My volunteer experience influences my core values and what I am working towards in my career and life goals. I volunteer for a church working in the media production department and assisting with broadcasting live services. In addition, I teach young elementary kids how to play the game of chess. I like doing both activities because I genuinely enjoy the fulfillment/benefit of helping others. Small acts of kindness can make a big difference. One does not have to be wealthy, powerful, and famous. When I was younger, I volunteered at a soup kitchen/pantry where I served the needy and less fortunate. Being a minority in this country has made me recognize the income inequality that exists and is more extensive now than it has been at any point in the last century, and the openings in income, wages, and riches are broader in the U.S than in any other representative and innovative economy. Yet, our society fails to understand how and why we arrived at this position. Our current economic troubles have spotlighted our inequality issue, but they did not invent it. The ongoing legacy preference in college admissions is controlling this issue. What must be done is evident: accepting students from low-income backgrounds can help diminish the spreading of income inequality in America. Policies such as affirmative action prove that colleges acknowledge their authority and influence to lower the disparities in society. In today's society, where education plays a vital role in one's prospects for success, colleges and universities must play an imperative role in making this goal a reality. Also, institutions must have the leadership to promote social mobility and accessibility to all Americans. The legacy structure is connected with the sordid history of bias against white students at elite schools. Today, the legacy continues to harm immigrants and first-generation college students like me. The time has come to leave behind a system that provides the children of elite college graduates with a jumpstart over everyone else. Income inequality is an issue that has endured over a long period. One of our national myths is that everyone has the opportunity to secure financial happiness, no matter their background. There exists a huge gap in income, wealth, and wages between white people and people of color. The perpetuation of the illusory/evasive American Dream, the negligence to indemnify African Americans for historical injustices, and the ongoing legacy preference in college admissions are all components of the economic inequality that may very well plague society for generations if remedial measures are not taken.

My mom has supported me the most in reaching my educational goals. She is an invaluable asset on my journey towards reaching my educational goals. It is through her unwavering guidance and dedication that I can overcome obstacles and achieve academic success. First, my mother provides a supportive and caring environment for my brother and I. She creates a space where learning is celebrated and curiosity is encouraged. My mother takes an active interest in my education, regularly communicating with teachers and staying updated on my progress throughout middle and high school. My mother's determination to invest time and effort in my education demonstrates her commitment to my success. My mother is a resource of motivation and encouragement through difficult times. When I experienced academic difficulties, I was encouraged by a remembrance of my skills and potential. I was taught resilience and tenacity, and that failure is not the end, but rather an opportunity to learn and grow. A mother's encouragement enables me to overcome challenges and remain focused on my educational ambitions. Every Friday, my mother and I would go to a pantry service and distribute it to the less fortunate. We distribute clothes, food, and anything that we can provide. Many people line up with bags and carts ready to collect. Doing this alongside my mom makes a big difference. In this world, people are experiencing different problems, and anything positive can impact them in a way that we would not imagine. Also, when you do good to others, you will be rewarded with great things. Many people are struggling in this world today, but what my mom, myself, and the entire pantry workers do for the community can put a smile on their faces, and later on, people can end up thanking us for our hard work. Small acts of kindness can make a big difference. One does not have to be wealthy, powerful, and famous. But also, it is about how they go about in the attempt to change. I have made many changes that had a positive impact on my community. A few are serving the needy and the public, setting examples, and prioritizing my education. I am praised by my family and everybody else that values my hard work and effort. Setting my goals will make me want to work to achieve them with a motor that never stops and later on accomplishes more spectacular rewards soon. Finally, my mother's support is essential in assisting me in achieving my educational aspirations. A mother empowers her child to flourish academically by providing a supportive environment, advice, inspiration, and celebration of accomplishments. My mother's helping hand has an impact well beyond the classroom, affecting my educational career.

My career goals are to begin my own business, develop more vital communication skills, and create opportunities for other people to grow and progress in investing. Business and Management is a course where I have the qualities and assets to develop a successful career. Ever since I was in middle school, I was always passionate about involving myself in a workforce that allowed me to learn, acquire, and distribute money. A significant number of small businesses are very successful today, with millions of sales. These businesses motivate and inspire me to continue pursuing this career. I am currently an investor in the foreign exchange market and a reseller of hypebeast shoes and clothing. Both of these businesses have benefited me throughout my high school years. Wherever you are, you are exposed to the world of business, a field we encounter in our everyday lives, whether buying, selling, or trading. The concept of failure has rarely affected what I strive to accomplish. To fail is simply the first attempt at learning. I decided to obtain a career as an IBO (independent business owner) since my passion has always been helping others and transitioning their lifestyle. My goals will remain dreams unless I put in the work and effort necessary. Therefore, I am committed to working diligently in school, looking for opportunities to make my dreams a reality. The college will be a significant milestone to reach; that is just the first footprint of my pathway. My principal area of academic interest is math. I have always had an innate fascination with math. Math became my favorite subject ever since the 3rd grade. I almost always scored a four on my state exams. I earned high degrees in higher levels of math such as Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. Also, in my junior year, I received a 100 on most exams, including the midterm and final exams throughout the year. These levels of math all have a connection that triggers my brain to remember all the topics mastered. It is much simpler to work with numbers and apply strategies and rules. Performing well in my math classes and on exams has prepared me for the college-level courses I will take in a college setting. After graduation, I will pursue tutoring for students who need assistance with algebra going up to calculus. Most people I know say that learning math is complicated. Although it may be difficult, math is very significant. Mathematics is potentially one of the most overlooked sciences.

Besides COVID, there are a few adjustments I have had to make since starting my first year at the University of New Haven living in a different state away from home in a completely different environment. I transferred to the University of New Haven from Ithaca College. Living at my previous institution was an entirely different experience. I had to relearn how to make friends and participate in university activities. It took some time to find others who shared my interests and create a support system. I had to adjust to an entirely different academic system and absorb it. I had to adjust to changing expectations and learning techniques. Navigating an unfamiliar campus and resources is another adjustment. The new campus was intimidating, and I needed to learn how to navigate it and find crucial resources like the library, academic advising, and student services. The entire application and transfer procedure to another college was stressful. In my case, I applied to school quite late, which made the move much harder. Transferring credits from one institution to another can be a difficult process. Meeting with academic advisers throughout the week while having a full-time job proved difficult this summer. I had to make sure I got credit for all of my past work and figure out how I would repeat classes if my credits were denied. Once I had my housing assignment and courses ready for the semester, the next challenge was coming to campus and adapting. I focused on the positive. I thought of all the new opportunities, people, and experiences that await me. I wrote down the reasons why I left my previous institution and used them as motivation to start my upcoming journey. One of my closest friends also attends the University of New Haven which influenced my decision to commit here and made the transition smoother. They showed me around campus. I got involved in campus activities to feel more connected and have a purpose. I participated in clubs like BSU, CSA, and intramural sports. In addition, I ensured to take care of myself physically and mentally. By focusing on the positives, connecting with others, getting involved, and taking care of yourself, I managed adversity and make the most of this new chapter in my life. After the first week on campus, I felt comfortable and eager to tackle the semester. After the first month, I reflected and recognized that I had made a wise decision to enroll at the University and begin a new chapter in my life by pursuing a bachelor's degree in business administration.

My principal area of academic interest is math. I have always had an innate fascination with math. Math became my favorite subject ever since the 3rd grade. I earned high degrees in higher levels of math such as Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. Also, in my junior year, I received a 100 on most exams, including the midterm and final exams throughout the year. These levels of math all have a connection that triggers my brain to remember all the topics mastered. It is much simpler to work with numbers and apply strategies and rules. Performing well in my math classes and on exams has prepared me for the college-level courses I will take in a college setting. After graduation, I will pursue tutoring for students who need assistance with algebra going up to calculus. Most people I know say that learning math is complicated. Although it may be difficult, math is very significant. Mathematics is potentially one of the most overlooked sciences. It functions our computers, cruises our airplanes, and secures our private information. But, the majority of people cannot explain how these math systems protect our identities. For instance, RSA encryption protects their email. Math is extensively performed in computer programming and engineering. People who dislike math always question how topics like algebra, geometry, or calculus can be used in their lives. However, math is everywhere, especially integrated into our daily lives. We need math to ensure that we are avoiding overspending on goods and products. For example, calculating interest and compound interest is necessary to manage your money and select the best bank account safely. It will enable me to calculate the actual cost of paying back loans taken out for educational purposes like college. Concepts like geometry and trigonometry allow me to play sports like basketball, mapping out the court and determining the best way to shoot and dribble the basketball. Math is also implemented in cooking. While preparing a meal, you must specify the correct calculations to come out in the best shape. In addition, math is used in various jobs, such as musicians, accountants, fashion designers, and litigation paralegals. The world is organized because it is structured with math. It teaches us how to arrive at an answer in multiple ways, along with basic strategies to incorporate whenever you come across a problem that may be challenging to solve.

My dream version is to accomplish the ten goals I have set positioning myself as well as my family for future greatness.

The toughest decision I have ever made a tough decision when I had to choose between participating in the Legal Outreach Law summer internship program or continuing playing basketball for a summer league. It was a tough decision to make, and I wanted to play basketball instead of dressing in professional clothing, traveling back and forth in the blazing heat, and figuring out my travel routes. However, my mom ensured that I joined. She pushed me to wake up every morning and experience the law firm atmosphere outside of the home. I made the best decision to join because I could still play basketball. However, either I joined the summer program or lost the opportunity to receive a stipend check and possibly a basketball trophy. Participating in the Legal Outreach Law and justice institute program was a great accomplishment that fused a growth mindset. During this one-month program, I was exposed to different concepts of law that are studied and practiced by individuals in our society. I was fascinated and amazed by the St Johns campus. Students were studying for classes, writing papers, and it was like a quiet environment to complete work. Our coordinators instructed us never to make noise since people were always nearby at work. I grasped the strong sense of a college atmosphere and how seriously it should be taken once allowed to attend a school. There is no time to waste, and deadlines must be met. Every Friday of the month, our coordinators would take the class on a trip to a law major environment. On Friday, I went to a courthouse and heard a judge speak on his active role in listening to cases and making thorough decisions. I became inspired by the work accomplished and toured the courthouse and see how a regular day would occur. Another trip was taken to a police precinct. There, an officer explained his job to transfer criminals in and out of the cells safely. The precinct was very intimidating as I did not know what to expect. Everyone was heavily armed and ready for action. I could feel the sense of seriousness through the measures taken to enter and travel throughout the precinct. Looking firsthand at officers who risk their lives every day for the protection and safety of civilians was motivational and touching. When it was time to leave, all of the officers would wave goodbye as I felt welcomed there and safe while exiting, knowing that the officers had everything under control.

I am very passionate about the sport of basketball. Basketball is an amazing sport and has instilled leadership qualities in my character. Having the ability to inspire and motivate my teammates as well as others shows them that I have a priority for my team. Since I have been playing basketball, it helped build up my confidence. Being able to ignore my negative surroundings and focus on winning the game strengthens my confidence and mental toughness. I block out the noise and continue to lead my team with a strong attitude. Basketball has provided great opportunities for me during the summer break. Last summer, I played on a team called Team Dream in a tournament. My team won our last game of the season winning a gold medal and a large trophy. Watching NBA games and seeing how professionals play inspires me to perfect my craft. Playing games after games at the park makes me lose track of time. Being so focused on winning the games, I lose track of time. Being able to play consecutive games without breaks strengthens my endurance and core. Another reason why I lose track of time is because of the competition on the court. Adrenaline flows through my brain as sweat runs down my body at the speed of light. Running from side to side, sensing the momentum of the game, it was time to take over. Grasping the ball upon the check, dribble dribble dribble as I hit the defender with a cross, I can feel the separation created running down the lane aiming for a close-range layup. I can feel the defender trailing me as I jump high and make sure the ball is closest to the rim where it cannot be contested or blocked securing the ball. The competition sometimes makes the games longer which ends the duration of my time at the park. In the end, after I have won all of the games, it usually gets dark. I take a sip of water, hop on my bike, and take a nice stroll down the road on my merry way home. Taking honor in what I do expands my confidence. Players admire me because I am the best player on the team. This game has taught me to overcome adversity. Overcoming adversity teaches me discipline. Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. Learning discipline has helped me throughout my life, whether it’s studying every day for a test or completing my work in advance. Through sports, I learned to respect my teammates, coach, referee and even the opposing team players. I learned to acknowledge that sometimes my opponent may be better skilled. Without respect, winning has no value. Acknowledging the other team's efforts after the game is critical. I learned to never put another player down. In life, without respecting others you progress. Strong people like myself never put others down; we motivate and encourage them.

Volunteering has shown me that one does not have to be powerful, rich, or good-looking to make a positive social impact on their community. What one person can do may seem not imperative, but small acts of kindness can make a big difference if done correctly and with the right intentions. In my life, I made several changes in my community, such as supporting the needy, motivating people, and being viewed as an inspiration to many people. I understand that my academics is not enough to fully qualify me as a candidate for scholarships. I would describe myself as a well-rounded individual who also has a part of oneself dedicated to extracurriculars, and who will represent my school appropriately. I participate in sports like basketball, worked as an intramural for club basketball, and played in the chess club on campus. I enjoy doing so because basketball has always been a deep passion since I was a kid. Also, the topic of debate has been a strong interest of mine because of how hard it pushes me. I first started my sophomore year of high school for a college-bound program named Legal Outreach, and I've learned and excelled with each debate completed. My first time landed me in third place, it was new to me, and I was nervous but still surprised and happy to even place. Funny enough, with each debate, that place has only gone up. In my second debate, I got second place, and in my last debate, I won becoming the Legal Outreach Constitutional Law Debate March 2019 Winner. Doing debate has taught me that as long as one is fully dedicated to an objective, one will always flourish in any endeavor, even something new never experienced before. My career goals are beginning my own business and developing stronger communication and network marketing skills. Business and Management is a course in which I have the qualities and assets to create a successful career. Since middle school, I was always passionate about involving myself in a workforce that allowed me to learn, acquire, and distribute money. Wherever you are, you are exposed to the business world, a field that we encounter in our everyday life whether buying, selling, and/or trading a good/service. The concept of failure has rarely affected what I strive to accomplish. To fail is simply the first attempt at learning. I decided that I will obtain a career as an IBO since my passion has always been helping others transition their style of living. Therefore, I am committed to working diligently in school searching for opportunities that will make my dreams a reality. This scholarship will help finance my upcoming fall 2023 semester. I am on the path to becoming the first in my family to graduate college with a bachelor's degree.

My name is Gideon Dey. I am a hard-working and eager 20-year-old second-year student at the University of New Haven. I would describe myself as a well-rounded individual who also has a part of oneself dedicated to extracurriculars, and who will represent my school appropriately. I participate in sports like basketball, worked as an intramural for club basketball, and played in the chess club on campus. I enjoy doing so because basketball has always been a deep passion since I was a kid. Also, the topic of debate has been a strong interest of mine because of how hard it pushes me. Academics have never been something that I've taken lightly. I first started my sophomore year of high school for a college-bound program named Legal Outreach, and I've learned and excelled with each debate completed. My first time landed me in third place, it was new to me, and I was nervous but still surprised and happy to even place. Funny enough, with each debate, that place has only gone up. In my second debate, I got second place, and with my last debate, I won becoming the Legal Outreach Constitutional Law Debate March 2019 Winner. Doing debate has taught me that as long as one is fully dedicated to an objective, one will always flourish in any endeavor, even something new never experienced before. I am on the path to becoming the first in my family to attend and graduate with a bachelor's degree pursuing a major in business administration with a concentration in sports management. Deeply motivated to play sports and participate in on-campus events, I also plan to promote mental health awareness. Attending a PWI as a POC can be very challenging for our mental state because of the frustration of being forced to assimilate. Therefore, I plan on creating a club called Two Past Pawns which will focus on bringing diversity to the popular community of chess. Utilizing the game of chess will teach patience and critical thinking and acknowledge the mind as one pawn and the spirit as another. We as POC need to use our pawns in life to protect our king, aka mental health. My career goals are beginning my own business and developing stronger communication and network marketing skills. Business and Management is a course in that I have the qualities and assets to create a successful career. Since middle school, I was always passionate about involving myself in a workforce that allowed me to learn, acquire, and distribute money. Wherever you are, you are exposed to the business world, a field that we encounter in our everyday life whether buying, selling, and/or trading of a good/service. The concept of failure has rarely affected what I strive to accomplish. To fail is simply the first attempt at learning. I decided that I will obtain a career as an IBO since my passion has always been helping others transition their style of living. Therefore, I am committed to working diligently in school searching for opportunities that will make my dreams a reality.

A piece of art I created is my heritage flag. I am a Guyanese American. Guyana is located in South America. I love my culture and everything it has to offer. No matter what environment we come from in our everyday lives, we are all expected to meet standards. In a world of many languages, only a few are spoken. Language is potent depending on how it is said and interpreted. I regularly code-switch outside of my home to assimilate into society's primary universal language, English. Code-switching is defined as the ability to transition between different languages depending on the context. Guyanese people like myself typically modify their speech based on their surroundings and who is nearby. Some speak at a low volume if they want to be friendly, while others speak at a high, raw volume that Code-switching allows me to maintain my well-being and a regular lifestyle. Code-switching between English and Guyanese is natural yet peculiar. It allows me to embrace my heritage because I incorporate it into my accent even as I speak English. Code-switching is essential, and changing my speaking style in disparate worlds {public/private} is critical. Speaking with my accent instead of English enables me to express myself more effectively. For instance, certain phrases are used that bring a specific feeling/emotion to the words put out. Thus, my companions are more likely to understand the exact feeling if it carries the low or high-volume speaking style unique to Guyanese culture. Not only does being able to influence code-switching result in empowerment, but it can also have devastating consequences by forcing assimilation. The more I am accustomed to speaking one language, the more I will likely forget and lose the language closer to my heritage. That is where balance and assimilation come into play. In America, Guyanese people like myself are forced to code-switch based on our environment because English is the central, universal language spoken. Also, it is improper to talk about an accent to others who are not expected to hear the accent/dialect. In my family's home country Guyana, there is not much private vs. public life. However, sometimes, "proper English" is used instead of the Guyanese language creolise. Language is very connected to my identity. Out of thousands of languages spoken, only a few are understood and seen as "regular speaking." When people hear me speak non-standard English, it can come off as not educated, which is where stereotypes exist. Some people avoid speaking the same language as I do because they are ashamed to articulate their language for fear of being criticized or embarrassed. This leaves them feeling not validated or worthy enough. But, through code-switching, I find relaxation and peace alternating between languages.

My career goals are to begin my own business, develop more vital communication skills, and create opportunities for other people to grow and progress in investing. Business and Management is a course where I have the qualities and assets to develop a successful career. Ever since I was in middle school, I was always passionate about involving myself in a workforce that allowed me to learn, acquire, and distribute money. A significant number of small businesses are very successful today, with millions of sales. These businesses motivate and inspire me to continue pursuing this career. The concept of failure has rarely affected what I strive to accomplish. To fail is simply the first attempt at learning. I decided to obtain a career as an IBO (independent business owner) since my passion has always been helping others and transitioning their lifestyle. My goals will remain dreams unless I put in the work and effort necessary. Therefore, I am committed to working diligently in school, looking for opportunities to make my dreams a reality. Someone once said you must have access to wealth to make a positive change in your community. This statement challenged me, and this is what I unveiled. You do not have to be powerful, rich, or good-looking to make a positive social impact on your community. What one person can do may seem not imperative, but small acts of kindness can make a big difference if done correctly and with the right intentions. In my life, I made several changes in my community, such as supporting the needy, motivating people, and being viewed as an inspiration to many people. There is a consistent drive that others would recognize and praise me for my determination and success. Every Friday, my mother and I would go to a pantry service and distribute it to the less fortunate. We distribute clothes, food, and anything that we can provide. Many people line up with bags and carts ready to collect. Doing this alongside my mom makes a big difference. In this world, people are experiencing different problems, and anything positive can impact them in a way that we would not imagine. Also, when you do good to others, you will be rewarded with great things. Many people are struggling in this world today, but what my mom, myself, and the entire pantry workers do for the community can put a smile on their faces, and later on, people can end up thanking us for our hard work. Another change that needed to occur was motivating people and setting examples because I needed to develop my life-shaping and plan my future. Setting examples showed others what they were capable of. Seeing others will propel them to do positively as well. Also, this can create competition. When someone visits the success and progress you have completed, they want to achieve the same or even better because they have seen someone go through the process. For example, I have maintained good grades in school throughout my life. Every day in school is a different day to explore and find new information. Setting benchmarks will affect kids in my school and everywhere else. Therefore, showing a reflection of your parents and setting good standards was a positive change in my school since it showed others that anything is possible if they put in the effort.

Community service and disaster relief are significant for several reasons. Community service and disaster relief bring people together, and they offer an opportunity to support one another. By working together, people can rebuild their homes and communities, and form stronger bonds with their neighbors. They promote social responsibility. Community service and disaster relief promote social responsibility and encourage people to give back to their communities. They also raise awareness about people in need's challenges and inspire people to act. They provide a sense of purpose. Community service and disaster relief can provide a sense of purpose for people who want to make a difference in the world. By helping others, people can feel accomplishment and satisfaction. Community service and disaster relief are significant because they deliver critical support to people in need. They strengthen communities, promote social responsibility, and create a sense of purpose for participants. There are many reasons why I am drawn to community service and disaster relief. There is a desire I have to assist others who are less fortunate. I am motivated to engage in community service and disaster relief because I truly want to help others in need. Also, I empathize with people who have experienced natural disasters that have impacted their lives. Some individuals become involved in community service and disaster relief because they have had personal experiences that have inspired them to get involved. I believe that I have a sense of responsibility to my community or society as a whole and feel compelled to contribute to the greater good. Methods I plan to contribute more in this area of life are to research organizations, volunteer, get trained, and donate. Searching for organizations in my community or beyond that are involved in community service and disaster relief is a great first step. Research their mission, activities, and volunteer opportunities to see if they align with my interests and values. Second, once I identified organizations that align with my interests, I will reach out to them and express my interest in volunteering. Many organizations rely on volunteers to carry out their work and may have a variety of opportunities available. Third, depending on the type of work I am interested in, I may need specialized training or certifications. For example, if one is interested in disaster relief, one may need to complete training in areas such as first aid, emergency response, or search and rescue. If I am unable to volunteer my time, I will consider making a financial contribution to organizations that are involved in community service and disaster relief. Even small donations can make a big difference in the lives of those in need. Finally, spread the word. Helping to raise awareness about the significance of community service and disaster relief. Sharing experiences and encouraging others to get involved. By working together, we can make a positive impact on our communities and the world around us.

The best piece of financial advice I received is to pay yourself first and live below my means. This concept is all about prioritizing your savings before anything else. It means setting aside a portion of your income for savings and investing before you spend any money on discretionary expenses. Paying yourself first is a simple yet powerful concept that can have a significant impact on your financial well-being. Saving is encouraged when you pay yourself first. To achieve financial security and realize your long-term financial objectives, you must save money. By paying yourself first when you prioritize saving, you make it a non-negotiable expense in your spending plan. You're more likely to stay on track and steadily increase your nest egg if you automate your investing and saving. It aids in preventing lifestyle inflation The tendency to spend more money on a lifestyle as your income rises is known as lifestyle inflation. When you receive a pay increase or a promotion, it can be alluring to spend money on upscale dining, designer clothing, and other luxuries. However, you're less likely to give in to lifestyle inflation if you pay yourself first. Instead, you can use your higher income to increase your investments and savings, putting you on track to meet your financial objectives. It gives you comfort: By prioritizing saving by paying yourself first, you are creating a safety net for your finances. Your peace of mind can come from knowing that you have a healthy emergency fund, retirement savings, or other investment accounts so that you are ready to cover unforeseen costs or reach future financial objectives. Paying yourself first is advantageous because it gives your investments and savings a top priority, assisting you in achieving your long-term financial objectives. Paying yourself first means that before you spend any money on discretionary expenses, you set aside a portion of your income for savings and investments. With no need to rely on leftovers at the end of the month, you can be sure that you're steadily increasing your wealth over time. Automating your investments and savings also helps you avoid the urge to spend the money elsewhere. This is particularly crucial if you have a problem with impulse spending or overspending. You're making saving money a non-negotiable component of your budget rather than relying solely on willpower to do it. Paying yourself first is beneficial because it prioritizes your savings and investments, helping you to achieve your long-term financial goals. When you pay yourself first, you set aside a portion of your income for savings and investments before you spend any money on discretionary expenses. This ensures that you're consistently building wealth over time and not relying on leftovers at the end of the month to save. By automating your savings and investments, you're also removing the temptation to spend the money elsewhere. This can be particularly important if you struggle with overspending or impulse purchases. Instead of relying on willpower to save money, you're making it a non-negotiable part of your budget. Paying yourself first can not only help you accumulate wealth but also bring you peace of mind. You are better prepared for unforeseen expenses or long-term financial objectives when you have a healthy emergency fund, retirement savings, or other investments. Knowing that you're on track to fulfill your financial goals and that you have a safety net in place should you require it allows you to sleep better at night. Living within your means allows you to manage your spending and steadily build wealth, which makes it good financial advice. You have more money for savings, investments, and debt repayment when you live within your means and spend less than you earn. Living within your means will help you avoid lifestyle inflation, which is the propensity to spend more money as your income rises. Living within your means can also assist you in navigating difficult financial times. You are better prepared to handle a job loss or an unexpected expense because you have a cushion of savings to fall back on. You're not in the stressful and precarious situation of living paycheck to paycheck. In conclusion, living within your means is excellent financial advice because it enables you to control your spending, accumulate wealth, and plan for unforeseen events. You can achieve long-term financial security and peace of mind by prioritizing your savings and controlling your spending.

A topic that I could discuss for hours and most people could not is chess. I've experienced significant stress and anxiety in my school education and family obligations. However, in playing chess, I find relief from outside pressures, training my mind to focus on the sixty-four squares composed of dark and light pieces in front of me. In chess, I find peace, and it requires extreme concentration to win against my opponent. When I play chess, I perform an immense amount of calculations that allow me to attack while defending my pieces simultaneously. I consider myself very skilled in the game, and I feel a sense of honor when I am seated across regular players and grandmasters around the city and in tournaments-- critically thinking of my next move as the clock spins. Chess makes me feel at home as I play with a comprehensive strategy, theory, and focus. This game has taught me foresight, patience, time management, critical thinking and determination. "How can my opponent strategize to attack me? What other strong moves can I make to delay, further, or end the game defending myself from my opponent's attacks?" These are all questions I ponder as I play a chess match. Also, patience enables me to survey the entire chessboard and the relations of the several pieces and situations and the threats and dangers they are exposed to. Critical thinking allows me to devise a strategy consistently anticipating my opponents' moves to force checkmate or a resignation. Determination is an important quality that I have obtained by playing chess. No matter how badly you are performing according to a computer web analysis, no point how many fewer pieces you have compared to your opponent, you can always make a plan and win the game. A talent that I enjoy very much is playing the piano. I began playing the piano when I was about eight years old. I would travel to take lessons every Friday after a long day of school. My teacher was an elderly man, and despite his age, he drove to teach me. Living so far away, he was still a phone call away, and whenever I asked for lessons, he never failed to show up. Although my teacher was not well, he pushed himself with the purpose of educating me with amazing music. His efforts inspired me to take the piano more seriously since he was a master at playing it. Even though he is no longer here, I devoted myself to continue learning more songs in his honor because he never gave up on me when I complained that the songs were challenging to play. Now, I am proud to say that he taught me very well, and I can play music using both hands. I plan on giving back to my community by donating and contributing to several non-profit organizations that focus on educating the youth. I attended a 4-year college-bound program that positively impacted my high school career and paved the way to become a student at the University of New Haven.

My name is Gideon Dey. I am a current sophomore attending the University of New Haven. I am majoring in business administration with a concentration in sports management. I should be considered a worthy student primarily because I bring intellectual voracity to my studies, specifically mathematics. My hunger for learning is fueled by the sincere appreciation of my parents' profound sacrifices and a personal commitment to take advantage of every opportunity available. Academics have never been something that I have ever taken lightly. Because I approached my education with all seriousness, my past GPA in high school equals 4.0. I qualified for the National Junior Honor Society for two years straight, earning 90s and above in all my classes in middle school. These honor classes coached me in a way that made me understand the significance of my education at a younger age. My ultimate goal is to work in the sports industry. I am a huge sports fan, particularly basketball. A major accomplishment of achieving a spot on the dean's list for my 2022 fall semester. This accomplishment came as a shock. I enjoy playing chess. It is a very interesting game. It requires extreme concentration and focuses to win the game. I need to do an immense amount of calculations that focus on attacking and defending pieces at the same time. Engines and systems have been created that analyze chess games and provide the best move to play to win the game or force a draw. I play and end up beating my brother every time we play chess. Also, I beat my father in every game. I consider myself very skilled in playing chess; I can improve on protecting my king. I look forward to joining the basketball team and joining a chess club in college playing head-to-head with skilled competitors in competition for an amazing prize. With the money saved, I will contribute to non-profit organizations that focus on educating the youth and preparing them for college and adulthood. One organization in particular where I graduated from is called Legal Outreach. Legal Outreach is a 4-year college-bound program that prepares and develops high school students for the college atmosphere and the world beyond. Legal Outreach has immensely benefitted my high school career and has paved the way for my current status as a student a the University of New Haven. This program provided many opportunities that I would have never experienced.

A quality/characteristic I value the most in myself is being able to learn a new skill, adapt on it and teach it to someone else. I participate in sports like basketball in my community with tournaments, to give back to those in my neighborhood, and I enjoy doing so because basketball has always been a deep passion of mine since I was a kid. Basketball is an amazing sport and has instilled leadership qualities to my character. Having the ability to inspire and motivate my teammates as well as others shows them that I have a priority to my team. Since I have been playing basketball, it helped build up my confidence. Being able to ignore my negative surroundings and focus on winning the game strengthens my confidence and mental toughness. Basketball has provided great opportunities for me during the summer break. Last summer, I played on a team called Taking honor in what I do expands my confidence. I learned to acknowledge that sometimes my opponent may be better skilled. Without respect, winning has no value. Acknowledging the other team's efforts after the game is critical. I learned to never put another player down. In life, without respecting others you progress. Strong people like myself never put others down; we motivate and encourage them. Other interests/abilities that add to my well roundedness are solving rubix cubes and playing chess. In the beginning of my 8th grade semester, I had friends that knew how to solve a rubix cube. It was cool knowing how to solve it. Many people who tried to solve a rubix cube ended up frustrated, angry, and/or smashed it into pieces. After a few weeks, I finally solved the rubix cube by myself. After solving the rubix cube, I decided to buy cubes with more pieces on it. I purchased a 4 by 4, 6 by 6, 7 by 7 and a 9 by 9 speed cube. They were extremely hard to solve. However, I relied on people who had posted their example solves and tutorials to finally memorize and solve the cubes. The rubix cube is an amazing puzzle to solve. It creates instant attraction when presented in front of a crowd. When I solved my rubix cube in front of my friends, I felt incredibly intelligent and good about myself. As I began to solve higher cube sizes, I brought them in and solved it in front of my instructors. Interestingly, the cube solve was recorded by a friend. I saved the video onto my phone. Weeks later, I purchased a 15 by 15 rubix cube. I spent three to four days trying to solve it. After I finally solved it, I put the solved cube alongside all of my other cubes and took a picture. I enjoy playing chess. It is a very interesting game. It requires extreme concentration and focus in order to win the game. I need to do an immense amount of calculations that focus on attacking and defending pieces at the same time. I play and end up beating my brother everytime we play chess. Also, I beat my father in every game. I consider myself very skilled in playing chess; I can improve on protecting my king. I look forward to joining the basketball team, finding friends that can solve a rubix cube and forming or joining a chess club in college playing head to head with skilled competitors in competition for an amazing prize.

My piano teacher was an elderly man. When I was around eight years old, I began playing the piano. Despite his age, he made an effort to teach me everything I knew. Living so far away, he was still a phone call away, and whenever I asked for lessons, he never failed to show up. Even when he didn't feel well, he pushed himself with the purpose of educating me with new music. I remember struggling to play songs like Fur Elise and Moonlight Sinatra, and we would switch seats. Seeing him play the piano was fascinating. I watched him play through my struggle correcting my mistakes, so I made the adjustment and played in style when it was my turn. His efforts inspired me to take the piano more seriously since he was a master at playing it. The piano is what I turn to whenever I feel gloomy or uninspired. Nothing else can make me comfortable at peace than playing a spectacular melody or a simple song. It is always a joy and relaxes me since it triggers memories of songs that I played with my piano teacher and when played at my school auditorium or in front of my friends. When I am playing the piano, I'm in music mode, ready to create a beautiful piece of art. I feel immensely alleviated and tranquil with playing different chords. Playing the piano is when I loosen up and find a connection to worldwide music. Without the piano, I would not be who I am today. I have learned discipline and patience when trying out new songs and mastering them quickly. A music selection that has consistently taught and reminded me to remain focused is All of Me by John Legend, and the message from the song is putting your one hundred percent effort into something you truly desire. There was a debate I participated in during my sophomore year of high school. I wanted to win the debate because I chose to come out on top. I came in third place in the first two debates, followed by second place. This was my chance to take 1st place and win collecting the trophy. I persevered and later won the award based on my hard work, motivation, and ability to listen and apply. When my piano teacher passed away, I found out from my mother. After discovering the news, I felt sad and lonely. I went from looking forward to seeing him every week to not hearing from him again and being alone with sheets of music to play. This caused me to turn to this song again. He was a great mentor and an inspiration. Although he is no longer here, I devoted myself to learning more songs in his honor because he never gave up on me when I complained that the songs were challenging to play. I am proud to say that he taught me to play the piano very well. I sit on my pedal seat, turn on the piano, and place my hand on the keys. As I place my fingers on the keys, the piano helps me to release my emotions. It is my comfort zone where I relax my mental health. I am one with the piano, and when I get lost in the song, I imagine teleporting to home where I play one out of a million rhythms switching the style and art of the keys. I am an expert with the piano, waiting to change chords and progressives at the song's pace. I am Gideon, the whole full Gideon.

Someone once said you must have access to wealth to make a positive change in your community. This statement challenged me, and this is what I unveiled. You do not have to be powerful, rich, or good-looking to make a positive social impact on your community. What one person can do may seem not imperative, but small acts of kindness can make a big difference if done correctly and with the right intentions. In my life, I made several changes in my community, such as supporting the needy, motivating people, and being viewed as an inspiration to many people. There is a consistent drive that others would recognize and praise me for my determination and success. These changes occurred due to progress. We all have things in our lives that we want to improve on, such as finances, jobs, houses. We all can agree that nothing will improve by itself, and therefore we need to see and act on things differently to improve. Without change, there would not be improvements. Every Friday, my mother and I would go to a pantry service and distribute it to the less fortunate. We distribute clothes, food, and anything that we can provide. Many people line up with bags and carts ready to collect. Doing this alongside my mom makes a big difference. In this world, people are experiencing different problems, and anything positive can impact them in a way that we would not imagine. Also, when you do good to others, you will be rewarded with great things. Many people are struggling in this world today, but what my mom, myself, and the entire pantry workers do for the community can put a smile on their faces, and later on, people can end up thanking us for our hard work. The second change that needed to occur was motivating people and setting examples because I needed to develop my life-shaping and planning my future. Setting examples showed others what they were capable of. Seeing others will propel them to do positive as well. Also, this can create competition. When someone visits the success and progress you have completed, they want to achieve the same or even better because they have seen someone go through the process. For example, I have maintained good grades in school in my life. Every day in school is a different day to explore and find new information. Setting benchmarks will affect kids in my school and everywhere else. Therefore, showing a reflection of your parents and setting good standards was a positive change in my school since it showed others that anything is possible if they put in the effort. Exercising my leadership skills brought about these changes. Learning how to become a leader was effective. Being a leader and not a follower is critical in growing in life. We all fail; however, it is our first attempt at learning. The leadership comes in when you are determined to try again until you pass.

A talent that I enjoy very much is playing the piano. I began playing the piano when I was about eight years old. I would travel to take lessons every Friday after a long day of school. My teacher was an elderly man, and despite his age, he drove to teach me. Living so far away, he was still a phone call away, and whenever I asked for lessons, he never failed to show up. Although my teacher was not well, he pushed himself with the purpose of educating me with amazing music. His efforts inspired me to take the piano more seriously since he was a master at playing it. Even though he is no longer here, I devoted myself to continue learning more songs in his honor because he never gave up on me when I complained that the songs were challenging to play. Now, I am proud to say that he taught me very well, and I can play music using both hands. The piano allowed me to create music through the pressing of keys at the same and different times. It is something I turned to whenever I feel gloomy or upset. It relaxed me since it triggered memories of songs that I played with my piano teacher. I would sit on my black pedal seat, turn on the piano, close my eyes and place my hand on the keys. As I place my fingers on the keys, I can feel their cold and smooth touch like marble. My energy, usually hidden unreleased, gradually travels swiftly to my fingertips. As I listen to the echo of the chords played, I can imagine someone right beside singing the lyrics corresponding to the music. Nothing else can make me at ease than sitting down alone and playing a simple song. Without the piano, I would not be who I am today. I have learned disciple and patience in trying out new songs and mastering them in a short period. I play the piano at banquets and concerts showcasing my talent for all to see and record in delight. Playing the piano is like second nature. I'm not looking at anyone but solely the piano. I imagine teleporting back to my home, where I see my close friend as I press on the black and white keys and play one out of a million rhythms switching the style and art of the keys. With the piano, I am an expert, waiting to transition chords and progressives at the pace of the song. I am Gideon, the whole full Gideon. I am one with the piano, and when I get lost in the song, I become the piano figuring out which black and white keys to play while waiting to be played in accordance. That is why I believe the piano is beautiful in how it shapes me to play at ease, focusing on the melodies of the song and the harmonics designed.

Basketball is a sport that fuels my life. Anytime I am available, I go to the park to play basketball. Every week, I go to the YMCA to play in the open gym. Scoring a great amount of points and winning games are very satisfying. Improving my skills in basketball is helpful in a five on five game situation. I have played basketball since the sixth grade. My middle school team won our championship game against M.S 72 at Eagle Academy. Also, I played on my Aviation high school’s junior varsity team during my freshman and sophomore year. Basketball is essentially a part of me. Winning games and medals shows victory. Battling an opponent in a win or lose situation makes the crowd watching heated. I love the excitement and atmosphere. I enjoy playing chess. It is a very interesting game. It requires extreme concentration and focus in order to win the game. You need to do an immense amount of calculations that focus on attacking and defending pieces at the same time. We have created engines and systems that can analyze chess games and provide the best move to play in order to win the game. I play and end up beating my brother everytime we play chess. Also, I beat my father in every game. I consider myself very skilled in playing chess; I can improve on protecting my king. I look forward to forming or joining a chess club in college and playing head to head with skilled competitors in competition for an amazing prize.

I’ve experienced a great amount of stress and anxiety in my school education and family obligations. However, in playing chess I find relief from outside pressures, training my mind to focus on the sixty four squares composed of dark and light pieces in front of me. In chess, I find peace. It requires extreme concentration to win against your opponent. When I play chess, I perform an immense amount of calculations that allow me to attack while defending my pieces at the same time. I consider myself very skilled in the game, and I feel a sense of honor when I am seated across regular players as well as grandmasters around the city and in tournaments-- critically thinking of my next move as the clock spins. Chess makes me feel at home as I play with comprehensive strategy, theory, and focus. Through my interest in chess, I gradually became a better thinker and decision maker in both the game and in real life. Learning chess traps and famous openings would expand my knowledge and further my understanding of how the human brain thinks. Playing chess motivated me to complete my educational assignments. It didn't feel any better defeating my opponent in an intense match and then returning to work finishing it on time with ease. Playing constant chess sharpened my attention. It allowed me to sit for hours concentrating and contemplating the 64 squares each piece could potentially cover and the course my arsenal would encounter. Through chess, I have strengthened my friendships encouraging and motivating people to begin learning and becoming the best players they can be.

One new technology that I am excited about are chess engines. Throughout time, people have developed high quality software to obtain the rules of the game as well as techniques. In playing chess I find relief from outside pressures, training my mind to focus on the sixty four squares composed of dark and light pieces in front of me. In chess, I find peace. It requires extreme concentration to win against your opponent. When I play chess, I perform an immense amount of calculations that allow me to attack while defending my pieces at the same time. I consider myself very skilled in the game, and I feel a sense of honor when I am seated across regular players as well as grandmasters around the city and in tournaments-- critically thinking of my next move as the clock spins. When I first started playing, I purchased a chess board on amazon and began playing him with a timer. Our games were very fun and we would play to what seemed like the end of time. My heart raced as I would quickly move a piece to my desired file and the timer indicated that I had already gone and it was his turn to make a move. Great fire boiled inside me as I would predict and counter my brother’s moves, planning a sneaky attack to capture his queen and put his king in a mating net. I always win our matches defeating him, and he would play more practice games against the computer to challenge me at another time of day. The more strategies and techniques I learned, the better skilled I became at the game. This game has taught me foresight, patience, time management, critical thinking, determination, and humility. “what will be the advantages or disadvantages of my new position? How can my opponent strategize to attack me? What other strong moves can I make to delay, further, or end the game defending myself from my opponent's attacks?” These are all questions I ponder as I play a chess match. Also, patience enables me to survey the entire chessboard and the relations of the several pieces and situations as well as the threats and dangers they are exposed to. Critical thinking allows me to devise a strategy consistently anticipating my opponents moves after my moves to force a checkmate or a resignation. Determination is a key quality that I have obtained by playing chess. No matter how badly you are performing according to a computer web analysis, no matter how many less pieces you have compared to your opponent, you can always make a plan and win the game. The final quality that makes chess my home is humility. Being able to win a long fought chess game and still show respect to your opponent is very essential. Whenever I win a chess game, I always show respect by thanking my opponent for playing against me shaking their hand in gratitude.

When the coronavirus became a big concern, forcing schools to close, I felt the most dejected. My most difficult problem throughout the quarantine time was finding the desire to do school work while being at home all day. Schools had shuttered as they transitioned to a virtual form of education. My greatest struggle during this quarantine period has been finding the motivation and creativity to accomplish projects. Online education is not without its critics. In the online environment, I discovered that interaction with professors had vanished. It might be challenging to communicate with a teacher when you want them to respond soon but they end up responding the next day. Furthermore, if the majority of students contact the instructor, there is a slim chance that the teacher will respond to your unique letter. Furthermore, trying to teach the content to yourself is quite difficult, especially if the topic is a college-level course. In a school classroom situation, I learn best when the teacher explains the information on the board. Because I was using virtual learning, I had to self-teach myself, which may cause me to fall behind in class. Another disadvantage was that many students did not have a consistent Internet connection, making a zoom call with 20+ students difficult. It was difficult to utilize Zoom when I couldn't hear or comprehend what someone or the teacher was saying. Furthermore, some students may not have a good wifi connection, which causes the call to be even longer delayed. Due to static issues from the internet connection, I struggled to hear the teacher. Access was lost due to technical problems, computer issues, and accessibility. It was difficult to understand the material provided via video conference when there were persistent distances preventing knowledge from being input and digested. Staying at home till the infection died out was a bad idea. It was difficult since I am used to spending a lot of time outside with friends, playing basketball, and shopping at the mall. It's been a long time since New York City was placed under lockdown. Governor Andrew Cuomo directed the state of New York to practice quarantine and social isolation until the city stabilized. I surmounted the obstacle of education by keeping constant and refusing to get discouraged by the disadvantages of online learning. To pass every class with great grades, I needed to finish all of my tasks. I made a calendar to help me arrange my weekly schedule. I also developed a to-do list and committed to it so I could tick off errands as I finished them. I feel my tenacity and willpower helped me overcome the coronavirus's gloomy consequences. Because of these conditions, I was able to emphasize on my future and goals. I wasn't sure that developing a strategy and sticking to it would bring me stability and success. However, it turned out to be the primary reason I was allowed to keep certain parts of my life before the quarantine.

I’ve experienced a great amount of stress and anxiety in my school education and family obligations. However, in playing chess I find relief from outside pressures, training my mind to focus on the sixty four squares composed of dark and light pieces in front of me. In chess, I find peace. It requires extreme concentration to win against your opponent. When I play chess, I perform an immense amount of calculations that allow me to attack while defending my pieces at the same time. I consider myself very skilled in the game, and I feel a sense of honor when I am seated across regular players as well as grandmasters around the city and in tournaments-- critically thinking of my next move as the clock spins. Chess makes me feel at home as I play with comprehensive strategy, theory, and focus. Through my interest in chess, I gradually became a better thinker and decision maker in both the game and in real life. Learning chess traps and famous openings would expand my knowledge and further my understanding of how the human brain thinks. Playing chess motivated me to complete my educational assignments. It didn't feel any better defeating my opponent in an intense match and then returning to work finishing it on time with ease. Playing constant chess sharpened my attention. It allowed me to sit for hours concentrating and contemplating the 64 squares each piece could potentially cover and the course my arsenal would encounter. Through chess, I have strengthened my friendships encouraging and motivating people to begin learning and becoming the best players they can be.

I stay committed to speaking my mind by not allowing others opinions dictate my morals and actions. I control by response to certain situations by speaking my mind. This enables me to articulate my honest perspective on a specific topic and express myself. Many people have negative views that can damage one's mental health especially confidence. However, I find it that speaking my mind and ignoring/avoiding all negative energy is beneficial for my success, and allows me to contribute my comments which can be a great impact on others.

My goals for the future are to graduate college with a degree. I plan to achieve multiple streams of income. I plan to become an entrpruenue creating many avenues of income with the mission to support others and assist people who are uneducated and unable to help themselves financially. I plan to create a tutoring business in the subject of math to tutor kids who perform poorly in math and encourage/motivate them to study and apply themselves to the material in order to perform high in their education endeavors.

The impact I hope to leave on the world is to become a great role model for my family and the next generation. As the oldest sibling, my goal is to create a path that my sibling can follow in my footsteps towards success and greatness. I plan on doing so by exercising high leadership skills and pursuing to become a graduate at Ithaca College and obtain a great occupation in the workforce. I plan to become an entrepreneur creating many avenues of income with the mission to support others and assist people who are uneducated and unable to help themselves financially. I plan to start a tutoring business in math to tutor kids who perform poorly or simply need help in math. The mission is to encourage/motivate them to study and apply themselves to the material in order to perform highly in their educational endeavors.

I actively listen to those around me by hearing what is stated into consideration and giving eye contact to an individual. Doing so, I portray respect and acknowledge by honing in and focusing on their perspective to formulate my own based on their opinion. Also, listening is an imperative quality of me. Being able to listen is very significant in life's challenges and obligations. Every great leader is a great listener. Having the ability to weigh options and take harsh criticism from others shows grit. Listening is essential in the workforce. As an employee, it is crucial to follow the directions and requirements of the manager. By this, you are completing your role and service as an employee to the store/business. Listening allows you to have unique qualities like driving. Driving is a very desirable quality performed through listening. Hearing enables people to negotiate deals and transactions because hearing someone's viewpoints can be eye-opening not only to oneself but to others. Listening has allowed me to grow as a diligent first-year college student at Ithaca and will continue to enable me on the right path towards success. I always make sure to listen to others and not just myself because there are great ideas and stories to be told, and without hearing an individual voice their thoughts, ideas fail to be exposed. In closing, listening is what separates successful individuals from the unsuccessful. It divides our society due to the innate nature of our sociological human minds, and without this very trait, spectacular achievements are up for grabs.

A talent that I am passionate about is playing the piano. I would take lessons every Friday after a long day of school. My teacher was an elderly man, and despite his age, he drove to teach me. Living so far away, he was still a phone call away, and whenever I asked for lessons, he never failed to show up. His efforts inspired me to take the piano more seriously since he was a master at playing it. Even though he is no longer here, I devoted myself to continue learning more songs in his honor because he never gave up on me when I complained that the songs were challenging to play. The piano allowed me to create music through the pressing of keys at the same and different times. It is something I turned to whenever I feel gloomy or upset. Nothing else can make me at ease than sitting down alone and playing a simple song. The piano is my friend, helping me release my emotions. The piano is my comfort zone, a friend I go to relax my mental health whenever my fingers cross the black and white keys. Without the piano, I would not be who I am today. I have learned disciple and patience in trying out new songs and mastering them in a short period. I play the piano at banquets and concerts showcasing my talent for all to see and record in delight. Playing the piano is like second nature. With the piano, I am an expert, waiting to transition chords and progressives at the pace of the song. That is why I believe the piano is beautiful in how it shapes me to play at ease, focusing on the melodies of the song and the harmonics designed.

You don't have to be powerful, rich, or good-looking to make a positive social impact on your community. What one person does may not seem imperative. But, if done accordingly and with the right intentions, small acts of kindness can make a big difference. In my life, I have made several changes in my community. I have supported the less fortunate, motivated people, and became an inspiration to others. There is a consistent drive in myself that others would recognize and praise me for my determination and success. We all have priorities in our lives that we want to improve on as finances, jobs, houses, etc. We all can agree that nothing will improve by itself, and therefore we need to see and act on things differently to improve. Without change, there are simply no improvements. Every Friday, my mother and I would travel to a pantry service and serve the community. We distribute clothes, food, and anything that we can provide. Many people line up with bags and carts ready to collect. Doing this alongside my mom makes a big difference. In this world, people are experiencing different problems, and anything positive can impact them in a way that we would not imagine. Also, when you do good to others, you will be rewarded with great things. Many people are struggling in this world today, but what my mom, myself, and the entire pantry workers do for the community can put a smile on their faces, and later on, people can end up thanking us for our hard work.

Small acts of kindness can make a big difference. In my life, I have made several changes in my community. I have supported the less fortunate, motivated people, and became an inspiration to others. There is a consistent drive in myself that others would recognize and praise me for my determination and success. Every Friday, my mother and I would travel to a pantry service and serve the community. We distribute clothes, food, and anything that we can provide. Many people line up with bags and carts ready to collect. Doing this alongside my mom makes a big difference. In this world, people are experiencing different problems, and anything positive can impact them in a way that we would not imagine. Also, when you do good to others, you will be rewarded with great things. Many people are struggling in this world today, but what my mom, myself, and the entire pantry workers do for the community can put a smile on their faces, and later on, people can end up thanking us for our hard work.

I’ve experienced a great amount of stress and anxiety in my school education and family obligations. However, in playing chess I find relief from outside pressures, training my mind to focus on the sixty four squares composed of dark and light pieces in front of me. In chess, I find peace. It requires extreme concentration to win against your opponent. When I play chess, I perform an immense amount of calculations that allow me to attack while defending my pieces at the same time. Chess makes me feel at home as I play with comprehensive strategy, theory, and focus. Playing chess motivated me to complete my educational assignments. It didn't feel any better defeating my opponent in an intense match and then returning to work finishing it on time with ease. Playing constant chess sharpened my attention. It allowed me to sit for hours concentrating and contemplating the 64 squares each piece could potentially cover and the course my arsenal would encounter. Through chess, I have strengthened my friendships encouraging and motivating people to begin learning and becoming the best players they can be. This game has taught me patience, time management, critical thinking, and determination. Patience enables me to survey the entire chessboard and the relations of the several pieces and situations as well as the threats and dangers they are exposed to. Critical thinking allows me to devise a strategy consistently anticipating my opponents moves after my moves to force a checkmate or a resignation. Determination is a key quality that I have obtained by playing chess. No matter how badly you are performing according to a computer web analysis, no matter how many less pieces you have compared to your opponent, you can always make a plan and win the game.

A talent that I enjoy very much is playing the piano. I began playing the piano when I was about eight years old. The piano allowed me to create music through the pressing of keys at the same and different times. It is something I turned to whenever I feel gloomy or upset. It relaxed me since it triggered memories of songs that I played with my piano teacher. I would sit on my black pedal seat, turn on the piano, close my eyes and place my hand on the keys. As I place my fingers on the keys, I can feel their cold and smooth touch like marble. My energy, usually hidden unreleased, gradually travels swiftly to my fingertips. As I listen to the echo of the chords played, I can imagine someone right beside singing the lyrics corresponding to the music. Nothing else can make me at ease than sitting down alone and playing a simple song. The songs I played are All of Me by John Legend, Fur Elise by Beethoven, Ivy by Frank Ocean, and Japanese Denim by Daniel Caesar. Without the piano, I would not be who I am today. I have learned disciple and patience in trying out new songs and mastering them in a short period. I play the piano at banquets and concerts showcasing my talent for all to see and record in delight. Playing the piano is like second nature. I'm not looking at anyone but solely the piano. With the piano, I am an expert, waiting to transition chords and progressives at the pace of the song. That is why I believe the piano is beautiful in how it shapes me to play at ease, focusing on the melodies of the song and the harmonics designed.

I am an 18-year-old student currently enrolled at Ithaca College. Academics has never been something that I've ever taken lightly. My current academic gpa is a 3.0, and since middle school, I've taken school with all seriousness because of the impact it will play on my future. In middle school, I participated in the National Junior Honor Society for two years straight, maintaining 90s and above in each of my classes. I would describe myself as an intelligent and well-rounded individual dedicated to extracurriculars representing my school appropriately. I have strived to be that well-rounded student. I participate in sports like basketball in my community to give back to those in my neighborhood. In my life, I have made several changes in my community. I have supported the needy and poor, motivated people, and became an inspiration to others. There is a consistent drive in myself that others would recognize and praise me for my determination and success. We all have priorities in our lives that we want to improve on as finances, jobs, houses, etc. We all can agree that nothing will improve by itself, and therefore we need to see and act on things differently to improve. Without change, there are simply no improvements. Every Friday, my mother and I would travel to a pantry service and serve the community. We distribute clothes, food, and anything that we can provide. Many people line up with bags and carts ready to collect. Doing this alongside my mom makes a big difference. In this world, people are experiencing different problems, and anything positive can impact them in a way that we would not imagine. Also, when you do good to others, you will be rewarded with great things. Many people are struggling in this world today, but what my mom, myself, and the entire pantry workers do for the community can put a smile on their faces, and later on, people can end up thanking us for our hard work. Small acts of kindness can create a big difference. One does not have to be wealthy, powerful, and popular in doing so. Anyone can make changes in their life. But also, it is how they go about in the attempt of change. Serving the public, setting examples, and valuing my education are personal changes. Praised by family, I take pride in my hard work and effort. Setting my goals will enhance me to achieve them with a motor that never stops. Later on, I plan to accomplish more spectacular rewards in the near future.

Many people experience a crisis. Some are inevitable, and some unexpected. I learned that the way one responds to an obstacle portrays their true colors. In 8th grade, I attended I.S 59 Springfield Gardens. I tried out for the basketball team and made the team. My parents allowed me to continue playing for the team as long as my grades were kept high and I never was at risk of passing a class. My grades were excellent and remained consistent throughout the semester. My basketball skills greatly improved, and our season went marvelously. We experienced wins after wins suffering one loss. My team eventually made the playoffs. In April, I was assigned to type an essay on the Cuban Missile Crisis. Also, my class was having a living environment test and a U.S history exam the following morning. My teachers warned everyone that this week would be less lesson time and classwork and more independent work and exams. The same day I had basketball practice and the team’s first playoff game on the road against Eagle Academy. The game I predicted to end around 6:30 and 7, so I planned to sleep at 9:20, hoping to get enough rest for my Algebra test. Overwhelmed, I felt like going to sleep and not retyping my essay. Since I also had exams the next day, I became overwhelmed and helpless. I wanted to make time for studying, but it was hard to focus on one task and not the others. However, I had a 95 average, and I could not afford to lower my grade. I was on the path to being a participant and member of the National Junior Honor Society. However, I figured out a plan. Since I had to retype my essay, I decided to ask my grandmother to read me the first draft. While she read to me, I typed very quickly. By doing this, I finished my second draft and slept around 9-9:45. The next day, I discovered my teachers postponed both exams. I was very thrilled and relieved by this decision. The news enabled me to focus and play confidently during my basketball game. Scoring back to back contributed to winning our playoff game advancing us to the championship finals against M.S 72. This story of the situation I experienced brought out my inner determination and character. Actions speak louder than words. You never know who a person is until the heat gets going. After that, actions will lead the way. When you come across a solution to a situation, you must anticipate another resolution because another problem can pop up based on the impact of the previous one. Words cost nothing. For example, if someone repetitively talks about the struggles of the poor but never donates to charity, their words mean nothing to society. Actions can cost everything. Many people can say words, but they must put them into action. In addition, there is no such thing as failure. It is simply the first attempt in learning where life attempts to lure one into a better direction.

Math is an academic topic that inspires me. My main academic interest is mathematics. I've always had an instinctive interest in math. Since third grade, math has been my favorite subject. On my state tests, I virtually always received a 4. I excelled in advanced math courses such as Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus. In addition, during my junior year, I scored a 100 on the bulk of examinations, including the midterm and final exams. These arithmetic levels are all linked, causing my brain to recall all I've learned. Working with numbers and implementing techniques and principles is considerably easier. Performing well in my math classes and on examinations has prepared me for the college-level subjects I will be pursuing. Following graduation, I plan to work as a tutor for kids who need help with algebra up to calculus. The majority of individuals I know believe that mastering arithmetic is tough. Math, despite its difficulty, is extremely important. Mathematics has the potential to be one of the most underappreciated sciences. It keeps our computers running, our flights flying, and our personal information safe. People who despise math sometimes wonder how algebra, geometry, or calculus may be used in their daily life. However, arithmetic is all around us, especially in our daily lives. We require math to guarantee that we do not overpay on goods and services. Calculating interest and compound interest, for example, is critical for carefully managing your money and selecting the appropriate bank account. It will allow me to assess the true cost of repaying educational loans such as those taken out for college. Geometry and trigonometry concepts enable me to play sports such as basketball by mapping out the court and finding the optimal method to shoot and dribble the basketball. Furthermore, arithmetic is employed in a wide range of vocations, including musicians, accountants, fashion designers, and litigation paralegals. The world is ordered mostly because math was used to arrange it. It teaches us how to arrive at an answer in a variety of methods, as well as fundamental tactics to employ when confronted with a difficult-to-solve problem. Knowing additional techniques enhances the probability of accurately answering the question. Because math is a portion of the SAT exam, being familiar with problem-solving can assist you to earn a better SAT score and gain entrance to a large number of academic institutions. My professional ambitions include starting my own business, improving my communication abilities, and generating opportunities for others to grow and succeed in investing. Business Management is a subject in which I possess the characteristics and assets necessary to build a successful profession. I've always wanted to be a part of a workforce that enabled me to study, acquire, and distribute money since I was in middle school. Today, there are a large number of small firms that are quite successful, with millions of dollars in sales. These companies excite and inspire me to pursue this career. The thought of failure has seldom had an impact on what I aspire to achieve. Failure is only the first step towards learning. I've opted to pursue a career as an IBO (independent company owner) since my interest has always been assisting others and attempting to change their way of life. All of my aspirations will stay dreams until I put in the necessary work and effort. As a result, I am dedicated to working hard in school to find chances that will make my dreams a reality.

When the coronavirus became a big concern, forcing schools to close, I felt the most dejected. My most difficult problem throughout the quarantine time was finding the desire to do school work while being at home all day. Schools had shuttered as they transitioned to a virtual form of education. My greatest struggle during this quarantine period has been finding the motivation and creativity to accomplish projects. Online education is not without its critics. In the online environment, I discovered that interaction with professors had vanished. It might be challenging to communicate with a teacher when you want them to respond soon but they end up responding the next day. Furthermore, if the majority of students contact the instructor, there is a slim chance that the teacher will respond to your unique letter. Attempting to teach the content to yourself is quite difficult, especially if the topic is a college-level course. In a school classroom situation, I learn best when the teacher explains the information on the board. Because I was using virtual learning, I had to self-teach myself, which may cause me to fall behind in class. Another disadvantage was that many students did not have a consistent Internet connection, making a zoom call with 20+ students difficult. It was difficult to utilize Zoom when I couldn't hear or comprehend what someone or the teacher was saying. Furthermore, some students may not have a good wifi connection, which causes the call to be even longer delayed. Due to static issues from the internet connection, I struggled to hear the teacher. Access was lost due to technical problems, computer issues, and accessibility. It was difficult to understand the material provided via video conference when there were persistent distances preventing knowledge from being input and digested. Staying at home until the infection died out was a bad idea. It was difficult since I am used to spending a lot of time outside with friends, playing basketball, and shopping at the mall. It was a long time since New York City was placed under lockdown. Governor Andrew Cuomo directed the state of New York to practice quarantine and social isolation until the city stabilized. I surmounted the obstacle of education by keeping constant and refusing to get discouraged by the disadvantages of online learning. To pass every class with great grades, I needed to finish all of my tasks. I made a calendar to help me arrange my weekly schedule. I also developed a to-do list and committed to it so I could tick off errands as I finished them. I feel my tenacity and willpower helped me overcome the coronavirus's gloomy consequences. Because of these conditions, I was able to emphasize on my future and goals. I wasn't sure that developing a strategy and sticking to it would bring me stability and success. However, it turned out to be the primary reason I was allowed to keep certain parts of my life before the quarantine.

A happy memory occurred when I was learning to drive and prepare for the road test. Excited to begin driving, I wanted to master this skill to places. Driving enabled me to reach school on time and travel back home with spare time. I first learned driving lessons from a family friend. At first, I was struggled to learn. But, they inspired me to develop my skill set and taught me to be tolerant even when things did not go in my favor. Later on, I perfected my skills and passed my road test exam.

At the beginning of my 8th-grade term, I had friends that knew how to solve a Rubix cube. Many people who tried to solve a Rubix cube became frustrated, angry, or smashed the cube into pieces. Wanting to learn how to solve a Rubix cube, I purchased one at Walgreens. Excited to hold it in hand, I instantly scrambled the cube attempting to solve it. After tries after tries, I failed to solve. The next day at school, my friends had their Rubix cube, so I asked them to teach me how to solve it. After a few weeks, I finally solved the Rubix cube by myself. After solving the Rubix cube, I decided to buy cubes with more pieces on them. I purchased a four-by-four, six-by-six, seven-by-seven, and a nine-by-nine-speed cube. They were extremely hard to solve. However, I relied on people who had posted their example solves and tutorials to finally memorize and solve the cubes. The cube relates to me because having this ability is a great talent to possess. Whenever I felt stressed, I could turn to my Rubix cubes sitting on my desk waiting for me. Also, I would time myself solving the cubes as fast as possible. When people see me solving a Rubix cube, they tell me that I am very intelligent giving a feeling of uniqueness with this capability. At first, it was annoying being unable to solve the cube. However, now I can solve the 3x3 in 30 seconds, and I imagine it as putting the pieces back to the puzzle. The world record for solving the Rubix cube is less than five seconds. Watching the solve video was astonishing. Felix Zemdegs held the world record for solving the 3 by 3 Rubik's speed cube. There was also a video that focused mainly on how the solution was possible with the millions of combinations used to solve the cube. To witness Rubik's cubes routinely solved in less than 10 seconds is both fascinating and thrilling. The cube consists of six colored sides with nine squares on each face making it a total of 54 squares. There are 43 quintillions (18 zeros after 3) possible configurations of the 3x3 Rubik's cube. There's a feeling of magic to this and Felix Zemdegs seems to be the best Rubix cube magician. If a world record is beaten, the video clip will be uploaded to the 82,000 subscribers on Zemdegs' YouTube channel. The procedures before the magnificent solve are as follows. The Rubik's cube has already been prepared by expert scramblers(computer system) and remains hidden, underneath a cover, on a solving mat. A judge removes the cover, which now gives Zemdegs a total of 15 seconds to analyze the puzzle. Once ready, Felix picks up the cube starting the timer making twelve turns per second, and begins on the verge of making history. The Rubix cube, an amazing puzzle to solve, creates instant attraction when presented in front of a crowd. As I began to solve higher cube sizes, I brought them in and solved them in front of my instructors. Interestingly, the cube solve was recorded and saved onto my phone. Weeks later, I purchased a 15 by 15 Rubix cube. I spent three to four days trying to solve it. After I finally solved it, I put the solved cube alongside all of my other cubes and took a picture. The picture came out great as I posted it onto my social media platforms and saw the many messages received by people with great amazement and shock.

I am a diligent and vibrant 18-year-old student currently enrolled at Ithaca College. A quality I value most in myself is my versatility as a student as well as my leadership skills. Academics have never been something that I've ever taken lightly. My current academic GPA is 3.0, and since middle school, I've taken school with all seriousness because of the impact it will play on my future. In middle school, I participated in the National Junior Honor Society for two years and maintained 90's and above in all my classes. My middle school honor classes coached me in a way that allowed me to understand the significance of my education at a younger age. Allowing me to take regents exams and pass while still being an 8th grader gave me a boost in high school academically, and those grades positively placed me on a steady path. I consider myself an intelligent and well-rounded student dedicated to extracurriculars, and who will represent their school appropriately. I have strived to be that well-rounded student. I participate in sports like basketball in my community and give back to the less fortunate in my neighborhood by helping in a food pantry. Basketball has always been a deep passion since I was a child. Debate has also been a strong interest because it pushes me very hard. I first started sophomore year, and I've learned a lot and grew with each debate I've done. My first time landed me in third place, it was new to me, and I was nervous but still surprised and happy to even place. Funny enough, with each debate, that place has only gone up. In my second debate, I earned second place, and with my last, I won, becoming the Legal Outreach Constitutional Law Debate March 2019 Winner. Completing the debate program has taught me that as long as I am fully dedicated to a cause, I will always flourish in any endeavor, even something new that I have never experienced before. I place a great priority on exercising my leadership abilities. It is beneficial to learn how to become a leader. Being a leader rather than a follower is vital for personal development. We all fail, but it is our first attempt to learn. Separating myself from the negative crowd demonstrates that I am serious about my future. Following my own path and ignoring others resulted in changes in my life. Having leadership abilities has a good impact, and when put into action, wonderful things happen.