Growing up, my parents and grandparents have instilled values such as: faith, hard work, and standing up for injustice even if it is not the most popular thing to do. I've been deeply influenced by the stories and films I've encountered in my 18 years of life. Particularly, those that reflect themes of justice, compassion, and the pursuit of truth. One of the most impactful books I've read is "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. Through the character of Atticus Finch, I learned about the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming prejudice and adversity. Atticus's unwavering commitment to defending Tom Robinson, despite knowing the odds were against him, inspired me to pursue a career in law where I can advocate for those who may not have a voice. Additionally, the film "Oppenheimer" has also left a lasting impression on me. The story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist who played a pivotal role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II, raises complex moral questions about the ethical responsibilities of scientists and the consequences of their actions. It has reinforced my belief in the importance of ethical decision-making and the need for individuals in positions of power to consider the broader impact of their work on humanity. As a Christian, my faith is central to my worldview and informs my approach to law and justice. I believe in the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, and I am committed to upholding principles of fairness, compassion, and integrity in my future legal practice. I see my vocation as a lawyer not only as a means of pursuing justice but also to serve and uplift those in need, reflecting the teachings of Jesus Christ to love my neighbor as myself. Through my education at West Virginia University, and eventual career in law, I aim to make a positive impact on my community and the world around me. I plan to advocate for marginalized groups, fight against injustice, and work towards creating a more equitable and compassionate society. Whether through pro bono legal work, volunteering with local organizations and churches, or advocating for policy change, I am committed to using my skills and knowledge to effect meaningful change and promote the common good. By combining my passion for justice with my Christian faith, I hope to leave a legacy of compassion, fairness, and integrity in the legal profession and beyond.

West Virginia, despite being "Almost Heaven", is a difficult place to grow up. The mountain state, though it has much natural beauty, is a tough, gritty home. In the state, the population has been an ongoing decline since the 1950s based on U.S. Census data. Our education enrollment rates are actively decreasing with the 2020-21 year decreasing by approximately 8,000 students. Generally, the number of people prioritizing their education is on a scary decline. Despite these troubling statistics, I have much love for my home state of West Virginia. Being a West Virginian to me means being tough and overcoming obstacles. In my life, my focus has been on my studies and ensuring I make it to college, as neither of my parents or grandparents graduated with a degree. It has not been an easy road, but one that has been well worth it. My parents have instilled in me the values of a hard-working West Virginian with my father working as a dishwasher to climb his way to a managing partner of Longhorn. I have learned no matter how difficult things get, to keep working and striving for greatness. Around 5 years ago, I lost the most important person in my life, my grandmother. This in my life would be what I consider to be the largest obstacle I have faced. Afterward, I was very depressed, struggled with my academics, and had very little interest in life past that point. Although I went through this, like a true West Virginian, I overcame it, and it has formed me into the person I am today. Everyone in their life, West Virginia citizen or not, goes through things. However, I believe it is the spirit of West Virginia that assists us in conquering these hardships. Interacting with other people from outside the state has caused me to see the rest of the world in a whole new light. We West Virginian residents have a tight bond with our community that is unmatched by the rest of the country. Growing up, the neighborhood kids were some of my best friends. We roamed the neighborhood together, got injured together, and made some of the most important memories of my life. I was taught how to get up when I fell off, whether it be my bike or metaphorical for other hardships. My view of the world is also one of empathy and understanding. In my life, I have learned to accept people for their flaws because growing up in the mountain state has taught me that nobody is perfect. The state of West Virginia is a beautiful place, contrary to public belief. Though it has its flaws, I am truly blessed to live here amongst the loving people in my life. I plan to give back to my community after college through community service, and pro bono work as a lawyer. The spirit of West Virginia has instilled great pride in my home and shaped me into the young man I am today.

As a student athlete with intentions to work to assist my community, I personally Identify with the goals of Tyler Schaeffer. We had similar hobbies such as weightlifting and football, but the best part of Tyler’s legacy, was his willingness to give back to his community. Tyler’s spirit and selflessness towards those he cared about is the legacy I want to leave behind and intend to give back to the community with my degree. During college, I plan to study criminology at West Virginia University; then, I intend to attend Ohio State University for law school. After law school, my intention is to return home to the mountain state to get justice for my fellow citizens. My time as a football player was all about giving back to my teammates and ultimately, the family that was formed with that team. I was not a star player, or the most athletic kid on the team. However, every day I had an attitude to help the team whether it was scout team, helping my teammates understand the playbook, or even just hyping them up. Giving back to the team for the way they changed my life Although I received no accolades for my play, the most rewarding part of my whole experience was seeing the joy from my teammates and them receiving their moment to shine. As a lawyer, I plan to defend those who feel as if they cannot defend themselves. I would like to work to get justice for those who have been harmed and received unfair treatment. Working in personal injury can be a tricky field, however, similarly to my time in sports, I have proven I am more than willing to put others first to bring good to others. Being a victim of negligence, abuse, or an accident can often leave others feeling like their life will never be the same or hopeless. Through my work, I wish to bring the light back into the lives of those victims. The greatest accomplishment I can feel is that I made a difference in someone’s life for the better. With my degree in criminology, I will be able to have a greater insight and understanding of the criminal process. This can assist me in empathizing with those who need the unconditional support during their rough times, as most crime comes from struggle. One of my hopes is that in the legal field I can set a standard of excellence in my community. Whether it is a lawsuit against a negligent company, or defending the innocent, I will strive to ensure those responsible are held accountable and the innocent remains just that, innocent. Although the money gained helping those in lawsuits will never repair the damage caused in a case of negligence, it will ensure in the future that negligence is not repeated. It is through this, that I can prevent harm from coming to others in the future. College, especially six years, can be an expensive, yet rewarding journey. With this scholarship, I will be able to put more focus on my studies and classes rather than having to maintain a full-time job to pay for my tuition. In addition, I can spend time volunteering my time since I will have a rewarding job that can allow me to take time to my community rather than working to make ends meet. After my education, I can begin on giving back to the community that gave me a home and protected me when I needed it most. This is more than a scholarship, but an investment into our community’s future.

At Cabell Midland, football is not merely a sport, it’s a tradition. As a four-year member of the Cabell Midland football team, life has been a journey full of ups and downs. My head coach consistently said he believes football is the greatest teacher of life, and I could not agree more. The early morning workouts, to the late-night practices and Friday night lights; all of it I would do again and again. Football has been a revelation in my life, teaching me toughness, commitment, and demonstrating the rewarding outcomes of hard work. Although my senior class never accomplished our ultimate goal of winning a state championship, the memories and brothers made along the way were worth their weight in gold. In my junior year, tragedy struck as we had a teammate lose his life. To this day it has a devastating impact on every one of us. Those who knew him recognized the toughness and love for the team that embodied the spirit of Midland. Our teammate was not the most athletic kid, not a star player for the team, but he was without a doubt one of the most crucial pieces to our playoff runs because of the positivity and love he had for the team. Everything is said to have a plan in the world and a purpose. Despite the tragedy and the mourning we feel, it caused us to forge a tighter bond and create a closer family. Among us players, mental toughness is not just a concept; it is a mindset and a lifestyle. No matter how hard things get, the most important thing it has taught me is to keep going. After high school, I plan to attend West Virginia University for a degree in criminology. Then, I intend to continue my schooling through law school at Ohio State University, which has one of the top law programs in the country, to become a lawyer. The time indulged in football is going to be able to help me strive for greatness despite the new challenges of college. Along with the fear that comes from new things, my football career is proof I can accept new trials and tribulations; and with hard work, I can accomplish what is necessary and be a better man because of it. After my schooling, I plan to come back to the mountain state where I was homegrown. My services as a lawyer can be used to give back to the community and stand up for what is right with top-notch integrity. Although I will have learned life lessons in college far away, my roots in high school football are going to be the greatest teaching moments of my young life. I believe and encourage young men to participate in sports, however, football is the sport I trust in and have seen the most results from. Witnessing the growth in my life- from an overweight kid with little confidence and low self-esteem- to a confident grown man with goals and aspirations, has been the most rewarding experience. The progress I have made these last four years is precisely what I hope to inspire in young men. Someday, I consider coaching youth football to spread my love for the sport and help children become the grown men I have matured into today.