Music is probably one of the most defining characteristics in my life. My mom, a violin and voice teacher, began teaching me piano when I was four years old. She also tried to teach me the violin, but I was resistant. My mom thought that teaching me music when I was young would unlock my potential as a musician and singer. My mom was a very talented musician; she played the violin, viola, harp, piano, and sung opera. I think I received my musical abilities from her, as well as my love for music. When I was little, I was not thrilled with the idea of taking piano lessons and practicing every day. I was a kid with a kid’s agenda, and I had my whole life ahead of me. But when my mother died, my dad and my grandma both took interest in my siblings and I, and committed to continue to teach us music. As the years went on, I grew to love the piano and music in general, and now I am planning on studying music in college to become a composer or singer. I attribute my love for music and my success to those who invested in my life - my mom, dad, and grandma - because of their desire and perseverance to teach me music. I now play a variety of instruments: ukulele, guitar, accordion, and piano, (chiefly piano) and I have started to compose piano solos and orchestral pieces. I have only composed a few pieces, but I plan to keep practicing and writing to get better at it. For my school, I play piano, handbells, and sing in choirs and ensembles in order to compete in fine arts. Multiple times, our groups have gone to national competitions and placed in various musical categories. My school’s handbell group has performed in several concerts. I also got to attend a piano/composition camp during the summer. These experiences have heightened my desire to continue to learn more about performance and helped me perfect my skills. I now look for opportunities to play instruments for different reasons every day, as I love to perform and practice in front of people. Although I am thankful for the presence of music in my life for multiple reasons, I am grateful to music for teaching me self-expression. By writing music, I can convey a message through a piece that can be hard to communicate with words. Music has also improved my thinking ability and general health. By studying composition and performance in college, I can refine my skills to even better express myself through music.

I began my basketball career in seventh grade. I was a short, scrawny kid with a love for the game but no prior experience in it. But, with a little patience in learning the fundamentals and hardwork in practice, I averaged almost ten points per game in my first year of middle school basketball. Since then, I have been working my way up the ladder, gradually prefecting my skills while the competition gets harder. In my smaller private school, I have gotten MVP for two years of middle school, MVP for junior varsity, and MVP for varsity this past year. My final season, this past year, as a senior I finally finished the season with region and state championships. My hard work finally paid off in what was the perfect finish of an 18-4 season. Basketball is not a dainty sport. There are obstacles players have to overcome in order to move up the ranks. One of those obstacles is adapting to your situation. I am not tall. I am only five-eight, which comes with some challenges in and of itself, and scoring and playing defense on six foot-five fifteen year olds isn't easy. The only way to fix that problem is with practice, by discovering ways to score and defend against other players who are taller than me. I am due for a growth spurt soon, but learning how to score against people of great stature is always a good thing to learn. Another obstacle that basketball players have to face is failure. When I was in ninth grade, our varsity team had a great season, but our center and I got injured, and we lost first round to the lowest seed team in the tournament. That is one of the biggest obstacles one can overcome, but it is imperative that we learn how to deal with failure properly. Some people have bad practices, bad games, and even bad seasons, but learning how to reassure and correct yourself will allow you to keep moving on and get better. That is one of the most important lessons I learned while playing basketball and other sports. One of my basketball goals is to be a starter on the college team I am planning on attending by the time I am a senior in college. It will be difficult to balance my school work and basketball, but I am determined to work hard to meet that goal. Of course, I will continue working on my individual skill and mindset, but like I said before, if I fail to meet that goal, I have learned how to handle that and move on with my life.

My time left as a senior in high school is dwindling, the work load is increasing, and my interest is decreasing. "Senioritis" has started to take hold on me, but I am still determined to finish the year strong. The day after graduation I embark on a new chapter of my life, not just the college and career chapter, but the entire adulthood chapter. These next few years have in store for me the most important decisions I will have to make in life: what to study in college, where to live and work, who to marry, and how I can make an impact on the world. In light of this, I think I will call this new, exciting, and slightly scary chapter of my life, "The Plunge Into the Unknown." Although I don't know what is in store for me in the future, I will promptly step foot into this new portion of life by working during the summer and applying for scholarships to help fund for college. There are lots of expenses in college, and when it boils down to it, you really just need some money and wisdom to get through it. But college isn't the only landmark in this journey; I still have lots of things to be revealed, but I intend to prepare for things one step at a time, all the while looking ahead toward the ultimate goal.

My name is Ethan Black, and I love sports, music, and being outside. Since I have so much interests, it is difficult for me to discern the career field I would fit in. As time goes on, I am experimenting with different hobbies and trying to get experience in various jobs, like yardwork, finishing floors, and construction and painting, to help me determine a general direction to go. It may take a year into college for me to figure out what to do, but I plan on not wasting any time and money on random classes that I will not use. I am taking some dual enrollment classes to complete some of the core classes for college, that way I can add other subjects, like culinary class, to get the most out of my time each semester. I am sure many other people feel like they deserve this scholarship, and with good reason. It may be they have some specific career goal in mind already, and this scholarship fits into their plan, or they meet the criteria of being able to apply. But my personal reason I feel like I deserve this scholarship is I have a goal to graduate college debt free. I am not sure what college I am going to yet, but I have a wide range of choices, from going to an in-state community college to a college like BYU. Graduating any college debt free is not easy. I learned in school about the average student loan debt in America and the pains of paying that off for the next twenty years, and the advice I recieved in that class encouraged me to never take out a student loan for college and to work hard to graduate without any debt. I plan to work one or two jobs during college, and apply for as many scholarships as I can to meet my goal. I have heard many testimonies about individuals who worked hard at graduating college without any student loan debt, and it is my goal to be like them and try my best to pay for college with diligence and hard work. Although I am not sure which career field I will enter after I graduate college, I plan to graduate with at least an associates degree. Most businesses and companies hire individuals based on the work they put in in college and in past jobs rather than their specific degree. With that said, I plan to take some sort of culinary arts class in college, as well as some music classes. I might get a degree in criminal justice or in biblical studies. Although it is still unclear the exact career path I will take, I plan to work hard in college to get a distinguished degree and establish myself in the working world.

First and foremost, I would have everybody read the Bible. It is the greatest book ever written, and it contains the only source of truth. It gives hope, gives the good news, and gives guidelines on how to make your life impactful to others. Some people might not consider this to be true or accurate, but I just wish everybody would read it and think about what it says. Other than the Bible, I think everybody in the world should read The Hunger Games series. Suzanne Collins is a master storyteller, and the way she forms a plot and storyline is unlike any other. The concept is purely original, the relationship between the Capitol and its districts, and the detail Collins goes into to describe the whole situation is amazing. The backstory of the world of Panem makes the fictional universe very real. The characters are relatable and unique, and every reader will inevitably become attached emotionally to almost every one. The themes detailed in the book, like the natural bend of humans towards evil and the inequality and oppression of people groups add a new perspective on the world. The individual must use discernment while reading, which contributes to the depth and significance of the plot. If everybody on earth reads these books, I can see a widespread change of perspective and a new attitude toward the concepts contained in the pages. It would truly encourage people to think about their current situation, and maybe lead them to action. That is probably why I like this series so much. It is not simple, and its complexity multiplies its meaning tenfold.

Ever since I was little, I have been building LEGOs. This may seem childish, but LEGOs are targeted to all individuals and develop people’s creativity and engineering ability. I always enjoy getting a new set to build, and in recent years, I have started to build my own creations. LEGO has impacted me in a way that I cannot fully explain, but because of my time spent designing and building my own sets, I can think more critically and logically, effectively shaping my mind into that of a budding engineer. Because of my love for LEGO, I have seriously considered working for them in the future. I would love to be a part of the engineering team that puts together the various sets, or be part of the team that designs the new minifigures or pieces. To get a job at LEGO is not easy. You usually have to have a degree in engineering or design, and the work can be quite extensive. But I love the concept of designing and putting together new sets for the world to enjoy so much, an engineering degree is one of my main options for study in college. LEGO has such a positive impact on people of all ages, encouraging them to think and create masterpieces, effectively sharpening their brains and senses and turning them into critical thinkers. I would be absolutely thrilled if I could be a part of that mission, and because of my experience and determination, I will definitely strive to work to accomplish that goal. If I had an extra twenty-four hours in a day, I would divide up the time into productive sections. Truthfully, a small section of that would be to sleep. But other than that, I would separate the extra time into three main categories; music, hobbies, and working towards goals. I play the piano, ukulele, and guitar, and I can never get enough time to practice and learn new songs. Even five extra hours in a day could get me to the net levels of those instruments. The time spent doing my hobbies would be the largest block of time in my day. I love to cook (and eat), so it would be great if I could learn new recipes and try new foods. Some of my other hobbies include LEGOs, basketball, soccer, golf, yardwork, and playing video games. With so much hobbies, it would depend on the day for what I would spend more time on, with the exception of video games, because I spend too much time for that already. But practicing basketball and building LEGOs would take up a lot of that time. With the remaining time in my day, I would work on various goals I have set. I am working on several composition pieces for piano, and I apply for scholarships whenever I can. I am also saving up money for college, so working extra hours in a job would be a tremendous help. I also have smaller goals around the house like trimming the flower bed and cleaning a bathroom. Honestly, twenty-four hours is more time than I know what to do with, but this is probably what I would spend them on. Usually, it takes my brain a second to warm up during the day, so by having an extra twenty-four hours on hand, my brain would be super active and ready to take on anything.

Countless people go through college, get a degree they don't even use, and end up with so many student loans it takes them thirty years to pay off. Even if one is responsible, smart, and passionate, their potential success is hindered by the result of poor planning and financial choices. Success to me is setting a specific goal and achieving that goal, even if that means sacrificing time, amenities, and leisure. I had a teacher a few years ago that was very smart. She was talented, and determined and loved teaching and investing in her student's lives. She went to college, got an elementary education degree, and graduated with a large sum of student loans. She ended up teaching high schoolers at a private school, which was not a lucrative job. She had to pay off student loans well into her forties, and while she was making a difference in student's lives, she never achieved her true potential. This is one of many people that I know who have had to adjust their careers due to a hasty undergraduate degree and large amounts of loans. Student loans impede the ability to go on after college and invest or participate in entrepreneurial opportunities. The strain that comes with pinching pennies here and there to pay off student loans faster prevents the option of taking on large financial decisions by taking away financial stability. The importance of paying off student loans can also affect one's career. Some people, burdened with the reality of endless student loan payments, choose a money-making career that helps pay off loans quickly. Although this does eliminate the monthly contribution to these loans, the student is left with a career that may not match their talents and passions. Furthermore, along with the financial and career implications, student loans prevent success by introducing psychological barriers. The sheer size of the loans and the time it will take to pay off can put one in a hole of counterproductivity, and limit the productivity that is necessary to achieve one's goals. My goal is to graduate college debt-free. In whatever way I can, I will make sure I receive my diploma without a dollar of loans. That way I can focus on my classes and responsibilities, and immediately after graduation begin working a job I was trained for. This scholarship will help me in the pursuit of my financial success. I am currently applying for as many scholarships as I can to contribute to the price of college tuition. I also plan to work during college, whether for the college or locally, to reduce the cost. As I said before, my goal right now is to graduate with a degree and not have any student debt. By applying for scholarships, working in college, and being open to any other opportunities to contribute to the cost of tuition, I believe that I will accomplish my goal. Doing this, I can say with confidence that I will be successful in the coming years.

I believe that I am here on this earth to serve God and other people. Because of that, I will try to spend my life helping those who need help and striving to make their lives meaningful. The most important thing I can give someone is the news that God loves them and how they can be saved. Along with that, I want to possibly provide financial relief and support as well as physical relief. I plan to attend a Christian college that stresses the importance of giving your life and time to those who need help. I will attend a college that helps me help people by teaching me ways to give back to my community. During college, I will try to go on outreach trips to the nearby community, and visit those in the area that could use encouragement. It is important to me to go to a college that teaches students how to make the world a better place, as well as giving students opportunities to practice helping people. Although I do not know what my career path is, I will probably gravitate towards a career that allows me creative chances to influence the world around me. No matter what job I end up working, I plan on helping out my community in my free time. My dad is an ER nurse, and he goes on at least one mission trip per year to provide medical relief to those in third-world countries. I have not been able to go with him to Africa or South America yet, but I really would like that opportunity to help out people who need medical attention but do not have the means of getting some. This is something I want to do in the future. The people in the places my dad has travelled to - Uganda, Peru, Panama - live in places with poor medical practices, and the only hospital is a four-day journey away. By going on trips with a medical team to host a clinic and to share the good news with them, I can positively affect an entire people group just by taking a week out of my schedule to go to them with medical aid. While in high school, I am currently participating in multiple community service opportunities. Most recently, I helped at the Bridge Wellness South banquet. This is an organization formed to provide resources to pregnant women or new mothers who have to raise a child alone due to the absence of the father. I also helped at a community "glow run" 5K, which was dedicated to providing funds for the Bridge Wellness South. In the past two years, I have completed over forty hours of community service, including work at my school and church. These opportunities to help people in my area have prepared me for further service. As I said in the beginning, having a positive impact on the world is extremely important to me. It is my duty and joy to help others in whatever way they need. As life goes on and my schedule and responsibilities start to pile up, I am sure that I will still find creative ways to support and encourage the people of this world.

I believe that I am here on this earth to serve God and other people. Because of that, I will try to spend my life helping those who need help and striving to make their lives meaningful. The most important thing I can give someone is the news that God loves them and how they can be saved. Along with that, I want to possibly provide financial relief and support as well as physical relief. I plan to attend a Christian college that stresses the importance of giving your life and time to those who need help. I will attend a college that helps me help people by teaching me ways to give back to my community. During college, I will try to go on outreach trips to the nearby community, and visit those in the area that could use encouragement. It is important to me to go to a college that teaches students how to make the world a better place, as well as giving students opportunities to practice helping people. Although I do not know what my career path is, I will probably gravitate towards a career that allows me creative chances to influence the world around me. No matter what job I end up working, I plan on helping out my community in my free time. My dad is an ER nurse, and he goes on at least one mission trip per year to provide medical relief to those in third-world countries. I have not been able to go with him to Africa or South America yet, but I really would like that opportunity to help out people who need medical attention but do not have the means of getting some. This is something I want to do in the future. The people in the places my dad has travelled to - Uganda, Peru, Panama - live in places with poor medical practices, and the only hospital is a four-day journey away. By going on trips with a medical team to host a clinic and to share the good news with them, I can positively affect an entire people group just by taking a week out of my schedule to go to them with medical aid. While in high school, I am currently participating in multiple community service opportunities. Most recently, I helped at the Bridge Wellness South banquet. This is an organization formed to provide resources to pregnant women or new mothers who have to raise a child alone due to the absence of the father. I also helped at a community "glow run" 5K, which was dedicated to providing funds for the Bridge Wellness South. In the past two years, I have completed over forty hours of community service, including work at my school and church. These opportunities to help people in my area have prepared me for further service. As I said in the beginning, having a positive impact on the world is extremely important to me. It is my duty and joy to help others in whatever way they need. As life goes on and my schedule and responsibilities start to pile up, I am sure that I will still find creative ways to support and encourage the people of this world.