I have read a lot of books over the years. I would like to say that the most inspiring book I have ever read is niche and poetic. I would love to say that I have read it over and over and keep it in my pocket everywhere I go. I would love to say I have read it fully more than once by myself. I can't say any of those things. It is barely accurate that it is a book I have "read". I would say skimming the lines as my uncle reads them aloud to me every night somewhat counts. I love the Lord of the Rings as I am sure many people do. I have a personal and emotional connection to it that I want to believe is unique. My uncle is one who is no longer in my life because of my father. I have always wished he was my father instead. My father is not a kind person. There is no need to go into grotesque or violent detail into why he is not kind or compassionate, it is enough to know he isn't. My uncle is a kind and gentle man who would've been a fantastic father. When I lived with my grandparents as a kid he would read me a chapter of The Hobbit every single night. We eventually got to the LOTR books, but I was always asleep within minutes. The reason these books inspire me is not only because of the beautiful, descriptive and powerful story they contain, but because of the man who read them to me. He overcame so much hardship and disapproval from his (and my) family and remained kind and compassionate. I want to be like him. He doesn't know it, but I am his biggest fan.

I am going to Purdue University, at their Purdue Polytechnic campus in New Albany, Indiana as a Game Design and Development Major. I will be going for at least four years and will be majoring in both Game Design and Development and potentially Computer Science. The plan is to complete my degrees with the highest grades I can and at the best pace I can. Purdue Polytechnic requires an internship to graduate so I will be Interning hopefully in UX/UI design/management. I have struggled over these last few years when asked what my plans where after college. I had no idea, my family was the farthest from supportive of me and my plans for college. I went to the University of Louisville for a year from 2019-2020 with an undeclared major and mounting pressure to decide. I thought for a while I would do psychology work or become a physiatrist after 12 years of schooling. Those fragile plans and aspirations crumbled when I was kicked out on new years of this year. Since then I have housed and fed myself with little to no preparation. Not that someone would ever be prepared for that. I spent a long time worrying about my future, and wondering if school was worth it. Over time I realized that higher education was something I was still incredibly passionate about and missed more than I thought possible. With the weight of my parents and past off my shoulders I realized that I actually can decide on what I want to do. I spent so long worrying about what they would approve of that I never thought about what I actually wanted to do. It was a night at I-Hop with friends that really set it in stone, I was in some heated conversation about why I hate the PlayStation controllers and how the Xbox One releases where some of the ugliest UI designs I had ever seen. I stopped mid sentence shocked at how much I cared about something that clearly my friends never really thought about, and the longer I talked about UI design the more I realized that I could potentially do something with this passion. I had finally found something that I had a passion for that wasn't my routine hobbies. It was something I wanted to be a part of, to potentially change and work with. It truly is an amazing feeling and I know that its not a revelation that everyone has the opportunity to experience. Since then I have been so excited to get the ball rolling. My dream is to be a UI designer on video games, I think working on the newest Zelda games is unlikely but still up there on my bucket list, and work with both software and hardware. It is really important to me that games function the way they're intended and that the UI is good enough to add to the immersion of the game rather than be a crutch. I know I can do this and I know its something I will never get bored of. As of right now I am enrolled for the fall, and need to focus my energy and time on funding. My goal is to graduate debt free since I wont have family assisting me, and to complete my degrees within the next 4-5 years.

My career goal is to be a UI designer or Manager of UI design in Game development. I have struggled in the past when asked what I want to do when I “Grow up”, and finally I now know. I went to the University of Louisville for a year from 2019-2020 with an undeclared major and no idea what I wanted to do. My parents at the time were financially assisting, but with the break I took during covid and being forced out of my home I've decided I want to pursue only what i'm passionate about. My passion for video games and game development has been present for over a decade, but I recently in the last year have realized I can make a career out of it. I have always had opinions and thoughts on how games were designed and how the UI’s of newer games continue to disappoint, so when I was speaking with my friends who are already in the Game Development field talking about UI designers I was immediately intrigued. It feels like the answer to my career troubles was sitting right in front of me and I just wasn't looking clear enough. I have since decided finally that UI Design is what I want, and it has been really, really freeing. It's exciting to finally know what I'm looking for, and know that it's something I am incredibly passionate about. And having friends already versed in the field, and even some who are enrolled in the same College is really an amazing feeling. For the first time I feel secure in my decision and confident in myself, I now need to focus on funding for my schooling and then getting my class schedule lined up. The classes and opportunities provided at Purdue polytechnic are exactly what I'm looking for, and I know that it will jumpstart my career and advance my knowledge in UI and especially the development of games. This scholarship money would benefit me so much, I am financially supporting myself and my schooling without any assistance from family or friends so anything that I can put towards my school funds the better. I want to further my education and better myself no matter what, even if I have to take out student loans. I always believe in shooting your shot, so this is me taking a chance and applying. I truly hope the recipient of this award is deserving and in need, and I am so appreciative of the opportunities and doors that have been opened for me.