From a young age, my parents instilled in me the values of giving and helping others. Initially, I didn't fully comprehend the significance of their teachings, and when they took me along to assist elderly individuals with household tasks, I found it uninteresting. However, as I grew older, I began to recognize the profound impact volunteering could have, not only on my personal growth but also on my community. Upon entering high school, I wasn’t initially drawn to any particular clubs or activities it was my cousin who encouraged me to join our school’s interact club. Still uncertain about what entailed, I took the leap and signed up. It was during our annual can food drive that I truly grasped the importance of our efforts in helping those in need. As we organized and delivered essential goods to homes, I witnessed the tangible difference we were making in people’s lives. This experience ignited a newfound passion for volunteering, prompting me to become more active;y involved in the club and contribute my time to our local food pantry distribution. Throughout my high school journey, I remained dedicated to the interact club, taking on an active role and participating wholeheartedly in various initiatives. My commitment didn't go unnoticed, as it eventually led to me being appointed as the vice president of the club during my senior year. This honor not only validated my efforts but also empowered me to be a reliable and exemplary member, setting a positive example for others. Driven by my new position, I seized the opportunity to make a positive impact by proposing a plan to our school principal. Inspired by how our stadium would look after Friday’s football games, I saw a chance to create an opportunity for both the Interact club members and the custodians who tirelessly maintained the school’s cleanliness. I worked closely with our Interact mentors to develop a proposal for a weekly stadium clean-up, aimed at encouraging club members to be more actively engaged while also offering a helping hand to our custodians. Fortunately, our principal approved the proposal, and the impact was tremendous. Our custodians appreciated the assistance they received, and by the end of the season, we gained recognition from the football team for our efforts in maintaining a clean and organized stadium. These experiences have significantly shaped my character, and I continue to find ways to help others with daily tasks and contribute to the betterment of my community. The reason I’m seeking financial aid is that my mother is the sole provider of my education expenses. In the past year, she worked tirelessly, taking on extra hours to support me in paying off my debts. Witnessing the financial burden this has become for her has further motivated me to find opportunities for scholarships and grants. Apart from my mother’s contribution to my tuition fees, she has also supported me by providing for my needs, including essential supplies and education materials. As I continue my academic journey and pursue my passion for soccer through a scholarship, I am committed to alleviating the financial strain on my mother. By securing financial aid, I can ensure that I remain in school and achieve my educational goals without imposing further hardships on my mother. I’m dedicated to making the most of every opportunity presented to me and giving back to my community, just as my parents taught me from a young age. With the assistance of financial aid, I’m confident that I can continue to grow, contribute, and make a positive impact on the world around me.

Shannon L. Alder once said, “If you chase anything in life, chase the things that get you excited about living. Chase the things that give you hope, happiness, and a glimpse of a better life. Chase the things that make you want to be a better person. Chase the things that inspire you to think, create and live joyfully.” I came across this quote during a moment when I was looking for inspiration to continue to chase a dream that many people have told me to give up. At the beginning of the school year, I honestly told myself that college didn’t interest me and that I wasn’t planning on going, but little did I know that with just one teacher's inspiration, it would change my whole career path. At the beginning of high school, my goal was to be a cosmetologist and open up my own business, but there was always something that wouldn’t sit right with me about this career. I kept searching, but nothing felt right to me, until the beginning of my senior year. I have had many teachers throughout my life, but there is one in particular that has impacted my life and motivated me to pick the right career path. This teacher wasn’t only my teacher, but he was also my cross-country coach. His way of teaching and coaching is what helped me realize that I wanted to be like him. I want to be able to motivate and inspire those around me and help them through high school as much as I can because this is exactly what this teacher/coach has done for me. I don’t even think that teacher knows what they have done for me. Because of him, I want to be able to continue pursuing and expanding my career as a teacher/coach. This teacher's inspiration did not only lead me to find the right career but also helped me find the right school to attend and take my skills to play collegiate soccer. The news of receiving offers from schools delighted us all and surprised us since my season got cut short due to tearing my left ACL. I'm currently still recovering but when I returned to school from surgery, Coach Chatham made sure to check on me to see how I was doing and how my therapy was going. This made me realize how much a teacher cares for their students or athletes. I also felt inspired by this to pursue the educational career I plan to take. This coach has helped me get through these last four years of school I had left, and I hope he continues to inspire other student-athletes as they finish up their last few years of school.