Math is a one-of-a-kind subject, and it would be an understatement to say that my mind comprehends math more than anything else. It is the one subject in school I understood and would pursue without hesitation. I always struggled with English, History, Science, and any other subject that was not in black and white. Fields in school that could be up to interpretation seemed almost unfair to me. I always seemed to interpret the information incorrectly, which would lead to an indelibly wrong answer. I suffered through unbelievable frustration finding out my opinion or take on a piece of information was purely wrong. After I failed many different topic tests, I knew that math was the field I was best at. I also believe that there can be a strong argument made about other subjects not being as useful as math. While it is very true that I will not be reading Shakespeare daily or recounting my knowledge of the cell wall, I have come across the use of math daily. Even if it is not for a career, most daily activities do involve using math. Simple things such as figuring out how much money you need to budget, or how early you have to wake up in the morning to get ready all involve math. The soundest part about it all too, is the better you are at it, the easier simple daily tasks become. There might even be some situations to impress your friends with how quickly you can compute certain things. Looking at the career aspect of things, math makes up our world. It is said a million times over but for a reason. Our house, our car, our streets, and our things would not exist if math was not around to help us. Our lives and things are built on math, and it would not be a long shot to say that our future is similarly built on math. The world we know today is comprised of math. I will invariably be a math lover, whether it is by default or not. To me, it just makes sense, while every other subject seems to leave me debating with myself for longer than I would want. I know that math is here to stay for a long time, and I am happy to say that I am going to enjoy every second of it.

Calculus is a crucial component of the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) major field in college, and its importance cannot be overstated. Calculus provides students with a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and principles, which are essential for success in various STEM disciplines. In this essay, I will argue that calculus is a fundamental and indispensable tool for students pursuing a career in the STEM field. First and foremost, calculus serves as the foundation for many advanced mathematical and scientific concepts. Whether it be in physics, engineering, or computer science, calculus is integral to understanding the principles that govern the natural world. For instance, in physics, calculus is used to describe the motion of objects, the behavior of fluids, and the distribution of electric charge. Without a firm grasp of calculus, students would struggle to comprehend these fundamental concepts and their real-world applications. In addition, calculus equips students with the analytical and problem-solving skills necessary for success in the STEM field. The rigorous nature of calculus fosters critical thinking, logical reasoning, and the ability to approach complex problems with a systematic and methodical mindset. These skills are invaluable in disciplines such as computer science, where students must tackle intricate algorithms, or in engineering, where the design of innovative solutions relies heavily on mathematical analysis. Furthermore, calculus plays a pivotal role in preparing students for more advanced coursework in their respective fields. Many upper-level STEM courses, such as advanced physics, differential equations, and numerical analysis, heavily rely on the foundational principles of calculus. Without a solid understanding of calculus, students would find themselves ill-prepared for the challenges of these higher-level courses, putting their academic success and future career prospects at risk. Plus, calculus is a gateway to a large range of career opportunities in the STEM field. Many lucrative and impactful professions, such as data analysis, financial modeling, and scientific research, require a strong mathematical background that includes proficiency in calculus. By mastering calculus, students open doors to a myriad of career options and enhance their competitiveness in the job market. Calculus is undeniably important in the STEM major field in college. It provides students with a solid foundation in mathematical and analytical skills, prepares them for advanced coursework, and opens doors to diverse career opportunities. As such, it is crucial for colleges to emphasize the significance of calculus in the STEM field and ensure that students receive the necessary support and resources to succeed in this fundamental subject. By doing so, colleges can empower students to thrive in their STEM studies and pursue impactful careers in fields that rely on a strong mathematical foundation.

It is one of the worst feelings you have ever felt. This is not even coming from me, but I can say with certainty that I agree with it. Depression is a serious issue. It seems as if because there is no physical attribute or measurable scale of pain, it is looked over as a critical illness. It may also be due to the fact of embarrassment for victims. It is not a quality trait you specifically want to show off to others. Either way, with all the little help that is out there, this is measured as one of the world's worst illnesses by those who have experienced it. For me, a rapid decline in events leads to an extremely bleak outlook on life. With such a quick downfall, it is extremely difficult to pick up your life again. Though not impossible, you can not see the end of the tunnel. This affected me tremendously. From going to opposite moods quickly, my social life turned upside down fast. I was no longer happy going out. The people around me saw a complete flip of personalities. My goals and aspirations took a turn. I tried to aim for what I saw would make me happy, only to be completely wrong with the outcome. I turned a blind eye to other opportunities and invites. I was complete to myself, but the problem was, I was not happy with myself. It was not until I started to learn and gain knowledge on the subject that I started to see improvement. Today, I am worlds better than I was before. Though not as apparent at the moment, basic pursuits helped me greatly. Seeking friends, pursuing self-improvement, and enjoying fun experiences are what made my life meaningful again. It was a demanding adventure, but it was easy to say that the result was worth it. This period in my life opened up my mindset for the topic. Before, I never cared nor worried about such an illness. After, I feel a deep sorrow and empathy for the others who have it worse than me. Though I was never to the point of suicide, I now understand where that mentality comes from. This life lesson taught me many things. Though, I believe the main lesson is about others. For others in a bad mood, quiet, or an outcast, I know what they are going through now. I try my hardest to cheer them up as I know what it is like. I wish this experience on absolutely nobody and I am trying my hardest to make it go away for all.

Recovery is the action of improving. It means hope, bettering yourself, and emerging out of a dark place. It is one of the best scenarios to be in, and here is my experience with it. Coming from a point of peak happiness to getting engulfed in negatives will put one in a very bad place. It has been years since this collapse, and I am still getting over it to this day. Though I will not go into detail on personal topics as such, I will say that I was sent into a dark depression for a very good bit. To this day, I look back on the journey often though, and I am very pleased with what I see. I see learning, personal growth, and enjoyment. Every day is a step in the right direction. Though it may take a long time and feel hopeless often, it is a rewarding journey that I can not praise enough. Though I hope nobody has to dive deep into a scenario where they need to focus on recovery, I do hope that everyone experiences a great comeback story in their lives at some point in time. To the fighters!

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field allow me to assist people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey began by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! A career in physical fitness was the one for me. After giving it thought, I decided to go for it. Went to school for Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelor's, amazing work opportunities in this field will open for me. My desire for this career is so strong, that even when I obtain it, I plan on continuing both my education and my impactfulness. I hope to not only absorb from others but also teach others what I have learned. In addition, everything I learn will go straight into my practice. My goal is to help as many people as I can, and I will do anything in my power to carry that mindset deep into my career. Leaving patients not only satisfied with their treatment but also satisfied with their new knowledge is something that I hope to bring to this community. This scholarship will allow me to continue schooling and get my bachelor's degree. I will soon start as a physical therapist assistant and work myself up from there. However, getting through college and having the ability to overcome my current financial struggles is step one. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to be a part of, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is a fair share of people out there who could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfillment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthily. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from lowering down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. My reason was due to family and friend relationships deteriorating, but coincidentally enough, this ruined all of my other relationships too. Not only that, but my school work became harder to finish, my work ethic became less passionate at my job, and my entire life was a big blur. This moment ruined me, but getting out of it made me a much better person in the end. I am not sympathizing only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard, I would still find myself breaking down. I always found a way to get back up and get back at it though. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. My biggest fear moment came through this. Though there are resources at our fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgments. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is a terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. In this society, mental health issues are increasing rapidly due to social media, technology, and life struggles. Many people go through it, yet for some reason, it is looked upon as almost a joke. Making sure to not give in to that viewpoint was the best step in the right direction. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

Even with solid goals in place, one can be knocked off course rather easily with different hardships. It is what one does with those hardships that determines if he succeeds or fails. I have always had the goal of finding a great career that makes me jolly to be a part of, and through my journey, I can happily say I am closer than ever to making this goal a reality. My biggest accomplishment came through getting accepted into the University of Central Florida. However, this journey was not conventional in the slightest. I applied for the school as soon as applications for the 2023 Spring Semester opened. However, I never heard back from themwhene I had to register. I had heard from every other college I applied to months before, and at this time, I simply assumed I did not get accepted. This came as a shocker for me and my family, as it meant that I had to then go out of state for my schooling. I had no other in-state options, and with only a month to prepare, I had to figure out how to travel to Louisiana for my second college choice. From this, my parents convinced me to not give up and to figure out why I never heard from UCF. Although I seemed to have accepted what happened, they did not. I ended up contacting recruitment and heard nothing. However, through thought and hope, I contacted different workers individually at the school. In my amazement, one got back to me replying that the school needed extra transcripts for the decision, but as the deadline already approached, I was out of luck. I decided to fight this, as I did not receive a notification on my end. After sending copies of my application, inserts from the UCF handbook, and other forms of proof, I got an email that I was accepted into the school. It came as nothing short of a miracle, and it was all because I thought of “out of the box” solutions to this unusual problem life threw at me. Through this degree I am seeking, I am hoping to help as many people as I can with their health. I am currently on track to obtain a bachelor's degree in kinesiology one year from now. With that, I can live my long-awaited goal of helping people via a method I am passionate about. I have always loved health and wellness. Since a kid, I not only put a strong emphasis on health for myself but also condoned it to all of my peers. It took me a while, but I eventually realized that this was what I wanted to do with my life. Helping people and advancing the industry is a goal I have been working towards for a while. When looking into this subject, the overall health of America is at an all-time low. I have already helped friends in my community when it comes to their health via the lessons I have learned in school over the past few years. However, I want to make that number soar, for I wish to spread the message of well-being to the entirety of America. Because of the hard challenges I have faced so far, I know that anything is possible. In conclusion, life throws a lot of unconventional and crazy curveballs that seem to be unsolvable. However, through creativity and persistence, even the seemingly impossible is doable. If a goal is important eneugh, I know I will have the willpower to get through anything.

As a University student in the United States of America, one would not expect to be bombarded with the effects of the war in Ukraine. However, that can not be further from the truth, as my life has been drastically changed by this effect. Protests have been the most prominent change in my daily routine. Simple activities such as getting food or going to class have been interrupted by student bodies that are disgusted by either Russia's or Ukraine's decisions. Loud chanting, large groups, and vocal students are in no shortage here in Florida. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it is the least harmful of the changes. Grafity has taken shape around campus. Signage and drawing in every nook and corner you can see has been plastered loud and proud. The school's staff can only handle so much, and it seems to have gotten too much for them to keep up with. Now, our school is subject to every sort of opinion, legally or not. Even others who do not want to be as loud about it have their ways of communication. Chatter among friend groups, in the halls, or even during lectures is almost impossible to ignore. They will come up in any sort of conversation, and truthfully, it is important to listen to them. While I am lucky eneugh to say that my own family has not been sent to fight the battle, I have multiple peers who pray for their relatives every day to make it back from the fight alive. It is heart-wrenching to see such instances occur so close to my life. My father luckily retired from the military before this conflict arose, so I am super happy to say that I know my family is safe and sound at home. Despite this, seeing others in distress still takes a large toll on my mental wellbeing. I can name multiple friends and acquaintances that this is happening to, so the influence is strong. I imagine that this same influence is affecting other students' lives drastically. Keeping up with school work and priorities with the effect of this war on your back is a hard task to live with. My condolences go to every one of my peers. The world is not able to stress eneugh sorrow for them to heal thoroughly from this situation. In all, though this war takes place almost six thousand miles away from the place I call my home, I still see the effects of it daily. It is almost impossible to ignore them, and even though all I want is peace in this world, I am struck with the harsh reality that it will be a long time before that happens.

I am currently chasing my dreams. My daily routine consists of actions that get me one step closer to a future I would adore to have. I have always been goal-oriented, and so far, it has not let me down. Despite that, I do not want to let off the gas. Ever since I got to college, I have been working full force towards a future and career I have envisioned for a long time. I like to believe that I display leadership through my will to go my own way. I am surrounded by college students who enjoy partying, drinking, and participating in other threatening activities. Despite this, I have still found a way to go against the pack and practice my moral decisions. The decision to not partake in these activities, and instead spend my weekends at the library or the gym has been a way for me to show my confidence in my decisions. I believe that it takes this quality of leadership to go against the pack and do what you believe is right. Since I was a child in middle school, I have been listing and setting my goals into action. Ever since then, as stated, I have practiced these same morals every day. I believe that this takes strong resilience to do such a task. I am met with constant pressures to divert from my current way of life and into a life of instant gratification. However, I know that by being resilient and focused, I can avoid these pressures. So far, in the many years that I have taken part in this, I believe that I have shown strong resilience in my life so far. In addition to all of this, I realize that my lifestyle will hopefully lead to success. Constant days at the gym, studying, and following my goals is notiably the correct way to live one's life. While remain humble with this all, I also enjoy helping others with their goals. I tend to have experience with other's peoples goals in one way or another. This can include getting good grades, losing weight, or chasing that dream they have always had. In any situation where I hear of this, I always force myself to jump at the chance and provide as much assistance to them as I can. I have helped countless friends and family members with like achievements to my own goals. I am looking strongly to the future for myself, but I like to embody selflessness by looking to the future for others. Every day, I have a routine that involves me doing the hard work I know I have to do. I have my visions posted everywhere I look so that I do not give up my focus on these achievements. In addition, I know that my high standards and hard goals need focus to be achieved. They are not achieved easily. To be where I am today, I strongly believe I show determination at its finest. Lastly, all of my above points can be used as evidence to show a strong work ethic. Constantly working towards your achievements is something that only hard workers can say they partake in, and that is what I am happy to gloat about right now. As for myself, I can award my hard work to the success of several businesses I started up, University achievements I have been awarded, and a future career lined up to help others in the way of Physical Therapy. It is a life I love to be living in.

I was always near Jehovah's Witnesses. They were my family, my friends, and my neighbors. Their traditions carried on through my life. They made up my life. However, I knew that it was not my life. My main consideration in leaving their practice took place during my first year of college. During my studies, not only did I get involved with a diverse group of students not partaking in my religion, but I also learned new strategies that did not follow those guidelines. School teachings and peer decisions conflicted with what I learned in life strongly. Lots of deciding factors started to pile up in my life quickly. Soon eneugh, I found myself facing a hard decision. It was either my newfound morals or my previous family's morals. It may have been the hardest and most bold decision I have made in my life, but two years into college, I decided to go my own way. I was stuck with disapproval from my old peers and family back home. However, this was not unexpected to me in the slightest. What was unexpected was the difficulty of staying strong with my decision. At the end of it all, I found myself depressed but also knew that this was the right step to carry on my life. It has been over a year since this switch, and although there is still expected backlash, I know that I have made the right decision. The decision to carry on with my life is one I can not take for granted and I will live my life like that. Since this decision, I have transferred colleges to an even bigger University. The University of Central Florida is a school I have been keeping my eye on, and I knew it was a school that would advance my life in a great way. I had a difficult time getting into this school, but after not giving up, I was able to make that first step into my new future. Since that moment, I have found new friends, new teachings, and most importantly, a new way of life. My morals have changed to focus on the bettering of myself. While I still impose a simple understanding of the life of Jehovah's Witnesses, I have switched all my focus to better my life in the future, despite what steps I need to take. I have adopted morals from a large array of different religions. While I have not found home to one specific religion yet, I keep in mind that morals are important and it is similarly important to keep my path clean and correct. I am also understanding that this path can be swayed by poor beliefs in the wrong direction. Wrongdoing is easy to get persuaded by, especially when it leads to one's benefit. I have been mindful of this, and like to believe I have adopted the moral righteousness of universal beliefs in America. I have had little support from my family and peers during this transition. To be fair, it was a decision I was completely alone in making. However, I have found new peers at my University who support my decision gloriously. The initial decision was hard, and if it was not for my new peers solidifying the right choice I made, I may have turned back to my old ways. Conflicting pressure was strong for a long time. It was not only recently that I can sit back in comfort knowing my life is going on the right track. It took a lot of willpower, but by the understanding of my newfound peers, I know that they helped a lot. Therefore, I completely put all of my thanks and appreciation to my current peers I am lucky eneugh to call my closest friends. My life has been transformed in a multitude of ways this past year. Blessings have been persistent throughout my life recently. I am strong-willed and hope that I will continue my hard work and bold choices to make the most out of my current lifestyle. Not only that, but I am extremely excited to see what else the world has in store for me. This has proven to be the best decision I have made, and I will not turn back now.

Anxiety is more than just a disorder. It is a complete change in life. To put it bluntly, the simple tasks of life such as going to school or ordering food become some of the scariest things you have done. I suffer from social anxiety. This disorder means that I am nervous, hesitant, and overall not myself when it comes to interacting or being around others. Considering the world we live in today, that is a very strong obstacle. I do not think that most people realize how much effort goes into dealing with social anxiety. Today, my bicycle broke. As simple as that sounds, the whole incident was a nightmare for me. I had to call multiple stores, talk to bike builders, and transfer the bike from the store into an apartment. That sounds all fine and dandy to the average person. However, to a person with social anxiety, it feels terrifying the whole way through. The multiple interactions and stress put on my shoulders is overwhelming, to say the least. A simple problem like that can turn into a giant catastrophe. Living like this has been a struggle. While I overall feel proud of myself after a solid social interaction, I can not say I feel good about myself often. Most social interactions I have are scuffed up in one way shape or form and ultimately leave me reviewing the situation all day. The anxiety does not just go away when the social interactions do. Instead, I am left with my thoughts alone and the realization of the terrible encounters that just went down. As scary as it is, I found that there is only one way to deal with this problem, and that is to face my fears. All of the therapy and online treatment that I have been going through narrows to one cure, and that is to socially interact more. In fear of overwhelming myself and hating the subject even more, I have been easing into it. However, I am proud to say that I often go out of the house and talk to others whenever I can to combat this issue. My life is hard, but I would not say it is over. I am currently enrolled at UCF as a kinesiology major. Each accomplishment like that brings me much joy to say, as I know that this achievement did not just involve hard work in the classroom, but also lots of social interactions. After school, I have hopes of becoming a physical therapist. This is similarly a big leap for me and an accomplishment I hope to one day achieve. Even though my fears still lay ahead of me, I know myself, and I know that I can do it. Pursuing this college degree will ultimately give me my dream life. Being a part of an amazing dream field while also having the overwhelming ability to overcome my social anxiety is a life I am super excited to live. I have an extremely long journey still ahead of me, but I am proud to look back and see what I have accomplished so far. Difficulties, such as funding, keep adding to my life, so I know that I can not let up speed. I know that I can overcome these obstacles and accomplish anything I want to in my future.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is a fair share of people out there who could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfillment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthily. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from lowering down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. My reason was due to family and friend relationships deteriorating, but coincidentally enough, this ruined all of my other relationships too. Not only that, but my school work became harder to finish, my work ethic became less passionate at my job, and my entire life was a big blur. This moment ruined me, but getting out of it made me a much better person in the end. I am not sympathizing only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard, I would still find myself breaking down. I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it though. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. My biggest fear moment came through this. Though there are resources at our fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgments. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is a terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. In this society, mental health issues are increasing rapidly due to social media, technology, and life struggles. Many people go through it, yet for some reason, it is looked upon as almost a joke. Making sure to not give in to that viewpoint was the best step in the right direction. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field give me the opportunity to assist people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey began by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! A career in physical fitness was the one for me. After giving it thought, I decided to go for it. Went to school for Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelor's, amazing work opportunities in this field will open for me. My desire for this career is so strong, that even when I obtain it, I plan on continuing both my education and my impactfulness. I hope to not only absorb from others but also teach others what I have learned. In addition, everything I learn will go straight into my practice. My goal is to help as many people as I can, and I will do anything in my power to carry that mindset deep into my career. Leaving patients not only satisfied with their treatment but also satisfied with their new knowledge is something that I hope to bring to this community. This scholarship will allow me to continue schooling and get my bachelor's degree. I will soon start as a physical therapist assistant and work myself up from there. However, getting through college and having the ability to overcome my current financial struggles is step one. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field give me the opportunity to help people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey began by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! I realized what was in front of me all along I did not realize that this could be a life-changing career decision. After giving it thought, I decided to go for it. Went to school for Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelors, amazing work opportunities in this field will start to open for me. My desire for this career is so strong, that even when I obtain it, I plan on continuing both my education and my impactfulness. I hope to not only absorb from others but also teach others what I have learned. I plan on writing publications, making books, and producing videos to help people strive in this field. In addition, everything I learn will go straight into my practice. Being in the LGBTQIA community gives me an extra challenge when it comes to everyday living. However, seeing that I still have a clearly defined motive in front of me, I do not think anything will get in the way of me conquering my life. My goal with this career is to help as many people as I can, and I will do anything in my power to carry that mindset deep into my career. Leaving patients not only satisfied with their treatment but also satisfied with their new knowledge is something that I hope to bring to this community. Once everything is said and done, I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. This scholarship will allow me to continue schooling and get my bachelor's degree. I will soon start out as a physical therapist assistant and work myself up from there. However, getting through college and having the ability to overcome my current financial struggles is step one. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

As weird as it may sound, being a first-generation college student has the opposite impact on what you may think. By having two parents who did not attend college, it may be common for either parent not to want to care for you to attend. If they had a high priority or view of college, it would be very apparent and they would attend themselves. Well, it is very apparent that they both do think of attending college as important, but still, neither did attend it themselves. This is not even due to financials or capabilities. They simply lacked the work ethic in school. They made that very clear to me. What makes the difference is that they do not want to see me go down the same path that they did. At the end of the day, my household has a strong influence on me to attend. I have received the most unconditional support from my entire family for going to college. To say that it impacted me in amazing ways is a huge understatement. I am in a little different situation than most, but I believe this underdog mentality is going to help me in the long run. My parents have been a major help in distorting the mentality that I can’t do it, and because of them, I think they made it true! It is honestly a good thing. My parents help me in any way possible. Though it is not good to help because neither knows anything about college, it is honest to help. They both try their best and honestly, that is the best kind of help I can ask for. I earned my associate degree a year ahead of my class due to dual enrollment. I continued with community college for cost reasons. However, now that degree majors and colleges start to matter, I am continuing my journey at a major university. Not only that, I am continuing this journey with the amazing and full support of my entire family. Of course, I am looking to my future with caution. I know that I will have a bright future in my career choice if I try my hardest in college right now. However, I am not going to stretch the truth. Having supporting parents like so helps so much in the college process. Even though being a first-generation student is hard, a lot of the time, you have plenty of support. I am lucky enough to say that I do.

I have never put much thought into my engineering abilities. Anything to do with computers, design, mechanics, or technical analysis has been on the back burner for me. In my head, it seemed as if everyone was testing their abilities on this subject, and if that is the case, why do I need to follow the herd? Well, the answer I soon found out is that I am very good at it. Let me explain. I have always been a business person. Up till recently when I decided to go into the medical and technological field, I never really thought outside of the business world. However, I will admit to always liking cars. Particularly, any vehicle legal for street use. One thing led to another, and I ended up buying a cheap motorcycle. Then, as the saying goes, I crashed. While not intentional by any means, I was forced to start figuring out my abilities. Let me put it this way. I did not fix my motorcycle out of willingness. I had no money and needed to get my bike back. I did not even question another way, but the end goal was to get riding again. So, I started to go to work. It should be noted that the bike would be deemed salvaged by anyone with valid vision. It was in ruins. My parents referred to it as the pile of junk in the garage. Telling me it belonged in a junkyard, being a nieve seventeen-year-old ignored them. It took me only two months, and she was up. I was in that garage every night it seemed. Ordering parts and watching tutorials took up all of my free time. However, she was better than new in a short while. It is an understatement to say I impressed everyone when showing up to places on that bike. However, most importantly, it impressed me. I did not put that much thought into it, as I said, but seeing that bike finished made me realize what a big accomplishment I did all by myself. In a field that I never would look at twice, I have accomplished something most seventeen-year-olds could never do. I rebuilt a motorcycle from scratch. No help, no tutoring, and actually, a lot of putdowns lead me to finish the project. So, at the end of the day, I am still not pursuing a degree in anything mechanic-related. I am still actively working towards a medical field career. However, unlike before, I have taken a serious look into my abilities with mechanics, computers, and all things related, and I am very happy with the results.

Looking at my father, you see a humble, bright, and courageous man. You see the best qualities of life beaming out of him. To put it bluntly, he is my hero. Taking a look at all of this, it makes it even more surprising to hear of his rough past—these traits were near opposites in him about a decade back. He would be the poster child for what not to be. Let me explain. While we were sitting around a campfire one day, the crowd started to clear out and it was just me and my father. We started on the discussion of my future and where I was currently at. Disappointed that I was not farther ahead in life right now, I told him that I was not sure how bright my future was going to be after all. This is where things took a turn. He started by telling me stories that I did not believe to be true at first. Knowing the type of person he is today, I could never imagine him making a wrong decision. However, the more he told, the more that the dots connected. In addition, the farther the stories went on, the worse they got. Starting with simple misbehaving around the house turned into major crimes being committed. While the stories are personal to him, and I do not believe it is relevant to bring up specifics, it is easy to say that I am surprised he is alive. Matter of fact, he told me that of the friends who are not dead, most of his friends are still in prison. Only one of his friends made it out to a good future as he has it. The turning point in his life was a realization of what he was doing. He said that doing all of these things spiraled from the last deed. Each one was more and more fun. He did not have a clue in the world what he was doing. All he knew was that his life was fun and exciting. It was not until the law caught up with him that he ended up incarcerated. In these months, he saw horrible things. These things would ultimately force him into a predicament where he had to make a decision. On the route he was living his life, he would end up back in this scenario multiple times. Not only this, but he saw the effects that it had on his immediate family. All of this, combined with time to think about his future life, impacted him eneugh to make a change. Once he got out, he immediately joined the military in hopes of a change. The Army did wonders for him, and after his time of serving, he planted his life down, got a secure job at an oil refinery, and made a family. This takes us to the present times. He raised an amazing family, and looking at his current life is inspirational. This story was told to me a long time ago. Since then, I have known to never go down that road due to the consequences. In addition, decisions taken that were not smart would ultimately lead to a future that I do not want to be a part of. This influenced eneugh on my life to live a good and successful life for myself in the future. Coping with his past is hard, but it is all-around impressive to see him become the man he is today.

Charli XCX is its own genre of music. It is hard to explain exactly what it is, but the word "exhilarating" is definitely a good descriptor. While it may not be for everyone, brat really turned my music world up a notch. It took a while for me to personally get accustomed to the music, but once I did, I never went back. My favorite song on Brat as to be "360". Not only do I think this song is the poster child of what brat music sounds like, but I also think it holds the thinking of what brat is all about. Brat is about music that defies the normal office-like stereotype of the world. It is not sensored or adjusted, but instead raw and emotional. It is something I think this world is deprived of. The song "360" is a good wake-up call for the world. That is only just the start of it. The song "360" has a more personal influence on me. To be blunt, this song is about getting revenge on people we do not like. While it might be a stretch for most to see that, I completely believe that Charli XCX was going for that frame of mind. The idea of prominent everywhere the character goes has good logic revolving around revenge and bettering. While it is not the "correct" frame of the mindset that should be broadcasted, it is very obvious that Charlie XCX does not have that mindset anyway. She goes against the typical thought process and sings about what we are all thinking about. Though it may not be the correct way to think, Chali XCX sings about what we all want. We all want the people who doubt us, hate us, and bring us down to bask in our glory. We want to be better, and we want to prove to the doubters that we are better. This is exactly what Charli XCX is bringing to light. I have personally had my days where it seems like the world is against me. Nobody supports me and nobody agrees with me. While this is not true all the time, those days seem to triumph over the good ones. What is left is a person who wants to prove to the world that they can do it. Hearing what we all want to think aloud is both beautiful and powerful. It makes that deep itch that much more obtainable. To get to the point of deep understanding of Charli XCX's songs is a difficult path to venture down. Even if one can find the groove in her songs, being able to dissect such a rhythmic tune is not always one's first thought. However, if capable of it, learning the true meanings of her songs is worth it.

The TV show Love Island is a hit and for good reason. The constant drama, challenges, and commotion are easy to get attached to. Whenever I want to let loose and relax, Love Island is surprisingly a good way to do so. I find plenty of enjoyment in watching it, and even more enjoyment in thinking about it. Most of the Love Island Challenges are physical. For my challenge, I would love to switch things up a bit and do a mental-based challenge. I feel as if the mental capabilities of the contestants are not shown off eneugh. While it does not nessesarly have to be complex, I beleive that a game show styled challenge would be the best fit for the TV series. The style will be like Jeopardy. Points will be awarded to participants who answer the desired question correctly. Since the rules of Jeopardy are very simple to understand, I believe this would be a desired concept to strive for. The only difference would be the level of the questions. Jeopardy has some of the smartest contestants competing, so it would not be fair to put the same level on our contestants. To add to this theme, contestants will be paired up into twos. Between the two of them, they will decide who will perform best on the mental part of the challange. The other contestant will partake in the next segment of the challenge. This is not to say that there won't be any physical scenarios in this challenge. To keep the theme and interest of the viewers, I believe that a points-based system revolving around a task is mandatory. In addition, there needs to be more than answering questions in order to spice things up. Once a question is answered correctly, each contestant gets a chance to walk across a narrow beam hovering over a pool of water in order to touch the buzzer and receive a point. This beam has to be skinny in order to make the challenge harder. While the activity should not be too hard in order for the particpants to be able to win points, the action needs to be hard eneugh to invoke suspense and a few fails. The action is relatively simple eneugh, but when combining that with the Jepordy-styled questions, this game will be both suspenseful and interesting. To help involve everyone on the show, the more "athletic" contender, which is voted between the two participants, will be in charge of the balance beam walk. At the end of it all, we will have a suspenseful and exciting challenge. This challenge will also mix up the normal stereotype of Love Island challenges by incorporating a thinking portion of the challenge. I believe this will be a well-enjoyed and well-encorperated challenge in the hit TV series, Love Island. Who knows, maybe the TV series will encorperate a game just like this. If not, I may have to try it out on my own with my friends!

The New York Times Connections puzzle is one of my favorite activities. However, even as a college student, my complaint is that they are very difficult to finish. Though the theming is always good, the connections seem to be a stretch in my head. For my own puzzle, I believe that clear connections and interesting theming may make the puzzle more enjoyable and even more appreciated. To start, my list of sixteen words will be randomly organized. The words will be as follows: smoke detector, wand, diamonds, eggs, witch, fairy, basketball shoes, snowballs, water, crickets, baseball, birds, darts, snowballs, windshield, ice, and Disney. Next, so you can play along yourself, I will list the categories. They will be: chirping, see-through, thrown, and magical. The answers will be as follows: basketball shoes, crickets, birds, and smoke detector chirp; baseball, snowballs, eggs, and darts are thrown; water, windshields, ice, and diamonds are transparent; and Disney, witches, wands, and fairies are magical. I feel as if my answers and categories are both creative, yet obtainable. It will give the problem solver that "aha!" moment we all love with these puzzles without including the "what the.." when we get to answers we do not understand. Solving the New York Times's Connection puzzles is extremely fun. It is a great way to pass the time and get some enjoyment out of it at the same time! However, through this essay, I found that creating them is just as fun. Making up connections to categories that I get to pick is beyond intriguing. I hope that the players of my own Connections puzzle will feel the same way.

When I look at Omari Jones in the eyes, I see myself. As a young man with hopes and dreams relating to Omari Jones, I am proud to see Team USA using such a motivated and star athlete. Though it was once my goal to similarly join the Olympics for the boxing organization, watching it on the sidelines still gives me plenty of joy. To put it bluntly, I wanted to be where Omari Jones is right now. Life goes on, and I ended up focusing on my career in the healthcare field. I am extremely stoked to be where I am today, and I would not change it for the world. With all of that being said, sitting at home and watching the Olympics in my current situation is a future I am glad to be living. However, that is not to say that I did not have the aspirations such as Omari Jones did. Omari Jones is a twenty-three-year-old boxer. He beams with patriotism and a love for boxing. Starting out his career in 2015, one can see through his path that he has been very consistent. He has a great record, and though it is filled with low points, his motivation to continue is what I aspire to be like. Boxing is no sport for wimps; not to mention, we are talking about the global Olympics. To say that this journey will be the hardest feat for Omari Jones to face is very easy to say with what is on the line. Though I similarly know how hard it is to get to this point, and I know that Omari Jones will not disappoint. I know exactly what Omari Jones is feeling right now. He is anxious and nervous as this is his life's work resting on his shoulders. At the same time, he is beyond proud to have made it to the point he is at. If the motivation Omari Jones shows is true, I know that he will not stop here. Proving a point and accomplishing his dreams means a lot. Just getting to the Olympics will not be eneugh for him. His taste and drive for winning will be monumental in his performances. Team USA deserves great athletes, and they got that with Omari Jones. A young man willing to do whatever it takes is a more than worthy candidate for Team USA. With all of this being said, I am super eager to see Omari Jone's performance and what he is able to come up with during his exhibition. Watching Omari Jones will be monumental for me. Not only will I get to see if his determination is strong eneugh to win, but I can also watch a game I once wanted to play in.

This TV show series is beyond addictive. With such comes great interest and integument for the characters and conflicts. I have had my fair share of interesting thoughts that come up during the show, and in all, they all lead to an amazing ending that leaves everyone fulfilled and satisfied. This is how it should go. First off, I believe the only emotionally correct ending would include Carmen and Sydney finding love for what they are doing. Carmen has not been doing well from a logical standpoint. When looking at the effects of the restaurant on him, it can be seen that his enjoyment of where he is is less than intended. However, it is important to note that this should only be possible if Carmen realizes how harsh of a job he has been doing recently. I believe that happiness for Carmen can only be recognized if he has full enlightenment of the situation in the kitchen and realizes the things he needs to do differently in order to enjoy himself. Equally, as so, I believe Sydney deserves the relaxation and enjoyment that comes from appreciating your workplace. While this pictures the perfect ending, I do believe that a big conflict is about to go down respectfully. Without it, realization for change is not possible, and to have an ending everyone is appreciative of, we need a change for the better. I similarly believe that there is no better change than one immediately affecting the restaurant's performance. Terrible business and abrupt closure scares are bound to happen. The finale of the show only means one thing, and that is the fact that the most impactful and significant actions are to take place. What is more impactful than facing possible business closure straight in the eyes? Here, they will be forced to change for the better, and upon problem-solving, they will find the true meaning of what they are doing. To find happiness and enjoyment out of their workday lives is what life is about for them. While The Bear is thoroughly enjoyable to watch, thinking and predicting is arguably the most fun aspect of diving deep into a series like this. It was not hard to get clasped in the jaws of this series either, as the constant drama and conflicts always make the watcher stay on the edge of their seats. While others may have their hopes and dreams about how they think the series should come to an end, I truly believe that the producers are staring at this ending straight in the face. While details may slightly change, a brutal conflict followed by the happy ending everyone hoped for is the ideal way to end the show off with a blast.

Cancer has made an unannounced appearance in a lot of people's lives. I can say this with much prominence close to my heart, as I have had many close people in my life die of cancer. Just recently, my neighbor, age 45 and father of 3, got diagnosed with terminal cancer and has 3 more months to live. The amount of heartbreak and tragedy that comes with cancer is outrageous. Even if you are not in the medical scene, indulged in the research scene, a participant in the donating scene, or have any consideration with cancer; the disease finds a way to make itself prominent in onces life. The more you hear about cancer-related subjects, the more you get involved. With, since cancer has taken the lives of so many loved ones, I pounce on any chance I get to help out with the cause. For example, a seminar I attended added that they are partnering with a cancer research center. From this, I discovered my family, along with myself, donating a large amount of money to them. Despite the money, we donate a lot of our own time towards cancer research as a family. Out of choice or not, we now have a good grasp on what foods to eat, what activities to partake in, and how to battle this monstrous disease. While my current participation in the healthcare field did not stem from cancer individually, it is a large part of my studies here at the University of Central Florida. It may be said that I picked this career path indirectly and unknowingly because of the impact cancer has had on my life, for I never had a distinct reason to pursue the healthcare profession. Either way, with or without cancer's impact on my career choice, it has made an astronomical connection in my life. As a whole, I am sure that very few people choose to study and engross their lives around a lethal and dreadful disease. However, like my family, it comes into our lives without much of a choice. When it makes this much of a negative impact, there is almost no choice but to dedicate yourself to battle it, whether you have it or not. I am lucky enough to not have this condition enter my body; yet, I am still head first into the topic. After a lot of experience and research on the topic, I have a true belief that this can be fought. I have seen the impossible happen, and I know that everyone can harness this.

Most impacting though is that I have seen my father deal with severe alcohol addiction, and I have also been through the consequences of such an addiction. Here is my story. Right when I was born, my father and mother lived very happily in Melbourne Florida. They had a nice house by the beach, good jobs, and now a happy son. It was not until my father took up the hole that things changed for the worse. He received that it was stress that drove him to the bars. However, someone who was once a super nice man turned the polar opposite. Of course, the mother of a newborn baby is not a good recipient of this kind of behavior. Long story short, my mother decided to divorce the man for my safety alone. The outcome led to this: no contact with him, no news of him, no interactions with him at all. To this day, since they got a divorce, we never heard from him. To be real, there is a good chance that he is no longer with us. Then, to think of it in the grand scheme of things, a man who had it all, lost it all due to alcohol and solely alcohol. We made it ok. Though very tough, my mother was able to get back on her feet. A few years after the divorce, she was able to find another good husband, who is now my stepfather. We are doing great right now. However, it still did put us in a very tough spot for a few years. Something that we did not even do ourselves impacted our lives dramatically. Seeing this impact, obviously made me want to stay sober for my whole life. So far, I have been, and I have no thoughts of changing that. However, I also advocate for friends and family regarding the drawbacks. No one has ever regretted being sober, but the same could not be said for drinkers. Since this impact was so harsh on my life, I always tend to inform people of this. While I do try to do the right thing, I feel as if my education on this topic is more habitual, as the drawbacks of drinking secondhandily affected my life dramatically. I did not get to see the end of my biological father's addiction. It may still be ongoing for him. He may have fixed himself up, or he may have gone down with his addiction. Either way, at the end of the day, this addiction turned his life completely upside down, along with the family he loved. Sober him cared for us, his life, and the world. However, the other side of him was the complete opposite. It is very sad to see that addiction can very literally destroy everything.

To me, our universe is the scariest subject I could think about. At the same time, it is a subject I love to dive deep into. Simply stated, we know so little about the true facts of the universe, and I truly believe that the universe may hold some of the most significant knowledge humans can ever possess. Putting more emphasis on space research may be just what we need to keep advancing at the rate we are going. Let alone, we are nearing the time period where space exploration is readily available via the technology we already have. What lies out there in this universe may be so beyond our current technological and physical understanding that it could transform Earth lightyears ahead with just a few discoveries. Just thinking about the possibilities gives me the chills. The possibilities of knowledge we can gain as a species are limitless. It is not a stretch in the slightest to say that what lies out in the universe will exceed the capabilities of our imagination. It is the only circumstance we have in which the possibilities are literally endless. In my perspective, the human species can discover very meaningful things about the universe, including the efficiency of space travel, other life forms, and the meaning of our existence. To state the most ameliorated objective, expanding our research on the universe will consequently allow us to travel more efficiently and effectively. We hold a lot of pride as Americans to be the first to put a man on the mood. However, though the efforts did not stop to progress further, it seems like we have had a decrease in interest since that point. America's intentions are no longer on advancing space travel, and NASA is just another space company right now. However, if we put in the effort, many further improvements to traveling in space can be made. As a result of further research on our solar system, we can figure out the specific ways it works. While there are many results that come from understanding the physics of outer space beyond our galaxy, the most notable would be the ability to travel our human selves further and further into the unknown abyss we know as our universe. It is argumentable that we are researching this topic right now at great lengths with Space X and other company varients, I am here to argue that they are not maximizing their potential for exploration. While designing rockets, figuring out aerodynamics, and other very important components to missions like this have a much greater impact per effort than researching the fundamentals of our universe, there still may be vital components they are missing. The more that we explore the dynamics of the universe, the more locations we will be able to travel to. Arguably, the most fun topic of the following is the possibilities of other life forms. While there are countless possibilities that could come out of this singular discovery, the discovery itself can be wonderful. Finding other life forms will put centuries of curiosities to rest. It will allow for further education of their species, their lifestyles, and their findings. It will not only supercharge our space exploration quest but also supercharge our technological and structural achievements on this planet. The universe still holds this mystery, and without advancing to discover it, we may never know what possibilities lie for our future. The limit is limitless to our future with the exploration of space discovery. The population does seem to hold a great interest in the possibilities of aliens. However, it does not seem like companies share the same mindset. There are little advancements being made to explore this topic, and it seems to me like this is not the correct procedure. With so much on the line and such an enthused topic, the search for new life forms should be on high priority. Though many more, the last of my favorite discoveries that come from the advancement of our universe comes with the meaning of life. Though it may seem like a stretch from an initial glance, we can likely find strong and backable evidence that relates to why we are here. To start, we already have a solid grasp that the Earth was constructed through a collision occurring in space. This knowledge proves that our existence is extraterrestrial. Hypothesis and information discovered on the face of the earth can only take us so far in the quest to discover the real reason behind our existence. However, exploring further into the universe can finally unfold the hidden truths we were not able to figure out with our resources on this planet. To state that this is the most important aspect of space travel is a stretch and opinion of the reader. However, it is not a stretch to say it is a significant observation we have a good chance of making. Sadly, there is a solid argument that can be made against all of these claims. We have already put a man in the mood, launched space crafts to Jupiter, and constructed telescopes that can see deep into space. As a society, we have done a lot of space exploration. What makes it feasible that we will gain more knowledge than we already know about the universe? However, that is where the possibilities start to unfold. From the effort we have put into discovering the universe, we have found instances of dark matter, black holes, and even hints at time travel. If this was all discoverable from the minimal surface of what we scratched of our universe, imagine what would be possible if we explore further. In all, I find that space exploration and the understanding of our universe hold many answers we are looking for, and some answers that we may not even know to ask yet. There are many more points I could have added, but we will never know what we can truly find out if we don't further explore. There are so many possibilities and areas we can expand on in our space exploration travels, but I truly only think the only way to become more productive in space is to just never stop. We have great teams working on great discoveries, and this leads to a great start. However, we need to always keep advancing and updating our goals. As Sun Tzu once said, the plan must change with the more progress that is made. We are doing great things, but we have not seemed to dive deeper and deeper into our understanding of the universe. More teams, industries, and niches need to be made in the space industry to obtain these great feats that are possible. Without the constant desire to grow and learn more, we will be stuck in the same place. Right now, with the lack of development in the areas I listed above, we are on the track to be stagnant when it comes to space exploration. When we become stagnant with space exploration, amazing opportunities become lost. Let us not waste the amazing gift of the universe. Let us explore deep into outer space.

An excerpt from The Art of War by Sun Tzu (6.28 to 6.33). “Military tactics are like unto water, for water, in its natural course, runs away from high places, and hastens downwards. So, in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and to strike at what is weak. Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows. The soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe in which he is facing. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare, there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent, and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a Heaven-born Captain.” The excerpt from The Art of War is a brawny message that conveys meaning both on and off the battlefield. Sun Tzu logged this book around 400 BCE, but readers today can still find strong use for the knowledge he has given us. The paragraph above was written solely by Sun Tzu. However, the novel was revised many times. The most recent and relevant version of the book was Michael Nylan in 2020. The book has been a best seller at numerous locations due to the valuable information it gives the reader, and for good reason. There is a multitude of different life lessons that can be desired from this text, but the most focused teachings include the ability to fight via the weakest point, the ability to change when necessary, and the ability to keep moving. When looking at the designated paragraph I chose in The Art of War, there are many different descriptors relating to water. Sun Tzu uses this comparison to describe the abilities the reader should have when in conflict. He specifically describes the features and actions water takes when in distress. However, Sun Tzu also relates to the reader in each comparison. This is mainly used to ease the understanding of Sun Tzu's teachings, but it also provides a neutral object that both the writer and reader know well to ensure that we are all on the same page. By conveying this paragraph about water, Sun Tzu can efficiently and thoroughly communicate his thought process to the readers in the most thorough way possible. In this water comparison, Sun Tzu first starts with the flow of water. When water is put through action, it often flows in the path of least resistance. Simply put, the easiest way of travel will be the way water travels. This can be realized when Sun Tzu writes "... in its natural course, runs away from high places, and hastens downwards." (The Art of War, 6.29). While this is a comparison, Sun Tzu wishes that the reader understands this and can apply it to their war. When relating this comparison to people, we can infer that Sun Tzu wants us to fight the conflict at the weakest point. If there is a weak point in an argument, rule, or outline that may have a possible hole for intrusion, Sun Tzu states that this is the best point to start fighting back. Naturally flowing to the past of least resistance will allow us the most successful path to flow past or straight into the conflict. It holds the best chances of progress and conquering. In the eyes of Sun Tzu, this likely means defeating a resilient opponent in physical combat. The path that is least guarded or the weakest defense is the place to start combat when looking at this advice as intended. Michael Nylan luckily revised this version of the book to fit the more modern lifestyle of the reader though. While the principles are the same, we can convert the normal hand-to-hand combat of the past to contemporary issues of the present. This can include instances of societal bullying, professional disagreements, or relative-based disputes. All in, when facing a problem, despite its scope, Sun Tzu states that it is easiest to infiltrate is dominate over the enemy's weakest point. When continuing with this passage from The Art of War, Sun Tzu elaborates on his water analogy. With the quote "In war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and to strike at what is weak." (Sun Tzu, The Art of War, 6.30), we can appreciate that Sun Tzu related his message to real-world action. Like the physical property of water flowing to the path of least resistance, water can also change its shape when needed. If an opening requires water to turn left instead of right, the water will do so. This compares to real-world scenarios quite easily. When in combat with whatever conflict we may arise, the battle will very likely not go as intended. While it is always good to lead with a plan, this plan will be irrelevant if the battle unpredictably changes. This is noticeable because it is easy to get attached to a plan. This is especially true when so much thought and importance is put into this plan. However, as water does, one must adapt to their surroundings and change when needed. He continues with this though by stating "Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions." (The Art of War, Sun Tzu, 6.32). In respect of war, this is likely to be conducted based on the ever-changing strategies of the opponent. However, in real-world scenarios, as Michael Nylan describes, this may be less prominent based on the modern-day conflict that is being battled. Nonetheless, everyone's battle is ever adapting to the new scenario, so to stay ahead, one must adapt themselves to the new battle, just as water does. Lastly, the most important point I would like to emphasize is the ability of water to keep moving. In fact, Sun Tzu stresses that water can not stop via its own weight, but instead, it must always push forward until the end goal is obtained. When an obstacle materializes in its way, water will gather up until overcoming this obstacle. When looking at a common river, the end of it always bottles up in a larger body of water. This result is always obtained. If a sloping rock stops the water in its tracks, it is only a matter of time until water gathers its momentum back and pushes over the rock through volume. The same can be said when relating this comparison to conflicts. There may be obstacles in the way, and these obstacles, such as the rock via the water, may stop you in your tracks. However, gaining momentum and, in our case, strategizing new ideas will always triumph over the obstacle through constant pushing. As Michael Nylan states, constant pressure can be endlessly supplied by the warrior until success is measured. The battle is not over until the one fighting says it is over, and the only reason that should happen is the end result wanted is reached. If the end result is not reached, more momentum is gained. Hence, though it may be a stretch at first to look at water in the same light as a battling war, the basis of winning comes from acting like Earth's most prosperous element. Though its properties resemble the fundamentals of physics, much can be learned about the way it acts. Physics enables it to survive in this world, and I believe that Sun Tzu understood that when writing this comparison. Only such a known comparison would be able to convey an abstract message to the reader so simply. The Art of War is a masterpiece of a book, and by sculpting such a creation, Sun Tzu made sure to write the recipe for success in the most understanding way. The excerpt at the beginning of this essay describes one of the most influential and fundamental tactics of war. Specifically, Sun Tzu was able to write these tactics in a brief paragraph. That is why I not only believe that this is the most important part of the book but similarly, that this paragraph displays a deep and powerful message that can be studied for much longer than initially read. The mastermind, and most importantly, winner created a message that can be studied for literally centuries, and I believe that speaks volumes about The Art of War.

Truth means the highest purity of reality. I think of that a lot through my daily interactions. While saying something correct may be true, I do not think that it is the real version of truth. God only speaks the truth. However, when looking at the Bible's definition of truth, we can infer that God only speaks in the highest definition of reality. He speaks in a way that provides total clarity on the situation at hand and hopes to leave out no detail for others to receive peak communication. False communication can only lead to problems, and God does not even go near this standard. From this, I fully believe that God's communication conveys a full understanding of everything. Not only is this communication accurate, but it is also as plentiful as the recipient needs it to be. When looking at the Bible's direct definition of truth as opposed to God's practices of truth, it simply looks at objectives as God looks at them. Though all might not be seen by the common folk like God can, objectives can be told in which God understands them. Paraphrasing the Bible, truth is the expression of God and his perception of the way things are. Though things may appear differently in the sole minds of the population, the only reality that is correct is the reality god displays. This is certainly truth, as what God states is the correct statement. To my comprehension, God does everything he can to tell the full truth, and while this may be impossible for us to do, we can tell the full truth in what we know of. As for the common folk's truth, I believe that the dictionary has a different definition. Truth is defined as "The property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality." in the Webster Dictionary. This simply means that every statement should line up directly with reality. When looking deep, one can argue that God's reality is the true reality. For this reason, I do believe that if a believer looks at this definition, they can infer the correct definition of it. The true reality is simply what God interprets it as. However, the lack of specificity in Webster's definition can throw off individuals who do not think this way. If not initially thinking about God, the definition will likely lack that aspect. In this way, the definition of truth in the Websiters dictionary is distinctively different from the definition the Bible relays. While nobody may be able to tell the truth as God can, I do believe that mimicking what the Bible tells us to do is a great way to follow God's lead. We can only do as much as we are capable of, and when we do everything we can to always communicate God's perception of reality, we are practicing what the Bible tells us to do.

In high school, I first handily witnessed one of my closest friends get pregnant. It abruptly came as a surprise to everyone. The news waved the school quickly, and I remember that my friend had more issues on her hands than just the baby. When she first realized her pregnancy, she told a few of her friends. I was included in this group, and though I kept a promise to keep it hidden, some of her other acquaintances did not feel this way. Pretty soon, I heard the word get out, and the whole school knew of the new instance. She decided to rightfully keep her child. I agreed with this action, and the father was also rightfully in the picture. They were not in fact trying, but they also were not opposed to the idea of becoming new parents. They took this as a blessing and went on to their new life. Part of this transition to their new life was dropping out of school. As a junior in highschool, I knew we were all insanely close to graduation. In addition to this, we all planned on taking full-time dual-enrollment classes at our local community college. Not only would this help us out in college, but it would also lighten our course load significantly as we were only required to attend about 10 hours of class a week. With this, all in mind, the decision to drop out shocked me, but after some time, I understood that a load of a new baby was harsh and this was almost completely necessary. Though none of this had to directly impact me, it did mentally. Seeing one of my best friends go through all of this was thoughtwrenching. At the core, I initially felt instantly bad for her that she had to go through with this. However, on the flip side, the more I thought about the situation, the more I learned great lessons from her. Though the incident was unwanted initially, she made a great situation out of the cards that were dealt to her. By the time the baby was delivered, she was not only fully prepared but also full of excitement. Words can not express how happy she is now. The baby is a few years old at the moment, and though I have heard that a few challenges have sprung about on the journey, she is extremely happy with the entire situation. She would not wish anything different would have happened, and she even feels insanely blessed that her life turned out the way it has. As I stated, after thinking about the whole scenario, I found that you can truly turn a "bad" situation completely around. I have used this mindset a lot in my life since. For instance, I got declined from my dream university, but through that, I got the confidence to apply to more schools. I ended up going to an even better university than before. I do not think I would have thought to do this normally, as usually, a loss is just a loss. I also found peace in working in the medical field. This field was a scary jump before, but through my experiences so far, I realized that it is possible. Though some situations may not be ideal, there is always something better on the other side.

I'm Eric, an honor roll student looking to earn enough funds to continue my attendance at the University of Central Florida. Through my high school journey, applied myself to the dual enrollment program during my junior and senior years at SCF. I came out of high school with 36 college credits to go towards my AA degree. I also managed to graduate within the top 10% of my class. During my college career, I have just obtained my full AA degree and am continuing with my bachelor's. The end goal entitles me to finish off with a master's degree to obtain a lasting career as a Physical Therapist I hope to help anyone I can to get their body in physically ready shape to live a long and happy life. I have a handful of hobbies. Currently, I spend a lot of my free time coaching my peers and family on fitness-related topics. Seeing others grow alongside me is a joy I can not seem to shake. I am also a strong animal lover, environmentalist, book nerd, and much more. I like to keep busy as it never lets me settle for average. Anything I can get my hands near, I'm happy to jump in on. As of now, I am learning and advancing myself to find the best possible future for me, and the people I help. The assistance from this scholarship will help me continue this journey and fulfill a career with a master's degree. All I am trudging on now is a grant and future scholarship money. However, no matter what happens, I am super excited to be here and have at least gotten this opportunity. I hope to make my life special. So many people end up wandering through life and passing without any mark left behind. That is one of my worst fears when it comes to life, and the way I am looking at things, your career is my best shot at avoiding that fear. This journey has not always been easy though. After graduation, I found myself in the dumps. I had no college in line, no job set up, and most impactfully, no friends to talk to. I spent my days knowing I was vastly behind the majority of students. It did not take long for me to fall into a deep depression. Once you enter, it is hard to get back out. Everything in life gets continuously worse. I had no motivation to go to the gym, eat, or even get out of bed. Everyone knew I was slacking and tried to push me to do something, but the pressure just made it worse. My mental health has never been lower. Soon eneugh, I went to a therapist and got eneugh willpower to take the first step. I started to apply to colleges. Although many interruptions and obstacles appeared, I was finally able to get accepted into a good school. From there, it only went up. I got the motivation to go to the gym, apply for scholarships, and get my life back on track. Though my mental health is still a work in progress, I am super happy to have made it out. I am proud of the track I am on now and hope to be similarly proud in the future with how far I have come. In addition, I a super excited to advance in the career path that I am choosing. Helping others in a profession that I consider myself insightful in is an exciting future I am excited to live.

Embodying selflessness is a great feeling, and I would be lying if I said I did not take full advantage of it. Doing good for others somehow retreats back to you. You feel a sense of happiness when you do stuff outside of your personal scope of achievement. While I do not think anyone fully participates in selflessness because of this reason, as it would be quite un-selfless of them, I do believe that it is one of the best benefits of it. I noticed the type of person I was when I started working. I figured that we are all there to get a common task done, and helping others with their own task is just reaching that goal faster. From that mindset, I always helped my fellow employees whenever I could. I received praise for this, but I did not intend to. I did this solely to help someone else. Helping them stock shelves, finish their assignment, or clean their area was helping another person in a major way. I know how stressed I felt trying to finish a work task by myself, so I made sure that I did everything in my own power to help others not feel that way. This leads me to think about selflessness. I never really stood back and thought about the concept before, but the more I thought, the more times I realized I may have been partaking in it for most of my life unwillingly. Helping my friends learn objectives in school or practice their sport of choice were all ways that I would go out of my way to help someone else. I never did this to be recognized for it, but instead did it to advance them further. It was the same principle that I applied at work. From this moment on, I noted the importance of practicing selflessness. Now, I try to help people whenever I can. This can be as simple as holding the door for others, or it can be as advanced as giving a friend a place to stay for the week. Whenever the opportunity approaches to help someone in need, I will always be there. This leads me to my first point again. I found that the more I do for others, the more good that I feel. It is a weird occurrence because it seems like it would be the opposite. Doing good for others is designed to make them feel better. However, the more I mindfully practice selflessness, the happier I get. Doing good for others makes the world a happier place, and I am going to do everything in my power to keep that going. Good deeds need to be plentiful, and the more people that realize this, the better society will be.

Getting into a college is hard for any student, and there will always be challenges you will have to face during the application stages. However, my application was straight ignored due to a system glitch. I heard back from every college I applied to, but I never heard back from the one in-state college that I could afford. After multiple phone calls, research, proof, and convincing, I was able to get ahold of someone who would take my case seriously. Right now, I am enrolled in that school as a full-time student. Even with a hurdle this large, I was able to overcome it and continue on the path to my dreams. In college, I am thriving by going above and beyond in everything I do. In addition, I am providing community service to others based on the field I am going in. I am currently studying kinesiology, and I am hoping to become a physical therapist in the near future. Because of so, I tend to be in the gym, on the running track, or on the field for a lot of my time. I highly enjoy hosting pickup games, workout sessions or runs with my community. These are activities I love to do, and I always try to include as many people as I can. I feel that this is the best way I can help out. Getting my community more active will help so much in their day-to-day lives. In addition, it will take America one step closer to becoming a healthy country. I have a mini stamp collection in my apartment. I think that the majority of people think that it is a boring or unattractive hobby. However, I do not think that those people really know much about the stamp world. While collectors are very popular, I believe that stamp collecting may just be the best category to collect. The possibilities are almost endless. There are different topics, years, and styles of stamps one could collect. I plan on making this hobby a bit more noticeable by spreading the word on the subject itself. It is the lack of knowledge about the hobby that makes people skip over this activity. If the public would give history and learn about stamps consideration, I believe the hobby would grow to great proportions. Showing others my collection, as well as talking about it to my peers might not have the biggest impact on the community, but it will surly make more people consider it as a hobby.

I have close relations with a neighbor with PTSD, and I see how much it affects him. I have plenty of stories and personal experiences with PTSD singularly through him. It is a very scary condition and is not looked at as much as it should be. Before moving, I knew very little about the condition personally. It was something that I never put thought into. Likewise, it seems like a condition that not many people put thought into. When we moved, one of the first things we learned about our new next-door neighbors was that the husband was in the war and suffered from serious PTSD. I did not think about it much when I first heard it, but as my parents explained it to me, I started to understand how picky this condition was. I was small at the time, so I feel as if my understanding grew much larger as time went on. I did, though, understand fully that excessive noise was not tolerable in this area. During the fourth of July, our neighbor had to go into his basement and soundproof his room. That, along with medicated prescriptions did not help much. The wife often explained to us how impacted he was on this day, along with the new year. After this story, we made sure we kept our noise down. Though we always tried our best to support our neighbor and help his condition, we did not understand the scope of it. The more time went on, the more stories were told to us. We ended up being good friends with these neighbors, so the sympathy continued to get worse for him. Since we moved far away from where we used to live. However, even though we do not get in too much contact with our old neighbors anymore, the realization of how dramatic PTSD is still living with us. We make sure that if we hear of anyone else proposing this condition, we are going to help to our full advantage. I stay very cautious in my day-to-day life now. Even though we do not know of any surrounding neighbors with such a condition, it does not hurt to practice the same carefulness in our daily activities. PTSD is much more common than we thought. It seems as if you are not directly impacted by it, you will not even look into the topic. It is a condition I have spread awareness of since and plan on continuing to spread.

At a very young age, my grandfather stepped out of this world. I was very young when it happened, but nonetheless, I have drastic memories of the situation. To put it short, my grandfather had Alzheimer's, so for the parts I remember, he did not so much remember anyone else. Although hazy, I miss my grandfather much and wish I could have spent more time with him. Growing up without a present grandfather was hard. My mother, a single mom, used to tell me amazing stories about him. I would often go to my grandmother's house too, which though helped, also reminded me of the extra memories I am missing in life. It is hard to get past an obstacle like this, as you know that the opportunity to spend time with your grandfather will never be true. In the end, I only had one option. I had to come to the realization that I would not have a grandfather in my life to share. Later on, my father came into the picture, and his father similarly died a long time ago. It is a sad thought to think about, but it is a reality I had to accept. A lesson emerged that life is not fair, but the only things that matter is what I control. This was ultimately out of my control. There was nothing I could do to bring the stories I heard about him to life. On the other hand, there were things in life I could control. I can control if I am happy or not. I can control what I decide to do with my life. Staying sad over this passing is a choice, and there is no benefit from constantly picking that option. Meditation is a practice I partake in every night. When I first started meditating, I felt rather silly. However, a week into it, I had significantly better focus and concentration. For those reasons, I have stuck with meditation for years. Every night before bed, I lay down and try to clear my mind of all distractions for as long as I possibly can. I feel this is a good time to practice, as sometimes this results in the best sleep. However, if I can pull off a substantial amount of time focusing and concentrating, I will have considered that a successful night of mediation. I have slowly learned to love the practice, and with the added benefits of it, I have no thought of stopping soon. In my life, I hope to follow my passion and become a physical therapist. It is the sole reason I am in a university right now. I am studying kinesiology at the University of Central Florida, and I can not wait to get out into the real world to join the career I love. As of now, I am extremely happy with my major and am enjoying every bit of learning about new ideas I am passionate about. In the future, I hope to advance the industry with my own research and work. My biggest influence in my life is my father. He is a man I look up to and a man I want to be just like in the future. His work ethic and willpower are unlike anyone else I have met. If something has to be done, he does it without a second thought. Even if there is nothing to do, you will not find him lying back on the couch. He is always advancing himself and his life. That is a mentality I am always trying to adopt.

"What do you want your future to look like?" is a question that was absent from my childhood. It is a question that speaks volumes about life, as I realize that it will determine if you are happy or not at the end of the day. I believe this may be the most important aspect of life, and though I realize it now, my regrets are strong for not realizing it sooner. I would like to point out that this question is different from the statement "Be successful in the future". That is the statement I was focused on. I was going to make something out of myself. However, success is very different from happiness. There is a significant difference, and it is a difference that did not even graze my mind in the slightest. As a kid, I was always the nerd in school. I carried around a giant book on starting a business, and all of my time was spent researching business plans. This is not a bad thing, as I enjoyed planning for my future. I wanted to be successful, and I did anything I needed to do to get there. Fast forward to a few weeks after graduation, and I had a giant realization. In school, I always thought highly of myself. Even though I may not have been the most popular or had the most fun, I was putting in the work to be successful in the future. While a good trait to have, I was lost in my mindset of being more successful than others. It was simply me versus them, and in my mindset, I was doing everything better than any other of my high school peers. Yes, this was a bad point of view to have, but it is the point of view that made me have tunnel vision. Fast forward a few weeks after graduation, and I did not seem to be happy with where my life was at. I was still trying different business adventures with success on my mind. However, I finally took a step back and looked at what that success would look like. A big house and nice cars were all I saw. That was what I was chasing. I was chasing a materialistic lifestyle. I knew, right then and there, that this was not going to make me happy. This life was not going to make my life have meaning. I had a big problem on my hands, and that was that I was going to be miserable in the dream life I was pursuing. Taking a step back, I realized that life is a constant adventure of having fun, finding a passion, and pursuing a purpose. The "successful life" is so glamorized that I never stopped and realized that it was not what I wanted. Since then, I have drastically changed my goals. I changed my major from business to kinesiology. My passion for physical fitness is strong, and it is a topic that I would love to pursue for the rest of my life. If I could just hear the question "What do you want your future to look like?", I could have realized that the path I was on was the wrong path. It is not what society wants your life to be like, but instead, what you want your life to be like. Though I am miles behind the pack, I am extremely happy I realized this now. I have a bright outlook on my future, and most importantly, it is a future I would love to live in.

I hope to make a strong impact in my life. I am passionate about a lot, and through my chasings to obtain them, I want one thing to be clear: I want to change people's lives. One of my main passions is physical health. More specifically, I hope to become a physical therapist. I have a strong motive for this career, and I hope to do wonders for as many patients as I can serve. Right now, I am studying Kinesiology at the University of Central Florida. Afterward, I will attend graduate school to make my dreams become a reality. In addition, I am working hard towards advancements in the field. This includes producing publications, articles, and any other way I can share my knowledge about physical health. I am extremely excited about what the future holds for me. As for my involvement in agriculture, I would say that I am very experienced. I worked on a local farm planting strawberries, melons, and berries. Living in a small town limited my choices of work, and although working out in the sun all summer was not the most desirable job, I was excited about it. I spent multiple summers doing this in grade school, just for me to start my little farm at home. Sadly, we moved not long after, and my endeavors in planting strawberries ended abruptly. However, I did take my knowledge and home farm into our new area. As of now, my family has an outdoor and indoor garden. Inside, we plant spices and smaller foods in a self-sustaining project we built. Outside, we plant peppers and berries. We also have avocado, lemon, and a banana tree. As we live in Florida, we have much less obstacles in our way. The weather is almost always great, and the constant rainfall is amazing as well. While my days may be up working for a professional farm establishment, I will never stop planting. It is a hobby that will stick with me for life. Farming has made an obvious impact on my life. I made a partial salary from it as a kid, and now I am able to grow some of my own fruits. However, it made a much bigger impact than that. I have learned the value of work and the dollar. Working on that farm was not easy work. It was exhausting, brutal, and most definitely, hot. However, it made me understand that money is not easy to come by, and in order to make it in this world, hard work is necessary. At a young age, I found that if this was the work that was necessary to keep a summer job afloat, my future career would involve a lot of focus and effort. Although I am not advancing to a career in the agricultural space, I do see a lot of lessons that transfer over to the space of physical therapy. I have a great motive for hard work now, and so far, that has not let me down in life.

Pop music is a dime a dozen, but I do not think that can be said about a few. Within those few lie Chappel Roan. While you can sit back and understand that most pop artists only produce for fame and fortune, Chappell Roan does things a little differently. I have been a big fan of Chappell Roan for a long time. Like any other music composer, I started out enjoying the funky groves of her songs. I believe that most people solely enjoy Chappell Roan's strong beats and lively lyrics. However, the more I listen to her, the more I start to understand more about her. I believe that Chappell Roan makes music to speak her mind. Her views are usually unusual and oppose most of the public's ideas. That does not stop listeners from adoring her. On the contrary, I believe she is persuading her listeners to agree with her, and for good reason. A lot of her viewpoints weigh them. Just look at the hit song "Casual" and its main story behind it. She is persuading the audience that it is okay to be with someone you love, even if it means nobody else thinks it is right. While one's first impression of this may be opposing, as if a relationship is unattractive on the outside, it may not be the right relationship. However, if you dig deep, you can find out that Chappell Roan is advocating for what she likes, and even if others don't agree, Chappell is doing what she wants to do. This may be a strong opinion, as, from the outside, Chappell Roan's music is solely about love and romance. However, looking at the concept clues, I believe Chappell is saying something unique. Her opinion may not be "correct" to society, but with the subtle influence of Chappell Roan's music, society's beliefs might just change. Besides that, I believe that Chappell is just happy to speak her true mind. Being herself on a large stage seems to be important to her. If Chappell was in it for the fame and glory, I do not believe she would be singing about the things she sings. However, I can see that she truly enjoys and is passionate about her lyrics. With this in mind, I adore what she is doing. Chappell Roan impacted me strongly. After looking deeper in her, and realizing that Chappell is a bold and strong girl, I understood that certain blessings can be used for the greater good. Everyone has goals, and my goals are tailored to my interests. However, I can also say that I have a strong motive and opinions about the field I hope to enter. I know, through the examples that Chappell Roan set, that I can make a positive and large impact through my practices. Not only can I achieve the goals I want to achieve, but I can also make a difference.

My favorite book, The Outsiders, was read as a class reading assignment in 5th grade. I have read the book previously, but as I loved the story, I fully decided to read it again in this class with full knowledge I already knew everything I needed for the tests. However, to my surprise, a new element of the story was released to me during this experience. This was the fact that there was a movie. After reading the book, our teacher turned on the movie version of the book, and it definitely was an interesting experience. When you read a book once, you tend to picture the scenes in your head. However, when you read a book twice, those scenes get imprinted in your mind. It is no longer your imagination of what the scene may look like, but instead an actual representation of the scene. However, when that movie turned on, every single picture was different. I did not realize such vibrant colors, passionate characters, and amazing views were possible with this story. Although I thought I envisioned the most ideal image of what the book should look like, I was very wrong. The Outsiders takes place a long time ago, and while I have a good grasp on what the times may have looked like, I did not know how intense it could be. Not only the visuals, but the soundtrack and voices made everything so much better. There was emotion and drama. There was hurt and sorrow. And best of all, there was rapid excitement. Authors can only describe such scenes, and then it is up to the reader to figure out what that scene may look like. However, this movie took that to the next step. Though different than I imagined, the movie portrayed the book in an amazing light. We watched that movie in class, and afterward, I said that it was the best movie I had ever seen. Although I can not say the same thing right now, I believe that the excitement I was feeling watching an amazing remake of my favorite book was beyond me. It was one of the coolest experiences, and I am super proud that this movie turned out as good as it was. Since this experience, reading books has changed dramatically for me. I no longer limit myself to the capabilities of my mind. I now read books knowing very well that the colors, feelings, music, and drama are likely much more than I envision it. It has made me grow so much as not only a reader but also a visioner. I know that the limit that I think is possible is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to reading.

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field allow me to assist people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey began by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! A career in physical fitness was the one for me. After giving it thought, I decided to go for it. Went to school for Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelor's, amazing work opportunities in this field will open for me. My desire for this career is so strong, that even when I obtain it, I plan on continuing both my education and my impactfulness. I hope to not only absorb from others but also teach others what I have learned. I plan on writing publications, making books, and producing videos to help people strive in this field. One is never too old to stop learning. In addition, everything I learn will go straight into my practice. My goal with this career is to help as many people as I can, and I will do anything in my power to carry that mindset deep into my future. Leaving patients not only satisfied with their treatment but also satisfied with their new knowledge is something that I hope to bring to this community. Once everything is said and done, I will be commuting every morning to a workplace that I love. This scholarship will allow me to continue schooling and get my bachelor's degree. I will soon start as a physical therapist assistant and work myself up from there. However, getting through school and having the ability to overcome my current financial struggles is step one. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

My first concert was actually only a few months ago! As a music lover and struggling musician, it may come as a surprise that I have not been to one since, but it is true. I invited my family to a Smashing Pumpkins concert a few months ago. Looking back at it, I am not completely sure what compelled me to want to go, but nonetheless, I was sitting on the couch staring directly at affordable tickets to my favorite band. The Smashing Pumpkins is also my parent's favorite band. The singer, Billy Corgan, actually went to the same high school as my mother. She saw him in local small shows plentifully. Because of this fact, they said yes without hesitation. Because of their excitement, I found it appropriate to invite other members of my family. Along with my parents, by cousin also decided to show up. Pretty soon, half of my immediate family was coming. My girlfriend decided to tag along too, as it was silly not to invite her at this point. This concert was beginning to be a big event. Everyone was talking about it. With only a month to go, I got excited too. Needless to say though, I was very nervous. I have never been to a concert before, and being the introverted person I am, I was worried that I was not going to act right. I have seen videos of concerts before, at all of them seem to be very wild. That is not my personality type, so while I was looking forward to this concert, I was also anxious about how it would turn out. Fast forward to the event, and it must have been one of the most fun times I have had in my life. This is no exaggeration, as there is very little that can top hanging out with my family and listening to my favorite band. They were amazing. In addition, I had nothing to worry about, as I was extremely happy just sitting there and listening to them play. There was absolutely nothing to be anxious about. After the concert, I was pumped. I loved every minute of it, and weirdly enough, I was more excited to go home and think about what just happened than I was for the concert itself. The culture, vibe, and experience left a very big imprint on me. Everything about it was great, and I was super happy to have the memories to look back on it. This experience made me want to go to plenty more. I have made plans with friends directly after the concert, and am looking forward to those concerts just as much as this last one. In addition, I have played guitar almost constantly since. I know that there is a small chance I will make it on a stage like Billy Corgan, but I like to think that one day, maybe that could be me.

I am pursuing science. Specifically, I am pursuing exercise science. I should not be in the eyes of teachers, but here I am. Let me explain. Throughout my schooling, I was destined to be a business major. I read business books, ran businesses myself, and was the son and grandson of successful business owners. However, as it turns out, I am not going into that field. The field I was not supposed to go into was science. I was not into laboratory instances. Chemicals were not my thing and environmental studies did not interest me at all. What segment I did not look into much of was the human body. Besides health, the human body was never mentioned to me in high school or middle school. It was not until recently that I discovered this career path. Science in fitness is necessary for our human development. If you look at all of the movies in which the society is run down, most of the time, the characters are extremely obese. It is the epitome of laziness in a run-down future. For our future to be bright, I truly believe that we need to all exercise and nutrition our body. It is something that should and will likely never go away. In addition, constant development in this field has yet to bring improvements to society. This will only help everyone. Exercise is an extreme part of our culture, and I am sure that it will be for years to come. I am obsessed with exercise and fitness. Unlike the science industry, this has been with me forever. I wish to make a change. Pursuing this field not only gets me to where I want to be, but I will be able to get other people to that final destination also. America is obese, and it is an issue. Obesity is one of the largest social issues in the U.S., and with it resolved, America can not only be healthier but also a happier country overall. Solving this crisis will do wonders for our nation. Since I was in 5th grade, I have been working out in the gym with my parents. I have played almost every sport there is. Little did I know that there was such an industry behind exercise and health specifically. It seemed like it was almost the perfect career choice. Without knowing, I have even listened to multiple podcasts and videos on exercise in hopes of improving myself. Little did I know that this learning would eventually end me up with a college degree later on. Right now, I am currently applying to many major universities to continue my education in this field. In a few years after my bachelor's, I may attempt a major in physical therapy. Only time will tell for that one though. Though a quick decision, I am happy to start learning about the human body and the effects of exercise.

I never hear the end of it. To be honest, it is not even a bad thing either. My father served in the United States Army as a mechanic. From his words exactly, it completely changed his life around. I have heard a lot of different stories about how great the military is. However, my dad's point of view was my favorite. He was such a bad kid at a young age. During high school, he got kicked out of school for punching the principal. Knowing my dad, this was not even the worst thing he had done. However, after having no options for a future after that, my dad went into the military. His stories are plentiful, but they all wrap up how difficult but rewarding the journey was. From that, he was developed into the person he is today. He grew physically and mentally; he became a strong and humble man. The military proceeds to then give you the opportunities to grow to your full potential. After a few years of growth, he stepped back into the world with a bright life ahead of him. That is exactly what happened. After hearing this on repeat, I can say that the military does not directly support my aspirations. However, I am not putting down the system at all. From everything I have learned, I recommend it to almost everyone as it applies to many cases of plans. I am attempting to become a strength and conditioning coach for the Miami Dolphins at a young age; thus, I have a different path waiting for me. This is not to say though that my father's stories meant nothing to me. It is quiet on the contrary. From there, I learned how to be strong. There is always room past your breaking point. My father taught me to push past my comfort zone and stretch my barriers. Most importantly though, he taught me one of my favorite life lessons. He explained that you can do it yourself or can be forced to do it. What he meant by this is simple. You can choose to put in the hard work now and choose a life you want. Or you can take the easy way, live comfortably for the moment, and then be forced to do what you do not want for a life you do not want. Either choose to do it yourself or be forced to do it. Right now, based on previous exercise experience, I am studying Kinesiology. The field excites me, and it is something I am very interested in. After graduation, I hope to be in the likes of an exercise strength facility for a sports team. Of course, my education will be ever expanding in a place like this being around like-minded people will allow me to learn what they know. I am ever grateful for where I am today, and super excited for the future to come!

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field give me the opportunity to assist people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey began by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! A career in physical fitness was the one for me. After giving it thought, I decided to go for it. Went to school for Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelor's, amazing work opportunities in this field will open for me. My desire for this career is so strong, that even when I obtain it, I plan on continuing both my education and my impactfulness. I hope to not only absorb from others but also teach others what I have learned. I plan on writing publications, making books, and producing videos to help people strive in this field. One is never too old to stop learning. In addition, everything I learn will go straight into my practice. My goal with this career is to help as many people as I can, and I will do anything in my power to carry that mindset deep into my future. Leaving patients not only satisfied with their treatment but also satisfied with their new knowledge is something that I hope to bring to this community. Once everything is said and done, I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. This scholarship will allow me to continue schooling and get my bachelor's degree. I will soon start as a physical therapist assistant and work myself up from there. However, getting through college and having the ability to overcome my current financial struggles is step one. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

Alzheimer's disease is not just a case of forgetting. When you look at it like that, it seems rather silly. Everyone forgets, but not like this. To put it nicely, Alzheimer's disease is actually like a nuke just dropped on someone's personality. Their head and mind are completely changed, and worst of all, they are not even there anymore mentally, but only physically. For me, that is the worst thing that can happen to someone and their family. Let me explain. I have had two people that were very close to me suffer from Alzheimer's disease. My grandfather suffered from Alzheimer's for the majority of what I can remember from him. In addition, Gene, my neighbor, and a good friend also suffers from the same disease. Saying that Alzheimer's has made a huge dent in my life is an understatement. Seeing loved ones forget who you are is one of the worst feelings I have ever felt, and it is a feeling I have felt plentifully. Sadly, I did not know my grandpa all too well. I only interacted well with him at a very young age, and unfortunately, I have no good memories of him. However, seeing my parent's reactions to him forgetting me is more than eneugh to know the significance of the situation. I remember small details about a few of our interactions. Though they seemed relatively normal to me, it turned out that something much bigger was going on behind the scenes. He was just talking to a random child at the time. It was not his loved grandchild anymore, but just a random child. I never truly knew my grandfather because of this. As I stated, I have no memory of what he used to be like. I knew him only via the memories of him with Alzheimer's. I was too young to realize it then, but now, I understand fully that I was not talking to my grandfather. I was talking to a random old man. He was not the person he used to be, and it makes me very sad to grasp that I never actually knew him. I hear stories of how generous and great he was, and while I can picture that in my mind, I know that that character is just a figment of my imagination. Though my neighbor was not family, I consider her to be. Gene, a 90-year-old grandmother, has been my close neighbor for years. Not only did I help her out with many chores and jobs, but she did so via conversation and company. Memories of her sitting outside of her house when I came back from school still take over my mind. I suppose you do not realize what you have until it's gone, because, in a flash, she simply was gone. She stopped sitting outside, and while I assumed that was because of her old age, I quickly realized it was worse. She had been taken to a nursing home without warning. Though visiting is routine for us, it is like we are strangers to her. Heartbreaking is an understatement to how it feels knowing that she shares no more memories of or with me. Someone who used to be so close and caring quickly turned into a random stranger with all acts of interaction gone. To us, it seems like she is not even there anymore, but the worst part is, is that she is still there. The lady I once knew is still alive and able, yet it is as if she was not. Having the ability to interact, yet not know each other is arguably worse than not being able to see her at all. Physically, the possibility of memorable interaction is alive in our heads, but in reality, she will never be the same. Words can not describe the impact one goes through while battling this. Though Gene is alive, her way of life is drastically thrown off. She will never be the same again, and it is even sadder to think that she will never know how she was before. My grandfather died a while back, and even though my family remembers him for how he used to be, deep down, I know that he passed not knowing who I was. It is a memory I wish I could forget, but unfortunately, I have come to acceptance that it will always be like that. It is easy to say that Alzheimer's disease has been around me for my whole life. It angers me to see that it is looked at with such little sympathy. To the normal person, Alzheimer's disease is just forgetting stuff. I forget stuff, and I am sure that you do too. However, it is so much greater than that, and it affects the people around them with much significance too. I have deep sympathy for anyone going through this because I have seen with my own eyes the significance it has for everyone. I have looked at Alzheimer's disease in a magnified light, and I hope to do my part in preventing it. It is almost impossible for me to ignore this disease as it has affected me so much. I am currently pursuing a career in physical therapy, and although it is solely based on physical health, I have already learned a multitude of physical exercises that combat Alzheimer's that I am hoping to use in my future practice. I will do anything in my power to make sure as few as possible families have to go through what I did. Alzheimer's is real, and it is very significant.

To me, socializing as one big entity is equality. When there are no barriers, boundaries, or rules, only then can a community come together as one. I knew this detail from the bottom of my heart, and this is what I set out to accomplish. To explain, I moved to Florida during my freshman year of high school. I came from a small town in Indiana and was accustomed to that way of life. When I came to Florida, I did so with the mindset of a small town. This was a small town where everyone knew everyone. There were no enemies, but only friends. There were no strangers, but only neighbors. I was very happy here, but I also do not think I was grateful eneugh because I simply did not know what I had at the time. When I moved into my new neighborhood, I realized how different life was here. Everyone was not neighborly. I found this out quickly, as I regularly walked the neighborhood with my dogs at the time. The absence of waiving back, communication, or even acknowledgment was loud. I then unknowingly started to combat this. After making a notice of each neighbor while walking my dogs every day, I eventually started to gain relationships with them. Though slow and minimal, a new wave would then turn into a verbal hello. The more days that passed, the more I made new friends in the neighborhood. In addition, I also made very close friends by offering work. Though I did not realize at the time that I was getting everyone together, I did realize that I was making more friends. I offered my services to each neighbor I knew, and surprisingly, most of them accepted. Being a freshman in high school, money was tight but the yearning for it was strong. Helping with gardening, cleaning, or dog sitting became the usual for me. Life was good, but the neighborhood still was not the same. With the power I have gotten from my friendship and companionship in the neighborhood, I decided to take charge and make a difference. I hosted parties, get-togethers, and outings. I would offer families to stop by our house for a birthday party, a fourth of July celebration, or even just breakfast. About a year later, it seemed as if a magic spell was cast upon us. Everyone in the neighborhood not only knew each other but enjoyed each other's company. Today, I see neighbors visiting each other on the regular. It is not a stretch to say that this new neighborhood turned more friendly than my old one did. People of all races, colors, and nationalities all came together as one. Although I do not want to take full credit for this transformation, I do enjoy looking back and seeing the amazing features my neighbors have gone through. It is a small difference in a big world, but I believe every little step matters. It is one small step for America, but it is one great step for equality.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is a fair share of people out there who could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfillment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthily. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. My personal reason was due to family and friend relationships deteriorating, but coincidentally enough, this ruined all of my other relationships too. Not only that l, but my school work became harder to finish, my work ethic became less passionate at my job, and my entire life was a big blur. This moment ruined me, but getting out of it made me a much better person in the end. I am not sympathizing only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard, I would still find myself breaking down. I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it though. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. My biggest fear moment came through this. Though there are resources at our fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgments. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is a terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. In this society, mental health issues are increasing rapidly due to social media, technology, and life struggles. Many people go through it, yet for some reason, it is looked upon as almost a joke. Making sure to not give in to that viewpoint was the best step in the right direction. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

The whole world needs to adapt to this new mindset. While certain operations have taken a bigger leap than others regarding the LGBTQ+ mindset, it is still easy to say that we have a long journey ahead of ourselves I am currently enrolled in one of the world's largest Universities. UCF is a dominant name in the college world, and currently, it shows. After being at this school for a year, I understand why so many students flock to it. In my eyes, it is because of how open it is. It is not open in a physical way, but instead in a mental way. I have not run into a professor yet that has a biased stereotype of the LGBTQ+ world. Though to us, this seems like common sense, individuals engrossed in the subject will know that this is not how the world is functioning these days. The topic is getting better, but nowhere near the standards of how normal life should be carried out. As a student on this campus, I can tell that this is one of the operations in life that have gotten ahead regarding this. It gives me hope for future establishments to run the same way. However, the barriers I have seen are extensive. Grade school is not very accepting of this mindset. Actually, it almost seems like students run the schools, and when everyone is a pre-teen or child, it is not a very encouraging space to learn in. I am much happier in college, and I can see that there was a major step in the right direction when it came to equality. Right now, my major is in Kinesiology. Though I have switched up my major many times, I believe that this is going to be the best topic for me to study and advance in. The study of exercise and the body is something I have unknowingly been researching most of my life. In this field, I hope to maintain a master's degree and go on to a lifelong job of training. I have many career goals for myself in the future. However, about the LGBTQ+ lifestyle, I hope to simply spread awareness in this field. Many athletes and high-performing individuals are very caught up in their ways. Though it works for them, I want to make sure everyone has a clear understanding that gender roles may not work for everyone. This field seems to be a little behind on the transitioning period of gender roles, and I can assure myself that I will make a huge difference in this. After my undergraduate degree, I do not know what school I will carry on my education at. By the sounds of it, I will likely not continue at UCF because of the extreme competition in this field. However, I have found out that UCF is a world-renowned school when it comes to LGBTQ+ subjects, and no matter where I go, I am sure to bring the same mentality I learned from UCF. I have seen a lot of positive actions on this campus, and with my understanding of the world, it would be amazing to see the positive attitudes, open-mindedness, and understanding in other places. I am excited to carry on this mindset, and I am super grateful for such an educational life so far with the LGBTQ+ mindset.

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field give me the opportunity to help people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey began by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! A career in physical fitness was the one for me. After giving it thought, I decided to go for it. Went to school for Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant very soon. After graduating with a bachelor's, amazing work opportunities in this field will open for me. My desire for this career is so strong, that even when I obtain it, I plan on continuing both my education and my impactfulness. I hope to not only absorb from others but also teach others what I have learned. I plan on writing publications, making books, and producing videos to help people strive in this field. One is never too old to stop learning. In addition, everything I learn will go straight into my practice. My goal with this career is to help as many people as I can, and I will do anything in my power to carry that mindset deep into my career. Leaving patients not only satisfied with their treatment but also satisfied with their new knowledge is something that I hope to bring to this community. Once everything is said and done, I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. This scholarship will allow me to continue schooling and get my bachelor's degree. I will soon start as a physical therapist assistant and work myself up from there. However, getting through college and having the ability to overcome my current financial struggles is step one. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is definitely a fair share of people out there who could benefit from it. To be clear, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfillment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthily. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathizing only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall down, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at our fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgments. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is an absolutely terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

I am the direct dependent of a single mom. For most of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We have not seen him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take good care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. The biggest obstacle I have seen, first handily, was time and energy. It is tough to do multiple jobs at once meant for two people. It is doable, but it is hard. You need to prioritize and spend every second wisely. If something goes out of the plan, the whole day does. On top of that, you need to have constant energy to keep going. Even if everything does work out, it is hard to get yourself up to clean the house after a full shift and dealing with a kid. All in all, I have major respect for other single mothers out there. My mother and I conquered this journey, and with determination, I know others can too. Although not much, I believe my persuasion to get active is beneficial to the community. Getting as many people involved in physical activity is important to me, and I believe I am contributing to that increasing number. As stated before, eating precisely is also an important part of staying healthy, which is why I often bring healthy snacks such as fruit and vegetable snacks to workouts and practices. Preaching to eat healthy is a small action but will surely make a dent in this crisis we have in America. I plan to help the community much further in the future via my career. I am lucky eneugh to go after my dream career as a physical therapist. It is a big goal for me, and I hope to do wonders for others with it.

Without me knowing it, I have found that God has been a big factor in my life. For most of my life now, I was not actively next to God. As sad as it might be for some, the family I grew up in did not cherish his presence. My family can in no way be considered harsh or bad. However, their morals did not have any influence by god or religion. I say that God has been a big factor for me though in my early life, and is still a big contributor because there have been some truly insane instances in my life. Little by little, each instance that stood to shock me pointed me in the direction of God. At the end of the day, there is no way all of these situations can occur without the act of God. There are a lot of telltales that have happened to me, but to say I am lucky or it is a coincidence is almost too common. My life has been guided by god since the beginning. Just recently, I have gotten to gather up all of these instances and realize that they are way too far-fetched to all be luck. I undoubtedly know that there is someone or something that is helping me on this journey of life, and many, call him God. Now since I realize how big of an impact this figure has on my life, I started to devote more of my own life to him. Since I have started to incorporate him into my life more, I see my life-changing for the better. Things that I struggled with before seem to be coming with ease now. Things such as making friends, getting good grades, and managing money seem to just work when I follow his morals and teachings. I started valuing this figure in college, but the more I follow his word, the more I see his impact everywhere. I have not started my career yet, but I do see this pattern repeating. He has already made my journey to my career much better, so why would my career not turn out the same way? My goal was to always make myself happy with my career choice. Though I am more than happy now and I do see myself continuing this trait, I now aim to make others happy. I know that this is through God's word, and now that I realize it, I am more excited to enter the field I am going into. Knowing that it is not about helping yourself, but more about what you can do for others not only clears things up in life but also makes things easier to accomplish. Though I did not follow God closely in my early life, I do know that he was always with me. Once I realized his presence, I knew how important it was to dedicate a portion of my life to him. It has been a great decision since, helping me with all aspects of life, and I know that he will keep helping me later in life too.

I will say it. I do not come from a successful background. We all started from the bottom. Though we overcome our obstacles, we can say together that nothing is big enough to hold us down. Let me explain. I was not looked up to as the smart kid in school. I had conflicting goals and viewpoints on life. I would hear one thing at school, one thing in the media, and one thing at home that would all contradict each other. It seemed as if I was coasting through life with no direct endpoint. It was not until 5th grade that I started pushing myself. I am not gifted. I am not naturally intelligent. I am not knowledgeable. However, what I do have is willpower. I can work hard and not give up. If I set my sights on a goal, I will figure out how to accomplish it. When I did get my sights in line, I knew that my career needed a good school record to back it up. I worked my hardest in school. Seeking extra help, taking my time, learning to focus, and challenging myself gave me great success in school. It hits different graduating at the top 10% of your class when you know you started at the very back of the pack. As of now, I am finishing up my associate degree for a smooth transition into a University to finish off my career goals. Looking deep into my field of study, you will see a lot of misconceptions. A large number of people say it is boring, has no future, and is not worth it. A large number of people also say that it is a great path to start with, can lead to big success, and can be applied everywhere. When you look at the people who support it, this field gave them great success in life. When you look at people who do not support it, it seems as if they do not understand the subject completely, so let me explain. Everything in this world revolves around finance. I do not think that is an understanding either. The part that people generally think about is the stock market and banks. Though an essential part of our community also, every business has to have financial backing to it. In today's world, everything is a business. Plain and simple, I believe this lack of money attitude is what makes everyone drive toward it so much. You want what you can not get. Now, if I can bring financial stability to others, hopefully, the world can see for themselves that money is not what should be driving your life. My career field of choice is a financial advisor. If I can get my hands on that position, I will find a direct way to change people's lives. Not only can I get the message out, but I can show these people how to recover from debt and live a truly happy life. I consider my pathway beneficial to the world. It has been a goal for a long time to bring this knowledge of finances to others. I do not think that America knows much about both controlling their money and what money brings to them. We are extremely undereducated on these subjects. Yet, it is the controlling factor of most of the population. Like I said before, America runs on finances. I am willing to go through many hoops and obstacles to reach this goal. Nothing will stand in my way.

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field give me the opportunity to assist people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey began by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! A career in physical fitness was the one for me. After giving it thought, I decided to go for it. Went to school for Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelor's, amazing work opportunities in this field will open for me. My desire for this career is so strong, that even when I obtain it, I plan on continuing both my education and my impactfulness. I hope to not only absorb from others but also teach others what I have learned. I plan on writing publications, making books, and producing videos to help people strive in this field. One is never too old to stop learning. In addition, everything I learn will go straight into my practice. My goal with this career is to help as many people as I can, and I will do anything in my power to carry that mindset deep into my career. Leaving patients not only satisfied with their treatment but also satisfied with their new knowledge is something that I hope to bring to this community. Once everything is said and done, I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. This scholarship will allow me to continue schooling and get my bachelor's degree. I will soon start as a physical therapist assistant and work myself up from there. However, getting through college and having the ability to overcome my current financial struggles is step one. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

Starting with a clean pallet, the definition of success is getting what you want. This normally looks about the same for everyone. Working towards family, material goods, and financial security is what the basic stereotype looks like. Some people even take this a step further and find that simple happiness is what matters most. While this all still rings true for me, right now, my definition of success is a lot simpler than that. It can be described in one word: purpose. Taking a step back, I have a huge passion for fitness and health. The human body and the secrets it hides are fascinating to me. Even when I was a kid, I remember studying for a health assessment at the YMCA and getting the highest score in the establishment's history. This moment is when I figured out that if I dedicate my life to this field, I can do wonders for the world. This takes us to the present day, where I am currently a kinesiology undergraduate at the University of Central Florida. It was not as easy as it seemed to get to this point, but either way, I made it to a University where I study what I love. Since this acceptance, I have been making the most of it. I have put out multiple publications, participated in research studies, and assisted professors in classwork. I have been making a difference, and I believe this was the second realization point in my life when it came to my career. When I finished that assessment at the YMCA, I knew that I wanted to dive deeper into this field. However, when I started exploring the field at a University, I found that spreading what knowledge I have learned throughout my life is what makes me proud. I can finally recognize all the hard work I have done. Not only this, but this hard work was quite fun. All of this summarized is the reason for my definition of success. As stated, my definition of success has been defined for me through my educational years studying overall health and fitness. I found out that I love putting this knowledge into practice, and it makes me feel ecstatic when I make a difference, which is my main goal now. I want to have a purpose. This idea of success is a little different than everyone else's. While this does inedibility get me to the same happiness everyone is seeking out for, I wish less for the money and fame and more for the idea of chasing after a bigger purpose than myself. I truly believe that I can make a big dent in the health and fitness industry. The amount of people I can truly touch in a life-affirming way sends me chills every time I think about it. The idea of chasing this purpose for others instead of yourself is something I consider pure and right. The longer life goes on, the more I think about this goal. Fame can deteriorate, and most get used to money. However, the more this goal sticks in my head, the more positive attributes I find with it. The question on the table now is: how will I transcribe this knowledge in the fitness industry into life-changing occurrences? After my undergraduate years in college, I have my sights set on graduate school for physical therapy. Physical therapy is a field in which you can help all types of people recover from an insane variety of casualties. Most of the time, therapists find themselves with a patient who does not know anything about the task at hand, and that is what I am most excited about. Educating the world on how to better themselves physically is what this world needs. I understand that not everyone has the time to research topics like cardiovascular stress or circadian rhythm, so if I can connect to the people who need it, I can allow them to continue with their lives and their versions of success without this obstacle in the way. I do not plan on stopping there though. I am going to make it a priority to continue publishing educational resources to the world to help people get passed whatever they are going through. I hope to help the world in every possible way I can. I hope to make a difference and give my life a strong purpose. That takes us to the present day again. I am taking things one step at a time to reach this goal. As an undergraduate student at a large University, I find any way I can to fund this venture that I have going for me. With high hopes of continuing down this path, this scholarship will hopefully get me one step closer to my success.

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field give me the opportunity to help people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey began by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! A career in physical fitness was the one for me. After giving it thought, I decided to go for it. Went to school for Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelor's, amazing work opportunities in this field will open for me. My desire for this career is so strong, that even when I obtain it, I plan on continuing both my education and my impactfulness. I hope to not only absorb from others but also teach others what I have learned. I plan on writing publications, making books, and producing videos to help people strive in this field. One is never too old to stop learning. In addition, everything I learn will go straight into my practice. My goal with this career is to help as many people as I can, and I will do anything in my power to carry that mindset deep into my career. Leaving patients not only satisfied with their treatment but also satisfied with their new knowledge is something that I hope to bring to this community. Once everything is said and done, I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. This scholarship will allow me to continue schooling and get my bachelor's degree. I will soon start as a physical therapist assistant and work myself up from there. However, getting through college and having the ability to overcome my current financial struggles is step one. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

Being a part of the disabled community has completely changed my viewpoints in many ways. It has made me more aware of the challenges that people with disabilities face on a daily basis and has given me a greater appreciation for the struggles and triumphs that come with living with a disability. This experience has also opened my eyes to the lack of accessibility and accommodations for people with disabilities in many aspects of society, such as education, employment, and public spaces. One of the most significant ways being a part of the disabled community has changed my worldview is through the realization of the barriers and obstacles that individuals with disabilities encounter daily. Whether it's physical accessibility, discrimination, or lack of accommodations, it has become apparent to me that systemic changes are needed to create a more inclusive and equitable society. This has motivated me to become an advocate and ally for the disabled community, using my voice to educate and raise awareness about the challenges they face. Moreover, being a part of the disabled community has also allowed me to see the strength and resilience of individuals who face adversity daily. It has taught me the importance of empathy and understanding and has inspired me to take a more active role in creating a supportive and inclusive environment for everyone. By recognizing the unique perspectives and talents of individuals with disabilities, I have gained a deeper appreciation for the value of diversity and the contributions that everyone can make to society. In light of my experiences, I am committed to using my voice and platform to positively impact my future endeavors. I believe that by leveraging my unique perspective and lived experiences, I can advocate for change and work towards creating a more inclusive and accessible world. Whether it's through education, policy advocacy, or community engagement, I am dedicated to using my experiences to push for positive change and ensure that individuals with disabilities are afforded the same opportunities and rights as everyone else. I intend to use my platform to advocate for inclusive policies and practices that will benefit the disabled community. I strive to create a more accessible and welcoming environment for individuals with disabilities, whether it's through workplace accommodations, educational resources, or community initiatives. By leveraging my personal experiences and understanding, I am confident that I can make a meaningful impact in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion for all individuals alike. Overall, being a part of the disabled community has transformed my perspectives and given me a deeper understanding of the importance of inclusivity and accessibility. I am committed to using my experiences positively to advocate for change, inspire others, and be a source of support and encouragement for those within the disabled community. Through education, awareness, and advocacy, I hope to contribute towards creating a more inclusive and accessible society for people of all abilities.

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field give me the opportunity to help people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey began by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! A career in physical fitness was the one for me. After giving it thought, I decided to go for it. Went to school for Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelors, amazing work opportunities in this field will start to open for me. My desire for this career is so strong, that even when I obtain it, I plan on continuing both my education and my impactfulness. I hope to not only absorb from others but also teach others what I have learned. I plan on writing publications, making books, and producing videos to help people strive in this field. One is never too old to stop learning. In addition, everything I learn will go straight into my practice. My goal with this career is to help as many people as I can, and I will do anything in my power to carry that mindset deep into my career. Leaving patients not only satisfied with their treatment but also satisfied with their new knowledge is something that I hope to bring to this community. Once everything is said and done, I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. This scholarship will allow me to continue schooling and get my bachelor's degree. I will soon start as a physical therapist assistant and work myself up from there. However, getting through college and having the ability to overcome my current financial struggles is step one. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field give me the opportunity to help people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey began by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! I originally thought that the career path for me was in business. However, after some experience in the field, I found that this was not the case. I realized what was in front of me all along. A career in physical fitness was the one for me. After giving it thought, I decided to go for it. Went to school for Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelors, amazing work opportunities in this field will start to open for me. My desire for this career is so strong, that even when I obtain it, I plan on continuing both my education and my impactfulness. I hope to not only absorb from others but also teach others what I have learned. I plan on writing publications, making books, and producing videos to help people strive in this field. One is never too old to stop learning. In addition, everything I learn will go straight into my practice. My goal with this career is to help as many people as I can, and I will do anything in my power to carry that mindset deep into my career. Leaving patients not only satisfied with their treatment but also satisfied with their new knowledge is something that I hope to bring to this community. Once everything is said and done, I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. This scholarship will allow me to continue schooling and get my bachelor's degree. I will soon start as a physical therapist assistant and work myself up from there. However, getting through college and having the ability to overcome my current financial struggles is step one. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

Sabrina Carpenter was an influence on the media for a long time. I can say this because I remember when she appeared in the popular Disney show "Girl Meets World". It was a new TV show at the time, and it was also the first time that I saw Sabrina Carpenter. Little did I know that it would not be the last. Today, she now appears on multiple platforms. Seeing a girl like this go from a Disney TV show to a global superstar is a big influence. This is especially true as I realize Disney allows open castings to most of their shows. From that standpoint, this girl went from zero to one hundred in her professional career. While most people may just look at her as a singer and movie star, I look at her as a motivated and disciplined woman who achieved her dreams. Today, I look at my goals. I know that they are widely large and intimidating. However, with the quote to "reach for the stars" stuck in my head, along with amazing individuals such as Sabrina Carpenter out there making these goals possible, I know I have a great chance if I put in the work. So far, I believe I have done close to the impossible with this mindset. I have gotten into my dream school when everything was against me. I have changed my major to one that revolves around my true passion in life. I have even gone through three years in University without any way to pay for it when starting out. Though these are all smaller goals on the large journey I am pursuing, I do not think I would have had the mindset that any of it was possible without amazing people in this world like Sabrina Carpenter. My career going to look vastly different than Sabrina Carpenter's. I do not want to be an actor, a singer, or an influencer. However, I do want to achieve amazing things, such as Sabrina did. With that in mind, Sabrina has helped me in ways that are unimaginable to the average person. Accomplishing the impossible just became possible with Sabrina Carpenter's help and influence on me.

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field give me the opportunity to help people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey began by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! I realized what was in front of me all along I did not realize that this could be a life-changing career decision. After giving it thought, I decided to go for it. Went to school for Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelors, amazing work opportunities in this field will start to open for me. My desire for this career is so strong, that even when I obtain it, I plan on continuing both my education and my impactfulness. I hope to not only absorb from others but also teach others what I have learned. I plan on writing publications, making books, and producing videos to help people strive in this field. One is never too old to stop learning. In addition, everything I learn will go straight into my practice. My goal with this career is to help as many people as I can, and I will do anything in my power to carry that mindset deep into my career. Leaving patients not only satisfied with their treatment but also satisfied with their new knowledge is something that I hope to bring to this community. Once everything is said and done, I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. This scholarship will allow me to continue schooling and get my bachelor's degree. I will soon start out as a physical therapist assistant and work myself up from there. However, getting through college and having the ability to overcome my current financial struggles is step one. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

Getting into a university is normal for many, but for some, it may just be completing the impossible. My family is very intrigued in the engineering field. While I am extremely proud of this, it is very difficult for me to pursue a dream job and step out of the family's scope of practice. It also does not make it easier when there is a lack of funds to do so. While my goal of becoming a physical therapist was an easy decision to make, it is not an easy goal to try and accomplish. To begin, I first had to relay this wish to my parents. While they ultimately are happy to see me pursue a job that I will enjoy, they are similarly pushful to go different routes. I started looking for possibilities to pursue the education I needed to become a physical therapist. A lot of schooling is needed, so I began my college search. Applying for schools is not as easy as one may think. This is especially true with no experience of doing so and no help to figure it out. Eventually, I had a solid list of candidates and applications sent out. This is where the second issue came into play. Tuition costs are expensive. It would be an understatement to say that the cost of schooling was my main influence on what university I go to. If I could not afford tuition, my chances of attending that college would be zero. I specifically found colleges in which I would be able to squeeze by. I then found the University of Central Florida. Not only was this university in my budget, but it also had great programs for what I needed. After receiving dozens of acceptance letters from other universities, I did not hear back from the University of Central Florida. After the deadline approached and left, I was left heartbroken to not hear back from them. I decided to take action into my own hands and figure out what was wrong. I messaged dozens of people and finally figured out that though I got accepted without notification of such, it was too late to register for college according to their email. Again, I fought. Even though I could have accepted this, I knew I was not going to give up on my dream this easily. I not only cited logical evidence as to why I should be let in to register but also included excerpts of the university's own rules and ideas to conclude that this decision was not right. After some miracle, I got the email for registration. Through it all, I was able to get into schooling to pursue my long pursued career as a physical therapist. My journey is not over yet, but I know that if I can get over that hurdle, I can accomplish anything. This single achievement taught me so much, but it mainly taught me that perseverance is key to achieving your goals. Getting into this university is not just an achievement of good grades and academic achievements, but also a realization that I can do great things if I put my mind to it. That is why, getting accepted into the University of Central Florida has been the greatest achievement I have accomplished. I hope to transfer this lesson into my future and into my career. Becoming one of the world's most knowledgeable and useful physical therapists is in my sights, and I can not wait until that dream becomes a reality.

Hacking is a skill that requires expertise, patience, and ingenuity. It is a practice that involves breaking into systems, networks, and computers to gain unauthorized access or manipulate data. While hacking has negative connotations in the public eye, it can also be used for positive purposes, such as identifying and fixing security vulnerabilities in systems or providing cybersecurity services. As someone who is passionate about technology and cybersecurity, I have impressed others with my hacking skills in many different cases. First and foremost, I have impressed others with my ability to identify and fix security vulnerabilities in systems. With the rise of cyber threats and attacks, organizations are becoming increasingly concerned about the safety of their data and infrastructure. They need individuals who possess the skills to detect and rectify vulnerabilities in their systems before they can be exploited by malicious actors. I have been able to demonstrate my expertise in this area by conducting thorough security assessments and penetration testing and providing recommendations for improving system security. This was with smaller companies and local businesses, but in any way I could help a friend with technology, I was willing and happy to help. Additionally, I have impressed some friends and family with my ability to diagnose and troubleshoot complex technical issues. Hacking often involves delving deep into the inner workings of a system to understand how it operates and to identify potential weaknesses. This requires a high level of technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. When faced with challenging technical problems, I have been able to apply my hacking skills to diagnose and resolve them, earning the respect and admiration of my peers and colleagues. Lastly, I have impressed others with my ability to use my hacking skills for ethical and constructive purposes. While hacking is often associated with illegal activities, it can also be used for ethical purposes, such as identifying security weaknesses in systems and providing cybersecurity services. I have earned the respect of others by using my hacking skills to help organizations improve their security posture and protect their valuable assets. This is not something I have done often, but instead only briefly, but nonetheless, it was impressive to my friends who heard about the story. To conclude all of this, my hacking skills have enabled me to impress others in various ways, from identifying and fixing security vulnerabilities to diagnosing complex technical issues, staying informed about the latest developments in cybersecurity, and using my skills for ethical and constructive purposes. I am proud to have earned the admiration of my peers and colleagues through my expertise in this field, and I am committed to continuing to use my skills to make a positive impact in the world of cybersecurity.

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field give me the opportunity to help people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey started by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! I realized what was in front of me all along I did not realize that this could be a life-changing career decision. After giving it a lot of thought, I decided to go for it. Went to school for Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelors, amazing work opportunities in this field will start to open for me. My desire for this career is so strong, that even when I obtain it, I plan on continuing both my education and my impactfulness. I hope to not only absorb from others but also teach others what I have learned. I plan on writing publications, making books, and producing videos to help people strive in this field. One is never too old to stop learning. In addition, everything I learn will go straight into my practice. My goal with this career is to help as many people as I can, and I will do anything in my power to carry that mindset deep into my career. Leaving patients not only satisfied with their treatment but also satisfied with their new knowledge is something that I hope to bring to this community. Once everything is said and done, I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. This scholarship will allow me to continue schooling and get my bachelor's degree. I will soon start out as a physical therapist assistant and work myself up from there. However, getting through college and having the ability to overcome my current financial struggles is step one. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

Right now, I am using my voice to bring change to our community. Currently, it is impossible to avoid the social issues that are buzzing around, and truthfully, I believe that it is a good thing. Bringing opinions out to the public is what is necessary for a correct choice to be made. Action does not exist without first bringing awareness to it. As for me, I hope to bring awareness to the health risks most Americans are suffering. My community, along with the entirety of America, has a very high risk for health-related diseases. This includes diabetes, obesity, heart attacks, cancer, and other related risks. As a kinesiology student, this subject is mentioned a lot in my profession. It is proven that the majority of Americans are obese. While this may not be a large problem, what comes with it is. The stated risks come up when one is not active and/or eating unhealthy foods. These two combinations are the cause of most, if not all, health-related risks. I am aware of this through my schooling, but because most Americans do not go through rigorous health-related courses at a University, I find it understandable that they do not know these facts. Although common sense for some, it is not as noticeable for most. I am making a change in my community via this specific subject. I am taking what I have learned, and I am applying it to my family, friends, and neighbors. Getting physically active is important and one of the main percussions to these risks. By hosting flag football games, practices, and workout sessions available to the public, I hope that more of the community will take me up on these offers. In addition, influencing classmates and neighbors to join the gym is also a habit of mine. So far, I have gotten a dozen neighbors to join a nearby gym through word of mouth. Because I always recommend physical activity to everyone I meet; I hope this number increases. Although not much, I believe my persuasion to get active is beneficial to the community. Getting as many people involved in physical activity is important to me, and I believe I am contributing to that increasing number. As stated before, eating correctly is also an important part of staying healthy, which is why I often bring healthy snacks such as fruit and vegetable snacks to workouts and practices. Preaching to eat healthy is a small action but will surely make a dent in this crisis we have in America. I plan to help the community much further in the future via my career. As a physical therapist assistant in training, I hope to spread the same word I do now about health to my future patients. In my eyes, anything to spread the word on this social issue and how to stop it is an improvement to our community, and most importantly, America as a nation.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is a fair share of people out there who could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfillment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthily. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than I imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathizing only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While it was hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. My biggest fear moment came through this. Though there are resources at our disposal, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgments. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is a terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first, and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens widely. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field give me the opportunity to help people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey started by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! I realized what was in front of me all along I did not realize that this could be a life-changing career decision. After giving it a lot of thought, I decided to go for it. Went to school for Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelors, work opportunities in this field will start to open for me. My desire for this career is so strong, that even when I obtain it, I plan on continuing both my education and my impactfulness. I hope to not only learn from others but also teach others what I have learned. I plan on writing publications, making books, and producing videos to help people strive in this field. One is never too old to stop learning. In addition, everything I learn will go straight into my practice. My goal with this career is to help as many people as I can, and I will do anything in my power to carry that mindset deep into my career. Leaving patients not only satisfied with their treatment but also satisfied with their new knowledge is something that I hope to bring to this community. Once everything is said and done, I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. This scholarship will allow me to continue schooling and get my bachelor's degree. I will soon start out as a physical therapist assistant and work myself up from there. However, getting through college and having the ability to overcome my current financial struggles is step one. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

I'm Eric, an honor roll student looking to earn enough funds to continue my attendance at the University of Central Florida. Through my high school journey, applied myself to the dual enrollment program during my junior and senior years at SCF. I came out of high school with 36 college credits to go towards my AA degree. I also managed to graduate within the top 10% of my class. During my college career, I have just obtained my full AA degree and am continuing with my bachelor's. The end goal entitles me to finish off with a master's degree to obtain a lasting career as a Physical Therapist I hope to help anyone I can to get their body in physically ready shape to live a long and happy life. I have a handful of hobbies. Currently, I spend a lot of my free time coaching my peers and family on fitness-related topics. Seeing others grow alongside me is a joy I can not seem to shake. I am also a strong animal lover, environmentalist, book nerd, and much more. I like to keep busy as it never lets me settle for average. Anything I can get my hands near, I'm happy to jump in on. I fancy keeping my own body physically active too. I train daily at the gym and local boxing club. I have previously met my last goal to obtain my black belt and become a Sempai in my endmost Karate school. However, my current physical goal is to one day secure a middleweight championship belt in boxing. This "reaching for the stars" mentality keeps me constantly pushing myself harder and harder to reach my goals, and so far, it has not let me down yet. This scholarship would help me make all of the above goals possible. A future goal I set is currently in action. As of now, I am learning and advancing myself to find the best possible future for me, and the people I help. The assistance from this scholarship will help me continue this journey and fulfill a career with a master's degree. All I am trudging on now is a grant and future scholarship money. However, no matter what happens, I am super excited to be here and have at least gotten this opportunity. I hope to make my life special. So many people end up wandering through life and passing without any mark left behind. That is one of my worst fears when it comes to life, and the way I am looking at things, your career is my best shot at avoiding that fear. I am proud of the track I am on now and hope to be similarly proud in the future with how far I have come. In addition, I a super excited to advance in the career path that I am choosing. Helping others in a profession that I consider myself insightful in is an exciting future I am excited to live.

Life comes with a lot of struggles, and from my personal experience, I do not think I could have overcome them through traditional methods. Some tasks just get thrown our way that should not have been. This has happened to me a few times, so let me tell you the unconventional ways I got through them. My biggest accomplishment came through getting accepted into the University of Central Florida. However, this journey was not conventional in the slightest. I applied for the school as soon as applications for the 2023 Spring Semester opened. However, I never heard back from them in the time I had to register. I had heard from every other college I applied to months before, and at this time, I simply assumed I did not get accepted. This came as a shocker for me and my family, as it meant that I had to then go out of state for my schooling. I had no other in-state options, and with only a month to prepare, I had to figure out how to travel to Louisiana for my second college choice. From this, my parents convinced me to not give up and to figure out why I never heard from UCF. Although I seemed to have accepted what happened, they did not. I ended up contacting recruitment and heard nothing. However, through thought and hope, I contacted different workers individually at the school. In my amazement, one got back to me replying that the school needed extra transcripts for the decision, but as the deadline already approached, I was out of luck. I decided to fight this, as I did not receive a notification on my end. After sending copies of my application, inserts from the UCF handbook, and other forms of proof, I got an email that I was accepted into the school. It came as nothing short of a miracle, and it was all because I thought of “out of the box” solutions to this unusual problem life threw at me. I am looking into the physical therapy field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelors, work opportunities in this field will start to open for me. However, once I continue my education, only then can I achieve my dream job of becoming a physical therapist. Once everything is said and done, I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy. In conclusion, life throws a lot of unconventional and crazy curveballs that seem to be unsolvable. However, through creativity and persistence, even the seemingly impossible is doable. Sometimes, the traditional methods may just not work.

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field give me the opportunity to help people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey started by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! This was all happening as I was pursuing a business degree. It did not take me long to realize that business was not a career choice for me. Not only did I want something more hands-on, but I also wanted to help people firsthand. Then, I realized what was in front of me all along I did not realize that this could be a life-changing career decision. After giving it a lot of thought, I decided to go for it. I changed my major to Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. Specifically, I am looking into the physical therapy field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelors, work opportunities in this field will start to open for me. However, once I continue my education, only then can I achieve my dream job of becoming a physical therapist. My desire for this career is so strong, that even when I obtain it, I plan on continuing both my education and my impactfulness. I hope to not only learn from others but also teach others what I have learned. I plan on writing publications, making books, and producing videos to help people strive in this field. One is never too old to stop learning. In addition, everything I learn will go straight into my practice. My goal with this career is to help as many people as I can, and I will do anything in my power to carry that mindset deep into my career. Leaving patients not only satisfied with their treatment but also satisfied with their new knowledge is something that I hope to bring to this community. Once everything is said and done, I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

I am the direct dependent of a single mom. For the majority of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We have not seen him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take adequate care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. The biggest obstacle I have seen, first handily, was time and energy. It is tough to do multiple jobs at once meant for two people. It is doable, but it is hard. You need to prioritize and spend every second wisely. If something goes out of the plan, the whole day does. On top of that, you need to have constant energy to keep going. Even if everything does work out, it is hard to get yourself up to clean the house after a full shift and dealing with a kid. All in all, I have major respect for other single mothers out there. My mother and I conquered this journey, and with determination, I know others can too.

Crashing waves, giant monsters, and big mountains seem to be an enticing landscape to base your book on. How about fighting monsters, slaying dragons, and traveling the world? This book will surely have a lasting impression on anyone. My book, the book that made a drastic impact on my life, took place in an office. To be more precise, a grocery store's office. It is less about fighting dragons and more about conquering tax strategies. Though my book seems prevalent to the average, it is one of the most lasting books for me, and I do recommend that everyone should read it. "Rich Dad Poor Dad" is a book series written by the insightful Robert Kiyosaki, a businessman and real-estate tycoon. Robert does not just tell us what are the best real estate properties to buy or stock exchange strategies. No, on the contrary actually, Robert tells us how to start from the bottom. He explains how to get out of the rat race and into your money-making mechanism. He tells you how to triple your earnings quickly but effectively. Oh, but this must be a scam. All of these scenarios are too good to be true. It has worked full-handedly for me. His strategies are backed up and used by almost all of the wealthiest men in the world, and then some. His readings are no secret, but they are rarely implemented by the general public. Though it still may seem too good to be true, if you implement everything Robert says in this book, it is almost certain that you will get to his level of wealth within a few years of hard work. For me, I was able to treat money and life with respect after reading only one of his books. I am on the second book now. Though time has been short, I made sure to invest my money into things that count. Instead of buying myself lavish items, I was able to invest and make enough money to constantly increase my investments. I do not have a large amount of investments at the moment, but I am surely still on my way to the top. Hence me being here right now. Now, no, my book may not seem as exciting as your murder mystery or Christmas fairy tale. But to me, it is just as engrossing. And to me, it is most certainly more impactful in my life.

I'm Eric, an honor roll student looking to earn enough funds to continue my attendance at the University of Central Florida. Through my high school journey, applied myself to the dual enrollment program during my junior and senior years at SCF. I came out of high school with 36 college credits to go towards my AA degree. I also managed to graduate within the top 10% of my class. During my college career, I have just obtained my full AA degree and am continuing with my bachelor's. The end goal entitles me to finish off with a master's degree to obtain a lasting career as a Physical Therapist I hope to help anyone I can to get their body in physically ready shape to live a long and happy life. I have a handful of hobbies. Currently, I spend a lot of my free time coaching my friends and family on fitness-related topics. Seeing others grow alongside me is a joy I can not seem to shake. I am also a strong animal lover, environmentalist, book nerd, and much more. I like to keep busy as it never lets me settle for average. Anything I can get my hands near, I'm happy to jump in on. I fancy keeping my own body physically active too. I train daily at the gym and local boxing club. I have previously met my last goal to obtain my black belt and become a Sempai in my endmost Karate school. However, my current physical goal is to one day secure a middleweight championship belt in boxing. This "reaching for the stars" mentality keeps me constantly pushing myself harder and harder to reach my goals, and so far, it has not let me down yet. This scholarship would help me make all of the above goals possible. A future goal I set is currently in action. As of now, I am learning and advancing myself to find the best possible future for me, and the people I help. The assistance from this scholarship will help me continue this journey and fulfill a career with a master's degree. All I am trudging on now is a grant and future scholarship money. However, no matter what happens, I am super excited to be here and have at least gotten this opportunity. I hope to make my life special. So many people end up wandering through life and passing without any mark left behind. That is one of my worst fears when it comes to life, and the way I am looking at things, your career is my best shot at avoiding that fear. I am proud of the track I am on now and hope to be similarly proud in the future with how far I have come. In addition, I a super excited to advance in the career path that I am choosing. Helping others in a profession that I consider myself insightful in is an exciting future I am excited to live.

If we follow our current paths, we are only getting worse. This is sadly true for a lot of aspects right now in our world. However, it is even sadder to see that the primary participant in this statement is our environment. It is taught in schools, broadcasted on social media, and discussed by neighbors. Yet somehow, very little is still being done. Like many, this was a clear complication for me. If we can all do the simple things, we can make a big change. I like contributing through my day-to-day activities, as I know these small things will add up. For instance, I turn off lights when possible, shut off the water when not used, reuse water bottles, recycle, and eat all of my leftovers. I convinced my family to install solar panels and use eco-friendly house maintenance products. These are all very small actions to do. Adding participants will only help our world. Soon, if enough people become self-conscious about their individual impact on the environment, we can turn that around. We can improve our ecosystem in dramatic ways! My friend group tends to lean in this direction similarly. Caring for the environment is cool. Hoping for a better future is cool. With this mindset, I usually attract other friends who think this way. It is amazing and almost shocking what you can learn from like-minded individuals who share the same passion. When shopping at the store, it is so easy not to take plastic if it is not needed. This is something I often thought over, but if it were done more, it would have a very profound effect on our environment from a positive standpoint. With all of this being said, I believe the most pressing environmental challenge here today is the misuse of the planet's resources. Our planet has a one-time use, and if we use it wrong, it will seriously shorten the lifespan. We need to realize this as a society and all take part together using fewer resources. Spreading the word on this is the best impact I can have, and even though I practice daily shutting the water off and recycling, it is more important that we all get on board with this idea. After all things are said, I think my involvement in the environment comes from my love for it. Since I was a kid, I had the biggest respect for nature. I adored its beauty, the sounds, and the feeling of being completely immersed. Nature is too amazing to ruin. It seems like the most amazing gift given by god, and there is a chance that it will be gone very soon. Even now, beautiful places are being torn down for our continuation of this societal development. Take nature away, and the world will be a terrible place. Making an effort, even if it is simple and easy to do, can change our planet. It can sustain God's gift, and it will make sure nothing goes to ruin.

I never hear the end of it. To be honest, it is not even a bad thing either. My father served in the United States Army as a mechanic. From his words exactly, it completely changed his life around. I have heard a lot of different stories about how great the military is. However, my dad's point of view was my favourite. He was such a bad kid at a young age. During high school, he got kicked out of school for punching the principal. Knowing my dad, this was not even the worse thing he has done. However, after having no options for a future after that, my dad went into the military. His stories are plentiful, but they all wrap up how difficult but rewarding the journey was. From that, he was developed into the person he is today. He grew physically and mentally; he became a strong and humble man. The military proceeds to then give you the opportunities to grow to your full potential. After a few years of growth, he stepped back into the world with a bright life ahead of him. That is exactly what happened. Of hearing this on repeat, I can say that the military does not directly support my aspirations. However, I am not putting down the system at all. From everything I have learned, I recommend it to almost everyone as it applies to many cases of plans. Me, I am attempting on becoming a strength and conditioning coach for the Miami Dolphins at a young age; thus, I have a different path waiting for me. This is not to say though that my father's stories meant nothing to me. It is quiet on the contrary. From there, I learned how to be strong. There is always room past your breaking point. My father taught me to push past my comfort zone and stretch my barriers. Most importantly though, he taught me one of my favourite life lessons. He told me that you can do it yourself or can be forced to do it. What he meant by this is simple. You can choose to put in the hard work now and choose a life you want. Or you can take the easy way, live comfortably for the moment, and then be forced to do what you do not want for a life you do not want. Either choose to do it yourself or be forced to do it. Right now, based on previous exercise experience, I am studying Kinesiology. The field excites me, and it is something I am very interested in. After graduation, I hope to be in the likes of an exercise strength facility for a sports team. Of course, my education will me ever expanding in a place like this being around like minded people will give me the opportunity to learn what they know. I am ever grateful for where I am today, and super excited for the future to come!

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field allow me to help people in this world, but it also allows me to partake every day in a subject I love to indulge in. This journey started by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! This was all happening as I was pursuing a business degree. It did not take me long to realize that business was not a career choice for me. Not only did I want something more hands-on, but I also wanted to help people firsthand. Then, I realized what was in front of me all along. I spent most of my time researching, planning, and partaking in the upkeep of my physical health, yet I did not realize the potential of it. I did not realize that this could be a life-changing career decision. After giving it a lot of thought, I decided to go for it. I changed my major to Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. Specifically, I am looking into the physical therapy field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelors, work opportunities in this field will start to open for me. However, once I continue my education, only then can I achieve my dream job of becoming a physical therapist. Once everything is said and done, I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

As an undergraduate student of Kinesiology, there are a variety of tools and resources that can greatly aid in studying and understanding the complex subject matter. These tools help to facilitate the learning process and enhance the depth of understanding of the intricate concepts and principles in the field of Kinesiology. Some of the essential tools used by undergraduate students in Kinesiology are textbooks, online resources, laboratory equipment, and technological tools such as apps and software. Textbooks are an indispensable tool for any college student, particularly those studying Kinesiology. They provide in-depth explanations of various topics, theories, and research findings in the field. Textbooks serve as a foundational resource for students, offering comprehensive information on anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and other relevant subfields within Kinesiology. The textbooks often include visual aids such as diagrams, illustrations, and charts to aid in the visual understanding of complex concepts. In addition to textbooks, online resources such as academic journals, research articles, and digital libraries are crucial for students in Kinesiology. These resources provide access to the latest research and findings in the field, allowing students to stay updated on current trends and developments. Online resources also enable students to access a wide range of information and perspectives, enhancing their critical thinking and analytical skills. Laboratory equipment is another essential tool for undergraduate students in Kinesiology. Practical application of theoretical knowledge is crucial in this field, and laboratory equipment enables students to conduct experiments, analyze data, and gain hands-on experience. Through laboratory exercises, students can solidify their understanding of concepts such as human movement, exercise testing, and performance assessment. Technological tools such as apps and software are increasingly being utilized in Kinesiology education. These tools offer interactive learning experiences, virtual simulations, and data analysis capabilities. For example, apps and software can be used for biomechanical analysis, exercise prescription, and performance tracking. By leveraging these technological tools, students can engage in immersive learning experiences and develop proficiency in using the latest digital resources relevant to Kinesiology. Overall, these tools are instrumental in enhancing the learning experience of undergraduate students in the Kinesiology field. They serve as aids to comprehension, critical thinking, and practical application of knowledge. As a result, students are empowered to grasp complex concepts and develop the necessary skills and competencies for a successful career in the field of Kinesiology. Whether it is through conventional resources like textbooks and laboratory equipment or through modern technological tools, these resources play a vital role in shaping the educational journey of a large number of undergraduate students in Kinesiology.

Life comes with a lot of struggles, and from my personal experience, I do not think I could have overcome them through traditional methods. Some tasks just get thrown our way that should not have been. This has happened to me a few times, so let me tell you the unconventional ways I got through them. My biggest accomplishment came through getting accepted into the University of Central Florida. However, this journey was not conventional in the slightest. I applied for the school as soon as applications for the 2023 Spring Semester opened. However, I never heard back from them in the time I had to register. I had heard from every other college I applied to months before, and at this time, I simply assumed I did not get accepted. This came as a shocker for me and my family, as it meant that I had to then go out of state for my schooling. I had no other in-state options, and with only a month to prepare, I had to figure out how to travel to Louisiana for my second college choice. From this, my parents convinced me to not give up and to figure out why I never heard from UCF. Although I seemed to have accepted what happened, they did not. I ended up contacting recruitment and heard nothing. However, through thought and hope, I contacted different workers individually at the school. In my amazement, one got back to me replying that the school needed extra transcripts for the decision, but as the deadline already approached, I was out of luck. I decided to fight this, as I did not receive a notification on my end. After sending copies of my application, inserts from the UCF handbook, and other forms of proof, I got an email that I was accepted into the school. It came as nothing short of a miracle, and it was all because I thought of “out of the box” solutions to this unusual problem life threw at me. Through this degree I am seaking, I am hoping to help as many people as I can with their health. I am currently on track to obtain a bacholers degree in kinesiology one year from now. With that, I can live my long awaited goal of helping people via a method I am passionate about. I have always loved health and wellness. Since a kid, I not only put strong emphasis on health for me, but also condoned it to all of my peers. It took me a while, but I eventually realized that this is what I wanted to do with my life. Helping people and advancing the industry is a goal I have been working towards a while. When looking into this subject, the overall health of America is at an all time low. I have already helped friends in my community when it comes to their health via the lessons I have learned in school the past few years. However, I want to make that number soar, for I wish to spread the message of wellbeing to the entirety of America. Because of the hard challenges I have faced so far, I know that anything is possible. In conclusion, life throws a lot of unconventional and crazy curveballs that seem to be unsolvable. However, through creativity and persistence, even the seemingly impossible is doable. If a goal is important eneugh, I know I will have the willpower to get through anything.

The whole world needs to adapt to this new mindset. While certain operations have taken a bigger leap than others regarding the LGBTQ+ mindset, it is still easy to say that we have a long journey ahead of ourselves I am currently enrolled in one of the world's largest Universities. UCF is a dominant name in the college world, and currently, it shows. After being at this school for a year, I understand why so many students flock to it. In my eyes, it is because of how open it is. It is not open in a physical way, but instead in a mental way. I have not run into a professor yet that has a biased stereotype of the LGBTQ+ world. Though to us, this seems like common sense, individuals engrossed in the subject will know that this is not how the world is functioning these days. The topic is getting better, but nowhere near the standards of how normal life should be carried out. As a student on this campus, I can tell that this is one of the operations in life that have gotten ahead regarding this topic. It gives me hope for future establishments to run the same way. However, the barriers I have seen are extensive. Grade school is not very accepting of this mindset. Actually, it almost seems like students run the schools, and when everyone is a pre-teen or child, it is not a very encouraging space to learn in. I am much happier in college, and I can see that there was a major step in the right direction when it came to equality. Right now, my major is in Kinesiology. Though I have switched up my major many times, I believe that this is going to be the best topic for me to study and advance in. The study of exercise and the body is something I have unknowingly been researching most of my life. In this field, I hope to maintain a master's degree and go on to a lifelong job of training. I have many career goals for myself in the future. However, about the LGBTQ+ lifestyle, I hope to simply spread awareness in this field. Many athletes and high-performing individuals are very caught up in their ways. Though it works for them, I want to make sure everyone has a clear understanding that gender roles may not work for everyone. This field seems to be a little behind on the transitioning period of gender roles, and I can assure myself that I will make a huge difference in this. After my undergraduate degree, I do not know what school I will carry on my education at. By the sounds of it, I will likely not continue at UCF because of the extreme competition in this field. However, I have found out that UCF is a world-renowned school when it comes to LGBTQ+ subjects, and no matter where I go, I am sure to bring the same mentality I learned from UCF. I have seen a lot of positive actions on this campus, and with my understanding of the world, it would be amazing to see the positive attitudes, open-mindedness, and understanding in other places. I am excited to carry on this mindset, and I am super grateful for such an educational life so far with the LGBTQ+ mindset.

The military is a life-shaping experience. Well, that is coming directly from the words of my father. He was a mechanic in the military for some time, and though he is not pursuing that acquisition anymore, he tells me often that it has shaped his life as it is today. Though I have considered the military dearly, I have decided against it due to my overall life goals. However, I can say that not only have my goals been assisted with my father's help, but my drive to get there has. Simple life actions that I found present in my life turned out to not be so familiar to others. My father has taught me basic respect, manners, accountability, and most of all, work ethic. From this, I was able to seek out what I wanted in life. Whether it is because I am a very structured individual or I grew up that way, I am not sure. However, I am sure that this characteristic in me has teetered my life course to helping people via physical fitness. Putting structure and accountability in other people's lives seems very life-fulfilling to me. I am sure that this had a heavy influence on my father and his role in raising me with such morals. Nonetheless, I am happy to say it is the direction I want to go. Like everyone, there are certain periods in life where you have no motivation. I achieved my dad for this one because his stories motivated me greatly to continue. Chugging on and never quitting was the most important thing in these stories. When I found myself wanting to give up and quit, I always remembered these stories of his. Looking to the future, I am very hopeful and excited to see what I bring to the table. Not only was my dad a descendant of the military but my uncle and grandpa were too. Though they are both in heaven right now, I just know they will be beyond proud to see me succeed so far in life. Especially from the help and tactics that they were taught too in the military. Where I am today, I have received a lot of praise from my father. Though a lot of rough times occurred, one of the lessons he told me was that no hard work should go unnoticed. From this, all my current achievements and successes have come with plenty of praise. However, like always, the motivation to keep moving forward and continuing my success is present. I am not going into the military any time soon, and my lifelong success does not account for such, I can say with great confidence that through my father, the military has already made a monumental impact on my person and my success.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is a fair share of people out there who could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfillment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthily. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathizing only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at our fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being strange or weak. We do not tell our peers for fear of their judgments. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is a terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field allow me to help people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey started by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! This was all happening as I was pursuing a business degree. It did not take me long to realize that business was not a career choice for me. Not only did I want something more hands-on, but I also wanted to help people firsthand. Then, I realized what was in front of me all along. I spent most of my time researching, planning, and partaking in the upkeep of my physical health, yet I did not realize the potential of it. I did not realize that this could be a life-changing career decision. After giving it a lot of thought, I decided to go for it. I changed my major to Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. Specifically, I am looking into the physical therapy field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelors, work opportunities in this field will start to open for me. However, once I continue my education, only then can I achieve my dream job of becoming a physical therapist. After looking at my goals, it excites me even further knowing the capabilities I have in this field. During most of my life, I participated in practicing traditional karate. I was able to get good eneugh to when I received my black belt, I got the opportunity to start teaching classes. This excited me, and I understandably jumped into this new assignment trying my hardest to excel. Excell I did, as I got multiple compliments from parents and instructors thanking me for teaching their students the correct form and information needed for success. I am not saying this to prove I am a good teacher, but instead to provide evidence of my love and knowledge for the body and physical activity. When remembering this situation, I wonder what is possible for me when I do achieve my goal of becoming a physical therapist. However, on the other hand, there are things that I can do better to prepare for such an immense position. I am currently working on my discipline in completing objectives before the due date. While I am a constant procrastinator, completing assignments right before the due date does not sit well with me. Not only that, but it lacks professionalism. Recently, I have been putting in high effort to finish assignments, quizzes, and extracurricular activities well before the due date. This is allowing me to help my present self and myself in the future. So far, I have been accomplishing this task for the last few months, but I do not want to let off the gas as I know it will likely result in subpar actions from me. When looking at other areas of improvement, it would be dull to not mention my nervousness for the future. As stated, I love that I have created this career path ahead of me, but I also fear that I may not perform as well as I hope. I have high expectations when it comes to my career. However, if my lack of motivation or production seems to dry up, I am scared to waste what I have put so much effort behind already. To combat this situation, I have put up a goal board in my room. My drive is intense now, and I know that this will be the best route for my future. However, I do believe it is understandable to be nervous when there is this much risk on the line. My entire life's work has led up to obtaining this job, so an above-par performance is a high priority. Through all these challenges I may face during my career, it is all worth it, as I know I will be contributing a large impact on society. Not only will I get to help people in need of my physical assistance, but I will also have the opportunity to spread the message of healthy living. America is in a crisis of obesity. Not only that, but we are also at huge risk of health complications that go along with it. It is less about the social standards that come along with obesity and more about what health effects reside with it. One of the main things I have learned so far is that a healthy diet and physical activity can prevent almost every health complication out there. With this in mind, I not only hope to help the people who need it but also spread the message of healthy living and its amazing benefits. Through my work, I will be making a change in the community. Once everything is said and done, I will still be living my dream life. I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy. Collapse

I follow a quote that leads my life now. Since I discovered it, it has completely changed my point of view. Now, not only has this mindset made my life better, but it has given my life true meaning. To summarise, the stuff that we bring to the world will stay there forever, while the things we do for ourselves will die with us. This was an idea literalized by Albert Pike, an author in the 1800s, and while he may have written for a different generation of people, his words still bring huge meaning. Lately, for the last few years, I have been focusing on myself less and what I can do for the world more. I am in college currently, and a few years back, I chose the Kinesiology field to study. While I was searching for a job I would personally find joyful, I now have switched gears and in my mind, I have found an even better career path. I am hoping to now become a physical therapist for others. While it leaves no major crater on the world, it surely does more good for others than solely focusing on my own health. Providing my expertise, knowledge, and assistance to other people to get healthy and back into the swing of things seems like just the thing I want to provide. It gives others the joy of well-being, and I know that with this job choice, I will have a positive impact on the world. I may just leave a little legacy behind if I apply myself to the fullest. My father has likewise followed this quote. Being raised by him may have had a lot of persuasions too, but I know that I will one day end up like him. While he is just a mechanic, he saves people's lives in so many ways. Being down transportation has made some of our customers miss funerals, family members, the ability to go home, and the ability to go to work. With his help, he can help each one of them get back to their daily lives. While that might seem like a stretch for the basic duties of a mechanic, it is what he does the job for. He knows that it is not just fixing someone's car, but giving them the ability to carry on with their lives without this hiccup in the way. Now, my father's career choice may be very normal, but in my eyes, he is a superhero. While a physical therapist may not be the most impactful job in the world, I know that it can work wonders too. For that reason, in the future, I would like to follow my dad's steps and help other people live their life the way it should be. Leaving a legacy in my eyes is spreading your work to others. In the words of Albert Pike, as long as your work does not die with you, you are leaving a good legacy in this world. With that being said, in my eyes, I am going to be a superhero soon alongside my father.

I am transferring to a large university to major in Kinesiology. While that may seem like a boring start, this is one of the most exciting introductions in my life. Let me explain why. All through pre-college schooling, I have been determined to pursue a business degree. Even beyond that, I was heavily driven to open up my own business. I have started 2 separate companies since, and it has been a blast. It was everything I hoped for. Yet somehow, I am pursuing a kinesiology field next semester. If that does not describe how exciting that introduction was, maybe this will: on all of the career tests I have taken, I scored the absolute lowest in the medical field. This means that out of all the career paths, I should be least interested in the medical field. However, here I am. To tell you why I had to look past the surface-level aspects. My parents all owned a business, I have owned two registered businesses, and I have had multiple teachings taught to me about business in various ways. I have a strong desire to build a financially free life for myself while also having fun doing what I do. So, why am I going into the medical field? I later found out that life is not all about money. On the contrary, life is about family, friends, and having fun. Enjoying life to the maximum is what makes it count the most, and I have been doing a very poor job of that in my recent years. At only 19 years old, I can not say that I have enjoyed life the way I should. To not dig too deep down this path, I want to pursue a career that is not about the money, but instead a career that I will thoroughly have fun in. This career leads me down the path of kinesiology. Though unexpected, I am going to do whatever it takes to make me happy. This opened my eyes to the medical field, and I have since found out that I have a strong passion for this subject. I have all my life, but since everyone shoved the medical field aside and pushed business to me, I have never had a breathing chance to see for myself what I want to do. I have heard that the crazier the thought, the more success is prone to it. I feel that this holds its weight here. My goals for this field are not laid out in stone yet, as I have just recently begun studying material related to my major. While the brain does fascinate me, I am seeing that human fitness may be a wiser choice considering my self aspects.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is definitely a fair share of people out there who could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfillment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthily. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathizing only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at our fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgments. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is a terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

Throughout most of my life, the only person taking care of me was my mother. My father left our lives at a very young age, and although the family was still present, they happened to live across the country. To say times were rough is a drastic understatement. However, we made it through these rigorous times, and in the end, I owe my world to my mother for helping me make it to where I am today. Looking at my schooling, my mother always made it a priority for me to be placed in advanced classes. Although my efforts were grand, my mother's efforts were grander. Without her, I would not have had the opportunity to be placed in honours, college credit, or advanced placement classes in the first place. Not only is this a great deal because it got me into a university more comfortably, but it is also an insane feat when one realizes everything else my mother had on her plate. Helping me succeed in schooling was just the tip of the iceberg. Putting food on our table, paying for rent, and taking care of a child alone is eneugh pressure to make the average person go insane. However, she knew that all these times were going to be temporary, and one day, I would repay her. As of now, my mother found herself a husband, and I moved out to university a few hours away. I am mostly self-sufficient, but I only make eneugh money from grants and the occasional scholarship to barely get by. I hope to never have to rely on my mother again, as I know how much she sacrificed just to get me here. Instead, I am planning on ways of repaying her. In a year, I will be done with my degree. Getting a job as a physical therapist assistant is my current goal. I am more determined than ever to reach this, not only because my mother displayed insane feats that I hope I can one day match, but also because my drive to repay her is immense. I realize that having the ability to support her financially and personally are large goal of mine, and to make that a reality, I need to finish what we started together. I do my best to show her that she did not go through that suffering for nothing. I often apply myself to extracurricular opportunities, research projects, and publication opportunities to prove that she raised a successful child. However, as stated, I am more than thrilled to see what the future offers me and what I can do with these new opportunities. My mother displayed courageousness, perseverance, and strength to get us through these difficult times. Although there was no end in sight, she knew that it would all be over eventually. These are traits that I look up to and remind myself every day that I can portray these same traits in my everyday life. I would not have been here without my mother, and because of so, I owe her the world.

When looking at my most recent college applications, it is easy to tell that I spent a lot of time on extracurricular activities. I not only held major managerial positions at both Walmart and Express, but I also made time to teach Karate classes at my old dojo, volunteer at animal shelters to take care of the dogs, help my family with their business on the weekends, join the marketing club, and start my own side hustle pressure washing houses. Without saying it, first glance tells you that there is a lot of time invested to keep up with all of these activities. That is indeed right, as it was a very busy high school career for me. However, time management has made it possible. All of these activities and graduating in the top 10% of my class leave you exhausted, but it is worth it in the end. My number one piece of advice is to prioritize. I did not start my side activities until I knew my main activities were down. I had to have plenty of time for both school and after-school homework. Given this, I also had to make money to help my family. This left me with what sounds like not a lot of time. However, when looking at a calendar, you find out that there are still a few blank days left. Now, it was not intentional that I was going to fill up every day with an activity. However, some of these activities were purely for enjoyment. On the weekends, when I am done with school and work, I get to play with dogs at Nate Animal Rescue. Yes, I get volunteer hours from this. However, I also get to play with dogs! Tell me how you would spend your weekend. I am sure that this would be at the top of the list! When my family needs me for their business, I am there. If I have free time, I will come. If I find myself sitting at home, might as well take a trip to the Karate Dojo, my second home, where I can spend time with friends and teach the young ones. When I started volunteering to help the seniors, I felt that I was again making a prominent impact. I wrote cards for homes, gave inspirational words to groups of senior citizens, and helped them with housework in any form necessary. There was a good point where that is all I prioritized. Helping the elderly could be the reason I dove headfirst into volunteering. All in, get the tasks you have to get done out of the way first. But, once done, you have a lot of time to do what you want. Do not spend it doing anything! Take advantage of it. There are plenty of activities to do. But remember, never let school slide. School is your number one. If that is held up, have fun! The world is your oyster.

Throughout my life, I have gone through difficulties like everyone else. Plain and simple, when you are at a point of low willpower, you are not going to do the right thing. You are going to do the thing that benefits your wants at that specific moment. It is a bleak outcome to aim to achieve a distant goal when you are at your breaking point. However, look at your inspirations. They do not complain or drag out plans. All they do differently is they do it. That is not to say that it is not hard to do. It is extremely difficult, but there is an easy way of looking at things. You can suffer now or suffer later. You can suck it up and eat correctly now, or you can suffer the punishment of quitting later. Most people chose the latter half which is why we are so obese as a country. I am no exception though. I have fed my guilty wants and needs due to low willpower. It was not until now that I experienced the harsh punishments of doing that. After listening to this podcast, I have found the problem. I see what everyone else does that is wrong. I see what the top 1% do that others do not. I am willing to suffer now as opposed to later. Through this change, I decided to follow what my idols do. To get where your idols are, you have to do as they do. For me and my "superheroes", I am going on a strict carnivore diet. I know everyone's body is different we all have different goals, but for me, I found this diet to be exactly what I need physically. Currently, I am doing great. Though I know I will go through some tough times, the suffering now will lead to a greater good later. While my path was focusing on my health, I understand that other's paths will likely not be the same. However, I also understand that this action of achieving a goal is shared among many people. Most of the time, I find when you wander down a desired path of success, you will tend to find yourself with many leadership qualities. These qualities will come whether you want them to or not. Likewise, if you look at any leader, you will have these qualities. The qualities I mentioned above are the qualities you will have to possess to be a successful person in whatever field you choose. Willpower, drive, and motivation will always tend to be in your life, and I am sure that these qualities will be spread among your peers too!

Throughout most of my life, the only person taking care of me was my mother. My father left our lives at a very young age, and although the family was still present, they happened to live across the country. To say times were rough is a drastic understatement. However, we made it through these rigorous times, and in the end, I owe my world to my mother for helping me make it to where I am today. Looking at my schooling, my mother always made it a priority for me to be placed in advanced classes. Although my efforts were grand, my mother's efforts were grander. Without her, I would not have had the opportunity to be placed in honours, college credit, or advanced placement classes in the first place. Not only is this a great deal because it got me into a university more comfortably, but it is also an insane feat when one realizes everything else my mother had on her plate. Helping me succeed in schooling was just the tip of the iceberg. Putting food on our table, paying for rent, and taking care of a child alone is eneugh pressure to make the average person go insane. However, she knew that all these times were going to be temporary, and one day, I would repay her. As of now, my mother found herself a husband, and I moved out to university a few hours away. I am mostly self-sufficient, but I only make eneugh money from grants and the occasional scholarship to barely get by. I hope to never have to rely on my mother again, as I know how much she sacrificed just for get me here. Instead, I am planning on ways of repaying her. In a year, I will be done with my degree. Getting a job as a physical therapist assistant is my current goal. I am more determined than ever to reach this, not only because my mother displayed insane feats that I hope I can one day match, but also because my drive to repay her is immense. I know that having the ability to support her financially and personally are large goal of mine, and to make that a reality, I need to finish what we started together. I do my best to show her that she did not go through that suffering for nothing. I often apply myself to extracurricular opportunities, research projects, and publication opportunities to prove that she raised a successful child. However, as stated, I am more than thrilled to see what the future offers me and what I can do with these new opportunities. My mother displayed courageousness, perseverance, and strength to get us through these difficult times. Although there was no end in sight, she knew that it would all be over eventually. These are traits that I look up to and remind myself every day that I can portray these same traits in my everyday life. I would not have been here without my mother, and because of so, I owe her the world.

I never hear the end of it. To be honest, it is not even a bad thing either. My father served in the United States Army as a mechanic. From his words exactly, it completely changed his life around. I have heard a lot of different stories about how great the military is. However, my dad's point of view was my favourite. He was such a bad kid at a young age. During mid-high school, he got kicked out of school for punching the principal. Knowing my dad, this was not even the worst thing he had done. However, after having no options for a future after that, my dad went into the military. His stories are plentiful, but they all wrap up how difficult but rewarding the journey was. From that, he was developed into the person he is today. He grew physically and mentally; he became a strong and humble man. The military proceeds to then give you the opportunities to grow to your full potential. After a few years of growth, he stepped back into the world with a bright life ahead of him. That is exactly what happened. After hearing this on repeat, I can say that the military does not directly support my aspirations. However, I am not putting down the system at all. From everything I have heard, I recommend it to almost everyone as it applies to many cases of plans. I am attempting to become a strength and conditioning coach for the Miami Dolphins at a young age; thus, I have a different path waiting for me. This is not to say though that my father's stories meant nothing to me. It is quiet on the contrary. From there, I learned how to be strong. There is always room past your breaking point. My father taught me to push past my comfort zone and stretch my barriers. Most importantly though, he taught me one of my favourite life lessons. He told me that you can do it yourself or can be forced to do it. What he meant by this is simple. You can choose to put in the hard work now and choose a life you want. Or you can take the easy way, live comfortably for the moment, and then be forced to do what you do not want for a life you do not want. Either choose to do it yourself or be forced to do it. Currently, based on previous exercise experience, I am studying Kinesiology. The field excites me, and it is something I am very interested in. After graduation, I hope to be in the likes of an exercise strength facility for a sports team. Of course, my education will be ever expanding in a place like this being around like-minded people will allow me to learn what they know. I am ever grateful for where I am today, and super excited for the future to come!

I'm Eric, an honour roll student looking to earn enough funds to continue my attendance at the University of Central Florida. Through my high school journey, applied myself to the dual enrollment program during my junior and senior years at SCF. I came out of high school with 36 college credits to go towards my AA degree. I also managed to graduate within the top 10% of my class. During my college career, I have just obtained my full AA degree and am continuing with my bachelor's. The end goal entitles me to finish off with a master's degree to obtain a lasting career as a Physical Therapist I hope to help anyone I can to get their body in physically ready shape to live a long and happy life. I have a handful of hobbies. Currently, I spend a lot of my free time coaching my friends and family on fitness-related topics. Seeing others grow alongside me is a joy I can not seem to shake. I am also a strong animal lover, environmentalist, book nerd, and much more. I like to keep busy as it never lets me settle for average. Anything I can get my hands near, I'm happy to jump in on. I fancy keeping my own body physically active too. I train daily at the gym and local boxing club. I have previously met my last goal to obtain my black belt and become a Sempai in my endmost Karate school. However, my current physical goal is to one day secure a middleweight championship belt in boxing. This "reaching for the stars" mentality keeps me constantly pushing myself harder and harder to reach my goals, and so far, it has not let me down yet. This scholarship would help me make all of the above goals possible. A future goal I set is currently in action. As of now, I am learning and advancing myself to find the best future for me, and the people I help. The money from this scholarship will help me continue this journey and fulfil a career with a master's degree. All I am trudging on now is a grant and future scholarship money. However, no matter what happens, I am super excited to be here and have at least gotten this opportunity. I hope to make my life special. So many people end up wandering through life and passing without any mark left behind. That is one of my worst fears when it comes to life, and the way I am looking at things, your career is my best shot at avoiding that fear. I am proud of the track I am on now and hope to be similarly proud in the future with how far I have come. In addition, I a super excited to advance in the career path that I am choosing. Helping others in a profession that I consider myself insightful in is an exciting future I am excited to live.

Life comes with a lot of struggles, and from my personal experience, I do not think I could have overcome them through traditional methods. Some tasks just get thrown our way that should not have been. This has happened to me a few times, so let me tell you the unconventional ways I got through them. To start, my first example came to light via a personal goal I had. I have been a student of a specific Karate Dojo for over ten years. However, in high school, my parents gave me the news that we were moving to Florida. Though excited at first, I then found out that my goal of obtaining my black belt was no longer as accomplishable as I once thought. I had two belts to go, and since I passed 12 belts since I was in the program, it was very frustrating to realise I could not finish. This would be correct for the average student. Since I was moving across the country from my karate school, there would be no feasible way to obtain my black belt without restarting. After thinking with my parents, we found a way though. My mother stayed back with me for another week to test my next belt. Although I had one more belt to go after this, it was worth the extra effort to get one more belt ahead. Right after my test, I received my brown belt, and we left for our 18-hour drive to Florida straight from the karate studio. Although I still needed one more belt to go, we had a plan. Earlier that week, we called every single karate school in the surrounding area. After days of this, we were able to find a school that would honour my current belt. Once we arrived in Florida, I had only 8 months until I would test for my black belt. I got to work, with the mindset that this school will be the stepping stone to accomplishing my goal. Not only did I receive my black belt after 8 months, but the school was so impressed, I went on to teach classes for them. For this story, I figured out that what could be a nearly impossible task on the outside will always have a solution if you are creative enough to find it. What was once the impossible task of receiving my blackbelt from an institution that I was no longer a part of turned into the probable plan of achieving my dreams one way or another. To add to this, my biggest accomplishment came through getting accepted into the University of Central Florida. However, this journey was not conventional in the slightest. I applied for the school as soon as applications for the 2023 Spring Semester opened. However, I never heard back from them in the time I had to register. I had heard from every other college I applied to months before, and at this time, I simply assumed I did not get accepted. This came as a shocker for me and my family, as it meant that I had to then go out of state for my schooling. I had no other in-state options, and with only a month to prepare, I had to figure out how to travel to Louisiana for my second college choice. From this, my parents convinced me to not give up and to figure out why I never heard from UCF. Although I seemed to have accepted what happened, they did not. I ended up contacting recruitment and heard nothing. However, through thought and hope, I contacted different workers individually at the school. In my amazement, one got back to me replying that the school needed extra transcripts for the decision, but as the deadline already approached, I was out of luck. I decided to fight this, as I did not receive a notification on my end. After sending copies of my application, inserts from the UCF handbook, and other forms of proof, I got an email that I was accepted into the school. It came as nothing short of a miracle, and it was all because I thought of “out of the box” solutions to this unusual problem life threw at me. In conclusion, life throws a lot of unconventional and crazy curveballs that seem to be unsolvable. However, through creativity and persistence, even the seemingly impossible is doable. Sometimes, the traditional methods may just not work.

I never hear the end of it. To be honest, it is not even a bad thing either. My father served in the United States Army as a mechanic. From his words exactly, it completely changed his life around. I have heard a lot of different stories about how great the military is. However, my dad's point of view was my favourite. He was such a bad kid at a young age. During mid-high school, he got kicked out of school for punching the principal. Knowing my dad, this was not even the worst thing he has done. However, after having no options for a future after that, my dad went into the military. His stories are plentiful, but they all wrap up how difficult but rewarding the journey was. From that, he was developed into the person he is today. He grew physically and mentally; he became a strong and humble man. The military proceeds to then give you the opportunities to grow to your full potential. After a few years of growth, he stepped back into the world with a bright life ahead of him. That is exactly what happened. After hearing this on repeat, I can say that the military does not directly support my aspirations. However, I am not putting down the system at all. From everything I have heard, I recommend it to almost everyone as it applies to many cases of plans. I am attempting to become a strength and conditioning coach for the Miami Dolphins at a young age; thus, I have a different path waiting for me. This is not to say though that my father's stories meant nothing to me. It is quiet on the contrary. From there, I learned how to be strong. There is always room past your breaking point. My father taught me to push past my comfort zone and stretch my barriers. Most importantly though, he taught me one of my favourite life lessons. He told me that you can do it yourself or can be forced to do it. What he meant by this is simple. You can choose to put in the hard work now and choose a life you want. Or you can take the easy way, live comfortably for the moment, and then be forced to do what you do not want for a life you do not want. Either choose to do it yourself or be forced to do it. Currently, I wake up at four in the morning to do a strong workout. I am on a strict carnivore diet consisting of only meat and water. I am studying for my profession ahead of school, maintaining side hustles, and investing my money. I do all of these things so I can live the life I want in the future. I can be forced to use the money later, or I can use my money now in a smart way. I can be forced to work at a job I do not like later, or I can work now to have a job I enjoy. I can work on my health now, or I can let the doctors treat me later. I learned all of this from my dad. Though my father has taught me many lessons, I can say that my life has been put on the right track because of him. I can not begin to thank him enough for it.

I personally have never struggled with a drug addiction. Though, on the contrary, I have had plenty of experience with it. I have seen multiple friends start using drugs. I have seen them go into therapy, and I have also seen the aftermath of it all. Most impacting though is that I have seen my own father deal with severe alcohol addiction, and I have also been through the consequences of such an addiction. Here is my story. Right when I was born, my father and mother lived very happily in Melbourne Florida. They had a nice house by the beach, good jobs, and now a happy son. It was not until my father took up the hole that things changed for the worse. He received that it was stress that drove him to the bars. However, someone who was once a super nice man turned the polar opposite. Of course, the mother of a newborn baby is not a good recipient of this kind of behaviour. Long story short, my mother decided to divorce the man for my safety alone. The outcome led to this: no contact with him, no news of him, no interactions with him at all. To this day, since they got a divorce, we never heard from him. To be real, there is a good possibility that he is no longer with us. Then, to think of it in the grand scheme of things, a man who had it all, lost it all due to alcohol and solely alcohol. We made it ok. Though very tough, my mother was able to get back on her feet. A few years after the divorce, she was able to find another good husband, who is now my stepfather. We are doing great right now. However, it still did put us in a very tough spot for a few years. Something that we did not even do ourselves impacted our lives dramatically. I did not get to see the end of that addiction. It may still be ongoing for him. He may have fixed himself up, or he may have gone down with his addiction. Either way, at the end of the day, this addiction turned his life completely upside down, along with the family he loved. Sober him cared for us, his life, and the world. However, the other side of him was the complete opposite. It is very sad to see that addiction can very literally destroy everything.

Right now, I am using my voice to bring change to our community. Currently, it is impossible to avoid the social issues that are buzzing around, and truthfully, I believe that it is a good thing. Bringing opinions out to the public is what is necessary for a correct choice to be made. Action does not exist without first bringing awareness to it. As for me, I hope to bring awareness to the health risks most Americans are suffering. My community, along with the entirety of America, has an elevated risk for health-related diseases. This includes diabetes, obesity, heart attacks, cancer, and other related risks. As a kinesiology student, this subject is mentioned a lot in my profession. It is proven that the majority of Americans are obese. While this may not be a large problem, what comes with it is. The stated risks come up when one is not active and/or eating unhealthy foods. These two combinations are the cause of most, if not all, health-related risks. I am aware of this through my schooling, but because most Americans do not go through rigorous health-related courses at a University, I find it understandable that they do not know these facts. Although common sense for some, it is not as noticeable for most. I am making a change in my community via this specific subject. I am taking what I have learned, and I am applying it to my family, friends, and neighbours. Getting physically active is important and one of the main percussions to these risks. By hosting flag football games, practices, and workout sessions available to the public, I hope that more of the community will take me up on these offers. In addition, influencing classmates and neighbours to join the gym is also a habit of mine. So far, I have gotten a dozen neighbours to join a nearby gym through word of mouth. Because I always recommend physical activity to everyone I meet; I hope this number increases. Although not much, I believe my persuasion to get active is beneficial to the community. Getting as many people involved in physical activity is important to me, and I believe I am contributing to that increasing number. As stated before, eating correctly is also an important part of staying healthy, which is why I often bring healthy snacks such as fruit and vegetable snacks to workouts and practices. Preaching to eat healthy is a small action but will surely make a dent in this crisis we have in America. I plan to help the community much further in the future via my career. As a physical therapist assistant in training, I hope to spread the same word I do now about health to my future patients. In my eyes, anything to spread the word on this social issue and how to stop it is an improvement to our community, and most importantly, America as a nation.

Recovery is the action of improving. It means hope, bettering yourself, and emerging out of a dark place. It is one of the best scenarios to be in, and here is my experience with it. Coming from a point of peak happiness to getting engulfed in negatives will put one in a very bad place. It has been years since this collapse, and I am still getting over it to this day. Though I will not go into detail on personal topics as such, I will say that I was sent into a dark depression for a very good bit. To this day, I look back on the journey often though, and I am very pleased with what I see. I see learning, personal growth, and enjoyment. Every day is a step in the right direction. Though it may take a long time and feel hopeless often, it is a rewarding journey that I can not praise enough. Because of this self-knowledge on the topic, I happen to have a high priority for others. Nobody should have to go through a mentally hard time, and I know that recovery is possible. I have a few friends who suffer from mental issues, and although I have distanced myself from negative and poor thoughts, I have jumped at the opportunities to help others. Knowing what I know from self-experience, I understand that listening, being open, and understanding are the main objectives of care. I also realize everyone is different. With that being said, I approach one with ease on the outside, but I know that my help will cause a major difference in the way they are feeling. I am planning on pursuing a physical therapy job. Although this career option is solely based on physical actions, it also involves patients in distress or coming off of an accident. I feel confident knowing what I know that I can help them physically in addition to offering some mental support. Without going outside my scope of practice, giving someone a listening shoulder is an easy and beneficial action to help others. Though I hope nobody has to dive deep into a scenario where they need to focus on recovery, I do hope that everyone experiences a great comeback story in their lives at some point. To the fighters!

I travel sparingly and accordingly, but the experience, I hold from the travelling I have conducted weighs heavy on my heart. Being in the position I am in, travelling is only conducted when the opportunity presents itself. I am a self-sufficient, full-time college student, and travelling seems like a luxury for a person like me. However, with the few occasions I have left the country to pursue other cultures, I value every moment I have in a different environment. My first time out in a new culture occurred when I was under my parent's supervision. Though exploration is limited when one has to obey orders often, I was still able to experience what a different life was like. Until this first step is achieved, one's knowledge of different life is obsolete. It is a complete eye-opening experience once this jump is taken. Looking into a new culture not only makes you discover what unique ways of problem-solving are possible, but it also makes you question the ways you once lived your life. One's life is limited to their surroundings. The biggest change happened when I arrived back at home. No longer did I have this restriction on foods I could eat, activities I could partake in, or objectives I could complete. I now had new goals, new tasks, and new ideas I wanted to partake in. My first visit was to Canada, and although close to home, I discovered a new appreciation for being friendly to your neighbour and ordering new foods. I have kept this experience with me. Because of this sole beginning of travelling to new cultures, I was able to have a thirst to explore more diverse and advanced regions of the U.S. and the world. There is so much to explore, and I am happy that I realized that travelling is so amazing to live. At the moment, my travelling plans are limited. I have classes to go to often and rent to pay every month. Although I know the benefits, it may just not be feasible for the average human. However, for me, I plan on travelling as much as I can in the near future. As I finish my college degree in one year, I have my sights set on gaining a new career and savings specific funds for these experiences. Travelling is amazing, and it is definitely worth the jump

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field allow me to help people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey started by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! This was all happening as I was pursuing a business degree. It did not take me long to realize that business was not a career choice for me. Not only did I want something more hands-on, but I also wanted to help people firsthand. Then, I realized what was in front of me all along. I spent most of my time researching, planning, and partaking in the upkeep of my physical health, yet I did not realize the potential of it. I did not realize that this could be a life-changing career decision. After giving it a lot of thought, I decided to go for it. I changed my major to Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. Specifically, I am looking into the physical therapy field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelors, work opportunities in this field will start to open for me. However, once I continue my education, only then can I achieve my dream job of becoming a physical therapist. After looking at my goals, it excites me even further knowing the capabilities I have in this field. During most of my life, I participated in practising traditional karate. I was able to get good eneugh to when I received my black belt, I got the opportunity to start teaching classes. This excited me, and I understandably jumped into this new assignment trying my hardest to excel. Excell I did, as I got multiple compliments from parents and instructors thanking me for teaching their students the correct form and information needed for success. I am not saying this to prove I am a good teacher, but instead to provide evidence of my love and knowledge for the body and physical activity. When remembering this situation, I wonder what is possible for me when I do achieve my goal of becoming a physical therapist. However, on the other hand, there are things that I can do better to prepare for such an immense position. I am currently working on my discipline in completing objectives before the due date. While I am a constant procrastinator, completing assignments right before the due date does not sit well with me. Not only that, but it lacks professionalism. Recently, I have been putting in high effort to finish assignments, quizzes, and extracurricular activities well before the due date. This is allowing me to help my present self and myself in the future. So far, I have been accomplishing this task for the last few months, but I do not want to let off the gas as I know it will likely result in subpar actions from me. When looking at other areas of improvement, it would be dull to not mention my nervousness for the future. As stated, I love that I have created this career path ahead of me, but I also fear that I may not perform as well as I hope. I have high expectations when it comes to my career. However, if my lack of motivation or production seems to dry up, I am scared to waste what I have put so much effort behind already. To combat this situation, I have put up a goal board in my room. My drive is intense now, and I know that this will be the best route for my future. However, I do believe it is understandable to be nervous when there is this much risk on the line. My entire life's work has led up to obtaining this job, so an above-par performance is a high priority. Once everything is said and done, I will still be living my dream life. I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

Throughout most of my life, the only person taking care of me was my mother. My father left our lives at a very young age, and although the family was still present, they happened to live across the country. To say times were rough is a drastic understatement. However, we made it through these rigorous times, and in the end, I owe my world to my mother for helping me make it to where I am today. Looking directly at my schooling, my mother always made it a priority for me to be placed in advanced classes. Although my efforts were grand, my mother's efforts were grander. Without her, I would not have had the opportunity to be placed in honours, college credit, or advanced placement classes in the first place. Not only is this a great deal because it got me into a university more comfortably, but it is also an insane feat when one realizes everything else my mother had on her plate. Helping me succeed in schooling was just the tip of the iceberg. Putting food on our table, paying for rent, and taking care of a child alone is eneugh pressure to make the average person go crazy. However, she knew that all these times were going to be temporary, and one day, I would repay her. As of now, my mother found herself a husband, and I moved out to university a few hours away. I am mostly self-sufficient, but I only make eneugh money from grants and the occasional scholarship to barely get by. I hope to never have to rely on my mother again, as I know how much she sacrificed just for get me here. Instead, I am planning on ways of repaying her. In a year, I will be done with my degree. Getting a job as a physical therapist assistant is my current goal. I am more determined than ever to reach this, not only because my mother displayed insane feats that I hope I can one day match, but also because my drive to repay her is immense. I know that having the ability to support her financially and personally are large goal of mine, and to make that a reality, I need to finish what we started together. I do my best to show her that she did not go through that suffering for nothing. I often apply myself to extracurricular opportunities, research projects, and publication opportunities to prove that she raised a successful child. However, as stated, I am more than thrilled to see what the future offers me and what I can do with these new opportunities. My mother displayed courageousness, perseverance, and strength to get us through these difficult times. Although there was no end in sight, she knew that it would all be over eventually. These are traits that I look up to and remind myself every day that I can portray these same traits in my everyday life. I would not have been here without my mother, and because of so, I owe her the world.

When I first laid eyes on the Minecraft trailer, I immediately ran to my parents so I could get it. I was in second grade, and my main mode of persuasion was its educational features. Building, counting, and designing were all concepts second graders, like me, were learning at the time. I suppose my mother saw what I saw that day, because that night, she decided to get it for me, and the rest is history. The truth is though, ever since then, Minecraft has been a learning tool all along. Although described as an enjoyable and fun video game, it is really just a math game at heart. Even to this day, it seems to test my knowledge of what buildings and functions I can craft up. Getting inspiration from online, and then jumping onto the vast block game really tests myself to see if I can make such a structure. Back in second grade, I knew that even just exploring meant that my understanding of dimensions and numbers was advancing without me realizing it at the moment. The best part is that Minecraft has no limit. It is solely reliable on what you can achieve. If the player is in second grade, as I was once, the buildings they can make may be quite limited to the little understanding they hold, but the fun is still easily accomplishable. However, as a college student, I still log onto the game after a hard day in classes and test to see what amazing feats I can build. Even though my mental willpower may be drained, somehow, I still have the energy to play Minecraft. In the end, logging on is not the same as sitting down to solve problems. One is logging onto a game, not an educational resource. However, it is suggestable that the same can be done with both, as Minecraft truly challenges one's mindset. Looking at my past, I am extremely grateful that I had Minecraft. While we may never actually know how much this game has helped me develop and understand basic functions, deep down, I know that this game has done wonders. When going into class the next day after downloading Minecraft that Sunday night, I knew how to do the counting assignment that much better. When the addition blocks came out, I had just a bit more understanding of it than I would have before. On the outside, Minecraft may just be a game, but I know it helped me in more ways than I could ever imagine. In conclusion, Minecraft is a wonderful game filled with monsters, villages, and limitless options for creativity. It has supplied me with limitless fun and enjoyment over the years. It is a game that is always there for you when you need a brain break. It is a game that makes you connect with old friends again. But most importantly, it is a game that allows you to explore your capabilities and see what is actually possible.

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field allow me to help people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey started by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! This was all happening as I was pursuing a business degree. It did not take me long to realize that business was not a career choice for me. Not only did I want something more hands-on, but I also wanted to help people firsthand. Then, I realized what was in front of me all along. I spent most of my time researching, planning, and partaking in the upkeep of my physical health, yet I did not realize the potential of it. I did not realize that this could be a life-changing career decision. After giving it a lot of thought, I decided to go for it. I changed my major to Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. Specifically, I am looking into the physical therapy field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelors, work opportunities in this field will start to open for me. However, once I continue my education, only then can I achieve my dream job of becoming a physical therapist. Once everything is said and done, I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field allow me to help people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey started by simply working out at the YMCA. Over time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to create personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! This was all happening as I was pursuing a business degree. It did not take me long to realize that business was not a career choice for me. Not only did I want something more hands-on, but I also wanted to help people firsthand. Then, I realized what was in front of me all along. I spent most of my time researching, planning, and partaking in the upkeep of my physical health, yet I did not realize the potential of it. I did not realize that this could be a life-changing career decision. After giving it a lot of thought, I decided to go for it. I changed my major to Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. Specifically, I am looking into the physical therapy field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelors, work opportunities in this field will start to open for me. However, once I continue my education, only then can I achieve my dream job of becoming a physical therapist. Once everything is said and done, I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life-impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

If we follow our current paths, we are only getting worse. This is sadly true for a lot of aspects right now in our world. However, it is even sadder to see that the primary participant in this statement is our environment. It is taught in schools, broadcast on social media, and discussed by neighbours. Yet somehow, very little is still being done, and I hope to change that. Like many, this was a clear complication for me. If we can all do the simple things, we can make a big change together. I like to contribute through my day-to-day activities, as I know these small things will add up. For instance, I turn off lights when possible, shut off the water when not used, reuse water bottles, recycle, and eat all of my leftovers. I convinced my family to install solar panels and use eco-friendly house maintenance products. These are all relatively small activities to do. Adding participants will only help our world. Soon, if enough people become self-conscious about their impact on the environment, we can turn that path around. We can improve our ecosystem in dramatic ways! My friend group tends to lean in this direction similarly. Caring for the environment is cool. Hoping for a better future is cool. With this mindset, I usually attract other friends that think this way. It is amazing and almost shocking what you can learn from like-minded individuals who share the same passion. When shopping at the grocery store, it is so easy to not take plastic if it is not needed. This is something I often thought over, but if it was done more, it would have a profound effect on our environment from a positive standpoint. After all things are said, I think my involvement in the environment comes from my love for it. Since I was a kid, I had the biggest respect for nature. I adored its beauty, the sounds, and the feeling of being completely immersed. Nature is too amazing to ruin. It seems like the most amazing gift given by god, and there is a chance that it will be gone very soon. Even now, beautiful places are being torn down for our continuation of this societal development. Take nature away, and the world will be a terrible place. Making an effort, even if it is simple and easy to do, can change our planet. It can sustain God's gift, and it will make sure nothing goes to ruin.

For the past few years, I have been an active member of multiple community service programs. By choice? Well, not originally. However, I would say that I kept with it truly for the enjoyment of it. Let me explain. In the State of Florida, one of the higher achievement rewards requires you to commit to 100 hours of community service. Therefore, a large percentage of high school students get thrown into the field, not by choice. As a successful student in school, it is a task that would be silly for me to not take part in. However, my parents saw this viewpoint more than I did. Like many other kids, I was thrown into the idea. There are very few kids that would want to devote their free time to work. However, after a few months, I understood. Since I was just a freshman in high school, my parents and I both took a trainers class at Nate's Animal Shelter located here in Bradenton Florida. It was nothing special, though I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed playing with dogs. Fast forward a week after our training was finished, we all were able to qualify as "dog sitters". This is where my parents dropped out most of the time, considering they did not need volunteer hours and had full-time jobs to work. On the other hand, I needed those volunteer hours. Every weekend, I would take a trip up to the grounds to walk the dogs for a few hours. It seems like a simple enough task when putting it that way. However, take a dog that is locked in a cage for the whole day and gets no social interaction. It is quite a handful. Nonetheless, I stuck with it. At first, it was just a way to count the hours for this award. It was not till a few months later that I found myself getting this feeling of satisfaction. I would go in the car to go home and feel accomplished. It was as if I just finished a huge task for the day. The crazy part was, that I did not feel accomplished because I stacked my community service hours. Instead, it seemed as if it was because I was helping out in a big way. Some days, I would take care of nearly every dog. Seeing a puppy go from laying in the corner of the cage to bouncing off the walls when he sees you is something else. I was helping in a big way. I figured out what it felt like to truly help others, even if that meant only dogs. After this, I found a diverse amount of community service programs to get involved in. While participating in these and still working at Nates, I found myself layering on the hours I needed. It was not soon that I found myself doing these community service tasks to make me feel good versus just the hours. Especially on the weekends, it is one of the best ways to start the day. I am extremely grateful for this program, as it taught me a lot more about myself.

I am the direct dependent of a single mom. For most of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We have not seen him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take good care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. The biggest obstacle I have seen, first handily, was time and energy. It is tough to do multiple jobs at once meant for two people. It is doable, but it is hard. You need to prioritize and spend every second wisely. If something goes out of the plan, the whole day does. On top of that, you need to have constant energy to keep going. Even if everything does work out, it is hard to get yourself up to clean the house after a full shift and dealing with a kid. All in all, I have major respect for other single mothers out there. My mother and I conquered this journey, and with determination, I know others can too. In the future, I hope to become a physical therapist. This has been a goal of mine for a long time, and I am beyond ecstatic to get started in this field. In addition, I hope to publish articles and books about different topics in the health and science field to help as many people as I possibly can. This is a true passion of mine, and I can not wait to get started. As of now, I am continuing my degree, and after graduation, I will apply to this career path. This scholarship will help me continue this education. Without financial assistance, I will not be able to continue my education. That is why getting financial assistance is vital for my continuation of University and to accomplish my dream future.

I have never put much thought into my engineering abilities. Anything to do with computers, design, mechanics, or technical analysis has been on the back burner for me. In my head, it seemed as if everyone was testing their abilities on this subject, and if that is the case, why do I need to follow the herd? Well, the answer I soon found out is that I am very good at it. Let me explain. I have always been a business person. Up till recently when I decided to go into the medical and technological field, I never really thought outside of the business world. However, I will admit to always liking cars. Particularly, any vehicle legal for street use. One thing led to another, and I ended up buying a cheap motorcycle. Then, as the saying goes, I crashed. While not intentional by any means, I was forced to start figuring out my abilities. Let me put it this way. I did not fix my motorcycle out of willingness. I had no money and needed to get my bike back. I did not even question another way, but the end goal was to get riding again. So, I went to work. It should be noted that the bike would be deemed salvaged by anyone with valid vision. It was in ruins. My parents referred to it as the pile of junk in the garage. Telling me it belonged in a junkyard, being a nieve seventeen-year-old ignored them. It took me only two months, and she was up. I was in that garage every night it seemed. Ordering parts and watching tutorials took up all of my free time. However, she was better than new in a short while. It is an understatement to say I impressed everyone when showing up to places on that bike. However, most importantly, it impressed me. I did not put that much thought into it, as I said, but seeing that bike finished made me realise what a big accomplishment I did all by myself. In a field that I never would look at twice, I have accomplished something most seventeen-year-olds could never do. I rebuilt a motorcycle from scratch. No help, no tutoring, and actually, a lot of putdowns lead me to finish the project. So, at the end of the day, I am still not pursuing a degree in anything mechanic-related. I am still actively working towards a medical field career. However, unlike before, I have taken a serious look into my abilities with mechanics, computers, and all things related, and I am very happy with the results.

I am pursuing science. Specifically, I am pursuing exercise science. I should not be in the eyes of teachers, but here I am. Let me explain. Throughout my schooling, I was destined to be a business major. I read business books, ran businesses myself, and was the son and grandson of successful business owners. However, as it turns out, I am not going into that field. The field I was not supposed to go into was science. I was not into laboratory instances. Chemicals were not my thing and environmental studies did not interest me at all. What segment I did not look into much of was the human body. Besides health, the human body was never mentioned to me in high school or middle school. It was not until recently that I discovered this career path. Science in fitness is necessary for our human development. If you look at all of the movies in which the society is run down, most of the time, the characters are extremely obese. It is the epitome of laziness in a run-down future. For our future to be bright, I truly believe that we need to all exercise and nutrition our body. It is something that should and will likely never go away. In addition, constant development in this field has yet to bring improvements to society. This will only help everyone. Exercise is an extreme part of our culture, and I am sure that it will be for years to come. I am obsessed with exercise and fitness. Unlike the science industry, this has been with me forever. I wish to make a change. Pursuing this field not only gets me to where I want to be, but I will be able to get other people to that final destination also. America is obese, and it is an issue. Obesity is one of the largest social issues in the U.S., and with it resolved, American can not only be healthier but also a happier country overall. Solving this crisis will do wonders for our nation. Since I was in 5th grade, I have been working out in the gym with my parents. I have played almost every sport there is. Little did I know that there was such an industry behind exercise and health specifically. It seemed like it was almost the perfect career choice. Without knowing, I have even listened to multiple podcasts and videos on exercise in hopes of improving myself. Little did I know that this learning would eventually end me up with a college degree down the line. Right now, I am currently applying to many major universities to continue my education in this field. In a few years after my bachelor's, I may attempt a major in physical therapy. Only time will tell for that one though. Though a quick decision, I am happy to start learning about the human body and the effects of exercise.

I am the direct dependent of a single mom. For most of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We have not seen him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take good care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. The biggest obstacle I have seen, first handily, was time and energy. It is tough to do multiple jobs at once meant for two people. It is doable, but it is hard. You need to prioritize and spend every second wisely. If something goes out of the plan, the whole day does. On top of that, you need to have constant energy to keep going. Even if everything does work out, it is hard to get yourself up to clean the house after a full shift and dealing with a kid. All in all, I have major respect for other single mothers out there. My mother and I conquered this journey, and with determination, I know others can too.

Recovery is the action of improving. It means hope, bettering yourself, and emerging out of a dark place. It is one of the best scenarios to be in, and here is my experience with it. Coming from a point of peak happiness to getting engulfed in negatives will put one in a very bad place. It has been years since this collapse, and I am still getting over it to this day. Though I will not go into detail on personal topics as such, I will say that I was sent into a dark depression for a very good bit. To this day, I look back on the journey often though, and I am very pleased with what I see. I see learning, personal growth, and enjoyment. Every day is a step towards the right direction. Though it may take a long time and feel hopeless often, it is a rewarding journey that I can not praise enough. Though I hope nobody has to dive deep into a scenario where they need to focus on recovery, I do hope that everyone experiences a great comeback story in their lives at some point. To the fighters!

Getting into a university is normal for many, but for some, it may just be completing the impossible. I come from a family of entrepreneurs. While I am extremely proud to say so, it is very difficult for me to pursue a dream job and step out of the family's scope of practice. It also does not make it easier when there is a lack of funds to do so. While my goal of becoming a physical therapist was an easy decision to make, it is not an easy goal to try and accomplish. To begin, I first had to relay this wish to my parents. While they ultimately are happy to see me pursue a job that I will enjoy, they are similarly pushful to go different routes. Therefore, this journey would be completed solely by myself. Fresh out of high school, I started looking for possibilities to pursue the education I needed to become a physical therapist. A lot of schooling is needed, so I began my college search. This is where the first hurdle came in. Applying for schools is not as easy as one may think. This is especially true with no experience of doing so and no help to figure it out. Eventually, I had a solid list of candidates and applications sent out. This is where the second issue came into play. Tuition costs are expensive. It would be an understatement to say that the cost of schooling was my main influence on what university I go to. If I could not afford tuition, my chances of attending that college would be zero. I specifically found colleges in which I would be able to squeeze by with my own financial abilities. I then found the University of Central Florida. Not only was this university in my budget, but it also had great programs for what I needed. After applying, all I had to do was wait and see if I would get in. After receiving dozens of acceptance letters from other universities, I did not hear back from the University of Central Florida. After the deadline approached and left, I was left heartbroken to not hear back from them. I decided to take action into my own hands and figure out what was wrong. I messaged dozens of people and finally figured out that though I got accepted without notification of such, it was too late to register for college according to their email. Again, I fought. Even though I could have accepted this, I knew I was not going to give up on my dream this easily. I not only cited logical evidence as to why I should be let in to register but also included excerpts of the university's own rules and ideas to conclude that this decision was not right. After some miracle, I got the email for registration. Through it all, I was able to get into schooling to pursue my long pursued career as a physical therapist. My journey is not over yet, but I know that if I can get over that hurdle, I can accomplish anything. This single achievement taught me so much, but it mainly taught me that perseverance is key to achieving your goals. Getting into this university is not just an achievement of good grades and academic achievements, but also a realization that I can do great things if I put my mind to it. That is why, getting accepted into the University of Central Florida has been the greatest achievement I have accomplished. I hope to transfer this lesson into my future and into my career. Becoming one of the world's most knowledgeable and useful physical therapists is in my sights, and I can not wait until that dream becomes a reality.

A picture can convey so much, without saying a thing. The best part is, photos convey such powerful messages under real-life circumstances. I tend to focus on landscape photography. While it is just a pretty picture to many, few will understand the deeper meanings of it all. People who understand art also understand that every creation has a purpose. Whether it is to make the audience feel tranquil or to understand a global issue, art has a bigger purpose than what is on display. I love that concept, and I love it more when I can incorporate that into my photography. Every one of my photos has the goal of invoking pleasure in the audience. However, there is usually something about the picture that will tell the audience that change is necessary to keep this peace. Photography is real, and while it is beautiful, it may not be for long. I hope that the general public realise this fact one day. While storytelling, music, and paintings covey beauty words can not describe, they are simply made up. Photography, although similarly transcending, has the ability to transport one into a real place. Life is beautiful, and it does not take a made-up story to show one that. Sometimes, the place you wish you could go to actually does exist, and photography can show that. However, there is a problem, and I hope that my photography can portray that. While the world is beautiful, and even man-made creations can convey just as much beauty, the magic spark is soon going to disappear. Humans have ruined some amazing creations over the years, and it is just getting worse. The beauty that god gave us is coming to an end. To say it clearly, I hope to minimize the destruction done to this earth. I want to keep the oceans clear and blue, the grass tall and green, and the mountains high and pure. I want to keep this land a magical place. The beauty in people's dreams should be reality. All of my photographs are untouched by man to show how beautiful the world is when it is pure. The sooner people realize that my photographs may not be a reality much longer the moment we start doing something about it as a society. Through my photography, the world is going to be a cleaner and better place.

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field give me the opportunity to help people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey started through simply working out at the YMCA. After time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to creating personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! This was all happening as I was pursuing a business degree. It did not take me long to realize that business was not the career choice for me. Not only did I want something more hands on, but I also wanted to help people firsthand. Then, I realized what was in front of me all along I did not realize that this could be a life-changing career decision. After giving it a lot of thought, I decided to go for it. I changed my major to Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field, and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. Specifically, I am looking into the physical therapy field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelors, work opportunities in this field will start to open for me. However, once I continue my education, only then can I achieve my dream job of becoming a physical therapist. My desire for this career is so strong, that even when I obtain it, I plan on continueing both my education and my impactfulness. I hope to not only learn from others, but also teach others what I have learned. I plan on writing publicasions, making books, and producing videos to help people strive in this field. One is never too old to stop learning. In addition, everything I learn will go straight into my practice. My goal with this career is to help as many people as I can, and I will do anything in my power to carry on that mindset deep into my career. Leaving patients not only satisfied with their treatment, but also satisfied with their new knowledge is something that I hope to bring to this field. Once everything is said and done, I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

I have always lived my life believing that a strong purpose is what makes one genuinely happy. That said, I can draft this essay today, realizing I have found my purpose in life. Through a long journey of searching for my hidden talents, interests, and ideologies, I have discovered that a lasting career in the rehabilitation industry is the purpose I desire in life. As of now, I am currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Central Florida. This degree will allow me to jump into the world of health and rehabilitation sciences. I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to pursue this field, as I honestly think that this is what I am most passionate about. Not only does this field give me the opportunity to help people in this world, but it also allows me to work every day on a subject I love to indulge in. This journey started through simply working out at the YMCA. After time, my obsession with personal health skyrocketed, as it led me to creating personalized meal plans, care routines, and fitness goals for myself. Pretty soon, I was doing this for others too! This was all happening as I was pursuing a business degree. It did not take me long to realize that business was not the career choice for me. Not only did I want something more hands on, but I also wanted to help people firsthand. Then, I realized what was in front of me all along. I spent most of my time researching, planning, and partaking in the upkeep of my physical health, yet I did not realize the potential of it. I did not realize that this could be a life-changing career decision. After giving it a lot of thought, I decided to go for it. I changed my major to Kinesiology, and more specifically, changed my career path to health and sciences. In addition, it was not until recently that I realized the niche I wanted to focus on was rehabilitation. With personal experience in the field, and a love for helping others, there is no better option than the rehabilitation field. Specifically, I am looking into the physical therapy field. According to my current plan, I will become a physical therapist assistant in a year. After graduating with a bachelors, work opportunities in this field will start to open for me. However, once I continue my education, only then can I achieve my dream job of becoming a physical therapist. Once everything is said and done, I will be commuting every morning to a place that I love. Becoming a physical therapist will not only ensure that I am in a field that I am extremely passionate about but also ensure that I am creating a life impacting purpose in this world. That is a life I want to live, and that is a life that will make me genuinely happy.

I never hear the end of it. To be honest, it is not even a bad thing either. My father served in the United States Army as a mechanic. From his words exactly, it completely changed his life around. I have heard a lot of different stories about how great the military is. However, my dad's point of view was my favourite. He was such a bad kid at a young age. During mid-high school, he got kicked out of school for punching the principal. Knowing my dad, this was not even the worse thing he has done. However, after having no options for a future after that, my dad went into the military. His stories are plentiful, but they all wrap up how difficult but rewarding the journey was. From that, he was developed into the person he is today. He grew physically and mentally; he became a strong and humble man. The military proceeds to then give you the opportunities to grow to your full potential. After a few years of growth, he stepped back into the world with a bright life ahead of him. That is exactly what happened. Of hearing this on repeat, I can say that the military does not directly support my aspirations. However, I am not putting down the system at all. From everything I have heard, I recommend it to almost everyone as it applies to many cases of plans. Me, I am attempting on becoming a strength and conditioning coach for the Miami Dolphins at a young age; thus, I have a different path waiting for me. This is not to say though that my father's stories meant nothing to me. It is quiet on the contrary. From there, I learned how to be strong. There is always room past your breaking point. My father taught me to push past my comfort zone and stretch my barriers. Most importantly though, he taught me one of my favourite life lessons. He told me that you can do it yourself or can be forced to do it. What he meant by this is simple. You can choose to put in the hard work now and choose a life you want. Or you can take the easy way, live comfortably for the moment, and then be forced to do what you do not want for a life you do not want. Either choose to do it yourself or be forced to do it. Right now, based on previous exercise experience, I am studying Kinesiology. The field excites me, and it is something I am very interested in. After graduation, I hope to be in the likes of an exercise strength facility for a sports team. Of course, my education will me ever expanding in a place like this being around like minded people will give me the opportunity to learn what they know. I am ever grateful for where I am today, and super excited for the future to come!

In my future career, I am hoping to help others realise that money is not everything when it comes to life. As opposing as it may seem, I am reaching out to become a financial advisor to give people financial freedom, something I believe all Americans want. While a rewarding end goal, I want to make the realization known that this is not what makes one happy though. Life is supposed to be filled with friends, family, and adventure. Yes, it is hard to do such things without a consistent and reliable income, but what most people do not see is that chasing "the bag" is not what will make you happy. I am fortunate enough to say that I have had a point in my life where I was making good money at a younger age. While nice, that is simply all it was. It was "nice" to be able to buy my dream motorcycle and fill my closet with nice shoes. It was "nice" to be in a state of so forth luxury, but that was all it was. It was not life-fulfilling or gratifying. What is, is a life full of friends and happiness. Though I was at a much lower point financially, I was much happier before I received this money. By the state in which people are in today, it seems as if they have to realize this for themselves. This scholarship would help me make the above possible. A future goal I set is currently in action. As of now, I am attending the University of Central Florida. I am a student here, learning and advancing myself to find the best future for me, and the people I help. It has been a long and hard journey so far, but I know I will make it to the end. The money from this scholarship will help me continue this journey and fulfill a career with a masters degree. All I am trudging on now is grant and future scholarship money. However, no-matter what happens, I am super excited to be here and have at least gotten this amazing opportunity. I hope to make my life special. So many people end up wondering through life and passing without any mark left behind. That is one of my worst fears when it comes to life, and the way I am looking at things, your career is my best shot at avoiding that fear. I am proud of the track I am on now, and hope to be similarly proud in the future with how far I have come.

I want to play football. It has been the ideal lifestyle for me ever since I was a kid. It is hard to describe, but something about being an athlete and performing you's very best gets me going every day. Needless to say, I am going to become a great player later on in life. Let's shift the focus off of me now. My uncle died about a year ago today. He, along with all his friends and buddies, was an avid football fan. Now, after he is gone, I am playing football to my full potential. I am hurt and impacted that he is not going to see what I accomplish. To him, playing this game is a big deal. Like me, his life was revolving around it. To see the look on his face when I play college ball, and eventually, NFL for maybe one of his favourite games would be unreal. It brings me great devastation that he will not be here for that. However, that is not to say that all hope is failed. I know, now, that he is on my side up there. I now have a team to get me to that goal of playing for a career. I also know that he is watching me from up above, routing for me. So, not all hope is lost yet. I still have to prove something, if not for myself, but for him. This route in football, though, made me discover things about myself that I would have never known. It turns out that even though I perceived myself as an introvert, I am very people-oriented. One of my biggest goals that grew from this football goal is to inspire Americans to get outside and work on themselves. It is such a great activity to indulge in. Physical fitness and the same motivation should be present in everyone's life. While I am strongly motivated by my uncle, I hope to strongly motivate others to work hard and accomplish their dreams too. I never saw myself as the type of person to portray this mindset. I constantly focused on myself. However, with my current situation, I find it sufficient to be able to help others along with making my life count. A future in football, whether professional or recreational, is a career choice I would be ecstatic to say that I am a part of. Doing something I love is the sole career that I want. However, if I get to help others achieve their dream, I will find myself very fulfilled.

I have never struggled with a drug addiction. Though, on the contrary, I have had plenty of experience with it. I have seen multiple friends, first-hand, start using drugs. I have seen them go into therapy, and I have seen the aftermath of it all. Most impacting though is that I have seen my father deal with severe alcohol addiction, and I have also been through the consequences of such an addiction. Here is my story. Right when I was born, my father and mother lived very happily in Melbourne Florida. They had a nice house by the beach, good jobs, and now a happy son. It was not until my father took up the hole that things changed for the worse. He received that it was stress that drove him to the bars. However, someone who was once a super nice man turned the polar opposite. Of course, the mother of a newborn baby is not a good recipient of this kind of behaviour. Long story short, my mother decided to divorce the man for my safety alone. The outcome led to this: no contact with him, no news of him, no interactions with him at all. To this day, since they got a divorce, we never heard from him. To be real, there is a good possibility that he is no longer with us. Then, to think of it in the grand scheme of things, a man who had it all, lost it all due to alcohol and solely alcohol. We made it ok. Though very tough, my mother was able to get back on her feet. A few years after the divorce, she was able to find another good husband, who is now my stepfather. We are doing great right now. However, it still did put us in a very tough spot for a few years. Something that we did not even do ourselves impacted our lives dramatically. Seeing this impact, obviously made me want to stay sober for my whole life. So far, I have been, and I have no thoughts of changing that. However, I also advocate to friends and family on the drawbacks. No one has ever regretted being sober, but the same could not be said for drinkers. Since this impact was so harsh on my life, I tend to inform people of this all the time. While I do try to do the right thing, I feel as if my education on this topic is more habitual, as the drawbacks of drinking secondhandily affected my life dramatically. I did not get to see the end of my biological father's addiction. It may still be ongoing for him. He may have fixed himself up, or he may have gone down with his addiction. Either way, at the end of the day, this addiction turned his life completely upside down, along with the family he loved. Sober him cared for us, his life, and the world. However, the other side of him was the complete opposite. It is very sad to see that addiction can very literally destroy everything.

I am not a single mom. However, I am the direct dependent of a single mom. For most of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We have not seen him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take good care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. With the support of both of my current parents, I have been able to focus on my dream as a fitness teacher. I hope to educate the world on how important eating right and maintaining physical activity is for us. This topic seems to have been drowned out by the crazy scenarios in our lives. I completely get this mindset, as living under a single parent is not the easiest for the child too. However, I can also say that fitness is what helped me get through a lot of hard times too. Educating the world on the amazing benefits of a healthy lifestyle may just be what people need to get out of bed and start working out. Nonetheless, I hope to make this impact on the community and be the good I always needed.

I am currently on track to pursuing my dream future, and I could not be more enthusiastic about it! I know my future will have a lot in store for me, but right now, pursuing a worthwhile career seems to be the smartest use of my time and energy. Though my future career options have changed a plentiful amount of times throughout my life, I have dialled in on a field I know will make me happy. I am pursuing science. Specifically, I am pursuing exercise science. I should not be in the eyes of teachers, but here I am. Let me explain. Throughout my schooling, I was destined to be a business major. I read business books, ran businesses myself, and was the son and grandson of successful business owners. However, as it turns out, I am not going into that field. The field I was not supposed to go into was science. I was not into laboratory instances. Chemicals were not my thing and environmental studies did not interest me at all. What segment I did not look into much of was the human body. Besides health, the human body was never mentioned to me in high school or middle school. It was not until recently that I discovered this career path. Science in fitness is necessary for our human development. If you look at all of the movies in which the society is run down, most of the time, the characters are extremely obese. It is the epitome of laziness in a run-down future. For our future to be bright, I truly believe that we need to all exercise and nutrition our body. It is something that should and will likely never go away. In addition, constant development in this field has yet to bring improvements to society. This will only help everyone. Exercise is an extreme part of our culture, and I am sure that it will be for years to come. I am obsessed with exercise and fitness. Unlike the science industry, this has been with me forever. Since I was in 5th grade, I have been working out in the gym with my parents. I have played almost every sport there is. Little did I know that there was such an industry behind exercise and health specifically. It seemed like it was almost the perfect career choice. Without knowing, I have even listened to multiple podcasts and videos on exercise in hopes of improving myself. Little did I know that this learning would eventually end me up with a college degree down the line. Right now, I am currently applying to many major universities to continue my education in this field. In a few years after my bachelor's, I may attempt a major in physical therapy. Only time will tell for that one though. Though a quick decision, I am happy to start learning about the human body and the effects of exercise. I am super excited to be on this journey currently, and I know a future in a science-related field will be a life I love to live. This will be a dream come true.

America is a melting pot of different nationalities. It is what America is made from. Being from a family not from this country seems like it would be normal based on that. However, it is everything but normal. American culture is worlds different than out-of-country cultures, and adapting a whole family to America's way of life is very difficult. If you are not from America and used to our educational systems, even the idea of college is quite foreign. Coming from a Vietnamese family, everything about school is blatantly left to the kids. This is just a brutal reality though, as it is completely understandable for parents who grew up in Vietnam to not unbearable able to grasp American concepts, especially when it’s as confusing as the college financial system. The hardest part about coming from a family in a different country is figuring out everything by yourself. In addition, once you find out what is required, the prolonged process of explaining it to your parents comes up. As most things require parent participation, it is very difficult to describe what and why they have to do certain things. In the end, through struggle and hard work, you find yourself in a college dorm with a good education. Though a little harder than everyone else, the endpoint is the same, and even more appreciated! On the contrary, the willingness to try and understand our morals is very inspiring. For this reason, the adults in my family is who I look up to the most. Though they do not know much about the culture, their willingness to learn and the effort they put in is all that counts. Not only that, but I am very proud to be surrounding by such a group of individuals that try so hard to make their life better. Through a lot of different discoveries and self-finding, I have figured out that I am exceptionally good at physical fitness. Not only that, but I greatly enjoy being a part of the subject. It is a field I have fun in every day. Because of this, I am currently majoring in Kinesiology, or the study of exercise science. I am extremely happy and proud of my major and excited to move forward with it. In my future college career, I plan on producing a lot of content related to exercise science. I do not want my talent and passion to go to waste, even when I am still studying in college. After I obtain my bachelor's degree, I am going to hopefully finish up with a Master's Degree in two more years to optimize my chances of a solid career path. My dream job is training athletes and passing my knowledge to them. It excites me knowing that I will soon have the ability to pass my passion on to others and educate the world. This scholarship would do wonders for me in my journey. I am taking it one step at a time with my sights set high!

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfillment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthily. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. My personal reason was due to family and friend relationships deteriorating, but coincidentally enough, this ruined all of my other relationships too. Not only that l, but my school work because harder to finish, my work ethic became less passionate at my job, and my entire life was a big blur. This moment ruined me, but getting out of it made me a much better person in the end. I am not sympathizing only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. My biggest fear moment came through this. Though there are resources at our fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgments. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is a terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. In this society, mental health issues is increasing rapidly due to social media, technology, and life struggles. Many people go through it, yet for some reason, it is looked upon as almost a joke. Making sure to not give in to that viewpoint was the best step in the right direction. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

Having a family member with a heart defect has had a profound impact on my life. Their condition has not only affected them physically, but it has also affected our entire family emotionally and mentally. It has made me more aware of the importance of taking care of one's health and has taught me to appreciate every moment with my loved ones. Therefore, I strongly believe that raising awareness for heart defects and supporting those affected is crucial. First, witnessing a family member struggle with a heart defect has made me realize the fragility of life. It has been a constant reminder that our health is not something to be taken for granted. It has pushed me to prioritize my own health and to make healthier choices in my daily life. I have also been more proactive in getting regular check-ups and screenings to ensure that I am taking the necessary steps to maintain a healthy heart. This personal experience has made me more aware of the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and the impact it can have on our well-being. Additionally, having a family member with a heart defect has taken a toll on our family emotionally and mentally. It has been difficult to watch them struggle with their condition and to see the toll it takes on their physical and emotional well-being. It has forced us to confront the harsh realities of living with a chronic illness and has made us appreciate the moments we have together. This experience has made us more empathetic towards others facing similar challenges and has strengthened our bonds as a family. It has also heightened our awareness of the need for continued research, treatment, and support for individuals with heart defects. Given these reasons, I feel a strong urge to raise awareness for heart defects and to support those affected by them. I believe that by sharing our family's experience, we can educate others about the impact of heart defects and encourage individuals to take proactive measures to protect their heart health. Additionally, I am passionate about advocating for improved access to resources and support for individuals facing heart defects. It is crucial that these individuals receive the care and assistance they need to manage their condition and live a fulfilling life. Having a family member with a heart defect has made a significant impact on my life and has prompted me to advocate for greater awareness and support for individuals facing similar challenges. I strongly believe that by sharing our story and supporting initiatives aimed at improving heart health, we can make a positive difference in the lives of those affected by heart defects. I urge others to join me in this effort and to take proactive steps to protect their own heart health. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that individuals with heart defects receive the care and support they deserve.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is definitely a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfilment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthy. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathising only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall down, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at your fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgements. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is an absolutely terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

Calculus is a crucial component of the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) major field in college, and its importance cannot be overstated. Calculus provides students with a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and principles, which are essential for success in various STEM disciplines. In this essay, I will argue that calculus is a fundamental and indispensable tool for students pursuing a career in the STEM field. First and foremost, calculus serves as the foundation for many advanced mathematical and scientific concepts. Whether it be in physics, engineering, or computer science, calculus is integral to understanding the principles that govern the natural world. For instance, in physics, calculus is used to describe the motion of objects, the behavior of fluids, and the distribution of electric charge. Without a firm grasp of calculus, students would struggle to comprehend these fundamental concepts and their real-world applications. In addition, calculus equips students with the analytical and problem-solving skills necessary for success in the STEM field. The rigorous nature of calculus fosters critical thinking, logical reasoning, and the ability to approach complex problems with a systematic and methodical mindset. These skills are invaluable in disciplines such as computer science, where students must tackle intricate algorithms, or in engineering, where the design of innovative solutions relies heavily on mathematical analysis. Furthermore, calculus plays a pivotal role in preparing students for more advanced coursework in their respective fields. Many upper-level STEM courses, such as advanced physics, differential equations, and numerical analysis, heavily rely on the foundational principles of calculus. Without a solid understanding of calculus, students would find themselves ill-prepared for the challenges of these higher-level courses, putting their academic success and future career prospects at risk. Plus, calculus is a gateway to a wide range of career opportunities in the STEM field. Many lucrative and impactful professions, such as data analysis, financial modeling, and scientific research, require a strong mathematical background that includes proficiency in calculus. By mastering calculus, students open doors to a myriad of career options and enhance their competitiveness in the job market. Calculus is undeniably important in the STEM major field in college. It provides students with a solid foundation in mathematical and analytical skills, prepares them for advanced coursework, and opens doors to diverse career opportunities. As such, it is crucial for colleges to emphasize the significance of calculus in the STEM field and ensure that students receive the necessary support and resources to succeed in this fundamental subject. By doing so, colleges can empower students to thrive in their STEM studies and pursue impactful careers in fields that rely on a strong mathematical foundation.

As the leaves begin to change and the air becomes crisper, Starbucks unveils its highly anticipated fall drinks. From spiced lattes to pumpkin-flavored delights, there are various options to choose from. However, in the sea of seasonal beverages, one drink stands out as the best Starbucks fall drink on the market - the Pumpkin Spice Latte. The Pumpkin Spice Latte, also known as the PSL, has become an iconic symbol of the fall season. It has garnered a cult following and has solidified its place as the quintessential autumn drink. Combining the rich, bold flavors of espresso with the warm, comforting taste of pumpkin spice, this beverage has won the hearts of coffee lovers everywhere. One of the key factors that make the Pumpkin Spice Latte the best Starbucks fall drink is its unique blend of spices. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove come together to create a symphony of flavors that evoke cozy evenings by the fire and brisk walks through a pumpkin patch. The aroma alone is enough to transport the drinker to a picturesque autumn scene. In coordination to its tantalizing taste, the Pumpkin Spice Latte also offers a creamy and indulgent texture. The velvety milk froth that crowns the drink adds a luxurious element to every sip. It creates a satisfying mouthfeel that adds to the overall experience of savoring this seasonal treat. Moreover, the Pumpkin Spice Latte has a versatile nature that appeals to a wide range of palates. Whether you prefer your coffee hot or iced, the PSL can be tailored to suit your preferences. The warm and comforting flavors of the drink make it a perfect choice for chilly mornings, while the iced version provides a refreshing twist on the classic beverage. Another reason the Pumpkin Spice Latte is the best Starbucks fall drink on the market is its ability to conjure up feelings of nostalgia and tradition. For many, the arrival of this beloved beverage signals the start of the holiday season. It serves as a reminder of family gatherings, pumpkin carving, and the joyous festivities that come with the fall and winter months. Furthermore, the Pumpkin Spice Latte embodies the essence of fall, making it a favorite among those who long for seasonal flavors. Its popularity is evident in the countless social media posts, memes, and viral hashtags dedicated to celebrating its return each year. The widespread enthusiasm for the PSL is a testament to its enduring appeal and its status as the epitome of autumn beverages. The Pumpkin Spice Latte is undeniably the best Starbucks fall drink on the market. Its inviting blend of spices, luxurious texture, versatility, and ability to evoke nostalgia makes it a standout choice for the season. Whether you're a devoted fan or a newcomer to the world of fall beverages, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is sure to delight your taste buds and kindle your love for all things autumn.

With the rise of streaming services, Netflix has become a powerhouse in the entertainment industry, offering a wide variety of TV shows and movies for its subscribers. Among the plethora of options available, there is no doubt that the best Netflix series to binge-watch varies depending on individual preferences. However, there are a few series that stand out as clear favorites among viewers. One of the most popular Netflix series to binge-watch is "Stranger Things." Set in the 1980s, this science fiction horror series follows a group of kids as they uncover supernatural secrets in their small town. "Stranger Things" has captured the hearts of viewers with its nostalgic references to 80s pop culture, compelling storyline, and well-developed characters. The show's blend of horror, mystery, and heartwarming moments has made it a hit among audiences of all ages. Another top choice for binge-worthy content on Netflix is "The Crown." This historical drama series chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and the British royal family. With its lavish costumes, intricate storytelling, and stellar performances from its cast, "The Crown" has received critical acclaim and has garnered a dedicated fan base. Its attention to historical accuracy and the portrayal of real-life events make it a captivating watch for anyone interested in the British monarchy and historical dramas. For those who enjoy a mix of comedy and drama, "The Office" remains a classic choice for a binge-worthy Netflix series. This mockumentary-style sitcom, set in a mundane office environment, follows the daily lives of the employees at the Dunder Mifflin paper company. With its quirky characters, witty humor, and relatable workplace scenarios, "The Office" has become a beloved cult favorite that continues to attract new fans even years after its original airing. In recent years, "Bridgerton" has emerged as a standout Netflix series that has captured the attention of viewers worldwide. This period drama, based on the novels by Julia Quinn, is set in Regency-era England and follows the romantic trials and tribulations of the Bridgerton family. With its opulent settings, captivating romance, and scandalous plot twists, "Bridgerton" has become a sensation, drawing in audiences with its addictive storytelling and visually stunning production design. To conclude, the best Netflix series to binge-watch ultimately depends on individual preferences, whether it be a preference for horror, drama, comedy, or romance. However, "Stranger Things," "The Crown," "The Office," and "Bridgerton" stand out as some of the top choices for binge-worthy content on the platform. Each of these series offers compelling storytelling, well-crafted characters, and a captivating viewing experience that is sure to keep viewers glued to their screens for hours on end. Whether you're in the mood for thrills, historical intrigue, workplace humor, or romantic escapism, Netflix has a series for everyone to binge-watch and enjoy.

Throughout the years, there have been many iterations of Spider-Man, ranging from comic book characters to animated television shows to blockbuster movies. Each has brought something unique to the table, but when it comes to determining the best Spider-Man in the group, the answer can be quite subjective. However, after careful consideration, it can be argued that the best Spider-Man is the one portrayed by Tom Holland in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Tom Holland’s portrayal of Spider-Man, also known as Peter Parker, began with his introduction in “Captain America: Civil War” and continued on in standalone films such as “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “Spider-Man: Far From Home.” Holland’s iteration of the character brings a refreshing and youthful energy to the role, capturing the essence of Peter Parker as a high school student trying to balance the struggles of being a young superhero and a regular teenager. One of the key reasons that Tom Holland’s Spider-Man is considered the best in the group is his ability to portray the endearing and relatable qualities of Peter Parker. His performance captures the essence of the character’s endearing awkwardness, intelligence, and inner struggle while also balancing the lighthearted and humorous nature of Spider-Man's alter ego. This makes him incredibly likable and enjoyable to watch, drawing fans of all ages to his portrayal of the iconic hero. Moreover, Holland’s Spider-Man is characterized by his vulnerability and growth throughout the films. Unlike other iterations, which often depict the character as already having a firm grasp on his abilities, Holland’s Spider-Man showcases the journey of a young hero coming to terms with his newfound powers and responsibilities. This adds depth to the character and allows for a more immersive and engaging narrative that resonates with audiences. In addition, Holland’s portrayal of Spider-Man benefits from his inclusion in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, allowing for interactions with other beloved characters such as Iron Man and Captain America. This allows for a more expansive and interconnected story that enriches the character’s development and provides a broader context for his place in the superhero landscape. Lastly, Holland’s physicality and agility bring a new level of authenticity to the character, as he performs many of his own stunts, showcasing the acrobatics and athleticism that is synonymous with Spider-Man. This dedication to the role adds a layer of credibility and excitement to the character, allowing for more dynamic and visually stunning action sequences. To finalize everything, while there are many versions of Spider-Man that have left an indelible mark on popular culture, it can be argued that Tom Holland’s portrayal of the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe stands as the best in the group. His ability to capture the relatable and endearing qualities of Peter Parker, his growth as a young hero, his inclusion in the larger Marvel Universe, and his physicality and grace as Spider-Man make him a standout among the rest. Tom Holland has truly brought new life and depth to the iconic hero, making him the best Spider-Man in the group.

"The Summer I Turned Pretty" is a popular young adult television show that centers around the protagonist, Belly, and her relationships with the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah. The show has sparked heated debates amongst fans on which brother she should end up with, and I firmly believe that I am team Conrad. It is a tough decision no matter what way you look at it, but it is a decision I can stick with one hundred percent. Conrad Fisher is the brooding, mysterious older brother who captures Belly's heart from the very beginning. His complex and multifaceted personality is undeniably alluring, and it's hard not to be drawn to him. His tough exterior and guarded nature hide a vulnerable and caring heart, as well as great depth and complexity that make him a compelling character. Throughout the show, Conrad's actions speak volumes about his enduring love for Belly. Despite his brooding nature, he is incredibly protective and selflessly puts Belly's needs and happiness ahead of his own. His willingness to sacrifice his happiness for her well-being is a testament to his deep and abiding love for her. On the other hand, I have to look at the other side with the same amount of detail. Jeremiah Fisher is the outgoing and charismatic younger brother, whom some fans rally behind. While Jeremiah is a great guy in his own right, his affable nature and easy charm often come across as superficial when compared to Conrad's depth and complexity. I believe that while Jeremiah is a good friend to Belly, his connection with her doesn't run as deep as Conrad's. Furthermore, Conrad and Belly share a long and complicated history that has shaped their relationship into a bond that is truly irreplaceable. Their childhood friendship blossomed into a powerful and unbreakable connection that has stood the test of time. Their shared experiences and memories make their love story more poignant and meaningful. In conclusion, I am firmly team Conrad in the show "The Summer I Turned Pretty." His complex and multifaceted personality, enduring love for Belly, and their deep and abiding connection make him the perfect partner for her. While Jeremiah is a good friend, Conrad's deep and enduring love for Belly makes him the undeniable choice. It is clear that Belly and Conrad's love story is one for the ages, and I wholeheartedly believe that they are meant to be together.

K-pop, short for Korean pop music, has become a global phenomenon in recent years, with its catchy tunes, incredible choreography, and visually stunning music videos. With a multitude of K-pop groups topping the charts and gaining a massive following, one cannot help but wonder: what is the best K-pop group and why? This is a subjective question, as everyone has their own personal favorites, but one group that stands out among the rest is BTS. BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a seven-member boy band formed in South Korea in 2013. The group consists of members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, each with their own unique talents and charisma. BTS has taken the K-pop world by storm with their powerful performances, socially conscious lyrics, and passionate fanbase known as the ARMY. One of the reasons why BTS is considered the best K-pop group is their ability to consistently produce high-quality music. The group has released numerous albums and singles that have topped charts all over the world, earning them a massive global following. Their music is a blend of various genres, including pop, hip-hop, and R&B, which appeals to a wide range of listeners. Their lyrics often touch on meaningful and relatable subjects, such as mental health, self-love, and social issues, resonating with fans on a deeper level. Furthermore, BTS is known for their incredible live performances and mesmerizing choreography. The group's energy on stage is infectious, and their synchronized dance moves never fail to captivate audiences. They have also made a name for themselves as trendsetters in the fashion and beauty industry, often setting new trends with their unique and stylish outfits. Another reason why BTS is considered the best K-pop group is their impact on the global music industry. They have shattered numerous records, including becoming the first Korean act to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart with their song "Dynamite." They have also received accolades from prestigious award shows and institutions, such as the Grammy Awards and the United Nations. Additionally, BTS has used its platform to advocate for important social issues, such as mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ rights. They have partnered with various organizations and charities to promote positive change in the world, using their influence for good. BTS is often regarded as the best K-pop group due to their exceptional music, mesmerizing performances, global impact, and commitment to making a positive difference in the world. Their passion, talent, and dedication to their art have earned them a special place in the hearts of millions of fans worldwide, solidifying their status as one of the greatest K-pop groups of all time.

When it comes to anime car films, there are several standout contenders that have captivated audiences with their thrilling racing scenes, well-developed characters, and striking animation. However, one film that consistently stands out as a fan favorite and has garnered widespread acclaim is "Initial D: Third Stage." "Initial D: Third Stage" is a 2001 anime film based on the popular manga and anime series "Initial D" by Shuichi Shigeno. The film is a continuation of the storyline from the anime series and follows the protagonist, Takumi Fujiwara, as he navigates the world of street racing and confronts new challenges both on and off the track. What sets "Initial D: Third Stage" apart from other anime car films is its attention to detail in depicting the art of drift racing. The film meticulously showcases the technical aspects of drifting, from the physics of car control to the strategic maneuvering required to outmaneuver opponents on mountain roads. The animation of the racing sequences is both exhilarating and visually stunning, capturing the adrenaline-pumping intensity of competitive street racing. Another cool strength of "Initial D: Third Stage" lies in its well-developed characters and their personal journeys. The film delves into the deeper complexities of the protagonist, Takumi, as he grapples with his passion for racing, his relationships with friends and rivals, and the challenges of growing up. The emotional depth of the characters adds a compelling layer to the film, making it more than just a series of adrenaline-fueled racing scenes. Furthermore, "Initial D: Third Stage" effectively balances the thrill of racing with a gripping narrative that keeps viewers invested throughout the film. The stakes are high, and the conflicts that arise both on and off the track contribute to the overall tension and excitement of the story.vIn addition to its compelling storyline and impressive animation, "Initial D: Third Stage" also benefits from a memorable soundtrack that perfectly complements the adrenaline-pumping racing scenes. The music adds another layer of excitement and immersion, heightening the overall viewing experience. Overall, "Initial D: Third Stage" is a standout anime car film that excels in all aspects, from its breathtaking racing sequences to its well-crafted characters and compelling storytelling. It has rightfully earned its place as one of the best anime car films and continues to resonate with fans of both anime and automotive culture.

Growing up as a child in the 2000s, one of my favorite things to do was watch Disney channel shows. I was always excited to see my favorite characters in different scenarios and meeting other characters from different shows. One of the most memorable experiences of my childhood was watching the Disney show crossovers. Among all the crossovers, my favorite was the crossover between "Wizards of Waverly Place" and "The Suite Life on Deck." The crossover episode, titled "Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana," brought together characters from three of Disney's highly popular shows. I remember being thrilled to see all of them interacting with each other and being part of an epic adventure on a cruise ship. The crossover combined the best elements of each show and gave fans the opportunity to see their favorite characters in a unique and exciting setting. What made this crossover my favorite was the way it seamlessly integrated the storylines from each show. The episode was not just a gimmick to bring characters together; it was a well-thought-out plot that allowed each character to shine in their own way. The writers managed to blend the comedic and magical elements of "Wizards of Waverly Place" with the adventurous and mischievous nature of "The Suite Life on Deck," creating a cohesive and entertaining storyline. Moreover, the interactions between the characters were incredibly enjoyable to watch. Seeing Alex Russo using her magic to create chaos on the cruise ship, Zack and Cody getting into their usual shenanigans, and Hannah Montana trying to juggle her secret identity made for a dynamic and humorous collaboration. The chemistry between the characters was palpable, and it felt like they truly belonged in the same universe. In addition, the crossover provided a sense of nostalgia for fans of all three shows. As a viewer, I felt a rush of excitement seeing familiar faces and remembering the iconic moments from each respective series. It was a trip down memory lane that brought a sense of joy and warmth to anyone who grew up watching these shows. Overall, the crossover between "Wizards of Waverly Place" and "The Suite Life on Deck" remains my favorite Disney show crossover because it perfectly captured the essence of each show while delivering a fun and entertaining storyline. It was a magical and unforgettable experience that brought together beloved characters and left a lasting impression on fans. The crossover was a testament to the creativity and brilliance of the Disney channel, and it continues to hold a special place in my heart as one of the most memorable moments of my past childhood.

Zendaya has had a remarkable career that has influenced and inspired countless individuals, including myself. From her early days as a Disney Channel star to her current roles as a singer, actress, and advocate for social justice, Zendaya has shown the world what it means to be a multi-talented and powerful force in the entertainment industry. One aspect of Zendaya's career that has influenced me the most is her commitment to authenticity and self-expression. While many young stars often resort to fitting into a specific mold or conforming to industry standards, Zendaya has consistently stayed true to herself and embraced her uniqueness. She has proven that it is possible to be successful while staying true to one's values and beliefs. Also, Zendaya's journey from a child star to a powerful voice in Hollywood has taught me the importance of self-acceptance and embracing my individuality. It has shown me that success is not about conforming to others' expectations, but about celebrating one's uniqueness and using it as a source of strength. Zendaya has used her platform to advocate for greater diversity and representation in the entertainment industry, and she has been unapologetically herself in the process. This has been an inspiring example for me to follow in my own life and career. Zendaya's versatility as an artist has also been influential to me. She has seamlessly transitioned from acting to singing and has excelled in both fields. This has taught me that it is possible to pursue multiple passions and excel in different areas. As someone with diverse interests and talents, Zendaya's career has shown me that I do not have to limit myself to one path and that I can pursue various creative endeavors with dedication and enthusiasm. In addition, Zendaya's commitment to social justice and advocacy has also left a lasting impact on me. She has used her platform to speak out against racism, promote body positivity, and advocate for greater representation of marginalized communities in the media. Through her activism, she has shown me the importance of using my voice and influence to make a positive impact on the world around me. To finish, Zendaya's career has influenced me in numerous ways, from her commitment to authenticity and self-expression to her versatility as an artist and her dedication to social justice. She has shown me the importance of staying true to myself, pursuing my passions, and using my platform for positive change. I am grateful for the influence Zendaya has had on my life and I look forward to seeing her continue to inspire and empower others in the future.

Being a college student gives you a whole new perspective on life. Transitioning from being an instruction-abiding kid in high school to growing into an independent adult on one's own gives everyone a whole new outlook on the world. Not only that, but being surrounded by like-minded individuals similarly gives one a new advantage point on the world. When I first started at my University, I was so proud to see the diversity and community that was there. Seeing the news on the television, on social media, or in newspapers gives everyone a terrible viewpoint on acceptance and diversity. However, by seeing real-world scenarios pertaining to equal rights and the LGBTQ+ community, I am happy to see everyone moving forward on the subject. While it may be quick to say that the younger generation is more understanding of our differences, I see it as a colossal part of our community that has changed for the better. I chose to do what I love. My passion is physical fitness, so I decided going to college for Kinesiology was for me. It was a major I knew I would stay passionate in. When I first arrived at my new school, I was indulging in a bit of culture shock. It took me a bit to get used to the resources, advocating, and cultural norms surrounding by being different. This is not to say that I was against diversity beforehand. However, being put into this melting pot that is socially accepted did catch me off guard. Over time, I certainly got used to this environment. With this time though, I also found myself changing for the better. This new and open-minded environment not only made me more comfortable but gave me the opportunity to fully express myself. This opportunity is always there for others to take part in, but it is not spread to the degree that it is here. I needed this eye-opening experience to truly understand what being accepting and accepted meant. I have now found myself in a position where I too advocate for others. I started college with an open mind, but now I am publicizing the idea with others. With this newfound comfort, I am able to get out and be myself. Not being afraid of what others will think of you, discriminating against you, or judging you makes such a positive impact on our people and this world. I am so engrossed in seeing this positive change at the college level that I am now hoping to be a positive role model for other generations of this world. Spreading this "open-minded" thought process to everyone is a good way to make the world an overall better place to live in. Seeing this change helped me grow amazingly as a human, and I am sure the world will soon see this new treatment of society too.

The military is a life-shaping experience. Well, that is coming directly from the words of my father. He was a mechanic in the military for some time, and though he is not pursuing that acquisition anymore, he tells me often that it has shaped his life as it is today. Though I have considered the military dearly, I have decided against it due to my overall life goals. However, I can say that not only have my goals been assisted with my father's help, but my drive to get there has. Simple life actions that I found present in my life turned out to not be so familiar to others. My father has taught me basic respect, manners, accountability, and most of all, work ethic. From this, I was able to seek out what I wanted in life. Whether it is because I am a very structured individual or I was grown up that way, I am not sure. However, I am sure that this characteristic in me has teetered my life course to helping people via physical fitness. Putting structure and accountability in other people's lives seems very life-fulfilling to me. I am sure that this had a heavy influence on my father and his role in raising me with such morals. Nonetheless, I am happy to say it is the direction I want to go. Like everyone, there are certain periods in life where you have no motivation. I achieve my dad for this one because his stories motivated me greatly in continuing. Chugging on and never quitting was the most important thing in these stories. When I found myself wanting to give up and quit, I always remembered these stories of his. Looking to the future, I am very hopeful and excited to see what I bring to the table. Not only was my dad a descendant of the military but my uncle and grandpa were too. Though they are both in heaven right now, I just know they will be beyond proud to see me succeed so far in life. Especially from the help and tactics that they where taught too in the military. Where I am today, I have received a lot of praise from my father. Though a lot of rough times occurred, one of the lessons he taught me is that no hard work should go unnoticed. From this, all my current achievements and successes have come with plenty of praise. Though, like always, the motivation to keep moving forward and continuing my success is present. Though I am not going into the military any time soon, and my lifelong success does not account for such, I can say with great confidence that through my father, the military has already made a monumental impact on my person and my success.

Being a college student gives you a whole new perspective on life. Transitioning from being an instruction-abiding kid in high school to growing into an independent adult on one's own gives everyone a whole new outlook on the world. Not only that, but being surrounded by like-minded individuals similarly gives one a new advantage point on the world. When I first started at my University, I was so proud to see the diversity and community that was there. Seeing the news on the television, on social media, or in newspapers gives everyone a terrible viewpoint on acceptance and diversity. However, by seeing real-world scenarios pertaining to equal rights and the LGBTQ+ community, I am happy to see everyone moving forward on the subject. While it may be quick to say that the younger generation is more understanding of our differences, I see it as a colossal part of our community that has changed for the better. When I first arrived at my new school, I was indulging in a bit of culture shock. It took me a bit to get used to the resources, advocating, and cultural norms surrounding by being different. This is not to say that I was against diversity beforehand. However, being put into this melting pot that is socially accepted did catch me off guard. Over time, I certainly got used to this environment. With this time though, I also found myself changing for the better. This new and open-minded environment not only made me more comfortable but gave me the opportunity to fully express myself. This opportunity is always there for others to take part in, but it is not spread to the degree that it is here. I needed this eye-opening experience to truly understand what being accepting and accepted meant. I have now found myself in a position where I too advocate for others. I started college with an open mind, but now I am publicizing the idea with others. With this newfound comfort, I am able to get out and be myself. Not being afraid of what others will think of you, discriminating against you, or judging you makes such a positive impact on our people and this world. I am so engrossed in seeing this positive change at the college level that I am now hoping to be a positive role model for other generations of this world. Spreading this "open-minded" thought process to everyone is a good way to make the world an overall better place to live in. Seeing this change helped me grow incredibly as a human, and I am sure the world will soon see this new treatment of society too.

I am transferring to a large university to major in Kinesiology. While that may seem like a boring start, this is one of the most exciting introductions in my life. Let me explain why. All through pre-college schooling, I have been determined to pursue a business degree. Even beyond that, I was heavily driven to open up my own business. I have started 2 separate companies since, and it has been a blast. It was everything I hoped for. Yet somehow, I am pursuing a kinesiology field next semester. If that does not describe how exciting that introduction was, maybe this will: on all of the career tests I have taken, I scored the absolute lowest in the medical field. This means that out of all the career paths, I should be least interested in the medical field. However, here I am. To tell you why I had to look past the surface-level aspects. My parents all owned a business, I have owned two registered businesses, and I have had multiple teachings taught to me about business in various ways. I have a strong desire to build a financially free life for myself while also having fun doing what I do. So, why am I going into the medical field? I later found out that life is not all about money. On the contrary, life is about family, friends, and having fun. Enjoying life to the maximum is what makes it count the most, and I have been doing a very poor job of that in my recent years. At only 19 years old, I can not say that I have enjoyed life the way I should. To not dig too deep down this path, I want to pursue a career that is not about the money, but instead a career that I will thoroughly have fun in. This career leads me down the path of kinesiology. Though unexpected, I am going to do whatever it takes to make me happy. This opened my eyes to the medical field, and I have since found out that I have a strong passion for this subject. I have all my life, but since everyone shoved the medical field aside and pushed business to me, I have never had a breathing chance to see for myself what I want to do. I have heard that the crazier the thought, the more success is prone to it. I feel that this holds its weight here. My goals for this field are not laid out in stone yet, as I have just recently began studying material related to my major. While the brain does fascinate me, I am seeing that human fitness may be a wiser choice considering my self aspects. All in all, I may finish with a major in physical therapy, while others recommend me to the path of sports medical assistance, where I can fulfil a duty such as a nurse to the staff. Either way, I count it as very exciting, and I hope that translates well into this essay.

I have never put much thought into my engineering abilities. Anything to do with computers, design, mechanics, or technical analysis has been on the back burner for me. In my head, it seemed as if everyone was testing their abilities on this subject, and if that is the case, why do I need to follow the herd? Well, the answer I soon found out is that I am very good at it. Let me explain. I have always been a business person. Up till recently when I decided to go into the medical and technological field, I never really thought outside of the business world. However, I will admit to always liking cars. Particularly, any vehicle legal for street use. One thing lead to another, and I ended up buying a cheap motorcycle. Then, as the saying goes, I crashed. While not intentional by any means, I was forced to start figuring out my abilities. Let me put it this way. I did not fix my motorcycle out of willingness. I had no money and needed to get my bike back. I did not even question another way, but the end goal was to get riding again. So, I went to work. It should be noticed that the bike would be deemed salvaged by anyone with valid vision. It was in ruins. My parents referred to it as the pile of junk in the garage. Telling me it belongs in a junkyard, me being a nieve seventeen-year-old ignored them. It took me only two months, and she was up. I was in that garage every night it seemed. Ordering parts and watching tutorials took up all of my free time. However, she was better than new in a short while. It is an understatement to say I impressed everyone when showing up to places on that bike. However, most importantly, it impressed me. I did not put that much thought into it, as I said, but seeing that bike finished made me realise what a big accomplishment I did all by myself. In a field that I never would look at twice, I have accomplished something most seventeen-year-olds could never do. I rebuilt a motorcycle from scratch. No help, no tutoring, and actually, a lot of putdowns lead me to finish the project. So, at the end of the day, I am still not pursuing a degree in anything mechanic related. I am still actively working towards a medical field career. However, unlike before, I have taken a serious look into my abilities with mechanics, computers, and all things related, and I am very happy with the results.

Life is fragile, and with the mentality that you only live it once, I am making sure I do it right. I have been dealt a good hand at birth with my family. I am a single child in a small family, and I am super grateful for it. Keeping a positive attitude and a healthy work ethic has kept me on a positive path, and I am ecstatic to see where it continues to lead me. My family has taught me this mentality, and considering I only have a handful of other relatives close to me, it has not been hard to adopt this way of thinking. We stay close too, so holidays and events are always celebrated together. I understand I am very lucky to have this amazing situation, and as I grow up, I have learned to make the most of it. As for my current situation, I am enrolled at the University of Central Florida as a Kinesiology undergraduate student. I have gotten here through a bit of a struggle, but like I said, I am grateful for everything that happens. After finishing high school in the top 10% of my class and 36 college credits, I decided to finish up my associate degree at a community college due to our financial situation. My parents opened a business, so money has been pushed aside strictly for its success. So far, we have no lt reached the great benefit ls of a successful business, so my education has been left to be funded poorly. However, with this, I did not give up hope. After, with my sights locked on a physical therapy career, I applied to as many colleges as I could, with the best one to squeeze me in being the University of Central Florida. That brings us to the present day, where I attend as many classes, produce as many publications, and get involved in as many activities as I can that have to do with my major. My school experience in the past can be described as working hard and trying my best. Luckily, this worked well for me, so the position I am in is very important to me. I am doing everything I can to make the most of it. Finishing off with my plans, I hope to become a Physical Therapist so I can do what I do now on a larger scale. Giving me this job platform will make my dreams possible. I hope to continue making publications and spreading my knowledge in any way I can. My life has been amazing so far, and through thick and thin, I am thankful for everything. I am excited to see where life takes me.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is definitely a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfilment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthy. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathising only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall down, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at your fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgements. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is an absolutely terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to do so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change as it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making other's happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is worth a shot to make a difference.

The most influential person in my life is my father. He served in the United States Army as a mechanic. From his words exactly, it completely changed his life around. I have heard a lot of different stories about how great the military is. However, my dad's point of view was my favourite. He was such a bad kid at a young age. During mid-high school, he got kicked out of school for punching the principal. Knowing my dad, this was not even the worse thing he has done. However, after having no options for a future after that, my dad went into the military. His stories are plentiful, but they all wrap up how difficult but rewarding the journey was. From that, he was developed into the person he is today. He grew physically and mentally; he became a strong and humble man. The military proceeds to then give you the opportunities to grow to your full potential. After a few years of growth, he stepped back into the world with a bright life ahead of him. That is exactly what happened. Of hearing this on repeat, I can say that the military does not directly support my aspirations. However, I am not putting down the system at all. From everything I have heard, I recommend it to almost everyone as it applies to many cases of plans. Me, I am attempting on becoming a strength and conditioning coach for the Miami Dolphins at a young age; thus, I have a different path waiting for me. This is not to say though that my father's stories meant nothing to me. It is quiet on the contrary. From there, I learned how to be strong. There is always room past your breaking point. My father taught me to push past my comfort zone and stretch my barriers. Most importantly though, he taught me one of my favourite life lessons. He told me that you can do it yourself or can be forced to do it. What he meant by this is simple. You can choose to put in the hard work now and choose a life you want. Or you can take the easy way, live comfortably for the moment, and then be forced to do what you do not want for a life you do not want. Either choose to do it yourself or be forced to do it. Currently, I wake up at four in the morning to get a strong workout in. I am on a strict carnivore diet consisting of only meat and water. I am studying for my profession ahead of school, maintaining side hustles, and investing my money. I do all of these things so I can live the life I want in the future. I can be forced to use the money later, or I can use my money now in a smart way. I can be forced to work at a job I do not like later, or I can work now to have a job I enjoy. I can work on my health now, or I can let the doctors treat me later. I learned all of this from my dad. Though my father has taught me many lessons, I can say that my life has been put on the right track because of him. I can not begin to thank him enough for everything.

Being a part of the disabled community has completely changed my viewpoints in many ways. It has made me more aware of the challenges that people with disabilities face on a daily basis and has given me a greater appreciation for the struggles and triumphs that come with living with a disability. This experience has also opened my eyes to the lack of accessibility and accommodations for people with disabilities in many aspects of society, such as in education, employment, and public spaces. Being a part of the disabled community has transformed my perspectives and given me a deeper understanding of the importance of inclusivity and accessibility. I am committed to using my experiences positively to advocate for change, inspire others, and be a source of support and encouragement for those within the disabled community. Through education, awareness, and advocacy, I hope to contribute towards creating a more inclusive and accessible society for people of all abilities.

For the past few years, I have been an active member of multiple community service programs. By choice? Well, not originally. However, I would say that I kept with it truly for the enjoyment of it. Let me explain. In the State of Florida, one of the higher achievement rewards requires you to commit to 100 hours of community service. Therefore, a large percentage of high school students get thrown into the field, not by choice. As a successful student in school, it is a task that would be silly for me to not take part in. However, my parents saw this viewpoint more than I did. Like many other kids, I was thrown into the idea. There are very few kids that would want to devote their free time to work. However, after a few months, I understood. Since I was just a freshman in high school, my parents and I both took a trainers class at Nates Animal Shelter located here in Bradenton Florida. It was nothing special, though I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed playing with dogs. Fast forward a week after our training was finished, we all were able to qualify as "dog sitters". This is where my parents dropped out most of the time, considering they do not need the volunteer hours and had full-time jobs to work. On the other hand, I needed those volunteer hours. Every weekend, I would take a trip up to the grounds to walk the dogs for a few hours. It seems like a simple enough task when putting it that way. However, take a dog that is locked in a cage for the whole day and gets no social interaction. It is quite the handful. Nonetheless, I stuck with it. At first, it was just a way to count the hours for this award. It was not till a few months later that I found myself getting this feeling of satisfaction. I would go in the car to go home and feel accomplished. It was as if I just finished a huge task for the day. The crazy part was, that I did not feel accomplished because I stacked my community service hours. Instead, it seemed as if it was because I was helping out in a big way. Some days, I would take care of nearly every dog. Seeing a puppy go from laying in the corner of the cage to bouncing off the walls when he sees you is something else. I was helping in a big way. I figured out what it felt like to truly help others, even if that meant only dogs. After this, I found a diverse amount of community service programs to get involved in. While participating in these and still working at Nates, I found myself layering on the hours I needed. It was not soon that I found myself doing these community service tasks to make me feel good versus just the hours. Especially on the weekends, it is one of the best ways to start the day. I am extremely grateful for this program, as it taught me a lot more about myself.

I am not a single mom. However, I am the direct dependent of a single mom. For most of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We did not see him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take good care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. The biggest obstacle I have seen, first handily, was time and energy. It is tough to do multiple jobs at once meant for two people. It is doable, but it is hard. You need to prioritize and spend every second wisely. If something goes out of the plan, the whole day does. On top of that, you need to have constant energy to keep going. Even if everything does work out, it is hard to get yourself up to clean the house after a full shift and dealing with a kid. All in all, I have major respect for other single mothers out there. My mother and I conquered this journey, and with determination, I know others can too.

Every day, I wake up to a smiling face in front of me. My dog is my alarm clock. I can not choose a better way to start the day either. My pupper, Zero, was a stray exactly one year ago yesterday (July 16, 2021). He was looked down on so much in the kennel. Due to his past life, he had missing patches of fur, a strong odour, eye puss, red skin, and was very small. When looking for a dog, I specifically picked him because of how pitiful he looked. I remember my parents asking me if I was trying to buy a dog or a rat when I said I wanted him. They thought I was crazy, but I knew him and I would be best friends. We would later grow to be the best possible versions of ourselves, side by side. Fast forward a year. It turned out that he was so small simply because he was a puppy. He is now a 90-pound monster of pure muscle. Though nobody could tell before, we found his two breeds to be Husky and German Shepard, making him one of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen. His skin healed up with a new diet and his eyes got better from simple medication that he eventually got off. Now, what stands before our family is a bright blue-eyed wolf. He gets the most amount of compliments. Everyone says how great he acts and looks. It is a funny story when we show them a picture of the first day we picked him up. It is strange how life works. I chose the most beat-up dog simply to help him. I wanted the best for him, and I can see that we would be best buddies. I got this beautiful and loyal dog by my side in return. I was in a dark place when I got Zero. Though it seemed like a shower of many different tragedies, I was left with nothing in life. Everything seemed to fall to ground zero for me. One of my first doings was to get a dog to cheer me up. Having a loyal companion is exactly what I needed after all of these tragedies occurred. I am doing extremely well today. I have picked up all the broken pieces in my life and now am better than I ever have been. You can say that Zero and I tackled the world together! I look back and see how far we both made it. We have such good lives now, and it makes it all the better to see how far we have come. Zero was there since the beginning. He is roughly a year and a half now, and I can not wait to see what the world has in store for us!

Being your boss is a dream goal for everyone. As put simply, who would not want to be their boss. I believe it turns a lot of people off when you describe how much work goes into it, but if that does not bother you, it is likely high on your list. Me personally, I do not mind working at all. I actually believe that if you can get into a rhythm, sitting down and getting to work is super enjoyable. This is especially true when you can literally pick out any job or industry you want. Looking back at my life, my family played a huge role in how I look at entrrapeneuriship today. Both my parents and both my aunts all owned very successful businesses. I got first-hand experience in the struggles they went through. Needless to say, I was not sugarcoated on the experience like a large number of people were. Even seeing them constantly working and brainstorming, I still had a deep desire to get into the self-boss lifestyle. Fast forward around three years after my parents opened up shop, I decided to make my own business. While in my parent's name for legal reasons, I had a full online store selling an arrangement of products. Based on an eBay and Amazon business strategy, I was selling a reasonable amount. This is especially true when you take into account that I was only 14 when I started. Still going strong today on the hopes and dreams, I can say I am very actively involved in an entrepreneurship lifestyle. Euntrapenurship is a very tough field. It has its perks for sure, but it seems as if everyone has it wrong. By being around it and an active participant, there are a lot of obstacles you have to just deal with. It is rare I do not get a headache sometimes throughout the day dealing with something. Whether that be on the legal side of things, financial side, or sales side; there is always something that is going wrong or can be better. It is the stuff that makes you want to quit. However, it is also the stuff that you have to drive past to reap the rewards. From this experience, I see many more business adventures in my future. It has always been my goal, and since I was lucky enough to dabble enough in the thought at a young age, I can not get enough of it now.

Crashing waves, giant monsters, and big mountains seem to be an enticing landscape to base your book off of. How about fighting monsters, slaying dragons, and travelling the world? This book will surely have a lasting impression on anyone. My book, the book that made a drastic impact on my life, took place in an office. To be more precise, a grocery store's office. It is less about fighting dragons and more about conquering tax strategies. Though my book seems prevalent to the average, it is one of the most lasting books for me, and I do recommend that everyone should read it. "Rich Dad Poor Dad" is a book series written by the insightful Robert Kiyosaki, a businessman and real-estate tycoon. Robert does not just tell us what are the best real estate properties to buy or stock exchange strategies. No, on the contrary actually, Robert tells us how to start from the bottom. He explains how to get out of the rat race and into your money-making mechanism. He tells you how to triple your earnings quickly but effectively. Oh, but this must be a scam. All of these scenarios are too good to be true. It has worked full-handedly for me. His strategies are backed up and used by almost all of the wealthiest men in the world, and then some. His tellings are no secret, but they are rarely implemented by the general public. Though it still may seem too good to be true, if you implement everything Robert says in this book, it is almost certain that you will get to his level of wealth within a few years of hard work. For me, I was able to treat money and life with respect after reading only one of his books. I am on the second book now. Though time has been short, I made sure to invest my money into things that count. Instead of buying myself lavish items, I was able to invest and make enough money to constantly increase my investments. I do not have a lot of investments, but I am surely still on my way to the top. Hence me being here right now. Now, no, my book may not seem as exciting as your murder mystery or Christmas fairy tale. But to me, it is just as engrossing. And to me, it is most certainly more impactful in my life.

Taylor Swift is an icon for a reason. She is a household name, whether you like her nor not, simply because so many of her songs have been hits. Not only have almost all of her songs been just hits, but they have gotten so popular, even non-fans can not get away from the “Swifty” talk. None-the-less, there is no doubt that Taylor Swift is among one of the great modern artists, and it is almost impossible for someone to not have a favorite song. From the iconic asking on the Era’s tour, my go to song is “Bad Blood”. It is less of a bop for me though, and more of a story I can relate too. Do not get me wrong, the song “Bad Blood” is a song you can absolutely jam to in any scenario: at the gym, in the library, or in the car. However, I find myself connecting to it most of the time. The song is about Taylor Swifts closest friends purposely sabotaging her. She aims to harm her concerts by personally hiring her staff for her own benefit. According to Taylor Swift herself, the song comes from the pure facts and anger that came from that scenario. Not only that, but she also provided a very good life lesson about how your enemies can sometimes come from the closest people in your life. However, the reason this song resonates so much with me is not because it taught me a valuable lesson, but rather because it reminds me of a similar scenario. Obviously, and sadly, I am not a world famous super star going on concerts all the time. I do not have friends that try to sabotage my performances. However, I have had people that where very close to me turn completely opposite really fast. Sadly, the message behind “Bad Blood” did not reach me until it was too late. Without going into too much detail, my personal situation consisted of a very close relationship coming to an end. This hurt a lot, considering that I had so much faith in this relationship with this other individual. Now, it is not to say that this lesson turned into trust issues. However, it is always good to be aware, no-matter what the situation may appear to be like. Every-time I listen to this song, it serves as a reminder of that moment and lesson. There are certainly people you can count on, but it is always good to know that sometimes, unexpected things may happen through other people’s demise. Along with the lesson, it tugs on a heart string for me, reminding me of that moment in my life. Like a lot of other “Swifty’s”, Taylor Swift has once again turned a number 1 hit into an emotional response.

I never hear the end of it. To be honest, it is not even a bad thing either. My father served in the United States Army as a mechanic. From his words exactly, it completely changed his life around. I have heard a lot of different stories about how great the military is. However, my dad's point of view was my favourite. He was such a bad kid at a young age. During mid-high school, he got kicked out of school for punching the principal. Knowing my dad, this was not even the worse thing he has done. However, after having no options for a future after that, my dad went into the military. His stories are plentiful, but they all wrap up how difficult but rewarding the journey was. From that, he was developed into the person he is today. He grew physically and mentally; he became a strong and humble man. The military proceeds to then give you the opportunities to grow to your full potential. After a few years of growth, he stepped back into the world with a bright life ahead of him. That is exactly what happened. Of hearing this on repeat, I can say that the military does not directly support my aspirations. However, I am not putting down the system at all. From everything I have heard, I recommend it to almost everyone as it applies to many cases of plans. Me, I am attempting on becoming a strength and conditioning coach for the Miami Dolphins at a young age; thus, I have a different path waiting for me. This is not to say though that my father's stories meant nothing to me. It is quiet on the contrary. From there, I learned how to be strong. There is always room past your breaking point. My father taught me to push past my comfort zone and stretch my barriers. Most importantly though, he taught me one of my favourite life lessons. He told me that you can do it yourself or can be forced to do it. What he meant by this is simple. You can choose to put in the hard work now and choose a life you want. Or you can take the easy way, live comfortably for the moment, and then be forced to do what you do not want for a life you do not want. Either choose to do it yourself or be forced to do it. Currently, I wake up at four in the morning to get a strong workout in. I am on a strict carnivore diet consisting of only meat and water. I am studying for my profession ahead of school, maintaining side hustles, and investing my money. I do all of these things so I can live the life I want in the future. I can be forced to use the money later, or I can use my money now in a smart way. I can be forced to work at a job I do not like later, or I can work now to have a job I enjoy. I can work on my health now, or I can let the doctors treat me later. I learned all of this from my dad. Though my father has taught me many lessons, I can say that my life has been put on the right track because of him. I can not begin to thank him enough for everything.

America is a melting pot of different nationalities. It is what America is made from. Being from a family not from this country seems like it would be normal based on that. However, it is everything but normal. American culture is worlds different than out-of-country cultures, and adapting a whole family to America's way of life is very difficult. If you are not from America and used to our educational systems, even the idea of college is quite foreign. Coming from a Vietnamese family, everything about school is blatantly left to the kids. This is just a brutal reality though, as it is completely understandable for parents who grew up in Vietnam to not unbearable able to grasp American concepts, especially when it’s as confusing as the college financial system. The hardest part about coming from a family in a different country is figuring out everything by yourself. In addition, once you find out what is required, the prolonged process of explaining it to your parents comes up. As most things require parent participation, it is very difficult to describe what and why they have to do certain things. In the end, through struggle and hard work, you find yourself in a college dorm with a good education. Though a little harder than everyone else, the endpoint is the same, and even more appreciated! Through a lot of different discoveries and self-finding, I have figured out that I am exceptionally good at physical fitness. Not only that, but I greatly enjoy being a part of the subject. It is a field I have fun in every day. Because of this, I am currently majoring in Kinesiology, or the study of exercise science. I am extremely happy and proud of my major and excited to move forward with it. In my future college career, I plan on producing a lot of content related to exercise science. I do not want my talent and passion to go to waste, even when I am still studying in college. After I obtain my bachelor's degree, I am going to hopefully finish up with a Master's Degree in two more years to optimize my chances of a solid career path. My dream job is training athletes and passing my knowledge to them. It excites me knowing that I will soon have the ability to pass my passion on to others and educate the world. This scholarship would do wonders for me in my journey. I am taking it one step at a time with my sights set high!

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving on yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to doing so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change like it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making other's happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is definitely worth a shot to make a difference. It is how I choose to spend the way I give back to the world.

Starting with a clean pallet, the definition of success is getting what you want. This normally looks about the same for everyone. Working towards family, material goods, and financial security is what the basic stereotype looks like. Some people even take this a step farther and find that simple happiness is what matters most. While this all still rings true for me, right now, my definition of success is a lot simpler than that. It can be described in one word: purpose. Taking a step back, I have a huge passion for fitness and health. The human body and the secrets it hides are fascinating to me. Even when I was a kid, I remember studying for a health assessment at the YMCA and getting the highest score in the establishment's history. This moment is when I figured out that if I dedicate my life to this field, I can do wonders for the world. This takes us to the present day, where I am currently a kinesiology undergraduate at the University of Central Florida. It was not as easy as it seemed to get to this point, but either way, I made it to a University where I study what I love. Since this acceptance, I have been making the best of it. I have put out multiple publications, participated in research studies, and assisted professors in classwork. I have been making a difference, and I believe this was the second realization point in my life when it came to my career. When I finished that assessment at the YMCA, I knew that I wanted to dive deeper into this field. However, when I started exploring the field at a University, I found that spreading what knowledge I have learned throughout my life is what makes me proud. I can finally recognize all the hard work I have done. Not only this, but this hard work was quite fun. All of this summarized is the reason for my definition of success. As stated, my definition of success has been defined for me through my educational years studying overall health and fitness. I found out that I love putting this knowledge into practice, and it makes me feel ecstatic when I make a difference, which is my main goal now. I want to have a purpose. This idea of success is a little different than everyone else's. While this does inedibility get me to the same happiness everyone is seeking out for, I wish less for the money and fame and more for the idea of chasing after a bigger purpose than myself. I truly believe that I can make a big dent in the health and fitness industry. The amount of people I can truly touch in a life-affirming way sends me chills every time I think about it. The idea of chasing this purpose for others instead of yourself is something I consider pure and right. The longer life goes on, the more I think about this end goal. Fame can deteriorate, and most get used to money. However, the more this goal sticks in my head, the more positive attributes I find with it. The question on the table now is: how will I transcribe this knowledge in the fitness industry into life-changing occurrences? After my undergraduate years in college, I have my sights set on graduate school for physical therapy. Physical therapy is a field in which you can help all types of people recover from an insane variety of casualties. Most of the time, therapists find themselves with a patient who does not know anything about the task at hand, and that is what I am most excited about. Educating the world on how to better themselves physically is what this world needs. I understand that not everyone has the time to research topics like cardiovascular stress or circadian rhythm, so if I can connect to the people who need it, I can allow them to continue with their lives and their versions of success without this obstacle in the way. I do not plan on stopping there though. I am going to make it a priority to continue publishing educational resources to the world to help people get passed whatever they are going through. I hope to help the world in every possible way I can. I hope to make a difference and give my life a strong purpose. That takes us to the present day again. I am taking things one step at a time to reach this goal. As an undergraduate student at a large University, I find any way I can to fund this venture that I have going for me. With high hopes of continuing down this path, this scholarship will hopefully get me one step closer to my success.

Cancer has made an unannounced appearance in a lot of people's lives. I can say this with much prominence close to my heart, as I have had many close people in my life die of cancer. Just recently, my neighbor, age 45 and father of 3, got diagnosed with terminal cancer and has 3 more months to live. The amount of heartbreak and tragedy that comes with cancer is outrageous. Even if you are not in the medical scene, indulged in the research scene, a participant in the donating scene, or have any consideration with cancer; the disease finds a way to make itself prominent in onces life. The more you hear about cancer-related subjects, the more you get involved. With, since cancer has taken the lives of so many loved ones, I pounce on any chance I get to help out with the cause. For example, a seminar I attended added that they are partnering with a cancer research center. From this, I found my family, along with myself, donating a large amount of money to them. Despite the money, we donate a lot of our own time towards cancer research as a family. Out of choice or not, we now have a good grasp on what foods to eat, what activities to partake in, and how to battle this monstrous disease. While my current participation in the healthcare field did not stem from cancer individually, it is a large part of my studies here at the University of Central Florida. It may be said that I picked this career path indirectly and unknowingly because of the impact cancer has had on my life, for I never had a distinct reason to pursue the healthcare profession. Either way, with or without cancer's impact on my career choice, it has made an astronomical connection in my life. As a whole, I am sure that very few people choose to study and engross their lives around a lethal and dreadful disease. However, like my family, it comes into our lives without much of a choice. When it makes this much of a negative impact, there is almost no choice but to dedicate yourself to battle it, whether you have it or not. I am lucky enough to not have this condition enter my body; yet, I am still head first into the topic. After a lot of experience and research on the topic, I have a true belief that this can be fought. I have seen the impossible happen, and I know that everyone has the capability to harness this.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfillment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthily. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathizing only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. My biggest fear moment came through this. Though there are resources at our fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgments. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is a terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke in today’s society. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

I have never put much thought into my engineering abilities. Anything to do with computers, design, mechanics, or technical analysis has been on the back burner for me. In my head, it seemed as if everyone was testing their abilities on this subject, and if that is the case, why do I need to follow the herd? Well, the answer I soon found out is that I am very good at it. Pershing a career path in mechanics was an easy road to get sucked into, as my father had used to be a mechanic. Now, I am learning from him and his friends. It has been a bumpy road, but so far, I am thrilled with the process. We have been learning a lot of auto mechanic techniques on a non-running car for a few years now. It is a Frankenstein of parts, so one really has to use his brain to work on it. However, it is a great starter platform to see and work on everything clearly. Soon, I will be in lines of the best techs in the auto world.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is definitely a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfilment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthy. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from diving down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathising only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall down, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at your fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgements. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is an absolutely terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

I never hear the end of it. To be honest, it is not even a bad thing either. My father served in the United States Army as a mechanic. From his words exactly, it completely changed his life around. I have heard a lot of different stories about how great the military is. However, my dad's point of view was my favourite. He was such a bad kid at a young age. During mid-high school, he got kicked out of school for punching the principal. Knowing my dad, this was not even the worse thing he has done. However, after having no options for a future after that, my dad went into the military. His stories are plentiful, but they all wrap up how difficult but rewarding the journey was. From that, he was developed into the person he is today. He grew physically and mentally; he became a strong and humble man. The military proceeds to then give you the opportunities to grow to your full potential. After a few years of growth, he stepped back into the world with a bright life ahead of him. That is exactly what happened. Of hearing this on repeat, I can say that the military does not directly support my aspirations. However, I am not putting down the system at all. From everything I have heard, I recommend it to almost everyone as it applies to many cases of plans. Me, I am attempting on becoming a strength and conditioning coach for the Miami Dolphins at a young age; thus, I have a different path waiting for me. This is not to say though that my father's stories meant nothing to me. It is quiet on the contrary. From there, I learned how to be strong. There is always room past your breaking point. My father taught me to push past my comfort zone and stretch my barriers. Most importantly though, he taught me one of my favourite life lessons. He told me that you can do it yourself or can be forced to do it. What he meant by this is simple. You can choose to put in the hard work now and choose a life you want. Or you can take the easy way, live comfortably for the moment, and then be forced to do what you do not want for a life you do not want. Either choose to do it yourself or be forced to do it. Right now, based on previous exercise experience, I am studying Kinesiology. The field excites me, and it is something I am very interested in. After graduation, I hope to be in the likes of an exercise strength facility for a sports team. Of course, my education will me ever expanding in a place like this being around like minded people will give me the opportunity to learn what they know. I am ever grateful for where I am right now, and super excited for the future to come!

As weird as it may sound, being a first-generation college student has the opposite impact on what you may think. By having two parents that did not attend college, it may be common that either parent does not want care for you to attend either. If they had a high priority or view of college, it would be very apparent and they would attend themselves, right? Well, it is very apparent that they both do think of attending college as important, but still, neither did attend it themselves. This is not even due to financials or capabilities. They simply lacked the work ethic in school. They made that very clear to me. What makes the difference is that they do not want to see me go down the same path that they did. At the end of the day, my household has a strong influence on me to attend. It is honestly a good thing. Both parents help me in any way possible. Though it is not good to help because neither knows anything about college, it is honest to help. They both try their best, and honestly, that is the best kind of help I can ask for. Since I earned my associate degree a year ahead of my class due to dual enrollment. I continued with community college for cost reasons. However, now that degree majors and colleges start to matter, I am continuing my journey at a major university. This is a big chor obstacle for me, but like with my associate degree, both of my parents have helped me on my way. All of this work and effort going into college diminishes the view of it for a lot of people. Is it even worth it? Being a first-generation student, I can surely say that it is for me. While college may not be right for everyone, it is certainly right for me. Simply the pride that my parents show me for my current success is good enough. It is so rewarding seeing them so happy. It is almost as if they were more excited to see that degree come in the door than I was. For me personally, I hope to excel in Kinesiology. It is a field I am extremely enthusiastic in, and a field I absolutely enjoy studying. For the future, I hope to continue fueling my passion with a career in Physical Therapy or a like exercise science field. I hope to continue putting out knowledge for others to benefit themselves, and for me to have the opportunity to spread my passion. Of course, I am looking to my future with caution. I know that I will have a bright future in my career choice if I try my hardest in college right now. However, I am not going to stretch the truth. Having supporting parents like so helps so much in the college process. Even though being a first-generation student is hard, a lot of the time, you have plenty of support. I am lucky enough to say that I do.

Math is a one-of-a-kind subject, and it would be an understatement to say that my mind comprehends math more than anything else. It is the one subject in school I understood and would pursue without hesitation. I always struggled with English, History, Science, and any other subject that was not in black and white. Fields in school that could be up to interpretation seemed almost unfair to me. I always seemed to interpret the information wrong, which would lead to an indelibly wrong answer. I suffered through unbelievable frustration finding out my opinion or take on a piece of information was purely wrong. After I failed many different subject tests, I knew that math was the field I was best at. I also believe that there can be a strong argument made about other subjects not being as useful as math. While it is very true that I will not be reading Shakespeare daily or recounting my knowledge of the cell wall, I have come across the use of math daily. Even if it is not for a career, most daily activities do involve using math. Simple things such as figuring out how much money you need to budget, or how early you have to wake up in the morning to get ready all involve math. The best part about it all too, is the better you are at it, the easier simple daily tasks become. There might even be some situations to impress your friends with how quickly you can calculate certain things. Looking at the career aspect of things, math makes up our world. It is said a million times over but for a reason. Our house, our car, our streets, and our things would not exist if math was not around to help us. Our lives and things are built on math, and it would not be a long shot to say that our future is similarly built on math. The world we know today is comprised of math. I will always be a math lover, whether it is by default or not. To me, it just makes sense, while every other subject seems to leave me debating with myself for longer than I would want. I know that math is here to stay for a long time, and I am happy to say that I am going to enjoy every second of it.

Tarot cards have been used for centuries as a tool for spiritual guidance, self-reflection, and divination. Each card in the deck holds its own unique energy and symbolism, but for many, there is often one card that stands out as a favorite. In my opinion, the best tarot card is The Sun card, and it holds a special place in my heart for several reasons. The Sun card is a symbol of complete joy, success, and positivity. It radiates optimism and serves as a reminder that no matter the challenges or hardships we may face, there is always light and warmth to guide us through. The imagery on The Sun card often depicts a bright, beaming sun shining down on a joyful and carefree scene, evoking feelings of happiness and contentment. What I absolutely love most about The Sun card is its message of hope and optimism. It serves as a gentle reminder to always look on the bright side of life and to focus on the good rather than the bad. In times of darkness or uncertainty, pulling The Sun card can provide comfort and reassurance that better days are on the horizon. In addition to that, The Sun card represents success and fulfillment. It encourages us to embrace our true selves, pursue our passions, and live authentically. It reminds us to celebrate our accomplishments and to bask in the glow of our achievements. The Sun card serves as a beacon of light, guiding us towards our goals and encouraging us to pursue our highest potential. Lastly, The Sun card is a symbol of vitality and energy. In the deck, it represents a renewed sense of vitality and zest for life, inspiring us to embrace new opportunities and to live with enthusiasm. Its presence in a tarot reading can signal a period of growth, abundance, and vitality, urging us to embrace the instant beauty and joy that life has to offer us. In the end, The Sun card is my favorite tarot card for its unwavering message of optimism, joy, and success. Its radiant energy and uplifting symbolism serve as a source of inspiration and motivation in challenging times. The Sun card reminds us to seek out the light in our lives, to embrace our true selves, and to pursue our dreams with passion and enthusiasm. For these reasons, I believe The Sun card is the best tarot card in the deck.

Creativity is a powerful force that has the potential to better society in a multitude of ways. As a creative individual, I believe that I contribute to the betterment of society through my unique perspectives, innovative ideas, and ability to inspire and motivate others. I feel as if I am different than others when it comes to creativity. I can hone in on the simple things in life, while still appreciating all types of various work. One way in which my creativity betters society is through the creation of art and culture. Whether through visual art, music, literature, or other forms of creative expression, I believe that art has the power to inspire, challenge, and connect people. By sharing my creative work with the world, I contribute to the enrichment of society's cultural landscape, fostering empathy, understanding, and beauty. Art has the potential to spark conversations, challenge societal norms, and promote social change. Through my creativity, I aim to contribute to a more inclusive and diverse society that celebrates different perspectives and voices. Additionally, as a creative individual, I strive to innovate and solve problems in unique ways. Whether in the workplace, community or at home, I approach challenges with a fresh perspective and a willingness to think outside the box. This innovative mindset allows me to develop new solutions, products, and services that have the potential to improve the quality of life for others. Whether through technological advancements, sustainable design, or social initiatives, my creativity drives me to push boundaries and seek out unconventional solutions to pressing issues. Furthermore, my creativity enables me to inspire and motivate others. As I share my ideas and passions, I hope to encourage others to embrace their creativity and pursue their dreams. By fostering a culture of creativity and innovation, I believe that we can empower individuals to strive for positive change and make meaningful contributions to society. Through mentorship, collaboration, and community engagement, I seek to support and uplift others in their own creative endeavors, ultimately contributing to a more vibrant, dynamic, and inclusive society. If I had extra time in the day, I would likely use it to my advantage. Most of our current days are spent doing the things we have to do. Going to work, going to school, and participating in daily tasks is what takes up most of our days. I would go about this normally to not waste any time. Then, for the next 24 hours, this is when I can be as creative as I want. I can talk to others and engage with others of like mentality to better myself. However, I will also make sure to use this knowledge for the better hand to help others out too. As I stated, community work is amazing, so I would likely devote my time to that. However, there is no telling what other subjects I will fall trap to. In conclusion, my creativity contributes to the betterment of society in various ways. Through my art and cultural contributions, innovative problem-solving, and ability to inspire and motivate others, I aim to foster a more vibrant, inclusive, and innovative society. I believe that the power of creativity lies in its ability to spark positive change and drive progress, ultimately shaping a better future for generations to come.

As an undergraduate student of Kinesiology, there are a variety of tools and resources that can greatly aid in studying and understanding the complex subject matter. These tools help to facilitate the learning process and enhance the depth of understanding of the intricate concepts and principles in the field of Kinesiology. Some of the essential tools used by undergraduate students in Kinesiology are textbooks, online resources, laboratory equipment, and technological tools such as apps and software. Textbooks are an indispensable tool for any college student, particularly those studying Kinesiology. They provide in-depth explanations of various topics, theories, and research findings in the field. Textbooks serve as a foundational resource for students, offering comprehensive information on anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and other relevant subfields within Kinesiology. The textbooks often include visual aids such as diagrams, illustrations, and charts to aid in the visual understanding of complex concepts. In addition to textbooks, online resources such as academic journals, research articles, and digital libraries are crucial for students in Kinesiology. These resources provide access to the latest research and findings in the field, allowing students to stay updated on current trends and developments. Online resources also enable students to access a wide range of information and perspectives, enhancing their critical thinking and analytical skills. Laboratory equipment is another essential tool for undergraduate students in Kinesiology. Practical application of theoretical knowledge is crucial in this field, and laboratory equipment enables students to conduct experiments, analyze data, and gain hands-on experience. Through laboratory exercises, students can solidify their understanding of concepts such as human movement, exercise testing, and performance assessment. Technological tools such as apps and software are increasingly being utilized in Kinesiology education. These tools offer interactive learning experiences, virtual simulations, and data analysis capabilities. For example, apps and software can be used for biomechanical analysis, exercise prescription, and performance tracking. By leveraging these technological tools, students can engage in immersive learning experiences and develop proficiency in using the latest digital resources relevant to Kinesiology. Overall, these tools are instrumental in enhancing the learning experience of undergraduate students in Kinesiology. They serve as aids to comprehension, critical thinking, and practical application of knowledge. As a result, students are empowered to grasp complex concepts and develop the necessary skills and competencies for a successful career in the field of Kinesiology. Whether it is through conventional resources like textbooks and laboratory equipment or through modern technological tools, these resources play a vital role in shaping the educational journey of a large number of undergraduate students in Kinesiology.

Kidney disease has profoundly affected the life of my friend, Victoria. It has been a battle she has faced for years and one that has changed her life in significant ways. From the moments of despair to the triumphs of strength, her journey with kidney disease has been both trying and inspiring. I remember the day Victoria found out about her condition. It was a diagnosis that upended her world and left her feeling scared and uncertain about what the future held. The news hit her like a ton of bricks, and she struggled to come to terms with the reality of living with a chronic illness. It was a period of immense uncertainty and fear, as she grappled with the challenges of managing her health while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy in her life. As the years passed, the effects of the disease began to take a toll on Victoria's physical well-being. She often felt fatigued and weak, struggled with high blood pressure, and experienced swelling in her legs and ankles. The constant dialysis treatments and medications became a part of her daily routine, and the limitations they placed on her life were frustrating and disheartening. Simple tasks like going out with friends or taking a vacation became increasingly difficult, and she often felt isolated and alone in her struggle. Despite the hardship, Victoria has shown tremendous resilience and determination in the face of her illness. She has made countless sacrifices and pushed through moments of pain and exhaustion to continue living her life to the fullest. Her strength and unwavering spirit have been a source of inspiration to those around her, as she continues to fight with unwavering resolve. The emotional toll of kidney disease has been equally challenging for Victoria. It has tested her mental and emotional strength, and at times, the burden has seemed almost unbearable. She has grappled with feelings of helplessness and frustration, and the fear of what the future holds has loomed over her like a dark cloud. However, through it all, Victoria has remained steadfast and strong. She has refused to let her illness define her and has found ways to persevere even in the darkest of moments. Her resilience has been a testament to her character, and a reminder that strength can be found in the most unexpected places. Living with kidney disease has undoubtedly been a life-altering experience for my friend. It has forced her to confront her mortality and come to terms with the fragility of life. However, through it all, she has shown incredible courage and fortitude, proving that the human spirit is capable of overcoming even the greatest of challenges. In the face of adversity, Victoria has chosen to live her life with courage, grace, and determination. She has found joy in the little moments and refused to let her illness define her. Her journey with kidney disease has been one of struggle and triumph, and her unwavering spirit has served as an inspiration to all who know her. Through it all, she has demonstrated that resilience and strength can be found even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Hacking is a skill that requires expertise, patience, and ingenuity. It is a practice that involves breaking into systems, networks, and computers to gain unauthorized access or manipulate data. While hacking has negative connotations in the public eye, it can also be used for positive purposes, such as identifying and fixing security vulnerabilities in systems or providing cybersecurity services. As someone who is passionate about technology and cybersecurity, I have impressed others with my hacking skills in many different cases. First and foremost, I have impressed others with my ability to identify and fix security vulnerabilities in systems. With the rise of cyber threats and attacks, organizations are becoming increasingly concerned about the safety of their data and infrastructure. They need individuals who possess the skills to detect and rectify vulnerabilities in their systems before they can be exploited by malicious actors. I have been able to demonstrate my expertise in this area by conducting thorough security assessments and penetration testing and providing recommendations for improving system security. This was with smaller companies and local businesses, but in any way I could help a friend with technology, I was willing and happy to help. Additionally, I have impressed some friends and family with my ability to diagnose and troubleshoot complex technical issues. Hacking often involves delving deep into the inner workings of a system to understand how it operates and to identify potential weaknesses. This requires a high level of technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. When faced with challenging technical problems, I have been able to apply my hacking skills to diagnose and resolve them, earning the respect and admiration of my peers and colleagues. Lastly, I have impressed others with my ability to use my hacking skills for ethical and constructive purposes. While hacking is often associated with illegal activities, it can also be used for ethical purposes, such as identifying security weaknesses in systems and providing cybersecurity services. I have earned the respect of others by using my hacking skills to help organizations improve their security posture and protect their valuable assets. This is not something I have done often, but instead only briefly, but nonetheless, it was impressive to my friends who heard about the story. To conclude all of this, my hacking skills have allowed me to impress others in various ways, from identifying and fixing security vulnerabilities to diagnosing complex technical issues, staying informed about the latest developments in cybersecurity, and using my skills for ethical and constructive purposes. I am proud to have earned the admiration of my peers and colleagues through my expertise in this field, and I am committed to continuing to use my skills to make a positive impact in the world of cybersecurity.

Life is fragile, and with the mentality that you only live it once, I am making sure I do it right. I have been dealt a good hand at birth with my family. I am a single child in a small family, and I am super grateful for it. Keeping a positive attitude and a healthy work ethic has kept me on a positive path, and I am ecstatic to see where it continues to lead me. My family has taught me this mentality, and considering I only have a handful of other relatives close to me, it has not been hard to adopt this way of thinking. We stay close too, so holidays and events are always celebrated together. I understand I am very lucky to have this amazing situation, and as I grow up, I have learned to make the most of it. As for my current situation, I am enrolled at the University of Central Florida as a Kinesiology undergraduate student. I have gotten here through a bit of a struggle, but like I said, I am grateful for everything that happens. After finishing high school in the top 10% of my class and 36 college credits, I decided to finish up my associate degree at a community college due to our financial situation. After, with my sights locked on a physical therapy career, I applied to as many colleges as I could, with the best one to squeeze me in being the University of Central Florida. That brings us to the present day, where I attend as many classes, produce as many publications, and get involved in as many activities as I can that have to do with my major. My school experience in the past can be described as working hard and trying my best. Luckily, this worked well for me, so the position I am in is very important to me. I am doing everything I can to make the most of it. I have a handful of hobbies I like to do outside of school. I am an open book, so I have been heavily involved in an arrange of different topics from an automotive technition to a business owner. Dabbling in each field has given me a well-rounded idea of what I want to spend my life doing, and considering my strong interests in physical activity, I have decided to dive deep into the field of exercise science with Kinesiology. I spend a lot of my own time listening to podcasts, working on my health, and playing sports. The time that is not spent building up my scholastic exposure is spent building up my body and well-being. Not only that, but I heavily enjoy helping others with this topic. Given I have so much knowledge of exercise science, I believe it is a sin not to share it with the world. All of my friends and family are along on the ride with me, and I make sure to teach them everything I know to help them with their health. Finishing off with my plans, I hope to become a Physical Therapist so I can do what I do now on a larger scale. Giving me this job platform will make my dreams possible. I hope to continue making publications and spreading my knowledge in any way I can. My life has been amazing so far, and through thick and thin, I am thankful for everything. I am excited to see where life takes me.

The person who has been the most kind to me and has changed my life in profound ways is my grandmother. From a young age, my grandmother has always been a constant source of love, support, and guidance in my life. Her kindness has shaped me into the person I am today. One of the most impactful ways my grandmother has been kind to me is through her unwavering emotional support. She has always been there to listen to my concerns, offer me advice, and comfort me during challenging times. Her presence in my life has provided me with a sense of security and reassurance, knowing that she is always there for me. In addition to emotional support, my grandmother has also been incredibly generous and giving. She has always put the needs of others before her own and consistently goes out of her way to help those in need. Whether it's through her volunteer work at local charities or her acts of kindness towards friends and family, she has taught me the importance of selflessness and compassion towards others. Furthermore, my grandmother has also been a positive role model for me in terms of her strength and resilience. Despite facing her own personal struggles and challenges, she has always persevered with grace and courage. Her ability to overcome adversity has inspired me to approach life's obstacles with a similar mindset and to never give up in the face of adversity. Moreover, my grandmother has played a significant role in shaping my values and beliefs. Through her wisdom and life experiences, she has instilled in me the importance of honesty, integrity, and empathy. Her teachings have had a profound impact on my character and have influenced the way I interact with others and navigate the world around me. In many ways, my grandmother has been a guiding light in my life, and her kindness has profoundly impacted me. She has shown me the true meaning of love, compassion, and selflessness, and has imparted invaluable lessons that have shaped me into a better person. Her influence on me has been immeasurable, and I am eternally grateful for her unwavering kindness and support. To finalize my statement, my grandmother has been the kindest person in my life, and it is nowhere near a close race. Her love, support, and guidance have been instrumental in shaping the person I am today. I am truly blessed to have her in my life, and I will always be grateful for the profound ways she has changed my life for the better.

I'm Eric, an honor roll student looking to earn enough funds to continue my attendance at the University of Central Florida. Through my high school journey, applied myself to the dual enrollment program during my junior and senior years at SCF. I came out of high school with 36 college credits to go towards my AA degree. I also managed to graduate within the top 10% of my class. During my college career, I have just obtained my full AA degree and am continuing with my bachelor's. The end goal entitles me to finish off with a master's degree to obtain a lasting career as a Physical Therapist. I hope to help anyone I can to get their body in physically ready shape to live a long and happy life. I have a handful of hobbies. Currently, I fill a lot of my free time coaching my friends and family on fitness-related topics. Seeing others grow alongside me is a joy I can not seem to shake. I am also a strong animal lover, environmentalist, book nerd, and much more. I like to keep busy as it never lets me settle for average. Anything I can get my hands near, I'm happy to jump in on. I fancy keeping my own body physically active too. I train daily at the gym and local boxing club. I have previously met my last goal to obtain my black belt and become a Sempai in my endmost Karate school. Though, my new current physical goal is to one day secure a middleweight championship belt in boxing. This "reaching for the stars" mentality keeps me constantly pushing myself harder and harder to reach my goals, and so far, it has not let me down yet. This scholarship would help me make all of the above goals possible. A future goal I set is currently in action. As of now, I am learning and advancing myself to find the best future for me, and the people I help. It has been a long and hard journey so far, but I know I will make it to the end. The money from this scholarship will help me continue this journey and fulfill a career with a masters degree. All I am trudging on now is grant and future scholarship money. However, no-matter what happens, I am super excited to be here and have at least gotten this opportunity. I hope to make my life special. So many people end up wondering through life and passing without any mark left behind. That is one of my worst fears when it comes to life, and the way I am looking at things, your career is my best shot at avoiding that fear. I am proud of the track I am on now, and hope to be similarly proud in the future with how far I have come. In addition, I a super excited to advance in the career path that I am choosing. Helping others in a profession that I consider myself insightful in is an exciting future I am excited to live.

Cardiac disease is a prevalent and pervasive health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. Whether it is through personal experience or through the experiences of our loved ones, many of us have been touched by the challenges and obstacles that come with cardiac disease. In my own life, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of this condition and the resilience required to overcome its obstacles. My grandfather, who I have always been incredibly close to, was diagnosed with cardiac disease when I was in elementary school. It was a shock to our family, as he had always been so active and health-conscious. Suddenly, he was faced with a myriad of obstacles that threatened to derail his quality of life. There were physical limitations, emotional challenges, and financial burdens that he had to contend with as he navigated his journey with cardiac disease. I remember that one of the most significant obstacles that my grandfather had to overcome was the physical limitations imposed by his condition. Simple tasks like climbing stairs, walking long distances, or even just getting out of bed in the morning became incredibly difficult for him. This loss of physical independence was not only frustrating for him, but it also required him to adapt to a new way of living. He had to learn to pace himself, conserve his energy, and rely on others for help, which was a difficult adjustment for someone who had always been so fiercely independent. In addition to the physical challenges, my grandfather also had to grapple with the emotional toll that cardiac disease took on him. There were moments of fear, anxiety, and depression as he faced the uncertainty of his condition and the impact it was having on his daily life. It was heartbreaking to see him struggle with the fear of what the future held and the sadness of feeling like he was losing a part of himself. However, he showed incredible strength and determination in facing these emotional obstacles head-on, seeking support from loved ones and medical professionals to help him cope with the psychological impact of his illness. The cost of medications, treatments, and ongoing medical care put a strain on his finances and added a layer of stress to an already challenging situation. He had to navigate the complexities of insurance coverage, copays, and out-of-pocket expenses, all while dealing with the physical and emotional toll of his condition. It was a constant juggling act to manage his health while also keeping his financial situation afloat, and it required a great deal of resilience and resourcefulness. Through it all, my grandfather demonstrated remarkable resilience and perseverance in the face of these obstacles. He sought out the best medical care, embraced lifestyle changes to improve his health, and leaned on his support system of family and friends for strength and encouragement. He refused to let cardiac disease define his or dictate the course of his life, and his determination to overcome its obstacles was truly inspiring.

I will say it. I do not come from a successful background. We all started from the bottom. Though we overcome our obstacles, we can say together that nothing is big enough to hold us down. Let me explain. I was not looked up to as the smart kid in school. I had conflicting goals and viewpoints on life. I would hear one thing at school, one thing in the media, and one thing at home that would all contradict each other. It seemed as if I was coasting through life with no direct endpoint. It was not until 5th grade that I started pushing myself. I am not gifted. I am not naturally intelligent. I am not knowledgeable. However, what I do have is willpower. I can work hard and not give up. If I set my sights on a goal, I will figure out how to accomplish it. When I did get my sights in line, I knew that my career needed a good school record to back it up. I worked my hardest in school. Seeking extra help, taking my time, learning to focus, and challenging myself rewarded me with great success in school. It hits different graduating at the top 10% of your class when you know you started at the very back of the pack. As of now, I am finishing up my associate degree for a smooth transition into a University to finish off my career goals. Looking deep into my field of study, you will see a lot of misconceptions. A large number of people say it is boring, has no future, and is not worth it. A large number of people also say that it is a great path to start with, can lead to big success, and can be applied everywhere. When you look at the people that support it, this field gave them great success in life. When you look at people that do not support it, it seems as if they do not understand the subject completely, so let me explain.. Everything in this world revolves around finance. I do not think that is an understanding too. The part that people generally think about is the stock market and banks. Though an essential part of our community also, every business has to have financial backing to it. In today's world, everything is a business. Plain and simple, I believe this lack of money attitude is what makes everyone drive toward it so much. You want what you can not get. Now, if I can bring financial stability to others, hopefully, the world can see for themselves that money is not what should be driving your life. My career field of choice is a financial advisor. If I can get my hands on that position, I will hold a direct way to change people's lives. Not only can I get the message out, but I can show these people how to recover from debt and live a truly happy life. I consider my pathway beneficial to the world. It has been a goal for a long time to bring this knowledge of finances to others. I do not think that America knows much about both controlling their money and what money brings for them. We are extremely undereducated on these subjects. Yet, it is the controlling factor of most of the population. Like I said before, America runs on finances. I am willing to go through many hoops and obstacles to reach this goal. Nothing will stand in my way.

Being a part of the disabled community has completely changed my viewpoints in many ways. It has made me more aware of the challenges that people with disabilities face on a daily basis and has given me a greater appreciation for the struggles and triumphs that come with living with a disability. This experience has also opened my eyes to the lack of accessibility and accommodations for people with disabilities in many aspects of society, such as in education, employment, and public spaces. One of the most significant ways being a part of the disabled community has changed my worldview is through the realization of the barriers and obstacles that individuals with disabilities encounter on a daily basis. Whether it's physical accessibility, discrimination, or lack of accommodations, it has become apparent to me that systemic changes are needed to create a more inclusive and equitable society. This has motivated me to become an advocate and ally for the disabled community, using my voice to educate and raise awareness about the challenges they face. Moreover, being a part of the disabled community has also allowed me to see the strength and resilience of individuals who face adversity daily. It has taught me the importance of empathy and understanding and has inspired me to take a more active role in creating a supportive and inclusive environment for everyone. By recognizing the unique perspectives and talents of individuals with disabilities, I have gained a deeper appreciation for the value of diversity and the contributions that everyone can make to society. In light of my experiences, I am committed to using my voice and platform to positively impact my future endeavors. I believe that by leveraging my unique perspective and lived experiences, I can advocate for change and work towards creating a more inclusive and accessible world. Whether it's through education, policy advocacy, or community engagement, I am dedicated to using my experiences to push for positive change and ensure that individuals with disabilities are afforded the same opportunities and rights as everyone else. I intend to use my platform to advocate for inclusive policies and practices that will benefit the disabled community. I will strive to create a more accessible and welcoming environment for individuals with disabilities, whether it's through workplace accommodations, educational resources, or community initiatives. By leveraging my personal experiences and understanding, I am confident that I can make a meaningful impact in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion for all individuals alike. Overall, being a part of the disabled community has transformed my perspectives and given me a deeper understanding of the importance of inclusivity and accessibility. I am committed to using my experiences positively to advocate for change, inspire others, and be a source of support and encouragement for those within the disabled community. Through education, awareness, and advocacy, I hope to contribute towards creating a more inclusive and accessible society for people of all abilities.

I have always been passionate about cycling and the many benefits it brings to both individuals and the community as a whole. I have been an avid cyclist for as long as I can remember and have always enjoyed the freedom and joy that comes with riding a bike. Whether it's for commuting, exercise, or just for fun, cycling has always been a big part of my life. My connection to the cycling community runs deep, as I have been actively involved in various cycling groups and events in my local area. I have participated in countless charity rides, group rides, and cycling advocacy campaigns, all with the goal of promoting and enhancing the cycling experience for everyone. Through these experiences, I have come to fully understand the challenges and obstacles that cyclists face on the roadways, and it has only fueled my passion to make a positive impact in this area. One of my main goals is to help improve our roadways to make them safer and more accommodating for cyclists. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to safely and comfortably ride their bikes, whether it's for transportation or recreation. To achieve this, I plan to work with local government officials and advocacy groups to advocate for better infrastructure for cyclists, including dedicated bike lanes, improved road signage, and increased awareness and education for both motorists and cyclists. I am also committed to promoting a culture of mutual respect and understanding between cyclists and other road users. I believe that by fostering better relations between all parties, we can create a safer and more harmonious environment on our roadways. This includes efforts to educate both cyclists and motorists on the rules of the road and how to interact with one another respectfully. Another important aspect of my goals is to promote cycling as a sustainable and eco-friendly mode of transportation. By advocating for better cycling infrastructure and promoting the numerous benefits of cycling, I hope to encourage more people to choose bicycles as a means of getting around, reducing traffic congestion and air pollution in the process. It is a topic I am very passionate about, and I fully support any action that will help the environment. Overall, my interest and connection to the cycling community, along with my goals to improve our roadways, stem from a deep-seated passion for cycling and a desire to create a safer and more welcoming environment for all road users. I am committed to making a positive impact in this area and look forward to working with others who share a similar vision. Together, I believe we can make a significant difference and create a more bike-friendly future for everyone.

As of now, I am venturing on a path to being a Physical Therapist. While it may change in the future, it is a job that speaks wonders to me. My current major, Kinesiology, is something that I am extremely passionate about. It has intrigued me my whole life, and I love gaining knowledge about the subject. I am even going into class already knowing a lot about the subject due to past research I have done throughout my life. I am a student at UCF, and soon hope to seek a graduate school after this. After schooling, I am going to dive straight into the workforce. I want to get as much experience as I can, so entering a job related to physical therapy is a must for me. Even if I just get my foot in the door, I will be happy. I plan on succeeding in many ways outside my career too. This includes writing publications on the subject and giving as much knowledge as I can to friends and family to improve their lives. The real plan is to give my passion and intelligence in the physical therapy world to others. While everyone is not going to be an expert at everything, helping people out on topics they may not be familiar with excites me. I hope to give as many people as I can a boost in their physical and logical state relating to my field. One of the most obvious benefits of being bilingual is the ability to communicate with a wider range of people. This is particularly important in a globalized world where the ability to speak multiple languages can break down cultural and linguistic barriers. When one can speak the language of the people they are interacting with, it fosters a sense of understanding and connection that can lead to more meaningful and productive relationships. In addition, being bilingual can also provide unique opportunities for travel and cultural immersion, allowing one to fully experience and appreciate different cultures and societies. From a professional standpoint, being bilingual can also significantly enhance one's career prospects. In today's global economy, many employers value candidates who can speak multiple languages, as it opens up opportunities for international business and allows for greater flexibility in working with diverse teams and clients. Bilingual individuals are often in high demand in various industries such as healthcare, education, translation, and tourism. Furthermore, being able to communicate in more than one language can lead to higher earning potential and increased job opportunities, as bilingual individuals are often considered valuable assets in the workplace. In conclusion, the benefits of speaking two languages are numerous and far-reaching. From improved cognitive abilities and increased job opportunities to enhanced cultural understanding and empathy, being bilingual offers a wide range of advantages that can positively impact all aspects of one's life. Whether for personal enrichment or professional advancement, the ability to communicate in more than one language is a valuable skill that can lead to greater success and fulfillment.

The movie "Batman: The Dark Knight Rises" is my favorite movie for a multitude of reasons. It is the one movie that I would watch all the time. In fact, I have watched it a multitude of times already! From its compelling storyline to its spectacular acting and breathtaking cinematography, this film has it all. First and foremost, the storyline of "The Dark Knight Rises" is incredibly engaging. The movie is set in a world that is dark, gritty, and filled with complex characters. This environment is the type that I connect with the most. The narrative delves deep into the inner turmoil and conflict of Bruce Wayne as he struggles to come to terms with his dual identity as Batman. The plot is filled with dramatic twists and turns that keep the audience on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Even when you think you have it figured out, it takes a dramatic turn the opposite way. The good versus evil is very prominent, yet also confusing at times. It is a contributing factor to all of these dramatic turns. Furthermore, the film is elevated by the incredible performances of its cast. Christian Bale's portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman is nothing short of mesmerizing. His ability to convey the emotional complexity of the character adds a layer of depth to the truly captivating film. Additionally, Tom Hardy's portrayal of the villainous Bane is equally impressive. Hardy's commanding presence and chilling performance make Bane a truly formidable antagonist. The producers did an amazing job all around in this movie. The acting is just another addition to the movie's greatness. Additionally, the cinematography in "The Dark Knight Rises" is nothing short of stunning. The film is visually striking, with breathtaking action sequences and beautifully shot moments that leave a lasting impact on the viewer. The expertly crafted visuals of the film serve to immerse the audience in the world of Gotham City and make for a truly unforgettable viewing experience. It is filled with darkness and misunderstanding. Even the setting itself makes you think. Like I said, this type of theme is what I like most. The dark and mysterious setting is something that intrigues me. In conclusion, "Batman: The Dark Knight Rises" is my favorite movie for its compelling storyline, incredible performances, breathtaking cinematography, thought-provoking themes, and phenomenal soundtrack. There is simply nothing I do not like about the film. It is a movie that leaves a lasting impression and continues to be a timeless classic. For these reasons, to this day, I still watch this movie on repeat and will have no problem watching this movie for the rest of my life.

1: As an individual who is intensely passionate about the field of artificial intelligence (AI), I am thrilled to express my dedication and aspirations towards this innovative and rapidly evolving domain. My profound interest in AI was sparked during my undergraduate studies where I pursued a degree in science. The concept of developing intelligent machines and systems that can think, learn, and adapt on their own captivated my imagination and inspired me to delve deeper and work in this fascinating field. During my academic journey, I actively sought out different opportunities to work with AI through various courses, projects, and internships. One of my most notable experiences was working on a research project that aimed to develop a natural language processing model to analyze and summarize healthcare documents. This project not only allowed me to gain practical hands-on experience with AI technologies such as machine learning algorithms and neural networks but also provided me with valuable insights into the application of AI in the healthcare sector. I was able to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers, data scientists, and medical experts, which enriched my understanding of the amazing nature of AI and its potential. Looking towards the future, my post-graduation aspirations are centered around leveraging my knowledge and skills in AI to make meaningful contributions to the advancement of the healthcare world. I am deeply committed to pursuing a career in a science-related company that incorporates AI to tackle complex challenges and push the boundaries of artificial intelligence. My long-term goal is to lead AI initiatives that have a positive impact on society and in any critical area where AI can be leveraged to drive meaningful change. Another one of the most impactful AI-related projects that I have worked on involved developing an AI-powered recommendation system for healthcare interventions. The project aimed to address the challenge of tailoring healthcare recommendations to individual patients based on their unique medical history, lifestyle, and preferences. I utilized advanced machine learning techniques, including collaborative filtering and deep learning, to analyze vast amounts of patient data and generate personalized recommendations for treatments, medications, and lifestyle modifications. The outcome of this project was a robust recommendation system that significantly improved the accuracy and relevance of healthcare interventions, leading to more effective patient outcomes and a reduction in medical errors. The impact of this AI-related project was far-reaching, as it not only demonstrated the potential of AI to revolutionize personalized healthcare but also underscored the importance of ethical considerations and data privacy in AI applications. This experience reinforced my conviction in the transformative power of AI and its ability to drive positive change in different industries. I have an extreme amount of experience with AI, and I hope to gain more knowledge on it. It is fascinating, and a topic I wish to experience more. 2: My time as a research assistant at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory was a rewarding experience that allowed me to work on an exciting project aimed at using AI to predict healthcare solutions. This project involved the use of various AI technologies, including natural language processing, deep learning, and predictive modeling, to analyze data that lead to different types of health conditions. I got this opportunity delivered to me through my college campus. Although no reward, I figured the idea would be both fun and helpful to be a part of. The first step in the project was to collect a large dataset of different conditions and articles related to different hospitals and medical centers. T Once the dataset was collected, we used natural language processing techniques to extract key information from the text, such as sentiment analysis, to understand the overall tone of the articles and posts. This idea was foreign to me at first, so it was very exciting to get to learn all about it. We then utilized deep learning algorithms to analyze the condition data and identify patterns and relations. This involved building and training several neural network models to learn from the historical data and make predictions on what conditions go with what symptoms. The outcome was very fun to find. While we have a lot of data in this field, it was interesting to see what AI thought about it. It not only proved past data right, but it also made some interesting interpretations that we did not currently have noted about some symptoms. While we are still unsure if it is true, it is interesting to see. Not only that, but it was an amazing hands-on experience that I am very grateful to be a part of. I met amazing people and even more amazing artificial intelligence systems. I am excited to be able to implement AI into different discoveries, especially in my upcoming work field after I graduate.

In today's world, the importance of businesses introducing sustainable and eco-friendly practices cannot be overstated. There are many different reasons why businesses are not currently as environmentally friendly as they should be, but there are even more reasons why they should be. While money-hungry cooperations may not see the effort nor capital worth it, there have been real-world effects that have already been proven to do wonders by other environmentally friendly businesses. Implementing sustainable practices is not only crucial for the well-being of our planet but, in addition, for the long-term success and reputation of businesses. Firstly, adopting sustainable practices helps personal businesses reduce their carbon footprint. By minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, companies can contribute to mitigating climate change and preserving natural resources. In this instance, we are looking at the company's success. A company can both rest good and become more successful to different clientele if they are participating in reducing their carbon footprint. Knowing that a business is helping, rather than contributing to global warming and air pollution, is good for everyone. Secondly, sustainability initiatives often lead to cost savings in the long run. For instance, investing in energy-efficient technologies can significantly reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills. Also, considering the size of these businesses, it may add up to something tremendous. While there are a lot of people that occupy this world, I would have to argue that cooperation in this world has the biggest effect on the damage done to the environment. A short period may not do much, taking the biggest environmental damager out of the equation for a longer amount of time will completely transform this world. Some eco-friendly practices that businesses can implement include: transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power, promoting recycling and waste reduction programs within their operations, and adopting green transportation methods like electric vehicles or encouraging employees to carpool or use public transport. These tactics would transform a business into an almost completely carbon-neutral operation; thus, making the business complete its personal goal of becoming eco-friendly and improving the earth, one business at a time. In conclusion, embracing sustainability is not only a moral obligation but also a smart business strategy. The efforts to do this will take some capital and time, but the outcomes will be far worth it. By implementing eco-friendly practices like those mentioned above, companies can play a vital role in reducing their carbon footprint while simultaneously benefiting from enhancing their brand image and reaching out to a new clientele base.

America is a melting pot of different nationalities. It is what America is made from. Being from a family not from this country seems like it would be normal based on that. However, it is everything but normal. American culture is worlds different than out-of-country cultures, and adapting a whole family to America's way of life is very difficult. If you are not from America and used to our educational systems, even the idea of college is quite foreign. Coming from a Vietnamese family, everything about school is blatantly left to the kids. This is just a brutal reality though, as it is completely understandable for parents who grew up in Vietnam to not unbearable able to grasp American concepts, especially when it’s as confusing as the college financial system. The hardest part about coming from a family in a different country is figuring out everything by yourself. In addition, once you find out what is required, the prolonged process of explaining it to your parents comes up. As most things require parent participation, it is very difficult to describe what and why they have to do certain things. In the end, through struggle and hard work, you find yourself in a college dorm with a good education. Though a little harder than everyone else, the endpoint is the same, and even more appreciated! Through a lot of different discoveries and self-finding, I have figured out that I am exceptionally good at physical fitness. Not only that, but I greatly enjoy being a part of the subject. It is a field I have fun in every day. Because of this, I am currently majoring in Kinesiology, or the study of exercise science. I am extremely happy and proud of my major and excited to move forward with it. In my future college career, I plan on producing a lot of content related to exercise science. I do not want my talent and passion to go to waste, even when I am still studying in college. After I obtain my bachelor's degree, I am going to hopefully finish up with a Master's Degree in two more years to optimize my chances of a solid career path. My dream job is training athletes and passing my knowledge to them. It excites me knowing that I will soon have the ability to pass my passion on to others and educate the world. This scholarship would do wonders for me in my journey. I am taking it one step at a time with my sights set high!

In my future career, I am hoping to help others realise that money is not everything when it comes to life. As opposing as it may seem, I am reaching out to become a financial advisor to give people financial freedom, something I believe all Americans want. While a rewarding end goal, I want to make the realization known that this is not what makes one happy though. Life is supposed to be filled with friends, family, and adventure. Yes, it is hard to do such things without a consistent and reliable income, but what most people do not see is that chasing "the bag" is not what will make you happy. I am fortunate enough to say that I have had a point in my life where I was making good money at a younger age. While nice, that is simply all it was. It was "nice" to be able to buy my dream motorcycle and fill my closet with nice shoes. It was "nice" to be in a state of so forth luxury, but that was all it was. It was not life fulfilling or gratifying. What is, is a life full of friends and happiness. Though I was at a much lower point financially, I was much happier before I received this money. By the state in which people are in today, it seems as if they have to realize this for themselves. This scholarship would help me make the above possible. A future goal I set is currently in action. As of now, I am attending the University of Central Florida. I am a student here, learning and advancing myself to find the best future for me, and the people I help. It has been a long and hard journey so far, but I know I will make it to the end. The money from this scholarship will help me continue this journey and fulfill a career with a masters degree. All I am trudging on now is grant and future scholarship money. However, no-matter what happens, I am super excited to be here and have at least gotten this opportunity. I hope to make my life as special as I can. So many people end up wondering through life and passing without any mark left behind. That is one of my worst fears when it comes to life, and the way I am looking at things, your career is my best shot at avoiding that fear. I am proud of the track I am on now, and hope to be similarly proud in the future with how far I have come.

In my future career, I am hoping to help others realise that money is not everything when it comes to life. As opposing as it may seem, I am reaching out to become a financial advisor to give people financial freedom, something I believe all Americans want. While a rewarding end goal, I want to make the realization known that this is not what makes one happy though. Life is supposed to be filled with friends, family, and adventure. Yes, it is hard to do such things without a consistent and reliable income, but what most people do not see is that chasing "the bag" is not what will make you happy. I am fortunate enough to say that I have had a point in my life where I was making good money at a younger age. While nice, that is simply all it was. It was "nice" to be able to buy my dream motorcycle and fill my closet with nice shoes. It was "nice" to be in a state of so forth luxury, but that was all it was. It was not life fulfilling or gratifying. What is, is a life full of friends and happiness. Though I was at a much lower point financially, I was much happier before I received this money. By the state in which people are in today, it seems as if they have to realize this for themselves. This scholarship would help me make the above possible. A future goal I set is currently in action. As of now, I am attending the University of Central Florida. I am a student here, learning and advancing myself to find the best future for me, and the people I help. It has been a long and hard journey so far, but I know I will make it to the end. The money from this scholarship will help me continue this journey and fulfill a career with a masters degree. All I am trudging on now is grant and future scholarship money. However, no-matter what happens, I am super excited to be here and have at least gotten this amazing opportunity. I desire to make my life special. So many people end up wondering through life and passing without any mark left behind. That is one of my worst fears when it comes to life, and the way I am looking at things, your career is my best shot at avoiding that fear. I am proud of the track I am on now, and hope to be similarly proud in the future with how far I have come.

For the past few years, I have been an active member of multiple community service programs. By choice? Well, not originally. However, I would say that I kept with it truly for the enjoyment of it. Let me explain. In the State of Florida, one of the higher achievement rewards requires you to commit to 100 hours of community service. Therefore, a large percentage of high school students get thrown into the field, not by choice. As a successful student in school, it is a task that would be silly for me to not take part in. However, my parents saw this viewpoint more than I did. Like many other kids, I was thrown into the idea. There are very few kids that would want to devote their free time to work. However, after a few months, I understood. Since I was just a freshman in high school, my parents and I both took a trainers class at Nates Animal Shelter located here in Bradenton Florida. It was nothing special, though I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed playing with dogs. Fast forward a week after our training was finished, we all were able to qualify as "dog sitters". This is where my parents dropped out most of the time, considering they do not need the volunteer hours and had full-time jobs to work. On the other hand, I needed those volunteer hours. Every weekend, I would take a trip up to the grounds to walk the dogs for a few hours. It seems like a simple enough task when putting it that way. However, take a dog that is locked in a cage for the whole day and gets no social interaction. It is quite the handful in my life! Nonetheless, I stuck with it. At first, it was just a way to count the hours for this award. It was not till a few months later that I found myself getting this feeling of satisfaction. I would go in the car to go home and feel accomplished. It was as if I just finished a huge task for the day. The crazy part was, that I did not feel accomplished because I stacked my community service hours. Instead, it seemed as if it was because I was helping out in a big way. Some days, I would take care of nearly every dog. Seeing a puppy go from laying in the corner of the cage to bouncing off the walls when he sees you is something else. I was helping in a big way. I figured out what it felt like to truly help others, even if that meant only dogs. After this, I found a diverse amount of community service programs to get involved in. While participating in these and still working at Nates, I found myself layering on the hours I needed. It was not soon that I found myself doing these community service tasks to make me feel good versus just the hours. Especially on the weekends, it is one of the best ways to start the day. I am extremely grateful for this program, as it taught me a lot more about myself.

I am transferring to a large university to major in Kinesiology. While that may seem like a boring start, this is one of the most exciting introductions in my life. Let me explain why. To tell you why I had to look past the surface-level aspects. My parents all owned a business, I have owned two registered businesses, and I have had multiple teachings taught to me about business in various ways. I have a strong desire to build a financially free life for myself while also having fun doing what I do. So, why am I going into the medical field? I later found out that life is not all about money. On the contrary, life is about family, friends, and having fun. Enjoying life to the maximum is what makes it count the most, and I have been doing a very poor job of that in my recent years. At only 19 years old, I can not say that I have enjoyed life the way I should. To not dig too deep down this path, I want to pursue a career that is not about the money, but instead a career that I will thoroughly have fun in. This career leads me down the path of kinesiology. Though unexpected, I am going to do whatever it takes to make me happy. This opened my eyes to the medical field, and I have since found out that I have a strong passion for this subject. I have all my life, but since everyone pushed the medical field aside and shoved business to me, I have never had a breathing chance to see for myself what I want to do. I have heard that the crazier the thought, the more success is prone to it. I feel that this holds its weight here. Our family is on a path of figuring it out as it goes. Similarly to my college journey, we handle one situation at a time financially. My efforts to gain this scholarship is in helping that path continue, and for me to continue with my kinesiology field. I am hoping to achieve my goals at the end of the road, and help people in the things I am good at. My goals for this field are not laid out in stone yet, as I have just recently started studying material related to my major. While the brain does fascinate me, I am seeing that human fitness may be a wiser choice considering my self aspects. All in all, I may finish with a major in physical therapy, while others recommend me to the path of sports medical assistance, where I can fulfil a duty such as a nurse to the staff. Either way, I count it as very exciting, and I hope that translates well into this essay.

In my future career, I am hoping to help others realise that money is not everything when it comes to life. As opposing as it may seem, I am reaching out to become a financial advisor to give people financial freedom, something I believe all Americans want. While a rewarding end goal, I want to make the realization known that this is not what makes one happy though. Life is supposed to be filled with friends, family, and adventure. Yes, it is hard to do such things without a consistent and reliable income, but what most people do not see is that chasing "the bag" is not what will make you happy. I am fortunate enough to say that I have had a point in my life where I was making good money at a younger age. While nice, that is simply all it was. It was "nice" to be able to buy my dream motorcycle and fill my closet with nice shoes. It was "nice" to be in a state of so forth luxury, but that was all it was. It was not life fulfilling or gratifying. What is, is a life full of friends and happiness. Though I was at a much lower point financially, I was much happier before I received this money. By the state in which people are in today, it seems as if they have to realize this for themselves. This scholarship would help me make the above possible. A future goal I set is currently in action. As of now, I am attending the University of Central Florida. I am a student here, learning and advancing myself to find the best future for me, and the people I help. It has been a long and hard journey so far, but I know I will make it to the end. The money from this scholarship will help me continue this journey and fulfill a career with a masters degree. All I am trudging on now is grant and future scholarship money. However, no-matter what happens, I am super excited to be here and have at least gotten this amazing opportunity. I hope to make my life special. So many people end up wondering through life and passing without any mark left behind. That is one of my worst fears when it comes to life, and the way I am looking at things, your career is my best shot at avoiding that fear. I am proud of the track I am on now, and hope to be similarly proud in the future with how far I have come.

If we follow our current paths, we are only getting worse. This is sadly true for a lot of aspects right now in our world. However, it is even sadder to see that the primary participant in this statement is our environment. It is taught in schools, broadcasted on social media, and discussed by neighbors. Yet somehow, very little is still being done. Like many, this was a clear complication for me. If we can all do the simple things, we can make a big change together. I like to contribute through my day-to-day activities, as I know these small things will add up. For instance, I turn off lights when possible, shut off the water when not used, reuse water bottles, recycle, and eat all of my leftovers. I convinced my family to install solar panels and use eco-friendly house maintenance products. These are all relatively small activities to do. Adding participants will only help our world. Soon, if enough people become self-conscious about their impact on the environment, we can turn that path around. We can improve our ecosystem in dramatic ways! My friend group tends to lean in this direction similarly. Caring for the environment is cool. Hoping for a better future is cool. And with this mindset, I usually attract other friends that think this way. It is amazing and almost shocking what you can learn from like-minded individuals who share the same passion. When shopping at the grocery store, it is so easy to not take plastic if it is not needed. This is something I often thought over, but if it was done more, it would make a profound effect on our environment from a positive standpoint. After all things are said, I think my involvement in the environment comes from my love for it. Since I was a kid, I had the biggest respect for nature. I adored its beauty, the sounds, and the feel of being completely emerged. Nature is too amazing to ruin. It seems like the most amazing gift given by god, and there is a chance that it will be gone very soon. Even now, beautiful places are being torn down for our continuation of this societal development. Take nature away, and the world will be a terrible place. Taking an effort, even if it is simple and easy to do, can change our planet. It can sustain gods gift, and it will make sure nothing goes to ruin.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving on yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to doing so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change like it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making other's happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is definitely worth a shot to make a difference.

I will say it. I do not come from a successful background. We all started from the bottom. Though we overcome our obstacles, we can say together that nothing is big enough to hold us down. Let me explain. I was not looked up to as the smart kid in school. I had conflicting goals and viewpoints on life. I would hear one thing at school, one thing in the media, and one thing at home that would all contradict each other. It seemed as if I was coasting through life with no direct endpoint. It was not until 5th grade that I started pushing myself. I am not gifted. I am not naturally intelligent. I am not knowledgeable. However, what I do have is willpower. I can work hard and not give up. If I set my sights on a goal, I will figure out how to accomplish it. When I did get my sights in line, I knew that my career needed a good school record to back it up. I worked my hardest in school. Seeking extra help, taking my time, learning to focus, and challenging myself rewarded me with great success in school. It hits different graduating at the top 10% of your class when you know you started at the very back of the pack. As of now, I am finishing up my associate degree for a smooth transition into a University to finish off my career goals. Looking deep into my field of study, you will see a lot of misconceptions. A large number of people say it is boring, has no future, and is not worth it. A large number of people also say that it is a great path to start with, can lead to big success, and can be applied everywhere. When you look at the people that support it, this field gave them great success in life. When you look at people that do not support it, it seems as if they do not understand the subject completely, so let me explain.. Everything in this world revolves around finance. I do not think that is an understanding too. The part that people generally think about is the stock market and banks. Though an essential part of our community also, every business has to have financial backing to it. In today's world, everything is a business. Plain and simple, I believe this lack of money attitude is what makes everyone drive toward it so much. You want what you can not get. Now, if I can bring financial stability to others, hopefully, the world can see for themselves that money is not what should be driving your life. My career field of choice is a financial advisor. If I can get my hands on that position, I will hold a direct way to change people's lives. Not only can I get the message out, but I can show these people how to recover from debt and live a truly happy life. I consider my pathway beneficial to the world. It has been a goal for a long time to bring this knowledge of finances to others. I do not think that America knows much about both controlling their money and what money brings for them. We are extremely undereducated on these subjects. Yet, it is the controlling factor of most of the population. Like I said before, America runs on finances. I am willing to go through many hoops and obstacles to reach this goal. Nothing will stand in my way.

Throughout my life, I have gone through difficulties like everyone else. Plain and simple, when you are at a point of low willpower, you are not going to do the right thing. You are going to do the thing that benefits your wants in that specific moment. It is a bleak outcome to aim to achieve a distant goal when you are at your breaking point. However, look at your inspirations. They do not complain or drag out plans. All they do differently, is they do it. That is not to say that it is not hard to do. It is extremely difficult, but there is an easy way of looking at things. You can suffer now or suffer later. You can suck it up and eat correctly now, or you can suffer the punishment of quitting later. Most people chose the latter half which is why we are so obese as a country. I am no exception though. I have fed my guilty wants and needs due to low willpower. It was not until now that I am experiencing the harsh punishments of doing that. After listing to this podcast, I have found the problem. I see what everyone else does that is wrong. I see what the top 1% do that others do not. I am willing to suffer now as opposed to later. Through this change, I decided to follow what my idols do. To get where your idols are, you have to do as they do. For me and my "superheroes", I am going on a strict carnivore diet. I know everyone's body is different we all have different goals, but for me, I found this diet to be exactly what I need physically. Currently, I am doing great. Though I know I will go through some tough times, the suffering now will lead to a greater good later. While my personal path was focusing on my health, I understand that others path will likely not be the same. However, I also understand that this action of achieving a goal is shared among many people. During this time, I have obviously been involved in school heavily. It is hard to adopt this mindset and not carry it over to school work. I find it rather convenient putting this strong effort into school, as the rest of my life started to follow a similar effort full characteristic. I was able to maintain a high GPA and even get in extracurricular activities to advance myself. Most of the time, I find when you wander down a path of success, you will tend to find yourself of many leadership qualities. These qualities will come whether you want them too or not. Likewise, if you look at any leader, you will have these qualities. The qualities I mentioned above are the qualities you will have to posses to be a successful person in whatever field you choose. Willpower, drive, and motivation will always tend to be in your life, and I am sure that these qualities will be spread among your peers too!

I will say it. I do not come from a successful background. We all started from the bottom. Though we overcome our obstacles, we can say together that nothing is big enough to hold us down. Let me explain. I was not looked up to as the smart kid in school. I had conflicting goals and viewpoints on life. I would hear one thing at school, one thing in the media, and one thing at home that would all contradict each other. It seemed as if I was coasting through life with no direct endpoint. It was not until 5th grade that I started pushing myself. I am not gifted. I am not naturally intelligent. I am not knowledgeable. However, what I do have is willpower. I can work hard and not give up. If I set my sights on a goal, I will figure out how to accomplish it. When I did get my sights in line, I knew that my career needed a good school record to back it up. I worked my hardest in school. Seeking extra help, taking my time, learning to focus, and challenging myself rewarded me with great success in school. It hits different graduating at the top 10% of your class when you know you started at the very back of the pack. As of now, I am finishing up my associate degree for a smooth transition into a University to finish off my career goals. Looking deep into my field of study, you will see a lot of misconceptions. A large number of people say it is boring, has no future, and is not worth it. A large number of people also say that it is a great path to start with, can lead to big success, and can be applied everywhere. When you look at the people that support it, this field gave them great success in life. When you look at people that do not support it, it seems as if they do not understand the subject completely, so let me explain.. Everything in this world revolves around finance. I do not think that is an understanding too. The part that people generally think about is the stock market and banks. Though an essential part of our community also, every business has to have financial backing to it. In today's world, everything is a business. Plain and simple, I believe this lack of money attitude is what makes everyone drive toward it so much. You want what you can not get. Now, if I can bring financial stability to others, hopefully, the world can see for themselves that money is not what should be driving your life. My career field of choice is a financial advisor. If I can get my hands on that position, I will hold a direct way to change people's lives. Not only can I get the message out, but I can show these people how to recover from debt and live a truly happy life. I consider my pathway beneficial to the world. It has been a goal for a long time to bring this knowledge of finances to others. I do not think that America knows much about both controlling their money and what money brings for them. We are extremely undereducated on these subjects. Yet, it is the controlling factor of most of the population. Like I said before, America runs on finances. I am willing to go through many hoops and obstacles to reach this goal. Nothing will stand in my way.

I never hear the end of it. To be honest, it is not even a bad thing either. My father served in the United States Army as a mechanic. From his words exactly, it completely changed his life around. I have heard a lot of different stories about how great the military is. However, my dad's point of view was my favourite. He was such a bad kid at a young age. During mid-high school, he got kicked out of school for punching the principal. Knowing my dad, this was not even the worse thing he has done. However, after having no options for a future after that, my dad went into the military. His stories are plentiful, but they all wrap up how difficult but rewarding the journey was. From that, he was developed into the person he is today. He grew physically and mentally; he became a strong and humble man. The military proceeds to then give you the opportunities to grow to your full potential. After a few years of growth, he stepped back into the world with a bright life ahead of him. That is exactly what happened. Of hearing this on repeat, I can say that the military does not directly support my aspirations. However, I am not putting down the system at all. From everything I have heard, I recommend it to almost everyone as it applies to many cases of plans. Me, I am attempting on becoming a strength and conditioning coach for the Miami Dolphins at a young age; thus, I have a different path waiting for me. This is not to say though that my father's stories meant nothing to me. It is quiet on the contrary. From there, I learned how to be strong. There is always room past your breaking point. My father taught me to push past my comfort zone and stretch my barriers. Most importantly though, he taught me one of my favourite life lessons. He told me that you can do it yourself or can be forced to do it. What he meant by this is simple. You can choose to put in the hard work now and choose a life you want. Or you can take the easy way, live comfortably for the moment, and then be forced to do what you do not want for a life you do not want. Either choose to do it yourself or be forced to do it. Right now, based on previous exercise experience, I am studying Kinesiology. The field excites me, and it is something I am very interested in. After graduation, I hope to be in the likes of an exercise strength facility for a sports team. Of course, my education will me ever expanding in a place like this being around like minded people will give me the opportunity to learn what they know. I am ever grateful for where I am today, and super excited for the future to come!

Olivia Rodrigo has taken the internet by storm in the last few years. It is almost impossible to not know her name, and almost more impossible to not have heard her song 'GUTS'. Though in the last year, I have legally turned into an adult, this song still speaks wonders for my past. My favorite lyric is actually a strange one though. I believe that the quote "And if I had the guts I would have..." speaks a lot of truth for a lot of people. However, this phrase was superior to me. The song is based on dating and revenge. However, if you listen to the song piece by piece, there are a lot of other lessons that can be taken from the song. Most importantly, the title and nitpicking pieces of "..If I had the guts.." are insanely true for my teenage years. Now, I am getting old enough that everything is settling in. It is less about having the guts to do something and more about putting the work in. My decisions have been made for me via my high school choices. However, my high school choices could have been way different in my favor if I had the guts to do what I wanted. My high school career, along with many, had the mistake of doing things we were comfortable with. It was less about what we wanted and more about what we had to do. Following the rules, status ideas, and stereotypes is what led most of us down our path. However, like the song, if we had had the guts to do something we wanted to do, it may have turned out for the better. This quote really resonates with my teenage years specifically. I was growing up and trying to figure out what was right and what was wrong. Most of that was dictated by what others have done. This is the point where I realized that some things take guts to do. In my teenage years, I definitely did take some leaps of faith that took guts, and these moments make this quote even louder for me. Looking back at the jumps I did take and the jumps I did not take makes me want to relive those moments. If only I had guts, like Olivia Rodrigo says. While what has happened has happened, and I am extremely happy for the situation I am in now, this song always takes me back to memory lane and makes me start thinking of old memories. That is what Olivia Rodrigo's songs do though. It may even be why people can not stop hearing about her.

When people like a show, they unknowingly become experts on it. That is exactly what happened to me. I started watching Stranger Things out of boredom and because of the hype. Putting little to no brainpower into this show went completely sideways. I started to watch Stranger Things more and more, and like many people, completely became obsessed. Now, I find myself browsing Reddit pages and forms with relating topics to the show. I am so excited to find a debatable topic on Bold, and am excited to share my "expertise". Though understandable, the simple answer would be involving the kids. However effective, I believe that the adults in the show can have more power if they can get to the kid's mentality. While adults are not necessarily open-minded to the supernatural world, they can get behind it if they see enough circumstances. However, unlike the children portrayed in the show, adults have more tools and less restrictions on them. For instance, adults do not have to worry about their parents catching them sneaking out, nor do they have to worry about finding a car to drive. They are exposed to these tools all around them, and they know how to use them too! Also, arguably, they can be smarter. They have more experience in the real world, more situational knowledge and more advanced skill sets. I understand that all the children in this show are above average when it comes to handling the supernatural. However, on paper, they are not the smart choice to have when looking to form a squad. Adults are better players to be using over children. With that being said, the three characters from the show I would choose to form a squad would be: Chief Jim Hopper, Mayor Larry Kline, and Officer Powell. Not only are all of these characters adults, which means they have more tools than children do, but they also hold higher positions. Likable or not, there is no denying that these three people can get things done. They have power, skill, and experience. They may not be anyone's favorite characters from the show, but they are powerful people, and nobody can defend them. Looking at this question excited me because it allowed me to look deeper into the characteristics of Stranger Things. For this, I needed to use background knowledge and other evidence besides what I saw in the show. Though I wanted to state the main characters, as the viewer is closer to them, common sense told me otherwise. After thinking about all of the choices, I am very happy with my squad and am very confident in our ability to handle the supernatural.

To be honest, I was never a Mario fan until recently. However, it is not even for my sole love for the game either. It is because of the memories it signifies. Do not get me wrong, I absolutely love the game Mario, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. If I were to get into the game earlier on in my childhood, I would likely be addicted. As stated though, my love of the game comes from the memories it has created and the memories it will create in the future. Mario signifies family time, and I hope that every family can share something as great as this. Yes, it is just a video game, but it is also a valuable tool that my family now uses to bond together. Since I left for college, I have only been home a handful of times. When I get home, it seems as if my family associates as strangers. We have known each other for so long, but somehow, we are not comfortable enough to share the same relationship we did before. It was not until a close friend brought over Mario Cart, that we all started to loosen up. It was all about fun now, and thinking about our relationship situation was out the door. A few hours later, we are all loosened up and back to normal. In fact, it is quite amazing. Getting to that comfortable point again makes us start telling stories and bringing everyone up to speed on what has been happening in their life. It is a great moment, and it all is because of Mario Cart. Now, every time I visit home, we play a few rounds of Mario, and things go right back to normal. We look forward to our Mario game, as it signifies a family coming together again. This past gathering was yet another memorable moment to add to our collection. I know that Mario shares a big part in people's lives. I have seen people obsess over the game. I see this as nothing but joy and excitement that this game is bringing. I was never jealous, but I always missed out on it. I can now proudly be in that group, and say that Mario has brought me happiness too. Not only me but my family has now been brought up in the Mario world. There is a whole Mario universe waiting for us now, and we can not be more excited.

Taylor Swift is an icon for a reason. She is a household name, whether you like her nor not, simply because so many of her songs have been hits. Not only have almost all of her songs been just hits, but they have gotten so popular, even non-fans can not get away from the “Swifty” talk. None-the-less, there is no doubt that Taylor Swift is among one of the great modern artists, and it is almost impossible for someone to not have a favorite song. From the iconic album 1989, my go to song is “Bad Blood”. It is less of a bop for me though, and more of a story I can relate too. Do not get me wrong, the song “Bad Blood” is a song you can absolutely jam to in any scenario: at the gym, in the library, or in the car. However, I find myself connecting to it most of the time. The song is about Taylor Swifts closest friends purposely sabotaging her. She aims to harm her concerts by personally hiring her staff for her own benefit. According to Taylor Swift herself, the song comes from the pure facts and anger that came from that scenario. Not only that, but she also provided a very good life lesson about how your enemies can sometimes come from the closest people in your life. However, the reason this song resonates so much with me is not because it taught me a valuable lesson, but rather because it reminds me of a similar scenario. Obviously, and sadly, I am not a world famous super star going on concerts all the time. I do not have friends that try to sabotage my performances. However, I have had people that where very close to me turn completely opposite really fast. Sadly, the message behind “Bad Blood” did not reach me until it was too late. Without going into too much detail, my personal situation consisted of a very close relationship coming to an end. This hurt a lot, considering that I had so much faith in this relationship with this other individual. Now, it is not to say that this lesson turned into trust issues. However, it is always good to be aware, no-matter what the situation may appear to be like. Every-time I listen to this song, it serves as a reminder of that moment and lesson. There are certainly people you can count on, but it is always good to know that sometimes, unexpected things may happen through other people’s demise. Along with the lesson, it tugs on a heart string for me, reminding me of that moment in my life. Like a lot of other “Swifty’s”, Taylor Swift has once again turned a number 1 hit into an emotional response.

I am pursuing science. Specifically, I am pursuing exercise science. I should not be in the eyes of teachers, but here I am. Let me explain. Throught my schooling, I was destined to be a business major. I read business books, ran businesses myself, and was the son and grandson of successful business owners. However, as it turns out, I am not going into that field. The field I was not supposed to go into was science. I was not into laboratory instances. Chemicals were not my thing and environmental studies did not interest me at all. What segment I did not look into much of was the human body. Besides health, the human body was never mentioned to me in high school or middle school. It was not until recently that I discovered this career path. This career path will turn out to be my main goal in the future and seemingly the key to a happy life for me! I am obsessed with exercise and fitness. Unlike the science industry, this has been with me forever. Since I was in 5th grade, I have been working out in the gym with my parents. I have played almost every sport there is. Little did I know that there was such an industry behind exercise and health specifically. It seemed like it was almost the perfect career choice. Without knowing, I have even listened to multiple podcasts and videos on exercise in hopes to improve myself. Little did I know that this learning will eventually end me up with a college degree down the line. Like I said, though exercise science has not always been the goal, it turned out to be and I can not be happier with it. I truly enjoy working in this field, so chasing my goals seems to be more fun than work. It took some different routes, but with basic experience, I ended up finding the right goal to search for. I have completed a lot of starting steps, and already these mini goals are influencing and motivating me to a very large extent. Right now, I am currently applying to many major universities to continue my education in this field. In a few years after my bachelor, I may attempt a major in physical therapy. Only time will tell for that one though. Though a quick decision, I am happy to start learning about the human body and the effects of exercise.

Crashing waves, giant monsters, and big mountains seem to be an enticing landscape to base your book off of. How about fighting monsters, slaying dragons, and travelling the world? This book will surely have a lasting impression on anyone. My book, the book that made a drastic impact on my life, took place in an office. To be more precise, a grocery store's office. It is less about fighting dragons and more about conquering tax strategies. Though my book seems prevalent to the average, it is one of the most lasting books for me, and I do recommend that everyone should read it. This is the exact book that made me financially literate. I think if enough people read this book, being financially literate will me normal knowledge in our society. "Rich Dad Poor Dad" is a book series written by the insightful Robert Kiyosaki, a businessman and real-estate tycoon. Robert does not just tell us what are the best real estate properties to buy or stock exchange strategies. No, on the contrary actually, Robert tells us how to start from the bottom. He explains how to get out of the rat race and into your money-making mechanism. He tells you how to triple your earnings quickly but effectively. Oh, but this must be a scam. All of these scenarios are too good to be true. It has worked full-handedly for me. His strategies are backed up and used by almost all of the wealthiest men in the world, and then some. His tellings are no secret, but they are rarely implemented by the general public. Though it still may seem too good to be true, if you implement everything Robert says in this book, it is almost certain that you will get to his level of wealth within a few years of hard work. Though time has been short, I made sure to invest my money into things that count. Instead of buying myself lavish items, I was able to invest and make enough money to constantly increase my investments. I do not have a lot of investments, but I am surely still on my way to the top. Hence me being here right now. Now, no, my book may not seem as exciting as your murder mystery or Christmas fairy tale. But to me, it is just as engrossing. And to me, it is most certainly more impactful.

Crashing waves, giant monsters, and big mountains seem to be an enticing landscape to base your book off of. How about fighting monsters, slaying dragons, and travelling the world? This book will surely have a lasting impression on anyone. My book, the book that made a drastic impact on my life, took place in an office. To be more precise, a grocery store's office. It is less about fighting dragons and more about conquering tax strategies. Though my book seems prevalent to the average, it is one of the most lasting books for me, and I do recommend that everyone should read it. This is the exact book that made me financially literate. I think if enough people read this book, being financially literate will me normal knowledge in our society. "Rich Dad Poor Dad" is a book series written by the insightful Robert Kiyosaki, a businessman and real-estate tycoon. Robert does not just tell us what are the best real estate properties to buy or stock exchange strategies. No, on the contrary actually, Robert tells us how to start from the bottom. He explains how to get out of the rat race and into your money-making mechanism. He tells you how to triple your earnings quickly but effectively. Oh, but this must be a scam. All of these scenarios are too good to be true. It has worked full-handedly for me. His strategies are backed up and used by almost all of the wealthiest men in the world, and then some. His tellings are no secret, but they are rarely implemented by the general public. Though it still may seem too good to be true, if you implement everything Robert says in this book, it is almost certain that you will get to his level of wealth within a few years of hard work. For me, I was able to treat money and life with respect after reading only one of his books. I am on the second book now. Though time has been short, I made sure to invest my money into things that count. Instead of buying myself lavish items, I was able to invest and make enough money to constantly increase my investments. I do not have a lot of investments, but I am surely still on my way to the top. Hence me being here right now. Now, no, my book may not seem as exciting as your murder mystery or Christmas fairy tale. But to me, it is just as engrossing. And to me, it is most certainly more impactful.

I want to play football. It has been the ideal lifestyle for me ever since I was a kid. It is hard to describe, but something about being an athlete and performing you's very best gets me going every day. Needless to say, I am going to become a great player later on in life. Let's shift the focus off of me now. My uncle died about a year ago today. He, along with all his friends and buddies, was an avid football fan. Now, after he is gone, I am playing football to my full potential. I am hurt and impacted that he is not going to see what I accomplish. To him, playing this game is a big deal. Like me, his life was revolving around it. To see the look on his face when I play college ball, and eventually, NFL for maybe one of his favorite games would be unreal. It brings me great devastation that he will not be here for that. However, that is not to say that all hope is failed. I know, now, that he is on my side up there. I now have a team to get me to that goal of playing for a career. I also know that he is watching me from up above, routing for me. So, not all hope is lost yet. I still have to prove something, if not for myself, but him. This route in football, though, made me discover things about myself that I would have never known. It turns out that even though I perceived myself as an introvert, I am very people-oriented. One of my biggest goals that grew from this football goal is to inspire America to get outside and work on themselves. It is such a great activity to indulge in. Physical fitness and the same motivation should be present in everyone's life. While I am strongly motivated by my uncle, I hope to strongly motivate others to work hard and accomplish their dreams too. I never saw myself as the type of person to portray this mindset. I constantly focused on myself. However, with my current situation, I find it sufficient to be able to help others along with making my life count. A future in football, whether professional or recreational, is a career choice I would be ecstatic to say that I am a part of. Doing something I love is the sole career that I want. However, if I get to help others achieve their dream, I will find myself very fulfilled.

I have always been a single child. I have never had siblings or anybody relating to such a status in my life. I enjoyed it, but I often think that I miss out on a lot of adventures because of it. However, there was a time in my life when this was not going to be the full case. A few years ago, we were heavily looking to adopt. My parents are not able to make another baby, and they are also too old to anyway. We would want to adopt a daughter that was already a few years old. This was our plan, and we were so excited for it to come true. However, sadly, this never was the case. To this day, I am still an only child. Though I regret it, I understand that everything happens for a reason. Even though we did not end up adopting this daughter, we were very close to her. We started with a blind eye. We did not know anything about adopting. However, luckily, a good friend of ours adopted a child herself. She informed us a lot, but some of the biggest advice she gave us was to adopt outside of the U.S. as other countries are strongly struggling. We looked and ended up looking into an adoption agency to adopt from Bulgaria. It was exciting and we were all for the idea. My parents worked long and hard to not only find the perfect child to fit into our family, but to also get the necessary funds and paperwork to make this happen. I remember back when this was happening at plenty of adoption parties we went to. There were information meetings and get-togethers that seemed to happen almost every weekend. Towards the end of our search, we were looking to fly to Bulgaria to visit ourselves. We went as far as getting our passports and shots needed to leave the country. Sadly, after all of this work, we did not have the financials to make such a decision. The longer the decision went on, the shorter the possibility of this adoption was going to be. It ended up being a no-go for us. We look back and very much would have loved to adopt. We are extremely happy with our lives right now, but it would be very interesting to see a life that would have been very different. I know a lot of friends that are adopted, and they are super happy where they are at. It seems like a great idea and concept. From such an experience, I have an extremely high outlook on adoption. Though my parents did not adopt, I may look into adopting a son or daughter in the future. There is no telling what may come!

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving on yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to doing so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change like it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making other's happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is definitely worth a shot to make a difference.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving on yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to doing so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change like it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making other's happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is definitely worth a shot to make a difference.

The whole world needs to adapt to this new mindset. While certain operations have taken a bigger leap than others regarding the LGBTQ+ mindset, it is still easy to say that we have a long journey ahead of ourselves. I am currently enrolled in one of the world's largest Universities. UCF is a dominant name in the college world, and currently, it shows. After being at this school for a year, I understand why so many students flock to it. In my eyes, it is because of how open it is. It is not open in a physical way, but instead in a mental way. I have not run into a professor yet that has a biased stereotype of the LGBTQ+ world. Though to us, this seems like common sense, individuals engrossed in the subject will know that this is not how the world is functioning these days. The topic is getting better, but nowhere near the standards of how normal life should be carried out. As a student on this campus, I can tell that this is one of the operations in life that have gotten ahead regarding this topic. It gives me hope for future establishments to run the same way. However, the barriers I have seen are extensive. Grade school is not very accepting of this mindset. Actually, it almost seems like students run the schools, and when everyone is a pre-teen or child, it is not a very encouraging space to learn in. I am much happier in college, and I can see that there was a major step in the right direction when it came to equality. Right now, my major is in Kinesiology. Though I have switched up my major many times, I believe that this is going to be the best topic for me to study and advance in. The study of exercise and the body is something I have unknowingly been researching most of my life. In this field, I hope to maintain a master's degree and go on to a lifelong job of training. I have many career goals for myself in the future. However, pertaining to the LGBTQ+ lifestyle, I hope to simply spread awareness in this field. Many athletes and high-performing individuals are very caught up in their own ways. Though it works for them, I want to make sure everyone has a clear understanding that gender roles may not work for everyone. This field seems to be a little behind on the transitioning period of gender roles, and I can assure myself that I will make a huge difference in this. After my undergraduate degree, I do not know what school I will carry on my education at. By the sounds of it, I will likely not continue at UCF because of the high competition in this field. However, I have found out that UCF is a world-renowned school when it comes to LGBTQ+ subjects, and no matter where I go, I am sure to bring the same mentality I learned from UCF. I have seen a lot of positive actions on this campus, and with my understanding of the world, it would be amazing to see the positive attitudes, open-mindedness, and understanding in other places. I am excited to carry on this mindset, and I am super grateful for such an educational life so far with the LGBTQ+ mindset.

Though I am sure everyone wants to be the boss, I genuinely can picture myself as Michael Scott. He is the boss, yes, but he is also so much more than that. Micael Scott is also a family man, a caretaker, an innovator, and most importantly, a friend. Though his role on the show is to take charge of the office, it seems like he strays away from the average stigma of an office boss. Actually, I am sure that many will picture him holding opposite traits a traditional office boss would carry. Like everyone, I would love to hold a higher position in my intended career field like Michael Scott. However, the real reason I resonate with him is because he disproves everything he is supposed to be. A boss in a paper company sounds very boring. I believe that the producers did this on purpose. However, that is exactly why I believe I am the most like him. I enjoy having fun with life. I tend to try to make the most out of every situation. Even if it has a boring stigma like the office should have, I have a lot of fun with it. Though I am describing myself, it may seem like I am also describing Michael Scott from how alike we are. Michael Scott is by no means the only one on the show that has fun in the workplace. However, his sense of humor is most like mine. The other characters show their own version of fun on the show too. This has shown me a unique perspective on work and life in general. Everyone is different in their own ways. Even though I can compare myself most to Micheal Scott, that does not mean that someone who compares themself to Pam can not have the same amount of fun. Everyone has fun differently. They show it differently, feel it differently, and produce it differently. When looking deep into this show, you can really see how you can transform life into a fun playground, no matter how boring it may seem on the outside.

@3ricsmind

I want to play football. It has been the ideal lifestyle for me ever since I was a kid. It is hard to describe, but something about being an athlete and performing you's very best gets me going every day. Needless to say, I am going to become a great player later on in life. Let's shift the focus off of me now. My uncle died about a year ago today. He, along with all his friends and buddies, was an avid football fan. Now, after he is gone, I am playing football to my full potential. I am hurt and impacted that he is not going to see what I accomplish. To him, playing this game is a big deal. Like me, his life was revolving around it. To see the look on his face when I play college ball, and eventually, NFL for maybe one of his favorite games would be unreal. It brings me great devastation that he will not be here for that. However, that is not to say that all hope is failed. I know, now, that he is on my side up there. I now have a team to get me to that goal of playing for a career. I also know that he is watching me from up above, routing for me. So, not all hope is lost yet. I still have to prove something, if not for myself, but him. This route in football, though, made me discover things about myself that I would have never known. It turns out that even though I perceived myself as an introvert, I am very people-oriented. One of my biggest goals that grew from this football goal is to inspire America to get outside and work on themselves. It is such a great activity to indulge in. Physical fitness and the same motivation should be present in everyone's life. While I am strongly motivated by my uncle, I hope to strongly motivate others to work hard and accomplish their dreams too. I never saw myself as the type of person to portray this mindset. I constantly focused on myself. However, with my current situation, I find it sufficient to be able to help others along with making my life count. A future in football, whether professional or recreational, is a career choice I would be ecstatic to say that I am a part of. Doing something I love is the sole career that I want. However, if I get to help others achieve their dream, I will find myself very fulfilled.

I am not a single mom. However, I am the direct dependent of a single mom. For most of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We did not see him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take good care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. The biggest obstacle I have seen, first handily, was time and energy. It is tough to do multiple jobs at once meant for two people. It is doable, but it is hard. You need to prioritize and spend every second wisely. If something goes out of the plan, the whole day does. On top of that, you need to have constant energy to keep going. Even if everything does work out, it is hard to get yourself up to clean the house after a full shift and dealing with a kid. All in all, I have major respect for other single mothers out there. My mother and I conquered this journey, and with determination, I know others can too.

In my future career, I am hoping to help others realise that money is not everything when it comes to life. As opposing as it may seem, I am reaching out to become a financial advisor to give people financial freedom, something I believe all Americans want. While a rewarding end goal, I want to make the realization known that this is not what makes one happy though. Life is supposed to be filled with friends, family, and adventure. Yes, it is hard to do such things without a consistent and reliable income, but what most people do not see is that chasing "the bag" is not what will make you happy. I am fortunate enough to say that I have had a point in my life where I was making good money at a younger age. While nice, that is simply all it was. It was "nice" to be able to buy my dream motorcycle and fill my closet with nice shoes. It was "nice" to be in a state of so forth luxury, but that was all it was. It was not life fulfilling or gratifying. What is, is a life full of friends and happiness. Though I was at a much lower point financially, I was much happier before I received this money. By the state in which people are in today, it seems as if they have to realize this for themselves. This scholarship would help me make the above possible. A future goal I set is currently in action. As of now, I am attending the University of Central Florida. I am a student here, learning and advancing myself to find the best future for me, and the people I help. It has been a long and hard journey so far, but I know I will make it to the end. The money from this scholarship will help me continue this journey and fulfill a career with a masters degree. All I am trudging on now is grant and future scholarship money. However, no-matter what happens, I am super excited to be here and have at least gotten this opportunity. I hope to make my life special. So many people end up wondering through life and passing without any mark left behind. That is one of my worst fears when it comes to life, and the way I am looking at things, your career is my best shot at avoiding that fear. I am proud of the track I am on now, and hope to be similarly proud in the future with how far I have come.

As weird as it may sound, being a first-generation college student has the opposite impact on what you may think. By having two parents that did not attend college, it may be common that either parent does not want care for you to attend either. If they had a high priority or view of college, it would be very apparent and they would attend themselves, right? Well, it is very apparent that they both do think of attending college as important, but still, neither did attend it themselves. This is not even due to financials or capabilities. They simply lacked the work ethic in school. They made that very clear to me. What makes the difference is that they do not want to see me go down the same path that they did. At the end of the day, my household has a strong influence on me to attend. I have received the most unconditional support from my entire family for going to college. To say that it impacted me in amazing ways is a huge understatement. I am in a little different situation that most, but I believe this under-dog mentality is going to help me in the long run. My parents have been a major help distorting the mentality that I can’t do it, and because of them, I think they made it true! It is honestly a good thing. Both parents help me in any way possible. Though it is not good to help because neither knows anything about college, it is honest to help. They both try their best, and honestly, that is the best kind of help I can ask for. Since I earned my associate degree a year ahead of my class due to dual enrollment. I continued with community college for cost reasons. However, now that degree majors and colleges start to matter, I am continuing my journey at a major university. Not only that, I am continuing this journey with amazing and full support of my entire family. Of course, I am looking to my future with caution. I know that I will have a bright future in my career choice if I try my hardest in college right now. However, I am not going to stretch the truth. Having supporting parents like so helps so much in the college process. Even though being a first-generation student is hard, a lot of the time, you have plenty of support. I am lucky enough to say that I do.

Being your boss is a dream goal for everyone. As put simply, who would not want to be their boss. I believe it turns a lot of people off when you describe how much work goes into it, but if that does not bother you, it is likely high on your list. Me personally, I do not mind working at all. I actually believe that if you can get into a rhythm, sitting down and getting to work is super enjoyable. This is especially true when you can literally pick out any job or industry you want. Looking back at my life, my family played a huge role in how I look at entrepreneurship today. Both my parents and both my aunts all owned very successful businesses. I got first-hand experience in the struggles they went through. Needless to say, I was not sugarcoated on the experience like a large number of people were. Even seeing them constantly working and brainstorming, I still had a deep desire to get into the self-boss lifestyle. Fast forward around three years after my parents opened up shop, I decided to make my own business. While in my parent's name for legal reasons, I had a full online store selling an arrangement of products. Based on an eBay and Amazon business strategy, I was selling a reasonable amount. This is especially true when you take into account that I was only 14 when I started. Still going strong today on the hopes and dreams, I can say I am very actively involved in an entrepreneurship lifestyle. Euntrapenurship is a very tough field. It has its perks for sure, but it seems as if everyone has it wrong. By being around it and an active participant, there are a lot of obstacles you have to just deal with. It is rare I do not get a headache sometimes throughout the day dealing with something. Whether that be on the legal side of things, financial side, or sales side; there is always something that is going wrong or can be better. It is the stuff that makes you want to quit. However, it is also the stuff that you have to drive past to reap the rewards. From this experience, I see many more business adventures in my future. It has always been my goal, and since I was lucky enough to dabble enough in the thought at a young age, I can not get enough of it now.

In my future career, I am hoping to help others realise that money is not everything when it comes to life. As opposing as it may seem, I am reaching out to become a financial advisor to give people financial freedom, something I believe all Americans want. While a rewarding end goal, I want to make the realization known that this is not what makes one happy though. Life is supposed to be filled with friends, family, and adventure. Yes, it is hard to do such things without a consistent and reliable income, but what most people do not see is that chasing "the bag" is not what will make you happy. I am fortunate enough to say that I have had a point in my life where I was making good money at a younger age. While nice, that is simply all it was. It was "nice" to be able to buy my dream motorcycle and fill my closet with nice shoes. It was "nice" to be in a state of so forth luxury, but that was all it was. It was not life fulfilling or gratifying. What is, is a life full of friends and happiness. Though I was at a much lower point financially, I was much happier before I received this money. By the state in which people are in today, it seems as if they have to realize this for themselves. Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. It is a message I want to spread to the entire world through my career, and so far, I am on track! To conclude, yes money is important. Yes, one can even say it is the basis of all modern-day living. But what I am hoping to make America and society understand is that we should not live for it. It seems like these days, people will throw anything under the bus for some cash. By giving others this freedom, I hope all will realise this.

Crashing waves, giant monsters, and big mountains seem to be an enticing landscape to base your book off of. How about fighting monsters, slaying dragons, and travelling the world? This book will surely have a lasting impression on anyone. My book, the book that made a drastic impact on my life, took place in an office. To be more precise, a grocery store's office. It is less about fighting dragons and more about conquering tax strategies. Though my book seems prevalent to the average, it is one of the most lasting books for me, and I do recommend that everyone should read it. This is the exact book that made me financially literate. I think if enough people read this book, being financially literate will me normal knowledge in our society. "Rich Dad Poor Dad" is a book series written by the insightful Robert Kiyosaki, a businessman and real-estate tycoon. Robert does not just tell us what are the best real estate properties to buy or stock exchange strategies. No, on the contrary actually, Robert tells us how to start from the bottom. He explains how to get out of the rat race and into your money-making mechanism. He tells you how to triple your earnings quickly but effectively. Oh, but this must be a scam. All of these scenarios are too good to be true. It has worked full-handedly for me. His strategies are backed up and used by almost all of the wealthiest men in the world, and then some. His tellings are no secret, but they are rarely implemented by the general public. Though it still may seem too good to be true, if you implement everything Robert says in this book, it is almost certain that you will get to his level of wealth within a few years of hard work. For me, I was able to treat money and life with respect after reading only one of his books. I am on the second book now. Though time has been short, I made sure to invest my money into things that count. Instead of buying myself lavish items, I was able to invest and make enough money to constantly increase my investments. I do not have a lot of investments, but I am surely still on my way to the top. Hence me being here right now. Now, no, my book may not seem as exciting as your murder mystery or Christmas fairy tale. But to me, it is just as engrossing. And to me, it is most certainly more impactful.

I am not a single mom. However, I am the direct dependent of a single mom. For most of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We did not see him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take good care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. The biggest obstacle I have seen, first handily, was time and energy. It is tough to do multiple jobs at once meant for two people. It is doable, but it is hard. You need to prioritize and spend every second wisely. If something goes out of the plan, the whole day does. On top of that, you need to have constant energy to keep going. Even if everything does work out, it is hard to get yourself up to clean the house after a full shift and dealing with a kid. All in all, I have major respect for other single mothers out there. My mother and I conquered this journey, and with determination, I know others can too.

There is nothing better than a comeback story. However, there is also nothing harder than going through a comeback. When you are in such a place of darkness and a loss of hope, emerging from this darkness into a life you want to live is seemingly impossible. However, I can say that it is not. The biggest obstacle in my life was the feeling of discouragement. I have been unlucky enough to find myself in a state of complete loss. Without getting into too much detail, I was on rock bottom. When you feel this way, in no shape does anyone have the strength to emerge back to where they were. At this moment, it almost feels like ending everything is the best plan. Finding the motivation to come back is what recovery means to me. After fighting through it myself, I have immense respect for that word. Anybody that is going through recovery or has been through it knows that all of this is true. The people that got closest to this word are the people that know what it means. I am lucky to have made it out of this dark place, and I hope that anyone going through similar can too. Recovery is the answer, and it is doable!

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving on yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to doing so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change like it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making other's happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is definitely worth a shot to make a difference.

Luckily, nobody in my related family has to go through PTSD. I say that we are extremely lucky because I have close relations with a neighbour with PTSD, and I see how much it affects him. I have plenty of stories and personal experiences with PTSD singularly through him. It is a very scary condition and is not looked at as much as it should be. Before moving, I knew very little about the condition personally. It was something that I never put thought into. Likewise, it seems like a condition that not many people put thought into. When we moved, one of the first things we learned about our new next-door neighbours is that the husband was in the war and suffered from serious PTSD. I did not think about it much when I first heard it, but as my parents explained it to me, I started to understand how picky this condition was. I was small at the time, so I feel as if my understanding grew much larger as the time when on. I did, though, understand fully that excessive noise was not tolerable in this area. During the fourth of July, our neighbour had to go into his basement and soundproof his room. That, along with medicated prescriptions did not help much. The wife often explained to us how impacted he was on this day, along with the new year. After this story, we made sure we kept our noise down. Though we always tried our best to support our neighbour and help his condition, we did not understand the scope of it. The more time went on, the more stories were told to us. We ended up being good friends with these neighbours, so the sympathy continued to get worse for him. Since we moved far away from where we used to live. However, even though we do not get in too much contact with our old neighbours anymore, the realization of how dramatic PTSD is still living with us. We make sure that if we hear of anyone else proposing this condition, we are going to help to our full advantage. I stay very cautious in my day-to-day life now. Even though we do not know of any surrounding neighbours with such a condition, it does not hurt to practice the same carefulness in our daily activities. PTSD is much more common than we thought. It seems as if you are not directly impacted by it, you will not even look into the topic. It is a condition I have spread awareness of since and plan on continuing spreading.

I have received the most unconditional support from my entire family for going to college. To say that it impacted me in amazing ways is a huge understatement. I am in a little different situation that most, but I believe this under-dog mentality is going to help me in the long run. My parents have been a major help distorting the mentality that I can’t do it, and because of them, I think they made it true! As weird as it may sound, being a first-generation college student has the opposite impact on what you may think. By having two parents that did not attend college, it may be common that either parent does not want care for you to attend either. If they had a high priority or view of college, it would be very apparent and they would attend themselves, right? Well, it is very apparent that they both do think of attending college as important, but still, neither did attend it themselves. This is not even due to financials or capabilities. They simply lacked the work ethic in school. They made that very clear to me. What makes the difference is that they do not want to see me go down the same path that they did. At the end of the day, my household has a strong influence on me to attend. It is honestly a good thing. Both parents help me in any way possible. Though it is not good to help because neither knows anything about college, it is honest to help. They both try their best, and honestly, that is the best kind of help I can ask for. Since I earned my associate degree a year ahead of my class due to dual enrollment. I continued with community college for cost reasons. However, now that degree majors and colleges start to matter, I am continuing my journey at a major university. Not only that, I am continuing this journey with amazing and full support of my entire family. Of course, I am looking to my future with caution. I know that I will have a bright future in my career choice if I try my hardest in college right now. However, I am not going to stretch the truth. Having supporting parents like so helps so much in the college process. Even though being a first-generation student is hard, a lot of the time, you have plenty of support. I am lucky enough to say that I do.

I am transferring to a large university to major in Kinesiology. While that may seem like a boring start, this is one of the most exciting introductions in my life. Let me explain why. All through pre-college schooling, I have been determined to pursue a business degree. Even beyond that, I was heavily driven to open up my own business. I have started 2 separate companies since, and it has been a blast. It was everything I hoped for. Yet somehow, I am pursuing a kinesiology field next semester. If that does not describe how exciting that introduction was, maybe this will: on all of the career tests I have taken, I scored the absolute lowest in the medical field. This means that out of all the career paths, I should be least interested in the medical field. However, here I am. To tell you why I had to look past the surface-level aspects. My parents all owned a business, I have owned two registered businesses, and I have had multiple teachings taught to me about business in various ways. I have a strong desire to build a financially free life for myself while also having fun doing what I do. So, why am I going into the medical field? I later found out that life is not all about money. On the contrary, life is about family, friends, and having fun. Enjoying life to the maximum is what makes it count the most, and I have been doing a very poor job of that in my recent years. At only 19 years old, I can not say that I have enjoyed life the way I should. To not dig too deep down this path, I want to pursue a career that is not about the money, but instead a career that I will thoroughly have fun in. This career leads me down the path of kinesiology. Though unexpected, I am going to do whatever it takes to make me happy. This opened my eyes to the medical field, and I have since found out that I have a strong passion for this subject. I have all my life, but since everyone pushed the medical field aside and shoved business to me, I have never had a breathing chance to see for myself what I want to do. I have heard that the crazier the thought, the more success is prone to it. I feel that this holds its weight here. My goals for this field are not laid out in stone yet, as I have just recently started studying material related to my major. While the brain does fascinate me, I am seeing that human fitness may be a wiser choice considering my self aspects. All in all, I may finish with a major in physical therapy, while others recommend me to the path of sports medical assistance, where I can fulfil a duty such as a nurse to the staff. Either way, I count it as very exciting, and I hope that translates well into this essay.

I have received the most unconditional support from my entire family for going to college. To say that it impacted me in amazing ways is a huge understatement. I am in a little different situation that most, but I believe this under-dog mentality is going to help me in the long run. My parents have been a major help distorting the mentality that I can’t do it, and because of them, I think they made it true! As weird as it may sound, being a first-generation college student has the opposite impact on what you may think. By having two parents that did not attend college, it may be common that either parent does not want care for you to attend either. If they had a high priority or view of college, it would be very apparent and they would attend themselves, right? Well, it is very apparent that they both do think of attending college as important, but still, neither did attend it themselves. This is not even due to financials or capabilities. They simply lacked the work ethic in school. They made that very clear to me. What makes the difference is that they do not want to see me go down the same path that they did. At the end of the day, my household has a strong influence on me to attend. It is honestly a good thing. Both parents help me in any way possible. Though it is not good to help because neither knows anything about college, it is honest to help. They both try their best, and honestly, that is the best kind of help I can ask for. Since I earned my associate degree a year ahead of my class due to dual enrollment. I continued with community college for cost reasons. However, now that degree majors and colleges start to matter, I am continuing my journey at a major university. Not only that, I am continuing this journey with amazing and full support of my entire family. Of course, I am looking to my future with caution. I know that I will have a bright future in my career choice if I try my hardest in college right now. However, I am not going to stretch the truth. Having supporting parents like so helps so much in the college process. Even though being a first-generation student is hard, a lot of the time, you have plenty of support. I am lucky enough to say that I do.

I am transferring to a large university to major in Kinesiology. While that may seem like a boring start, this is one of the most exciting introductions in my life. Let me explain why. All through pre-college schooling, I have been determined to pursue a business degree. Even beyond that, I was heavily driven to open up my own business. I have started 2 separate companies since, and it has been a blast. It was everything I hoped for. Yet somehow, I am pursuing a kinesiology field next semester. If that does not describe how exciting that introduction was, maybe this will: on all of the career tests I have taken, I scored the absolute lowest in the medical field. This means that out of all the career paths, I should be least interested in the medical field. However, here I am. To tell you why I had to look past the surface-level aspects. My parents all owned a business, I have owned two registered businesses, and I have had multiple teachings taught to me about business in various ways. I have a strong desire to build a financially free life for myself while also having fun doing what I do. So, why am I going into the medical field? I later found out that life is not all about money. On the contrary, life is about family, friends, and having fun. Enjoying life to the maximum is what makes it count the most, and I have been doing a very poor job of that in my recent years. At only 19 years old, I can not say that I have enjoyed life the way I should. To not dig too deep down this path, I want to pursue a career that is not about the money, but instead a career that I will thoroughly have fun in. This career leads me down the path of kinesiology. Though unexpected, I am going to do whatever it takes to make me happy. This opened my eyes to the medical field, and I have since found out that I have a strong passion for this subject. I have all my life, but since everyone pushed the medical field aside and shoved business to me, I have never had a breathing chance to see for myself what I want to do. I have heard that the crazier the thought, the more success is prone to it. I feel that this holds its weight here. My goals for this field are not laid out in stone yet, as I have just recently started studying material related to my major. While the brain does fascinate me, I am seeing that human fitness may be a wiser choice considering my self aspects. All in all, I may finish with a major in physical therapy, while others recommend me to the path of sports medical assistance, where I can fulfil a duty such as a nurse to the staff. Either way, I count it as very exciting, and I hope that translates well into this essay.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is definitely a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfilment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthy. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathising only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall down, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at your fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgements. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is an absolutely terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is definitely a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfillment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthily. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathizing only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall down, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at our fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgments. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is an absolutely terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

In my future career, I am hoping to help others realise that money is not everything when it comes to life. As opposing as it may seem, I am reaching out to become a financial advisor to give people financial freedom, something I believe all Americans want. While a rewarding end goal, I want to make the realization known that this is not what makes one happy though. Life is supposed to be filled with friends, family, and adventure. Yes, it is hard to do such things without a consistent and reliable income, but what most people do not see is that chasing "the bag" is not what will make you happy. I am fortunate enough to say that I have had a point in my life where I was making good money at a younger age. While nice, that is simply all it was. It was "nice" to be able to buy my dream motorcycle and fill my closet with nice shoes. It was "nice" to be in a state of so forth luxury, but that was all it was. It was not life fulfilling or gratifying. What is, is a life full of friends and happiness. Though I was at a much lower point financially, I was much happier before I received this money. By the state in which people are in today, it seems as if they have to realize this for themselves. This scholarship would help me make the above possible. A future goal I set is currently in action. As of now, I am attending the University of Central Florida. I am a student here, learning and advancing myself to find the best future for me, and the people I help. It has been a long and hard journey so far, but I know I will make it to the end. The money from this scholarship will help me continue this journey and fulfill a career with a masters degree. All I am trudging on now is grant and future scholarship money. However, no-matter what happens, I am super excited to be here and have at least gotten this opportunity. I hope to make my life special. So many people end up wondering through life and passing without any mark left behind. That is one of my worst fears when it comes to life, and the way I am looking at things, your career is my best shot at avoiding that fear. I am proud of the track I am on now, and hope to be similarly proud in the future with how far I have come.

Throughout my life, I have gone through difficulties like everyone else. Plain and simple, when you are at a point of low willpower, you are not going to do the right thing. You are going to do the thing that benefits your wants in that specific moment. It is a bleak outcome to aim to achieve a distant goal when you are at your breaking point. However, look at your inspirations. They do not complain or drag out plans. All they do differently, is they do it. That is not to say that it is not hard to do. It is extremely difficult, but there is an easy way of looking at things. You can suffer now or suffer later. You can suck it up and eat correctly now, or you can suffer the punishment of quitting later. Most people chose the latter half which is why we are so obese as a country. I am no exception though. I have fed my guilty wants and needs due to low willpower. It was not until now that I am experiencing the harsh punishments of doing that. After listing to this podcast, I have found the problem. I see what everyone else does that is wrong. I see what the top 1% do that others do not. I am willing to suffer now as opposed to later. Through this change, I decided to follow what my idols do. To get where your idols are, you have to do as they do. For me and my "superheroes", I am going on a strict carnivore diet. I know everyone's body is different we all have different goals, but for me, I found this diet to be exactly what I need physically. Currently, I am doing great. Though I know I will go through some tough times, the suffering now will lead to a greater good later. While my personal path was focusing on my health, I understand that others path will likely not be the same. However, I also understand that this action of achieving a goal is shared among many people. Most of the time, I find when you wander down a path of success, you will tend to find yourself of many leadership qualities. These qualities will come whether you want them too or not. Likewise, if you look at any leader, you will have these qualities. The qualities I mentioned above are the qualities you will have to posses to be a successful person in whatever field you choose. Willpower, drive, and motivation will always tend to be in your life, and I am sure that these qualities will be spread among your peers too!

I will say it. I do not come from a successful background. We all started from the bottom. Though we overcome our obstacles, we can say together that nothing is big enough to hold us down. Let me explain. I was not looked up to as the smart kid in school. I had conflicting goals and viewpoints on life. I would hear one thing at school, one thing in the media, and one thing at home that would all contradict each other. It seemed as if I was coasting through life with no direct endpoint. It was not until 5th grade that I started pushing myself. I am not gifted. I am not naturally intelligent. I am not knowledgeable. However, what I do have is willpower. I can work hard and not give up. If I set my sights on a goal, I will figure out how to accomplish it. When I did get my sights in line, I knew that my career needed a good school record to back it up. I worked my hardest in school. Seeking extra help, taking my time, learning to focus, and challenging myself rewarded me with great success in school. It hits different graduating at the top 10% of your class when you know you started at the very back of the pack. As of now, I am finishing up my associate degree for a smooth transition into a University to finish off my career goals. Looking deep into my field of study, you will see a lot of misconceptions. A large number of people say it is boring, has no future, and is not worth it. A large number of people also say that it is a great path to start with, can lead to big success, and can be applied everywhere. When you look at the people that support it, this field gave them great success in life. When you look at people that do not support it, it seems as if they do not understand the subject completely, so let me explain.. Everything in this world revolves around finance. I do not think that is an understanding too. The part that people generally think about is the stock market and banks. Though an essential part of our community also, every business has to have financial backing to it. In today's world, everything is a business. Plain and simple, I believe this lack of money attitude is what makes everyone drive toward it so much. You want what you can not get. Now, if I can bring financial stability to others, hopefully, the world can see for themselves that money is not what should be driving your life. My career field of choice is a financial advisor. If I can get my hands on that position, I will hold a direct way to change people's lives. Not only can I get the message out, but I can show these people how to recover from debt and live a truly happy life. I consider my pathway beneficial to the world. It has been a goal for a long time to bring this knowledge of finances to others. I do not think that America knows much about both controlling their money and what money brings for them. We are extremely undereducated on these subjects. Yet, it is the controlling factor of most of the population. Like I said before, America runs on finances. I am willing to go through many hoops and obstacles to reach this goal. Nothing will stand in my way.

For the past few years, I have been an active member of multiple community service programs. By choice? Well, not originally. However, I would say that I kept with it truly for the enjoyment of it. Let me explain. In the State of Florida, one of the higher achievement rewards requires you to commit to 100 hours of community service. Therefore, a large percentage of high school students get thrown into the field, not by choice. As a successful student in school, it is a task that would be silly for me to not take part in. However, my parents saw this viewpoint more than I did. Like many other kids, I was thrown into the idea. There are very few kids that would want to devote their free time to work. However, after a few months, I understood. Since I was just a freshman in high school, my parents and I both took a trainers class at Nates Animal Shelter located here in Bradenton Florida. It was nothing special, though I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed playing with dogs. Fast forward a week after our training was finished, we all were able to qualify as "dog sitters". This is where my parents dropped out most of the time, considering they do not need the volunteer hours and had full-time jobs to work. On the other hand, I needed those volunteer hours. Every weekend, I would take a trip up to the grounds to walk the dogs for a few hours. It seems like a simple enough task when putting it that way. However, take a dog that is locked in a cage for the whole day and gets no social interaction. It is quite the handful. Nonetheless, I stuck with it. At first, it was just a way to count the hours for this award. It was not till a few months later that I found myself getting this feeling of satisfaction. I would go in the car to go home and feel accomplished. It was as if I just finished a huge task for the day. The crazy part was, that I did not feel accomplished because I stacked my community service hours. Instead, it seemed as if it was because I was helping out in a big way. Some days, I would take care of nearly every dog. Seeing a puppy go from laying in the corner of the cage to bouncing off the walls when he sees you is something else. I was helping in a big way. I figured out what it felt like to truly help others, even if that meant only dogs. After this, I found a diverse amount of community service programs to get involved in. While participating in these and still working at Nates, I found myself layering on the hours I needed. It was not soon that I found myself doing these community service tasks to make me feel good versus just the hours. Especially on the weekends, it is one of the best ways to start the day. I am extremely grateful for this program, as it taught me a lot more about myself.

Crashing waves, giant monsters, and big mountains seem to be an enticing landscape to base your book off of. How about fighting monsters, slaying dragons, and travelling the world? This book will surely have a lasting impression on anyone. My book, the book that made a drastic impact on my life, took place in an office. To be more precise, a grocery store's office. It is less about fighting dragons and more about conquering tax strategies. Though my book seems prevalent to the average, it is one of the most lasting books for me, and I do recommend that everyone should read it. "Rich Dad Poor Dad" is a book series written by the insightful Robert Kiyosaki, a businessman and real-estate tycoon. Robert does not just tell us what are the best real estate properties to buy or stock exchange strategies. No, on the contrary actually, Robert tells us how to start from the bottom. He explains how to get out of the rat race and into your money-making mechanism. He tells you how to triple your earnings quickly but effectively. Oh, but this must be a scam. All of these scenarios are too good to be true. It has worked full-handedly for me. His strategies are backed up and used by almost all of the wealthiest men in the world, and then some. His tellings are no secret, but they are rarely implemented by the general public. Though it still may seem too good to be true, if you implement everything Robert says in this book, it is almost certain that you will get to his level of wealth within a few years of hard work. Robert is not a greedy man either. His life does not revolve around money. However, Robert is a smart man. His life does revolve around making the right decisions in life. This book goes over every one of the decisions Robert made to make his life so great. He also goes over the ones that did not make his life so great for you to avoid them. All in all, Robert is the role model that everyone should be following. For me, I was able to treat money and life with respect after reading only one of his books. I am on the second book now. Though time has been short, I made sure to invest my money into things that count. Instead of buying myself lavish items, I was able to invest and make enough money to constantly increase my investments. Not only that, I took away the money I would have spent on myself and spent it on something that would make a lasting impact, buying my dad his dream car. This is not to say that this book has made me rich. I do have a lot of investments, but I am surely still on my way to the top. Hence me being here right now. I am actively working for a dream career and using my time and energy to obtain enough money to go to college with as little debt as possible. Now, no, my book may not seem as exciting as your murder mystery or Christmas fairy tale. But to me, it is just as engrossing. And to me, it is most certainly more impactful.

I never hear the end of it. To be honest, it is not even a bad thing either. My father served in the United States Army as a mechanic. From his words exactly, it completely changed his life around. I have heard a lot of different stories about how great the military is. However, my dad's point of view was my favourite. He was such a bad kid at a young age. During mid-high school, he got kicked out of school for punching the principal. Knowing my dad, this was not even the worse thing he has done. However, after having no options for a future after that, my dad went into the military. His stories are plentiful, but they all wrap up how difficult but rewarding the journey was. From that, he was developed into the person he is today. He grew physically and mentally; he became a strong and humble man. The military proceeds to then give you the opportunities to grow to your full potential. After a few years of growth, he stepped back into the world with a bright life ahead of him. That is exactly what happened. Of hearing this on repeat, I can say that the military does not directly support my aspirations. However, I am not putting down the system at all. From everything I have heard, I recommend it to almost everyone as it applies to many cases of plans. Me, I am attempting on becoming a strength and conditioning coach for the Miami Dolphins at a young age; thus, I have a different path waiting for me. This is not to say though that my father's stories meant nothing to me. It is quiet on the contrary. From there, I learned how to be strong. There is always room past your breaking point. My father taught me to push past my comfort zone and stretch my barriers. Most importantly though, he taught me one of my favourite life lessons. He told me that you can do it yourself or can be forced to do it. What he meant by this is simple. You can choose to put in the hard work now and choose a life you want. Or you can take the easy way, live comfortably for the moment, and then be forced to do what you do not want for a life you do not want. Either choose to do it yourself or be forced to do it. Currently, I wake up at four in the morning to get a strong workout in. I am on a strict carnivore diet consisting of only meat and water. I am studying for my profession ahead of school, maintaining side hustles, and investing my money. I do all of these things so I can live the life I want in the future. I can be forced to use the money later, or I can use my money now in a smart way. I can be forced to work at a job I do not like later, or I can work now to have a job I enjoy. I can work on my health now, or I can let the doctors treat me later. I learned all of this from my dad. Though my father has taught me many lessons, I can say that my life has been put on the right track because of him. I can not begin to thank him enough for it.

I envision myself sitting with my entire family telling them that I “made it”, implying my accomplishment of my lifelong dream of making a significant impact on America’s current health status.

For the past few years, I have been an active member of multiple community service programs. By choice? Well, not originally. However, I would say that I kept with it truly for the enjoyment of it. Let me explain. In the State of Florida, one of the higher achievement rewards requires you to commit to 100 hours of community service. Therefore, a large percentage of high school students get thrown into the field, not by choice. As a successful student in school, it is a task that would be silly for me to not take part in. However, my parents saw this viewpoint more than I did. Like many other kids, I was thrown into the idea. There are very few kids that would want to devote their free time to work. However, after a few months, I understood. Since I was just a freshman in high school, my parents and I both took a trainers class at Nates Animal Shelter located here in Bradenton Florida. It was nothing special, though I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed playing with dogs. Fast forward a week after our training was finished, we all were able to qualify as "dog sitters". This is where my parents dropped out most of the time, considering they do not need the volunteer hours and had full-time jobs to work. On the other hand, I needed those volunteer hours. Every weekend, I would take a trip up to the grounds to walk the dogs for a few hours. It seems like a simple enough task when putting it that way. However, take a dog that is locked in a cage for the whole day and gets no social interaction. It is quite the handful. Nonetheless, I stuck with it. At first, it was just a way to count the hours for this award. It was not till a few months later that I found myself getting this feeling of satisfaction. I would go in the car to go home and feel accomplished. It was as if I just finished a huge task for the day. The crazy part was, that I did not feel accomplished because I stacked my community service hours. Instead, it seemed as if it was because I was helping out in a big way. Some days, I would take care of nearly every dog. Seeing a puppy go from laying in the corner of the cage to bouncing off the walls when he sees you is something else. I was helping in a big way. I figured out what it felt like to truly help others, even if that meant only dogs. After this, I found a diverse amount of community service programs to get involved in. While participating in these and still working at Nates, I found myself layering on the hours I needed. It was not soon that I found myself doing these community service tasks to make me feel good versus just the hours. Especially on the weekends, it is one of the best ways to start the day. I am extremely grateful for this program, as it taught me a lot more about myself.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfill anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving yourself, and having fun that makes you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to do so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change as it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making others happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is worth a shot to make a difference.

I am not a single mom. However, I am the direct dependent of a single mom. For most of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We did not see him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take good care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. The biggest obstacle I have seen, first handily, was time and energy. It is tough to do multiple jobs at once meant for two people. It is doable, but it is hard. You need to prioritize and spend every second wisely. If something goes out of the plan, the whole day does. On top of that, you need to have constant energy to keep going. Even if everything does work out, it is hard to get yourself up to clean the house after a full shift and dealing with a kid. All in all, I have major respect for other single mothers out there. My mother and I conquered this journey, and with determination, I know others can too.

In my future career, I am hoping to help others realise that money is not everything when it comes to life. As opposing as it may seem, I am reaching out to become a financial advisor to give people financial freedom, something I believe all Americans want. While a rewarding end goal, I want to make the realization known that this is not what makes one happy though. Life is supposed to be filled with friends, family, and adventure. Yes, it is hard to do such things without a consistent and reliable income, but what most people do not see is that chasing "the bag" is not what will make you happy. I am fortunate enough to say that I have had a point in my life where I was making good money at a younger age. While nice, that is simply all it was. It was "nice" to be able to buy my dream motorcycle and fill my closet with nice shoes. It was "nice" to be in a state of so forth luxury, but that was all it was. It was not life fulfilling or gratifying. What is, is a life full of friends and happiness. Though I was at a much lower point financially, I was much happier before I received this money. By the state in which people are in today, it seems as if they have to realize this for themselves. This scholarship would help me make the above possible. A future goal I set is currently in action. As of now, I am attending the University of Central Florida. I am a student here, learning and advancing myself to find the best future for me, and the people I help. It has been a long and hard journey so far, but I know I will make it to the end. The money from this scholarship will help me continue this journey and fulfill a career with a masters degree. All I am trudging on now is grant and future scholarship money. However, no-matter what happens, I am super excited to be here and have at least gotten this opportunity. I hope to make my life special. So many people end up wondering through life and passing without any mark left behind. That is one of my worst fears when it comes to life, and the way I am looking at things, your career is my best shot at avoiding that fear. I am proud of the track I am on now, and hope to be similarly proud in the future with how far I have come.

I am going to be blunt. I would have followed the stereotype of a teenage kid if it was not for my karate training. My mentality, goals, and willpower come straight from that dojo. I am so grateful for it, and I am even prouder today to show what I have become from it. Before karate, I was just an average kid that did not care about himself or the future. After that, I am a new man. At school, I make sure that I push myself outside of my comfort zone to become a leader. Any chance I get, I make sure to stand out and help progress the class forward. I am not a very outgoing person personality-wise. I have to push myself to do this. However, it has brought me great success in my schoolwork. I am a completely different kid in school than I used to be before. During training, I need to be resilient, focused, and determined. If not, I will not get anything out of my training. It is one of the most important things when doing any sport. Karate has taught me to do this, and I have seen amazing improvements from it. Not only from me, but since my entire class practices this, I have seen a lot of students progress in amazing ways. I make sure to be very unselfish at home. There are things I can do around the house for the family. For instance, I make sure to vacuum every day because our dogs shed. Though my parents used to do this, they get busy at their work. In the end, I found it to be a very unselfish and morally correct thing to do for my family. From being this way with my family, I have been able to unconsciously do the same for every human in my life. Whether it is at work, school, or out-of-school activities. I make sure to help out the team before I focus on myself. Lastly, in everything I do, I make sure to have a good work ethic. I put 100% effort into everything I do. I try my hardest to be the best I can be. I work harder than anything for every task. This, alone, has been my biggest improving technique. If you practice everything you do, you will be great at everything you do. I have gotten to be good at things such as driving, cooking, and cleaning just because I try to do my best at it any time I get. I value all of these work ethics, and more! I can not point to anyone else besides my karate teacher for teaching me all these wonderful lessons. I am a completely different kid coming out of karate, and I am proud to be. I am extremely excited to see what my future looks like coming out of this. I am going to continue to practice all of these morals continually, and hopefully, as I master each one, I can have the ability to teach others about these traits and how great they are.

I am pursuing science. Specifically, I am pursuing exercise science. I should not be in the eyes of teachers, but here I am. Let me explain. Throughout my schooling, I was destined to be a business major. I read business books, ran businesses myself, and was the son and grandson of successful business owners. However, as it turns out, I am not going into that field. The field I was not supposed to go into was science. I was not into laboratory instances. Chemicals were not my thing and environmental studies did not interest me at all. What segment I did not look into much of was the human body. Besides health, the human body was never mentioned to me in high school or middle school. It was not until recently that I discovered this career path. Science in fitness is necessary for our human development. If you look at all of the movies in which the society is run down, most of the time, the characters are extremely obese. It is the epitome of laziness in a run-down future. For our future to be bright, I truly believe that we need to all exercise and nutrition our body. It is something that should and will likely never go away. In addition, constant development in this field is yet to learn emprovements for society. This will only help everyone. Exercise is an extreme part of our culture, and I am sure that it will be for years to come. I am obsessed with exercise and fitness. Unlike the science industry, this has been with me forever. Since I was in 5th grade, I have been working out in the gym with my parents. I have played almost every sport there is. Little did I know that there was such an industry behind exercise and health specifically. It seemed like it was almost the perfect career choice. Without knowing, I have even listened to multiple podcasts and videos on exercise in hopes to improve myself. Little did I know that this learning will eventually end me up with a college degree down the line. Right now, I am currently applying to many major universities to continue my education in this field. In a few years after my bachelor, I may attempt a major in physical therapy. Only time will tell for that one though. Though a quick decision, I am happy to start learning about the human body and the effects of exercise.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving on yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to doing so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change like it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making other's happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is definitely worth a shot to make a difference.

Like a lot of things in this world, writing is a lot more difficult than one would think. To transcribe a thought to paper seems easy enough. However, when contributing clarity, efficiency, flow, and elegance to the problem, writing tends to be on the difficult side of things. Though difficult, I have heard many times that the most difficult thing to do is sometimes the most rewarding thing to do. I originally started writing for fun. Inspiration struck from stories in school or novels at the bookstore. Oddly enough, the short story that struck me the most was labeled "Fart Powder". Though a silly series for elementary-level readers, it was the first time I was fully engrossed in a book. If I had to recommend anyone a single book, "Fart Powder" would come first as it teaches you to enjoy reading. The book comes with comidy, fun, thoughts, and intriguement. However, my real suggestion would be whatever book catches your eye the most. If starting out, I find that the book topic you enjoy the most is the book that will capture you into the world of reading and writing. I would completely understand if "Fart Powder" was not the topic for you. However, it worked for me, and I am sure that if one finds a book they truly have fun with, it will work for you. Though a writer emerging is not always the direct outcome of a good book, it happened to me. In 4th grade, I read enough stories to eventually write my own. Still, in our memory drawer, the short stories I wrote blatantly consisted of my wildest imagination scribbled down on some coloring paper. The farther I went along, the quicker I realized that writing is more useful than just for entertainment purposes. High school papers, college articles, and internship applications started to flood my life. One by one, I tackled them to the best of my abilities. I am sure that the majority of my success in these obstacles was due to high school determination and learning. However, I like to think that it all started in 4th grade when I wrote from choice. Right now, I am a college student studying kinesiology. However, like I said before, writing seems to trickle down into everyone's life, whether you want it to or not. I have a good understanding of what writing is necessary for my profession. However, my passion and love for writing inspires me to take it further. I have already written a few articles for a health-centered newspaper. I plan on writing much more than this though. When mastering my profession, it is an obvious choice to start writing stories, books, and walkthroughs related to my profession. Not only will this boost my credibility in this field, but it will also give me a sense of accomplishment for me and my writing. I am not going to let this spark die out. Though writing is not for everyone, I do know that everyone will use it at some point in their life. Lucky for me, I thoughtfully enjoyed it from the start, and plan on capitalizing on it to my full potential. Not only that, but I plan to have fun while doing it too!

Math is a one-of-a-kind subject, and it would be an understatement to say that my mind comprehends math more than anything else. It is the one subject in school I understood and would pursue without hesitation. I always struggled with English, History, Science, and any other subject that was not in black and white. Fields in school that could be up to interpretation seemed almost unfair to me. I always seemed to interpret the information wrong, which would lead to an indelibly wrong answer. I suffered through unbelievable frustration finding out my opinion or take on a piece of information was purely wrong. After I failed many different subject tests, I knew that math was the field I was best at. I also believe that there can be a strong argument made about other subjects not being as useful as math. While it is very true that I will not be reading Shakespeare daily or recounting my knowledge of the cell wall, I have come across the use of math daily. Even if it is not for a career, most daily activities do involve using math. Simple things such as figuring out how much money you need to budget, or how early you have to wake up in the morning to get ready all involve math. The best part about it all too, is the better you are at it, the easier simple daily tasks become. There might even be some situations to impress your friends with how quickly you can calculate certain things. Looking at the career aspect of things, math makes up our world. It is said a million times over but for a reason. Our house, our car, our streets, and our things would not exist if math was not around to help us. Our lives and things are built on math, and it would not be a long shot to say that our future is similarly built on math. The world we know today is comprised of math. I did not choose to study math specifically because of how practical it is, but it sure does the job and works out well. I will always be a math lover, whether it is by default or not. To me, it just makes sense, while every other subject seems to leave me debating with myself for longer than I would want. I know that math is here to stay for a long time, and I am happy to say that I am going to enjoy every second of it.

Math is a one-of-a-kind subject, and it would be an understatement to say that my mind comprehends math more than anything else. It is the one subject in school I understood and would pursue without hesitation. I always struggled with English, History, Science, and any other subject that was not in black and white. Fields in school that could be up to interpretation seemed almost unfair to me. I always seemed to interpret the information wrong, which would lead to an indelibly wrong answer. I suffered through unbelievable frustration finding out my opinion or take on a piece of information was purely wrong. After I failed many different subject tests, I knew that math was the field I was best at. I also believe that there can be a strong argument made about other subjects not being as useful as math. While it is very true that I will not be reading Shakespeare daily or recounting my knowledge of the cell wall, I have come across the use of math daily. Even if it is not for a career, most daily activities do involve using math. Simple things such as figuring out how much money you need to budget, or how early you have to wake up in the morning to get ready all involve math. The best part about it all too, is the better you are at it, the easier simple daily tasks become. There might even be some situations to impress your friends with how quickly you can calculate certain things. So while I did not choose to study math specifically because of how practical it is, it sure does the job and works out well. I will always be a math lover, whether it is by default or not. To me, it just makes sense, while every other subject seems to leave me debating with myself for longer than I would want. I know that math is here to stay for a long time, and I am happy to say that I am going to enjoy every second of it.

I follow a quote that leads my life now. Since I discovered it, it has completely changed my point of view. Now, not only has this mindset made my life better, but it has given my life true meaning now. To summarise, the stuff that we bring to the world will stay there forever, while the things we do for ourselves will die with us. This was an idea literalized by Albert Pike, an author in the 1800s, and while he may have written for a different generation of people, his words still bring huge meaning. Lately, for the last few years, I have been focusing on myself less and what I can do for the world more. I am in college currently, and a few years back, I chose the Kinesiology field to study. While I was searching for a job I would personally find joyful, I now have switched gears and in my mind, I have found an even better career path. I am hoping to now become a physical therapist for others. While it leaves no major crater on the world, it surely does more good for others than solely focusing on my own health. Providing my expertise, knowledge, and assistance to other people to get healthy and back into the swing of things seems like just the thing I want to provide. It gives others the joy of well-being, and I know that with this job choice, I will have a positive impact on the world. I may just leave a little legacy behind if I apply myself to the fullest. My father has likewise followed this quote. Being raised by him may have had a lot of persuasions too, but I know that I will one day end up like him. While he is just a mechanic, he saves people's lives in so many ways. Being down transportation has made some of our customers miss funerals, family members, the ability to go home, and the ability to go to work. With his help, he can help each one of them get back to their daily lives. While that might seem like a stretch for the basic duties of a mechanic, it is what he does the job for. He knows that it is not just fixing someone's car, but giving them the ability to carry on with their lives without this hiccup in the way. Now, my father's career choice may be very normal, but in my eyes, he is a superhero. While a physical therapist may not be the most impactful job in the world, I know that it can work wonders too. For that reason, in the future, I would like to follow my dad's steps and help other people live their life the way it should be lived. Leaving a legacy in my eyes is spreading your work to others. In the words of Albert Pike, as long as your work does not die with you, you are leaving a good legacy in this world. With that being said, in my eyes, I am going to be a superhero soon alongside my father.

Without me knowing it, I have found that God has been a big factor in my life. For most of my life now, I was not actively next to God. As sad as it might be for some, the family I grew up in did not cherish his presence. My family can in no way be considered harsh or bad. However, their morals did not have any influence by god or religion. I say that God has been a big factor for me though in my early life, and is still a big contributor because there have been some truly insane instances in my life. Little by little, each instance that stood to shock me pointed me in the direction of God. At the end of the day, there is no way all of these situations can occur without the act of God. There are a lot of telltales that have happened to me, but to say I am lucky or it is a coincidence is almost too common. My life has been guided by god since the beginning. Just recently, I have gotten to gather up all of these instances and realize that they are way too far-fetched to all be luck. I undoubtedly know that there is someone or something that is helping me on this journey of life, and for many, they call him God. Now since I realize how big of an impact this figure has on my life, I started to devote more of my own life to him. Since I have started to incorporate him into my life more, I see my life changing for the better drastically. Things that I struggled with seem to be coming with ease now. Things such as making friends, getting good grades, and managing money seem to just work when I follow his morals and teachings. I started valuing this figure in college, but the more I follow his word, the more I see his impact everywhere. I have not started my career yet, but I do see this pattern repeating. He has already made my journey to my career much better, so why would my career not turn out the same way? My goal was to always make myself happy with my career choice. Though I am more than happy now and I do see myself continuing this trait, I now aim to make others happy. I know that this is through God's word, and now that I realize it, I am more eager to enter the field I am going into. Knowing that it is not about helping yourself, but more about what you can do for others not only clears things up in life but also makes things easier to accomplish. Though I did not follow God closely in my early life, I do know that he was always with me. Once I realized his presence, I knew how important it was to dedicate a portion of my life to him. It has been a great decision since, helping me with all aspects of life, and I know that he will keep helping me later in life too.

Now I know this house gets a lot of unnecessary hate, but I truly think that this community is the right one for me. It has all the characteristics that I hold, and the more I research it, the more I seem to enjoy it. Hufflepuff, the house of kind and diligent students, seems like just the place I would fit in at. I do not necessarily like it, but ever since I was a young kid, I was always the "goody-tissues" of the class. I never understood why until recently actually. I believe it actually has to do with my lack of standing up for myself. If someone gets mad at me, I always seem to coward back and direct that they are correct. While I am definitely better since I realized this, this still undoubtedly puts me in the house with Cedric and Newt. To further prove this, I was awarded the only award ever in the school's history that congratulates niceness. In 5th grade, the entire school voted on who the nicest student was, and as this is a time when I did not realize the label was on me, I was dearly shocked to hear my name get called out. Not only that but the only time I got in trouble with the teacher, the students rebelled against her to get me out of trouble. Now this was not because they liked me so much, but because they knew what I did was an accident and in no way shape or form should I be punished. I say these things not to brag, but to defend my position on how I should be considered a part of the group in Hufflepuff. There are other qualities that I can say I fill out quite well. For instance, the Hufflepuff House is known for its hard work and loyalty. I portray these qualities almost better than my kindness to others. Ever since middle school, while all the other kids went out and played, I was working on my business. This stayed a valued trait in me. Today, at 20 years old and in college, I have started and ran5 of my own businesses, and I continue to work hard for each one. I do not indulge in typical college kid play, but instead chase my dreams every day I am here. While discussing loyalty, I find myself holding onto everyone I meet. While it is not a great characteristic of mine, I can not seem to say goodbye to friends. To this day, I am almost in touch with every single friend I have made. Of course, this also means that I would never betray any of them. As I said before, I do not mean to boost myself up and overpraise my being. However, I would say that each one of these points demonstrates why I should be in the Hufflepuff House. Plain and simple, if there was an application to get into one house, I believe this would satisfy the community very much.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is definitely a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfillment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthily. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathizing only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall down, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at our fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgments. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is an absolutely terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

When looking at my most recent college applications, it is easy to tell that I spent a lot of time on extracurricular activities. I not only held major managerial positions at both Walmart and Express, but I also made time to teach Karate classes at my old dojo, volunteer at animal shelters to take care of the dogs, help my family with their business on the weekends, join the marketing club, and start my own side hustle pressure washing houses. Without saying it, first glance tells you that there is a lot of time invested to keep up with all of these activities. That is indeed right, as it was a very busy high school career for me. However, time management has made it possible. All of these activities and graduating in the top 10% of my class leave you exhausted, but it is worth it in the end. My number one piece of advice is to prioritize. I did not start my side activities until I knew my main activities were down. I had to have plenty of time for both school and after-school homework. Given this, I also had to make money to help my family. This left me with what sounds like not a lot of time. However, when looking at a calendar, you find out that there are still a few blank days left. Now, it was not intentional that I was going to fill up every day with an activity. However, some of these activities were purely for enjoyment. On the weekends, when I am done with school and work, I get to play with dogs at Nates Animal Rescue. Yes, I get volunteer hours from this. However, I also get to play with dogs! Tell me how you would spend your weekend. I am sure that this would be at the top of the list! Now, when my family needs me for their business, I am there. If I have free time, I will come. If I find myself sitting at home, might as well take a trip to the Karate Dojo, my second home, where I can spend time with friends and teach the young ones. All in, get the tasks you have to get done out of the way first. But, once done, you have a lot of time to do what you want. Do not spend it doing anything! Take advantage of it. There are plenty of activities to do. But remember, never let school slide. School is your number one. If that is held up, have fun! The world is your oyster.

Barbie has it all. The cars friends, and outfits are all great; but if I had to choose my ideal Barbie life, I would start with the house. It is the central studio in which all of our activities revolve around, and honestly, Barbie could not live without it! My ideal Barbie dream home is very different from Barbies. Instead of a "Barbie Mansion", I would prefer a moderately sized home for me and my girlfriend. In all aspects of reality, a too-big house imposes a lot of undesired features I do not want. The sole idea of a big space seems blatantly frightening to me. Not too big so maintenance is not bad, but also not too small where we are struggling for storage space. The house should be fancy though, for if you get to choose anything in the world, why not choose the best of the best? I like a classic/modern look. Not too modern where the house does not feel homey, but not too classic where everything seems regular and outdated. This gorgeous look needs a likewise location too, so I would likely find myself plotting it on the shores of the East Coast. Specifically, I would shoot for Ponta Vedra Beach in Florida. I find many likewise houses there, and for a location with a pretty atmosphere and inhabitants, I would be almost silly not to move there. As for the inside, I would like to keep my list short. On top of the basics, I would also like a small guitar collection, a hot tub, and of course, that Barbie dream garage. Once I have this list filled, it will be time to move it! Though it is all fun and games talking about your dream house, I hope one day I can actively pursue this. While I am not sure if Barbie was the sole inspiration for me chasing success, I can now say that hopefully, I will be living like Barbie in a dream house.

The military is a life-shaping experience. Well, that is coming directly from the words of my father. He was a mechanic in the military for some time, and though he is not pursuing that acquisition anymore, he tells me often that it has shaped his life as it is today. Though I have considered the military dearly, I have decided against it due to my overall life goals. However, I can say that not only have my goals been assisted with my father's help, but my drive to get there has. Simple life actions that I found present in my life turned out to not be so familiar to others. My father has taught me basic respect, manners, accountability, and most of all, work ethic. From this, I was able to seek out what I wanted in life. Whether it is because I am a very structured individual or I was grown up that way, I am not sure. However, I am sure that this characteristic in me has teetered my life course to helping people via physical fitness. Putting structure and accountability in other people's lives seems very life-fulfilling to me. I am sure that this had a heavy influence on my father and his role in raising me with such morals. Nonetheless, I am happy to say it is the direction I want to go. Like everyone, there are certain periods in life where you have no motivation. I achieve my dad for this one because his stories motivated me greatly in continuing. Chugging on and never quitting was the most important thing in these stories. When I found myself wanting to give up and quit, I always remembered these stories of his. Looking to the future, I am very hopeful and excited to see what I bring to the table. Not only was my dad a descendant of the military but my uncle and grandpa were too. Though they are both in heaven right now, I just know they will be beyond proud to see me succeed so far in life. Especially from the help and tactics that they where taught too in the military. Where I am today, I have received a lot of praise from my father. Though a lot of rough times occurred, one of the lessons he taught me is that no hard work should go unnoticed. From this, all my current achievements and successes have come with plenty of praise. Though, like always, the motivation to keep moving forward and continuing my success is present. Though I am not going into the military any time soon, and my lifelong success does not account for such, I can say with great confidence that through my father, the military has already made a monumental impact on my person and my success.

It is one of the worst feelings you have ever felt. This is not even coming from me, but I can say with certainty that I agree with it. Depression is a serious issue. It seems as if because there is no physical attribute or measurable scale of pain, it is looked over as a critical illness. It may also be due to the fact of embarrassment for victims. It is not a quality trait you specifically want to show off to others. Either way, with all the little help that is out there, this is measured as one of the world's worse illnesses by those who have experienced it. For me, a rapid decline in events leads to a very bleak outlook on life. With such a quick downfall, it is extremely difficult to pick up your life again. Though not impossible, you can not see the end of the tunnel. This affected me tremendously. From going to opposite moods quickly, my social life turned upside down fast. I was no longer happy going out. The people around me saw a complete flip of personalities. My goals and aspirations took a turn. I tried to aim for what I saw would make me happy, only to be completely wrong with the outcome. I turned a blind eye to other opportunities and invites. I was complete to myself, but the problem was, I was not happy with myself. It was not until I started to learn and gain knowledge on the subject that I started to see improvement. Today, I am worlds better than I was before. Though not as apparent at the moment, basic pursuits helped me greatly. Seeking friends, pursuing self-improvement, and enjoying fun experiences are what made my life meaningful again. It was a demanding adventure, but it was easy to say that the result was worth it. This period in my life opened up my mindset for the topic. Before, I never cared nor worried about such an illness. After, I feel deep sorrow and empathy for the others that have it worse than me. Though I was never to the point of suicide, I now understand where that mentality comes from. This life lesson taught me many things. Though, I believe the main lesson is about others. For others in a bad mood, quiet, or an outcast, I know what they are going through now. I try my hardest to cheer them up as I know what it is like. I wish this experience on absolutely nobody and I am trying my hardest to make it go away for all.

Being your boss is a dream goal for everyone. As put simply, who would not want to be their boss. I believe it turns a lot of people off when you describe how much work goes into it, but if that does not bother you, it is likely high on your list. Me personally, I do not mind working at all. I actually believe that if you can get into a rhythm, sitting down and getting to work is super enjoyable. This is especially true when you can literally pick out any job or industry you want. Looking back at my life, my family played a huge role in how I look at entrrapeneuriship today. Both my parents and both my aunts all owned very successful businesses. I got first-hand experience in the struggles they went through. Needless to say, I was not sugarcoated on the experience like a large number of people were. Even seeing them constantly working and brainstorming, I still had a deep desire to get into the self-boss lifestyle. Fast forward around three years after my parents opened up shop, I decided to make my own business. While in my parent's name for legal reasons, I had a full online store selling an arrangement of products. Based on an eBay and Amazon business strategy, I was selling a reasonable amount. This is especially true when you take into account that I was only 14 when I started. Still going strong today on the hopes and dreams, I can say I am very actively involved in an entrepreneurship lifestyle. Euntrapenurship is a very tough field. It has its perks for sure, but it seems as if everyone has it wrong. By being around it and an active participant, there are a lot of obstacles you have to just deal with. It is rare I do not get a headache sometimes throughout the day dealing with something. Whether that be on the legal side of things, financial side, or sales side; there is always something that is going wrong or can be better. It is the stuff that makes you want to quit. However, it is also the stuff that you have to drive past to reap the rewards. From this experience, I see many more business adventures in my future. It has always been my goal, and since I was lucky enough to dabble enough in the thought at a young age, I can not get enough of it now.

There is nothing better than a comeback story. However, there is also nothing harder than going through a comeback. When you are in such a place of darkness and a loss of hope, emerging from this darkness into a life you want to live is seemingly impossible. However, I can say that it is not. The biggest obstacle in my life was the feeling of discouragement. I have been unlucky enough to find myself in a state of complete loss. Without getting into too much detail, I was on rock bottom. When you feel this way, in no shape does anyone have the strength to emerge back to where they were. At this moment, it almost feels like ending everything is the best plan. Finding the motivation to come back is what recovery means to me. After fighting through it myself, I have immense respect for that word. Anybody that is going through recovery or has been through it knows that all of this is true. The people that got closest to this word are the people that know what it means. I am lucky to have made it out of this dark place, and I hope that anyone going through similar can too. Recovery is the answer, and it is doable!

To be blunt, some of the best things in America did not come from America. Ideas such as Starbucks, football, and even Democracy strayed from other cultures. Best put, we need to explore other areas of the world to advance ourselves too. Personally, I love to explore the world. Staying cooped up at home is not a way to live life. Even vacationing in the state is not for me. I am lucky enough to have traveled beyond my hometown already and have even ventured to other American states. It was a blast and an absolute learning extravaganza for me. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to go to places such as New York, California, and Georgia. The difference in the way of life is actually quite mindblowing compared to the way I live here in Orlando, Florida. Now, I am not sure if this traveling sparked my interest to wander to other countries, but nonetheless, I yearn for it. To this day, I was never able to venture outside America. I do highly plan on it though. I have my sights set on European and African summer studies here at my school. UCF continues to provide countless traveling courses, which is even one of the main contributing factors I looked out for when picking a University to study at. I am super jolly to see these opportunities starting to take place in my life again. Going to explore Europe or Africa with the companionship of classmates seems almost too perfect for me. This summer, I sadly had to miss out on some of these grand opportunities due to funding and work. However, once the summer rushes into next year, I am not going to let myself miss this calling. In the little time I have spent outside of my hometown, I not only learned so much about the difference in the way of life but also the similarities between ourselves. It is fascinating to see the cost of goods, building structures, daily routines, and climate control affect the entire way an area runs. However, it is almost just as fascinating to see the similarities because there are so few of them. For instance, when I visited New York City a few summers ago with my family, it seemed to be almost more interesting to find out what everyone does that is the same as us. All in all, what I am trying to say is that exploring other places and different ways of life is not what I expected at all. I find myself having a very narrow viewpoint on what I think other environments are like, and until I can experience it myself, I am not sure if I will ever have a firm understanding of how different and similar other places in the world are. With all of that being said, I am almost certain that most Americans have that viewpoint. With the research I have done about this subject, I am confident in this answer too. It was not until the 1970s that Starbucks was founded in America. Milan, Italy had its first similar coffee shop in the 1700s! It is that kind of innovation and understanding that I want to bring here to America. You never know what other cultures are doing until you go over there and find out yourself! For this, I am beyond eager to see what I can provide to my home.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfill anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving yourself, and having fun that makes you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to do so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change as it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making others happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is worth a shot to make a difference.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfill anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to do so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change as it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making others happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is worth a shot to make a difference.

The military is a life-shaping experience. Well, that is coming directly from the words of my father. He was a mechanic in the military for some time, and though he is not pursuing that acquisition anymore, he tells me often that it has shaped his life as it is today. Though I have considered the military dearly, I have decided against it due to my overall life goals. However, I can say that not only have my goals been assisted with my father's help, but my drive to get there has. Simple life actions that I found present in my life turned out to not be so familiar to others. My father has taught me basic respect, manners, accountability, and most of all, work ethic. From this, I was able to seek out what I wanted in life. Whether it is because I am a very structured individual or I was grown up that way, I am not sure. However, I am sure that this characteristic in me has teetered my life course to helping people via physical fitness. Putting structure and accountability in other people's lives seems very life-fulfilling to me. I am sure that this had a heavy influence on my father and his role in raising me with such morals. Nonetheless, I am happy to say it is the direction I want to go. Like everyone, there are certain periods in life where you have no motivation. I achieve my dad for this one because his stories motivated me greatly in continuing. Chugging on and never quitting was the most important thing in these stories. When I found myself wanting to give up and quit, I always remembered these stories of his. Looking to the future, I am very hopeful and excited to see what I bring to the table. Not only was my dad a descendant of the military but my uncle and grandpa were too. Though they are both in heaven right now, I just know they will be beyond proud to see me succeed so far in life. Especially from the help and tactics that they where taught too in the military. Where I am today, I have received a lot of praise from my father. Though a lot of rough times occurred, one of the lessons he taught me is that no hard work should go unnoticed. From this, all my current achievements and successes have come with plenty of praise. Though, like always, the motivation to keep moving forward and continuing my success is present. Though I am not going into the military any time soon, and my lifelong success does not account for such, I can say with great confidence that through my father, the military has already made a monumental impact on my person and my success.

Like everyone, I believe that the desire to act comes from inspiration. Whether your thing is movies, TV series, or plays; we have all seen that one character that we inspire to be. Only a few though, realize that being that character is possible. The desire to escape life and morph into the man you see on screen is exhilarating. Let alone, the idea that you can create your own charicter is even more fun. That is where the excitement really comes into play. Similarly, like everyone, I feel that making it to the big screen is the goal too. When in doubt, that is the top of the top. Why not shoot for the stars? While money is not my main motivating factor, being able to portray a skill and invoke that same inspiration in others makes me purpose in my life. My first inspiration to act was the Joker. "Batman: The Dark Night" was a film that I adored (and still do). When I saw the intensity and character that was brought to life by the Joker, I knew my path. The idea to inspire others like that is amazing. Whether I get there or not, acting has made my life exciting to live.

When looking at my most recent college applications, it is easy to tell that I spent a lot of time on extracurricular activities. I not only held major managerial positions at both Walmart and Express, but I also made time to teach Karate classes at my old dojo, volunteer at animal shelters to take care of the dogs, help my family with their business on the weekends, join the marketing club, and start my own side hustle pressure washing houses. Without saying it, first glance tells you that there is a lot of time invested to keep up with all of these activities. That is indeed right, as it was a very busy high school career for me. However, time management has made it possible. All of these activities and graduating in the top 10% of my class leave you exhausted, but it is worth it in the end. My number one piece of advice is to prioritize. I did not start my side activities until I knew my main activities were down. I had to have plenty of time for both school and after-school homework. Given this, I also had to make money to help my family. This left me with what sounds like not a lot of time. However, when looking at a calendar, you find out that there are still a few blank days left. Now, it was not intentional that I was going to fill up every day with an activity. However, some of these activities were purely for enjoyment. On the weekends, when I am done with school and work, I get to play with dogs at Nates Animal Rescue. Yes, I get volunteer hours from this. However, I also get to play with dogs! Tell me how you would spend your weekend. I am sure that this would be at the top of the list! Now, when my family needs me for their business, I am there. If I have free time, I will come. If I find myself sitting at home, might as well take a trip to the Karate Dojo, my second home, where I can spend time with friends and teach the young ones. When I started volunteering to help the seniors, I felt that I was again making a prominent impact. I wrote cards for homes, gave inspirational words to groups of senior citizens, and helped them with housework in any form necessary. There was a good point where that is all I prioritized. Helping the elder could be the reason I dove head first into volunteering. All in, get the tasks you have to get done out of the way first. But, once done, you have a lot of time to do what you want. Do not spend it doing anything! Take advantage of it. There are plenty of activities to do. But remember, never let school slide. School is your number one. If that is held up, have fun! The world is your oyster.

Eleven years, countless hours, back-to-back classes, and instructing positions give you a lot of time inside the dojo. Easy to say that there was something that was implemented right for me to stay that long. I can not put any praise on myself though; I believe all of my gratifying experiences and hard work come straight from all of the strong lessons and senseis I have had through the years. Needless to say, these years were valuable. Coming from multiple schools across the U.S., I have had a mix of lessons taught to me, but I can say the most reoccurring one would have to be based on respect. Even though I came into this sport through interest and curiosity, I left with a great love for it and lessons that kept me going. Every school's goal was to teach you self-defense in case a situation happened, but the real goal was to never have that happen. Respecting parents, siblings, friends, and strangers is the biggest deterrent to a fight. I am proud to say that even after my years of training, I have never had to use any fighting out of class, and I think that was the goal the whole time. So much came out of this sport. More than I could ever ask for. Karate was a sport I found I had a passion for. Through the bad times, I found great times. It was a sport that kept me thinking. The constant progress and commitment did keep me motivated to do more. I was always trying to improve. Even if I found myself achieving a major accomplishment, I saw the only option was to keep working. This mindset ended up transferring over to a lot of different activities. Although unwillingly or knowingly, I started to get this "always improving" mindset for everything I did. If I did good on a test, the only option from there on out is to do even better next test. If I saw I gained muscle weight, the only option from there was to keep going to the gym and improve more. I was constantly improving my life and growing. Karate taught me a lot more than I thought it did. It was a passion, but it was also a big motivator in my life. I feel most people get this sport wrong. It is not so much the teaching of defense you use the most but instead, the teachings revolved around life. It is the action that gets you into the door and the lessons that make you stay. Karate has been a strong passion of mine from the start. Yes, like every sport, you get your off days. However, if you keep pushing, the reward you get is so great. I am happy I stuck to my passion. It has given me great things in life.

I want to play football. It has been the ideal lifestyle for me ever since I was a kid. It is hard to describe, but something about being an athlete and performing you's very best gets me going every day. Needless to say, I am going to become a great player later on in life. Let's shift the focus off of me now. My uncle died about a year ago today. He, along with all his friends and buddies, was an avid football fan. Now, after he is gone, I am playing football to my full potential. I am hurt and impacted that he is not going to see what I accomplish. To him, playing this game is a big deal. Like me, his life was revolving around it. To see the look on his face when I play college ball, and eventually, NFL for maybe one of his favorite games would be unreal. It brings me great devastation that he will not be here for that. However, that is not to say that all hope is failed. I know, now, that he is on my side up there. I now have a team to get me to that goal of playing for a career. I also know that he is watching me from up above, routing for me. So, not all hope is lost yet. I still have to prove something, if not for myself, but him. This route in football, though, made me discover things about myself that I would have never known. It turns out that even though I perceived myself as an introvert, I am very people-oriented. One of my biggest goals that grew from this football goal is to inspire America to get outside and work on themselves. It is such a great activity to indulge in. Physical fitness and the same motivation should be present in everyone's life. While I am strongly motivated by my uncle, I hope to strongly motivate others to work hard and accomplish their dreams too. I never saw myself as the type of person to portray this mindset. I constantly focused on myself. However, with my current situation, I find it sufficient to be able to help others along with making my life count. A future in football, whether professional or recreational, is a career choice I would be ecstatic to say that I am a part of. Doing something I love is the sole career that I want. However, if I get to help others achieve their dream, I will find myself very fulfilled.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfill anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving yourself, and having fun that makes you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to do so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change as it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making others happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is worth a shot to make a difference.

If we follow our current paths, we are only getting worse. This is sadly true for a lot of aspects right now in our world. However, it is even sadder to see that the primary participant in this statement is our environment. It is taught in schools, broadcasted on social media, and discussed by neighbors. Yet somehow, very little is still being done. Like many, this was a clear complication for me. If we can all do the simple things, we can make a big change together. I like to contribute through my day-to-day activities, as I know these small things will add up. For instance, I turn off lights when possible, shut off the water when not used, reuse water bottles, recycle, and eat all of my leftovers. I convinced my family to install solar panels and use eco-friendly house maintenance products. These are all relatively small activities to do. Adding participants will only help our world. Soon, if enough people become self-conscious about their impact on the environment, we can turn that path around. We can improve our ecosystem in dramatic ways! My friend group tends to lean in this direction similarly. Caring for the environment is cool. Hoping for a better future is cool. And with this mindset, I usually attract other friends that think this way. It is amazing and almost shocking what you can learn from like-minded individuals who share the same passion. When shopping at the grocery store, it is so easy to not take plastic if it is not needed. This is something I often thought over, but if it was done more, it would make a profound effect on our environment from a positive standpoint. After all things are said, I think my involvement in the environment comes from my love for it. Since I was a kid, I had the biggest respect for nature. I adored its beauty, the sounds, and the feel of being completely emerged. Nature is too amazing to ruin. It seems like the most amazing gift given by god, and there is a chance that it will be gone very soon. Even now, beautiful places are being torn down for our continuation of this societal development. Take nature away, and the world will be a terrible place. Taking an effort, even if it is simple and easy to do, can change our planet. It can sustain gods gift, and it will make sure nothing goes to ruin.

I am the direct dependent of a single mom. For most of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We did not see him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take good care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. The biggest obstacle I have seen, first handily, was time and energy. It is tough to do multiple jobs at once meant for two people. It is doable, but it is hard. You need to prioritize and spend every second wisely. If something goes out of the plan, the whole day does. On top of that, you need to have constant energy to keep going. Even if everything does work out, it is hard to get yourself up to clean the house after a full shift and dealing with a kid. All in all, I have major respect for other single mothers out there. My mother and I conquered this journey, and with determination, I know others can too.

Crashing waves, giant monsters, and big mountains seem to be an enticing landscape to base your book on. How about fighting monsters, slaying dragons, and traveling the world? This book will surely have a lasting impression on anyone. My book, the book that made a drastic impact on my life, took place in an office. To be more precise, a grocery store's office. It is less about fighting dragons and more about conquering tax strategies. Though my book seems prevalent to the average, it is one of the most lasting books for me, and I do recommend that everyone should read it. "Rich Dad Poor Dad" is a book series written by the insightful Robert Kiyosaki, a businessman and real-estate tycoon. Robert does not just tell us what are the best real estate properties to buy or stock exchange strategies. No, on the contrary actually, Robert tells us how to start from the bottom. He explains how to get out of the rat race and into your money-making mechanism. He tells you how to triple your earnings quickly but effectively. Oh, but this must be a scam. All of these scenarios are too good to be true. It has worked full-handedly for me. His strategies are backed up and used by almost all of the wealthiest men in the world, and then some. His tellings are no secret, but they are rarely implemented by the general public. Though it still may seem too good to be true, if you implement everything Robert says in this book, it is almost certain that you will get to his level of wealth within a few years of hard work. For me, I was able to treat money and life with respect after reading only one of his books. I am on the second book now. Though time has been short, I made sure to invest my money into things that count. Instead of buying myself lavish items, I was able to invest and make enough money to constantly increase my investments. I do not have a lot of investments, but I am surely still on my way to the top. Hence me being here right now. Now, no, my book may not seem as exciting as your murder mystery or Christmas fairy tale. But to me, it is just as engrossing. And to me, it is most certainly more impactful. I love to read books for self-improvement, and as far as this book goes, it is the best. I have read similar books on self-improvement, and they have all shaped me into the person I am today. They make my goals possible, mold my mindset, and give me the great life I have today.

Eleven years, countless hours, back-to-back classes, and instructing positions give you a lot of time inside the dojo. Easy to say that there was something that was implemented right for me to stay that long. I can not put any praise on myself though; I believe all of my gratifying experiences and hard work come straight from all of the strong lessons and senseis I have had through the years. Needless to say, these years were valuable. Coming from multiple schools across the U.S., I have had a mix of lessons taught to me, but I can say the most reoccurring one would have to be based on respect. Even though I came into this sport through interest and curiosity, I left with a great love for it and lessons that kept me going. Every school's goal was to teach you self defense in case a situation happened, but the real goal was to never have that happen. Respecting parents, siblings, friends, and strangers is the biggest deterrent to a fight. I am proud to say that even after my years of training, I have never had to use any fighting require out of class, and I think that was the goal the whole time. So much came out of this sport. More than I could ever ask for. Karate was a sport I found I had a passion for. Through the bad times, I found great times. It was a sport that kept me thinking. The constant progress and commitment did keep me motivated to do more. I was always trying to improve. Even if I found myself achieving a major accomplishment, I saw the only option was to keep working. This mindset ended up transferring over to a lot of different activities. Although unwillingly or knowingly, I started to get this "always improving" mindset for everything I did. If I did good on a test, the only option from there on out is to do even better next test. If I saw I gained muscle weight, the only option from there was to keep going to the gym and improve more. I was constantly improving my life and growing. Karate taught me a lot more than I thought it did. It was a passion, but it was also a big motivator in my life. I feel most people get this sport wrong. It is not so much the teaching of defense you use the most but instead, the teachings revolved around life. It is the action that gets you into the door and the lessons that make you stay. Karate has been a strong passion of mine from the start. Yes, like every sport, you get your off days. However, if you keep pushing, the reward you get is so great. I am happy I stuck to my passion. It has given me great things in life.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfill anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving yourself, and having fun that makes you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to do so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change as it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making others happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is worth a shot to make a difference.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfillment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthily. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathizing only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. My biggest fear moment came through this. Though there are resources at our fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgments. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is a terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens widely. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

I am pursuing science. Specifically, I am pursuing exercise science. I should not be in the eyes of teachers, but here I am. Let me explain. Throughout my schooling, I was destined to be a business major. I read business books, ran businesses myself, and was the son and grandson of successful business owners. However, as it turns out, I am not going into that field. The field I was not supposed to go into was science. I was not into laboratory instances. Chemicals were not my thing and environmental studies did not interest me at all. What segment I did not look into much of was the human body. Besides health, the human body was never mentioned to me in high school or middle school. It was not until recently that I discovered this career path. Science in fitness is necessary for our human development. If you look at all of the movies in which the society is run down, most of the time, the characters are extremely obese. It is the epitome of laziness in a run-down future. For our future to be bright, I truly believe that we need to all exercise and nutrition our body. It is something that should and will likely never go away. In addition, constant development in this field is yet to learn improvements to society. This will only help everyone. Exercise is an extreme part of our culture, and I am sure that it will be for years to come. I am obsessed with exercise and fitness. Unlike the science industry, this has been with me forever. Since I was in 5th grade, I have been working out in the gym with my parents. I have played almost every sport there is. Little did I know that there was such an industry behind exercise and health specifically. It seemed like it was almost the perfect career choice. Without knowing, I have even listened to multiple podcasts and videos on exercise in hopes to improve myself. Little did I know that this learning will eventually end me up with a college degree down the line. Right now, I am currently applying to many major universities to continue my education in this field. In a few years after my bachelor, I may attempt a major in physical therapy. Only time will tell for that one though. Though a quick decision, I am happy to start learning about the human body and the effects of exercise.

I have first handily watched a single parent, my mother, do the impossible. Continuing schooling while raising a child is an amazing feat, and yet my mother did just that. I hope to follow in her footsteps and show the same courage that she did throughout her life. For most of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We did not see him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take good care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. The biggest obstacle I have seen, first handily, was time and energy. It is tough to do multiple jobs at once meant for two people. It is doable, but it is hard. You need to prioritize and spend every second wisely. If something goes out of the plan, the whole day does. On top of that, you need to have constant energy to keep going. Even if everything does work out, it is hard to get yourself up to clean the house after a full shift and dealing with a kid. All in all, I have major respect for other single mothers out there. My mother and I conquered this journey, and with determination, I know others can too. With such an amazing feat, I hope to show my future kids by example similar to what my mother did. It is a big life factor, and I think everyone deserves to see the kind of sympathy, courage, care, and hard work that my mother displayed during this time.

Incluence means giving someone the hope they deserve. Everyone in this world deserves the best chance they can get at succeeding in their goals. Influence is giving others the same amazing chance you have been given. When one is lucky enough to make it big, one likely has a big opportunity to be able to influence others, despite age, to do what one does. This has been prominent in my life, and I hope to one day do the same for others. As of now, since I merely see my success so far as a stepping point to something greater, I make sure to influence the people one step below me. To better explain, when football training, I make sure to go over to the younger kid section to play catch with them. When working on my car, I make sure to show any kid that asks what I am doing. It is the small stuff, but impactful for the younger generation that gives the world "influence" meaning. When moving to college, it is hard to say that people were not accepting. However, it was also hard to say that people did not have their set groups. When joining a college, I had an intense respect for football, but being of such race and size, I was generally not accepted as easily. Proving yourself, being kind, and working into a friend group slowly will insure you are accepted anywhere. Right now, I am currently studying kinesiology. This field leads to physical therapy, a segment I always believed to be interesting. At a young age, physical therapists acted as the "influencer" in my life. They showed me with their compassion and determination that anything is possible. Once realizing they are right, I wanted to be like them. This influence got me into the healthcare field, and I never want to leave. Helping others and showing them that there is always a way is a mindset I want to continue with in life. While being a physical therapist is the ultimate end goal, for now, I just want to get my foot in the field. Receiving this scholarship will help me tremendously in school. I am doing the most for my education, so financially getting by is hard. The cost of living, classes, food and transportation are my major costs. While I am able to get financial aid to cover some of my classes, the rest of my expenses are up in the air. I am at an uncertain point in my life about how I am going to afford this education. It is tough to think that a dream of being in the healthcare field might not work out because of a low income, but I am determined to find a way to get through it.

When looking at my most recent college applications, it is easy to tell that I spent a lot of time on extracurricular activities. I not only held major managerial positions at both Walmart and Express, but I also made time to teach Karate classes at my old dojo, volunteer at animal shelters to take care of the dogs, help my family with their business on the weekends, join the marketing club, and start my own side hustle pressure washing houses. Without saying it, first glance tells you that there is a lot of time invested to keep up with all of these activities. That is indeed right, as it was a very busy high school career for me. However, time management has made it possible. All of these activities and graduating in the top 10% of my class leave you exhausted, but it is worth it in the end. My number one piece of advice is to prioritize. I did not start my side activities until I knew my main activities were down. I had to have plenty of time for both school and after-school homework. Given this, I also had to make money to help my family. This left me with what sounds like not a lot of time. However, when looking at a calendar, you find out that there are still a few blank days left. Now, it was not intentional that I was going to fill up every day with an activity. However, some of these activities were purely for enjoyment. On the weekends, when I am done with school and work, I get to play with dogs at Nates Animal Rescue. Yes, I get volunteer hours from this. However, I also get to play with dogs! Tell me how you would spend your weekend. I am sure that this would be at the top of the list! Now, when my family needs me for their business, I am there. If I have free time, I will come. If I find myself sitting at home, might as well take a trip to the Karate Dojo, my second home, where I can spend time with friends and teach the young ones. When I started volunteering to help the seniors, I felt that I was again making a prominent impact. I wrote cards for homes, gave inspirational words to groups of senior citizens, and helped them with house work in any form necessary. There was a good point were that is all I prioritized. Helping the elder could be the reason I dove head first into volunteering. All in, get the tasks you have to get done out of the way first. But, once done, you have a lot of time to do what you want. Do not spend it doing anything! Take advantage of it. There are plenty of activities to do. But remember, never let school slide. School is your number one. If that is held up, have fun! The world is your oyster.

Cancer has made an unannounced appearance in a lot of people's lives. I can say this with much prominence close to my heart, as I have had many close people in my life die of cancer. Just recently, my neighbor, age 45 and father of 3, got diagnosed with terminal cancer and has 3 more months to live. The amount of heartbreak and tragedy that comes with cancer is outrageous. Even if you are not in the medical scene, indulged in the research scene, a participant in the donating scene, or have any consideration with cancer; the disease finds a way to make itself prominent in onces life. The more you hear about cancer-related subjects, the more you get involved. With, since cancer has taken the lives of so many loved ones, I pounce on any chance I get to help out with the cause. For example, a seminar I attended added that they are partnering with a cancer research center. From this, I found my family, along with myself, donating a large amount of money to them. Despite the money, we donate a lot of our own time towards cancer research as a family. Out of choice or not, we now have a good grasp on what foods to eat, what activities to partake in, and how to battle this monstrous disease. While my current participation in the healthcare field did not stem from cancer individually, it is a large part of my studies here at the University of Central Florida. It may be said that I picked this career path indirectly and unknowingly because of the impact cancer has had on my life, for I never had a distinct reason to pursue the healthcare profession. Either way, with or without cancer's impact on my career choice, it has made an astronomical connection in my life. As a whole, I am sure that very few people choose to study and engross their lives around a lethal and dreadful disease. However, like my family, it comes into our lives without much of a choice. When it makes this much of a negative impact, there is almost no choice but to dedicate yourself to battle it, whether you have it or not. I am lucky enough to not have this condition enter my body; yet, I am still head first into the topic. After a lot of experience and research on the topic, I have a true belief that this can be fought. I have seen the impossible happen, and I know that everyone has the capability to harness this.

I am going to be blunt. I would have followed the stereotype of a teenage kid if it was not for my karate training. My mentality, goals, and willpower come straight from that dojo. I am so grateful for it, and I am even prouder today to show what I have become from it. Before karate, I was just an average kid that did not care about himself or the future. After that, I am a new man. At school, I make sure that I push myself outside of my comfort zone to become a leader. Any chance I get, I make sure to stand out and help progress the class forward. I am not a very outgoing person personality-wise. I have to push myself to do this. However, it has brought me great success in my schoolwork. I am a completely different kid in school than I used to be before. During training, I need to be resilient, focused, and determined. If not, I will not get anything out of my training. It is one of the most important things when doing any sport. Karate has taught me to do this, and I have seen amazing improvements from it. Not only from me, but since my entire class practices this, I have seen a lot of students progress in amazing ways. I make sure to be very unselfish at home. There are things I can do around the house for the family. For instance, I make sure to vacuum every day because our dogs shed. Though my parents used to do this, they get busy at their work. In the end, I found it to be a very unselfish and morally correct thing to do for my family. From being this way with my family, I have been able to unconsciously do the same for every human in my life. Whether it is at work, school, or out-of-school activities. I make sure to help out the team before I focus on myself. Lastly, in everything I do, I make sure to have a good work ethic. I put 100% effort into everything I do. I try my hardest to be the best I can be. I work harder than anything for every task. This, alone, has been my biggest improving technique. If you practice everything you do, you will be great at everything you do. I have gotten to be good at things such as driving, cooking, and cleaning just because I try to do my best at it any time I get. I value all of these work ethics, and more! I can not point to anyone else besides my karate teacher for teaching me all these wonderful lessons. I am a completely different kid coming out of karate, and I am proud to be. I am extremely excited to see what my future looks like coming out of this. I am going to continue to practice all of these morals continually, and hopefully, as I master each one, I can have the ability to teach others about these traits and how great they are.

I am the direct dependent of a single mom. For most of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We did not see him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take good care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. The biggest obstacle I have seen, first handily, was time and energy. It is tough to do multiple jobs at once meant for two people. It is doable, but it is hard. You need to prioritize and spend every second wisely. If something goes out of the plan, the whole day does. On top of that, you need to have constant energy to keep going. Even if everything does work out, it is hard to get yourself up to clean the house after a full shift and dealing with a kid. All in all, I have major respect for other single mothers out there. My mother and I conquered this journey, and with determination, I know others can too.

Being a college student gives you a whole new perspective on life. Transitioning from being an instruction-abiding kid in high school to growing into an independent adult on one's own gives everyone a whole new outlook on the world. Not only that, but being surrounded by like-minded individuals similarly gives one a new advantage point on the world. When I first started at my University, I was so proud to see the diversity and community that was there. Seeing the news on the television, on social media, or in newspapers gives everyone a terrible viewpoint on acceptance and diversity. However, by seeing real-world scenarios pertaining to equal rights and the LGBTQ+ community, I am happy to see everyone moving forward on the subject. While it may be quick to say that the younger generation is more understanding of our differences, I see it as a colossal part of our community that has changed for the better. When I first arrived at my new school, I was indulging in a bit of culture shock. It took me a bit to get used to the resources, advocating, and cultural norms surrounding by being different. This is not to say that I was against diversity beforehand. However, being put into this melting pot that is socially accepted did catch me off guard. Over time, I certainly got used to this environment. With this time though, I also found myself changing for the better. This new and open-minded environment not only made me more comfortable but gave me the opportunity to fully express myself. This opportunity is always there for others to take part in, but it is not spread to the degree that it is here. I needed this eye-opening experience to truly understand what being accepting and accepted meant. I have now found myself in a position where I too advocate for others. I started college with an open mind, but now I am publicizing the idea with others. With this newfound comfort, I am able to get out and be myself. Not being afraid of what others will think of you, discriminating against you, or judging you makes such a positive impact on our people and this world. I am so engrossed in seeing this positive change at the college level that I am now hoping to be a positive role model for other generations of this world. Spreading this "open-minded" thought process to everyone is a good way to make the world an overall better place to live in. Seeing this change helped me grow amazingly as a human, and I am sure the world will soon see this new treatment of society too.

When looking at my most recent college applications, it is easy to tell that I spent a lot of time on extracurricular activities. I not only held major managerial positions at both Walmart and Express, but I also made time to teach Karate classes at my old dojo, volunteer at animal shelters to take care of the dogs, help my family with their business on the weekends, join the marketing club, and start my own side hustle pressure washing houses. Without saying it, first glance tells you that there is a lot of time invested to keep up with all of these activities. That is indeed right, as it was a very busy high school career for me. However, time management has made it possible. All of these activities and graduating in the top 10% of my class leave you exhausted, but it is worth it in the end. My number one piece of advice is to prioritize. I did not start my side activities until I knew my main activities were down. I had to have plenty of time for both school and after-school homework. Given this, I also had to make money to help my family. This left me with what sounds like not a lot of time. However, when looking at a calendar, you find out that there are still a few blank days left. Now, it was not intentional that I was going to fill up every day with an activity. However, some of these activities were purely for enjoyment. On the weekends, when I am done with school and work, I get to play with dogs at Nates Animal Rescue. Yes, I get volunteer hours from this. However, I also get to play with dogs! Tell me how you would spend your weekend. I am sure that this would be at the top of the list! Now, when my family needs me for their business, I am there. If I have free time, I will come. If I find myself sitting at home, might as well take a trip to the Karate Dojo, my second home, where I can spend time with friends and teach the young ones. All in, get the tasks you have to get done out of the way first. But, once done, you have a lot of time to do what you want. Do not spend it doing anything! Take advantage of it. There are plenty of activities to do. But remember, never let school slide. School is your number one. If that is held up, have fun! The world is your oyster.

Since I was young, I was infatuated with YouTube. However, unlike other kids, the part of YouTube I was infatuated with was film-making. I watched YouTubers like Casey Niestat make some of the best short films. I wanted to be like that. Because of all of this, I started a YouTube channel at a relatively young age. I simply wanted to produce a video. I did not care what it was about or what happened. I just wanted to practice the art of filming and editing videos as the professionals did. I made short films that had no rhyme or reason behind them. It was simply a sequence of like-related videos mashed together into a form that I called art. I continued this channel of irrelevant videos until I decided I had to find my niche. If I wanted to take my filmmaking to the next level, I had to do it right. When I moved from Indiana to Florida, I created a new YouTube channel it. This time, though not the most creative, I decided to arrange joke videos. Looking back on it, I did have a unique setup that was out there. I made a character of myself under a store-bought mask that I created through the sequence of videos. Here, though I did care about views, I was able to thoroughly practice my art of filmmaking in a regular sequence of videos. I knew what I was editing and how I was going to edit. I became better and better, eventually using professional products such as Adobe. I gained about 100 subscribers after about 100 short films. Here is when I dropped off as school and work started getting in the way. My mother explained to me at that point that hobbies should not be scheduled and dreaded like it was. Film-making was just starting to be a to-do list in my weekly schedule. This is when I came around and stopped. It was not until about a year ago that I decided to start back up again. I had an idea to create "how-to" videos after watching so many of them. The quality of these videos remained so bad, yet they kept getting a lot of views. I knew that I could put my skill set to work. I started making how-to videos and remain to do so today. I have about 60 videos up and about 1,000 subscribers. I know that if I remain on this track, I can start a career by doing so. Taking classes in colleges such as film and theatre seemed to broaden my perspective on filmmaking. Before, I was only using little youtube tutorial advice and my perspective to craft these videos. Now, after pursuing college classes, I know how professionals handle similar film situations. I am excited to continue my career in film and find out what it has in store next for me. Now, I get to create my future life.

I am going to be blunt. I would have followed the stereotype of a teenage kid if it was not for my karate training. My mentality, goals, and willpower come straight from that dojo. I am so grateful for it, and I am even prouder today to show what I have become from it. Before karate, I was just an average kid that did not care about himself or the future. After that, I am a new man. At school, I make sure that I push myself outside of my comfort zone to become a leader. Any chance I get, I make sure to stand out and help progress the class forward. I am not a very outgoing person personality-wise. I have to push myself to do this. However, it has brought me great success in my schoolwork. I am a completely different kid in school than I used to be before. During training, I need to be resilient, focused, and determined. If not, I will not get anything out of my training. It is one of the most important things when doing any sport. Karate has taught me to do this, and I have seen amazing improvements from it. Not only from me, but since my entire class practices this, I have seen a lot of students progress in amazing ways. I make sure to be very unselfish at home. There are things I can do around the house for the family. For instance, I make sure to vacuum every day because our dogs shed. Though my parents used to do this, they get busy at their work. In the end, I found it to be a very unselfish and morally correct thing to do for my family. From being this way with my family, I have been able to unconsciously do the same for every human in my life. Whether it is at work, school, or out-of-school activities. I make sure to help out the team before I focus on myself. Lastly, in everything I do, I make sure to have a good work ethic. I put 100% effort into everything I do. I try my hardest to be the best I can be. I work harder than anything for every task. This, alone, has been my biggest improving technique. If you practice everything you do, you will be great at everything you do. I have gotten to be good at things such as driving, cooking, and cleaning just because I try to do my best at it any time I get. I value all of these work ethics, and more! I can not point to anyone else besides my karate teacher for teaching me all these wonderful lessons. I am a completely different kid coming out of karate, and I am proud to be. I am extremely excited to see what my future looks like coming out of this. I am going to continue to practice all of these morals continually, and hopefully, as I master each one, I can have the ability to teach others about these traits and how great they are.

Though young, I consider myself to have a very good grasp of our modern world. I have opened my eyes to our culture and have been able to realize something amazing about myself. I hope to transfer this concept into a career for myself in the future. Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfill anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to do so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change as it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making others happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is definitely worth a shot to make a difference. In my future career, I am hoping to help others realize that money is not everything when it comes to life. As opposing as it may seem, I am reaching out to become a financial advisor to give people financial freedom, something I believe all Americans want. While a rewarding end goal, I want to make the realization known that this is not what makes one happy though. Life is supposed to be filled with friends, family, and adventure. Yes, it is hard to do such things without a consistent and reliable income, but what most people do not see is that chasing "the bag" is not what will make you happy. I am fortunate enough to say that I have had a point in my life where I was making good money at a younger age. While nice, that is simply all it was. It was "nice" to be able to buy my dream motorcycle and fill my closet with nice shoes. It was "nice" to be in a state of so forth luxury, but that was all it was. It was not life-fulfilling or gratifying. What is, is a life full of friends and happiness. Though I was at a much lower point financially, I was much happier before I received this money. By the state in which people are in today, it seems as if they have to realize this for themselves. I am looking for a good University to transfer to. As of right now, I have an associate degree in the general arts from the State College of Florida in Bradenton. I pursued this at a community college specifically for the cost. However, now since I am getting into degree-specific learning, I am going to need to transfer to a college worth its weight. Therefore, right now, I am applying to many colleges to transfer in the spring term, both in-state and out-of-state, in hopes to get the best education I can. With this education, I can hopefully start a career that gives me the outlook I need. With my career, I hope to make the change the world needs. To conclude, yes money is important. Yes, one can even say it is the basis of all modern-day living. But what I am hoping to make America and society understand is that we should not live for it. It seems like these days, people will throw anything under the bus for some cash. By giving others this freedom, I hope all will realize this.

I want to play football. It has been the ideal lifestyle for me ever since I was a kid. It is hard to describe, but something about being an athlete and performing you's very best gets me going every day. Needless to say, I am going to become a great player later on in life. Let's shift the focus off of me now. My uncle died about a year ago today. He, along with all his friends and buddies, was an avid football fan. Now, after he is gone, I am playing football to my full potential. I am hurt and impacted that he is not going to see what I accomplish. To him, playing this game is a big deal. Like me, his life was revolving around it. To see the look on his face when I play college ball, and eventually, NFL for maybe one of his favorite games would be unreal. It brings me great devastation that he will not be here for that. However, that is not to say that all hope is failed. I know, now, that he is on my side up there. I now have a team to get me to that goal of playing for a career. I also know that he is watching me from up above, routing for me. So, not all hope is lost yet. I still have to prove something, if not for myself, but him. This route in football, though, made me discover things about myself that I would have never known. It turns out that even though I perceived myself as an introvert, I am very people-oriented. One of my biggest goals that grew from this football goal is to inspire America to get outside and work on themselves. It is such a great activity to indulge in. Physical fitness and the same motivation should be present in everyone's life. While I am strongly motivated by my uncle, I hope to strongly motivate others to work hard and accomplish their dreams too. I never saw myself as the type of person to portray this mindset. I constantly focused on myself. However, with my current situation, I find it sufficient to be able to help others along with making my life count. A future in football, whether professional or recreational, is a career choice I would be ecstatic to say that I am a part of. Doing something I love is the sole career that I want. However, if I get to help others achieve their dream, I will find myself very fulfilled.

Crashing waves, giant monsters, and big mountains seem to be an enticing landscape to base your book off of. How about fighting monsters, slaying dragons, and travelling the world? This book will surely have a lasting impression on anyone. My book, the book that made a drastic impact on my life, took place in an office. To be more precise, a grocery store's office. It is less about fighting dragons and more about conquering tax strategies. Though my book seems prevalent to the average, it is one of the most lasting books for me, and I do recommend that everyone should read it. "Rich Dad Poor Dad" is a book series written by the insightful Robert Kiyosaki, a businessman and real-estate tycoon. Robert does not just tell us what are the best real estate properties to buy or stock exchange strategies. No, on the contrary actually, Robert tells us how to start from the bottom. He explains how to get out of the rat race and into your money-making mechanism. He tells you how to triple your earnings quickly but effectively. Oh, but this must be a scam. All of these scenarios are too good to be true. It has worked full-handedly for me. His strategies are backed up and used by almost all of the wealthiest men in the world, and then some. His tellings are no secret, but they are rarely implemented by the general public. Though it still may seem too good to be true, if you implement everything Robert says in this book, it is almost certain that you will get to his level of wealth within a few years of hard work. For me, I was able to treat money and life with respect after reading only one of his books. I am on the second book now. Though time has been short, I made sure to invest my money into things that count. Instead of buying myself lavish items, I was able to invest and make enough money to constantly increase my investments. I do not have a lot of investments, but I am surely still on my way to the top. Hence me being here right now. Now, no, my book may not seem as exciting as your murder mystery or Christmas fairy tale. But to me, it is just as engrossing. And to me, it is most certainly more impactful.

I have first handily watched a single parent, my mother, do the impossible. Continuing schooling while raising a child is an amazing feat, and yet my mother did just that. I hope to follow in her footsteps and show the same courage that she did throughout her life. For most of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We did not see him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take good care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. The biggest obstacle I have seen, first handily, was time and energy. It is tough to do multiple jobs at once meant for two people. It is doable, but it is hard. You need to prioritize and spend every second wisely. If something goes out of the plan, the whole day does. On top of that, you need to have constant energy to keep going. Even if everything does work out, it is hard to get yourself up to clean the house after a full shift and dealing with a kid. All in all, I have major respect for other single mothers out there. My mother and I conquered this journey, and with determination, I know others can too. With such an amazing feat, I hope to show my future kids by example similarly to what my mother did. It is a big life factor, and I think everyone deserves to see this kind of sympathy, courage, care, and hard work that my mother desplayed during this time.

For most of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We did not see him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take good care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. The biggest obstacle I have seen, first handily, was time and energy. It is tough to do multiple jobs at once meant for two people. It is doable, but it is hard. You need to prioritize and spend every second wisely. If something goes out of the plan, the whole day does. On top of that, you need to have constant energy to keep going. Even if everything does work out, it is hard to get yourself up to clean the house after a full shift and dealing with a kid. All in all, I have major respect for other single mothers out there. My mother and I conquered this journey, and with determination, I know others can too.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfill anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving yourself, and having fun that makes you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to do so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change like it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making others happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is definitely worth a shot to make a difference.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving on yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to doing so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change like it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making other's happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is definitely worth a shot to make a difference.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is definitely a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfillment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthily. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathizing only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall down, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at our fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgments. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is an absolutely terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

I have always been a single child. I have never had siblings or anybody relating to such a status in my life. I enjoyed it, but I often think that I miss out on a lot of adventures because of it. However, there was a time in my life when this was not going to be the full case. A few years ago, we were heavily looking to adopt. My parents are not able to make another baby, and they are also too old to anyway. We would want to adopt a daughter that was already a few years old. This was our plan, and we were so excited for it to come true. However, sadly, this never was the case. To this day, I am still an only child. Though I regret it, I understand that everything happens for a reason. Even though we did not end up adopting this daughter, we were very close to her. We started with a blind eye. We did not know anything about adopting. However, luckily, a good friend of ours adopted a child herself. She informed us a lot, but some of the biggest advice she gave us was to adopt outside of the U.S. as other countries are strongly struggling. We looked and ended up looking into an adoption agency to adopt from Bulgaria. It was exciting and we were all for the idea. My parents worked long and hard to not only find the perfect child to fit into our family, but to also get the necessary funds and paperwork to make this happen. I remember back when this was happening at plenty of adoption parties we went to. There were information meetings and get-togethers that seemed to happen almost every weekend. Towards the end of our search, we were looking to fly to Bulgaria to visit ourselves. We went as far as getting our passports and shots needed to leave the country. Sadly, after all of this work, we did not have the financials to make such a decision. The longer the decision went on, the shorter the possibility of this adoption was going to be. It ended up being a no-go for us. We look back and very much would have loved to adopt. We are extremely happy with our lives right now, but it would be very interesting to see a life that would have been very different. I know a lot of friends that are adopted, and they are super happy where they are at. It seems like a great idea and concept. From such an experience, I have an extremely high outlook on adoption. Though my parents did not adopt, I may look into adopting a son or daughter in the future. There is no telling what may come!

I am pursuing science. Specifically, I am pursuing exercise science. I should not be in the eyes of teachers, but here I am. Let me explain. Throughout my schooling, I was destined to be a business major. I read business books, ran businesses myself, and was the son and grandson of successful business owners. However, as it turns out, I am not going into that field. The field I was not supposed to go into was science. I was not into laboratory instances. Chemicals were not my thing and environmental studies did not interest me at all. What segment I did not look into much of was the human body. Besides health, the human body was never mentioned to me in high school or middle school. It was not until recently that I discovered this career path. Science in fitness is necessary for our human development. If you look at all of the movies in which the society is run down, most of the time, the characters are extremely obese. It is the epitome of laziness in a run-down future. For our future to be bright, I truly believe that we need to all exercise and nutrition our body. It is something that should and will likely never go away. In addition, constant development in this field is yet to learn improvements for society. This will only help everyone. Exercise is an extreme part of our culture, and I am sure that it will be for years to come. I am obsessed with exercise and fitness. Unlike the science industry, this has been with me forever. Since I was in 5th grade, I have been working out in the gym with my parents. I have played almost every sport there is. Little did I know that there was such an industry behind exercise and health specifically. It seemed like it was almost the perfect career choice. Without knowing, I have even listened to multiple podcasts and videos on exercise in hopes to improve myself. Little did I know that this learning will eventually end me up with a college degree down the line. Right now, I am currently applying to many major universities to continue my education in this field. In a few years after my bachelor, I may attempt a major in physical therapy. Only time will tell for that one though. Though a quick decision, I am happy to start learning about the human body and the effects of exercise.

This pandemic has changed a lot of things. Not only have things changed during the pandemic, but the aftermath and consequences of such a worldwide change are lasting. As described, most community work centers, learning centers, and outlooks have been converted to digital for personal safety. However, once learned that it is a sufficient device to use, online communication is now a normal operation. I have a close friend that has undergone Substance Use Disorder treatment. She started right before covid happened. Without any form of prediction, I know that she got the help that she needed initially. She stayed at the center for quite a bit. Her past was filled with lighter drug abuse, but she ended up needing her way up the scale as most others do. Before long, she was addicted to heavier stuff. I was close with her when she was doing "lighter drugs". Though it was not for me, and I always denied her requests for me to try them, I did not feel prone to tell her what to do. A lot of people have the mindset that it is their choice. If they wish to do drugs, who am I to stop them? At the time, I undergone the same mentality. Therefore, I let her do her thing. Fast forward a little, and our relationship died down. I was not upset, and it seemed pretty mutual. However, from hearing from her friends, it was getting worse. Her drug addiction seemed to be picking up. I was not in touch with her at all at this point. It has been a little bit since we talked, and the last time I tried to talk to her, it did not go smoothly. Easy to say, at this point, I was completely out of her life. I was close friends with one of her friends though. This meant that every time we met up, I got to hear how she was doing. In a gist, I heard that she was starting substance treatment. I did not know where, but I know that she was not in town anymore. A little later, I heard she was back. Now, whether that be because of covid or because she was better, I am not aware. I am aware that she ended up heading back one more time to the treatment center. This was after covid. Therefore, to my knowledge, her treatment plant kicked her out during the covid pandemic. I can not testify to this. I am sure they did this in hopes of the well-being of all of the patients. I think this was a good thing. My last news of her, she is doing light treatment virtually. I also assume that this is in connection with covid, as I am sure that they did a similar form of treatment during the pandemic. Since she is doing so great, the treatment virtually is working. I do not protest this form of treatment, as it has positive benefits. It seems as if it is just allowing the second form of treatment to patients. More types of treatments are great! So, though it may have been hard during covid to get through Substance Use Disorder treatment, I believe that at the end of things, it was a good use of part of the treatment.

This pandemic has changed a lot of things. Not only have things changed during the pandemic, but the aftermath and consequences of such a worldwide change are lasting. As described, most community work centers, learning centers, and outlooks have been converted to digital for personal safety. However, once learned that it is a sufficient device to use, online communication is now a normal operation. I have a close friend that has undergone Substance Use Disorder treatment. She started right before covid happened. Without any form of prediction, I know that she got the help that she needed initially. She stayed at the center for quite a bit. Her past was filled with lighter drug abuse, but she ended up needing her way up the scale as most others do. Before long, she was addicted to heavier stuff. I was close with her when she was doing "lighter drugs". Though it was not for me, and I always denied her requests for me to try them, I did not feel prone to tell her what to do. A lot of people have the mindset that it is their choice. If they wish to do drugs, who am I to stop them? At the time, I undergone the same mentality. Therefore, I let her do her thing. Fast forward a little, and our relationship died down. I was not upset, and it seemed pretty mutual. However, from hearing from her friends, it was getting worse. Her drug addiction seemed to be picking up. I was not in touch with her at all at this point. It has been a little bit since we talked, and the last time I tried to talk to her, it did not go smoothly. Easy to say, at this point, I was completely out of her life. I was close friends with one of her friends though. This meant that every time we met up, I got to hear how she was doing. In a gist, I heard that she was starting substance treatment. I did not know where, but I know that she was not in town anymore. A little later, I heard she was back. Now, whether that be because of covid or because she was better, I am not aware. I am aware that she ended up heading back one more time to the treatment center. This was after covid. Therefore, to my knowledge, her treatment plant kicked her out during the covid pandemic. I can not testify to this. I am sure they did this in hopes of the well-being of all of the patients. I think this was a good thing. My last news of her, she is doing light treatment virtually. I also assume that this is in connection with covid, as I am sure that they did a similar form of treatment during the pandemic. Since she is doing so great, the treatment virtually is working. I do not protest this form of treatment, as it has positive benefits. It seems as if it is just allowing the second form of treatment to patients. More types of treatments are great! So, though it may have been hard during covid to get through Substance Use Disorder treatment, I believe that at the end of things, it was a good use of part of the treatment.

For the past few years, I have been an active member of multiple community service programs. By choice? Well, not originally. However, I would say that I kept with it truly for the enjoyment of it. Let me explain. In the State of Florida, one of the higher achievement rewards requires you to commit to 100 hours of community service. Therefore, a large percentage of high school students get thrown into the field, not by choice. As a successful student in school, it is a task that would be silly for me to not take part in. However, my parents saw this viewpoint more than I did. Like many other kids, I was thrown into the idea. There are very few kids that would want to devote their free time to work. However, after a few months, I understood. Since I was just a freshman in high school, my parents and I both took a trainers class at Nates Animal Shelter located here in Bradenton Florida. It was nothing special, though I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed playing with dogs. Fast forward a week after our training was finished, we all were able to qualify as "dog sitters". This is where my parents dropped out most of the time, considering they do not need the volunteer hours and had full-time jobs to work. On the other hand, I needed those volunteer hours. Every weekend, I would take a trip up to the grounds to walk the dogs for a few hours. It seems like a simple enough task when putting it that way. However, take a dog that is locked in a cage for the whole day and gets no social interaction. It is quite the handful. Nonetheless, I stuck with it. At first, it was just a way to count the hours for this award. It was not till a few months later that I found myself getting this feeling of satisfaction. I would go in the car to go home and feel accomplished. It was as if I just finished a huge task for the day. The crazy part was, that I did not feel accomplished because I stacked my community service hours. Instead, it seemed as if it was because I was helping out in a big way. Some days, I would take care of nearly every dog. Seeing a puppy go from laying in the corner of the cage to bouncing off the walls when he sees you is something else. I was helping in a big way. I figured out what it felt like to truly help others, even if that meant only dogs. After this, I found a diverse amount of community service programs to get involved in. While participating in these and still working at Nates, I found myself layering on the hours I needed. It was not soon that I found myself doing these community service tasks to make me feel good versus just the hours. Especially on the weekends, it is one of the best ways to start the day. I am extremely grateful for this program, as it taught me a lot more about myself. As looking into the travel industry, I hope to take what I learned from volunteering and apply it to what I love. Traveling opens up the world's perspective, so allowing myself to give towards that and have a profound effect on people's world experience is a gift of its own. Making a positive impact everywhere I go is a goal to achieve.

If we follow our current paths, we are only getting worse. This is sadly true for a lot of aspects right now in our world. However, it is even sadder to see that the primary participant in this statement is our environment. It is taught in schools, broadcasted on social media, and discussed by neighbors. Yet somehow, very little is still being done. Like many, this was a clear complication for me. If we can all do the simple things, we can make a big change together. I like to contribute through my day-to-day activities, as I know these small things will add up. For instance, I turn off lights when possible, shut off the water when not used, reuse water bottles, recycle, and eat all of my leftovers. I convinced my family to install solar panels and use eco-friendly house maintenance products. These are all relatively small activities to do. Adding participants will only help our world. Soon, if enough people become self-conscious about their impact on the environment, we can turn that path around. We can improve our ecosystem in dramatic ways! My friend group tends to lean in this direction similarly. Caring for the environment is cool. Hoping for a better future is cool. And with this mindset, I usually attract other friends that think this way. It is amazing and almost shocking what you can learn from like-minded individuals who share the same passion. When shopping at the grocery store, it is so easy to not take plastic if it is not needed. This is something I often thought over, but if it was done more, it would make a profound effect on our environment from a positive standpoint. After all things are said, I think my involvement in the environment comes from my love for it. Since I was a kid, I had the biggest respect for nature. I adored its beauty, the sounds, and the feel of being completely emerged. Nature is too amazing to ruin. It seems like the most amazing gift given by god, and there is a chance that it will be gone very soon. Even now, beautiful places are being torn down for our continuation of societal development. Take nature away, and the world will be a terrible place. Taking an effort, even if it is simple and easy to do, can change our planet. It can sustain gods gift, and it will make sure nothing goes to ruin.

I respect all beliefs, so anyone's viewpoint on America is rightly justified via their selves and is completely understandable to me. However, I think that is what makes me a true American. Letting others believe in their own beliefs is what America started from. We fought for the thought process of freedom. America, after all, is known as the melting pot of the world. We sought to make a collaborative community of different beliefs. Whether you believe in one god or two, democracy or republicanism, or any other set of beliefs you have; you are welcome here. This is why I am proud to support America. Like previously stated, while there is a large portion of people who disagree with our nation, I am still happy to accept them, as that is what America is about. After that being said, I do believe that the rights and freedoms of being American do get taken for granted. Despite what you believe in, understanding and realizing the rights we have is undeniable. Supportful or not, the amount of work and thought that went into making this country the best it can possibly be should not go unnoticed. Even so, it is hard to deny that we have put a lot of amazing systems into place to carve this land into what it is today. I am extremely proud of this hard work, and with just that being in place, it is enough to make me love what America has done. Now, I personally take the positives of what this country has to offer over the negatives. While most people find one fault in the system and base their entire beliefs of the country on it, I like to have a much more positive outlook. So there are some things people are always going to disagree on. However, because America is so diverse, you can always find your support group and be with like-minded individuals. Beyond that, there are unquestionable rights that have made our society hold superior to a lot of other places. I believe this is lost in sight a large percentage of the time. Taking a step back and being grateful for all we have will shine a light on America profoundly. If one's viewpoint is diminished by a difference in opinions, it is right to socially accept them because that is what America is founded upon. Whether one likes it or not, I can say for myself that I am extremely proud to consider myself a true American.

Being a college student gives you a whole new perspective on life. Transitioning from being an instruction-abiding kid in high school to growing into an independent adult on one's own gives everyone a whole new outlook on the world. Not only that, but being surrounded by like-minded individuals similarly gives one a new advantage point on the world. When I first started at my University, I was so proud to see the diversity and community that was there. Seeing the news on the television, on social media, or in newspapers gives everyone a terrible viewpoint on acceptance and diversity. However, by seeing real-world scenarios pertaining to equal rights and the LGBTQ+ community, I am happy to see everyone moving forward on the subject. While it may be quick to say that the younger generation is more understanding of our differences, I see it as a colossal part of our community that has changed for the better. When I first arrived at my new school, I was indulging in a bit of culture shock. It took me a bit to get used to the resources, advocating, and cultural norms surrounding by being different. This is not to say that I was against diversity beforehand. However, being put into this melting pot that is socially accepted did catch me off guard. Over time, I certainly got used to this environment. With this time though, I also found myself changing for the better. This new and open-minded environment not only made me more comfortable but gave me the opportunity to fully express myself. This opportunity is always there for others to take part in, but it is not spread to the degree that it is here. I needed this eye-opening experience to truly understand what being accepting and accepted meant. I have now found myself in a position where I too advocate for others. I started college with an open mind, but now I am publicizing the idea with others. With this newfound comfort, I am able to get out and be myself. Not being afraid of what others will think of you, discriminating against you, or judging you makes such a positive impact on our people and this world. I am so engrossed in seeing this positive change at the college level that I am now hoping to be a positive role model for other generations of this world. Spreading this "open-minded" thought process to everyone is a good way to make the world an overall better place to live in. Seeing this change helped me grow amazingly as a human, and I am sure the world will soon see this new treatment of society too.

Being your boss is a dream goal for everyone. As put simply, who would not want to be their boss. I believe it turns a lot of people off when you describe how much work goes into it, but if that does not bother you, it is likely high on your list. Me personally, I do not mind working at all. I actually believe that if you can get into a rhythm, sitting down and getting to work is super enjoyable. This is especially true when you can literally pick out any job or industry you want. Looking back at my life, my family played a huge role in how I look at entrrapeneuriship today. Both my parents and both my aunts all owned very successful businesses. I got first-hand experience in the struggles they went through. Needless to say, I was not sugarcoated on the experience like a large number of people were. Even seeing them constantly working and brainstorming, I still had a deep desire to get into the self-boss lifestyle. Fast forward around three years after my parents opened up shop, I decided to make my own business. While in my parent's name for legal reasons, I had a full online store selling an arrangement of products. Based on an eBay and Amazon business strategy, I was selling a reasonable amount. This is especially true when you take into account that I was only 14 when I started. Still going strong today on the hopes and dreams, I can say I am very actively involved in an entrepreneurship lifestyle. Euntrapenurship is a very tough field. It has its perks for sure, but it seems as if everyone has it wrong. By being around it and an active participant, there are a lot of obstacles you have to just deal with. It is rare I do not get a headache sometimes throughout the day dealing with something. Whether that be on the legal side of things, financial side, or sales side; there is always something that is going wrong or can be better. It is the stuff that makes you want to quit. However, it is also the stuff that you have to drive past to reap the rewards. From this experience, I see many more business adventures in my future. It has always been my goal, and since I was lucky enough to dabble enough in the thought at a young age, I can not get enough of it now.

I want to play football. It has been the ideal lifestyle for me ever since I was a kid. It is hard to describe, but something about being an athlete and performing you's very best gets me going every day. Needless to say, I am going to become a great player later on in life. Let's shift the focus off of me now. My uncle died about a year ago today. He, along with all his friends and buddies, was an avid football fan. Now, after he is gone, I am playing football to my full potential. I am hurt and impacted that he is not going to see what I accomplish. To him, playing this game is a big deal. Like me, his life was revolving around it. To see the look on his face when I play college ball, and eventually, NFL for maybe one of his favorite games would be unreal. It brings me great devastation that he will not be here for that. However, that is not to say that all hope is failed. I know, now, that he is on my side up there. I now have a team to get me to that goal of playing for a career. I also know that he is watching me from up above, routing for me. So, not all hope is lost yet. I still have to prove something, if not for myself, but him. This route in football, though, made me discover things about myself that I would have never known. It turns out that even though I perceived myself as an introvert, I am very people-oriented. One of my biggest goals that grew from this football goal is to inspire America to get outside and work on themselves. It is such a great activity to indulge in. Physical fitness and the same motivation should be present in everyone's life. While I am strongly motivated by my uncle, I hope to strongly motivate others to work hard and accomplish their dreams too. I never saw myself as the type of person to portray this mindset. I constantly focused on myself. However, with my current situation, I find it sufficient to be able to help others along with making my life count. A future in football, whether professional or recreational, is a career choice I would be ecstatic to say that I am a part of. Doing something I love is the sole career that I want. However, if I get to help others achieve their dream, I will find myself very fulfilled.

A healthy lifestyle is many things. It is exercising, eating right, avoiding certain activities, taking part in certain activities, limiting stressors, and many more objectives. It is a hard task, to say the least. However, it is worth it in so many more ways than people understand. As the saying goes, you can take care of your health now, or you can let the doctors take care of it later. Health runs in my family. It seems as if everyone has some type of grasp on their health. There is no real rhyme or reason to it. It is just what we have always done. It is also very fun in my opinion. Taking care of your body and seeing it flourish is the pinnacle of life to me. What is life if you can not enjoy it, and that all starts with your body's health? As I mentioned before though, there are a lot of different aspects to your health. Putting your body aside, mental health has a lot to do with how you feel too. It could be argued that this has the most impactful benefit as it is the starting ground for doing things. If you have a good mental health status, more than likely you are in a situation to better your physical health too. Though most people can not say this, it leads to things such as overeating and lack of exercise. It seems as if America has fallen into this trap, and I do not want to go down with them. I currently feel great and will continue to feel great if I take care of my body. It is a feeling that I do not want to go away. College life is packed with classes, work, homework, and extracurriculars. Besides that, it is the stepping stone to becoming an adult! This is the time most people lose their healthy side of themselves, so I am making sure it stays a strong priority. I love seeing the benefits of it! Since college is a time for future growth, I find it funny how most put their health to the side. If we are working on our futures, it will be pretty ironic to not be in the right health to partake in this plan. I plan to stick with it and am excited to see where it leads me next. From time forward, I will continue to take care of my health with great passion. Not only, but I will also attempt to help others along my journey. Here's to health!

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfillment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthily. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathizing only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. My biggest fear moment came through this. Though there are resources at our fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgments. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is a terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfillment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthily. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathizing only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at our fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgments. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is a terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to do so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change as it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making others happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is worth a shot to make a difference.

As weird as it may sound, being a first-generation college student has the opposite impact on what you may think. By having two parents that did not attend college, it may be common that either parent does not want care for you to attend either. If they had a high priority or view of college, it would be very apparent and they would attend themselves, right? Well, it is very apparent that they both do think of attending college as important, but still, neither did attend it themselves. This is not even due to financials or capabilities. They simply lacked the work ethic in school. They made that very clear to me. What makes the difference is that they do not want to see me go down the same path that they did. At the end of the day, my household has a strong influence on me to attend. It is honestly a good thing. Both parents help me in any way possible. Though it is not good to help because neither knows anything about college, it is honest to help. They both try their best, and honestly, that is the best kind of help I can ask for. Since I earned my associate degree a year ahead of my class due to dual enrollment. I continued with community college for cost reasons. However, now that degree majors and colleges start to matter, I am continuing my journey at a major university. Of course, I am looking to my future with caution. I know that I will have a bright future in my career choice if I try my hardest in college right now. However, I am not going to stretch the truth. Having supporting parents like so helps so much in the college process. Even though being a first-generation student is hard, a lot of the time, you have plenty of support. I am lucky enough to say that I do.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfillment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthily. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathizing only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at our fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgments. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is a terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfill anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving yourself, and having fun that makes you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to do so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change as it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making others happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is worth a shot to make a difference.

Coming from multiple schools across the U.S., I have had a mix of lessons taught to me, but I can say the most reoccurring one would have to be based on respect. Even though I came into this sport through interest and curiosity, I left with a great love for it and lessons that kept me going. Every school's goal was to teach you self-defense in case a situation happened, but the real goal was to never have that happen. Respecting parents, siblings, friends, and strangers is the biggest deterrent to a fight. I am proud to say that even after my years of training, I have never had to use any fighting required out of class, and I think that was the goal the whole time. So much came out of this sport. More than I could ever ask for. This mindset ended up transferring over to a lot of different activities. Although unwillingly or knowingly, I started to get this "always improving" mindset for everything I did. If I did good on a test, the only option from there on out is to do even better next test. If I saw I gained muscle weight, the only option from there was to keep going to the gym and improve more. I was constantly improving my life and growing. Karate taught me a lot more than I thought it did. It was a passion, but it was also a big motivator in my life.

When looking at my most recent college applications, it is easy to tell that I spent a lot of time on extracurricular activities. I not only held major managerial positions at both Walmart and Express, but I also made time to teach Karate classes at my old dojo, volunteer at animal shelters to take care of the dogs, help my family with their business on the weekends, join the marketing club, and start my own side hustle pressure washing houses. Without saying it, first glance tells you that there is a lot of time invested to keep up with all of these activities. That is indeed right, as it was a very busy high school career for me. However, time management has made it possible. All of these activities and graduating in the top 10% of my class leave you exhausted, but it is worth it in the end. My number one piece of advice is to prioritize. I did not start my side activities until I knew my main activities were down. I had to have plenty of time for both school and after-school homework. Given this, I also had to make money to help my family. This left me with what sounds like not a lot of time. However, when looking at a calendar, you find out that there are still a few blank days left. Now, it was not intentional that I was going to fill up every day with an activity. However, some of these activities were purely for enjoyment. On the weekends, when I am done with school and work, I get to play with dogs at Nates Animal Rescue. Yes, I get volunteer hours from this. However, I also get to play with dogs! Tell me how you would spend your weekend. I am sure that this would be at the top of the list! Now, when my family needs me for their business, I am there. If I have free time, I will come. If I find myself sitting at home, might as well take a trip to the Karate Dojo, my second home, where I can spend time with friends and teach the young ones. All in, get the tasks you have to get done out of the way first. But, once done, you have a lot of time to do what you want. Do not spend it doing anything! Take advantage of it. There are plenty of activities to do. But remember, never let school slide. School is your number one. If that is held up, have fun! The world is your oyster.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfill anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving yourself, and having fun that makes you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to do so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change as it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making others happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is worth a shot to make a difference.

Eleven years, countless hours, back-to-back classes, and instructing positions give you a lot of time inside the dojo. Easy to say that there was something that was implemented right for me to stay that long. I can not put any praise on myself though; I believe all of my gratifying experiences and hard work come straight from all of the strong lessons and senseis I have had through the years. Needless to say, these years were valuable. Coming from multiple schools across the U.S., I have had a mix of lessons taught to me, but I can say the most reoccurring one would have to be based on respect. Even though I came into this sport through interest and curiosity, I left with a great love for it and lessons that kept me going. Every school's goal was to teach you self-defense in case a situation happened, but the real goal was to never have that happen. Respecting parents, siblings, friends, and strangers is the biggest deterrent to a fight. I am proud to say that even after my years of training, I have never had to use any fighting teachings out of class, and I think that was the goal the whole time. So much came out of this sport. More than I could ever ask for. Karate was a sport I found I had a passion for. Through the bad times, I found great times. It was a sport that kept me thinking. The constant progress and commitment did keep me motivated to do more. I was always trying to improve. Even if I found myself achieving a major accomplishment, I saw the only option was to keep working. This mindset ended up transferring over to a lot of different activities. Although unwillingly or knowingly, I started to get this "always improving" mindset for everything I did. If I did good on a test, the only option from there on out is to do even better next test. If I saw I gained muscle weight, the only option from there was to keep going to the gym and improve more. I was constantly improving my life and growing. Karate taught me a lot more than I thought it did. It was a passion, but it was also a big motivator in my life. I feel most people get this sport wrong. It is not so much the teaching of defense you use the most but instead, the teachings revolved around life. It is the action that gets you into the door and the lessons that make you stay. Karate has been a strong passion of mine from the start. Yes, like every sport, you get your off days. However, if you keep pushing, the reward you get is so great. I am happy I stuck to my passion. It has given me great things in life.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfill anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving yourself, and having fun that makes you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to do so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change as it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making others happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is worth a shot to make a difference.

I am not a single mom. However, I am the direct dependent of a single mom. For most of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We did not see him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take good care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. The biggest obstacle I have seen, first handily, was time and energy. It is tough to do multiple jobs at once meant for two people. It is doable, but it is hard. You need to prioritize and spend every second wisely. If something goes out of the plan, the whole day does. On top of that, you need to have constant energy to keep going. Even if everything does work out, it is hard to get yourself up to clean the house after a full shift and dealing with a kid. All in all, I have major respect for other single mothers out there. My mother and I conquered this journey, and with determination, I know others can too.

I am not a single mom. However, I am the direct dependent of a single mom. For most of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We did not see him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take good care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. The biggest obstacle I have seen, first handily, was time and energy. It is tough to do multiple jobs at once meant for two people. It is doable, but it is hard. You need to prioritize and spend every second wisely. If something goes out of the plan, the whole day does. On top of that, you need to have constant energy to keep going. Even if everything does work out, it is hard to get yourself up to clean the house after a full shift and dealing with a kid. All in all, I have major respect for other single mothers out there. My mother and I conquered this journey, and with determination, I know others can too.

I have never put much thought into my engineering abilities. Anything to do with computers, design, mechanics, or technical analysis has been on the back burner for me. In my head, it seemed as if everyone was testing their abilities on this subject, and if that is the case, why do I need to follow the herd? Well, the answer I soon found out is that I am very good at it. Let me explain. I have always been a business person. Up till recently when I decided to go into the medical field, I never really thought outside of the business world. However, I will admit to always liking cars. Particularly, any vehicle legal for street use. One thing lead to another, and I ended up buying a cheap motorcycle. Then, as the saying goes, I crashed. While not intentional by any means, I was forced to start figuring out my abilities. Let me put it this way. I did not fix my motorcycle out of willingness. I had no money and needed to get my bike back. I did not even question another way, but the end goal was to get riding again. So, I went to work. It should be noticed that the bike would be deemed salvaged by anyone with valid vision. It was in ruins. My parents referred to it as the pile of junk in the garage. Telling me it belongs in a junkyard, me being a nieve seventeen-year-old ignored them. It took me only two months, and she was up. I was in that garage every night it seemed. Ordering parts and watching tutorials took up all of my free time. However, she was better than new in a short while. It is an understatement to say I impressed everyone when showing up to places on that bike. However, most importantly, it impressed me. I did not put that much thought into it, as I said, but seeing that bike finished made me realise what a big accomplishment I did all by myself. In a field that I never would look at twice, I have accomplished something most seventeen-year-olds could never do. I rebuilt a motorcycle from scratch. No help, no tutoring, and actually, a lot of putdowns lead me to finish the project. So, at the end of the day, I am still not pursuing a degree in anything mechanic related. I am still actively working towards a medical field career. However, unlike before, I have taken a serious look into my abilities with mechanics, computers, and all things related, and I am very happy with the results.

Engineering will always be here. Mechanics will always be here. A good welder will always be here. The world needs these things, and I do not perchance that these fields will leave anytime soon. Me, I have always had an interest in cars. Vehicles have been a passion for me since I was a little kid. Growing up, I have kept up with working on them, studying them, and driving them. Whether it be two wheels or four wheels, I was always working on something. However, one of my major limitations when working on vehicles was the parts department of the industry. It was simple: if you did not have the part for your vehicle on hand, you could not fix/modify your car. It was a major drawback. Though I tried to get around it, at the end of the day, you simply can not manufacture or modify your parts without major equipment. A few years ago, I was lucky enough to have my parents buy an automotive shop. Like me, they have always been into mechanics. I was able to use plenty of their tools. This is what got me into the field of working with metal. I did only what I needed to do. I would cut grills, shave medals, and mould pieces into what I needed. Obviously, as a basic mechanic shop, they did not have an abundance of tools to make parts, but instead only to install them. I still did what I could. Later, my dad did end up buying a tack welding machine which we used often. It first came in handy when little holes would appear in a medal or we needed to weld a piece together. Though sloppy, it came in handy plenty of times. It was used to not only fix my projects but to fix customers' cars. This also meant that there were certain parts that we did not have to buy for the customers. A long time later, the machine became more and more common to us. Though I do use it often, I also find myself still using other methods of creating parts I need with various saws and air-powered tools. It is extremely up my alley. Since I found that this tool is so useful to me though, I do not see why it would not serve the world right to continue to weld. Welding is a skill too, that I do not foresee people going around. It is a field that should last a lifetime.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to do so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change as it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making other's happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is worth a shot to make a difference.

I am not a single mom. However, I am the direct dependent of a single mom. For most of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We did not see him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take good care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. The biggest obstacle I have seen, first handily, was time and energy. It is tough to do multiple jobs at once meant for two people. It is doable, but it is hard. You need to prioritize and spend every second wisely. If something goes out of the plan, the whole day does. On top of that, you need to have constant energy to keep going. Even if everything does work out, it is hard to get yourself up to clean the house after a full shift and dealing with a kid. All in all, I have major respect for other single mothers out there. My mother and I conquered this journey, and with determination, I know others can too.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving on yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to doing so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change like it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making other's happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is definitely worth a shot to make a difference. Winners and Finalists

"It was a long time ago, on a dark and scary night. It was an absent place for him, but he was still eager to get on with his operation. The storm clouds rolled in, and each peasant outside began to gather indoors for similar festivities. There were five of them including himself. All gathered around the operation table, they seemed to do this for fun. He, however, was having no fun. He found it rather gross, but his comrades forced him to continue. The room was filled with both operation tools and mysterious grins. One by one, they took turns retrieving items from the body. The room slowly filled itself with buzzing and nerves. The more the activity went on, the more serious it got. Soon, those grinning faces started to panic. It was uneasy. People started to leave as the night dragged on. Though they perceived themselves as tough, they were nothing but tired by the end of it all. Before long though, the operation was over. It was a mess, but it was most definitely worth it in the eyes of the participants. It seemed as if it was just a game to most, but some thought of it differently. The room was filled with none other than fulfilling laughs. They started arguing about cleanup. It was clear that the loser of this evil game must clean up the mess. The group looked at him. He did not like the game to begin with. However, as rules were rules, he picked up the Operation board game box and started putting the playing pieces back in. Once done, he lobbed the hotel game back in the closet and went to bed. " This story is an assignment from school. As a class, we had to create a mystery story that portrayed a scary and frightful feeling. In my story, I portrayed a male who was named to be the main character. The entire story leads up to a scary operation which is perceived as a real operation on a person. However, the last two lines clear up the story by telling the audience that it is indeed a board game and the unknown location is a hotel. The family ended up not being scared, instead, it was a normal family game night. The ending is meant to be both relevant and funny. A dramatic change in theory along with the mood in the story should give the reader a good laugh. I look upon this story often when looking for a comedic story to tell.

I have always been a single child. I have never had siblings or anybody relating to such a status in my life. I enjoyed it, but I often think that I miss out on a lot of adventures because of it. However, there was a time in my life when this was not going to be the full case. A few years ago, we were heavily looking to adopt. My parents are not able to make another baby, and they are also too old to anyway. We would want to adopt a daughter that was already a few years old. This was our plan, and we were so excited for it to come true. However, sadly, this never was the case. To this day, I am still an only child. Though I regret it, I understand that everything happens for a reason. Even though we did not end up adopting this daughter, we were very close to her. We started with a blind eye. We did not know anything about adopting. However, luckily, a good friend of ours adopted a child herself. She informed us a lot, but some of the biggest advice she gave us was to adopt outside of the U.S. as other countries are strongly struggling. We looked and ended up looking into an adoption agency to adopt from Bulgaria. It was exciting and we were all for the idea. My parents worked long and hard to not only find the perfect child to fit into our family, but to also get the necessary funds and paperwork to make this happen. I remember back when this was happening at plenty of adoption parties we went to. There were information meetings and get-togethers that seemed to happen almost every weekend. Towards the end of our search, we were looking to fly to Bulgaria to visit ourselves. We went as far as getting our passports and shots needed to leave the country. Sadly, after all of this work, we did not have the financials to make such a decision. The longer the decision went on, the shorter the possibility of this adoption was going to be. It ended up being a no-go for us. We look back and very much would have loved to adopt. We are extremely happy with our lives right now, but it would be very interesting to see a life that would have been very different. I know a lot of friends that are adopted, and they are super happy where they are at. It seems like a great idea and concept. From such an experience, I have an extremely high outlook on adoption. Though my parents did not adopt, I may look into adopting a son or daughter in the future. There is no telling what may come!

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving on yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to doing so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change like it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making other's happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is definitely worth a shot to make a difference. Winners and Finalists

I want to play football. It has been the ideal lifestyle for me ever since I was a kid. It is hard to describe, but something about being an athlete and performing you's very best gets me going every day. Needless to say, I am going to become a great player later on in life. Let's shift the focus off of me now. My uncle died about a year ago today. He, along with all his friends and buddies, was an avid football fan. Now, after he is gone, I am playing football to my full potential. I am hurt and impacted that he is not going to see what I accomplish. To him, playing this game is a big deal. Like me, his life was revolving around it. To see the look on his face when I play college ball, and eventually, NFL for maybe one of his favourite games would be unreal. It brings me great devastation that he will not be here for that. However, that is not to say that all hope is failed. I know, now, that he is on my side up there. I now have a team to get me to that goal of playing for a career. I also know that he is watching me from up above, routing for me. So, not all hope is lost yet. I still have to prove something, if not for myself, but him. This route in football, though, made me discover things about myself that I would have never known. It turns out that even though I perceived myself as an introvert, I am very people-oriented. One of my biggest goals that grew from this football goal is to inspire America to get outside and work on themselves. It is such a great activity to indulge in. Physical fitness and the same motivation should be present in everyone's life. While I am strongly motivated by my uncle, I hope to strongly motivate others to work hard and accomplish their dreams too. I never saw myself as the type of person to portray this mindset. I constantly focused on myself. However, with my current situation, I find it sufficient to be able to help others along with making my life count. A future in football, whether professional or recreational, is a career choice I would be ecstatic to say that I am a part of. Doing something I love is the sole career that I want. However, if I get to help others achieve their dream, I will find myself very fulfilled.

Since I was young, I was infatuated with YouTube. However, unlike other kids, the part of YouTube I was infatuated with was film-making. I watched YouTubers like Casey Niestat make some of the best short films. I wanted to be like that. Because of all of this, I started a YouTube channel at a relatively young age. I simply wanted to produce a video. I did not care what it was about or what happened. I just wanted to practice the art of filming and editing videos like the professionals did. I made short films that had no rhyme or reason behind them. It was simply a sequence of like-related videos mashed together into a form that I called art. I continued this channel of irrelevant videos until I decided I had to find my niche. If I wanted to take my filmmaking to the next level, I had to do it right. When I moved from Indiana to Florida, I created a new YouTube channel it. This time, though not the most creative, I decided to arrange joke videos. Looking back on it, I did have a unique setup that was out there. I made a character of myself under a store-bought mask that I created through the sequence of videos. Here, though I did care about views, I was able to thoroughly practice my art of filmmaking in a regular sequence of videos. I knew what I was editing and how I was going to edit. I became better and better, eventually using professional products such as Adobe. I gained about 100 subscribers after about 100 short films. Here is when I dropped off as school and work started getting in the way. My mother explained to me at that point that hobbies should not be scheduled and dreaded like it was. Film-making was just starting to be a to-do list in my weekly schedule. This is when I came around and stopped. It was not until about a year ago that I decided to start back up again. I had an idea to create "how-to" videos after watching so many of them. The quality of these videos remained so bad, yet they kept getting a lot of views. I knew that I could put my skill set to work. I started making how-to videos and remain to do so today. I have about 60 videos up and about 1,000 subscribers. I know that if I remain on this track, I can start a career by doing so. Taking classes in colleges such as film and theatre seemed to broaden my perspective on filmmaking. Before, I was only using little youtube tutorial advice and my perspective to craft these videos. Now, after pursuing college classes, I know how professionals handle similar film situations. I am excited to continue my career in film and find out what it has in store next for me. Now, I get to create my future life.

Engineering will always be here. Mechanics will always be here. A good welder will always be here. The world needs these things, and I do not perchance that these fields will leave anytime soon. Me, I have always had an interest in cars. Vehicles have been a passion for me since I was a little kid. Growing up, I have kept up with working on them, studying them, and driving them. Whether it be two wheels or four wheels, I was always working on something. However, one of my major limitations when working on vehicles was the parts department of the industry. It was simple: if you did not have the part for your vehicle on hand, you could not fix/modify your car. It was a major drawback. Though I tried to get around it, at the end of the day, you simply can not manufacture or modify your parts without major equipment. A few years ago, I was lucky enough to have my parents buy an automotive shop. Like me, they have always been into mechanics. I was able to use plenty of their tools. This is what got me into the field of working with metal. I did only what I needed to do. I would cut grills, shave medals, and mould pieces into what I needed. Obviously, as a basic mechanic shop, they did not have an abundance of tools to make parts, but instead only to install them. I still did what I could. Later, my dad did end up buying a tack welding machine which we used often. It first came in handy when little holes would appear in a medal or we needed to weld a piece together. Though sloppy, it came in handy plenty of times. It was used to not only fix my projects but to fix customers' cars. This also meant that there were certain parts that we did not have to buy for the customers. A long time later, the machine became more and more common to us. Though I do use it often, I also find myself still using other methods of creating parts I need with various saws and air-powered tools. It is extremely up my alley. Since I found that this tool is so useful to me though, I do not see why it would not serve the world right to continue to weld. Welding is a skill too, that I do not foresee people going around. It is a field that should last a lifetime.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is definitely a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfilment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthy. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathising only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall down, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at your fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgements. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is an absolutely terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

Though young, I consider myself to have a very good grasp of our modern world. I have opened my eyes to our culture and have been able to realize something amazing about myself. I hope to transfer this concept into a career for myself in the future. Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving on yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to doing so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change like it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making other's happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is definitely worth a shot to make a difference.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is definitely a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfilment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthy. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathising only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall down, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at your fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgements. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is an absolutely terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

Luckily, nobody in my related family has to go through PTSD. I say that we are extremely lucky because I have close relations with a neighbour with PTSD, and I see how much it affects him. I have plenty of stories and personal experiences with PTSD singularly through him. It is a very scary condition and is not looked at as much as it should be. Before moving, I knew very little about the condition personally. It was something that I never put thought into. Likewise, it seems like a condition that not many people put thought into. When we moved, one of the first things we learned about our new next-door neighbours is that the husband was in the war and suffered from serious PTSD. I did not think about it much when I first heard it, but as my parents explained it to me, I started to understand how picky this condition was. I was small at the time, so I feel as if my understanding grew much larger as the time when on. I did, though, understand fully that excessive noise was not tolerable in this area. During the fourth of July, our neighbour had to go into his basement and soundproof his room. That, along with medicated prescriptions did not help much. The wife often explained to us how impacted he was on this day, along with the new year. After this story, we made sure we kept our noise down. Though we always tried our best to support our neighbour and help his condition, we did not understand the scope of it. The more time went on, the more stories were told to us. We ended up being good friends with these neighbours, so the sympathy continued to get worse for him. Since we moved far away from where we used to live. However, even though we do not get in too much contact with our old neighbours anymore, the realization of how dramatic PTSD is still living with us. We make sure that if we hear of anyone else proposing this condition, we are going to help to our full advantage. I stay very cautious in my day-to-day life now. Even though we do not know of any surrounding neighbours with such a condition, it does not hurt to practice the same carefulness in our daily activities. PTSD is much more common than we thought. It seems as if you are not directly impacted by it, you will not even look into the topic. It is a condition I have spread awareness of since and plan on continuing spreading.

I want to play football. It has been the ideal lifestyle for me ever since I was a kid. It is hard to describe, but something about being an athlete and performing you's very best gets me going every day. Needless to say, I am going to become a great player later on in life. Let's shift the focus off of me now. My uncle died about a year ago today. He, along with all his friends and buddies, was an avid football fan. Now, after he is gone, I am playing football to my full potential. I am hurt and impacted that he is not going to see what I accomplish. To him, playing this game is a big deal. Like me, his life was revolving around it. To see the look on his face when I play college ball, and eventually, NFL for maybe one of his favourite games would be unreal. It brings me great devastation that he will not be here for that. However, that is not to say that all hope is failed. I know, now, that he is on my side up there. I now have a team to get me to that goal of playing for a career. I also know that he is watching me from up above, routing for me. So, not all hope is lost yet. I still have to prove something, if not for myself, but him. This route in football, though, made me discover things about myself that I would have never known. It turns out that even though I perceived myself as an introvert, I am very people-oriented. One of my biggest goals that grew from this football goal is to inspire America to get outside and work on themselves. It is such a great activity to indulge in. Physical fitness and the same motivation should be present in everyone's life. While I am strongly motivated by my uncle, I hope to strongly motivate others to work hard and accomplish their dreams too. I never saw myself as the type of person to portray this mindset. I constantly focused on myself. However, with my current situation, I find it sufficient to be able to help others along with making my life count. A future in football, whether professional or recreational, is a career choice I would be ecstatic to say that I am a part of. Doing something I love is the sole career that I want. However, if I get to help others achieve their dream, I will find myself very fulfilled.

I am personally not a descendant of Bolivia. However, I do have a personal relationship with someone who heavily identifies with Bolivia. I also work very closely with this person in my career. It is easy to say that culture has seeped its way into our workspace. I had little to no experience with Bolivia. Actually, I had very little experience with South America in general. However, when I joined my new job at Express, little did I know that I walked into a whole new culture. This specific friend was obviously of Spanish heritage. She would hint at subtle actions when she worked of such heritage. It was not until I started talking to her that I realized how engrossed in the culture she actually was. She explained to me how she frequently travels to and from Bolivia as that is where her family is. It shocked me how many times she visits. She explained to me about her opportunity to study in North America for school. Hence, she ended up spending her school semesters at NYU and her summers in either Florida or Bolivia. One of the biggest visuals that I was able to spot was her work ethic. She was very persistent. Now that may just be her doings, but I have a strong belief that it is via the way she grew up. She often explains her teachings of when she was younger and how it differs from America. From my research, I have a strong suggestion that her culture formed this wonderful work habit. In her personal life, I found that her taste in music is very different from a person of North American descent such as my own. Most would think that their music taste would adapt with the time she has been here. However, she is very passionate about music that originates from her culture. I have no issue with other tastes in music, so I always offered her to play what music she likes when in the car or house. I never once heard music native to America, but instead always music that is common to where she grew up. Though these are the major differences, I have spotted plenty of differences that she sticks with. I have full respect for it, and I appreciate some of her cultural differences over ours. It is a fascinating thing to learn about, especially because we are so obsolete from it here.

I am pursuing science. Specifically, I am pursuing exercise science. I should not be in the eyes of teachers, but here I am. Let me explain. Throughout my schooling, I was destined to be a business major. I read business books, ran businesses myself, and was the son and grandson of successful business owners. However, as it turns out, I am not going into that field. The field I was not supposed to go into was science. I was not into laboratory instances. Chemicals were not my thing and environmental studies did not interest me at all. What segment I did not look into much of was the human body. Besides health, the human body was never mentioned to me in high school or middle school. It was not until recently that I discovered this career path. Science in fitness is necessary for our human development. If you look at all of the movies in which the society is run down, most of the time, the characters are extremely obese. It is the epitome of laziness in a run-down future. For our future to be bright, I truly believe that we need to all exercise and nutrition our body. It is something that should and will likely never go away. In addition, constant development in this field is yet to learn emprovements for society. This will only help everyone. Exercise is an extreme part of our culture, and I am sure that it will be for years to come. I am obsessed with exercise and fitness. Unlike the science industry, this has been with me forever. Since I was in 5th grade, I have been working out in the gym with my parents. I have played almost every sport there is. Little did I know that there was such an industry behind exercise and health specifically. It seemed like it was almost the perfect career choice. Without knowing, I have even listened to multiple podcasts and videos on exercise in hopes to improve myself. Little did I know that this learning will eventually end me up with a college degree down the line. Right now, I am currently applying to many major universities to continue my education in this field. In a few years after my bachelor, I may attempt a major in physical therapy. Only time will tell for that one though. Though a quick decision, I am happy to start learning about the human body and the effects of exercise.

I am pursuing science. Specifically, I am pursuing exercise science. I should not be in the eyes of teachers, but here I am. Let me explain. Throughout my schooling, I was destined to be a business major. I read business books, ran businesses myself, and was the son and grandson of successful business owners. However, as it turns out, I am not going into that field. The field I was not supposed to go into was science. I was not into laboratory instances. Chemicals were not my thing and environmental studies did not interest me at all. What segment I did not look into much of was the human body. Besides health, the human body was never mentioned to me in high school or middle school. It was not until recently that I discovered this career path. Science in fitness is necessary for our human development. If you look at all of the movies in which the society is run down, most of the time, the characters are extremely obese. It is the epitome of laziness in a run-down future. For our future to be bright, I truly believe that we need to all exercise and nutrition our body. It is something that should and will likely never go away. In addition, constant development in this field is yet to learn emprovements for society. This will only help everyone. Exercise is an extreme part of our culture, and I am sure that it will be for years to come. I am obsessed with exercise and fitness. Unlike the science industry, this has been with me forever. Since I was in 5th grade, I have been working out in the gym with my parents. I have played almost every sport there is. Little did I know that there was such an industry behind exercise and health specifically. It seemed like it was almost the perfect career choice. Without knowing, I have even listened to multiple podcasts and videos on exercise in hopes to improve myself. Little did I know that this learning will eventually end me up with a college degree down the line. Right now, I am currently applying to many major universities to continue my education in this field. In a few years after my bachelor, I may attempt a major in physical therapy. Only time will tell for that one though. Though a quick decision, I am happy to start learning about the human body and the effects of exercise.

I have found that the most progress is made through learning and practice. You must learn how to do such an activity right, and you must practice doing such an activity right. Learning and practising make things happen. Because of this mentality I hold, I strongly value learning. It is great too, because there are so many various outlets for learning, and it is so easy to get started. In this day and age, you can literally do anything, as there is almost an infinite amount of material out there to learn about. I am going to start with a story that, at first glance, seems almost impossible. At 19, I am transferring to a university with an associate's degree. With such a transfer, I am also planning on walking into a division 1 football program. This, in itself, is already an extremely large feat. However, it gets more wild, as I do not have any football experience. I did not even think this was possible either. I have not accomplished it yet, but plenty of athletes are playing right now with the same scenario I have. Of course, I first looked to these athletes to see if I can follow in their footsteps. Though I have a lot of similar traits to them, I still was told that I am going to have to work harder than ever. Not only this, but I will also have to learn as much as possible about the game of football. Given as their number one advice: watch, study, read, and live football. Their number one piece of advice was to learn. I think this says a lot about not only the game of football but at life. There have been some extreme materials out there. What may seem impossible has been done countless times over. What I have found, is that if you want to do the impossible, you have to first learn how you are going to do it. Learning is the gate key to discovering your dreams. So, all in, if you want to accomplish anything in your life, the shortcut to doing so is to learn how to do it. Learning is so undervalued in today's society. Yes, there is school and college, but it almost seems that it is forced upon students. With all this course load, how many students continue to learn by themselves? The ones that do, though, are the ones that make it far in what they are learning about. Even adults. Once guaranteed a job, it seems as if their learning ends. Take a huge role model like Arnold Shuqrtzingger. He dominated bodybuilding at such a young age by practising (working out) and learning (different poses, and techniques...). He could have been done after that. Just like everyone else, he found an income stream which he could have spent the rest of his life doing. But he didn't. Arnold kept learning and became an actor and a governor. I am sure he went on to dominate other industries too. The point is, he could have settled for average, but he kept learning and became great. In the end, learning can make you great. It seems like it could be the answer to success. I am learning not only in college but on my own. I am studying football like no other right now. I am also self-studying in bodybuilding and kinesiology. If there is any way to the top of a field, it is to know how to do it first. To the learners!

The way our future is developing, it is near to say that computers will be at the centre of our focal point. I am going, to be honest; I do not enjoy computers. However, this is to say merely because I am bad at working on them. Whether I like it or not, I needed to familiarize myself with their workings and what they do to get ahead in this world. Like so many successful people say, you need to change with the times. This is my story of how I changed with the times. I am debating on my transferring major as of now. Though, I will know that no matter what major I go in, I will be well educated on computers already as I have a thorough understanding that they will be used in our learning and career. I have not only gotten familiar with how to work them, but I also have a valid understanding of how to fix them based on self-learning. Though I still do not have a fascination with them, I can happily say that I know a thing or two about them. While it may be unconventional to award a person who does not particularly enjoy computers this scholarship, I find it to be the opposite. Yes, I do not have a thorough passion for computers, but I have had to use more willpower, dedication, and thought processes when learning them in effect. Others will probably have a very easy time stepping into the computer world. However, similar to a grandma, technology confuses me at times. This is why I am so proud to say that I have a decent knowledge of the subject. Although it was not easy, this will propel me above and beyond in my advanced future learning and career. It is a topic I know I will see in the future, and I am no longer scared to say that it is the future.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is definitely a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfilment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthy. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathising only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall down, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at your fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgements. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is an absolutely terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving on yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to doing so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change like it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making other's happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is definitely worth a shot to make a difference.

From the way I see it, our society is constantly evolving. Some may say that everything we do is going down hill, but from looking at the past, I see differently. If we are talking about technology, standards, or rights; our society is constantly striving to improve. Sometimes we may not, and that is part of the game, but the effort is put in by almost all of us to get better as either a person, company, or society. The personal goal to improve oneself is almost shared universially through our world. I will agree that some do not have the same driver as others, but since evolution, we all have a basic sense to improve. Just the other day, a popular yoututber going by the name of "Mr. Beast" flew to a small village in Africa to donate water (Jimmy Donaldson). This man has told the press before that he gets very little profit from his videos and insteads spends the money on the videos such as this. While this is an extreme senareo on advancing society, it is happeing in our world today. The world does have its major downfalls. Disagreements happen and will continue to happen. That is not avoidable and will never be, but this is also not a reason to get discouraged. Humans are not perfect, so this will never not be an issue. It is just a situation we have to see as a little step back and imrpove even greater in the come back. Even if we are all not as motivated as Jimmy is, all 7 billion of us human beings are striving to get better at something. If we all have that mindset, 7 bilion people can make a big difference. If we keep going the way we are going, I have no doubt in my mind that we will keep improving at an exponential rate.

While in my automotive conquest faze of life, I have gotten my eyes opened to the realist perspective of the world. At seventeen years old, I bought my first motorcycle. As of being in a family that revolved around two wheels, it was inevitable that I would join myself. However, little did I know the realizations that would come from this. Riding on two wheels is very dangerous. It is not for everyone. In fact, because of the dangers, I have already retired from riding with only two years of road time under my belt. I can also say that it is sole because of the dangers that come from it. Though there are many, I have seen that road conditions and traffic systems are the main hazards that one has to look out for. When you are in a car with four wide tires, road conditions tend to dilute. You have suspension, a plush seat, and three other wheels to keep you in control if one hits a pothole. However, when you step on a machine meant for the racetrack, you soon realise that our road conditions are not suited for this. I was indeed shocked at how bad our roads were. I consider myself a very good rider given my interest and effort put into the activity. However, I got very scared on certain roads. Looking back at it, the scariest part is that these roads are the very busy city street or interstates. The roads that get travelled on the most are the sketchiest. Living in Florida, motorcyclists and scooter riders are very common. In a part of the world that is almost always warm, it is an efficient and practical way to commute. It surprised me, though, that all of these riders put up with the same road conditions and do nothing about it. I have heard plenty of stories of wipeouts and crashes solely due to poor roads. Whether that be slippery winemakers, potholes, grooves, or gravel; you certainly notice them when you are out in the open like that. More, you have awakened to them abruptly if you do not happen to see these hazards by a crash or slide. Overall, I strongly think that cities across America should focus on motorcycle design for roads. If a motorcycle can drive on the street safely, it is sure that a car can too. Right now, our system is based on cars. When designing, it is an important characteristic to put a key highlight on the worst possible scenario. By catering to less capable and plush vehicles, it will assure a safe driving range. When I contribute, I will put the harshest and most raw vehicle in my mind when designing city streets. Starting from the worst will insure safe driving for everyone. Even the people that decide to ride on two wheels.

I have never put much thought into my engineering abilities. Anything to do with computers, design, mechanics, or technical analysis has been on the back burner for me. In my head, it seemed as if everyone was testing their abilities on this subject, and if that is the case, why do I need to follow the herd? Well, the answer I soon found out is that I am very good at it. Let me explain. I have always been a business person. Up intell recently when I decided to go into the medical field, I never really thought outside of the business world. However, I will admit to always liking cars. Particularly, any vehicle legal for street use. One thing lead to another, and I ended up buying a cheap motorcycle. Then, as the saying goes, I crashed. While not intentional by any means, I was forced to start figuring out my abilities. Let me put it this way. I did not fix my motorcycle out of willingness. I had no money and needed to get my bike back. I did not even question another way, but the end goal was to get riding again. So, I went to work. It should be noticed that the bike would be deemed salvaged by anyone with valid vision. It was in ruins. My parents referred to it as the pile of junk in the garage. Telling me it belongs in a junkyard, me being a nieve seventeen-year-old ignored them. It took me only two months, and she was up. I was in that garage every night it seemed. Ordering parts and watching tutorials took up all of my free time. However, she was better than new in a short while. It is an understatement to say I impressed everyone when showing up to places on that bike. However, most importantly, it impressed me. I did not put that much thought into it, as I said, but seeing that bike finished made me realise what a big accomplishment I did all by myself. In a field that I never would look at twice, I have accomplished something most seventeen-year-olds could never do. I rebuilt a motorcycle from scratch. No help, no tutoring, and actually, a lot of putdowns lead me to finish the project. So, at the end of the day, I am still not pursuing a degree in anything mechanic related. I am still actively working towards a medical field career. However, unlike before, I have taken a serious look into my abilities with mechanics, computers, and all things related, and I am very happy with the results.

I am transferring to a large university to major in Kinesiology. While that may seem like a boring start, this is one of the most exciting introductions in my life. Let me explain why. All through pre-college schooling, I have been determined to pursue a business degree. Even beyond that, I was heavily driven to open up my own business. I have started 2 separate companies since, and it has been a blast. It was everything I hoped for. Yet somehow, I am pursuing a kinesiology field next semester. If that does not describe how exciting that introduction was, maybe this will: on all of the career tests I have taken, I scored the absolute lowest in the medical field. This means that out of all the career paths, I should be least interested in the medical field. However, here I am. To tell you why I had to look past the surface-level aspects. My parents all owned a business, I have owned two registered businesses, and I have had multiple teachings taught to me about business in various ways. I have a strong desire to build a financially free life for myself while also having fun doing what I do. So, why am I going into the medical field? I later found out that life is not all about money. On the contrary, life is about family, friends, and having fun. Enjoying life to the maximum is what makes it count the most, and I have been doing a very poor job of that in my recent years. At only 19 years old, I can not say that I have enjoyed life the way I should. To not dig too deep down this path, I want to pursue a career that is not about the money, but instead a career that I will thoroughly have fun in. This career leads me down the path of kinesiology. Though unexpected, I am going to do whatever it takes to make me happy. This opened my eyes to the medical field, and I have since found out that I have a strong passion for this subject. I have all my life, but since everyone pushed the medical field aside and shoved business to me, I have never had a breathing chance to see for myself what I want to do. I have heard that the crazier the thought, the more success is prone to it. I feel that this holds its weight here. My goals for this field are not laid out in stone yet, as I have just recently started studying material related to my major. While the brain does fascinate me, I am seeing that human fitness may be a wiser choice considering my self aspects. All in all, I may finish with a major in physical therapy, while others recommend me to the path of sports medical assistance, where I can fulfil a duty such as a nurse to the staff. Either way, I count it as very exciting, and I hope that translates well into this essay.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is definitely a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfilment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthy. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathising only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall down, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at your fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgements. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is an absolutely terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

I am not trying to give myself over credit, but I have come an extremely long way, mentally and physically, from last year at this time. To say the least, I have withheld a great recovery from where I was before. Let me explain my journey... Without getting into too much detail with personal drama, I have had a lot of stuff happen to me this year. I can say for just about anyone, going from an extreme high to an extreme low will put anyone into a deep slump. It takes a lot out of you. I fell into a dark sadness for a lot of my life. About a year ago, I was still in the ruts of this. Though I was working on myself on my road to recovery, I was still down in a dark place. I was trying, but it seemed like nothing was working. Fast forward to today, and I am better than ever. I have learned so many new ideas and techniques on the way up that it seems like I am never going to be in that in that situation again. What happened between those moments for me was life-changing. This year may have been the most important year of my life. Here is how I accomplished it. I first started working on myself. Take it from me, when you are feeling sad, sometimes you choose not to be happy. That is ok too. You need to take time for yourself to heal. Sometimes, all you can do is let time run its course. In the meantime though, you should use this to your advantage. Grow yourself. During this time, I have accomplished a lot. To this day, I am extremely happy that I did the things I did during this time. I often went to the gym, ate healthily, started a business, got boring schoolwork done, worked on investments, and started side hustles. Now, a year later, I am reaping the benefits of all of this hard work. On top of that, I am mentally healthier than I ever was. So, in short, I am not only as happy as ever, but I also got a lot of hard work past me. I always thought of it this way: you are not enjoying life anyway, so might as well get some stuff done in this time. It seemed to have worked. I just had to remember that there was light at the end of the tunnel. Remembering this saved me from going into an even deeper state of mind. After this, I learned. One of the biggest lessons I learned when struggling at this time was that happiness is a choice. I have always heard this statement, but I never understood it. I fully understand it now. If you smile, laugh, and be positive, you will be happy too. You can choose to be happy. Though sometimes you choose that you do not want to be happy, if at any moment you want to enjoy life again, you can simply choose to do so. It is as simple as it seems. This lesson did wonders for me. I am truly a different person after it, and I am extremely glad to see what I turned out to become. This year, I went through a lot, but I would have it no other way. Progress and recovery is the best feeling and journeys to go through. I am extremely happy with the past year, despite the ups and downs it may have taken me in.

Recovery is the action of improving. It means hope, bettering yourself, and emerging out of a dark place. It is one of the best scenarios to be in, and here is my experience with it. Coming from a point of peak happiness to getting engulfed in negatives will put one in a very bad place. It has been years since this collapse, and I am still getting over it to this day. Though I will not go into detail on personal topics as such, I will say that I was sent into a dark depression for a very good bit. To this day, I look back on the journey often though, and I am very pleased with what I see. I see learning, personal growth, and enjoyment. Every day is a step in the right direction. Though it may take a long time and feel hopeless often, it is a rewarding journey that I can not praiseenoughh. Though I hope nobody has to dive deep into a scenario where they need to focus on recovery, I do hope that everyone experiences a great comeback story in their lives at some point. To the fighters!

I do not think gaming should be cancelled. This is like any major likelihood. Though, yes, there are bad attributes associated with gaming, it is too big of a following for these attributes to cancel the whole culture. Similarly to activities such as track racing and target practice. Yes, self-driving cars and banning all firearms would solve the problem these activities enforce, but there is too big of a following to completely ban these subjects. I am not here, though, to talk about my viewpoints on these subjects particularly. I am here to say that gaming can be fixed, and here is how. Gaming is making our youth who they are. Gaming is also making our future into what it is becoming. This large emphasis on developing electronics is coming into our world because of the large crowd it brings in. It also brings in negatives though, too. For instance, a lot of parents will emphasize the time spent on gaming versus other activities. Another common issue is that the "gaming language" is not conditioned to normal world conversations. Something that may be taken as a light joke in a video game may instead cause some disturbance in the real world. Though this is indeed a negative attribute overall, I do believe there sheds some positivity onto our culture. For starters, this broad acceptance of gaming jokes may lighten the mood for disturbing topics. For instance, on the receiver part, hearing an insulting statement towards them in the real world may not harm them as much as if they did not indulge in this language. I understand that this is a rare point of view, but it is something that I think should be acknowledged. In addition, instead of completely banning certain subjects to be talked or joked about, a better way of going about things would be education on what is right and wrong to say in the real world. It is less than the people bringing these subjects up in normal conversation who want to offend others, but instead is a lack of knowledge that it does indeed offend others. A warning or comment on what is appropriate and what is not should be condoned more. For some people, it is not common sense. I believe that this difference in language can be looked at in two different lights. Some may say that it is an abomination to our society to allow such communication online. Others may look at it with positives. It certainly makes each other laugh and enjoy themselves. It makes each other tougher and not get offended by rude remarks. And, it may allow a pathway for better education on what is culturally appropriate and what is not. We can use this "disadvantage" to our blessing, especially with all of the action going on in today's world. In all, be considerate to others, but more importantly, understand what you are saying and when you are saying it.

When I first moved to Florida, the cycling community caught me off guard. I moved from a suburb in Indiana. With a town being solely filled with corn fields and farms, it was not an avid centre for bike riding. It was not an avid centre for much at all besides farming. Moving to Florida gave me a big culture shock. However, at the top of that list, I was most fascinated by all of the cyclists. Florida is filled with bike lanes. It seems as if every single road in Florida has a bike lane. It also seems like every bike lane has at least a dozen cyclists on them at all times. Now, seeing cyclists on the road during the day was crazy for me. Seeing cyclists at night, in the rain, and travelling in packs of twenty-plus was incredible. If someone would have told me about this scene of bike riders, I would not have believed them. Now, to focus on me. I rode bikes before. I had a bike. But it was nothing compared to what I needed. To get into the game, I looked up videos on videos on the rules of bike riding. The street scenario scared me the most. To be legally allowed to bike with cars around you is a very sketchy situation. After all of this research, I needed a good bike. I ended up getting a cheap bike that my father bought me. While it was considered "the entry" bicycle, it was worlds better than my old bike. And just like that, I was on my way. First off, it was much harder than I thought it was going to be. My family's first bike ride was hard. We stayed on the sidewalks for the majority of the time, but we still ended up tracking many miles. Our destination was the ice cream store on the other side of town. We made it, but the cycle back was gruelling. After that, I continued to bike around the neighbourhoods and communities near me. As I got older, I was able to bike ride to all different parts of town. I eventually was able to join a community which I considered family. We bonded together, but our sole agent was cycling. It was a very great thing to indulge myself in. It allowed me to meet all types of people. Today, though I am not as active as I used to be, I still cycle to clear my head. It is a great activity that I can not complement enough. Now, do not even get me started on the positive health side of things...

Like the majority of people, I started playing golf at the large franchise "Top Golf". Also, like others, I fell in love with the game. What started as simply hitting the ball downfield as far as I could ended up being a game of technique and strategy. As my family sipped cocktails and ate their pizza, me and my dad I were in full swing in action. Perfecting our craft was more fun for us than lounging around. Though I had absolutely no experience with golf at the time, it was one of the most engulfing activities I have been a part of in this time frame. My father had played golf here and there. He had a set of golf clubs that got dusted off every year. Besides that, we were just not that big into golfing. However, as it turns out, my uncle is avid at the sport. We found this out after that Top Golf game. Once we got heard of this, all three of us got into motion. My uncle did not play much, but he was very keen on the rules and how to play. He served well as a coach figure. My father is in very good shape, so he was undoubtedly the best player. He also had more experience than I did. Though I was not very good with the green, I still was fascinated with the concept. Being able to hit the ball so far based on form and technique over raw bruit is an art. I practised and definelty improved. I watched golf often with my family. I found it very intersting as opposed to what many call boring. Not only did I watch to learn from it, but I also found myself watching for the love of the game. I would practice by myself to show off my skills later to my family. It was a fun way to see them proud of me. My current self compared to that day at Top Golf is very different. Golf, to me, is not about being the best though. From my perspective, it is about forming a family bond and having fun in a way that would not be possible without the game of golf. I do not play to be the best professional the world has ever seen. I play to have fun with my family. To me, it is well worth it. So, as I said, though I am not a master, I definitely enjoy the sport to the fullest, and I think that matters most. I play often with this group of family, and it is what keeps us so close to eachother. To me, golf means family.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfilment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthy. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathising only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. I saw god in these times and bonded with him more than I ever had. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at our fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgements. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is a terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. This was the time I believed most in my god. I focused on helping him more than myself. I knew, that if I just followed his word, my world would be a better place. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

I am not a single mom. However, I am the direct dependent of a single mom. For most of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We did not see him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take good care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. The biggest obstacle I have seen, first handily, was time and energy. It is tough to do multiple jobs at once meant for two people. It is doable, but it is hard. You need to prioritize and spend every second wisely. If something goes out of the plan, the whole day does. On top of that, you need to have constant energy to keep going. Even if everything does work out, it is hard to get yourself up to clean the house after a full shift and dealing with a kid. All in all, I have major respect for other single mothers out there. My mother and I conquered this journey, and with determination, I know others can too.

When I first moved into my neighbourhood six years ago, I was just a middle school student. However, this middle school student had the drive to start making an impact. I have come a long way from Indiana to a new land in Bradenton Florida. Though my neighbourhood is filled with old people, I would still say that there is a good mix of diversity here. I got to work. I did not just want to sit around when I am brand new knowing nobody. Knowing that this neighbourhood, though, was full of elders, I felt that I can help out with anything they need. I produced some fliers on the computer that simply explained my presence in the neighbourhood. I also included that if anyone needs any help, let me know. Needless to say, my parents were also delighted with the idea and fully on board. I went around and passed out about thirty fliers to my immediate neighbours. I was able to meet a lot of people this way alone. I now had a definite presence in the neighbourhood. This was good alone, but the month after was even better. I was doing yard work, pet sitting, cleaning houses, and helping on worksites for a large majority of my neighbours. Though I was making money, this was the least benefit from it. I was getting to know everyone very well while making a good name for myself. Six years later, I am great friends with everyone. I still help out every single household that I did when I first started. Even though I am attending college and have a full-time job, they know, if they need my help, I will be there in a jiffy. Everyone has been so grateful too. Just last week, my neighbour ended up needing major heart surgery. I was able to take over his cleaning business and run it while he is in the hospital. His wife very generously thanked me, saying that if I was not here, there was no other option for them to keep the business afloat. It is stuff like this that makes me extremely happy that I did the things I did. I am leaving for a university this January away from home. Everyone is very sad to see me going, but they all expressed their thankfulness to me recently. I am glad to have made a lasting impact on this neighbourhood during the time I was here. I made a lot of new friends during this time, and I do not regret any of it.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to do so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change as it did mine. I lacked my response, though, to gifted children. When I look at kids like these, I see people that will follow along with society, just to fit in. While this is not just a mere stereotype I have. It has been found with research that children that do not fit in will do anything to do such. This rate to "fit in" is drastically higher than the average child's. Now, going back to the topic, I would not be surprised if the number one culprits of the "money are all" mindset fall into the hands of these children. After all, the more money you have, the cooler you are, right? I am seeing that for my career, I hope to change the entire world. However, I also hope to change the gifted people in this world too. Unintentionally, this may be the biggest group that experiences change. I will be glad to see if it does. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making other's happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is worth a shot to make a difference.

Taking place in the 10th grade of high school, it was about time for me to find a job after school. After looking, I was able to hold a steady job at Walmart. I loved the job. However, I, being a man of short height, was never really good at my job. It was shocking when I was able to outlast more new hires there. The surprise on everyone's faces when I kept showing into work was priceless, and the best part about it was that I was short. Let me explain. I was a stocker when I originally started. Though two years later, I became a team lead, and for most of my time there, I was stocking shelves on the sales floor and backroom. Common sense tells us that it would be very hard to reach the top shelf if you are short. Take it from me, if you start a stocking job at a grocery store, make sure you are tall. Either way, I was the shortest person on the team. Standing at 5 foot 9, I did not even consider myself short. It was also not an objective I looked at when I was looking for a job. Like most people, I do not think that you look at your height much. This was not on my list of job specifications when I was looking. Walking into the position, I was greeted by co-workers standing between 6 foot and 6 foot 7. The short jokes started to pile on once I met everyone. Trust me, I know every short joke in the book. Specifically, there was this one co-worker with which I would have a lot of fun. As he was the tallest of the crew by far, it was a strange combo to see us two get along so great. However, it worked magnificently. As I said, I am not tall. However, my friend is extremely. After getting called jokes all through my job career, I never said one joke to anyone else. This simply was because everyone else was much taller than me. How can you make fun of an entire group that is tall when you are indeed the only odd one out? Because me and my friend I were so close, I started making fun of his height. We would end up arguing, and when managers came around to ask what the problem was, they would hear us getting into a disagreement over height. It started to be a problem. Now, it was not a real problem as we were both so close. However, the arguments were lasting and prominent. All over height. Since I have ended up leaving Walmart to continue college. However, to this day, I still remember our fights in detail, and it still makes me chuckle.

In my future career, I am hoping to help others realise that money is not everything when it comes to life. As opposing as it may seem, I am reaching out to become a financial advisor to give people financial freedom, something I believe all Americans want. While a rewarding end goal, I want to make the realization known that this is not what makes one happy though. Life is supposed to be filled with friends, family, and adventure. Yes, it is hard to do such things without a consistent and reliable income, but what most people do not see is that chasing "the bag" is not what will make you happy. I am fortunate enough to say that I have had a point in my life where I was making good money at a younger age. While nice, that is simply all it was. It was "nice" to be able to buy my dream motorcycle and fill my closet with nice shoes. It was "nice" to be in a state of so forth luxury, but that was all it was. It was not life fulfilling or gratifying. What is, is a life full of friends and happiness. Though I was at a much lower point financially, I was much happier before I received this money. By the state in which people are in today, it seems as if they have to realize this for themselves. I am looking for a good University to transfer to. As of right now, I have an associate degree in the general arts from the State College of Florida in Bradenton. I pursued this at a community college specifically for the cost. However, now since I am getting into degree-specific learning, I am going to need to transfer to a college worth its weight. Therefore, right now, I am applying to many colleges to transfer in the spring term, both in-state and out-of-state, in hopes to get the best education I can. With this education, I can hopefully start a career that gives me the outlook I need. With my career, I hope to make the change the world needs. To conclude, yes money is important. Yes, one can even say it is the basis of all modern-day living. But what I am hoping to make America and society understand is that we should not live for it. It seems like these days, people will throw anything under the bus for some cash. By giving others this freedom, I hope all will realise this.

As weird as it may sound, being a first-generation college student has the opposite impact on what you may think. By having two parents that did not attend college, it may be common that either parent does not want care for you to attend either. If they had a high priority or view of college, it would be very apparent and they would attend themselves, right? Well, it is very apparent that they both do think of attending college as important, but still, neither did attend it themselves. This is not even due to financials or capabilities. They simply lacked the work ethic in school. They made that very clear to me. What makes the difference is that they do not want to see me go down the same path that they did. At the end of the day, my household has a strong influence on me to attend. It is honestly a good thing. Both parents help me in any way possible. Though it is not good to help because neither knows anything about college, it is honest to help. They both try their best, and honestly, that is the best kind of help I can ask for. Since I earned my associate degree a year ahead of my class due to dual enrollment. I continued with community college for cost reasons. However, now that degree majors and colleges start to matter, I am continuing my journey at a major university. This is a big chor obstacle for me, but like with my associate degree, both of my parents have helped me on my way. All of this work and effort going into college diminishes the view of it for a lot of people. Is it even worth it? Being a first-generation student, I can surely say that it is for me. While college may not be right for everyone, it is certainly right for me. Simply the pride that my parents show me for my current success is good enough. It is so rewarding seeing them so happy. It is almost as if they were more excited to see that degree come in the door than I was. Of course, I am looking to my future with caution. I know that I will have a bright future in my career choice if I try my hardest in college right now. However, I am not going to stretch the truth. Having supporting parents like so helps so much in the college process. Even though being a first-generation student is hard, a lot of the time, you have plenty of support. I am lucky enough to say that I do.

Every day, I wake up to a smiling face in front of me. My dog is my alarm clock. I can not choose a better way to start the day either. My pupper, Zero, was a stray exactly one year ago yesterday (July 16, 2021). He was looked down on so much in the kennel. Due to his past life, he had missing patches of fur, a strong odour, eye puss, red skin, and was very small. When looking for a dog, I specifically picked him because of how pitiful he looked. I remember my parents asking me if I was trying to buy a dog or a rat when I said I wanted him. They thought I was crazy, but I knew him and I would be best friends. We would later grow to be the best possible versions of ourselves, side by side. Fast forward a year. It turned out that he was so small simply because he was a puppy. He is now a 90-pound monster of pure muscle. Though nobody could tell before, we found his two breeds to be Husky and German Shepard, making him one of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen. His skin healed up with a new diet and his eyes got better from simple medication that he eventually got off. Now, what stands before our family is a bright blue-eyed wolf. He gets the most amount of compliments. Everyone says how great he acts and looks. It is a funny story when we show them a picture of the first day we picked him up. It is strange how life works. I chose the most beat-up dog simply to help him. I wanted the best for him, and I can see that we would be best buddies. I got this beautiful and loyal dog by my side in return. I was in a dark place when I got Zero. Though it seemed like a shower of many different tragedies, I was left with nothing in life. Everything seemed to fall to ground zero for me. One of my first doings was to get a dog to cheer me up. Having a loyal companion is exactly what I needed after all of these tragedies occurred. I am doing extremely well today. I have picked up all the broken pieces in my life and now am better than I ever have been. You can say that Zero and I tackled the world together! I look back and see how far we both made it. We have such good lives now, and it makes it all the better to see how far we have come. Zero was there since the beginning. He is roughly a year and a half now, and I can not wait to see what the world has in store for us!

I am going to be blunt. I would have followed the stereotype of a teenage kid if it was not for my karate training. My mentality, goals, and willpower come straight from that dojo. I am so grateful for it, and I am even prouder today to show what I have become from it. Before karate, I was just an average kid that did not care about himself or the future. After, I am a new man. At school, I make sure that I push myself outside of my comfort zone to become a leader. Any chance I get, I make sure to stand out and help progress the class forward. I am not a very outgoing person personality wise. I have to push myself to do this. However, it has brought me great success in my schoolwork. I am a completely different kid in school than I used to be before. During training, I need to be resilient, focused, and determined. If not, I will not get anything out of my training. It is one of the most important things when doing any sport. Karate has taught me to do this, and I have seen amazing improvements from it. Not only from me, but since my entire class practices this, I have seen a lot of students progress in amazing ways. I make sure to be very unselfish at home. There are things I can do around the house for the family. For instance, I make sure to vacuum every day because our dogs shed. Though my parents used to do this, they get busy at their work. In the end, I found it to be a very unselfish and morally correct thing to do for my family. From being this way with my family, I have been able to unconsciously do the same for every human in my life. Whether it is at work, school, or out-of-school activities. I make sure to help out the team before I focus on myself. Lastly, in everything I do, I make sure to have a good work ethic. I put 100% effort into everything I do. I try my hardest to be the best I can be. I work harder than anything for every task. This, alone, has been my biggest improving technique. If you practice everything you do, you will be great at everything you do. I have gotten to be good at things such as driving, cooking, and cleaning just because I try to do my best at it any time I get. I value all of these work ethics, and more! I can not point to anyone else besides my karate teacher for teaching me all these wonderful lessons. I am a completely different kid coming out of karate, and I am proud to be. I am extremely excited to see what my future looks like coming out of this. I am going to continue to practice all of these morals continually, and hopefully, as I master each one, I can have the ability to teach others about these traits and how great they are.

I am not personally entering cybersecurity. Though I am very much considering a degree in business or finance, I do understand the prominence of cybersecurity. On top of that, I have plenty of friends that are entering the field as well. It is with great confidence that I can say we need these people. The people that are going to be the new police force of the online world. After getting to know this field better, I have a great viewpoint of it right now. I knew little about cyber security since the last year. I did not care to understand it. I had a little online presence as I do not spend much time there. Therefore, why do I even need to know anything about security if I am not on there? However, I now know that this is blatantly false. Everyone on earth spends time there. Whether you are a hardcore gamer that spends hours at a time online or a busy mom that has an eight-year-old cellphone, I now know that everyone has a presence online. After going to different colleges, my friend and I got together to meet up again. We ended the day by going out to eat. Naturally, we started talking about our majors. As I am just now getting my associate degree, I have not picked a final major yet, though it seems like it is going to be in business. On the contrary, though, my friend started talking about his chosen major. He talked about the scale online has gotten too. Not only that, but with such a scale, he told me how many ways there are to take advantage of it. He wanted to go into the computer field anyway, since highschool, but he recently just found out how much of an industry is in cybersecurity. It is too far beyond my understanding, but I can confidently say that he understands the industry to the fullest. After dinner with my highschool friend, I did not just know what cyber security was, but I also knew how important it was to us. I used this knowledge myself to be safe online. I applaud him for helping me. So, although I am personally not majoring in cybersecurity, I am dabbling in the education of it. It is profound in business, so I feel as if I need to know the basics for sure. It is an industry not to look past!

This pandemic has changed a lot of things. Not only have things changed during the pandemic, but the aftermath and consequences of such a worldwide change are lasting. As described, most community work centres, learning centres, and outlooks have been converted to digital for personal safety. However, once learned that it is a sufficient device to use, online communication is now a normal operation. I have a close friend that has undergone Substance Use Disorder treatment. She started right before covid happened. Without any form of prediction, I know that she got the help that she needed initially. She stayed at the centre for quite a bit. Her past was filled with lighter drug abuse, but she ended up needing her way up the scale as most others do. Before long, she was addicted to heavier stuff. I was close with her when she was doing "lighter drugs". Though it was not for me, and I always denied her requests for me try them, I did not feel prone to tell her what to do. A lot of people have the mindset that it is their choice. If they wish to do drugs, who am I to stop them? At the time, I undergone the same mentality. Therefore, I let her do her thing. Fast forward a little, and our relationship died down. I was not upset, and it seemed pretty mutual. However, from hearing from her friends, it was getting worse. Her drug addiction seemed to be picking up. I was not in touch with her at all at this point. It has been a little bit since we talked, and the last time I tried to talk to her, it did not go smoothly. Easy to say, at this point, I was completely out of her life. I was close friends with one of her friends though. This meant that every time we met up, I got to hear how she was doing. In a jist, I heard that she was starting substance treatment. I did not know where, but I know that she was not in town anymore. A little later, I heard she was back. Now, whether that be because of covid or because she was better, I am not aware. I am aware that she ended up heading back one more time to the treatment centre. This was after covid. Therefore, to my knowledge, her treatment plant kicked her out during the covid pandemic. I can not testify to this. I am sure they did this in hopes of the well-being of all of the patients. I think this was a good thing. My last news of her, she is doing light treatment virtually. I also assume that this is in connection with covid, as I am sure that they did a similar form of treatment during the pandemic. Since she is doing so great, the treatment virtually is working. I do not protest this form of treatment, as it has positive benefits. It seems as if it is just allowing the second form of treatment to patients. More types of treatments are great! So, though it may have been hard during covid to get through Substance Use Disorder treatment, I believe that at the end of things, it was a good use of part of the treatment.

I, personally, have never struggled with a drug addiction. Though, on the contrary, I have had plenty of experience with it. I have seen multiple friends, first-hand, start using drugs. I have seen them go into therapy, and I have seen the aftermath of it all. Most impacting though is that I have seen my own father deal with severe alcohol addiction, and I have also been through the consequences of such an addiction. Here is my story. Right when I was born, my father and mother lived very happily in Melbourne Florida. They had a nice house by the beach, good jobs, and now a happy son. It was not until my father took up the hole that things changed for the worse. He received that it was stress that drove him to the bars. However, someone who was once a super nice man turned the polar opposite. Of course, the mother of a newborn baby is not a good recipient of this kind of behaviour. Long story short, my mother decided to divorce the man for my safety alone. The outcome led to this: no contact with him, no news of him, no interactions with him at all. To this day, since they got a divorce, we never heard from him. To be real, there is a good possibility that he is no longer with us. Then, to think of it in the grand scheme of things, a man who had it all, lost it all due to alcohol and solely alcohol. We made it ok. Though very tough, my mother was able to get back on her feet. A few years after the divorce, she was able to find another good husband, which is now my stepfather. We are doing great right now. However, it still did put us in a very tough spot for a few years. Something that we did not even do ourselves impacted our lives dramatically. I did not get to see the end of that addiction. It may still be ongoing for him. He may have fixed himself up, or he may have gone down with his addiction. Either way, at the end of the day, this addiction turned his life completely upside down, along with the family he loved. Sober him cared for us, his life, and the world. However, the other side of him was the complete opposite. It is very sad to see that addiction can very literally destroy everything.

At its core, math always has an answer. It is not opinion-based, illusive, or research prone. It is plane cut, right in front of you. You do not have to collect rock samples, converge an opinion on a passage, or find out war tactics. Everything you need to solve an equation is right there in front of you. There are set-in-stone rules, and a distinct way to find the answer. Now, by no means is math easy, but it is the most accurate answer that you can get out of any subject. I always had a hard time with English specifically. I felt as if a lot of the answers are opinion based. When writing an essay or reading a passage, is it not up to your interpretation only what the author means? Maybe you think this essay is better than a different one, but the teacher thinks elsewise. This is the main reason I struggled. I believe that passages meant something else, while the teacher thought otherwise. Math, however, does not impose the same logic. What is right, is right. If I got the answer right to me, it will be right to the teacher too, because that is the only right answer there is. Math will always be cut and dry, and that is what I like most about it.

I have found that the most progress is made through learning and practice. You must learn how to do such an activity right, and you must practice doing such an activity right. Learning and practising make things happen. Because of this mentality I hold, I strongly value learning. It is great too, because there are so many various outlets for learning, and it is so easy to get started. In this day and age, you can literally do anything, as there is almost an infinite amount of material out there to learn about. I am going to start with a story that, at first glance, seems almost impossible. At 19, I am transferring to a university with an associate's degree. With such a transfer, I am also planning on walking into a division 1 football program. This, in itself, is already an extremely large feat. However, it gets more wild, as I do not have any football experience. I did not even think this was possible either. I have not accomplished it yet, but plenty of athletes are playing right now with the same scenario I have. Of course, I first looked to these athletes to see if I can follow in their footsteps. Though I have a lot of similar traits to them, I still was told that I am going to have to work harder than ever. Not only this, but I will also have to learn as much as possible about the game of football. Given as their number one advice: watch, study, read, and live football. Their number one piece of advice was to learn. I think this says a lot about not only the game of football but at life. There have been some extreme materials out there. What may seem impossible has been done countless times over. What I have found, is that if you want to do the impossible, you have to first learn how you are going to do it. Learning is the gate key to discovering your dreams. So, all in, if you want to accomplish anything in your life, the shortcut to doing so is to learn how to do it. Learning is so undervalued in today's society. Yes, there is school and college, but it almost seems that it is forced upon students. With all this course load, how many students continue to learn by themselves? The ones that do, though, are the ones that make it far in what they are learning about. Even adults. Once guaranteed a job, it seems as if their learning ends. Take a huge role model like Arnold Shuqrtzingger. He dominated bodybuilding at such a young age by practising (working out) and learning (different poses, and techniques...). He could have been done after that. Just like everyone else, he found an income stream which he could have spent the rest of his life doing. But he didn't. Arnold kept learning and became an actor and a governor. I am sure he went on to dominate other industries too. The point is, he could have settled for average, but he kept learning and became great. In the end, learning can make you great. It seems like it could be the answer to success. I am learning not only in college but on my own. I am studying football like no other right now. I am also self-studying in bodybuilding and kinesiology. If there is any way to the top of a field, it is to know how to do it first. To the learners!

It is true. The saying that the pen is more powerful than the sword is completely true, and it is fully backed by History. Just look at the multiple wars in history. A lot of them were started not by fighting or harm, but instead by written disagreements. A lot of these wars were solved by the same written agreements. My attraction towards communication, journalism and English composition as a whole is the power it has. Literature also makes you feel the best you possibly can. Let me elaborate. Yes, things are often described in heightened descriptions. However, there is still imagery and interpretation put up by you. You determine the scene how you like it. Therefore, if you think the saddest mood for a person's death is arranged with them in the back of the room instead by the door, you can make it happen. What is being said here is that the reader is open to making the scene fit for the best emotional response. Compare that to a movie and you are not even close to the enjoyment levels. "The book was way better than the movie". All great minds use literature. There is history in literature. There is learning in literature. There is entertainment and assumption in the literature. Literature seems to be the one and all. Once you get good at it too, it gets even better. I have found love in literature. I thoroughly enjoy reading books. I love to learn and understand stories. I feel that you can find out every piece of knowledge on this earth through reading. There is nothing that reading can not do. Now, since it is very understandable that readying and literature are so great, why is it not part of some people's lives, but apart of mine? To put it bluntly, some people just do not like to read. As I mentioned, the better you get at understanding and writing literature, the more fun it is. However, if you are not very good, I would imagine that it is not very fun. In high school, I was introduced that I was very good at literature. In every English class, I received the 1# essay in some form or another. This pride is a feeling that I do not want to go away. I believe that because I found myself to be so great at such, I had a natural attraction to it, and I am happy I did. Literature is a great tool for mankind, and I hope in the future it remains up to its hype.

I am pursuing science. Specifically, I am pursuing exercise science. I should not be in the eyes of teachers, but here I am. Let me explain. Throught my schooling, I was destined to be a business major. I read business books, ran businesses myself, and was the son and grandson of successful business owners. However, as it turns out, I am not going into that field. The field I was not supposed to go into was science. I was not into laboratory instances. Chemicals were not my thing and environmental studies did not interest me at all. What segment I did not look into much of was the human body. Besides health, the human body was never mentioned to me in high school or middle school. It was not until recently that I discovered this career path. I am obsessed with exercise and fitness. Unlike the science industry, this has been with me forever. Since I was in 5th grade, I have been working out in the gym with my parents. I have played almost every sport there is. Little did I know that there was such an industry behind exercise and health specifically. It seemed like it was almost the perfect career choice. Without knowing, I have even listened to multiple podcasts and videos on exercise in hopes to improve myself. Little did I know that this learning will eventually end me up with a college degree down the line. Right now, I am currently applying to many major universities to continue my education in this field. In a few years after my bachelor, I may attempt a major in physical therapy. Only time will tell for that one though. Though a quick decision, I am happy to start learning about the human body and the effects of exercise.

I am not a single mom. However, I am the direct dependent of a single mom. For most of my life, it has been me and my mother. We have made it through a lot, and I can proudly say that I believe we are both on top right now. I have seen everything it takes though. It is not an easy path. Let me explain. My mother ended up divorcing her husband due to alcohol addiction. It was solely for my good, as she did not see him capable of raising a son. I was too young to remember him, but he was out of our lives for good. We did not see him back since. No contact, no communication, no anything; we never intervened again. From then on, we were on our own. We ended up moving to family to have positive vibes around us. This did not mean that the load was taken off though. My mother still had to work a full-time job while raising a child. It is not easy. I helped every chance I could, and as I got older, I realized more and more. With this realization, I helped more and more. I tried to take good care of myself. Eventually, when old enough, I was able to start doing chores to take care of my mother too. We made a good team in the end, but it was not a smooth coast to get there. Right now, my mother found herself a husband. We are a nice happy family, and I am proud to say that I am pursuing my education with a father behind me. It is much easier than without one, and I am not sure that doing so would even be possible. Having a father helped me learn a lot I could not on my own, but he also allowed our whole family more free time by working beside us. The biggest obstacle I have seen, first handily, was time and energy. It is tough to do multiple jobs at once meant for two people. It is doable, but it is hard. You need to prioritize and spend every second wisely. If something goes out of the plan, the whole day does. On top of that, you need to have constant energy to keep going. Even if everything does work out, it is hard to get yourself up to clean the house after a full shift and dealing with a kid. All in all, I have major respect for other single mothers out there. My mother and I conquered this journey, and with determination, I know others can too.

When looking at my most recent college applications, it is easy to tell that I spent a lot of time on extracurricular activities. I not only held major managerial positions at both Walmart and Express, but I also made time to teach Karate classes at my old dojo, volunteer at animal shelters to take care of the dogs, help my family with their business on the weekends, join the marketing club, and start my own side hustle pressure washing houses. Without saying it, first glance tells you that there is a lot of time invested to keep up with all of these activities. That is indeed right, as it was a very busy high school career for me. However, time management has made it possible. All of these activities and graduating in the top 10% of my class leave you exhausted, but it is worth it in the end. My number one piece of advice is to prioritize. I did not start my side activities until I knew my main activities were down. I had to have plenty of time for both school and after-school homework. Given this, I also had to make money to help my family. This left me with what sounds like not a lot of time. However, when looking at a calendar, you find out that there are still a few blank days left. Now, it was not intentional that I was going to fill up every day with an activity. However, some of these activities were purely for enjoyment. On the weekends, when I am done with school and work, I get to play with dogs at Nates Animal Rescue. Yes, I get volunteer hours from this. However, I also get to play with dogs! Tell me how you would spend your weekend. I am sure that this would be at the top of the list! Now, when my family needs me for their business, I am there. If I have free time, I will come. If I find myself sitting at home, might as well take a trip to the Karate Dojo, my second home, where I can spend time with friends and teach the young ones. All in, get the tasks you have to get done out of the way first. But, once done, you have a lot of time to do what you want. Do not spend it doing anything! Take advantage of it. There are plenty of activities to do. But remember, never let school slide. School is your number one. If that is held up, have fun! The world is your oyster.

Eleven years, countless hours, back-to-back classes, and instructing positions give you a lot of time inside the dojo. Easy to say that there was something that was implemented right for me to stay that long. I can not put any praise on myself though; I believe all of my gratifying experiences and hard work come straight from all of the strong lessons and senseis I have had through the years. Needless to say, these years were valuable. Coming from multiple schools across the U.S., I have had a mix of lessons taught to me, but I can say the most reoccurring one would have to be based on respect. Every school's goal was to teach you self defence in case a situation happened, but the real goal was to never have that happen. Respecting parents, siblings, friends, and strangers is the biggest deterrent to a fight. I am proud to say that even after my years of training, I have never had to use any fighting tenquiqe out of class, and I think that was the goal the whole time. I feel most people get this sport wrong. It is not so much the teaching of defence you use the most but instead, the teachings revolved around life. It is the action that gets you into the door and the lessons that make you stay. After all, is said and done, karate did a lot for me mentally, but also physically too. I found my enjoyment for the sport also came from physical practice every day or so. It is a hobby that I found out I have plenty of enjoyment with. I know that finding the right hobby is rare, so I need to run with it. This experience has lived with me well since. When looking forward to a degree and career choice, there are very few things that I am content with. One of them would involve this. Specifically, it would involve physical activity and training. Getting a degree in kinesiology or sports to exercise science would allow me to continue training others via their athleticism and talent. It is a job that I would love to no end. With Karate being such a big influence on me, I am sure to try my best to bring this influence to others too. While I am still in the mix of deciding what degree I am going for, this is a strong option. It seems as if it is a "no lose" type of career path. I know I will be happy going in this type of direction.

Alcohol can destroy your life. This is not an exaggeration by any means, and it has impacted me directly. All in though, it has impacted my father even more obscurely. When I was born, I had a loving father and mother. They both lived together, had a settled-down life, and then had a child. Happy as could be, they had it made. Taken from my mother, I have heard that my birth father was the nicest man she has ever met. He was everything she wanted. That, connected with the perfect environment and family, made my mom the happiest woman alive. Just when I was born, though, stress wreaked havoc on my father. So much so, my father turned to alcohol. It was not long until he was hooked. Even then, when he did drink, the outcome was disastrous. He was a different person entirely. So much so, that my mother was forced to divorce him for my safety. In such a little time, I lost my father due to alcohol. This was not a happy divorce. I never got to see my father since. I was around four years old when they split up. My mother never reached back to him once divorced. Simply put, they never saw each other again. Such a devastating outcome which seemed close to impossible a few years earlier came in a flash. It seems like alcohol is the only substance that can make such a happy ending turnaround. Because we have never reached out to him since we have no idea about his well-being. My mother said at the point of the divorce, he was doing very poorly health-wise. It is unfortunate, but if he kept on that track, there is a good chance that he is no longer with us. To wrap this up, I completely agree with that statement, and I have plenty of proof to go along with it. I do not think there is a more explanatory situation that can prove the above statement right. Choosing alcohol to cope with life stressors is not the solution. In actuality, it is the opposite of the solution you want. I am happy to end this by saying that I have no plans to introduce alcohol into my life at any point given my family's history. Though I understand that this is a happy and normal past time activity, it should still be given extreme caution. Alcohol is addictive.

As weird as it may sound, being a first-generation college student has the opposite impact on what you may think. By having two parents that did not attend college, it may be common that either parent does not want care for you to attend either. If they had a high priority or view of college, it would be very apparent and they would attend themselves, right? Well, it is very apparent that they both do think of attending college as important, but still, neither did attend it themselves. This is not even due to financials or capabilities. They simply lacked the work ethic in school. They made that very clear to me. What makes the difference is that they do not want to see me go down the same path that they did. At the end of the day, my household has a strong influence on me to attend. It is honestly a good thing. Both parents help me in any way possible. Though it is not good to help because neither knows anything about college, it is honest to help. They both try their best, and honestly, that is the best kind of help I can ask for. Since I earned my associate degree a year ahead of my class due to dual enrollment. I continued with community college for cost reasons. However, now that degree majors and colleges start to matter, I am continuing my journey at a major university. This is a big chor obstacle for me, but like with my associate degree, both of my parents have helped me on my way. All of this work and effort going into college diminishes the view of it for a lot of people. Is it even worth it? Being a first-generation student, I can surely say that it is for me. While college may not be right for everyone, it is certainly right for me. Simply the pride that my parents show me for my current success is good enough. It is so rewarding seeing them so happy. It is almost as if they were more excited to see that degree come in the door than I was. Of course, I am looking to my future with caution. I know that I will have a bright future in my career choice if I try my hardest in college right now. However, I am not going to stretch the truth. Having supporting parents like so helps so much in the college process. Even though being a first-generation student is hard, a lot of the time, you have plenty of support. I am lucky enough to say that I do.

In my future career, I am hoping to help others realise that money is not everything when it comes to life. As opposing as it may seem, I am reaching out to become a financial advisor to give people financial freedom, something I believe all Americans want. While a rewarding end goal, I want to make the realization known that this is not what makes one happy though. Life is supposed to be filled with friends, family, and adventure. Yes, it is hard to do such things without a consistent and reliable income, but what most people do not see is that chasing "the bag" is not what will make you happy. I am fortunate enough to say that I have had a point in my life where I was making good money at a younger age. While nice, that is simply all it was. It was "nice" to be able to buy my dream motorcycle and fill my closet with nice shoes. It was "nice" to be in a state of so forth luxury, but that was all it was. It was not life fulfilling or gratifying. What is, is a life full of friends and happiness. Though I was at a much lower point financially, I was much happier before I received this money. By the state in which people are in today, it seems as if they have to realize this for themselves. The world has to change here. I do not think that it is a misinterpretation, by any means, that society is flawed when it comes to thinking about money. It is seen everywhere, and the worst part is, it is not even acknowledged. Movies, music, and even dating sites condone that getting more money should be the number one priority. It also seems as if nobody bats an eye at this mentality. Life is about so much more than money. Money, if anything, should be at the bottom of the list. It should be earned to pay your bills, get into college, and purchase necessities. Sure, luxury is good once in a while, but is it worth spending your whole life dreaming about it? To conclude, yes money is important. Yes, one can even say it is the basis of all modern-day living. But what I am hoping to make America and society understand is that we should not live for it. It seems like these days, people will throw anything under the bus for some cash. By giving others this freedom, I hope all will realise this.

In my future career, I am hoping to help others realise that money is not everything when it comes to life. As opposing as it may seem, I am reaching out to become a financial advisor to give people financial freedom, something I believe all Americans want. While a rewarding end goal, I want to make the realization known that this is not what makes one happy though. Life is supposed to be filled with friends, family, and adventure. Yes, it is hard to do such things without a consistent and reliable income, but what most people do not see is that chasing "the bag" is not what will make you happy. I am fortunate enough to say that I have had a point in my life where I was making good money at a younger age. While nice, that is simply all it was. It was "nice" to be able to buy my dream motorcycle and fill my closet with nice shoes. It was "nice" to be in a state of so forth luxury, but that was all it was. It was not life fulfilling or gratifying. What is, is a life full of friends and happiness. Though I was at a much lower point financially, I was much happier before I received this money. By the state in which people are in today, it seems as if they have to realize this for themselves. People say to find a job you love. I certainly enjoy this niche, but most importantly, I love the satisfaction of helping people's lives. I think this is why I am so determined in this career. This will give me a gateway to not only help individuals but be able to reach an audience big enough to make a major impact on our country. It is a value that should be taught throughout the world, but if we do what we can now, eventually this misconception of money can be changed throughout society. Though not certain, it is a chance I am willing to take. To conclude, yes money is important. Yes, one can even say it is the basis of all modern-day living. But what I am hoping to make America and society understand is that we should not live for it. It seems like these days, people will throw anything under the bus for some cash. By giving others this freedom, I hope all will realise this.

Eating right and staying active is the general idealization of a healthy lifestyle. While this is the main foundation and grounds for living right, I have to argue that it is not everything that makes a healthy lifestyle complete for human beings. There is also much more detail than involved in that general statement. It has been found that the ones that live the longest are very sediment in their daily activities. They were not heavy gym-goers or athletes. Instead, it was said that a large percentage of long-living elders did not adventure out farther than household chores. The biggest piece of advice my grandma said she received from the doctor is to not overdo it. He recommended constant movement, but he assured her to not push her limits. With that being said, an argument could even be made that being sedentary is the healthiest option. For me, I have found that a good mix is good if one wants a lasting and healthy body. Though it does depend on one's physical goal, if true health is at the point, subtle upkeep of the mind and body is the best route in my opinion. I want to sell in physical activity at a younger age, solely due to my commitment to sports. Therefore, I am currently training my body to fail on a daily routine. I can agree that this is not the ideal way to go about things, but due to my goals in life, it is what fits best for me. As far as the food aspect of things, I eat as much as I can but also relatively healthy when possible. As my goals involve me gaining mass, I need to consume calories. This is very hard to due on a strict healthy diet. Though I agree a clean diet is great for your health, it is hard to do on a tight school schedule. Nevertheless, I am working as hard as I can to do such. I believe it is just as important to train your mind as it is your body. As old age kicks in, mental illness seems to be just as frequent as physical. I am involved in many mental exercises such as recalling my day and past events and meditation. Exercises such as these have been proven to keep your mind intact and more resilient to these mental illnesses. When I referred to health being much more than eating and exercise though, I was more referencing all of the different aspects that go into the overall well-being of your body. I have had a lot of lessons taught to me about the overall health of your body and mind. The human body is so complex and designed in a way to cater to our primitive beings. Therefore, there are a lot of different upkeep tactics that we do not simply know about or do. For instance, our circadian rhythm requires us to get adequate morning sunlight and evening sunlight for it to stay inside. However, as humans that often spend most of the time indoors, we do not get enough of this light to program our circadian rhythm correctly. There are a bunch of these smaller, yet important, instances that play into our overall health. Though it is hard to know and practice them unless, in a health-related major, I believe strongly that we should consider them when conversing about overall health. To conclude, your overall health can be dealt with differently depending on your goals, but it is never acceptable to completely put aside exercising and maintenance on your body.

Eating right and staying active is the general idealization of a healthy lifestyle. While this is the main foundation and grounds for living right, I have to argue that it is not everything that makes a healthy lifestyle complete for human beings. There is also much more detail than involved in that general statement. It has been found that the ones that live the longest are very sediment in their daily activities. They were not heavy gym-goers or athletes. Instead, it was said that a large percentage of long-living elders did not adventure out farther than household chores. The biggest piece of advice my grandma said she received from the doctor is to not overdo it. He recommended constant movement, but he assured her to not push her limits. With that being said, an argument could even be made that being sedentary is the healthiest option. For me, I have found that a good mix is good if one wants a lasting and healthy body. Though it does depend on one's physical goal, if true health is at the point, subtle upkeep of the mind and body is the best route in my opinion. I want to sell in physical activity at a younger age, solely due to my commitment to sports. Therefore, I am currently training my body to fail on a daily routine. I can agree that this is not the ideal way to go about things, but due to my goals in life, it is what fits best for me. As far as the food aspect of things, I eat as much as I can but also relatively healthy when possible. As my goals involve me gaining mass, I need to consume calories. This is very hard to due on a strict healthy diet. Though I agree a clean diet is great for your health, it is hard to do on a tight school schedule. Nevertheless, I am working as hard as I can to do such. I believe it is just as important to train your mind as it is your body. As old age kicks in, mental illness seems to be just as frequent as physical. I am involved in many mental exercises such as recalling my day and past events and meditation. Exercises such as these have been proven to keep your mind intact and more resilient to these mental illnesses. When I referred to health being much more than eating and exercise though, I was more referencing all of the different aspects that go into the overall well-being of your body. I have had a lot of lessons taught to me about the overall health of your body and mind. The human body is so complex and designed in a way to cater to our primitive beings. Therefore, there are a lot of different upkeep tactics that we do not simply know about or do. For instance, our circadian rhythm requires us to get adequate morning sunlight and evening sunlight for it to stay inside. However, as humans that often spend most of the time indoors, we do not get enough of this light to program our circadian rhythm correctly. There are a bunch of these smaller, yet important, instances that play into our overall health. Though it is hard to know and practice them unless, in a health-related major, I believe strongly that we should consider them when conversing about overall health. To conclude, your overall health can be dealt with differently depending on your goals, but it is never acceptable to completely put aside exercising and maintenance on your body.

In my future career, I am hoping to help others realise that money is not everything when it comes to life. As opposing as it may seem, I am reaching out to become a financial advisor to give people financial freedom, something I believe all Americans want. While a rewarding end goal, I want to make the realization known that this is not what makes one happy though. Life is supposed to be filled with friends, family, and adventure. Yes, it is hard to do such things without a consistent and reliable income, but what most people do not see is that chasing "the bag" is not what will make you happy. I am fortunate enough to say that I have had a point in my life where I was making good money at a younger age. While nice, that is simply all it was. It was "nice" to be able to buy my dream motorcycle and fill my closet with nice shoes. It was "nice" to be in a state of so forth luxury, but that was all it was. It was not life fulfilling or gratifying. What is, is a life full of friends and happiness. Though I was at a much lower point financially, I was much happier before I received this money. By the state in which people are in today, it seems as if they have to realize this for themselves. To conclude, yes money is important. Yes, one can even say it is the basis of all modern-day living. But what I am hoping to make America and society understand is that we should not live for it. It seems like these days, people will throw anything under the bus for some cash. By giving others this freedom, I hope all will realise this.

Being your boss is a dream goal for everyone. As put simply, who would not want to be their boss. I believe it turns a lot of people off when you describe how much work goes into it, but if that does not bother you, it is likely high on your list. Me personally, I do not mind working at all. I actually believe that if you can get into a rhythm, sitting down and getting to work is super enjoyable. This is especially true when you can literally pick out any job or industry you want. Looking back at my life, my family played a huge role in how I look at entrrapeneuriship today. Both my parents and both my aunts all owned very successful businesses. I got first-hand experience in the struggles they went through. Needless to say, I was not sugarcoated on the experience like a large number of people were. Even seeing them constantly working and brainstorming, I still had a deep desire to get into the self-boss lifestyle. Fast forward around three years after my parents opened up shop, I decided to make my own business. While in my parent's name for legal reasons, I had a full online store selling an arrangement of products. Based on an eBay and Amazon business strategy, I was selling a reasonable amount. This is especially true when you take into account that I was only 14 when I started. Still going strong today on the hopes and dreams, I can say I am very actively involved in an entrepreneurship lifestyle. Euntrapenurship is a very tough field. It has its perks for sure, but it seems as if everyone has it wrong. By being around it and an active participant, there are a lot of obstacles you have to just deal with. It is rare I do not get a headache sometimes throughout the day dealing with something. Whether that be on the legal side of things, financial side, or sales side; there is always something that is going wrong or can be better. It is the stuff that makes you want to quit. However, it is also the stuff that you have to drive past to reap the rewards. From this experience, I see many more business adventures in my future. It has always been my goal, and since I was lucky enough to dabble enough in the thought at a young age, I can not get enough of it now.

Crashing waves, giant monsters, and big mountains seem to be an enticing landscape to base your book off of. How about fighting monsters, slaying dragons, and travelling the world? This book will surely have a lasting impression on anyone. My book, the book that made a drastic impact on my life, took place in an office. To be more precise, a grocery store's office. It is less about fighting dragons and more about conquering tax strategies. Though my book seems prevalent to the average, it is one of the most lasting books for me, and I do recommend that everyone should read it. "Rich Dad Poor Dad" is a book series written by the insightful Robert Kiyosaki, a businessman and real-estate tycoon. Robert does not just tell us what are the best real estate properties to buy or stock exchange strategies. No, on the contrary actually, Robert tells us how to start from the bottom. He explains how to get out of the rat race and into your money-making mechanism. He tells you how to triple your earnings quickly but effectively. Oh, but this must be a scam. All of these scenarios are too good to be true. It has worked full-handedly for me. His strategies are backed up and used by almost all of the wealthiest men in the world, and then some. His tellings are no secret, but they are rarely implemented by the general public. Though it still may seem too good to be true, if you implement everything Robert says in this book, it is almost certain that you will get to his level of wealth within a few years of hard work. Robert is not a greedy man either. His life does not revolve around money. However, Robert is a smart man. His life does revolve around making the right decisions in life. This book goes over every one of the decisions Robert made to make his life so great. He also goes over the ones that did not make his life so great for you to avoid them. All in all, Robert is the role model that everyone should be following. For me, I was able to treat money and life with respect after reading only one of his books. I am on the second book now. Though time has been short, I made sure to invest my money into things that count. Instead of buying myself lavish items, I was able to invest and make enough money to constantly increase my investments. Not only that, I took away the money I would have spent on myself and spent it on something that would make a lasting impact, buying my dad his dream car. This is not to say that this book has made me rich. I do have a lot of investments, but I am surely still on my way to the top. Hence me being here right now. I am actively working for a dream career and using my time and energy to obtain enough money to go to college with as little debt as possible. Now, no, my book may not seem as exciting as your murder mystery or Christmas fairy tale. But to me, it is just as engrossing. And to me, it is most certainly more impactful.

I want to play football. It has been the ideal lifestyle for me ever since I was a kid. It is hard to describe, but something about being an athlete and performing you're very best gets me going every day. Needless to say, I am going to become a great player later on in life. Let's shift the focus off of me now. My uncle died about a year ago today. He, along with all his friends and buddies, was an avid football fan. Now, after he is gone, I am playing football to my full potential. I am hurt and impacted that he is not going to see what I accomplish. To him, playing this game is a big deal. Like me, his live was revolving around it. To see the look on his face when I play college ball, and eventually, NFL for maybe one of his favourite games would be unreal. It brings me great devastation that he will not be here for that. However, that is not to say that all hope is failed. I know, now, that he is on my side up there. I now have a team to get me to that goal of playing for a career. I also know that he is watching me from up above, routing for me. So, not all hope is lost yet. I still have to prove something, if not for myself, but him.

Our nation has come a long way. From fights to progress, It is something I normally don’t say. But light has requests, That good will finally shine this day. I like to distress, The hatred that once ruled the rays. The bias towards unfavorableness, Does no longer look that grey. It is good to finally address, This nation has come a long way. A poem Martin Luther King would have made about equality progress today from when he was alive. I wrote this poem for a school curricular activity. The prompt was to write a poem about a person from the past. I thought long and hard about significant influencers and who would be the most influential in modern times. After picking Dr Martin Luther King Jr., I was able to whip up this poem rather quickly. The ideas flowed to me. After jotting everything down, I made sure to thoroughly proofread and edit my creation. In the end, I was left with this.

For my first day back to school, I make sure I am fully prepared. Always have your schedule printed out. You want to have it in a secure place and keep a backup in a folder. You never want to be left stranded without knowing where your next class is! - 3ricsmind (Instagram)

"And I, Jack, the pumpkin king, have grown so tired of the same old thing" (Jack Skeleton). I somehow feel like I have always had a connection with Jack Skeleton. It was one of the first movies I watched as a kid, and it has yet to lose its magical flare on me. As I get older though, it seems like there are so many life lessons twined into this entertainment marvel. The producers hit it on the mark with its theme, characters, storyline, and conflict. However, it seems as if their main goal with the film was to impact the world with its truths. Jack Skeleton has it all. He is liked by everyone, has everything he could want, and is the influencer of the town. However, this does not make him content with his life. Though Jack seems different from everyone else, I simply believe that he is experiencing what everyone would feel if they were in a similar situation. The movie portrays this well. Being the best, time after time, can and will seem to get boring. Everyone wants this fame and social liking, but like everything, it seems as if it will die off. What Jack finds happiness in is chasing his dreams and goals. There are lots of smaller lessons saddled in this movie, but it is seen that the main lesson is to always have a goal to go after. Even if no one else sees the vision, if it makes you happy, it is worth doing. This is what Jack's skeleton is seen doing throughout this movie, and it seems to have implanted itself with me without realization. Jack Skeleton is charming, wonderful, spooky, and intelligent. He is the main character in a fantastically directed movie. However, I enjoy him so much due to my connection with him. I watch this movie and not only see myself but also a lot of other people I know inside him. These people that want to chase after their goals despite what society thinks can find comfort in this character. Jack skeleton has been a legend in the Disney community and will continue to be a legend with me.

Recovery, in short, is coming back from a bad time. Recover, in a longer explanation, is much more though. People do not understand the true meaning of what recovery means without going through it. Nobody understands the struggle, hardship, and pain that goes through coming back. Nobody understands the reward that comes back with it. Nobody understands the pride and joy you get. Nobody understands this word fully until they have tried it themselves. Recovery was very hard for me. You go through a lot of hopeless times. There were countless times that you want to give up. You lose all hope and forget why you are doing it. However, I see these as the best parts about it. Without these hardships, you are left with nothing in the end. Instead, you are left with so much joy and gratefulness for your hard work. It does not go unnoticed. So, recovery is much more than just coming back to yourself. It is growing on another level. Recovery matters, and with a little drive, anyone can get through.

Every day, I wake up to a smiling face in front of me. My dog is my alarm clock. I can not choose a better way to start the day either. My pupper, Zero, was a stray exactly one year ago from yesterday (July 16, 2021). He was looked down on so much in the kennel. Due to his past life, he had missing patches of fur, a strong odour, eye puss, red skin, and was very small. When looking for a dog, I specifically picked him because of how pitiful he looked. I remember my parents asking me if I was trying to buy a dog or a rat when I said I wanted him. They thought I was crazy, but I knew him and I would be best friends. We would later grow to be the best possible versions of ourselves, side by side. Fast forward a year. It turned out that he was so small simply because he was a puppy. He is now a 90-pound monster of pure muscle. Though nobody could tell before, we found his two breeds to be Husky and German Shepard, making him one of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen. His skin healed up with a new diet and his eyes got better from simple medication that he eventually got off. Now, what stands before our family is a bright blue-eyed wolf. He gets the most amount of compliments. Everyone says how great he acts and looks. It is a funny story when we show them a picture of the first day we picked him up. It is strange how life works. I chose the most beat-up dog simply to help him. I wanted the best for him, and I can see that we would be best buddies. I got this beautiful and loyal dog by my side in return. I was in a dark place when I got Zero. Though it seemed like a shower of many different tragedies, I was left with nothing in life. Everything seemed to fall to ground zero for me. One of my first doings was to get a dog to cheer me up. Having a loyal companion is exactly what I needed after all of these tragedies occurred. I am doing extremely well today. I have picked up all the broken pieces in my life and now am better than I ever have been. You can say that Zero and I tackled the world together! I look back and see how far we both made it. We have such good lives now, and it makes it all the better to see how far we have come. Zero was there since the beginning. He is roughly a year and a half now, and I can not wait to see what the world has in store for us!

For the past few years, I have been an active member of multiple community service programs. By choice? Well, not originally. However, I would say that I kept with it truly for the enjoyment of it. Let me explain. In the State of Florida, one of the higher achievement rewards requires you to commit to 100 hours of community service. Therefore, a large percentage of high school students get thrown into the field, not by choice. As a successful student in school, it is a task that would be silly for me to not take part in. However, my parents saw this viewpoint more than I did. Like many other kids, I was thrown into the idea. There are very few kids that would want to devote their free time to work. However, after a few months, I understood. Since I was just a freshman in high school, my parents and I both took a trainers class at Nates Animal Shelter located here in Bradenton Florida. It was nothing special, though I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed playing with dogs. Fast forward a week after our training was finished, we all were able to qualify as "dog sitters". This is where my parents dropped out most of the time, considering they do not need the volunteer hours and had full-time jobs to work. On the other hand, I needed those volunteer hours. Every weekend, I would take a trip up to the grounds to walk the dogs for a few hours. It seems like a simple enough task when putting it that way. However, take a dog that is locked in a cage for the whole day and gets no social interaction. It is quite the handful. Nonetheless, I stuck with it. At first, it was just a way to count the hours for this award. It was not till a few months later that I found myself getting this feeling of satisfaction. I would go in the car to go home and feel accomplished. It was as if I just finished a huge task for the day. The crazy part was, that I did not feel accomplished because I stacked my community service hours. Instead, it seemed as if it was because I was helping out in a big way. Some days, I would take care of nearly every dog. Seeing a puppy go from laying in the corner of the cage to bouncing off the walls when he sees you is something else. I was helping in a big way. I figured out what it felt like to truly help others, even if that meant only dogs. After this, I found a diverse amount of community service programs to get involved in. While participating in these and still working at Nates, I found myself layering on the hours I needed. It was not soon that I found myself doing these community service tasks to make me feel good versus just the hours. Especially on the weekends, it is one of the best ways to start the day. I am extremely grateful for this program, as it taught me a lot more about myself.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is definitely a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfilment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthy. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathising only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall down, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at your fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgements. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is an absolutely terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

A healthy lifestyle is many things. It is exercising, eating right, avoiding certain activities, taking part in certain activities, limiting stressors, and many more objectives. It is a hard task, to say the least. However, it is worth it in so many more ways than people understand. As the saying goes, you can take care of your health now, or you can let the doctors take care of it later. Health runs in my family. It seems as if everyone has some type of grasp on their health. There is no real rhyme or reason to it. It is just what we have always done. It is also very fun in my opinion. Taking care of your body and seeing it flourish is the pinnacle of life to me. What is life if you can not enjoy it, and that all starts with your body's health? Like I mentioned before though, there are a lot of different aspects to your health. Putting your body aside, mental health has a lot to do with how you feel too. It could be argued that this has the most impactful benefit as it is the starting ground for doing things. If you have a good mental health status, more than likely you are in a situation to better your physical health too. Though most people can not say this, so it leads to things such as overeating and lack of exercise. It seems as if America has fallen into this trap, and I do not want to go down with them. I currently feel great and will continue to feel great if I take care of my body. It is a feeling that I do not want to go away. From my time forward, I will continue to take care of my health with great passion. Not only, but I will also attempt to help others along my journey. Here's to health!

Eating right and staying active is the general idealization of a healthy lifestyle. While this is the main foundation and grounds for living right, I have to argue that it is not everything that makes a healthy lifestyle complete for human beings. There is also much more detail than involved in that general statement. It has been found that the ones that live the longest are very sediment in their daily activities. They were not heavy gym-goers or athletes. Instead, it was said that a large percentage of long-living elders did not adventure out farther than household chores. The biggest piece of advice my grandma said she received from the doctor is to not overdo it. He recommended constant movement, but he assured her to not push her limits. With that being said, an argument could even be made that being sedentary is the healthiest option. For me, I have found that a good mix is good if one wants a lasting and healthy body. Though it does depend on one's physical goal, if true health is at the point, subtle upkeep of the mind and body is the best route in my opinion. I want to sell in physical activity at a younger age, solely due to my commitment to sports. Therefore, I am currently training my body to fail on a daily routine. I can agree that this is not the ideal way to go about things, but due to my goals in life, it is what fits best for me. As far as the food aspect of things, I eat as much as I can but also relatively healthy when possible. As my goals involve me gaining mass, I need to consume calories. This is very hard to due on a strict healthy diet. Though I agree a clean diet is great for your health, it is hard to do on a tight school schedule. Nevertheless, I am working as hard as I can to do such. I believe it is just as important to train your mind as it is your body. As old age kicks in, mental illness seems to be just as frequent as physical. I am involved in many mental exercises such as recalling my day and past events and meditation. Exercises such as these have been proven to keep your mind intact and more resilient to these mental illnesses. When I referred to health being much more than eating and exercise though, I was more referencing all of the different aspects that go into the overall well-being of your body. I have had a lot of lessons taught to me about the overall health of your body and mind. The human body is so complex and designed in a way to cater to our primitive beings. Therefore, there are a lot of different upkeep tactics that we do not simply know about or do. For instance, our circadian rhythm requires us to get adequate morning sunlight and evening sunlight for it to stay inside. However, as humans that often spend most of the time indoors, we do not get enough of this light to program our circadian rhythm correctly. There are a bunch of these smaller, yet important, instances that play into our overall health. Though it is hard to know and practice them unless, in a health-related major, I believe strongly that we should consider them when conversing about overall health. To conclude, your overall health can be dealt with differently depending on your goals, but it is never acceptable to completely put aside exercising and maintenance on your body.

Eating right and staying active is the general idealization of a healthy lifestyle. While this is the main foundation and grounds for living right, I have to argue that it is not everything that makes a healthy lifestyle complete for human beings. There is also much more detail than involved in that general statement. It has been found that the ones that live the longest are very sediment in their daily activities. They were not heavy gym-goers or athletes. Instead, it was said that a large percentage of long-living elders did not adventure out farther than household chores. The biggest piece of advice my grandma said she received from the doctor is to not overdo it. He recommended constant movement, but he assured her to not push her limits. With that being said, an argument could even be made that being sedentary is the healthiest option. For me, I have found that a good mix is good if one wants a lasting and healthy body. Though it does depend on one's physical goal, if true health is at the point, subtle upkeep of the mind and body is the best route in my opinion. I want to sell in physical activity at a younger age, solely due to my commitment to sports. Therefore, I am currently training my body to fail on a daily routine. I can agree that this is not the ideal way to go about things, but due to my goals in life, it is what fits best for me. As far as the food aspect of things, I eat as much as I can but also relatively healthy when possible. As my goals involve me gaining mass, I need to consume calories. This is very hard to due on a strict healthy diet. Though I agree a clean diet is great for your health, it is hard to do on a tight school schedule. Nevertheless, I am working as hard as I can to do such. I believe it is just as important to train your mind as it is your body. As old age kicks in, mental illness seems to be just as frequent as physical. I am involved in many mental exercises such as recalling my day and past events and meditation. Exercises such as these have been proven to keep your mind intact and more resilient to these mental illnesses. When I referred to health being much more than eating and exercise though, I was more referencing all of the different aspects that go into the overall well-being of your body. I have had a lot of lessons taught to me about the overall health of your body and mind. The human body is so complex and designed in a way to cater to our primitive beings. Therefore, there are a lot of different upkeep tactics that we do not simply know about or do. For instance, our circadian rhythm requires us to get adequate morning sunlight and evening sunlight for it to stay inside. However, as humans that often spend most of the time indoors, we do not get enough of this light to program our circadian rhythm correctly. There are a bunch of these smaller, yet important, instances that play into our overall health. Though it is hard to know and practice them unless, in a health-related major, I believe strongly that we should consider them when conversing about overall health. To conclude, your overall health can be dealt with differently depending on your goals, but it is never acceptable to completely put aside exercising and maintenance on your body.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving on yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to doing so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change like it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making other's happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is definitely worth a shot to make a difference.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving on yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to doing so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change like it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making other's happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is definitely worth a shot to make a difference.

For the past few years, I have been an active member of multiple community service programs. By choice? Well, not originally. However, I would say that I kept with it truly for the enjoyment of it. Let me explain. In the State of Florida, one of the higher achievement rewards requires you to commit to 100 hours of community service. Therefore, a large percentage of high school students get thrown into the field, not by choice. As a successful student in school, it is a task that would be silly for me to not take part in. However, my parents saw this viewpoint more than I did. Like many other kids, I was thrown into the idea. There are very few kids that would want to devote their free time to work. However, after a few months, I understood. Since I was just a freshman in high school, my parents and I both took a trainers class at Nates Animal Shelter located here in Bradenton Florida. It was nothing special, though I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed playing with dogs. Fast forward a week after our training was finished, we all were able to qualify as "dog sitters". This is where my parents dropped out most of the time, considering they do not need the volunteer hours and had full-time jobs to work. On the other hand, I needed those volunteer hours. Every weekend, I would take a trip up to the grounds to walk the dogs for a few hours. It seems like a simple enough task when putting it that way. However, take a dog that is locked in a cage for the whole day and gets no social interaction. It is quite the handful. Nonetheless, I stuck with it. At first, it was just a way to count the hours for this award. It was not till a few months later that I found myself getting this feeling of satisfaction. I would go in the car to go home and feel accomplished. It was as if I just finished a huge task for the day. The crazy part was, that I did not feel accomplished because I stacked my community service hours. Instead, it seemed as if it was because I was helping out in a big way. Some days, I would take care of nearly every dog. Seeing a puppy go from laying in the corner of the cage to bouncing off the walls when he sees you is something else. I was helping in a big way. I figured out what it felt like to truly help others, even if that meant only dogs. After this, I found a diverse amount of community service programs to get involved in. While participating in these and still working at Nates, I found myself layering on the hours I needed. It was not soon that I found myself doing these community service tasks to make me feel good versus just the hours. Especially on the weekends, it is one of the best ways to start the day. I am extremely grateful for this program, as it taught me a lot more about myself.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving on yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to doing so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change like it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making other's happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is definitely worth a shot to make a difference.

Being your boss is a dream goal for everyone. As put simply, who would not want to be their boss. I believe it turns a lot of people off when you describe how much work goes into it, but if that does not bother you, it is likely high on your list. Me personally, I do not mind working at all. I actually believe that if you can get into a rhythm, sitting down and getting to work is super enjoyable. This is especially true when you can literally pick out any job or industry you want. Looking back at my life, my family played a huge role in how I look at entrrapeneuriship today. Both my parents and both my aunts all owned very successful businesses. I got first-hand experience in the struggles they went through. Needless to say, I was not sugarcoated on the experience like a large number of people were. Even seeing them constantly working and brainstorming, I still had a deep desire to get into the self-boss lifestyle. Fast forward around three years after my parents opened up shop, I decided to make my own business. While in my parent's name for legal reasons, I had a full online store selling an arrangement of products. Based on an eBay and Amazon business strategy, I was selling a reasonable amount. This is especially true when you take into account that I was only 14 when I started. Still going strong today on the hopes and dreams, I can say I am very actively involved in an entrepreneurship lifestyle. Euntrapenurship is a very tough field. It has its perks for sure, but it seems as if everyone has it wrong. By being around it and an active participant, there are a lot of obstacles you have to just deal with. It is rare I do not get a headache sometimes throughout the day dealing with something. Whether that be on the legal side of things, financial side, or sales side; there is always something that is going wrong or can be better. It is the stuff that makes you want to quit. However, it is also the stuff that you have to drive past to reap the rewards. From this experience, I see many more business adventures in my future. It has always been my goal, and since I was lucky enough to dabble enough in the thought at a young age, I can not get enough of it now.

Eleven years, countless hours, back-to-back classes, and instructing positions give you a lot of time inside the dojo. Easy to say that there was something that was implemented right for me to stay that long. I can not put any praise on myself though; I believe all of my gratifying experiences and hard work come straight from all of the strong lessons and senseis I have had through the years. Needless to say, these years were valuable. Coming from multiple schools across the U.S., I have had a mix of lessons taught to me, but I can say the most reoccurring one would have to be based on respect. Even though I came into this sport through interest and curiosity, I left with a great love for it and lessons that kept me going. Every school's goal was to teach you self defence in case a situation happened, but the real goal was to never have that happen. Respecting parents, siblings, friends, and strangers is the biggest deterrent to a fight. I am proud to say that even after my years of training, I have never had to use any fighting tenquiqe out of class, and I think that was the goal the whole time. So much came out of this sport. More than I could ever ask for. Karate was a sport I found I had a passion for. Through the bad times, I found great times. It was a sport that kept me thinking. The constant progress and commitment did keep me motivated to do more. I was always trying to improve. Even if I found myself achieving a major accomplishment, I saw the only option was to keep working. This mindset ended up transferring over to a lot of different activities. Although unwillingly or knowingly, I started to get this "always improving" mindset for everything I did. If I did good on a test, the only option from there on out is to do even better next test. If I saw I gained muscle weight, the only option from there was to keep going to the gym and improve more. I was constantly improving my life and growing. Karate taught me a lot more than I thought it did. It was a passion, but it was also a big motivator in my life. I feel most people get this sport wrong. It is not so much the teaching of defence you use the most but instead, the teachings revolved around life. It is the action that gets you into the door and the lessons that make you stay. Karate has been a strong passion of mine from the start. Yes, like every sport, you get your off days. However, if you keep pushing, the reward you get is so great. I am happy I stuck to my passion. It has given me great things in life.

I will say it. I do not come from a successful background. We all started from the bottom. Though we overcome our obstacles, we can say together that nothing is big enough to hold us down. Let me explain. I was not looked up to as the smart kid in school. I had conflicting goals and viewpoints on life. I would hear one thing at school, one thing in the media, and one thing at home that would all contradict each other. It seemed as if I was coasting through life with no direct endpoint. It was not until 5th grade that I started pushing myself. I am not gifted. I am not naturally intelligent. I am not knowledgeable. However, what I do have is willpower. I can work hard and not give up. If I set my sights on a goal, I will figure out how to accomplish it. When I did get my sights in line, I knew that my career needed a good school record to back it up. I worked my hardest in school. Seeking extra help, taking my time, learning to focus, and challenging myself rewarded me with great success in school. It hits different graduating at the top 10% of your class when you know you started at the very back of the pack. As of now, I am finishing up my associate degree for a smooth transition into a University to finish off my career goals. Looking deep into my field of study, you will see a lot of misconceptions. A large number of people say it is boring, has no future, and is not worth it. A large number of people also say that it is a great path to start with, can lead to big success, and can be applied everywhere. When you look at the people that support it, this field gave them great success in life. When you look at people that do not support it, it seems as if they do not understand the subject completely, so let me explain. Finance consists of many business subjects, eutnrapenuralship subjects, accounting subjects, market subjects, and industry subjects. You have to know a lot of information to cover the topic completely. It is a lot of work and involves a lot of studying to fully grasp the concept. However, once you get out, all of that knowledge will be put to work. What people do not understand is that finances are everywhere. Believe it or not, every single object and service in this world is run via finance. If the finances did not add up, there would be no Mcdonald's or Walmart. Even simple items like plungers have to make financial sense to the business to produce them. Everything in this world revolves around finance. I do not think that is an understanding too. The part that people generally think about is the stock market and banks. Though an essential part of our community also, every business has to have financial backing to it. In today's world, everything is a business. I consider myself a little different though from the rest of the financially driven students. I am not doing it for the money. In fact, I am doing the opposite of so. I was lucky enough to experience what a lot of money does to you. It does not do what everyone hopes. It does not change you into a better person. It does not make you happier in life. It is not what you expect. However, I believe that America got this misconception directly from not being able to experience it for themselves. A large percentage of America is considered financially unstable. They do not have enough money to support their spending. Whether that is solely due to them buying luxuries or necessities is controversial. However, the facts are clear: American citizens are in debt. Plain and simple, I believe this lack of money attitude is what makes everyone drive toward it so much. You want what you can not get. Now, if I can bring financial stability to others, hopefully, the world can see for themselves that money is not what should be driving your life. My career field of choice is a financial advisor. If I can get my hands on that position, I will hold a direct way to change people's lives. Not only can I get the message out, but I can show these people how to recover from debt and live a truly happy life. I consider my pathway beneficial to the world. It has been a goal for a long time to bring this knowledge of finances to others. I do not think that America knows much about both controlling their money and what money brings for them. We are extremely undereducated on these subjects. Yet, it is the controlling factor of most of the population. Like I said before, America runs on finances. I am willing to go through many hoops and obstacles to reach this goal. Nothing will stand in my way.

Being alone is no easy task. I am sure of this myself. Especially when you come from a life full of companionship, and then all of an asudden, everything drops off. It is a hard way to go about life. I feel as sometimes, it is only possible to get through like this if someone else gives you a helping hand. Let me explain. I went through this myself. From having a bold group of friends and a significant other, I was on top of the world. It only took a month for everything to drop off. I was left stranded. I am lucky enough to say that I still had one friend that was able to look after me. Even just them being there was enough to help dramatically. Seeing this for myself, I knew that if I saw this situation shed on to anyone else, I would be right there for them. I did not wish this on anyone. Fast forward a summer later. I seemed to be in the hands of my close friend. He was in the same situation as I. Without giving too much detail, he was at a very low point in his life. It is a tough scenario to see your friend struggle like you used to. This is especially true when you know the pain that he is going through. It seemed as if this was the opportunity I asked for. Without hesitation, I asked to hang out. I know the scenario. I do not want to make it too obvious that I am here to solely help him, as it seems like that would defeat the purpose. You also do not want to make it about you. After a few weeks of constant hanging out, I have heard everything that has happened to him. A few weeks later, it seemed as if he was back on track, just like I was. Of course, this makes you feel great. Not only were you able to help someone else out like you were helped. However, you also feel like you made an impact. You made a drastic difference in someone's life, and that is a feeling I will never forget. Fast forward to the present day. We are both still very close friends. He has moved along since before and has built his life up well. I am very proud to be in the positions we are in today. However, I am even more proud to say that considering where we came from. Here is to progress.

For the past few years, I have been an active member of multiple community service programs. By choice? Well, not originally. However, I would say that I kept with it truly for the enjoyment of it. Let me explain. In the State of Florida, one of the higher achievement rewards requires you to commit to 100 hours of community service. Therefore, a large percentage of high school students get thrown into the field, not by choice. As a successful student in school, it is a task that would be silly for me to not take part in. However, my parents saw this viewpoint more than I did. Like many other kids, I was thrown into the idea. There are very few kids that would want to devote their free time to work. However, after a few months, I understood. Since I was just a freshman in high school, my parents and I both took a trainers class at Nates Animal Shelter located here in Bradenton Florida. It was nothing special, though I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed playing with dogs. Fast forward a week after our training was finished, we all were able to qualify as "dog sitters". This is where my parents dropped out most of the time, considering they do not need the volunteer hours and had full-time jobs to work. On the other hand, I needed those volunteer hours. Every weekend, I would take a trip up to the grounds to walk the dogs for a few hours. It seems like a simple enough task when putting it that way. However, take a dog that is locked in a cage for the whole day and gets no social interaction. It is quite the handful. Nonetheless, I stuck with it. At first, it was just a way to count the hours for this award. It was not till a few months later that I found myself getting this feeling of satisfaction. I would go in the car to go home and feel accomplished. It was as if I just finished a huge task for the day. The crazy part was, that I did not feel accomplished because I stacked my community service hours. Instead, it seemed as if it was because I was helping out in a big way. Some days, I would take care of nearly every dog. Seeing a puppy go from laying in the corner of the cage to bouncing off the walls when he sees you is something else. I was helping in a big way. I figured out what it felt like to truly help others, even if that meant only dogs. After this, I found a diverse amount of community service programs to get involved in. While participating in these and still working at Nates, I found myself layering on the hours I needed. It was not soon that I found myself doing these community service tasks to make me feel good versus just the hours. Especially on the weekends, it is one of the best ways to start the day. I am extremely grateful for this program, as it taught me a lot more about myself.

A healthy lifestyle is many things. It is exercising, eating right, avoiding certain activities, taking part in certain activities, limiting stressors, and many more objectives. It is a hard task, to say the least. However, it is worth it in so many more ways than people understand. As the saying goes, you can take care of your health now, or you can let the doctors take care of it later. Health runs in my family. It seems as if everyone has some type of grasp on their health. There is no real rhyme or reason to it. It is just what we have always done. It is also very fun in my opinion. Taking care of your body and seeing it flourish is the pinnacle of life to me. What is life if you can not enjoy it, and that all starts with your body's health? Like I mentioned before though, there are a lot of different aspects to your health. Putting your body aside, mental health has a lot to do with how you feel too. It could be argued that this has the most impactful benefit as it is the starting ground for doing things. If you have a good mental health status, more than likely you are in a situation to better your physical health too. Though most people can not say this, so it leads to things such as overeating and lack of exercise. It seems as if America has fallen into this trap, and I do not want to go down with them. I currently feel great and will continue to feel great if I take care of my body. It is a feeling that I do not want to go away. From my time forward, I will continue to take care of my health with great passion. Not only, but I will also attempt to help others along my journey. Here's to health!

I exercise a lot. About four hours a day "a lot". This is both extreme and demanding. It puts a lot of stress on your body that most people do not handle. In addition, consistently pushing yourself to the limits is not an easy task. Though there are a lot of factors that keep me going, my main go-to energizer would be the main superfoods that fuel my day. Some foods are debatable, some foods that are known as good, and some foods that are known as bad. As the dietary world seems to always have a conflicting opinions each other of what is healthy and what is not, I tend to stick to the foods that are universally known as good for you. Some of these foods in my diet include eggs, fruits, greens, fish, and spices. To say it simply, if I need an energizer throughout my day, I will go to one of these foods. Right after a hard workout, I like to go for fruits first. I am not very hungry after workouts, so this gives me a slight energy boost for the rest of the day. My favourites include blackberries and blueberries. Sitting by the poolside with a dish of berries is one of the best ways to cool down. Shortly after when I regain my appetite, I like to then eat a type of fish we have on the ready, such as tilapia or salmon. Strangely enough, I think the best side to this is some spinach. I feel as good as new after. It serves as one of the best recoveries for me. It is pretty easy to incorporate these foods into my diet regularly considering my family's pre-existing diet. Both my parents are health fanatics. They research the latest nutrition foods and supplements daily. It is an easy comment to say that our fridge is always loaded with the best and healthiest foods. They shop regularly at health foods stores such as Detwiler's, Whole Foods, and Natural Foods. I am very lucky to be able to go into the fridge and see all of these options laid out for me. I have done the research myself and found that diet is the main leading cause and cure for a lot of illnesses. It is almost surprising how many doctors offer medications compared to a simple diet change for a lot of their patients. A neighbour of mine switched up his diet to only meats and greens. Within a matter of weeks, his arthritis completely healed itself. It is amazing what foods can do to your body. I will continue to eat superfoods on a regular basis as it seems as if it is necessary for my health. I am proud to say they are a part of my diet.

Every day, I wake up to a smiling face in front of me. My dog is my alarm clock. I can not choose a better way to start the day either. My pupper, Zero, was a stray exactly one year ago from yesterday (July 16, 2021). He was looked down on so much in the kennel. Due to his past life, he had missing patches of fur, a strong odour, eye puss, red skin, and was very small. When looking for a dog, I specifically picked him because of how pitiful he looked. I remember my parents asking me if I was trying to buy a dog or a rat when I said I wanted him. They thought I was crazy, but I knew him and I would be best friends. We would later grow to be the best possible versions of ourselves, side by side. Fast forward a year. It turned out that he was so small simply because he was a puppy. He is now a 90-pound monster of pure muscle. Though nobody could tell before, we found his two breeds to be Husky and German Shepard, making him one of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen. His skin healed up with a new diet and his eyes got better from simple medication that he eventually got off. Now, what stands before our family is a bright blue-eyed wolf. He gets the most amount of compliments. Everyone says how great he acts and looks. It is a funny story when we show them a picture of the first day we picked him up. It is strange how life works. I chose the most beat-up dog simply to help him. I wanted the best for him, and I can see that we would be best buddies. I got this beautiful and loyal dog by my side in return. I was in a dark place when I got Zero. Though it seemed like a shower of many different tragedies, I was left with nothing in life. Everything seemed to fall to ground zero for me. One of my first doings was to get a dog to cheer me up. Having a loyal companion is exactly what I needed after all of these tragedies occurred. I am doing extremely well today. I have picked up all the broken pieces in my life and now am better than I ever have been. You can say that Zero and I tackled the world together! I look back and see how far we both made it. We have such good lives now, and it makes it all the better to see how far we have come. Zero was there since the beginning. He is roughly a year and a half now, and I can not wait to see what the world has in store for us!

Every day, I wake up to a smiling face in front of me. My dog is my alarm clock. I can not choose a better way to start the day either. My pupper, Zero, was a stray exactly one year ago from yesterday (July 16, 2021). He was looked down on so much in the kennel. Due to his past life, he had missing patches of fur, a strong odour, eye puss, red skin, and was very small. When looking for a dog, I specifically picked him because of how pitiful he looked. I remember my parents asking me if I was trying to buy a dog or a rat when I said I wanted him. They thought I was crazy, but I knew him and I would be best friends. We would later grow to be the best possible versions of ourselves, side by side. Fast forward a year. It turned out that he was so small simply because he was a puppy. He is now a 90-pound monster of pure muscle. Though nobody could tell before, we found his two breeds to be Husky and German Shepard, making him one of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen. His skin healed up with a new diet and his eyes got better from simple medication that he eventually got off. Now, what stands before our family is a bright blue-eyed wolf. He gets the most amount of compliments. Everyone says how great he acts and looks. It is a funny story when we show them a picture of the first day we picked him up. It is strange how life works. I chose the most beat-up dog simply to help him. I wanted the best for him, and I can see that we would be best buddies. I got this beautiful and loyal dog by my side in return. I was in a dark place when I got Zero. Though it seemed like a shower of many different tragedies, I was left with nothing in life. Everything seemed to fall to ground zero for me. One of my first doings was to get a dog to cheer me up. Having a loyal companion is exactly what I needed after all of these tragedies occurred. I am doing extremely well today. I have picked up all the broken pieces in my life and now am better than I ever have been. You can say that Zero and I tackled the world together! I look back and see how far we both made it. We have such good lives now, and it makes it all the better to see how far we have come. Zero was there since the beginning. He is roughly a year and a half now, and I can not wait to see what the world has in store for us!

Every day, I wake up to a smiling face in front of me. My dog is my alarm clock. I can not choose a better way to start the day either. My pupper, Zero, was a stray exactly one year ago from yesterday (July 16, 2021). He was looked down on so much in the kennel. Due to his past life, he had missing patches of fur, a strong odour, eye puss, red skin, and was very small. When looking for a dog, I specifically picked him because of how pitiful he looked. I remember my parents asking me if I was trying to buy a dog or a rat when I said I wanted him. They thought I was crazy, but I knew him and I would be best friends. We would later grow to be the best possible versions of ourselves, side by side. Fast forward a year. It turned out that he was so small simply because he was a puppy. He is now a 90-pound monster of pure muscle. Though nobody could tell before, we found his two breeds to be Husky and German Shepard, making him one of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen. His skin healed up with a new diet and his eyes got better from simple medication that he eventually got off. Now, what stands before our family is a bright blue-eyed wolf. He gets the most amount of compliments. Everyone says how great he acts and looks. It is a funny story when we show them a picture of the first day we picked him up. It is strange how life works. I chose the most beat-up dog simply to help him. I wanted the best for him, and I can see that we would be best buddies. I got this beautiful and loyal dog by my side in return. I was in a dark place when I got Zero. Though it seemed like a shower of many different tragedies, I was left with nothing in life. Everything seemed to fall to ground zero for me. One of my first doings was to get a dog to cheer me up. Having a loyal companion is exactly what I needed after all of these tragedies occurred. I am doing extremely well today. I have picked up all the broken pieces in my life and now am better than I ever have been. You can say that Zero and I tackled the world together! I look back and see how far we both made it. We have such good lives now, and it makes it all the better to see how far we have come. Zero was there since the beginning. He is roughly a year and a half now, and I can not wait to see what the world has in store for us!

I never hear the end of it. To be honest, it is not even a bad thing either. My father served in the United States Army as a mechanic. From his words exactly, it completely changed his life around. I have heard a lot of different stories about how great the military is. However, my dad's point of view was my favourite. He was such a bad kid at a young age. During mid-high school, he got kicked out of school for punching the principal. Knowing my dad, this was not even the worse thing he has done. However, after having no options for a future after that, my dad went into the military. His stories are plentiful, but they all wrap up how difficult but rewarding the journey was. From that, he was developed into the person he is today. He grew physically and mentally; he became a strong and humble man. The military proceeds to then give you the opportunities to grow to your full potential. After a few years of growth, he stepped back into the world with a bright life ahead of him. That is exactly what happened. Of hearing this on repeat, I can say that the military does not directly support my aspirations. However, I am not putting down the system at all. From everything I have heard, I recommend it to almost everyone as it applies to many cases of plans. Me, I am attempting on becoming a strength and conditioning coach for the Miami Dolphins at a young age; thus, I have a different path waiting for me. This is not to say though that my father's stories meant nothing to me. It is quiet on the contrary. From there, I learned how to be strong. There is always room past your breaking point. My father taught me to push past my comfort zone and stretch my barriers. Most importantly though, he taught me one of my favourite life lessons. He told me that you can do it yourself or can be forced to do it. What he meant by this is simple. You can choose to put in the hard work now and choose a life you want. Or you can take the easy way, live comfortably for the moment, and then be forced to do what you do not want for a life you do not want. Either choose to do it yourself or be forced to do it. Currently, I wake up at four in the morning to get a strong workout in. I am on a strict carnivore diet consisting of only meat and water. I am studying for my profession ahead of school, maintaining side hustles, and investing my money. I do all of these things so I can live the life I want in the future. I can be forced to use the money later, or I can use my money now in a smart way. I can be forced to work at a job I do not like later, or I can work now to have a job I enjoy. I can work on my health now, or I can let the doctors treat me later. I learned all of this from my dad. Though my father has taught me many lessons, I can say that my life has been put on the right track because of him. I can not begin to thank him enough for it.

There are two factors that people do not want to change that keep them out of constant dieting: fear of commitment and fear of giving up food. I learned this on a podcast the other day that has transformed the way I eat recently. I could not relate to this statement more. The simple understanding that everyone goes through this gave me enough courage to stick through a tough diet. The simple solution to this is doing what you do not want to do and not giving up. Let me explain. Throughout my life, I have gone through difficulties like everyone else. Plain and simple, when you are at a point of low willpower, you are not going to do the right thing. You are going to do the thing that benefits your wants in that specific moment. It is a bleak outcome to aim to achieve a distant goal when you are at your breaking point. However, look at your inspirations. They do not complain or drag out plans. All they do differently, is they do it. That is not to say that it is not hard to do. It is extremely difficult, but there is an easy way of looking at things. You can suffer now or suffer later. You can suck it up and eat correctly now, or you can suffer the punishment of quitting later. Most people chose the latter half which is why we are so obese as a country. I am no exception though. I have fed my guilty wants and needs due to low willpower. It was not until now that I am experiencing the harsh punishments of doing that. After listing to this podcast, I have found the problem. I see what everyone else does that is wrong. I see what the top 1% do that others do not. I am willing to suffer now as opposed to later. Through this change, I decided to follow what my idols do. To get where your idols are, you have to do as they do. For me and my "superheroes", I am going on a strict carnivore diet. I know everyone's body is different we all have different goals, but for me, I found this diet to be exactly what I need physically. Currently, I am doing great. Though I know I will go through some tough times, the suffering now will lead to a greater good later.

It is one of the worst feelings you have ever felt. This is not even coming from me, but I can say with certainty that I agree with it. Depression is a serious issue. It seems as if because there is no physical attribute or measurable scale of pain, it is looked over as a critical illness. It may also be due to the fact of embarrassment for victims. It is not a quality trait you specifically want to show off to others. Either way, with all the little help that is out there, this is measured as one of the world's worse illnesses by those who have experienced it. For me, a rapid decline in events leads to a very bleak outlook on life. With such a quick downfall, it is extremely difficult to pick up your life again. Though not impossible, you can not see the end of the tunnel. This affected me tremendously. From going to opposite moods quickly, my social life turned upside down fast. I was no longer happy going out. The people around me saw a complete flip of personalities. My goals and aspirations took a turn. I tried to aim for what I saw would make me happy, only to be completely wrong with the outcome. I turned a blind eye to other opportunities and invites. I was complete to myself, but the problem was, I was not happy with myself. It was not until I started to learn and gain knowledge on the subject that I started to see improvement. Today, I am worlds better than I was before. Though not as apparent in the moment, basic pursuits helped me greatly. Seeking friends, pursuing self-improvement, and enjoying fun experiences are what made my life meaningful again. It was a demanding adventure, but it was easy to say that the result was worth it. This period in my life opened up my mindset for the topic. Before, I never cared nor worried about such an illness. After, I feel a deep sorrow and empathy for the others that have it worse than me. Though I was never to the point of suicide, I now understand where that mentality comes from. This life lesson taught me many things. Though, I believe the main lesson is about others. For others in a bad mood, quiet, or an outcast, I know what they are going through now. I try my hardest to cheer them up as I know what it is like. I wish this experience on absolutely nobody and I am trying my hardest to make it go away for all.

Not everyone needs that transitioning period in their life, but there is definitely a fair share of people out there that could benefit from it. To be blunt, I needed it badly. Without knowing it, I went from a goal-chasing student to an instant fulfilment adult. It happens when you get too comfortable in life. When you get everything you want, you get lazy. Your lifelong goals turn into minute desires fulfilled by playing video games or eating unhealthy. It is a sneaky trap to fall into. Then it all changed in a snap. My mental health has never been lower than at that moment. This "transition" came from dipping down into my worst experiences and then having the willpower to bring myself self back up. Though it was tougher than beyond my beliefs, the light on the other side was brighter than imagined too. Without going into too much detail, there are a lot of stressors in our lives. There are also a lot of things that can fall out of place. You are risking a lot when there is a chance that your world can crash in an instant, and when you are in that scenario in the first place, it is likely to happen. I am not sympathising only with myself. Out of everyone, I probably had one of the better breakdowns. Sometimes people do not get so lucky and do not make it out. For those going through this, from me and everyone I have ever heard of, it is always way brighter on the other side. After this fall down, I knew something had to change in me. I got to work. While hard because I would still find myself breaking down, I always found a way to stand back up and get back at it. Your life is like an empire. You can build it up, and it can fall down, but you always have to remember to keep building it up stronger and stronger so that does not happen again. Mental health is overlooked a lot. Though there are resources at your fingertips, we often do not use them for worries of being weird or weak. We do not tell our friends for fear of their judgements. Even our own family often is unaware of these dips because it is something that should not be there. I understand, but this is an absolutely terrible viewpoint to have. You need to put yourself first, first and simply. Use your recourses and get better. During the dips I went through, I did not tell my parents till the very end. One can say it was probably defined as "the very end" because it helped me solve my problems. From personal experience, it is even tougher to continue with your friends and family depressed. People start to assume things about you that are not true, and the dip will just get worse. Once you make it clear that you need help, a whole door of opportunity opens up to you. Mental health is no joke. Once taken care of, your opportunities are deceivingly limitless. Make your future self proud and do the right thing for yourself! It helped me in more ways than I could imagine.

Life is hard. The saying that life throws you around is not an exaggeration. I have been there too. There are plenty of moments in life that leave you wondering where you went wrong. Those times are tests though. If you can make it past them, what is on the other side is like no other. I have lost many friends, had many haunting life experiences, and went through a lot of difficult times. However, I am still here. Staying positive is easier said than done in good situations. I had a few tactics I used to push through the pain and keep on track. First, I made sure to schedule plenty of alone time throughout the day. Use it how you want. If you force yourself to do something you do not want to do, you are missing the point. I like to either go to the gym, work in my car, go for a drive, or sit in the pool. All of these things take your mind off the stressor(s) in your life. Next is to advance yourself. Despite what made you feel this way, do better. Get yourself up and distract yourself with hard work. The best part is, once you are at the top, there is no looking down. Lastly, sometimes you have to just do it. Though it may sound strange, sucking it up and putting on a smile will do you wonders in the future. Nobody wants to hang around a moping kid. Be happy on the outside and eventually it will return to you.

You can do both. For my whole life till a few years ago, I was saturated with the content of self-improvement. From family and teachers to media influences, I was doing everything in my power to "make it". This drove my life. Though I got praise for doing it, it was not till recently that I questioned if it was what I wanted to be. See, at the end of high school, I grew my friend group drastically. I got a girlfriend, got new hobbies, and made new experiences. To say it reasonably, I was on top of the world. I did not look back. I was happier than I have ever been, but my school work started to drag. All of a sudden, my asperations and side hustle started to drop off. I did not care about my physical health or financials anymore. Nothing mattered to me except having fun. I see why now. This abandonment of joy detering from a life of hard work and sacrifice is overwhelming. Why would one want to go back to work if they are having the time of their life? Fast forward a year and everything fell. I ended up losing most of my friends for a variety of reasons. My hobbies started to not feel as exciting as before, and I found myself often with nothing to do. The constant "looking for fun" lead me to a dark hole. A little after, I stumbled across a quote. "You can do both", referring to your hustle and having fun. You can work on growing while still having friends. You can chase your goals while still having fun. You do not have to pick total commitment or total enjoyment. You can do both. Live the life you wanted while still defining your future.

I am where I am today simply because of the people I look up to. Not even focusing on the superstars of our social media world, I come across people in everyday life that inspire me to no end. The things I do is because I saw them in the real world and got inspired. From it, I can look at my life from a standpoint right now and say that I am super satisfied with who I have become, and that is not something I take for granted. Having this viewpoint will help a lot of people. You achieve happiness best by finding something you love and doing whatever it takes to get there. Most of the time, you figure this out through others. Find someone that inspires you to no end, and do what they are doing. Since I can say I am happy where I am at, I am now at the point where I can see myself becoming an influence on others. Not only my close peers, but strangers and kids I encounter tend to look up to me differently than before. I am now aware of this power. The way I look at it, my influences have been very good to me. They have never led me astray or down a bad path. It is very much the opposite. Each one of them leads me to better health, morals, and happiness. I am hoping to do the same to others. By using my influence, I am trying to evoke a positive image in everyone around me to do the right thing for themselves and others. It is a hard task but a task that is worth it in many ways. My hopes is for them to be in a simular situation to me.

If we follow our current paths, we are only getting worse. This is sadly true for a lot of aspects right now in our world. However, it is even sadder to see that the primary participant in this statement is our environment. It is taught in schools, broadcasted on social media, and discussed by neighbours. Yet somehow, very little is still being done. Like many, this was a clear complication for me. If we can all do the simple things, we can make a big change together. I like to contribute through my day-to-day activities, as I know these small things will add up. For instance, I turn off lights when possible, shut off the water when not used, reuse water bottles, recycle, and eat all of my leftovers. I convinced my family to install solar panels and use eco-friendly house maintenance products. These are all relatively small activities to do. Adding participants will only help our world. Soon, if enough people become self-conscious about their impact on the environment, we can turn that path around. We can improve our ecosystem in dramatic ways!

People will criticize you on a lot of things. Plain and simple, if they are not doing it, it is not right in their heads. Right now, at nineteen, I am trying my hardest to better my life in a multitude of ways. For my physical health, I go to the gym at four in the morning to start my day off right. I eat a carnivore-based diet to help my body's illnesses. I apply to scholarships like these in hopes of getting school paid for. I prioritize getting sunlight to help my mental health. I box daily in hopes of making it to the big leagues. I put crazy hours into a side hustle in hopes of maintaining an income level. All of these things are widely abstract to most, and I surely never hear the end of it. Even if it is with hopes of self-improvement, it is wrong for most people. Since they are not doing it, they want to make it very clear that it is not good. I have gotten beat up gradually over time due to these things, but I have learned a thing or two from them. First, though easier said than done, you have to put these words behind you. If you do not want to be in their current situation, do not listen to their advice. Look at your idols and do what they are doing. Secondly, nobody is the same. My friend does not experience the same dysfunctions I feel. Going on a strict diet is foreign to him, as it should, so do not take it personally. Lastly, do what makes you feel good. As long as you are happy, what does anything else matter? Live boldly and you will be happy.

Eleven years, countless hours, back-to-back classes, and instructing positions give you a lot of years inside the dojo. It is easy to say that I spent a lot of time there. Even past that though, I spent a lot of hard work and energy at this, what you would call a second home. What came out of it was astonishing: a black belt. However, it was not the reward itself that gave me this much gratitude, yet instead, it was all the hard work that went into it. This black belt was not just a trophy, but a symbol of all the effort, sweat, tears, blood, and pain that I have gone through. Do not get me wrong, the path is always better than the reward. I have had great and fun times in class. However, I have also had countless times when I just wanted to give up. This taught me a lot, but it most importantly tought me the lesson on pushing forward. You get the best reward when you do something you do not feel like doing. When I received my black belt, it was the one achievement I was extremely proud of. Not to knock down any of my other achievements though, but this was the task I put the most amount of long-term effort into by far. That feeling afterwards is like nothing else. It is the feeling of satisfaction that you made this possible. If it was easy, it would not have felt the same. Ever since this moment, I have always chosen the harder option of pushing through and finishing what I have started. From this mindset, there are a million different obstacles I want to tackle now. The biggest ones I have been working on recently are improvements in the gym, school, and finances. The gym turns out to be the hardest so far due to the constant physical stress on your body. It really gets to you, and when it is early in the morning and you feel achy and tired, it is very easy to say "no" and go back to bed. However, recently, I have been pushing myself to the limits and it has been working out magnifacant for me. As for school and my job, I have been also applying the most I possibly can. I have a full plate, but when I finish all of my tasks, I will get the same feeling I got on the day of my black belt. I will have succeeded in my goals completely through hard work. I was so close to giving up, but for some reason, I did not. I am super grateful for this moment and will always be. It is a time I tend to look back on often when I am struggling or about to give up. If you do not have this experience, I highly recommend you push through one task you have been dreading and see how it feels on the other side. You will not regret it!

Being your boss is a dream goal for everyone. As put simply, who would not want to be their boss. I believe it turns a lot of people off when you describe how much work goes into it, but if that does not bother you, it is likely high on your list. Me personally, I do not mind working at all. I actually believe that if you can get into a rhythm, sitting down and getting to work is super enjoyable. This is especially true when you can literally pick out any job or industry you want. Looking back at my life, my family played a huge role in how I look at entrrapeneuriship today. Both my parents and both my aunts all owned very successful businesses. I got first-hand experience in the struggles they went through. Needless to say, I was not sugarcoated on the experience like a large number of people were. Even seeing them constantly working and brainstorming, I still had a deep desire to get into the self-boss lifestyle. Fast forward around three years after my parents opened up shop, I decided to make my own business. While in my parent's name for legal reasons, I had a full online store selling an arrangement of products. Based on an eBay and Amazon business strategy, I was selling a reasonable amount. This is especially true when you take into account that I was only 14 when I started. Still going strong today on the hopes and dreams, I can say I am very actively involved in an entrepreneurship lifestyle. Euntrapenurship is a very tough field. It has its perks for sure, but it seems as if everyone has it wrong. By being around it and an active participant, there are a lot of obstacles you have to just deal with. It is rare I do not get a headache sometimes throughout the day dealing with something. Whether that be on the legal side of things, financial side, or sales side; there is always something that is going wrong or can be better. It is the stuff that makes you want to quit. However, it is also the stuff that you have to drive past to reap the rewards. From this experience, I see many more business adventures in my future. It has always been my goal, and since I was lucky enough to dabble enough in the thought at a young age, I can not get enough of it now.

If I am being honest, I, along with probably quite a few others on here, can do better with studying. I am not going to lie, as it is probably one of the hardest parts of the school. It is not like homework or quizzes where you have a set date, a set rulebrick, and a set task to complete. It is more up in the air... up to you. However, last semester I took a psychology class I find myself referring back to a lot. One segment I found extremely useful was indeed a topic of memory. He dove in depth specifically on studying later in the chapter. My takeaways from it were as so... Your memory recalls events much better if you bring them up multiple times in different segments. As so, it is better to have smaller study sessions but to do this two or three times as you will remember all of the information you studied much better. It is also best to picture it in your mind. Putting the words to an image will help your brain. Lastly, but probably most known, is that you should connect the material to a secondary object or word. This is the tactic I found most rewarding as it works wonders for me. All in, there is most definitely a lot we can do as students to increase our studying game. All that is important though is that we work on it, and it seems we are. The progress surely shows!

There is something about it that I can not explain, but to try to put it into words, nature seems to be gods gift to make us relax. When it is just you and your natural surroundings, everything is at peace. This is the reason there are so many adventure travellers out there. There is no destination too far to make us stay away. It is great too because there are so many different landscapes. As stated, this is why some people spend their life-savings just to go to one natural landmark. Seeing pictures just does not do them justice. To truly enjoy them, you have to be there. This seems to be true with everyone, as I do not see many people simply looking at a picture of the Amazon rainforest and being content. I think I speak for all when I say it is a feeling we simply can not describe. It is a feeling like no other. Being surrounded by nature is wonderful. It feels right.

Do not get me wrong, I fell in love with Karate. I had a strong passion for it, but you always get those days when you lose all motivation. For me, that persisted for a bit when I moved states. As of now, I live in southern Florida, but as of four years ago, I was living in the Chicagoland area. Here, I had a dojo I was committed to for an ongoing seven years. I obtained my brown belt, just one belt away from black when I had to move. There was a good year that I took off during this move. There were bigger priorities like school and housing we had to figure out first. Though, the time came when I had to choose to continue or stop. Sure enough, I pushed through and continued my sport. Fast forward three more years and I was able to get my black belt. Needless to say, at this moment I was proud to say I pushed through.

Sometimes in life, you get by giving. As weird as it may sound, the joy you get when you help or give back to people is hugely gratifying. With my way of looking at things, I see generosity as simply putting others above your own wants. You may want to avoid helping due to internal comfort, but if you can put your wants behind you for a bit, you can see what it is like to actually help someone. If you can achieve that, I believe you can check off generosity as a character trait. There are not a lot of people in this world that still do that, but you can still find a big handful of people if you look hard eneugh. Take these people as inspiration and see what life they are living. Most of the time, someone who devotes themselves to helping or giving to others is the happiest in the room. It is crazy to think about, but try to remember these people and think about how happy they are in life. Now take this inspiration to heart and try it out. You can see that being generous actually gives back in ways bigger than you would imagine. Start emphasizing others.

Everybody realizes that mental health is a large part of your overall well-being, yet we are struggling so much as a whole to conquer it. We see thousands of suicides yearly, yet we see very little real-world help. It is still so easy to lose track of your mental state and not receive any reinforcement for it. Mental health is a battle we are still strongly struggling with within this nation, and I think it will be until our population starts taking action. I am a strong believer that most do not know how big of a deal true depression is until they start going through it. This strongly shows through all of our actions, and until the nations know what it is actually like, I do not think much will get done for others battling this fight. It is so easy to get down these days. A bad day at work or overwhelming time at school can cause one to go home in tears. This is not it though, as it is very easy to have such a day at work where you receive symptoms like panic attacks and spasms. It is situations like so that show me how little humans think about others' mental health. Like everybody else, I have dealt with countless instances at work and school that have left me freaking out. Interacting with the world afterwards only makes it worse as they have no intentions of helping. I find it best to be alone for a bit, but that is not such a great coping strategy for some. However, I think most drops in life come from our relationships. From the suicide battles I have heard from, it is others that truly ruin a person's life. I do have minor experience with this compared to some of the cases, but I can say that I have never been lower mentally after others have ended all types of relationships. To take into account some of these people's situations, I highly sympathise with the victim's actions. What is important is you dust yourself off and rebuild, but that is the hardest part. I got hit with a hard wave when a certain relationship ended me. My experience in trying to rebuild myself up could not have been harder either. With all of that going on, the world does not slow down for you. Work and school are still full steam ahead, and with others not knowing about your situation, they will continue to keep putting pressure on you. When you are already in a bad state of mental being, this pressure does not fold nicely. This is a situation most will likely not want to talk about, so every one of your peers or family members will treat you like they normally do. Though it was hanging out with other friends and family that got me over a large barrier, they are not always as helpful as one would hope. This is why I found most of my healing alone. Not having any stressors added to your mental state is a big impactor on me. As far as growth afterwards though, I could not have been happier. It is a very tough battle, but the sunshine on the other side makes it worth it. My beliefs have changed dramatically. I am more focused on myself than anything. I also nurture my mental health now. I know what to do if I become overwhelmed, stressed, or depressed. I have an arsenal of tools to overcome this that works for me specifically. Letting loose of the situation for a moment and relaxing is a big helper when clearing your mind. Continuing, I strongly value relationships as I know they are the centre of life and true happiness. However, I also know that people can leave or hurt you in ways. Therefore, I have found that it is better not to get too attached and to be willing to let lose if it is not right for you. My schooling and job have treated me similarly, but the coping mechanisms I use afterwards are more than helpful. I have found that on days I am overwhelmed, it is best to take a step back and ask how I can fix it. My battle has been hard, but I could not be more pleased with the person that emerged from the darkness. For anyone going through this, my best advice would keep going. Power through it and see the amazing light afterwords.

Eating right and staying active is the general idealization of a healthy lifestyle. While this is the main foundation and grounds for living right, I have to argue that it is not everything that makes a healthy lifestyle complete for human beings. There is also much more detail than involved in that general statement. It has been found that the ones that live the longest are very sediment in their daily activities. They were not heavy gym-goers or athletes. Instead, it was said that a large percentage of long-living elders did not adventure out farther than household chores. The biggest piece of advice my grandma said she received from the doctor is to not overdo it. He recommended constant movement, but he assured her to not push her limits. With that being said, an argument could even be made that being sedentary is the healthiest option. For me, I have found that a good mix is good if one wants a lasting and healthy body. Though it does depend on one's physical goal, if true health is at the point, subtle upkeep of the mind and body is the best route in my opinion. I want to sell in physical activity at a younger age, solely due to my commitment to sports. Therefore, I am currently training my body to fail on a daily routine. I can agree that this is not the ideal way to go about things, but due to my goals in life, it is what fits best for me. As far as the food aspect of things, I eat as much as I can but also relatively healthy when possible. As my goals involve me gaining mass, I need to consume calories. This is very hard to due on a strict healthy diet. Though I agree a clean diet is great for your health, it is hard to do on a tight school schedule. Nevertheless, I am working as hard as I can to do such. I believe it is just as important to train your mind as it is your body. As old age kicks in, mental illness seems to be just as frequent as physical. I am involved in many mental exercises such as recalling my day and past events and meditation. Exercises such as these have been proven to keep your mind intact and more resilient to these mental illnesses. When I referred to health being much more than eating and exercise though, I was more referencing all of the different aspects that go into the overall well-being of your body. I have had a lot of lessons taught to me about the overall health of your body and mind. The human body is so complex and designed in a way to cater to our primitive beings. Therefore, there are a lot of different upkeep tactics that we do not simply know about or do. For instance, our circadian rhythm requires us to get adequate morning sunlight and evening sunlight for it to stay inside. However, as humans that often spend most of the time indoors, we do not get enough of this light to program our circadian rhythm correctly. There are a bunch of these smaller, yet important, instances that play into our overall health. Though it is hard to know and practice them unless, in a health-related major, I believe strongly that we should consider them when conversing about overall health. To conclude, your overall health can be dealt with differently depending on your goals, but it is never acceptable to completely put aside exercising and maintenance on your body.

Doing the right thing when nobody is looking is a quality trait that I feel is worth being proud of. If you look around, it seems as if everybody only does well if it benefits them in some way, whether that be increasing their status or a tangible gift. It is a trait that is very hard to get started in as it seems as if there is no apparent benefit from doing it. I can tell from experience that it is a gift in disguise though, for it is my favourite quality I have ever picked up on. Doing something good out of the kindness of your heart is a trait that we need to see more of in this world. From personal experience, I found that doing good out of the kindness of your heart is not something a lot of people do. Since, I tried my hardest to always do good, even when nobody is watching. I have also found that this is something to be proud of. It served me good back in so many ways. I think this is especially astounding when the whole point of doing these tasks is to not do them for yourself. Yet, somehow, life finds a way to repay you for your hard work. I feel like this specific trait will keep doing good things for me. Even though I will gladly continue when there is no apparent benefit for me, life has shown that karma does exist. From this, I will always make sure that I stay consistent in these efforts. These opportunities pop up the most in the smallest of instances. For instance, simple tasks such as picking up others' trash around and throwing it out is an easy way to do well. Most of the time, nobody will notice, but I believe that is the point. In a situation like so, I have had my manager directly notice and tell me to thank you. While this may not seem like much, when you do not expect anything in return, it is so much more gratifying to hear this. Needless to say too, you feel so good after you do an act like this. Even though nobody else will notice, you noticing and taking it into account is all that matters. As a trait I believe every person should carry, I hope to see these small acts of will more often. However, until that happens, the best way to spread the trait is to be involved in it myself. It is a characteristic I have thought very proudly of ever since.

The hardest question known to man is why we were put on this earth. It is a question every single of the 7 billion people on earth is actively trying to figure out, and it seems like no one has a solid answer to it. If we did, we would all be doing it; though, it seems like we are all in disagreement, pursuing different paths to try to fulfil this realization. For me, I am proud to say that I found the one that works. While everyone is different, I can actively say that I am pursuing my idea of life. What I have realised in my small amount of time on this earth is that being grateful for people is what matters. Spending time with the people you love, making them the centre of your world, and contributing everything to them is what makes life truly enjoyable. Be grateful for those people in your life that make it special. Even if it seems as if nobody is there for you, take an unbiased look around your life and see that there are so many people that have large contributions to your life. Realize this and you will be the happiest you have ever been.

Soley from experience can say that I enjoy helping others. From a step back, it seems almost diminishing to take from yourself and give it to someone who did not work for it. This was the mindset I carried for a long time. It only comes from doing that you can understand what it is all about. A few months ago now, I was in the position to help my family out. As my parents are active business owners, they do not have a lot of spare money to use for themselves. They believe in rolling everything back into the business. With that being said, my parents do not have a lot of luxuries in their life, let alone basic necessities. Some time ago, I received a small amount of money which came unexpectedly from my job. Though I can easily use it on myself, I got to think about something greater. A few days later, I found myself travelling 4 hours south to pick up a car for my father. Yes, I have things I could have used the money for myself, but at that moment, my parents desperately needed reliable transportation more than I did. From that moment on, I found the great gift that comes from giving to others. Now, all of my goals involve giving back to those who helped me. Not only that, I found that I give to charity and smaller businesses much more than I used to. It is not just throwing money away but instead giving it a better home than it had originally.

Always improving is important, but what is it for if you do not appreciate the spot you are at right now. It is nice to try to reach for the stars, but what happens when one reaches that endpoint. As humans in the modern world, we are very bad at taking a step back and realizing where we are at now. We have to consciously take a breath and understand that we are in an amazing position. Despite what we are going through, it can always be a million times worse, so be thankful that it is not. One of the greatest realizations when counting your blessings is seeing how much worse others have it compared to you. You may not think of yourself as anything special, but this is simply because you take a lot for granted. After all, it appears normal to you. Seeing as others live without the blessing like vission, food, family, support, wellness, and security; we have it very good. I like to think about such at night. Before I go to bed, I like to see the position I am in at that moment and understand how good it is. This, I believe, is the true answer to happiness.

In my future career, I am hoping to help others realise that money is not everything when it comes to life. As opposing as it may seem, I am reaching out to become a financial advisor to give people financial freedom, something I believe all Americans want. While a rewarding end goal, I want to make the realization known that this is not what makes one happy though. Life is supposed to be filled with friends, family, and adventure. Yes, it is hard to do such things without a consistent and reliable income, but what most people do not see is that chasing "the bag" is not what will make you happy. I am fortunate enough to say that I have had a point in my life where I was making good money at a younger age. While nice, that is simply all it was. It was "nice" to be able to buy my dream motorcycle and fill my closet with nice shoes. It was "nice" to be in a state of so forth luxury, but that was all it was. It was not life fulfilling or gratifying. What is, is a life full of friends and happiness. Though I was at a much lower point financially, I was much happier before I received this money. By the state in which people are in today, it seems as if they have to realize this for themselves. To conclude, yes money is important. Yes, one can even say it is the basis of all modern-day living. But what I am hoping to make America and society understand is that we should not live for it. It seems like these days, people will throw anything under the bus for some cash. By giving others this freedom, I hope all will realise this.

I am a visual person, so I love to script exactly what I want my life to be given in a few years. After putting my goals down on paper and doing the most to achieve them, my main goal is to be happy. Of course, I want to achieve my goals, but I make sure to set my goals up in such a way that I know I will be content with what I have. As of now, my perfect and content world in the future will be filled with family, money, and past success. I want to obtain a successful and lasting career in boxing; I hope to attain a middleweight championship belt along with an Olympic gold medal. Filling my life up with money will also allow me to live the comfortable life I want while also being able to give back to the people I love in life. Lastly, I want to share all of this success with the best people in the world. I am working diligently to reach success in each state. I am hoping I reach all of these goals, but above that, I hope I reach true happiness and peace from such later on in my life.

My life is driven by improvement, so it is easy to say that advancing my future is always on my mind. I always think about what I want to become and where I want to be now. If I can nail that, I will have a great satisfactory feeling afterwards. As of now, I am proud to look and say that I am the man the younger me wished to become. Like everyone in life, I have had a lot of ups and downs, but I see this as only motivation. It is proving that those times were not me; it was that I was only making a mistake. The drive after seeing something crash before my eyes is never bigger, so this constant pushing of myself makes me happy to see where I am today. As of now, I am hustling to achieve my goals for the future, but I am also reflecting on my current positions and making sure I enjoy my life as it stands. You can not turn back time, so wherever you are right now, it is important to make sure you are thankful for it. Enjoy everything you have and make sure you get to work so you don't regret it later in life.

Always improving has always been my main motivating factor. Waking up to try to be in a better situation than the day before is so rewarding to me that it seems to drive my lifestyle. Of course, you have to take those relaxing days to just hang out with your friends, but without the outlook to advance, there is no point in still going. There are so many moments when I look back a year, or two ago and see how far I have come since then. Showing not only others but myself that I have come this far is so rewarding to me. While I strive to always become better, I never forget to be thankful for what I have now though. Being able to sit back and notice that your life is so good is such a nice relief. This may be a secondary motivating factor to explain why I am so infatuated with improvement, but you can be sure that I am never going to stop trying to improve myself.

It is most important that you believe in yourself. It does not matter what others think, because what matters is that you think you can succeed. Whatever it is, it is you and you only that can make it happen. While looking at that point of view, it is easy to say that your word is the one that should matter most. If you lean into other people's beliefs, you will not be any different from anyone else. You will become what they are. Being original and unique to yourself is what makes the world such a great place. There are so many different beliefs and opinions out there. If everyone thought and did the same thing, the world would be a boring place. When it comes to peer pressure, it is mostly negatively looked upon. Just because somebody else says to do it does not mean you should do it. There are a million reasons why you should believe in yourself and your actions. Do what you want and stick to it. Despite what anyone says, it is your life and your beliefs. Do it for yourself.

I have happily found that the person I have become today is the person I used to look up to before. Looking back, my heros, idles, and people I found cool to me had all the traits I took to heart. After realising this, I found that it is my job to pay it back. Seeing as other people's personalities and actions can be so motivating to me, I can do the same for others. By being a generally good person and representing a vision that I think the world should enrich itself with, I believe we can motivate others in a much more dramatic way than one might think. Life is very hard, but by giving other people motivation and inspiration, they too can succeed in life beyond their craziest dreams. To conclude, I do not think your day to day actions are connected to only you. Instead, what you do and participate in will motivate younger generations to succeed beyond belief.

A big experience goal that I have been constantly pursuing is the chance to take a week's trip to Tokyo. With my friend by my side, we are hoping to fly our vehicles along with us to the great country of Japan. Compared to America, Japan is so much different. The culture and atmosphere seem alien to us, so we would both love to see what that is like. In addition, Tokyo is largely known for its automotive fanbase. When the opportunity presents itself, we will fly both of our vehicles with us to drive on the most legendary roads known to man. Right now, we both have active savings account for the trip. We have found ways to get our international drivers' licenses, ship our cars over, and navigate the city. We have both also sustained our passports, so this plan to experience a new world is already in the works. For a few years now, we have been constantly working on this dream trip, and it seems to be getting closer and closer to reality.

There was a time frame in my life when I was on top of the world. I had a lot of friends, I had no stressors, and I had everything I wanted at that point in life. Most effectively though, from this, I was confident. It felt as if I was on top of the world because I could do anything. It was as if nothing was impossible. I passed this time frame due to personal struggles and situations, but I am working diligently to get the mindset back. I am trying to learn from past experiences about what I can do to improve my confidence level. I have found that challenging yourself, especially socially, is the route to success here. However, I also found that small victories in these challenges give you a lot of self-confidence as well. If you wanted that job and nailed the job interview, your self-confidence will increase as opposed to passing up on the opportunity. It may seem easy, but when you are in the moment, it is a mental battle that is hard to fight. I find that it is worth it though, so I am constantly finding these situations and tackling them head-on. From this advince, I hope everyone can take something from it and boost themselves mentally.

At 19, I have had a fair share of experience dealing with others now. You meet a lot of different people when you get out there and explore; enough to get a good grasp on what makes a person them. At the end of the day, I can pick out what people I value and what people I would rather not be around for my mental health, and by saying this, I can determine who I should be. Being treated well is such a good feeling. It leaves you in a great mood. On the contrary, leaving a negative conversation leaves you feeling frustrated, and sometimes overwhelmed. After knowing what kind of mental state one can leave in after interacting with someone, I make sure to make the best of it. The saying is true. I want to be treated well, so I am going to treat others well. With this type of mentality, the world can be such a better place. Let us pass the positivity along.

I, along with many others, have a lot of stressors in day to day activities. Work and school have me in a panic attacks on certain days. My favourite activity that gives me time alone along with the ability to regain my mental status is going to the gym. At this moment, it is just me and my music trying to lift as heavy as I can. When you go to the gym, you are growing. You know that you are bettering yourself while you are there, and all you have to do is push yourself. Physically, it can be straining. However, mentally, your brain is free. There is no complex thinking you have to do in the gym except for telling yourself to do one more rep. It is so easy on the mind, yet so beneficial that it makes me feel so good after going. For me, this is also the perfect place to listen to music. As stated, it is not a mental activity, so you can let your mind just listen and enjoy your favourite songs. There are very few other times when I can say I can listen to music worry-free without having to concentrate on another task. The gym is a time for self-growth, personal care, and mental healing for me. Nobody else has a say; it is just me and my progress. Nobody else is bothering you; it is just you and how much you can push yourself. I recommend this to anybody. Try it out and go to the gym with this mindset.

Unlike most other subjects, math is rational (in a literal sense). There is always a solution. It is not opinion or story-based; it is instead based on the correct number(s) provided and the work shown. This is why I love it so much. You are either right or wrong; you can not argue that it is incorrect or correct because it shows it in the math. There have been multiple times I disagreed with the teacher's grade in classes, such as history and English, simply because they did not agree with my answer. I have had an opinion-based answer, as said in the question, be graded wrong because the teacher did not understand my point of view. It is times like these that I tend to stray from learning, but then I get into math class. In a world where problem solving and equations are king, I feel like I can do something right. There are a lot of professional careers out there that involve heavy math. It may be true that you can go about your life without ever using the pythagorean theorem or imaginary numbers, but for those who want to tackle a dream job, more than likely you will be using a heavy dosage of math. Let us look at engineering. While not my desired career choice, as many as 6% of all degrees are made up by it. Without it, our society would look worlds different, but with it, it makes our home town look like a fairy tale. A business degree, the education that makes our society run, is a heavy suitor of math. Even more than engineering, 19% of degrees are made up of business degrees, so it is easy to say that there is a large percentage of people that have to know some intricate math. However, without this path, I believe it is safe to say that our society would not be able to function at all. This skill also creeps into biology, health, management, communications, astrology, computer sciences, finance, and many more majors. If math was not important, it would not be the main focus of over half of all college degrees. So yes, you can get past life without having to use anything over 2nd-grade math, but what kind of contribution would you be giving to society? To make us grow as a nation and a race, this advancement is very necessary. To all those who are searching for great societal improvement, let us all take a good look at math.

For over 13 years now, I have been a fighter. Starting with Karate and now boxing, every day since I can remember I have always incorporated my hobby into my day. After accomplishing a large number of my set goals, I am now set on obtaining a middleweight championship belt in boxing, but with such a large goal comes a lot of practice. Right now, I wake up before class and spend a little over 2 hours in the gym. I do compound movements to get my speed and strength up for certain manoeuvres in the sport. At night, I spend another 2-3 hours with cardio or bag training. This is not to mention the extra 30 minutes of stretching, eating right, drinking right, and recovering. There is a lot that goes into it, but it is possible solely because of my love for the sport. It does not feel like work to me, but rather something enjoyable. My 2 hours in the gym is an escape for me. It seems like it is more mentally needed for me than physically a lot of the time. Training boxing in the afternoon is also a type of mental advancement as it makes me work strongly on a goal. Overall, it may seem overwhelming for a few, but it is a hobby I thoroughly enjoy.

From the way I see it, our society is constantly evolving. Some may say that everything we do is going down hill, but from looking at the past, I see differently. If we are talking about technology, standards, or rights; our society is constantly striving to improve. Sometimes we may not, and that is part of the game, but the effort is put in by almost all of us to get better as either a person, company, or society. The personal goal to improve oneself is almost shared universially through our world. I will agree that some do not have the same driver as others, but since evolution, we all have a basic sense to improve. Just the other day, a popular yoututber going by the name of "Mr. Beast" flew to a small village in Africa to donate water (Jimmy Donaldson). This man has told the press before that he gets very little profit from his videos and insteads spends the money on the videos such as this. While this is an extreme senareo on advancing society, it is happeing in our world today. The world does have its major downfalls. Disagreements happen and will continue to happen. That is not avoidable and will never be, but this is also not a reason to get discouraged. Humans are not perfect, so this will never not be an issue. It is just a situation we have to see as a little step back and imrpove even greater in the come back. Even if we are all not as motivated as Jimmy is, all 7 billion of us human beings are striving to get better at something. If we all have that mindset, 7 bilion people can make a big difference. If we keep going the way we are going, I have no doubt in my mind that we will keep improving at an exponential rate.

I am heavily involved at the moment with boxing. As of right now, I train for 2 hours in the morning before school when the gym first opens, stretch for an average of 30 minutes a day, and continue with cardio/fighting for the last 2-3 hours at night. It seems to occupy most of my time, but it makes sense to me for the goal I am aiming for. I am hoping to get my middleweight championship belt in boxing. I have experienced others do it first hand, so I am being unreasonable with my goals. I do still know, however, that this is a very tough goal to accomplish. This is why I am putting in close to 30 hours a week on training and practising. This also does not include the hardship in eating right and getting the right nutrition. Outside of training, I constantly deal with cramps, not eating enough, not drinking enough, and not having access to good quality food. However, as I said, it is a small struggle compared to the goal at the end of the day.

Real bonds are special to get these days. Taking it from Henry Travers himself, "Remember no man is a failure who has friends" (It's a Wonderful Life). Friends can be the reason you get up in the morning or sometimes the reason you cry at night, but you can not have your sunny days without a little rain. I found that on your worst days though, your friends are usually the ones there for you to help. Not too long ago, I was going through some very tough times with personal drama. I am not going to shade anyone who has gone through this sort of conflict, but my mental health was definitely on par with some of the worst. I had no plan, no motivation, no hope, and most importantly, no joy in my life. It was not until a past friend came up and completely flipped my mentality. It took a while, but I honestly can say that I might not be here without him. It is hard to convey what that experience does to you. When admitting your friend may have just saved your life, you look at other people in a whole new light. Even though you might not have gone through it yet and hopefully will not, just know that friends mean a lot more than what you think they do.

Though this may seem too simple to be true, I completely believe exercise can help the mind in a million ways. Struggling with mental illness can mean a lot of things, but the majority of the time, focusing on a separate and physical subject will help matters. I personally struggle with social anxiety. Though this may seem like a weak struggle, it is very prominent and affective in my life. One reason I exercise is to get my mind off things. Since I tend to overthink, worry myself, and trip up, exercise frees my mind from all of that. I am more open, less nervous, and actually sociable at times. I find myself not only happier and calmer after exercise, but also, I found my anxiety to decrease dramatically. Moving on to other mental illnesses, I still do believe exercise can help them. Simply taking your mind off overthinking and focusing on one task at hand is enough to make a person happy. It is scientifically proven that completing tasks makes the human brain happier. Humans are built to complete objectives, not be stagnant. Though mental illness may impair some to complete more difficult tasks related to the illness, physical movement is one objective that is in no way shape or form blocked. It will loosen your mind while giving yourself a target to focus on. Not to mention, it also opens up more relationships to make friends with, which is always good for your mental health. Exercise can truly work wonders.

Eleven years, countless hours, back to back classes, and instructing positions give you a lot of time inside the dojo. Easy to say that there was something that was implemented right in order for me to stay that long. I can not put any praise on myself though; I believe all of my gratifying experiences and hard work come straight from all of the strong lessons and senseis I have had through the years. Needless to say, these years were valuable. Coming from multiple schools across the U.S., I have had a mix of lessons taught to me, but I can say the most reoccurring one would have to be based on respect. Every school's goal was to teach you self defence in case a situation happened, but the real goal was to never have that happen. Respecting parents, siblings, friends, and strangers is the biggest deterrent to a fight. I am proud to say that even after my years of training, I have never had to use any fighting tenquiqe out of class, and I think that was the goal the whole time. I feel most people get this sport wrong. It is not so much the teaching of defence you use the most but instead, the teachings revolved around life. It is the action that gets you into the door and the lessons that make you stay.

From the way I see it, there are two paths two life. You can fill your life with amusement, fun, and entertainment; or you can fill up with dedication. There is no right or wrong answer choice here. Do you choose to be a taker or a giver? For the last few years, I chose my side and have been filling my life with hard work and goalsetting. Here is where I have gotten so far. I have three main goals right now I hope to grow in. First is academically. I am hoping to be able to attend UCF next year with most of it paid for. Here, I want to get a good education for a future career in finance and have a good experience studying. I am working harder than ever on this specific goal right now as its deadline is very soon. My second goal is based on relationships. I want to make new friends of all types and make my family happy. There are smaller goals spread out here in order to achieve success in this category. For instance, I have a small savings account in setup to buy my dad his dream car and a Facebook group related to a few of my hobbies to make new friends. Lastly, I want to achieve my physical objective by gaining a set weight with muscle and body fat. I also am currently enrolled in a boxing gym, so growing in this field will count toward these objectives. All in, there are a lot of targets I am trying to reach. It keeps me busy, which is good because it keeps me on that growth path filled with hard work and dedication. In the end, I will be happy to say I put in the work now.

Money is not everything, and I genuinely hope this world can understand that soon. It seems like money is the only thing that people crave in this day and age. They are not after friends, relationships, fun, family, or even happiness; they are after money. I have my sights on the financial field because I have found it is what I am generally good at, but my goal is to affect it in a unique way that has never been seen before. I am blessed to say that after the few years I have lived, I believe I have learned one of the most valuable life lessons. I know now that money should not be a top priority. I have had ups and downs, and with the help of money, I can truly say it did not fulfil anything I was longing for. It is family and friends, helping others, improving on yourself, and having fun that make you truly fulfilled. As a future financial advisor, my goal is to show people this, and as ironic as it may sound, I believe it may be the best avenue to doing so. I am heading into this career with a different mindset than most. Giving people financial security, freedom, and spending money will hopefully show them what money has shown me: that it is not what makes you happy. I believe most people's unhealthy lust for money is because they have wanted. People have these materialistic wants that are currently unobtainable to them. In hopes to give them enough financial success, I want my clientele to be able to afford these wants reasonably. Whether it be a new car, a diamond necklace, or an exotic vacation; I want them to see that though these items may be cool, it is not what makes you happy. It is the people you spend your time and money with that matter. In realizing this, I hope their mindset shall change like it did mine. My why for doing this is even actually quite bigger than this. Not only has our world today become obsessed with green, but they have also become selfish and egocentric because of so. I have to note that this is not everyone, but I have found that a large majority of our world is not what it should be. Caring about others will make this world a much kinder place to be in. Today, people care so much about themselves that kindness seems to be a weakness. I think that money is the driving force behind this mentality. If it was not for the selfishness associated with wants, people would open their eyes to the larger priorities in life. Making other's happy may just dominate the wish to make more money in the future. That is a world I would want to live in. Though I may not accomplish this all by myself, it is definitely worth a shot to make a difference.

Grandparents are the best teachers. They had it all: time, money, experiences, happiness, and sadness. It is only ideal that we respect and learn from it. About 3 years ago, I bought my grandma a plant for her birthday. Needless to say, she liked it, but it was not the highlight of her day. She said thank you and walked off. I had to do better, so I one-upped myself the next year and bought her a rocking chair. This, a gift worth ten times as much, got me the same reaction. Again, a simple thank you, and she walked off. I was initially upset, but I knew that she had to have a reason to walk off. My mother always said get gifts from the heart, so last year, I made her a painting. It was certainly nothing special, but it took some time and effort from me. When gifting it to her, she said it was her favourite gift out of all of them this year. She was certainly ecstatic. Then comes this year. I did not want to get her a painting because I already did that. I needed a new gift idea. Taking from what I learned last year, it is not the money she values, but the people. I took off of work, drove an hour to visit her, took her out to lunch, and dropped her back off. I will never forget what I heard. She told me that was her favourite birthday she's ever had. It is not the money, the materialistic things, or the item. It is the person. When you look back, you're not going to say "I wish I bought that rocking chair". It's going to be "I wish I spent more time with the people I love".

America's standards have changed. Whether for the good or bad, you decide; but there is no doubt that where we are today is not where we were five decades ago. I feel like we often overlook what equality is, and I think that is where most of our current problems come from. Equality is a simple term: to be of equal status, rights, and opportunities. It is not meant to over-glorify the proletariat to bring them up to a higher level; then they have simply surpassed the others. Looking at the names and trying to bring a certain group up is going about it the wrong way. We will never achieve true equality if we are singling out-groups, even if it is with the right intentions. What our community needs the most right now is to simply ignore the labels. Do not treat anyone with any less respect than what they humanly deserve, and that goes opposite too. Though it is very important to treat everyone you meet with the greatest amount of compassion and kindness you are physically able to, boosting up a certain group over another is just making things worse. That is where fights and outcries come from. What we need is to focus on the end goal: that everyone is equal. We must remind ourselves that nobody is better or worse than the other. No labels, no singling out: we are all the same.

The gym is my happy place. It is the place I go when I am down, bored, or not feeling it. It is the place where I improve myself. It is the place where I build up my self-esteem. I know when I am there, I am improving myself. I am doing good. I adore that part of me. It is something I am very proud of. My physical health is definitely my strongest attribute, and I love that it is. To be frank, that is my one main goal in my life. I enjoy looking in the mirror and be happy with how I look. That joy is even more when I recognise how hard I worked to be in good shape. I know, deep down, I worked years of going to the gym, going on runs, going to practices, and eating right in order to be in the condition I am in. I am super grateful I found my calling. I know, whenever I get down, I have a place to go that will get me up. After that workout, that reflection in the mirror gives me more joy than anything else right now, and I am never going to take that calling for granted.

"Same old, same old. Too many people in the world, not enough dinosaurs". I absolutely adored this mans energy. Some time ago, sitting at breakfast with my grandmother, a friend of hers approached the table. He was the happiest man I have met in a while, to put it bluntly. For solid 3 minuets of talking, I have never seen my grandmother laugh that much. The energy originating at that opening response from simply asking how he was doing never let down. Come to know though, he was desperately short on money, worked two full time jobs as a cleaner, dealt with relationship problems with his wife, and suffered from seeing his kids in jail. My grandmother explained to me he told her such sad story's about what was currently happening in his life, yet he was always super up-beat when they talked. Happiness is a choice. I like to lay in bed sometimes, despite whatever mood I am in, and think about everything I am grateful for. If you really think about it, we are all super lucky. We are able, healthy, secure, safe, and frankly, alive. It would be a sin not to enjoy our lives with all we have been given. Especially when Doug, the man at the table, has such a positive outlook despite the situations that come his way. There is no logical way I could not at least copy that mans energy. From all that, I found that being grateful is the absolute best way to keep a positive attitude. I have used this time and time again, and you truly feel amazed after you count all your blessings. Doug left the table that day laughing, "Ahh its all good, heck, at least I'm not dead". Aspire to be like Doug.

Though coming off as conventional, I sincerely believe the timeworn "YOLO" ("you only live once") is the most influential quote of our time. Our generation often uses this phrase as a justification for dangerous or senseless stunts. Nerveless, if you read it as it is, I believe it can do wonders. The reason I say this quote is as impactful as it is, is because it is true. Everyone only has one life. If you spend it not chasing your dreams, taking risks, or enjoying yourself, you will have waisted that one life, and life is by no means a gift to overlook. Originally told by Ben Zimmer, a columnist and editor for major news articles, the quote is truly trying to convey to everyone on this planet to live their life to the fullest. However, made popular more the recent music artists, I believe Drake does more justification to the term. The quote became mainstream after "... you only live once …" was sung by Drake in the song The Motto. Ever since then, younger generations have been living by it. Weather or not they have been using the quote to its original intentions is debatable. Still and all, Drake, a superstar who made his dream life a reality, is someone we should be looking to as an example. Even if superstardom is not your "cream of the crop", this man is living his best life, and that is something we should all be aspiring to do. This idea has personally been an amazement to me. Because of it, I realized not chasing after my dreams is moronic. It candidly gave me an "all in" attitude towards life. "You only live once" (Ben Zimmer 1996), is a quote that quit literally overtrumps everything. Nothing is more important than your own life. No-matter your outlook, goals, or morals, take your life to the stars and live it like its your only one.

Though this may seem too simple to be true, I completely believe exercise can help the mind in a million ways. Struggling with mental illness can mean a lot of things, but the majority of the time, focusing on a separate and physical subject will help matters. I personally struggle with social anxiety. Though this may seem like a weak struggle, it is very prominent and affective in my life. One reason I exercise is to get my mind off things. Since I tend to overthink, worry myself, and trip up, exercise frees my mind from all of that. I am more open, less nervous, and actually sociable at times. I find myself not only happier and calmer after exercise, but also, I found my anxiety to decrease dramatically. Moving on to other mental illnesses, I still do believe exercise can help them. Simply taking your mind off overthinking and focusing on one task at hand is enough to make a person happy. It is scientifically proven that completing tasks makes the human brain happier. Humans are built to complete objectives, not be stagnant. Though mental illness may impair some to complete more difficult tasks related to the illness, physical movement is one objective that is in no way shape or form blocked. It will loosen your mind while giving yourself a target to focus on. Not to mention, it also opens up more relationships to make friends with, which is always good for your mental health. Exercise can truly work wonders.

You only live one life. That single quote is what is driving me to live the best one. A few years ago, I stopped to see where I was at in life. To be frank, I was underwhelmed. I had no big goals, was living for the moment, and disregarded everything that did not employ fun. I was just a high school student, but my future seemed to be how everyone's would turn out. A 9-5 job, living in a suburban neighborhood is not how I want my life to be. I want to do something with my life. Again, you only get one. I'm going to shoot for the stars. I do not care if it is near impossible to achieve, this is my only life so it is going to happen. I am going to become a pro athlete. Specifically, I am going to become the 1% of boxers who make it to become a champion. I want to hold the middleweight championship belt within my lifetime. Everyone wants fame, fortune, and wealth. Off course, I want that too. The question is, why can't I have it. In my life, I want to be known for being one of the best boxers in my prime. Having this audience and presence will mean I can have power to do what is right for the world. I can motivate others to do the same, spread awareness to global problems, and leave a legacy behind. I will not waist this one life.

If you knew me, you would know I am a fitness fanatic. I pride health and growth as a top priority for me. This alone has helped my friends take a peek into the health and fitness industry, but I knew I could do more than what I was doing to help. Skipping to today, I am proud to say that all of my close friends are now active members at the gym have made serious progress over the years through consistent training and dieting. Take my friend Josh for instance. We met in school Sophomore year. A few years later and he has lost 80lbs. His physique is unrecognizable. It started when we both started hitting up Crunch Fitness together. At this time, I have been working in the gym for about 3 years now. From past training from coaches and mentors, I was relatively knowledgeable in the area. I showed in the ropes and what it takes to get where he wants to go. We would go back to my place and I would show him what I eat and how to prepare it. By consistently motivating each other, a year later, he achieved his goal. Another close friend, Ashton, is just starting to workout. I showed him my gym, how I eat, and how I recover. Though it has only been a month since we started, he is already seeing progress and I can not wait to see where he ends up. Seeing not just myself, but others create a better lifestyle makes me feel like I am doing what is right. In future years to come, I hope to spread my training to a wider audience through large scale media. I want the success I witnessed in the past few years for everyone.

Both me and my best friend are strong advocates for the environment. We find it is important to contribute in any way possible. For instance, we both use as little plastic as possible, walk to places if we can, separate recyclables at home, and carry re-usable shopping bags. With the idea that this can possible save the world, we try to reach this lifestyle out to everyone we can. I personally chose to start with family. For instance, this Christmas I gifted bamboo toothbrushes and organic toothpaste to everyone in the family. My friend started to spread awareness via Instagram with her new account "blueberry.earth" in hopes to reach her friends. Though this lifestyle alone will make a big impact if everyone can contribute, we both realistically understand that not everyone will be willing to do the same as us. Because so, going above and beyond is nessasery to see results. By us in Florida, they have regular beach cleanups in the morning we attend. We also fix up plants around the house and make sure we take care of them. We figured doing small things like this can cancel out some of the harm done by society today.

During the start of the pandemic, my girlfriend introduced me to a program called "The Making Life" which is a blog site that promotes arts and crafts. Specifically, she pointed out an article instructing how to send off cards to nursing homes for elders. We always enjoyed arts and crafts together, so we decided to make a few cards. We ended up making close to 300 cards in the end. We found it as a fun way to enjoy each others company while also sending positive thoughts to others and doing good for the community. Making each card unique and special, this project lasted for weeks. We found a distributor and shipped them all out. When all was said and done, we had about 50 cards going to a single nursing home distributed across Florida. Off course, we aimed for local areas around us (Bradenton FL). Unfortunately, yet understandably, we were not able to put our names on the cards; we never got too see any reactions in person. Despite it, we knew our gifts were very well appreciated.