“Dear God, I pray that you protect and watch over my girls out there.” Mr. Romero's words repeating as the team stands hand in hand minutes before an event. My teacher being a mentor I can look up to and me having the opportunity to be captain for criminal Justice. Throughout high school, he has shown me what a true leader looks like. Walking into high school with shyness and no confidence whatsoever, what was I supposed to do? Everyone deserves to have someone in their life that they can look up to, and my so-called someone happens to be Mr.Romero. One random afternoon in class during my sophomore year, I hear an announcement on the intercom,“Stop by the law teacher’s classroom after school in room 903 if you are interested in joining the criminal justice club.” As the school day came to an end, I eventually found my way to his classroom and was greeted with nothing but the utmost respect. From that day on, the more I participated in criminal justice, the more my passion for it grew and the more my relationship with him blossomed. Sooner or later, I found myself looking up to him and trying to impress him. He speaks with confidence, teaches with knowledge, and wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a mentor and more. Going on three years now of having him by my side throughout high school, I can proudly say that I wouldn't want it any other way. As the years progressed, more love and knowledge has grown inside of me, all thanks to him. I later on got handed down the title as captain. When I attended that criminal justice meeting, not a thought was in the back of my mind, but only a few years later little did I know that it would change the course of my life for the better. I’ve always had an interest in law enforcement, so attending the meeting was just to get a glimpse of what it had to offer. I admired the girls in charge and quietly thought to myself, “I could never stand up there and do what they do.” So if someone were to tell 15 year old me at the time that I would be up there one day taking charge, I’d probably laugh and call them crazy. Now standing in the spots of who I used to look up to with huge shoes to fill, it is the biggest yet most rewarding responsibility. My close working relationships with Mr. Romero and my teammates eventually led to a great deal of success that pushed me to model a stronger work ethic and a new sense of responsibility for myself. I am now captain of honor guard, the criminal justice club, swat, and security services. Mr. Romero has had a strong influence on me throughout my high school career and will continue to do so in my future endeavors. My teacher being my mentor and me having the chance to be captain of criminal justice is the best opportunity I've come across by far. Attending that meeting three years ago will be a core memory that will replay in my head when I am no longer able to lean on his shoulder. Without Mr.Romero and my strong passion for law enforcement, I wouldn't be where I am today. An admiration for him will always live inside of me, my love for criminal justice will do nothing but continue to thrive, and room 903 will forever feel like home. Overcoming my fears of being shy and being able to step out of my shell and achieve so much is something I will always be grateful for. My ultimate long-term goal is to work in the FBI as a profiling agent. My career goals can be achieved by pursuing further education and I aim to make a positive impact on my community and this scholarship will absolutely make the difference when it comes to obtaining the education I need to do so. These experiences have shaped my passion for criminal justice and instilled a drive in me to contribute to the field through innovation and teamwork with these skills and perspectives, I am confident that I can make a meaningful impact with this scholarship both academically and in extracurricular activities, while also contributing to the wider community through law enforcement. Additionally, I have acquired a broad knowledge of expertise and experience that complements this major. My steadfast devotion and perseverance towards criminal justice keeps me motivated to continue to pursue it further. In the process of selecting my first-choice major, I carefully considered my plans for the future. Having extensively explored the career opportunities in this field, I strongly believe that my professional long-term goals align with it. By pursuing this major, I will gain the knowledge and expertise I need to excel in my chosen career. My experiences in criminal justice, leadership, and community involvement have prepared me to make a significant impact in the world both academically and personally. Throughout high school, I actively participated in the criminal justice club, regional swat competitions, and internships in the law enforcement field. These experiences allowed me to develop real hands-on skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork skills. serving as a leader and captain in these activities enhanced my communication and project management capabilities. Due to the alignment of my strong passions, career goals,and skills, criminal justice is the perfect career choice for me. A career in this highly respected field will allow me to focus on subjects that truly spark my interests and desires, which adds a sense of fulfillment to the hands-on experience of my future academic endeavors.