My conversion to Catholicism for Jesus Christ to be my guiding shepherd was crucial to my journey to becoming an ichthyologist. I was baptized as a baby in a Lutheran church, but I rarely attended church as a child and teenager. As an adult, after graduating high school, my life was brought low through my own actions. Jesus rescued the lost sheep of His flock as I began to attend nondenominational churches. I settled on the rock of Catholicism as the culmination of my rescue and the beginning of my new life, striving for greatness for the glory of God. My parents baptized my sister and me at a local Lutheran church, but we unfortunately did not take weekly attendance seriously. We would attend a few services, such as Christmas and Easter, but even then, we didn’t appear at those services annually. It is not their fault, as a web of societal pressures dissuades Americans from Christianity. I felt the absence of Jesus in my life most profoundly after I graduated high school in 2017. I was in Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and strove to be accepted in a military academy or attend a university with a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps commitment. I failed in both of those endeavors, so I decided to enlist in the military. I met the requirements to enlist, but the Military Enlistment Processing System denied me entrance into any military branch because of my severe scoliosis. I was miserable afterwards. I felt like I had run out of options in life. My interest in returning to church was the spark that transformed my life. I began attending my dad's Sunday services at a nondenominational church. They were uplifting, but we switched to a different nondenominational church closer to home. He continued to attend services as a conscientious employee there. However, I began to explore Catholicism as the aspects of that faith spoke to my soul more than other denominations and religions. Seeing the liturgy, structure, and traditions while attending Mass as a guest convinced me that Catholicism was my home. I was confirmed a Catholic at the 2023 Easter Vigil Mass, and my devotion has enriched my life. It has had a profound effect on my success in college courses. I sponsored two other young men into the Catholic faith who shared the same desire for spiritual elevation. I pray when I wake up, say Grace before each meal, repeat a prayer before bed, and recite many others from my Companion Prayers guide from Saint Anthony. Consistent prayers, being in Communion with God at weekly masses, and visiting priests at Confession allowed me to get over my despair and addictions. Several students have asked me about my academic achievements. I reveal to them that it is God’s grace that allows me to prosper, and I politely encourage them to consider the benefits that God bestows. I am certain that this has aided my higher education. I am an undergraduate taking courses to become an ichthyologist, and my devotion to academics and Jesus Christ has allowed me to earn a 4.0 GPA while pursuing my Associate of Arts degree. I plan to transfer to another college to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree. Ultimately, I plan to attend an institution such as the University of Florida to pursue a Master of Science and a Ph.D. degree. I thank God for rescuing me. I will continue to devote myself to studying the world that God created through consistent prayers, Mass attendance, and encouraging others to convert to Catholicism to receive the same gifts as I have.

My sister, Kelli, graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point on Saturday, May 24, 2025. My family and I were proud to see her march in her dress uniform for the last time. It was the culmination of the previous four years of her blood, sweat, and tears at that academy and the year she spent at the USMA’s Preparatory School. She dedicated herself to earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Geography, excelling in extracurricular activities, and is now employed in two remote positions. Kelli was accepted into the United States Military Academy Preparatory School in 2020, excelled in her studies and on the Prep Sandhurst Team, and transferred to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2021. During her four years at the academy, she continued to excel in her studies, while also maintaining a rigorous schedule of physical training, marching in formation, and participating in boxing. She was a member of the Gamma Theta Upsilon and Phi Sigma Iota honor societies. She was the Taskings NCO for the first half of 2024 and the Assistant Operations Officer for the second half of 2024. She presented two geography projects as a Firstie at the USMA’s Project’s Day. She is currently a full-time remote operating officer at the Institute for American Leadership and a volunteer junior editor for Lethal Minds Journal. My family and I travelled to West Point, New York, to watch her graduation over the Memorial Day weekend. I was able to attend the Graduation Parade on the Plain and the family dinner on Friday, May 23. However, I was unable to participate in the formal Commencement Ceremony on Saturday. I contracted severe food poisoning on Friday, and I was dealing with the symptoms of that throughout the night. I spent Saturday sleeping and recovering, so I couldn't attend in person as I was very weak and dehydrated. I was able to watch the graduation ceremony that the academy posted on its YouTube channel. I am a happy brother to be there for my sister through her journey. She was able to return home multiple times between semesters and holidays, and she even met her current fiancé, Anthony, at West Point, who lived not too far from us in Florida. They are currently in Columbus, Georgia, while Anthony is stationed at Fort Benning. They are both inspirational to me as I pursue my academic studies to become an ichthyologist. I have my worries about my future, but I know that if I stay disciplined, master my academic courses, and continue gaining experience outside of class, I will be able to succeed in my field just like them and have my own graduation ceremony where my family can be proud of me.