanted to be asked, which is 'What fulfills me?", has become a sort of guiding light that I use to guide myself to seek my goals and aspirations. It has taught me the role of reflection and genuineness in shaping one's path in life. I go on to change, mature, and work toward creating an atmosphere in which this question is asked—not only of me but of others too, trying to inspire them to pursue their passions as well. While this question may not have been asked during my childhood and may have been responsible for my initial choices, it is what brought me to where I am now in this journey of self-discovery of my true aspirations. Now, embracing that question can only empower me to create a path that is professionally rewarding but also personally fulfilling, guided by a profound understanding of what real joy and life purpose means.

Let's take a paragraph from Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations": "Begin each day by telling yourself: Today I shall be meeting with interference, ingratitude, insolence, disloyalty, ill-will, and selfishness—all of them due to the offender's ignorance of what is good or evil. But for my part I have long perceived the nature of good and its nobility, the nature of evil and its meanness, and also the nature of the culprit himself, who is my brother (not in the physical sense, but as a fellow creature similarly endowed with reason and a share of the Divine); therefore none of those things can injure me, for nobody can implicate me in what is degrading. Neither can I be angry with my brother nor fall foul of him; for he and I were born to work together, like a man's two hands, feet, or eyelids, or the upper and lower rows of his teeth. To obstruct each other is against Nature's law—and what is irritation or aversion but a form of obstruction?" Marcus Aurelius expresses a deep insight into human interaction and personal resilience concerning negativity in this passage from Meditations. His basic statement for this reflection, however, is that knowing good and evil uplifts a person over other petty and ignorant beings. This essay explains the deeper meaning of this text regarding empathy, inner strength, and the unity of all human beings. Aurelius starts the day off by preparing his mind to contend with the inevitable. On this particular day, he would have to deal with every kind of bad behavior. In this way, the stoic perception is replicated because this means realizing that interference and ingratitude are a part and parcel of life. Aurelius thus sets a mental framework for himself; nothing in the day would be capable of surprising him or causing disquiet now, thus fortifying emotional resilience. Core to his understanding is the thought that such negative behaviors are a result of ignorance itself. This ignorance, he holds, is a lack of understanding about what is good or bad. He alludes here to one of the cardinal principles of Stoicism: it is knowledge and wisdom that make up the way of virtue. The insolent and ill-meaning act so, not from innate malice, but from not having a conception of the excellence of good, nor the baseness of evil. This principle gives birth to compassion, for it shifts the focus from condemning the sinner to understanding the stimulus for his action. Aurelius goes on to stress brotherhood when he addresses the offender as his brother. The fraternal reference reaches beyond the biological connection to show a more profound relation founded on reason and God. For Aurelius, every human being is equipped with a rational mind and a fraction of the divine that is worthy of respect and compassion. This belief in common divinity further supports the view that harming or hindering one another goes against the law of nature. The analogy of body members working in concert is a Stoic ideal of unison and collaboration. In the same way that hands, feet, and eyelids work together without hindrance, so human beings must learn to cooperate and assist one another. Conflicts and annoyance thus cease to be merely personal failures; they involve violations of the natural order. To portray ire as a kind of obstruction, Aurelius invites the view that sees patience and understanding as cardinal virtues in keeping order. Marcus Aurelius begins with a very all-encompassing approach to overcoming adversity and negativity by paying great emphasis on the fact that challenging people and situations will surely be met along the way. His anticipation toward this matter was not pessimistic in terms of resignation but realistic in terms of preparation, which strengthens equanimity. Forethought is a key tenet in Stoic practice, which advocates proactive rather than passive posture in considering the vicissitudes of life. Aurelius's appeal to ignorance as the cause of bad behavior has strong roots in Stoic epistemology. The Stoic perspective views all true knowledge as issuing forth into virtue and ignorance as issuing into vice. This kind of epistemology construes moral failures as fundamentally intellectual mistakes. People act unjustly or wickedly because they have mistaken ideas about what real good and bad consist of. Given this, Aurelius would have a compassionate response to wrongdoing. Not anger or resentment but understanding and sympathy—mistaken, not evil people. The brotherhood that Aurelius talks about is a legitimate commentary on the connectivity between humans. Here, by addressing the wrongdoer as his brother, Aurelius extends the idea of brotherhood above blood relations to include all human beings. This notion of brotherhood finds roots in the beliefs of Stoicism about the commonality of human nature. All human beings partake of reason and divinity, so they are unified in the most fundamental sense. To share in rationality and divinity is, in some sense, to be injured when another person is injured, insofar as such an action offends the order and harmony that should characterize beings endowed with reason. Aurelius' extended metaphor of the cooperation of body parts underscores this point all the more. As the hands, feet, eyelids, and other parts of the body must cooperate for the well-being of the body, so people must work together for the collective good. The metaphor emphasizes how much human beings are interdependent upon one another. If human beings obstruct or hurt each other, it is like a part of the human body acting against itself, unnatural and self-destructive. This view enables a harmonious and cooperative approach to social interaction and places the good of all before personal grievance. Among the central ideas of Stoicism is that human beings ought to be ruled by the law of nature. For Stoicism, to live in agreement with nature means living by reason and virtue. For Aurelius, however, anger and dislike are ways of opposing this natural order. They are forms of obstruction to the harmony and cooperation that characterize human relationships. He holds the view that negative emotions may be conquered, and greater harmony and rationality introduced into society, by patience and understanding. He moves further into Aurelius's concept of inner strength, which itself is entrenched in the Stoic practice of maintaining inner tranquility. The Stoics held the belief that everything that happens outside of us and others is beyond our control and therefore shouldn't disturb our state of mind. What we do have control over is our response to these factors outside our control. Aurelius prepares for interference and ingratitude to strike him every day, which is his way of strengthening his inner self against life's inevitable indulgences. He can keep calm and not lose his balance on account of events outside his control because he accepts that these challenges will be there and where they will emanate from ignorance. This inner strength gets further fortified by Aurelius' perception of good and bad. In essence, Stoicism holds that good and evil do not reside in the outward circumstance, but in one's actions and intentions. To put it differently, virtue has its elements in wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance—therefore the only real good—while vice comes out as the only real evil. Such understanding protects Aurelius from being affected by the negative behaviors of others because he knows that their actions cannot damage his virtue. It is through the maintenance of his moral integrity that he rises above the petty and negative thrown his way. Aurelius's emphasis on empathy and understanding in dealing with others' negative behavior reflects the Stoic belief in the importance of social relationships. While Stoicism advocates for self-sufficiency and inner calm, it also recognizes that human beings are social creatures that have to live in harmony with one another. This is encapsulated under the Stoic concept of oikeiosis, referring to natural affection toward others—that each individual should care and look out for one another. In Aurelius's ability to view wrongdoers as misguided rather than malicious, he can maintain the sense of compassion and fellow feeling that underlies social harmony. The image of working together like body parts underlines a further important principle of the Stoics: interdependence. The well-being of each member was tied to the well-being of the whole; therefore, cooperation and mutual support were an intrinsic part of existence. This perspective encourages one to view things that happen to a person in the light of being of importance to someone else. He creates a sense of oneness and unity of purpose; Aurelius advocates for a society in which there is more harmony and cooperation with one another. Conclusion: Marcus Aurelius' passage from Meditations is dense and rich in exploring the Stoic philosophy that has been stressed, both inner resilience and compassion and unity among humans. By parading the ignorance base of bad behavior and reaffirming the common divinity and rationality of humankind, Aurelius delivered timeless guiding principles for conflict resolution with grace and wisdom. His teachings remind us that, on the way to tranquility, it is not in others' changing, but in growing in understanding and compassion within ourselves. In the reflections, Aurelius demonstrates how, by being prepared and recognizing what causes negativity, we can be saved from it and remain peaceful inside, with our moral integrity intact. He reveals to us how we can create a world that is more harmonious and reasonable by accepting all people as brothers and recognizing the fact that we need to cooperate and help each other. In sum, Aurelius' insights provide lessons for overcoming adversity and cultivating compassionate and resilient ways to deal with life.

I am from a military family: my father, Darren White; my grandfather, Dennis White; and my step-grandfather, Sonny Arcano, were all in the Navy. Growing up with them, I learned about duty, honor, and resilience through their service to our country. Their devotion to service to our nation has greatly molded my values and aspirations for my life today. Also, I have a three-year-old girlfriend, Janie Banducci, who is currently in the US National Guard. She always stands as my role model and source of inspiration to try more for goals. My family is everything for me. During my childhood, I always looked at my father's heroism, hardworking attitude, and sense of responsibility towards his job. Affectionately referred to as "Doctor White" by his fellow soldiers, hospital corpsman Darren White served with distinction. At the end of his initial four-year term, he had to decide to come back home to his wife and sacrifice any further aspirations in the Navy. Of the many things that he most regretted was not extending his military service to go aboard a cruiser, but now that choice has made me learn the deep importance of love and commitment to family more than anything else. My dad's stories of service and sacrifice have drawn a definition for me about being strong in the face of adversity. His leadership and mentorship played a crucial role in making me who I am today—a strong-willed and resolute person. He inculcated within me the values of hard work, honesty, and doing things to the best of one's abilities, irrespective of circumstances. Presently, I am a student studying Journalism at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. My mission in schooling is to prepare to become a journalist of the highest morals and values of impartiality. I love writing the unbiased truth of what goes on in the news, and I take it upon myself to be fair and accurate for the public. After college, I want to work for a major news outlet such as Fox, CBS, or CNN to use everything I have learned in school to help inform society. I hope to be one of those journalists whom people can trust to give them the news straight, without prejudice or bias. I will continue to write on any random subject in my spare time to develop further and explore new topics. Writing for me has always been a passion, and I believe it is one powerful tool that could make a difference and inform people about issues. My long-term goal is to become a trusted voice in journalism, ultimately striving to honor the legacy of service and dedication that my family has exemplified. I will have a greater purpose than this; as my father, grandfather, and step-grandfather did through their service. Their legacy drives me to reach for excellence in everything I do, and I must make them proud to reach my educational and professional goals.

This was something instilled in me at an early age, and I have always found it to be my passion: community and connections. I have always derived immense pleasure from creating shared experiences amongst people. It manifests in many different ways, from my constant dedication to community service to fostering positive relationships. Today, I give back by volunteering to the Ford Dimension Dream Builders program and other impactful projects such as "Lovin Letters," but my vision for future expansion is far broader. Small local activities acted as a small start for my give-back journey. Through volunteering at the local animal shelter, I learned to be compassionate and responsible. Time with those animals, ensuring their proper care and support for adoption, is a very gratifying experience. These moments really gave me deep empathy in wanting to help create a better world for all living beings. The single most impactful project that I have been a part of is called "Lovin Letters" and came through the Ford Dimension Dream Builders Program. The Jim Burke Education Foundation supports the Ford Dimension Dream Builders, a youth-empowering, service-oriented campaign using several projects and educational programs within communities. It has a long history in developing the youth and providing them with support in leadership, civic engagement, and personal growth. The legacy began in 1974 when a group of West High debate students educated business leaders about their purchasing power. It has since evolved into a full program that contains leadership training, community service, and educational support. The pen pal program Lovin' Letters implemented with Harding Elementary sixth graders and senior residents of Ivy Park brought both groups much excitement. As a group, we not only worked to teach students proper ways to write and address letters, but we also grew general communication skills and relationships across generations. The ability to watch excitement on both sides of the letter exchange was inspiring, with it the power of simple acts of kindness in building community and bridging generational gaps. I will also alleviate educational discrepancies by providing underprivileged communities with resources and support. I will organize with schools and organizations to launch programs in which access to learning materials and training is free to both students and teachers. These initiatives will bring the gap in education closer, making every student get a chance to thrive in life. In the future, I would like to achieve an education platform where global collaboration and innovation are highly developed. One of my future plans is to establish platforms linking students and educators around the world in an exchange of intercultural knowledge and problem-solving together. Imagine students across borders tackling environmental problems and sharing ways of viewing and solutions. That should result in innovative ways of conquering some of the greatest challenges facing our world, from battling against climate change to fighting social inequality. I am also committed to speaking out on policies that support equity regarding access to education and resources. Working with policymakers and educational leaders, I will support efforts to guarantee each student has what they need and the chance to be successful. That includes more money for educational programs, teacher training, and other projects targeting the needs of specific communities. I am committed to giving back because it is in line with my mission of making the world more connected, caring, and innovative. With both my ongoing work in service and education and future endeavors to use education for positive change, I aim to make differences in the world. By empowering others through education and fostering collaboration, I believe we can collectively build a brighter, more inclusive future.

Success is a term that is both intriguing and at the same time complex, reaching out beyond personal achievements to society. It means the achievement of set goals while positively affecting others and causing upliftment at large. For me, success goes intrinsically with continuous learning, growth, and the pursuit of excellence in those areas that align my passion and value. Education is important in this pursuit. It's the base upon which I can create knowledge, skills, and experiences instrumental in the shaping of my future endeavors. In this regard, scholarships like the ones I am applying for are very important. They offer financial support and recognition of academic achievements that help me realize resources and opportunities that otherwise would have been beyond my reach. Continuing on this line of thought, such financial aid relieves me of the burden of tuition fees and will make me more fully invested in my studies and personal development. Further, scholarships like the Redefining Victory Scholarship do not only serve as financial sources but also embalmment of commitments, accomplishments, and potential I have in certain areas. They remind me that the fact that my efforts and goals are recognized and appreciated is by the very community and institutions giving me this opportunity. That kind of recognition builds my confidence to strive harder and make a difference in my academic and professional endeavors. Success only means academic excellence, but it also encompasses personal growth and the development of important skills: critical thinking, creativity, communication, and leadership—skills necessary for steering through life today—who are fully integrated into the complex, highly interconnected world in which we live. It is my goal to nurture such skills through education and scholarship opportunities with the aim of developing myself into a resourceful person who will be able to handle any challenges with the opportunities available in the profession I have chosen. To me, success means that one has made an impact that presents meaning in the world at large. It is utilizing the knowledge and skills you have towards ensuring that it helps to solve some of society's most serious problems, contributes to bringing about change for good, and aids in making other people's lives better. Whether it involves imparting changes through research, innovation, community service, or advocacy, I hope to be a catalyst for progress and causes that are dear to my heart and the community. Beyond that, success is not some static endpoint; rather, it is a dynamic journey of continuous improvement and adaptation. It requires resilience in the face of setbacks and trials, learning from failure, and adaption to circumstances. Scholarships offer a supportive framework within which one can inculcate these fittednesses by providing ways for mentorship, networking, diverse perspectives, and broadening horizons on aspects which enrich my educative experience. To me, success is also ethical leadership and responsible citizenship. That means integrity, empathy, and inclusivity in every aspect that my hands lay on, creating an environment where everyone finds joy in diversity, gets equal opportunities for growth. Through these values, I would wish to play a positive role within critical entities and leave an imprint in the lives of people around me in my communities. Ultimately, success is an all-rounded pursuit: putting together academic successes, personal growth, societal impact, and ethical leadership. I have high hopes in scholarships as a way to pursue this success because they offer resources, recognition, and opportunities key to developing me. They enable me to work for my dreams, take up important skills, and make a relevant difference in my community and society. I want to make it through continuous learning, perseverance, and the commitment to making a difference; to succeed for myself and to better others and the world around us.

The history of human fascination with the universe may be said to stretch backward many thousands of years, from ancient times when people were mapping stars to modern-day space missions exploring distant planets. To understand the nature of our universe is not a scientific quest alone; it's a deep search that touches upon our very understanding of existence. This essay will look into why, exactly, the mysterious universe must be interpreted and pinpoint the principal ideas and concepts that become crucial in doing so. At the heart of our pursuit is an element of wonderment about the universe. Humanity, throughout history, has attempted to uncover mysteries of the skies above as a need to learn and unveil the actual status of a human being in the universe. This inquisitiveness pushes us to involve ourselves in rigorous scientific techniques and embrace disruptive ideas or notions that enlighten us about the fundamental laws governing the phenomena occurring above our heads. At the heart of our quest to understand the universe lies the scientific method—one that underscores empirical observation, experimentation, and hypothesis formulation. From a close look at results from observations of celestial objects and phenomena, scientists can piece together data that offers insight into the nature of galaxies, stars, and cosmic phenomena such as black holes and supernovae. The power of mathematical modeling combined with computational simulations also aids our capacity for the interpretation of observational data taken for understanding the evolution and structure of the universe in formulating theoretical frameworks. Theoretical constructs such as Einstein's theory of general relativity and quantum mechanics act as the intellectual cornerstones in understanding the cosmos. These theories provide insight on a deep level into the behavior of matter, energy, and spacetime on cosmic scales and lead our understanding of phenomena as diverse as the gravitational collapse of stars and the expansion of the universe itself. It is by synthesizing theoretical insights with observational data that scientists can construct general models explaining cosmic phenomena and pointing the way forward for future research. It is equally significant that the issue of exploration brings to the fore certain philosophical and ethical concerns. An understanding of our cosmic origin and the final fate or destiny of the universe gives rise to serious philosophical reflection on human existence and reality. It is this growing understanding of the universe that informs concepts such as existentialism and environmentalism and turns knowledge into ethical discourse regarding humans' stewardship of Earth and their place as members of a large cosmos. In addition, the pursuit of knowledge fosters fraternity and collective responsibility among global communities and engages them in cooperative ventures to find proper solutions to pressing challenges such as climate change and sustainable development. The pursuit of space exploration has led to remarkable technological advancements that have greatly expanded our understanding of the universe. By utilizing sophisticated telescopes, space probes, and robotic explorers, scientists have gained valuable insights into the geology and potential for extraterrestrial life on distant planets, moons, and asteroids. Additionally, the development of Artificial Intelligence and machine learning has revolutionized the analysis of complex data sets, enabling autonomous decision-making in extraterrestrial environments. These advancements herald a new era of discovery in the outer reaches of our solar system and beyond. In conclusion, the exploration of our universe involves a multi-faceted endeavor that extends beyond the mere acquisition of knowledge, enriching our comprehension of the cosmos and our technological capabilities. Embracing transformative ideas and concepts stemming from scientific inquiry, theoretical exploration, and philosophical considerations will aid us in unraveling the universe's secrets and gaining profound insights into the foundational principles governing our existence. As we progress, it is important to nurture our discoveries with interdisciplinary collaboration and ethical stewardship, ensuring that future generations inherit a world enriched by our findings. Through these efforts, we can anticipate a future in which humanity's quest for knowledge expands beyond our planet and extends to the farthest reaches of the cosmos.

A first-generation student in the College of Journalism at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, I approach my study with a great passion for storytelling and a belief in its prowess to create empathy and understanding with the power of words. I found that very early on, journalism can shape perspectives and get important conversations running, which was what put the fire in my soul to pursue a career where I could share, inspire, and influence through impactful storytelling. I practice truthfulness, integrity, and the search for truth as ideals in all my academic pursuits. Whether working in investigative reporting or editing in a newsroom, I have always managed to handle assignments in an environment where precision of content and clarity are paramount. To me, journalism represents, above all, an avenue through which I can carry out practices of accurate, transparent, and ethical reporting. Outside the classroom, I also invest time in exercise to keep my body healthy so that it would support my mind and body in-class work and professional pursuits of interest with persistence and tenacity. Music is another interest close to my heart and soul; collecting vinyl records is a source of joy not only because music gives pleasure but also as a way for me to be closer to my dad by associating through taste in music. In the years ahead, my goal is to diligently harness the knowledge and skills gained from my education and experiences, channeling them toward fostering positive and lasting impacts on the global community. Specifically, I envision employing the field of journalism as a powerful tool to amplify the often-unheard voices of marginalized individuals and communities. It is my aspiration that through the dissemination of compelling stories, I can shed light on the weighty and urgent social issues that demand attention and action. Additionally, I aim to play a role in fostering connections and understanding across diverse cultural and societal landscapes, using my narratives to evoke insight, compassion, and empathy among audiences representing a wide spectrum of backgrounds. This scholarship is crucial for achieving my goals and aspirations. Besides financial support, it means that the sacrifices made towards following up a career path in journalism were not in vain, since it opens wide avenues for the potential impact I am to make. I will be able to focus more on my studies, participate in internships, attend journalism conferences, and engage in community-driven projects on journalism with this support. These opportunities will help me expand my skill base into areas like multimedia storytelling and investigative journalism and better equip me to do justice to complex issues. This scholarship empowers me not only personally through the investment in education and professional development that it enables but also to make a positive contribution to my community and the broader world. I am grateful for the opportunity to use my unique talents and abilities to further empathy, understanding, and world dialogue as I pursue a career in journalism. I am committed to leaving a lasting impact through storytelling that informs, enlightens, and unites.

I am a first-generation student pursuing my degree in Journalism from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. I aspire to make a difference with positive words. I grew up comprehending how journalism changed minds and gave way to essential discourses. It was a fact that, ever since I was attuned at an early age to this level of consciousness, I knew I was heading toward choosing a career path where I could inform, inspire, and shape perspectives through stories. I am committed to honesty and searching for truth in my studies. Whether one is to sweat over an investigative report or polish any other article, I do best as a student in a fast-moving environment where every word counts literally. To me, journalism is not an occupation but a calling where integrity, accuracy, and transparency form a base. Outside my studies, I also like to spare time for a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise so that I may be physically and mentally fit. Music is pretty big in my life, too. Getting into vinyl records is something that is a particularly dear hobby in which I bond with my father. Not only is that all delightful—laying back and listening to my favorite tunes—but also the joy of being able to connect with Dad and further strengthen that relationship. Now, speaking seriously, I hope to make a difference someday in terms of my education and life experience. I want to be in a position to expose stories that must be told and bridge gaps in our community through dialogue. This scholarship would be imperative for setting my goals and studies. It will help me in doing the following: focusing on my studies, taking up internships, attending conferences about journalism, and community-oriented projects. This will support me in areas of the field that lie very close to my heart, like music journalism and community reporting. This investment in myself through this scholarship would not be an investment in me for me; it will help me be there, giving back in service to my community. The opportunity to receive this scholarship will play a crucial role in shaping me into the journalist and advocate I aspire to be. It will empower me to bring about the positive changes that I have always envisioned. I am open to embracing each of these opportunities, as they will allow me to enrich my understanding and personal experience in the field of journalism.

When it comes to gaming, there are very few pleasures to rival co-op play with one's family. For my brother Noah and me, that magic unfolded in pixelated worlds on Super Mario Maker for the Nintendo Switch. Our mutual passion for creation and challenge made hundreds of evenings blaze in making levels and testing them out, wondering how fellow players from across the globe would react. For us, Super Mario Maker was more than just a game; it was a canvas for our imaginations. Equipped with the Gamepad and a vision, my brother Noah and I would have marathons where we took turns at the helm of the level creation process while the other gave ideas and feedback. These would range from intricate puzzles to adrenaline-pumping speed runs, levels that captured the very pinnacle of combined ingenuity and love for classic platforming. One evening, in particular, we sat around our Switch, adding the final touches to a castle-themed, labyrinthine level. Noah was gingerly setting Thwomps and fire-spewing Piranha Plants while I was hard at work perfecting tricky jumps and secret pathways. As the level began emulating a real level, our excitement grew further. We couldn't wait to challenge each other and the online community to conquer our creation. However, the real fun came when we finally pushed our magnum opus online. We watched the statistical meter of our level, with bated breath, for our very first plays and feedback. After that, there was a very audible feeling of elation when notifications began popping up to tell us that players were attempting our level. Something wonderfully surreal lay in strangers from around the world all running in, dodging, and—oftentimes—clumsily leaping through the obstacles and hurdles put in place so meticulously. One evening stands vividly in my mind: Noah and I had just finished dinner when we were flooded with notifications on our Switch. Our latest level—an imaginative homage to classic Mario haunted houses—had unexpectedly taken off. Players were not only trying it but leaving behind encouraging comments and even stars—a sort of virtual badge of honor within the Super Mario Maker community. Knowing that the players across the world could play our creation was a thrill—a thrilling feeling, easily making Super Mario Maker something much more than a simple video game, but it's a piece; it's an avenue into the realms of creation, collaboration, and connection. Through its digital corridors and perilous jumps, Noah and I forged memories transcending the gaming sessions. It was in exactly those moments of mutual triumph and creativity that our bond as siblings grew more firm, fueled by mutual love of gaming and the potential joyfulness it could bring to others through our creations. In retrospect, Super Mario Maker was the platform instilling lessons of teamwork, forbearance, and the cocksure joy that comes with creating something that works for others. It was not only about playing a game together, but crafting experiences, making a mark on others in a community who loved what we did. If we progress in our gaming journeys, Super Mario Maker shall be an endearing testament—etched in memory—to the power of imagination, collaboration, and the joy of bringing digital dreams to life. Of the videogames out there, a few have quite had an impact on my life like Super Mario Maker. It's definitely not about gameplay; it's more of the kind of memories forged, creativity unlocked, and the ties that bind with common adventures in the Mushroom Kingdom.

My favorite thing about Minecraft is the friendship that I have with the people in my Minecraft Realm, specifically my two brothers. During the summer of 2022, we embarked on an extraordinary journey in the form of a world we built together and spawned in. Indeed, it was casual at first but fast-growing into one colossal experience. When we started, we spawned on a small island. We then set off to build separate houses using the scant resources at our disposal. Over time, the houses we constructed became part of an enormous interlinked base that everyone shared, in line with our growing cooperation and shared vision. My home became an armory where all the enchantments were taking place, and all the tool repairs were also done there. My brother Jack's home was the center of all the beautifully decorated plans and the rest area. My other brother, Noah, built a wizard tower. Each of its floors represents one of the biomes the world has to offer. Although it's not as tall just yet—it's a bit of a work in progress—that speaks to Noah's creativity and determination. One of the proudest moments was when we finally created the underground postal service using Redstone and minecarts. At first, we didn't have a clue about anything regarding Redstone, but then we put on YouTube tutorials and managed to figure it out. This project proves not only the teamwork with our problem-solving skills but also our willingness to learn and experiment together. The success of our mail service increased our in-game communication and bound us further as brothers. Our small island was slowly developing into a kind of city. We had continuously invited various villagers, animals, and almost all the trees' varieties, which we have managed to collect, thus giving diversity to the natural beauty surrounding us. The feeling of accomplishment paralleled the pride in our real-world actions. Finally, we killed the Ender Dragon in this summer adventure. This epic battle is not a game achievement but of teamwork, perseverance, and shared joy. We had never felt so elated in life, and it was the end of a great summer together. Minecraft has been a unique platform for bonding and collaboration, leading to a raft of memories. We cultivated such camaraderie over our Minecraft Realm, which moved on to make the friendships we already have in life even more vital. Logging into our world each time, reminiscing, building off each other's work—it's created bonds for us in Minecraft that will be ever present in real life, showing the importance of teamwork, creativity, and mutual support. This has made the camaraderie shared in Minecraft have a significant effect on me. Building and exploring with my brothers were lessons of collaboration, problem-solving, and shared accomplishment. More than just a game, Minecraft is the very tool through which we made indelible memories, and the familial bond was strengthened. That is the reason that the summer of 2022 will ever remain dear to me because it was a summer of creativity, adventure, and constant friendship—things that Minecraft made possible.