Selected Passage — Epictetus, The Enchiridion, Chapter 1 (translated by George Long) "Of things some are in our power, and others are not. In our power are opinion (ὑπόληψις), movement towards a thing (ὁρμή), desire, aversion (ἔκκλισις, turning from a thing); and in a word, whatever are our own acts: not in our power are the body, property, reputation, offices (magisterial power), and in a word, whatever are not our own acts. And the things in our power are by nature free, not subject to restraint nor hindrance: but the things not in our power are weak, slavish, subject to restraint, in the power of others." Epictetus opens The Enchiridion with a seemingly simple distinction between what lies within our control and what does not. Yet beneath this distinction is a much more radical argument: true freedom does not come from gaining control over our circumstances, but from recognizing the limits of our control in the first place. By separating our judgments and intentions from external outcomes, Epictetus challenges the conventional understanding of success, independence, and happiness. His philosophy suggests that people become most vulnerable when they allow circumstances outside their control to determine their sense of self-worth. The passage begins with the declaration, "Of things some are in our power, and others are not." The sentence is striking in its simplicity. Epictetus does not suggest that control exists along a spectrum. Instead, he divides human experience into two distinct categories. This deliberate separation forces readers to reconsider what they actually possess. We commonly speak of controlling our futures, careers, and reputations, but Epictetus questions whether these things truly belong to us. His definition of what is within our power is particularly revealing. Rather than identifying wealth, physical ability, or social influence, he lists "opinion," "movement towards a thing," "desire," and "aversion." These are all internal processes involving how individuals interpret and respond to their experiences. The progression from opinion to action suggests that genuine independence begins with the mind. We may not determine what happens around us, but we can exercise judgment over what those events mean and decide how to respond. The word "opinion" is especially significant. Epictetus places it before action, implying that our interpretation of an event can influence our subsequent behavior. Two individuals might experience the same failure, yet one could interpret it as evidence of personal inadequacy while the other views it as an opportunity to improve. The event itself remains unchanged, but its psychological consequences differ. Epictetus therefore suggests that much of our suffering arises not simply from circumstances, but from the judgments we attach to them. Equally important is his distinction between actions and outcomes. By including "movement towards a thing" among what we control, Epictetus recognizes the value of ambition and deliberate effort. However, he does not include successfully obtaining that thing. This omission is essential to understanding his philosophy. We can choose to pursue an objective, prepare diligently, and act responsibly, but we cannot guarantee that our efforts will produce the result we desire. I encountered this distinction while helping my uncle operate Curryismatic, our family's Indian ghost kitchen. We worked to attract customers and encourage repeat business, even placing promotional coupons in delivery orders to direct customers toward our website. Despite these efforts, the restaurant eventually closed after approximately a year and a half. At the time, it was difficult to separate the outcome from the effort we had invested. Looking back, Epictetus's argument helps me recognize that our responsibility was to make thoughtful decisions and adapt to challenges, not to guarantee the restaurant's survival. The closure was a real loss, but it did not erase the value of the work or the lessons we gained. Epictetus develops his argument through a surprising reversal of the words "free" and "slavish." He describes the things within our control as "by nature free," while external possessions and circumstances are "slavish, subject to restraint, in the power of others." Ordinarily, we associate freedom with the ability to acquire possessions, exercise authority, or influence other people. Epictetus reverses this assumption. What we typically consider evidence of independence may actually make us dependent on circumstances beyond ourselves. This choice of language is especially powerful considering that Epictetus himself experienced slavery. His description of external things as "slavish" is more than a metaphor for inconvenience. It suggests that dependence on outside circumstances can become its own form of psychological captivity. Someone whose happiness depends entirely on wealth or recognition has surrendered a degree of personal freedom, because those things can always be lost or withheld. Nevertheless, Epictetus's argument raises an important question: does accepting what we cannot control encourage passivity? I believe the opposite is true. His philosophy does not require abandoning ambition, but rather redefining where ambition should be directed. If outcomes are never completely guaranteed, then effort, discipline, and the willingness to learn become more meaningful measures of personal achievement. As an engineering student at Texas A&M University pursuing Computer Science, I find this interpretation especially relevant. Whether developing software, studying difficult concepts, or building an entrepreneurial project, I cannot guarantee immediate success. I can, however, control how carefully I approach problems, how consistently I practice, and whether I learn from unsuccessful attempts. This perspective encourages persistence without allowing every setback to become a judgment of my abilities. Ultimately, Epictetus presents freedom not as unlimited power over the world, but as independence from the world's ability to dictate our inner lives. His distinction does not eliminate disappointment or hardship. Instead, it changes the relationship between our efforts and the results they produce. The underlying message is that we should pursue our ambitions wholeheartedly while refusing to define ourselves solely by their outcomes. In a world that often measures achievement through external recognition, Epictetus offers a different standard: the freedom to act according to our principles, even when circumstances refuse to cooperate.

Growing up, I learned that running a restaurant requires much more than knowing how to cook good food. I experienced this firsthand while helping my uncle operate Curryismatic, our family's Indian ghost kitchen. Unlike traditional restaurants, ghost kitchens operate primarily through delivery platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats, without a conventional dining room. What initially seemed like an innovative business model quickly taught me some of the harsh realities of entrepreneurship. Our restaurant operated for approximately a year and a half before ultimately closing. Although our food was something we took pride in, attracting customers and maintaining profitability were constant challenges. Delivery platforms brought customers to our business, but their substantial commissions ate into our already thin margins. We tried encouraging repeat customers to order directly through our website by placing promotional coupons inside delivery bags. Unfortunately, very few customers made the switch. The most valuable lesson I learned was that hard work alone doesn't guarantee success. A business can offer a great product and still fail without an effective strategy for reaching and retaining customers. I also learned to appreciate the sacrifices small business owners make. Behind every order were hours of preparation, managing expenses, and worrying about whether enough customers would come through the next day. Watching the restaurant close was disappointing, but it fundamentally changed how I approach entrepreneurship. Rather than discouraging me, it motivated me to better understand what makes businesses sustainable. If I had $100 and one completely free Saturday, I would spend it experimenting with something that combines two of my favorite interests: food and entrepreneurship. I'd purchase ingredients to develop a new Indian fusion dish, invite friends to taste different versions, and gather their honest feedback. I would use the remaining money to experiment with packaging and presentation, treating the afternoon like a miniature product launch. After experiencing the challenges of running Curryismatic, I've become fascinated by how small changes in a product or customer experience can influence whether a business succeeds. The dish I'd introduce is a butter chicken naan wrap. Traditional butter chicken is one of my favorite Indian dishes, but it's typically served in a bowl alongside rice or naan, making it less convenient to eat on the go. My version would feature tender pieces of chicken coated in a rich, creamy tomato-based butter chicken sauce, wrapped inside warm garlic naan. I'd add thinly sliced onions, fresh cilantro, and a drizzle of mint chutney for contrast. The result would combine familiar Indian flavors with the convenience of a handheld meal, making it particularly appealing to college students and busy professionals. Today, as an Engineering Honors student at Texas A&M University pursuing Computer Science, I continue applying the lessons Curryismatic taught me. I've since developed SATPrep1600, an online SAT preparation platform, where I've learned more about customer acquisition, product development, and building sustainable revenue. Curryismatic may have closed, but the lessons I gained from working there continue to shape my ambitions. It taught me that failure isn't necessarily the end of an entrepreneurial journey. Sometimes, it's the experience that prepares you to build something better.

I've always been fascinated by entrepreneurship because it gives me the opportunity to turn an idea into something that genuinely benefits other people. My first experience pursuing that ambition came when I started SLC Detailing, a local car detailing business. I designed and distributed more than 1,000 business cards, hoping to turn a simple service into a profitable operation. Through that experience, I discovered that starting a business is much more complicated than just providing a good product or service. Attracting customers, earning their trust, and convincing them to return can be just as challenging as the actual work. My goal is to build a technology-driven mobile car detailing business that makes professional vehicle care more convenient, affordable, and accessible. Rather than requiring customers to drive to a detailing shop, I want to bring the service directly to their homes or workplaces. I envision beginning with a small, locally operated business before expanding into a network of trained detailers serving surrounding communities. My experience with SLC Detailing taught me an important lesson: effective customer acquisition is essential to a service business. Distributing business cards helped me understand traditional marketing, but I also recognized its limitations. My business plan would emphasize online booking, transparent pricing, recurring maintenance packages, and customer referrals. Instead of competing exclusively on price, I would differentiate my business through convenience, consistent service quality, and a seamless customer experience. Since starting SLC Detailing, I've continued exploring entrepreneurship through SATPrep1600, an online SAT preparation platform I developed. The platform has attracted more than 60 active users and 10 monthly paying customers, teaching me valuable lessons about product development, customer feedback, and recurring revenue. Although tutoring software and car detailing are different industries, both require identifying customer needs and delivering enough value that people are willing to pay. One of the greatest challenges I anticipate is scaling without sacrificing quality. A successful local service business depends heavily on reputation, and one poor customer experience can undermine months of effort. I would need guidance in hiring, training, managing operating costs, and developing systems that maintain consistent service standards. I also see artificial intelligence as an opportunity to give small businesses capabilities that were previously available primarily to larger companies. I want to leverage AI to automate appointment scheduling, respond to customer inquiries, analyze demand, optimize service routes, and personalize customer outreach. These tools could reduce administrative work and allow me to spend more time improving the customer experience. As a General Engineering student in Engineering Honors at Texas A&M University, planning to pursue Computer Science, I'm developing the technical and analytical foundation to implement these ideas. Programming, mathematics, and engineering problem-solving will help me build efficient systems rather than relying entirely on expensive third-party software. Ultimately, I don't just want to create another detailing service. I want to demonstrate how technology and entrepreneurship can transform traditional local businesses. Framework's scholarship would support my education while connecting me with people who understand the challenges of building service companies. More importantly, it would bring me closer to turning my entrepreneurial experience into a scalable business that creates value for customers and opportunities for others.

In ten years, I want to be working at an educational technology business I helped build, developing tools that make useful instruction more accessible. My goal is to grow from a student who creates individual projects into an entrepreneur who can sustain a product that people depend on. SATPrep1600, an SAT preparation platform I co-founded, is my starting point. The idea comes from two experiences that shaped my ambitions. While tutoring younger students, I noticed that many were capable and motivated but lacked the learning resources they needed. While teaching myself to build a zombie survival game on Roblox, I discovered how much patient explanations and repeated practice could help me solve a difficult problem. I want to combine those lessons: build technology that gives learners useful guidance and room to keep trying. Today, SATPrep1600 has served more than 60 active users and approximately 10 monthly subscribers. These are early numbers, but they represent people choosing to use a product rather than an idea existing only in my head. The next challenge is to understand what makes the platform valuable enough for students to return and, when appropriate, pay for continued access. During college, my first priority is to strengthen the technical foundation behind the business. I am studying General Engineering at Texas A&M and pursuing computer science. I plan to develop my programming and artificial intelligence knowledge while continuing to improve the SAT product. I would focus on a narrow cycle: listen to users, identify a recurring difficulty, improve the relevant explanation or practice, and evaluate whether the change helps. Retention, feedback, and evidence of learning should guide development more than adding features for their own sake. After college, I want to turn that early product into a sustainable company. My intended role would combine software development with product leadership. I would concentrate on making personalized instruction affordable while learning to manage the costs of maintaining reliable software and reaching students. A subscription model is an approach I have already begun testing, but I would keep evaluating whether the value and price work for the learners I hope to serve. By the end of ten years, I hope the business can support a broader learning platform: academic instruction alongside financial literacy, time management, and decision-making. I would expand gradually, using evidence from the SAT platform before entering new subjects. AI could help identify where students need practice and adapt guidance, but clear content and meaningful feedback would remain essential. The attached concept diagram shows this progression and distinguishes the existing SAT platform from future plans. I cannot promise a particular company size or revenue figure. What I can define is the work: build technical skill, learn from real users, improve a focused product, and earn the ability to expand it. My measure of success would be a financially sustainable business that helps more students feel equipped to pursue their own goals.

While tutoring younger students at local learning centers, I noticed that many were capable and motivated but lacked access to the coursework and guidance they needed to practice. Their difficulty was not simply a lack of ability. It was a gap in resources and consistent support. Seeing that gap motivated me to make learning more practical and accessible. Through the Young Men's Service League, I served as Class President and President of the Life Skills Committee. I helped organize initiatives focused on skills such as financial literacy and time management, breaking complicated topics into manageable steps for younger members. Volunteering with organizations including Kids Matter and the Grapevine Community Center also helped me understand different needs within my community. I am carrying that interest into technology through SATPrep1600, an online SAT preparation platform I co-founded. It has served more than 60 active users and approximately 10 monthly subscribers. Creating SAT preparation content has also allowed me to share useful guidance beyond an individual tutoring session. The project represents an early effort to connect my programming interests with a problem I have seen firsthand. I would expand this work into a learning platform that combines academic instruction with practical life skills. As a General Engineering student at Texas A&M pursuing computer science, I want to develop the technical knowledge to make that platform more responsive to each student's needs. Artificial intelligence could help identify areas where learners need practice and provide guidance at a pace that works for them. I also want to continue mentoring students directly. Their questions would help me decide what to build and whether it is useful. My goal is to make education more accessible while helping students develop the confidence to act on what they learn.

As I sit in my dad's lap, the computer screen comes to life. He gently takes my hands, places them on the keyboard, and moves them across. The words “Hello World!” illuminate the screen, making the computer seem alive and welcoming. My father has had the greatest influence on who I am today. Growing up in a poor family, he worked incredibly hard to create an opportunity for himself in America. His journey was not an easy one, and throughout my childhood, I witnessed the sacrifices he made to provide my family with opportunities he hadn't always had himself. Like the traditional immigrant parent, he expected academic excellence, yet let me explore different experiences. He encouraged me to play football even when there weren't many kids who looked like me. He supported me when I got my first job, encouraging me to work so that I could learn practical life skills. He helped me explore a variety of career paths, not constraining me to a single one. The only thing he expected was effort. He always said, “Whatever you do, be the best at it. If it is sweeping the floors at Jersey Mike's, be the best.” I carried this philosophy into my first entrepreneurial venture, a car detailing business I started with two of my closest friends. We invested our savings into equipment and distributed approximately 1,000 business cards across ten communities. After two weeks without a single customer, I started questioning whether we had made a mistake. But rather than quitting, we continued practicing and improving our services. Eventually, we received our first appointment. After spending hours detailing the customer's car in the Texas summer heat, she was so impressed that she tipped us $100. That experience reinforced something my father had taught me: success requires persistence, patience, and a willingness to work through uncertainty. However, what matters most to me isn't simply achieving financial or professional success. It is making meaningful use of the opportunities my family worked so hard to provide. Through volunteering at learning centers and tutoring younger students, I began to notice a pattern. Many of the kids I worked with were capable and motivated, but they lacked access to the right learning resources. Seeing that gap made me realize how uneven access to knowledge can shape someone's opportunities. This realization helped shape my interest in computer science and educational technology. I created SATPrep1600, an online SAT preparation platform that has grown to more than 60 active users. My goal is to make quality academic preparation more accessible, particularly for students who cannot afford expensive tutoring services. I am now studying General Engineering at Texas A&M University, working toward a degree in Computer Science with a focus on artificial intelligence. In the future, I hope to build educational platforms that provide personalized instruction and help students develop practical skills beyond the classroom. My father's journey taught me that opportunity is something worth working for, but also something worth extending to others. He worked hard to give me the freedom to pursue my ambitions. I want to use that freedom to create opportunities for people who may not otherwise have them. To me, that is the most meaningful way to honor his sacrifices.

Growing up, my faith has taught me that success should not be measured solely by personal accomplishments, financial stability, or recognition, but also by the impact I have on the people around me. As someone who has always been ambitious, I sometimes find myself focusing heavily on my next goal. My relationship with God reminds me that while working hard and pursuing success are important, treating others with kindness, compassion, and integrity matters just as much. One of the most meaningful ways I have put these values into practice is through community service. During high school, I became deeply involved in the Young Men's Service League, eventually serving as Class President. Through this organization, I helped organize service events, mentored younger members, and volunteered with organizations such as Kids Matter, the Grapevine Community Center, and Wreaths Across America. When I first became president, I thought leadership simply meant setting an example. After receiving the gavel, I started cleaning up plates from our meeting, expecting the other students to follow. To my surprise, only my best friend helped. I eventually realized that being a leader required more than doing the right thing myself. It meant encouraging others to do the same, even when it was uncomfortable. My faith has helped shape the way I understand that responsibility. I believe that God has given each of us opportunities and abilities that we should use not only for ourselves, but also to serve others. Leadership is not about having authority over people; it is about helping them grow and making a positive difference in their lives. I carried this mindset into another important experience: starting a car detailing business with two of my closest friends. We invested our savings into equipment, distributed approximately 1,000 business cards, and spent weeks trying to find our first customer. At times, the fear of failure made me question whether starting the business had been a good idea. However, the experience taught me that entrepreneurship requires patience, honesty, and responsibility. I wanted our customers to trust us, not simply because we promised excellent service, but because we demonstrated it through our work. My faith reinforces the importance of conducting business with integrity, even when taking shortcuts might be easier or more profitable. I am now a General Engineering student at Texas A&M University pursuing computer science, with a particular interest in artificial intelligence. My long-term goal is to create educational technology that helps students develop academic and practical life skills. Through tutoring younger students, I noticed that many capable and motivated children lacked access to the resources they needed to succeed. I want to use technology to help address that gap. As I pursue a career in technology and entrepreneurship, I know there will be difficult decisions where financial incentives and personal values may conflict. My faith will serve as a reminder to prioritize honesty, fairness, and the wellbeing of others rather than pursuing success at any cost. Ultimately, I want to be remembered not just as someone who achieved his goals, but as someone who helped others achieve theirs. My relationship with God reminds me that accomplishments are temporary, but the positive impact we have on others can last far beyond our own lives.

When I began preparing for the SAT, I noticed a frustrating problem. Students who could afford expensive tutors and preparation courses had access to personalized instruction, while others had to rely on free practice tests, YouTube videos, and trial and error. Having experienced the SAT preparation process myself, I wondered whether technology could make high-quality preparation more affordable and accessible. That question inspired me to start SATPrep1600, an online SAT preparation business that combines educational resources with technology to help students improve their scores. I started the platform because I wanted to turn my personal experience preparing for the SAT into something that could benefit other students, while also challenging myself to build and operate a real business. What began as a personal project has grown into a platform with more than 60 active users and approximately 10 monthly paying subscribers. I also created a YouTube channel dedicated to SAT preparation, which has grown to more than 800 subscribers. Although these numbers are modest compared with established test preparation companies, they represent real progress toward building a sustainable educational business. My long-term business plan is to expand SATPrep1600 into a scalable learning platform that provides more personalized instruction without the high costs associated with traditional private tutoring. Rather than relying exclusively on one-on-one instruction, I want to use technology to help students identify their weaknesses, practice specific concepts, and receive guidance tailored to their needs. What differentiates SATPrep1600 is my perspective as both a recent SAT test-taker and a software developer. I understand the challenges students experience because I have gone through the same process myself. Instead of approaching SAT preparation solely as a tutor, I approach it as a technical problem: How can we make the learning experience more effective, engaging, and accessible? The biggest obstacle to growing SATPrep1600 is balancing product development with customer acquisition. Creating a useful educational platform requires continuous improvement, but reaching students and convincing them to trust a relatively new service is equally challenging. As a student entrepreneur, I must balance those responsibilities with my college coursework. Artificial intelligence plays an important role in my vision for the business. I want to leverage AI to make SAT preparation more personalized by helping students understand why they missed questions, identify recurring weaknesses, and focus on the concepts that need the most improvement. AI also offers opportunities to streamline content creation, organize educational material, and reduce the time required to maintain and improve the platform. My goal is not to replace effective teaching, but to make individualized learning available to more students. I am currently a General Engineering student at Texas A&M University pursuing computer science, with a particular interest in artificial intelligence. My education directly supports SATPrep1600 by helping me develop the programming, problem-solving, and technical skills necessary to build more sophisticated educational software. Ultimately, I want SATPrep1600 to become more than a small test preparation website. I want to create a business that demonstrates how technology can make education more accessible while remaining financially sustainable. Building it has taught me that entrepreneurship is not simply about developing a product. It is about identifying a real problem, creating something people find valuable, and continuously improving it.

Taking the gavel from the President of the Class of 2025, it dawns on me the responsibility I hold. As I walk back to my table, 40 kids look at me, wondering what the first thing I would do as president. I knew I couldn't let them down. Being president of my Young Men's Service League meant leading by example. So the first thing I did as president was clean up the plates of chicken fingers and cookies off the table. In my head, I imagined the other kids following suit, yet to my surprise, only my best friend helped me clean the mess. “Maybe this leadership thing isn't for me…” At the first meeting of the year, I came in early to help set up the chairs, trying to live up to the president of the previous year. My classmates trickled in, sitting in their chairs, talking within their friend groups. When the clock hit the hour, I cleared my throat to signal that the meeting was starting. Still, the majority of the room remained talkative. I banged the gavel three times and said “Quiet!” in a tone that surprised even me. I felt embarrassed; however, I knew I had to move out of my comfort zone to lead the meeting. Our first team event was cleaning a community park. I had picked that park because it was where community service was done, such as free camps for kids and toy collections for the less fortunate. Thirty minutes into our cleanup, I saw a couple of boys sitting on a park bench playing Clash Royale. “Maybe they're just taking a break,” I convinced myself. As I almost walked out of sight, something inside me felt off. If I, the president, couldn't hold others responsible, would anyone else in my group do the same? So I went back and talked to them. “I know you want to play Clash, but can you hold off for another 30 minutes? Then we can take a break and eat the snacks I brought.” To my surprise, they got up and returned to work. We finished 30 minutes ahead of schedule, and I felt proud of what we accomplished. That day, I found my voice, and it made becoming president worth it. Through my time volunteering at learning centers, especially while helping tutor younger students, I began to notice a pattern. Many of the kids I worked with were capable and motivated, but they lacked access to the right learning resources. Whether it was understanding a concept in school or learning practical life skills, the issue was rarely the students' ability, but rather that they didn't have the course material to learn or practice. Seeing this gap made me realize how uneven access to knowledge can shape someone's opportunities. I am now a General Engineering student at Texas A&M University pursuing computer science, with a focus on artificial intelligence. My ultimate goal is to create an online learning platform that goes beyond traditional education. I want to build a system that teaches academic subjects and helps users navigate challenges like financial literacy, time management, and decision-making. By using AI, this platform could adapt to each individual's needs, providing personalized guidance. I hope to make a positive impact by combining technology with the lessons I learned through community service. My time volunteering taught me that helping others isn't always about grand gestures. Sometimes, it's about recognizing a need and taking responsibility for addressing it. I want to carry that same mindset into my career, creating opportunities for others to learn, grow, and succeed.

A single bead of sweat dropped from my forehead, through my eyebrow, and into my eyes. It stung of salt. The cardboard box that held the business cards was firmly clasped in my hands and was now drenched in sweat. “Matthew! Hand out cards to the next house!” It had been a dream of mine to start a business with my closest friends. When I was younger, I had a knack for negotiation, and while in third grade, I had a firm grasp on the Pokémon market at my school, those skills seemed nonexistent as I cold-called potential customers for our detailing business. My first call went horribly wrong. I felt so awkward that I abruptly hung up, all while my friends Zach and Matthew snickered beside me. Due to a lack of cash flow, we had decided to allocate all our resources toward acquiring new clients. I had also made the decision to invest a significant portion of my own savings into equipment and high-quality cleaning products. I remember handing out our business cards after weeks without a single customer and groaning, “That pressure washer was a year's worth of tips at Jersey Mike's.” At that moment, I began understanding financial stability differently. Having money was not simply about buying things I wanted. It was about having the freedom to take risks, pursue opportunities, and make decisions without constantly worrying about whether I could afford to fail. Two weeks had gone by since we started handing out business cards, and it was still crickets. Our spirits were down, and we had thoughts of entering the workforce. Then we got a message. A mom saw our business card and wanted to get her car detailed. “This is it,” I said, “we are going to be rich!” However, soon the excitement wore off. I knew if we wanted to expand our customer base and earn recommendations, we would have to make our first client's car perfect. We spent the following week practicing, and when the appointment finally came, we worked tirelessly in the Texas summer heat. To our astonishment, she loved the detailing so much that she tipped us one hundred dollars. That experience taught me that financial independence is built through discipline, patience, and the willingness to take calculated risks. More importantly, I realized that financial stability provides something beyond money: peace of mind. It means being able to focus on meaningful work instead of worrying about every expense. I am now a General Engineering student at Texas A&M University pursuing computer science. My ultimate goal is to create an online learning platform that goes beyond traditional education. I want to build a system that teaches academic subjects and helps users navigate challenges like financial literacy, time management, and decision-making. By using AI, this platform could adapt to each individual's needs, providing personalized guidance. I am building toward that future by studying computer science, continuing to develop my programming skills, and applying the financial discipline I learned through working and running a business. Financial stability would give me the freedom to pursue ideas with uncertain outcomes, support the people around me, and create opportunities for others. The lesson I took from that pressure washer is that money matters most because of what it allows us to do with our lives.

Taking the gavel from the President of the Class of 2025, it dawns on me the responsibility I hold. As I walk back to my table, 40 kids look at me, wondering what the first thing I would do as president. I knew I couldn’t let them down. Being president of my Young Men’s Service League meant leading by example. So the first thing I did as president was clean up the plates of chicken fingers and cookies off the table. In my head, I imagined the other kids following suit, yet to my surprise, only my best friend helped me clean the mess. “Maybe this leadership thing isn’t for me…” At the first meeting of the year, I came in early to help set up the chairs, trying to live up to the president of the previous year. My classmates trickle in, sitting in their chairs, talking within their friend group. When the clock hits the hour, I clear my throat to signal that the meeting is starting. “I am going to take attend-” Everyone was still talking. So I take the gavel, hit it to signal that the meeting is starting. Still, the majority of the room remains talkative. I banged the gavel three times and said “Quiet!” in a tone that surprised even me. I feel embarrassed; however, I knew I had to move out of my comfort zone to lead the meeting. Our first team event was cleaning a community park. I had picked that park because it was where community service was done, such as free camps for kids, and a place where toys were collected for the less fortunate. As the rest of the boys arrived, I stood in front of them and explained how important this park was and that it was worth cleaning. With that, we got to work. 30 minutes later, I saw a couple of boys sitting on a park bench playing Clash Royale. “Maybe they're just taking a break.” I convinced myself of that answer and turned away. As I almost walked out of sight, something inside me felt off. If I, the President, couldn’t hold others responsible, would anyone else in my group do the same? So I went back and talked to them. “I know you want to play Clash, but can you hold off just for another 30 minutes. Then we can take a break and eat the snacks I brought.” I expected a rebuttal, but to my surprise, they got up and got back to work. We were able to finish 30 minutes ahead of schedule since all of the trash was picked up, and I felt proud of my classmates and what we were able to accomplish. That day, I found my voice, and it made becoming president worth it. My role has made me confident in who I am, and the lessons, such as communicating with others, leading groups, and planning, will help me in all walks of life.

I began to notice a pattern while tutoring younger students at my local learning center. Many of the students I helped were capable and motivated, but they struggled because they lacked access to the right coursework and guidance. Whether it was understanding basic academic concepts or learning practical life skills, they didn’t have a system to consistently support them. This realization motivated me to take a more active role in addressing the problem. Through my involvement in the Young Men’s Service League, I took on leadership roles, including Class President and President of the Life Skills Committee. In these positions, I helped organize and lead initiatives focused on teaching practical life skills such as financial literacy and time management. I also broke down complex topics into simple, actionable steps for the younger members of our chapter, so they could build confidence and independence. Beyond just YMSL, I became a Chi Changemaker through volunteering with groups such as Kids Matter and the Grapevine Community Center, where I worked directly with students from diverse backgrounds. Each opportunity helped me connect with different groups of people and better understand the needs within my community. Looking ahead, I plan to expand my impact through computer science by creating an online learning platform that combines both academic education and practical life skills. My goal is to build a website that not only helps students succeed in school but also prepares them for real-world challenges. By using AI, this platform could adapt to each individual’s needs, providing personalized guidance in a way that traditional websites cannot. By combining my experience in leadership and service with my passion for computer science, I hope to be a Chi Changemaker beyond my local community and make meaningful learning accessible to more people.

I remember sitting in my bed, typing away at my computer late at night, staring at the lines of code that refused to work. My zombie survival game kept breaking in different ways. Zombies wouldn’t move correctly, the progression system kept failing, and nothing was behaving the way I intended. It was extremely frustrating, but instead of quitting, I kept fixing bugs. I taught myself how to code in Luau and began developing a Roblox game from scratch. What started as a simple passion project became a complex game featuring enemy AI, experience-based progression, and weapon unlock systems. Building each feature came with a unique challenge. My zombies needed to track players, so I experimented with movement logic. However, after weeks of debugging, every zombie kept walking into walls. My XP system broke multiple times before I understood how to structure it properly. I relied on YouTube tutorials and my willingness to learn. Through trial and error, I not only finished my game but also developed persistence and confidence in solving problems independently. While computer science is a central part of my life, my goals extend beyond programming. I am committed to serving my community and leading others. One of the most important parts of my high school experience has been my involvement in the Young Men’s Service League, where I have completed nearly 200 service hours and held leadership roles, including Class Vice President, Class President, and President of the Life Skills Committee. Through these roles, I have organized service events, mentored younger YMSL members, and helped guide initiatives that support both our organization and the broader community. During my community service, I volunteered with amazing organizations such as Kids Matter, the Grapevine Community Center, and Wreaths Across America. Each opportunity helped connect me with different groups of people and better understand the needs within my community. Through my time volunteering at learning centers, especially while helping tutor younger students, I began to notice a pattern. Many of the kids I worked with were capable and motivated, but they lacked access to the right learning resources. Whether it was understanding a concept in school or learning practical life skills, the issue was rarely the ability of the students, but rather that they didn’t have the course material to learn or practice. Seeing this gap made me realize how uneven access to knowledge can shape someone’s opportunities. This realization shaped my goals outside of computer science. I want to bridge that gap by making learning more practical. My non-computer science goal is to continue mentoring others and creating opportunities for people to build confidence in both academic and real-world skills. My future lies at the intersection of these two passions. I plan to pursue a degree in Computer Science, focused on artificial intelligence, while continuing my commitment to education and service. My ultimate goal is to create an online learning platform that goes beyond traditional education. I want to build a system that teaches academic subjects and helps users navigate challenges like financial literacy, time management, and decision-making. By using AI, this platform could adapt to each individual’s needs, providing personalized guidance in a way that traditional websites cannot. Giving back has shown me that impact doesn’t come from solving problems, but from solving the right problems: those that improve people’s lives. Whether through technology, leadership, or service, I want to make a positive impact by helping others solve problems. Just as I stayed up fixing a broken game until it worked, I will continue applying that same persistence and purpose to the communities I hope to serve.

When I was younger, my grandfather was a constant presence in my life, even though we lived in different countries. He moved to the United States when I was born to help take care of me, and after that, he would visit for three months every year. I also saw him whenever I traveled to India. Some of my earliest memories were spending time with him, and as I got older, our connection only got stronger. During second grade, I learned that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It was already stage four, and my family knew that he did not have much time left. I took about a month off from school and traveled to India to be with him. At that age, I couldn’t fully grasp the severity of the situation, but I could feel that something was very wrong. When I first saw him, he was in a bed with a breathing mask and a long metal canister that was larger than me. He was struggling to speak, and I could remember how difficult it was for him to get words out. During the first couple of weeks I was there, I would sit next to him and read Diary of a Wimpy Kid out loud. He didn’t understand some of the jokes or Greg Heffley's pessimistic attitude towards life, but it was still a way to connect. As his condition worsened, he eventually lost his ability to talk completely, but I still kept reading to him and spending time by his side. Over time, his body began to shut down. He became almost completely paralyzed, and it kinda hit me that he didn’t have much time left. While there had been a clear shift in the atmosphere, we all tried to keep our spirits up as his birthday approached. We celebrated his birthday, sang to him, and tried to create a moment of happiness in the middle of something incredibly difficult. The very next day, he passed away. That experience of loss shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time. It was the first time I had lost someone close to me, and it was the first time I had to confront the fragility of life and the darkness of death. It felt like there was a void within me, and it never truly went away. As I’ve grown older, I learned that the experience of losing my grandpa didn’t just leave a negative impact on me. The experience taught me the importance of being present. I learned that showing up for someone, whether that's sitting with them, reading to them, or just simply being there, can matter more than anything you say. I also learned not to take family and friendships for granted. Every moment with your loved ones is a blessing, and being thankful for that connection is important. Losing my grandfather was one of the hardest experiences of my life, but it taught me the importance of not taking life for granted. His loss has pushed me to approach every day with happiness, kindness, and resilience.

The movie that has had the greatest impact on my life is The Pursuit of Happyness. I had expected the film to portray a rags-to-riches success story; however, what moved me most was the portrayal of the struggle, rather than the ultimate happy ending. The film shows what it looks like to fail and still keep moving forward. Chris Garder’s situation is dire. He is losing his home, facing constant rejection, trying to sell broken machines, all while taking care of his son. What stayed with me wasn’t just how difficult his life became, but how he responded to it. He didn’t wait for a handout or better conditions; he kept working, even when it seemed like nothing was going to change. One line in the movie that completely shifted my perspective was: “Don’t ever let somebody tell you you can’t do something.” Before watching it, I used to let doubt influence my decisions. I hesitated when something felt uncertain or out of reach. That line made me realize that doubt doesn't disappear on its own. You have to push through it and decide to believe in yourself. Throughout my life, I’ve had times when I questioned whether my effort was enough, especially when things didn’t go my way. Seeing Chris continue despite repeated setbacks changed how I think about those moments. It made me realize that failure isn’t a stopping point, but an opportunity to rebound. The relationship between Chris and his son added another layer to the story. One scene that resonated with me is when they have to sleep in a subway bathroom. Instead of letting his son feel how desperate the situation really is, Chris turnt the moment into a story. He tells him they’re hiding from dinosaurs and that they have to stay quiet to avoid being found. Even while holding the door shut and fighting back tears, he keeps his son calm. That moment stood out to me because it showed how Chris’s responsibility as a parent doesn’t disappear when life gets difficult. Even at his lowest point, he chose to create a sense of safety for his son. Since watching the film, I’ve started approaching my goals differently. I pay more attention to consistency and effort, and I don’t focus as much on immediate results or compare my progress to others as often. Even if I’m not sure how things will turn out, I’m still willing to take a chance. This movie didn’t change my life overnight. It did, however, teach me an important lesson on persistence. Success feels less like a distant finish line and more like something built over time through small, steady choices. That idea has stayed with me, and it continues to shape how I approach my future.

I remember sitting in my bed, typing away at my computer late at night, staring at the lines of code that refused to work. My zombie survival game kept breaking in different ways. Zombies wouldn’t move correctly, the progression system kept failing, and nothing was behaving the way I intended. It was extremely frustrating, but instead of quitting, I kept testing and fixing bugs. I taught myself how to code in Luau and began developing a Roblox game from scratch. What started as a simple passion project became a complex game featuring enemy AI, experience-based progression, and weapon unlock systems. Building each feature came with a unique challenge. My zombies needed to track players, so I experimented with movement logic. However, after weeks of debugging, every zombie kept walking into walls. My XP system broke multiple times before I understood how to structure it properly. All I had were YouTube tutorials and my willingness to figure things out. Through trial and error, I not only finished my game, but I also developed persistence and confidence in solving problems independently. The same mindset extends beyond coding and into how I serve my community. One of the most important parts of my high school experience has been my involvement in the Young Men’s Service League, where I have completed nearly 200 service hours and held leadership roles, including Class Vice President, Class President, and President of the Life Skills Committee. Through participation in these roles, I have been able to organize service events, mentor younger YMSL members, and help guide initiatives that support both our organization and the broader community. During my community service, I volunteered with amazing organizations such as Kids Matter, the Grapevine Community Center, and Wreaths Across America. Each opportunity helped connect me with different groups of people and better understand the needs within my community. My commitment to service also led me to co-found a fundraising team for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where we raised over $11,000 for blood cancer research and patient support. While raising money, I partnered with local businesses such as Panera Bread to have days of giving back, and I engaged with my community to raise awareness and donations. This experience showed me the power of collaboration, as well as the importance of supporting a cause that extended beyond myself. In the future, I plan to study Computer Science and eventually pursue a master’s degree to deepen my understanding of artificial intelligence. I want to use technology to improve people’s lives by creating systems and software that make everyday tasks easier and more accessible. AI has the power to transform healthcare and education, and I hope to be part of that change. I want my work to have purpose behind it, and I want to create tools that genuinely help people and improve their quality of life. Giving back has shown me that impact doesn’t come from solving problems, but from solving the right problems: those that improve people’s lives. Whether through technology, leadership, or service, I want to make a positive impact by helping other solves problems and live better lives. Just as I stayed up fixing a broken game until it worked, I will continue applying that same persistence and purpose to the communities I hope to serve.

My name is Ethan Menezes, and I am a high school senior who has developed a strong commitment to leadership, service, and community impact. Throughout high school, I have focused not only on academic success but also on finding meaningful ways to contribute to the people around me. I plan to pursue a degree in Computer Science, and I intend to create systems and software that improve people’s lives. One of the most important parts of my high school experience has been my involvement in the Young Men’s Service League, where I have completed nearly 200 service hours and held leadership roles, including Class Vice President, Class President, and President of the Life Skills Committee. Through participation in these roles, I have been able to organize service events, mentor younger YMSL members, and help guide initiatives that support both our organization and the broader community. These experiences have strengthened my ability to lead, communicate, and take initiative. In addition to YMSL, I have also been active in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where I helped co-found a fundraising team that raised over $11,000 for blood cancer research and patient support. While raising money, I partnered with local businesses such as Panera Bread to have days of giving back, and I engaged with my community to raise awareness and donations. This experience showed me the power of collaboration, as well as the importance of supporting a cause that extended beyond myself. During my community service, I volunteered with amazing organizations such as Kids Matter, the Grapevine Community Center, and Wreaths Across America. Each opportunity helped connect me with different groups of people and better understand the needs within my community. In the future, I plan to study Computer Science and eventually pursue a master’s degree to deepen my understanding of artificial intelligence. I want to use technology to improve people’s lives by creating systems and software that make everyday tasks easier and more accessible. AI has the power to transform healthcare and education, and I hope to be part of that change. I want my work to have purpose behind it, and I want to create tools that genuinely help people and improve their quality of life. One adversity I have had to overcome was learning how to push through frustration and self-doubt when facing difficult challenges. As someone who has taught themselves coding, I often ran into problems I didn’t know how to solve. There were moments when my projects broke, and progress felt impossible. One example was when I was building a zombie survival game from scratch on Roblox. The enemy AI would not work properly, constantly running itself into walls, instead of moving towards the player. I had no teacher walking me through the process, so I had to rely on patience and the willingness to keep going. Overcoming that taught me resilience and showed me that growth often comes through failure, and that persistence is one of the most valuable skills a person can have. My goal is not only to succeed in my career, but also to give back to my community. Whether through technology, leadership, or service, I want to make a positive impact by helping other solves problems and live better lives.

My name is Ethan Menezes, and I am a high school senior who has developed a strong commitment to leadership, service, and community impact. Throughout high school, I have focused not only on academic success but also on finding meaningful ways to contribute to the people around me. I plan to pursue a degree in Computer Science, and I intend to create systems and software that improve people’s lives. One of the most important parts of my high school experience has been my involvement in the Young Men’s Service League, where I have completed nearly 200 service hours and held leadership roles, including Class Vice President, Class President, and President of the Life Skills Committee. Through participation in these roles, I have been able to organize service events, mentor younger YMSL members, and help guide initiatives that support both our organizations and the broader community. These experiences have strengthened my ability to lead, communicate, and take initiative. In addition to YMSL, I have also been active in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where I helped co-found a fundraising team that raised over $11,000 for blood cancer research and patient support. While raising money, I partnered with local businesses such as Panera Bread to have days of giving back, and I engaged with my community to raise awareness and donations. This experience showed me the power of collaboration, as well as the importance of supporting a cause that extended beyond myself. During my involvement in community service, I was able to volunteer with amazing organizations such as Kids Matter, the Grapevine Community Center, and Wreaths Across America. Each opportunity helped connect me with different groups of people and better understand the needs within my community. Alongside my service, I have been actively involved in DECA and BPA, where I competed as a state qualifier in DECA for Business Finance and in BPA for Cybersecurity. Through DECA, I overcame my fear of public speaking, giving presentations to Business experts, and finding solutions in high-pressure environments. In BPA, I applied my technical knowledge to analyze cybersecurity concepts and strengthen my problem-solving skills. These experiences pushed me to think critically and perform at a higher level. My interest in technology has continued through my involvement in the Computer Science Club. During club time, I explored my passion for programming more deeply. I built my own Roblox game and helped teach other students Java and Luau. This experience not only strengthened my technical skills but also showed me how much I enjoy sharing knowledge and helping others learn. If I were to start my own charity, I would focus on providing underserved students with access to education through the means of technology. Volunteers would mentor students online, teaching them fundamentals in math, science, and reading. They would guide them through hands-on projects such as building games or websites. In addition, the charity would host workshops on digital literacy while partnering with schools to provide the necessary technology. Aserina Hill’s legacy of generosity reflects the values I strive to uphold. Through my experience in leadership and service, I hope to continue creating opportunities for others and make a lasting impact on my community.

I remember sitting in my bed, typing away at my computer late at night, staring at the lines of code that refused to work. My zombie survival game kept breaking in different ways. Zombies wouldn’t move correctly, the progression system kept failing, and nothing was behaving the way I intended. It was extremely frustrating, but instead of quitting, I kept testing and fixing bugs. That moment captured what made me unique. I learn by building, failing, and improving systems until they work. I taught myself how to code in Luau and began developing a Roblox game from scratch. What started as a simple passion project became a complex game featuring enemy AI, experience-based progression, and weapon unlock systems. Building each feature came with a unique challenge. My zombies needed to track players, so I experimented with movement logic. However, after weeks of debugging, every zombie kept walking into walls. My XP system broke multiple times before I understood how to structure it properly. All I had were YouTube tutorials and my willingness to figure things out. Through trial and error, I not only finished my game, but I also developed persistence and confidence in solving problems independently. My enjoyment of failure extends beyond coding. When I built my own PC, I spent months troubleshooting issues that seemed impossible to fix. Instead of giving up, I researched and tested, while learning from each mistake I made. That same problem-solving approach shapes how I lead my community. As a leader in the Young Men’s Service League, I help teach practical life skills, such as managing finances, scheduling doctor appointments, and even showing how to fold clothes. I approach teaching these lessons the same way I approach coding. I break the problems down, simplify them, and help others improve. I plan to pursue a degree in Computer Science to deepen my understanding of technology, especially in areas like artificial intelligence. Creating systems that improve people’s lives is another thing that draws me to CS. For me, computer science is not just about writing code. It is about creativity and building something meaningful from nothing. This scholarship would directly support my CS journey. I would use the funds toward tuition and to invest in better equipment and software that allow me to continue building and learning. Having access to stronger tools would help me take on more advanced projects and push my skills further. What sets me apart is not what I have built, but how I approach challenges. I am someone who embraces failure and is willing to explore the unknown. I am committed to improving both myself and the systems around me. Just as I stayed up fixing a broken game until it worked, I will continue applying that same persistence and curiosity to my education, my career, and to any future adventures.

I remember sitting in my bed, typing away at my computer late at night, staring at the lines of code that refused to work. My zombie survival game kept breaking in different ways. Zombies wouldn’t move correctly, the progression system kept failing, and nothing was behaving the way I intended. It was extremely frustrating, but instead of quitting, I kept testing and fixing bugs. That moment captured what made me unique. I learn by building, failing, and improving systems until they work. I taught myself how to code in Luau and began developing a Roblox game from scratch. What started as a simple passion project became a complex game featuring enemy AI, experience-based progression, and weapon unlock systems. Building each feature came with a unique challenge. My zombies needed to track players, so I experimented with movement logic. However, after weeks of debugging, every zombie kept walking into walls. My XP system broke multiple times before I understood how to structure it properly. All I had were YouTube tutorials and my willingness to figure things out. Through trial and error, I not only finished my game, but I also developed persistence and confidence in solving problems independently. My enjoyment of failure extends beyond coding. When I built my own PC, I spent months troubleshooting issues that seemed impossible to fix. Instead of giving up, I researched and tested, while learning from each mistake I made. That same problem-solving approach shapes how I lead my community. As a leader in the Young Men’s Service League, I help teach practical life skills, such as managing finances, scheduling doctor appointments, and even showing how to fold clothes. I approach teaching these lessons the same way I approach coding. I break the problems down, simplify them, and help others improve. I plan to pursue a degree in Computer Science to deepen my understanding of technology, especially in areas like artificial intelligence. Creating systems that improve people’s lives is another thing that draws me to CS. For me, computer science is not just about writing code. It is about creativity and building something meaningful from nothing. This scholarship would directly support my CS journey. I would use the funds toward tuition and to invest in better equipment and software that allow me to continue building and learning. Having access to stronger tools would help me take on more advanced projects and push my skills further. What sets me apart is not what I have built, but how I approach challenges. I am someone who embraces failure and is willing to explore the unknown. I am committed to improving both myself and the systems around me. Just as I stayed up fixing a broken game until it worked, I will continue applying that same persistence and curiosity to my education, my career, and to any future adventures.

I am a high school senior dedicated to discipline, growing, and serving others. During my high school years, I made a conscious effort to take full advantage of every opportunity. My academic performance stayed at a GPA higher than 3.0, while simultaneously taking part in different kinds of sports and being actively engaged in various community-related events and volunteering. Such an approach helped me shape up as a person who knows how to work hard, is resilient, and is always ready to lend a hand. Sports were crucial for shaping me as a person. Years spent training and competing helped me understand that discipline, consistency, and perseverance can bring great results regardless of your motivation level at any moment. Also, through sports, I learned how to overcome challenges and deal with pain, as well as cope with success and failure. What's important, all of the mentioned aspects have affected my life outside sports, helping me become better in every area. Community service was another essential aspect of my high school years. Being a member of multiple voluntary organizations gave me an opportunity to be actively engaged in the development of my community, helping needy families and taking part in numerous projects. At present, I hold an administrative position in one of my organizations. In other words, I participate in organizing events and developing various life skills in volunteers. After graduating from high school, I intend to pursue a Computer Science degree because I believe that I will be able to contribute to society. In particular, I am interested in developing new software and technologies that are able to facilitate our lives, such as artificial intelligence. Of course, in my spare time, I will try to continue doing service work. The scholarship would greatly assist me with my academic activities, relieving me from financial burdens of college and freeing up some additional time for personal development. However, the scholarship would also be a way to value my contribution and efforts, encouraging me to do my best in the future. The values of Kalia D. Davis's story resonate greatly with mine. In particular, hard work, ambition, and generosity play a key role for me. Therefore, it is very important for me to continue living in accordance with these principles. Receiving a scholarship will be a wonderful incentive for me to move forward. I hope to one day achieve my goals in my field and make my family proud.

When I was younger, my grandfather was a constant presence in my life, even though we lived in different countries. He moved to the United States when I was born to help take care of me, and after that, he would visit for three months every year. I also saw him whenever I traveled to India. Some of my earliest memories were spending time with him, and as I got older, our connection only got stronger. During second grade, I learned that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It was already stage four, and my family knew that he did not have much time left. I took about a month off from school and traveled to India to be with him. At that age, I couldn’t fully grasp the severity of the situation, but I could feel that something was very wrong. When I first saw him, he was in a bed with a breathing mask and a long metal canister that was larger than me. He was struggling to speak, and I could remember how difficult it was for him to get words out. During the first couple of weeks I was there, I would sit next to him and read Diary of a Wimpy Kid out loud. He didn’t understand some of the jokes or Greg Heffley's pessimistic attitude towards life, but it was still a way to connect. As his condition worsened, he eventually lost his ability to talk completely, but I still kept reading to him and spending time by his side. Over time, his body began to shut down. He became almost completely paralyzed, and it kinda hit me that he didn’t have much time left. While there had been a clear shift in the atmosphere, we all tried to keep our spirits up as his birthday approached. We celebrated his birthday, sang to him, and tried to create a moment of happiness in the middle of something incredibly difficult. The very next day, he passed away. That experience of loss shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time. It was the first time I had lost someone close to me, and it was the first time I had to confront the fragility of life and the darkness of death. It felt like there was a void within me, and it never truly went away. As I’ve grown older, I learned that the experience of losing my grandpa didn’t just leave a negative impact on me. The experience taught me the importance of being present. I learned that showing up for someone, whether that's sitting with them, reading to them, or just simply being there, can matter more than anything you say. I also learned not to take family and friendships for granted. Every moment with your loved ones is a blessing, and being thankful for that connection is important. Losing my grandfather was one of the hardest experiences of my life, but it taught me the importance of not taking life for granted. His loss has pushed me to approach every day with happiness, kindness, and resilience.

Taking the gavel from the President of the Class of 2025, it dawns on me the amount of responsibility I hold. As I walk back to my table, 40 other kids look at me, as if wondering what the first thing I would do as president. I knew I couldn’t let them down. Being president of my Young Men’s Service League meant leading by example. So the first thing I did as president was clean up the plates of chicken fingers and cookies off the table. In my head, I imagined all the other kids following suit, yet to my surprise, only my best friend helped me clean the mess. “Maybe this leadership thing isn’t for me…” At the first meeting of the year, I came in early to help set up the chairs, trying to live up to the president of the previous year. My classmates slowly trickle in, sitting in their self-designated chairs, talking within their friend group. When the clock hits the hour, I clear my throat to signal that the meeting is starting. “I am going to take attend-” Everyone was still talking. So I take the gavel, hit it as quietly as I can to signal that the meeting is starting. Still, the majority of the room remains talkative. I banged the gavel three times as hard as I could and said “Quiet!” in a tone that surprised even me. I feel a little embarrassed; however, I knew I had to move out of my comfort zone to lead the meeting. Our first team event was cleaning a community park. I had picked that park because it was the location where community service was done, such as free camps for kids, and a place where toys were collected for the less fortunate. As the rest of the boys arrived, I stood in front of them and explained how important this park was and that it was worth cleaning. With that, we got to work. 30 minutes later, I saw a couple of boys sitting on a park bench playing the immensely popular game Clash Royale. “Maybe they're just taking a break, and they’ll get to work soon.” I convinced myself of that answer and turned away. As I almost walked out of sight, something inside me felt off. If I, the President, couldn’t hold others responsible, would anyone else in my group do the same? So I went back, with my head high, and talked to them. “I know you want to play Clash, but can you hold off just for another 30 minutes. Then we can take a break and eat the snacks I brought.” I fully expected a rebuttal or to be called a no-fun Nancy, but to my surprise, they got up(although a bit unenthusiastically) and got back to work. We were able to finish 30 minutes ahead of schedule since all of the trash was picked up in the surrounding area, and I felt proud of my classmates and what we were able to accomplish. That day, I found my voice, and it made becoming president all worth it. My role has made me confident in who I am, and the lessons, such as communicating with others, leading groups, and planning, will help me in all walks of life.

I started my high school sports journey as a football player before dedicating most of my time to wrestling. As a freshman, I felt undersized on the football field. Competing against bigger and stronger players made me question if football was the sport for me. That feeling led me to wrestling. Weight classes leveled the playing field, and I realized that my success depended more on discipline and technique than size alone. Wrestling quickly shaped who I am. It is one of the most demanding sports, both physically and mentally. The season was filled with early morning practices, intense conditioning, constant weightlifting, and weekend tournaments that lasted the whole day. Balancing it with schoolwork required strong time management skills, which I had to learn the hard way. Freshman year was rocky, with my grades dropping as the football season began and the wrestling season ended. However, despite the struggles, I learned to use every available moment productively. I studied quizlets on the bus, brought textbooks to tournaments, and used downtime between matches to review material. Even after learning time management skills, balancing schoolwork and wrestling often felt overwhelming. During my junior year, I challenged myself academically by taking five AP classes while also stepping into a leadership role on the team. I held myself accountable and set an example for younger teammates. There were countless long nights after exhausting practices, with hours of work still to complete, leaving me feeling completely demotivated. Yet, wrestling had taught me how to push through discomfort. I learned to rely on discipline rather than motivation, approaching academics with the same mindset I developed in wrestling. Over time, I became a stronger student and a more confident leader. I learned accountability. I began to realize every match and grade reflected preparation. Outside of school, I served as my Young Men's Service League class president and earned the presidential award through sustained philanthropy and over 200 service hours. I organized and led community service events, directed chapter meetings, and oversaw philanthropy selection. I co-founded a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Student Visionaries group called Team Cancer Cancer and raised $11,000 for cancer research and patient support. I launched and managed SLC detailing, supervising two part-time employees, often fitting clients' cleaning needs between morning and afternoon wrestling practices over the summer. I also remained committed to attending after-school events such as DECA, BPA, and the Computer Science club. By far, the most challenging responsibility to balance with wrestling was my job at Jersey Mikes. There were times when I packed my work clothes to tournaments, quickly changing in the store bathroom while still sweaty from my last match. Sometimes, when I couldn't make it to work, I would desperately call coworkers to get my shifts covered. While balancing a job, wrestling, and school was stressful, it taught me how to problem-solve quickly and how to coordinate with others, such as teachers and coworkers. Balancing academics, athletics, work, and philanthropy pushed me to my limits, but it helped me grow as a person. Wrestling became more than just a sport. It taught me how to handle pressure, stay disciplined, take responsibility, and how to commit time to reach a goal. These lessons will stay with me as I continue to pursue my goals in college and beyond.

Taking the gavel from the President of the Class of 2025, it dawns on me the amount of responsibility I hold. As I walk back to my table, 40 other kids look at me, as if wondering what the first thing I would do as president. I knew I couldn’t let them down. Being president of my Young Men’s Service League meant leading by example. So the first thing I did as president was clean up the plates of chicken fingers and cookies off the table. In my head, I imagined all the other kids following suit, yet to my surprise, only my best friend helped me clean the mess. “Maybe this leadership thing isn’t for me…” At the first meeting of the year, I came in early to help set up the chairs, trying to live up to the president of the previous year. My classmates slowly trickle in, sitting in their self-designated chairs, talking within their friend group. When the clock hits the hour, I clear my throat to signal that the meeting is starting. “I am going to take attend-” Everyone was still talking. So I take the gavel, hit it as quietly as I can to signal that the meeting is starting. Still, the majority of the room remains talkative. I banged the gavel three times as hard as I could and said “Quiet!” in a tone that surprised even me. I feel a little embarrassed; however, I knew I had to move out of my comfort zone to lead the meeting. Our first team event was cleaning a community park. I had picked that park because it was the location where community service was done, such as free camps for kids, and a place where toys were collected for the less fortunate. As the rest of the boys arrived, I stood in front of them and explained how important this park was and that it was worth cleaning. With that, we got to work. 30 minutes later, I saw a couple of boys sitting on a park bench playing the immensely popular game Clash Royale. “Maybe they're just taking a break, and they’ll get to work soon.” I convinced myself of that answer and turned away. As I almost walked out of sight, something inside me felt off. If I, the President, couldn’t hold others responsible, would anyone else in my group do the same? So I went back, with my head high, and talked to them. “I know you want to play Clash, but can you hold off just for another 30 minutes. Then we can take a break and eat the snacks I brought.” I fully expected a rebuttal or to be called a no-fun Nancy, but to my surprise, they got up(although a bit unenthusiastically) and got back to work. We were able to finish 30 minutes ahead of schedule since all of the trash was picked up in the surrounding area, and I felt proud of my classmates and what we were able to accomplish. That day, I found my voice, and it made becoming president all worth it. My role has made me confident in who I am, and the lessons, such as communicating with others, leading groups, and planning, will help me in all walks of life.

The room is quickly filled with the clicking and clacking of keyboards. I type away attentively, working on my lab. I hit Ctrl-R. “Syntax Error: Line 33. I nod my head in frustration and begrudgingly walk over to my teacher for the fifth time that day. I ask for help and brace myself for the impending disappointment from Mr.Stovall, the computer science teacher. Instead, he grinningly says, “You're going to make a great coder one day.” Surprised, I ask, “What do you mean, I’ve failed over 5 times now?” “Failed?” He responds, “No, you haven’t failed, you’ve merely eliminated 5 ways how you shouldn’t do it. I want you to keep eliminating each possibility until you reach your solution.” I go back to the desk confused, yet confident to tackle the problem ahead of me. He was right. I had eliminated 5 ways to do it. Now it was time to eliminate every other possibility. Ctr-R: Parse Error. Ctr-R: Out of Bounds error. About 15 times later, the code finally ran. To my dismay, instead of summing up every number from 0 to the number inputted, it summed up every other number. Still, it was progress. That night, I decided to keep on working on the code. It was like a puzzle, and I was determined to solve it. After a couple of video tutorials, 10 searches on Oracle, and 30 minutes of analyzing the teacher's slides, I was beginning to understand the concepts. So I went back to my lab and started again. I laughed at my previous mistakes, which seemed obvious now. I attacked the problem with a newfound confidence. Now, for the test, I input 48, my lucky number. The code ran, and a few seconds later, the numbers 1176. Now mad at myself that I picked such a hard number, I whipped out Desmos and used the summation formula. “48.. N equals 0..and..” 1176. A wave of relief, satisfaction, and accomplishment rushed through my body. Although I had struggled so hard to figure it out, that feeling of success, that had been earned through hard work, felt addictive. Each lab in Computer Science was its unique puzzle. It had the simplicity of Math, yet allowed for a structureless creativity found in English. It has taught me to attack problems in my life in the same way, to create creative yet simple solutions. So as I move forward, I hope to make mistakes. I hope to make mistakes in college and work. It just means that I am getting closer to the solution.

The room is quickly filled with the clicking and clacking of keyboards. I type away attentively, working on my lab. I hit Ctrl-R. “Syntax Error: Line 33. I nod my head in frustration and begrudgingly walk over to my teacher for the fifth time that day. I ask for help and brace myself for the impending disappointment from Mr.Stovall, the computer science teacher. Instead, he grinningly says, “You're going to make a great coder one day.” Surprised, I ask, “What do you mean, I’ve failed over 5 times now?” “Failed?” He responds, “No, you haven’t failed, you’ve merely eliminated 5 ways how you shouldn’t do it. I want you to keep eliminating each possibility until you reach your solution.” I go back to the desk confused, yet confident to tackle the problem ahead of me. He was right. I had eliminated 5 ways to do it. Now it was time to eliminate every other possibility. Ctr-R: Parse Error. Ctr-R: Out of Bounds error. About 15 times later, the code finally ran. To my dismay, instead of summing up every number from 0 to the number inputted, it summed up every other number. Still, it was progress. That night, I decided to keep on working on the code. It was like a puzzle, and I was determined to solve it. After a couple of video tutorials, 10 searches on Oracle, and 30 minutes of analyzing the teacher's slides, I was beginning to understand the concepts. So I went back to my lab and started again. I laughed at my previous mistakes, which seemed obvious now. I attacked the problem with a newfound confidence. Now, for the test, I input 48, my lucky number. The code ran, and a few seconds later, the numbers 1176. Now mad at myself that I picked such a hard number, I whipped out Desmos and used the summation formula. “48.. N equals 0..and..” 1176. A wave of relief, satisfaction, and accomplishment rushed through my body. Although I had struggled so hard to figure it out, that feeling of success, that had been earned through hard work, felt addictive. Each lab in Computer Science was its unique puzzle. It had the simplicity of Math, yet allowed for a structureless creativity found in English. It has taught me to attack problems in my life in the same way, to create creative yet simple solutions. So as I move forward, I hope to make mistakes. I hope to make mistakes in college and work. It just means that I am getting closer to the solution.

The room is quickly filled with the clicking and clacking of keyboards. I type away attentively, working on my lab. I hit Ctrl-R. “Syntax Error: Line 33. I nod my head in frustration and begrudgingly walk over to my teacher for the fifth time that day. I ask for help and brace myself for the impending disappointment from Mr.Stovall, the computer science teacher. Instead, he grinningly says, “You're going to make a great coder one day.” Surprised, I ask, “What do you mean, I’ve failed over 5 times now?” “Failed?” He responds, “No, you haven’t failed, you’ve merely eliminated 5 ways how you shouldn’t do it. I want you to keep eliminating each possibility until you reach your solution.” I go back to the desk confused, yet confident to tackle the problem ahead of me. He was right. I had eliminated 5 ways to do it. Now it was time to eliminate every other possibility. Ctr-R: Parse Error. Ctr-R: Out of Bounds error. About 15 times later, the code finally ran. To my dismay, instead of summing up every number from 0 to the number inputted, it summed up every other number. Still, it was progress. That night, I decided to keep on working on the code. It was like a puzzle, and I was determined to solve it. After a couple of video tutorials, 10 searches on Oracle, and 30 minutes of analyzing the teacher's slides, I was beginning to understand the concepts. So I went back to my lab and started again. I laughed at my previous mistakes, which seemed obvious now. I attacked the problem with a newfound confidence. Now, for the test, I input 48, my lucky number. The code ran, and a few seconds later, the numbers 1176. Now mad at myself that I picked such a hard number, I whipped out Desmos and used the summation formula. “48.. N equals 0..and..” 1176. A wave of relief, satisfaction, and accomplishment rushed through my body. Although I had struggled so hard to figure it out, that feeling of success, that had been earned through hard work, felt addictive. Each lab in Computer Science was its unique puzzle. It had the simplicity of Math, yet allowed for a structureless creativity found in English. It has taught me to attack problems in my life in the same way, to create creative yet simple solutions. So as I move forward, I hope to make mistakes. I hope to make mistakes in college and work. It just means that I am getting closer to the solution.