Navigating school with a learning support plan hasn't always been easy, but it has definitely taught me how to be my own biggest advocate. For a long time, I didn't fully understand what it meant to have these supports in place, and I sometimes felt like I just had to go with the flow instead of speaking up about what actually helped me learn. However, as I’ve moved through high school, I’ve realized that understanding my own learning style is actually a strength, not a weakness. It has shaped my understanding of how I process information, especially in hands-on subjects that I'm passionate about. A moment when I really recognized my ability to speak up for my needs was during a difficult unit in my science class. I realized that the way the material was being presented wasn't clicking for me, and instead of staying quiet, I went to my teacher to discuss how we could use the accommodations in my plan to make the labs more accessible. Taking that step was intimidating, but seeing my grades improve because I asked for what I needed was a huge confidence booster. It showed me that I have the power to influence my own success by being clear about how I learn best. This experience of self-advocacy influences my goals moving forward as I plan to pursue a degree in mechanical technology engineering. In a field that is all about problem-solving and technical details, knowing how to communicate my needs and strengths is going to be essential. I also hope to continue honoring my strengths by staying disciplined on the football field. Just like in the classroom, being a "walk-on" for a college team requires you to prove yourself and advocate for your place through hard work and communication. I hope to continue advocating for myself by staying vocal about my goals and not being afraid to ask for support when things get challenging. By being honest about who I am as a learner and an athlete, I can make sure I’m following a path that truly reflects my passions and allows me to contribute my best work to my community.

Being an athlete and a member of my church has given me two very different but important ways to give back to the people around me. With my football team, I’ve learned a lot about the value of hard work and what it really means to be part of a team by helping neighbors with their property. We have spent many weekends doing things like cleaning up messy yards for people in the neighborhood who aren't able to handle that kind of heavy physical labor anymore. We also spent time organizing car washes to help raise money for different local projects that needed funding. These tasks were more than just chores; they showed me how a group of people working together toward one goal can quickly improve the look and feel of a neighborhood. It’s one thing to hear about teamwork in a locker room, but it’s another thing to see it actually change someone’s environment for the better. Outside of my life on the field, I am also very involved with my church, where our main focus is on helping feed the homeless. Taking the time to help people who are going through a really tough period in their lives has been a huge eye-opener for me. It taught me that being a leader isn't just about the stats you put up or what you do under the Friday night lights; it’s really about having heart and showing up for people when they are at their lowest point. Whether I’m pulling weeds with my teammates or serving warm meals with my church, I’ve realized that even a small amount of effort can make a massive difference in someone’s day or even their whole week. These experiences have grounded me and made me realize that I want my future career to involve this same kind of service. Looking ahead to the future, I want to take the discipline I’ve learned from football and the compassion I’ve gained from my church and apply them to my professional goals. I plan to go to college to earn a degree in mechanical technology engineering. I truly believe that engineering is a powerful tool that can be used to do more than just build machines; it can be used to solve real-world problems that communities face every day. I want to be an innovator who finds technical solutions for people in need. In the future, I plan to drive change by using my engineering skills to design better tools or systems for nonprofits and churches, such as creating more efficient ways to store and transport food for those struggling with hunger. I also want to use my platform as a student-athlete to mentor younger kids, showing them that they don't have to choose between being a dedicated athlete and a serious student who cares about the world. Finally, I hope to use my technical background to work on projects that improve local infrastructure, making sure that every part of my city—not just the wealthy areas—is a safe, clean, and functional place to live. By combining the strength I’ve gained from football and the values I’ve learned through my church, I am committed to using my engineering degree to be a leader who brings real, lasting change to my community.

College represents much more than just the next step in my education; it is the foundation for the person I want to become and the career I plan to build. My primary goal is to earn a degree in mechanical engineering technology, a field that has always fascinated me because it combines creative problem-solving with hands-on application. I have always been the type of person who wants to know how things work, and I believe that a college environment is the best place to turn that curiosity into a professional skill set. By pursuing this degree, I am trying to accomplish a level of technical expertise that will allow me to contribute to the world through innovation and hard work. In addition to my academic goals, I am looking forward to the social growth that comes with the college experience. High school provides a great foundation, but college is a unique opportunity to meet new people from all walks of life. I am excited to collaborate with students who have different perspectives and backgrounds, as I believe that learning how to communicate and work with a diverse group of people is just as important as what I learn in a textbook. Building these connections will help me grow as an individual and prepare me for a professional environment where teamwork is essential. I also have a strong desire to continue my journey as an athlete by pursuing a walk-on spot on the football team. Football has taught me a level of discipline, resilience, and accountability that I carry into every other part of my life. I know that being a walk-on requires an incredible amount of dedication and effort, but I am ready to prove that I can handle the pressure. Balancing a rigorous engineering schedule with the physical demands of football will be a challenge, but it is one I am eager to take on because it will sharpen my time management skills and keep me focused on my goals.Ultimately, my time in college will be defined by my drive to succeed both in the classroom and on the field. I want to graduate not only with a degree that proves my technical abilities but also with the character and leadership skills developed through my involvement in campus life and sports. By focusing on my studies in mechanical engineering technology and pushing myself as an athlete, I am working toward a future where I am a well-rounded, capable, and hardworking professional.