In my high school, I noticed a recurring issue: students wanted to do well academically, especially to qualify for the West Virginia Promise Scholarship, but many didn’t know how to study effectively. My school saw this too and even offered incentives for students to get scores above the national average. This realization became my motivation. I began offering informal tutoring during lunch and after school, focusing especially on juniors and seniors, hoping to secure the Promise Scholarship. I walked through the concepts with them, whether it was algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or data problems. I encouraged them to ask questions and solve problems on their own. Over time, I saw their confidence grow. One student, who had a poor SAT math score, saw an increase of 80 points and exceeded the average score. I continued doing this by taking on 10 people per SAT to ensure I wasn't overwhelmed and could still personalize each session to the individual. These people also saw score increases, and every single one of them was eventually awarded the Promise Scholarship. Seeing my efforts directly make tangible impacts in others' lives empowered me to keep doing my service for my peers. To expand this effort, I joined Schoolhouse.world, an international tutoring platform that offers free, small-group sessions led by verified peer tutors. Through it, I’ve begun hosting structured study groups and connecting with students beyond my school. My goal now is to bring more qualified tutors into my local network and to build a consistent system for organizing sessions. I'm currently researching scheduling software to make it easier for students to sign up and show up. I also want to start formal "tutor groups" within my school, where students can get matched with a regular peer mentor for ongoing support. Academic support should be accessible to all. Through tutoring, I’ve learned that lifting others up isn’t just about teaching; it’s about helping them believe they can succeed.

When my autistic cousin was taunted because of his disability, something resonated with me. I couldn't help but consider the unfairness of it all. Why do people treat him differently simply because of the way he communicates? When I learned about the Caring Cardinals club in my junior year, I knew I had to be a part of it. I wanted to do everything I could to make a difference for students who have a disability and be a force for good in making them feel welcome, included, and valued in a way that my cousin was not. I was committed from the beginning. I was elected as a club officer so that I could help plan activities and coordinate events. I did not want to be a spectator at meetings. It was a clear and firm goal that we shared: creating spaces where all people, regardless of ability, felt connected and valued. One club experience that meant the most to me was the Walking Club activity. We walked around the school grounds each week, paired up with students who were disabled. My partner was Landon, and neither of us had a clue what to say to each other at first. He was shy, and honestly, so was I. But as our walks around the school grounds started, something simple filled the lack of talk between us: bugs. Landon was excited about finding small things and showing me where they were. I did the same. We laughed, crouched over big beetles and butterflies, and had fun finding small things together. It was simple, but true. These walks were the highlight of the week for me, and by the way Landon smiled more and spoke more openly, I knew they were something that was significant for him as well. The hardest aspect was overcoming that initial shyness that my peers and I had. It showed me that putting people at ease was something one was not born with, but something one could work on by being patient, attentive, and open-minded. I tried working on people skills, listening more than I spoke, suggesting activities that matched others’ interests, and creating an environment where no one felt rushed or pressured. Being a leader didn’t mean being the loudest voice; it was the ability to make everybody else's voice heard. I was a more effective planner due to Caring Cardinals. Thinking creatively about activities that would engage everyone helped me see leadership differently. I was not just organizing people, but connecting with them. It also changed the way I think about friendship. Real friendship, I learned, is about meeting people where they are and valuing them for who they are, not expecting them to change to fit in. When I reflect on the impact I made, I consider what my cousin would tell me if he could see it. I like to think he would have been proud of me, and that's something that I smile about. I was taught by Caring Cardinals that sometimes small things make a huge difference and that building a world that's a bit more inclusive begins by making small, authentic connections. These are the sorts of things that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Sports have never been just a game for me. They have been the cornerstone of my discipline, work ethic, teamwork, and so many other life skills that can be translated. Year-round since I was 11 years old, I have consistently been playing soccer, and 2 years ago, tennis became mixed into the picture. As a student-athlete, I have mastered the art of juggling early morning practice sessions, lengthy road trips, and rigorous games with study demands. The struggle that is inherent in being referred to as a "student-athlete" is one that takes a great deal of motivation and time management. Being a student-athlete has also taught me how to be adaptable and how to rely on others for support in times of adversity. These are the same values that I would like to implement in my future computer science career: a career where teamwork and being capable of adjusting under pressure are a must. Soccer helped me learn how to function as part of a whole and visualize the big picture. You cannot do it by yourself. You require strategy, communication, and trust. Tennis, however, is a sport that is more centered on singles. Each point depends on your personal stamina, discipline, and fast thinking. Combined, the two sports have taught me to be flexible with different responsibilities, whether that be being a team player or managing pressure by oneself. I have discovered that this balance carries over to engineering, where problem-solving by oneself and teamwork are both essential. I became interested in computer science because of pure curiosity about how the technology that surrounds us functions. When I went on to further study coding and engineering subjects, I came to understand the level of creativity and logic that goes into making software and resolving complex issues. In the same way that the athlete reviews game footage, I too enjoy dissecting a problem and creating a solution that is both effective and efficient. I am interested in areas such as artificial intelligence and software engineering, where I can apply solutions to optimize real-world systems, whether that is creating intelligent sports performance technologies to enhancing access to education. Sports have also influenced some of my ideas. I’ve often wondered how tech can enhance training for athletes. That might be wearing sensors to learn about the way a soccer player runs, or creating apps that allow tennis players to monitor their improvement. Merging computer science with my love of sports might create innovations that make athletes faster, safer, and smarter. My ultimate goal is to be a software engineer, leveraging my experience as a student-athlete to contribute a unique kind of perspective to the tech industry, particularly in creating systems that assist health, fitness, and human performance. Apart from school and sports, I love mentoring. I have tutored peers in maths and coding, and I actually enjoy helping people grasp difficult ideas. I also enjoy connecting with nature by hiking, cycling, or simply being outdoors, which is an opportunity to unwind and recharge. I am also passionate about music; whether it is a pre-game playlist or something calming while studying, music assists me in concentrating and staying on topic. As a soccer and tennis student-athlete, I've had the experience of learning time management, perseverance, and leadership with a purpose. That education still influences my aspirations today and fuels my passion for technology and innovation. I look forward to bringing the same passion to computer science and engineering, where I will be prepared to compete, innovate, and make an impact.

Tennis: a game that requires tenacity, patience, and strategy. Thinking back to the first time playing tennis, I can admit that these skills were underdeveloped. I remember taking on my coach after only playing tennis for a week just to lose badly. I mean sure, I lacked technique, but one thing I noticed was that I was quick to rush toward the net even if my coach was in a good position still. Plus, I quickly became defeated after the set score was 5-0. He noted I didn’t have the necessary patience, tenacity, or strategy to win games yet. My lack of determination also fed into me quickly becoming negative toward myself. Over time, I started to notice not only my technique getting better but my mental side was also developing. As I participated in more tennis matches, I came to understand that being the best serve or forehand wasn't enough to succeed. It was about maintaining my composure, adjusting to shifting circumstances, and enduring even when I was feeling low. I learned that rushing to finish points often led to mistakes, and sometimes the best move was to play it safe and outlast my opponent. Slowly, I started to think two or three shots ahead, setting up points to force errors instead of trying to hit a flashy winner. This didn't happen all at once. I drilled myself to keep my mental game in a match, even if things weren't going my way. I put the score out of my mind and concentrated on the following point when I was losing. I learned how to maintain composure under pressure and recover from failures thanks to this mentality change, which has benefits well beyond the tennis court. One of the most valuable lessons I've learned from tennis is the power of perseverance. There were times I was down by a lot, but instead of surrendering to defeat like my novice self would have done, I learned how to build my way back, 1 point at a time. I realized that when the situation seems impossible, winning the next point or game might be precisely what I need to reverse momentum. This newfound strength influences my daily life from group work collaborations to striving toward my passion for AI and machine learning; I understand how to remain focused and trust the process. Tennis also taught me to analyze and adapt. Each opponent plays differently, and unless I was able to adjust my game in the match, victory was out of the question. If something wasn't working, I could not force it; instead, I had to assess my opponent, figure out a pattern (or lack thereof), and make changes. This critical thinking and ability to execute change have become invaluable in my scholarly and social endeavors. In computer science, for example, debugging a piece of code requires the same kind of patience and strategic thinking that tennis taught me. Ultimately, tennis has given me a growth mindset. I understand that it takes time to improve, that failing is part of the process, and any achievement comes from subsequent efforts and acknowledgment of what success could have been done differently. These lessons not only guide my future but also give me confidence that no matter what I may face in the future, I will be able to embrace any challenge with patience, perseverance, and strategic adjustment just as I have learned on the tennis court.

When I think of a good teammate, I think of someone who does more than communicate and pass the ball well. They show up for the team not just on a physical level, but also an emotional and mental level. Not only that, but they also support one another through the rough patches as well as the joyful times. The Spring Mills High School Boys Soccer team is the reason I have that notion of what a good teammate truly is. On the soccer team, my peers weren’t just a bunch of guys working together to play in matches; we were a family collectively bonded over our shared struggles, accomplishments, and faith. One of the most meaningful parts of our team was the way our coach led our team not only in strategy and skill, but in faith. Our coach would pray for us as we sat in the locker room together as a team before and after every game. His prayers were for safety, strength, and unity rather than to win or lose. He frequently reminded us that we were young men developing into leaders, not just athletes. He explained to us that our behavior on the field was a reflection of our character off it. An unbreakable relationship was formed during those times in the locker room. My teammates felt like family at these times. In addition to being physically demanding, soccer also presented mental and emotional challenges. My team gave it our all in certain games, but we still lost. There were frustrating times throughout certain matches when it was easy to give up due to fatigue, poor calls, or injury. But throughout those times, my teammates' and our faith held us together. We reminded one another that our effort, resiliency, and the way we supported one another defined us more than the result of the game. I can think of only one game which perfectly exemplifies the idea of being a good teammate. We had put in a lot of effort over the season to get to this point, and it was the Championship game of the “AAA” boys soccer state tournament. We had fallen behind at halftime. Disappointment and uncertainty flooded the quiet locker room. Then our coach spoke, but he made no mention of the scoreboard or tactics. He led us in prayer instead, asking for the will to not give up and continue fighting. Something changed as we stepped back on the field. We played with new energy, not only for ourselves but for each other. We knew we had given it our all when we left the field, even though we didn't win that game. Despite the loss and overbearing grief, we stayed strong, consoled each other, and promised each other to work harder for next year. Looking back, I can say that playing varsity soccer taught me the value of being a good teammate. It's about supporting one another, finding strength in faith, and having fun despite the struggles. The bonds we built weren’t just for a season; they were for a lifetime. Furthermore, those relationships and teachings will stay with me long after the last whistle blows, influencing the person I try to be every day.