Golf has taught me that with discipline and perseverance you can get exceptionally good at something and accomplish anything you set your mind to. I first started playing golf with my dad in 2022. I instantly fell in love with the sport! At the beginning of my golf journey, I was not good at all, but every day I would go to the driving range, work on my form, and spend countless hours practicing. Golf was initially difficult for me because it takes a lot of time and patience. That, for me, is a challenge, because I like to see progress and results quickly. Golf has taught me that with time and commitment, I could improve my game exponentially. Even though my body hurt so bad at times, I kept going and today I am a good golfer who can keep up with even prominent level, very experienced players. This past summer, I decided to volunteer with Special Olympics Colorado as a unified partner for their golf program. I played golf with a young man who has significant special needs. This experience brought me so much joy. I continued to develop my patience when teaching/helping my partner athlete. I cannot imagine how challenging it was for an individual with limited vision and mobility to learn the sport. I loved every minute of the Special Olympics golf season and plan to partner with the same athlete this coming summer. I am so grateful to know him and consider him a friend. I was also fortunate enough to get a job at the local golf course toward the end of last season and will continue to work there this year. Working at the golf course has taught me about customer service, golf etiquette, and all the things that go into providing a superior experience for golfers. I plan to attend college this Fall to study Mechanical Engineering. I am used to things coming somewhat easy for me and for this degree, I know I will have to study a lot more. I am sure that the material will be frustrating to learn and understand at times. The perseverance that golf has taught me will serve me well throughout college and life. Having learned about the importance of etiquette and customer service will also help me in my future career as an engineer. I have also learned that if I do not see results immediately - for instance, with school or working out - I may have periods where it does not seem 'worth it,' if I keep at it, I will see progress and not only meet, but often surpass my original goals. I forsee golf being a long-term part of my life. I intend to continue to play socially, possibly on a team in college as well as serve my community through Special Olympics golf partnership.