My soccer journey is a story of Revelation, Reckoning, Redemption, & Resilience. My Revelation. Personal training has been able to change my life by helping me conquer a peak I never thought I would be able to summit before. I've played soccer since I was a five. It was a great time because I was with my friends. But then I became aware of a harsh reality. As I got older, my friends moved on to other sports or interests. By my Freshman year, it was getting hard for me to participate because I also had friends that were moving up to higher league levels and I felt left behind. My Reckoning. My dad told me that this was my moment to rise to the occasion and challenge myself. He told me that this was the stuff that would define me as a person when I got older. Before sophomore year, I played competitive soccer at the lowest level of competition in my age group: Bronze. Personal training not only allowed me to overcome that obstacle and move up the competitive ladder, it also taught me lessons about life, and gave me valuable relationships between teammates, and a stronger sense of self. Before I started training, I had zero self confidence on and off the field, I was very quiet and I always felt like an outsider with my high school team like I didn’t belong. I met with a private coach, and he started giving me drills to dedicate myself to in order to reach my goal: reach a higher level. I had all of the motivation in the world at first, but then I would train for a long time, and only see minimal results, that’s when I began doubting myself. My private coach then taught me the importance of training my mind as well. My Sophomore year was pivotal for me. I switched from being a defense player, to being the striker. I felt a lot of pressure, but my dad, teammates, and coach supported me. I felt I couldn't let them down. We ended the season as NorCal league champions and had a club's best season. People were saying that we were the best team ever of all seasons, which was really cool! I also had the opportunity to travel to Manchester City and train with their Academy coaches. It was really fun and I learned a lot of history and the difference with UK soccer. After the season, I tried for my club's higher level teams and also for other clubs. To my surprise, I was offered a higher club level with a new club, so accepted the opportunity. My Redemption. I didn't like leaving my old club, because I've been with them for so long. But I wanted to prove that I was a better player than where they tried to place me. My new coach was really hands on and gave me great tips and techniques to make me a better striker. I was able to apply the strategies into my high school season and made it to the Varsity team in my Junior year. When Varsity season started, I realized fitness was another key aspect I was missing, since I am an asthmatic. As the higher the level of competition went, the more demanding fitness got. I couldn’t perform my technical and tactical abilities if I couldn’t keep up. This meant that I had to work ten times harder than anyone else. That was the next obstacle I had to conquer junior year. I added mile runs and jump rope into my workouts. I would start early in the morning before school. Then I would do it again after school. I also wore a breathing mask to help build my lungs. It was really hard. My dad taught me to focus on the goal and keep breathing through the workout. Also, playing music in my headphones kept me distracted. I started slow with 1 minute sessions. Then I made it close to 5 minutes without stopping. I was happy with the results. I still prefer running miles over jump roping though. I like the trails and I feel like I’m going somewhere. I ended up being the 2nd lead scorer for the district and we made it to the playoffs. It was so much fun because I was playing with the seniors. They said we were one of the best teams that they've seen in a while. My Resilience. I was invited to join a local MLS Academy club to train for the rest of my Junior year, which was cool. They are the highest competition level and I was hoping I would have the chance to join. After my club's season, I decided to tryout for other clubs. My coach was leaving and a lot of the players weren't returning. I tried out for the local MLS Next Academy. They didn't pick me so I was down. But I continued my other tryouts. I felt that I was done and didn't want to play anymore. I needed to be at the highest competitive level if I'm going to play soccer in college and no one would give me a shot. I finished my last MLS Next Academy tryout and I was prepared to be done with everything. My dad showed me an email and it was the Academy tryout that I just left. They emailed me to join their club that same night! I told my previous coach the great news and he told me that I wasn't selected for one team, only because I was meant for another team and that I shouldn't forget this experience in life. Now, I am a completely different player, and a more solid person. I was able to transform my gameplay through strengthening my technique, tactical intelligence, and improving my fitness. I share my journey on my Instagram @isaiah_iwuji

People are inspired by leaders and insightful stories. I’ve never been a captain of a team, so I didn’t consider myself a leader. That’s been my weakness. I have a diagnosis of asthma and nut allergy. This affected my self-identity as a student athlete. Through fitness, I learned to understand my condition and not allow it to interfere with my growth and development. All of this helped me to have a perspective that is different than my peers Fitness is a passion of mine because it keeps me focused and I learn more about myself. My journey is a story of Revelation, Reckoning, Redemption, & Resilience. My Revelation. I've played soccer since I was a five. It was a great time because I was with my friends. But then I became aware of a harsh reality. As I got older, my friends moved on to other sports or interests. By my Freshman year, it was getting hard for me to participate because I also had friends that were moving up to higher league levels and I felt left behind. My Reckoning. My dad told me that this was the stuff that would define me as a person. I spent the entire summer training intensely. My Sophomore year, I switched from being a defense player, to being the striker. We ended the season as NorCal league champions and had a club's best season. People said we were the best team ever of all seasons. My Redemption. I didn't like leaving my old club, but I had to prove that I was a better player than where they tried to place me. My new coach was really hands on and gave me great tips and techniques to make me a better striker. I was able to apply the strategies into my high school season and made it to the Varsity team in my Junior year. I was the 2nd lead scorer for the district and we made it to the playoffs. My Resilience. I was invited to join a local MLS Academy club to train for the rest of my Junior year, which was cool. After my club's season, I decided to tryout for other clubs. I tried out for the local MLS Next Academy. They didn't pick me so I was down. But I continued my other tryouts. I felt that I was done and didn't want to play anymore. I needed to be at the highest competitive level if I'm going to play soccer in college and no one would give me a shot. I finished my last tryout with another MLS Next Academy and I was prepared to be done with everything. My dad showed me an email and it was the Academy tryout that I just left. They emailed me to join their club that same night! I told my previous coach the great news and he told me that I wasn't selected for one team, only because I was meant for another team and that I shouldn't forget this experience in life. I plan to make a positive impact in my community by being a leader in school and soccer. I need to represent as a quality student athlete who strives for good grades and a high performance on the field. California is known to have high tuition costs. I live in a family of 4 and my little sister is a sophomore in high school. I know my parents will need to pay for her school, soon. This scholarship will help fund my college education and journey. I share my journey on my Instagram @isaiah_iwuji

Green initiatives and sustainability are a priority because they impact the places we live and how we interact in our communities. Last year, I explored volunteer options that were meaningful to me. I've been able to volunteer with Save the Bay, Trash Falcons, and Oakland Clean-Up. One day, we collected 911 lbs of trash! It was cool to see that we did such a good job, that bat rays returned to the lake. Driving home from a clean-up, my dad asked me if I knew why he joins me for the clean-ups. I answered “because I do it” and he replied, “yes and no”. He told me a story about when he was in elementary school in Houston, Texas. He used to live in apartments in a poor neighborhood. He told me about how they didn't have all the cool stuff we have like video games and computers, so they played with what they could find. He said there were always random stuff, especially a gun or bullets. So they would play a game where they would hit bullets with a hammer. He said one day, his friend asked him to come over, but he didn't for some reason. Later he found out that one of his friends was hit in the neck, by a bullet, and had to go to the hospital. My dad said that always stuck with him, because it could've been him. He also said, that type of experience changed his perspective on neighborhood pollution. He made a promise to be involved, but always found an excuse not to go. But then I had the opportunity to volunteer and he felt that he needed to show up. He said it may not fix the problem, but at least he's part of the solution. I like that I'm making an impact when I volunteer, but I feel his story and my experience is my drive to be involved in my community. My grandmother started her own daycare business while raising six kids. My mom and dad are both nurses and started their own businesses. So I was inspired to major in Business. Most students go to school before they try, I chose to dive in. I started my own online business, www.naijabrewcoffee.com. My dad helped me understand the concept of supply and demand. I explored coffee as a product since everyone drinks coffee. Then I created the products celebrating where I come from, Nigeria, Africa. I am also a creative designer with Alive shoes. I see myself helping reduce environmental impact by my commitment to community service, pursuing my major, and sharing my story. My hope is to inspire others to be the best versions of themselves and commit to their own communities. California is known to have high tuition costs. I live in a family of 4 and my little sister is a sophomore in high school. I know my parents will need to pay for her school, soon. This scholarship will help fund my college education and journey. I share my story on Instagram, @Isaiah_Iwuji

People are inspired by leaders and insightful stories. I live in Oakland California and there's always trash in the streets. When I was 6, I picked up a dirty needle at a park. That was a scary moment. All I remember was going to the hospital. Since high school, I've been able to volunteer with Save the Bay, Trash Falcons, and Oakland Clean-Up. One day, we collected 911 lbs of trash and our bat rays finally returned to our Lake Merritt! I know this essay is about service, but I think about something my dad told me one day. When he was young, him and his friends were playing with a hammer and random bullets found on the street. His friend was hit in the neck, by a bullet, and had to go to the hospital. That type of experience changed my dad’s perspective on neighborhood pollution. He said volunteering may not fix the problem, but at least he's part of the solution. I believe my faith and passion to help people, my community, and my resilience is what makes me a leader and that’s my biggest strength. This is how I perceive myself to be a positive force in society both now and in the future. It is my aspiration to tell everyone in the world to be more compassionate. Everybody is trapped in their own perspective and life that they reject others and dismiss beliefs subconsciously. I believe that we should all accept the fact that we are humans and should convey a little more kindness to one another, especially during these times. I would try to unite everyone. I understand this is optimistic, considering parameters of current social norms. Besides, who will listen? I believe it’s still worth trying. Hope and Faith in Humanity leads me. In AP Government, we discussed the increasing polarization and contributing factors. Influence was a top factor. I demonstrate sportsmanship and kindness in soccer. I compete with integrity at the highest level. At the end of the day, we are all athletes competing in a game we love, and we should be able to enjoy it together. During one soccer ID camp, a player started getting a leg cramp. I immediately helped him stretch and called the coach watching us and they took him to the physical therapist. I didn’t have to do that, but I had to act. Objectively, compassion leads to vulnerability, which can be a strength. The biggest lesson I’ve learned about myself, this year, is that I have a story that defines and prepares me to continue on to college. I have a diagnosis of asthma and nut allergy. This affected my self-identity as a student athlete and with my peers. I learned to understand my condition and not allow it to interfere with my growth. I plan to make a positive impact in my community by being a leader in school and soccer. I am a Student Peer Leader, so I help mentor the underclassmen at my high school. My hope is to inspire others to be the best versions of themselves and commit to their own communities. Creating an engaging community is how we can best support one another. And we can then empower each other’s influence to achieve our aspirations. California is known to have high tuition costs. I live in a family of 4 and my little sister is a sophomore in high school. I know my parents will need to pay for her school, soon. This scholarship will help fund my college education and journey. I share my story on Instagram, @Isaiah_Iwuji

People are inspired by leaders and insightful stories. I live in Oakland California and there's always trash in the streets. When I was 6, I picked up a dirty needle at a park. That was a scary moment. All I remember was going to the hospital. Since high school, I've been able to volunteer with Save the Bay, Trash Falcons, and Oakland Clean-Up. One day, we collected 911 lbs of trash and our bat rays finally returned to our Lake Merritt! I know this essay is about service, but I think about something my dad told me one day. Driving home from a clean-up, my dad asked me if I knew why he joins me for the clean-ups. I answered “because I do it” and he replied, “yes and no”. He told me a story about when he was in elementary school in Houston, Texas. He used to live in apartments in a poor neighborhood. He told me about how they didn't have all the cool stuff we have like video games and computers, so they played with what they could find. He said there were always random stuff, especially a gun or bullets. So they would play a game where they would hit bullets with a hammer. He said one day, his friend asked him to come over, but he didn't for some reason. Later he found out that one of his friends was hit in the neck, by a bullet, and had to go to the hospital. My dad said that always stuck with him, because it could've been him. He also said, that type of experience changed his perspective on neighborhood pollution. He made a promise to be involved, but always found an excuse not to go. But then I had the opportunity to volunteer and he felt that he needed to show up. He said it may not fix the problem, but at least he's part of the solution. I like that I'm making an impact when I volunteer, but I feel his story and my experience is my drive to be involved in my community. I believe my passion to help people, my community, and my resilience is what makes me a leader and that’s my biggest strength. The biggest lesson I’ve learned about myself, this year, is that I have a story that defines and prepares me to continue on to college. I have a diagnosis of asthma and nut allergy. This affected my self-identity as a student athlete and with my peers. I learned to understand my condition and not allow it to interfere with my growth. I plan to make a positive impact in my community by being a leader in school and soccer. I need to represent as a quality student athlete who strives for good grades and a high performance on the field. I am a Student Peer Leader, so I help mentor the underclassmen at my high school. In soccer, I help lead the team in practice and in matches My hope is to inspire others to be the best versions of themselves and commit to their own communities. Creating an engaging community is how we can best support one another. And we can then empower each other’s influence to achieve our aspirations. California is known to have high tuition costs. I live in a family of 4 and my little sister is a sophomore in high school. I know my parents will need to pay for her school, soon. This scholarship will help fund my college education and journey. I share my story on Instagram, @Isaiah_Iwuji

People are inspired by leaders and insightful stories. I live in Oakland California and there's always trash in the streets. When I was 6, I picked up a dirty needle at a park. That was a scary moment. All I remember was going to the hospital. Since high school, I've been able to volunteer with Save the Bay, Trash Falcons, and Oakland Clean-Up. One day, we collected 911 lbs of trash and our bat rays finally returned to our Lake Merritt! I know this essay is about service, but I think about something my dad told me one day. Driving home from a clean-up, my dad asked me if I knew why he joins me for the clean-ups. I answered “because I do it” and he replied, “yes and no”. He told me about how, when he was young, they didn't have all the cool stuff we have like video games and computers. He said there were always random stuff, especially a gun or bullets. So they would play a game where they would hit bullets with a hammer. He said one day, his friend asked him to come over, but he didn't for some reason. Later he found out that one of his friends was hit in the neck, by a bullet, and had to go to the hospital. My dad said that always stuck with him, because it could've been him. He also said, that type of experience changed his perspective on neighborhood pollution. He made a promise to be involved, but always found an excuse not to go. But then I had the opportunity to volunteer and he felt that he needed to show up. He said it may not fix the problem, but at least he's part of the solution. I like that I'm making an impact when I volunteer, but I feel his story and my experience is my drive to be involved in my community. I believe my faith and passion to help people, my community, and my resilience is what makes me a leader and that’s my biggest strength. It is my aspiration to tell everyone in the world to be more compassionate. Everybody is trapped in their own perspective and life that they reject others and dismiss beliefs subconsciously. I believe that we should all accept the fact that we are humans and should convey a little more kindness to one another, especially during these times. I would try to unite everyone. I understand this is optimistic and besides, who will listen? I believe it’s still worth trying. Hope and Faith in Humanity leads me. In AP Government, we discussed the increasing polarization and contributing factors. Influence was a top factor. I demonstrate sportsmanship and kindness in soccer. I compete with integrity at the highest level. At the end of the day, we are all athletes competing in a game we love, and we should be able to enjoy it together. During one soccer ID camp, a player started getting a leg cramp. I immediately helped him stretch and called the coach watching us and they took him to the physical therapist. I didn’t have to do that, but I had to act. Objectively, compassion leads to vulnerability, which can be a strength. The biggest lesson I’ve learned about myself, this year, is that I have a story that defines and prepares me to continue on to college. I have a diagnosis of asthma and nut allergy. This affected my self-identity as a student athlete and with my peers. I learned to understand my condition and not allow it to interfere with my growth. I plan to make a positive impact in my community by being a leader in school and soccer. I am a Student Peer Leader, so I help mentor the underclassmen at my high school. My hope is to inspire others to be the best versions of themselves and commit to their own communities. Creating an engaging community is how we can best support one another. And we can then empower each other’s influence to achieve our aspirations. California is known to have high tuition costs. I live in a family of 4 and my little sister is a sophomore in high school. I know my parents will need to pay for her school, soon. This scholarship will help fund my college education and journey. I share my story on Instagram, @Isaiah_Iwuji

People are inspired by leaders and insightful stories. I live in Oakland California and there's always trash in the streets. When I was 6, I picked up a dirty needle at a park. That was a scary moment. All I remember was going to the hospital. Since high school, I've been able to volunteer with Save the Bay, Trash Falcons, and Oakland Clean-Up. One day, we collected 911 lbs of trash and our bat rays finally returned to our Lake Merritt! I know this essay is about service, but I think about something my dad told me one day. Driving home from a clean-up, my dad asked me if I knew why he joins me for the clean-ups. I answered “because I do it” and he replied, “yes and no”. He told me a story about when he was in elementary school in Houston, Texas. He used to live in apartments in a poor neighborhood. He told me about how they didn't have all the cool stuff we have like video games and computers, so they played with what they could find. He said there were always random stuff, especially a gun or bullets. So they would play a game where they would hit bullets with a hammer. He said one day, his friend asked him to come over, but he didn't for some reason. Later he found out that one of his friends was hit in the neck, by a bullet, and had to go to the hospital. My dad said that always stuck with him, because it could've been him. He also said, that type of experience changed his perspective on neighborhood pollution. He made a promise to be involved, but always found an excuse not to go. But then I had the opportunity to volunteer and he felt that he needed to show up. He said it may not fix the problem, but at least he's part of the solution. I like that I'm making an impact when I volunteer, but I feel his story and my experience is my drive to be involved in my community. I believe my passion to help people, my community, and my resilience is what makes me a leader and that’s my biggest strength. The biggest lesson I’ve learned about myself, this year, is that I have a story that defines and prepares me to continue on to college. I have a diagnosis of asthma and nut allergy. This affected my self-identity as a student athlete and with my peers. I learned to understand my condition and not allow it to interfere with my growth. I plan to make a positive impact in my community by being a leader in school and soccer. I need to represent as a quality student athlete who strives for good grades and a high performance on the field. I am a Student Peer Leader, so I help mentor the underclassmen at my high school. In soccer, I help lead the team in practice and in matches My hope is to inspire others to be the best versions of themselves and commit to their own communities. Creating an engaging community is how we can best support one another. And we can then empower each other’s influence to achieve our aspirations. California is known to have high tuition costs. I live in a family of 4 and my little sister is a sophomore in high school. I know my parents will need to pay for her school, soon. This scholarship will help fund my college education and journey. I share my story on Instagram, @Isaiah_Iwuji

People are inspired by leaders and insightful stories. My family and friends inspire me. My grandparents arrived in the 70s from Nigeria Africa. My grandmother started her own daycare business while raising six kids. My mom and dad are both nurses and started their own businesses. I have a diagnosis of asthma and nut allergy. This affected my self-identity as a student athlete and with my peers. I learned to understand my condition and not allow it to interfere with my growth and development. I also take care of my little sister who is diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia. She had a rough time in school, especially during COVID. I did my best to be her support, and help her with her homework, because my parents were at work. All of this helped me to have a perspective that is different than my peers. A leader helps and motivates people. I’ve never been a captain of a team, so I didn’t consider myself a leader. But I learned from my dad that I can be a leader by just being an example. I have a strong moral sense of what is right and feel obligated to speak up against injustice. This is why I’m exploring Law as my college major. I’ve learned a lot in my Race, Policy, & Law Academy school program. We’ve conducted mock trials and reviewed different cases. I also enjoy my AP Government class. Sometimes, I find myself talking about cases with my parents, and we would get into discussions during dinner. Education is important to me because they are the building blocks of interpreting life and unlocking new ways to express yourself. During middle school I never understood the importance of education and grades. I didn’t think the concepts would translate well into the real world. Until I learned that the experiences you make in your childhood years lead to knowledge and lessons learned for when you’re an adult. Sometimes as an adult, things aren’t going to go your way, so you have to find the strength to move and keep working hard. School taught me perseverance, discipline and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. This is how you become one percent better everyday, and figure out how to apply yourself in whatever you choose to do I believe in community service. I live in Oakland California and there's always trash in the streets. Years ago, I picked up a dirty needle, on the way to a park with my parents. It was a scary moment. All I remember was going to the hospital. I've been able to volunteer with Save the Bay, Trash Falcons, and Oakland Clean-Up. One day, we collected 911 lbs of trash I believe my passion to help people, my community, and my resilience is what makes me a leader and that’s my biggest strength. The biggest lesson I’ve learned about myself, this year, is that I have a story that defines and prepares me to continue on to college. My hope is to inspire others to be the best versions of themselves and commit to their own communities. Creating an engaging community is how we can best support one another. And we can then empower each other’s influence to achieve our aspirations. California is known to have high tuition costs. I live in a family of 4 and my little sister is a sophomore in high school. I know my parents will need to pay for her school, soon. This scholarship will help fund my college education and journey. I share my story on Instagram, @Isaiah_Iwuji

People are inspired by leaders and insightful stories. A leader helps and motivates people. I’ve never been a captain of a team, so I didn’t consider myself a leader and that’s been my weakness. I have a diagnosis of asthma and nut allergies. This affected my self-identity as a student athlete. But I learned from my dad that I can be a leader by just being an example. I learned to understand my condition and not allow it to interfere with my growth and development. I also take care of my little sister who is diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia. She had a rough time in school, especially during COVID. I did my best to babysit and help her with her homework, because my parents were at work. All of this helped me to have a perspective that is different than my peers. I plan to make a positive impact in my community through sports by being a leader for my school. I need to represent as a high performing student athlete, both on and off the field. This shows integrity and then I can use my influence to uplift others. I believe in "Iron sharpens iron". I have a strong moral sense of what is right and feel obligated to speak up against injustice. I chose Law as my college major. I’ve learned a lot in my Race, Policy, & Law Academy school program. We’ve conducted mock trials and reviewed different cases. I also enjoy my AP Government class. Sometimes, I find myself talking about cases, with my parents, and we would get into discussions during dinner. I’m also interested in Business. Most students go to school before they try, I chose to dive in. I started my own online business, www.naijabrewcoffee.com. Over the summer, I learned the concept of supply and demand from books and articles. I listened to blogs by Mark Cuban. I explored coffee as a product since everyone drinks coffee. Then I created the products celebrating where I come from, Nigeria, Africa. This summer, I learned product design and website development. I also learned ads marketing, SEO, and social media influencers. I am also a creative designer with Alive shoes. I believe in community service. I started volunteering because it was part of my class assignment last year. I explored volunteer options that were meaningful to me. I live in Oakland California and there's always trash in the streets. I volunteer with Save the Bay, Trash Falcons, and Oakland Clean-Up. One day, we collected 911 lbs of trash! Recently, I learned that bat rays returned to Lake Merrit because of our clean-up. I am a Student Peer Leader and help mentor the underclassmen at my high school. Last year, I put alot of effort and hard work in my soccer. Because of my resilience and hard work, I made the local MLS Academy club roster. I can't wait for this new season! I believe my passion to help people, my community, and my resilience is what makes me a leader and that’s my biggest strength. The biggest lesson I’ve learned about myself, this year, is that I have a story that defines and prepares me to continue on to college. California is known to have high tuition costs. I live in a family of 4 and my little sister is a sophomore in high school. I know my parents will need to pay for her school, soon. This scholarship will help fund my college education and journey to inspire others to be the best versions of themselves. I share my story on Instagram, @Isaiah_Iwuji

People are inspired by leaders and insightful stories. A leader helps and motivates people. I’ve never been a captain of a team, so I didn’t consider myself a leader and that’s been my weakness. I have a diagnosis of asthma and nut allergies. This affected my self-identity as a student athlete. But I learned from my dad that I can be a leader by just being an example. I learned to understand my condition and not allow it to interfere with my growth and development. I also take care of my little sister who is diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia. She had a rough time in school, especially during COVID. I did my best to babysit and help her with her homework, because my parents were at work. All of this helped me to have a perspective that is different than my peers. I plan to make a positive impact in my community through sports by being a leader for my school. I need to represent as a high performing student athlete, both on and off the field. This shows integrity and then I can use my influence to uplift others. I believe in "Iron sharpens iron". I have a strong moral sense of what is right and feel obligated to speak up against injustice. I chose Law as my college major. I’ve learned a lot in my Race, Policy, & Law Academy school program. We’ve conducted mock trials and reviewed different cases. I also enjoy my AP Government class. Sometimes, I find myself talking about cases, with my parents, and we would get into discussions during dinner. I’m also interested in Business. Most students go to school before they try, I chose to dive in. I started my own online business, www.naijabrewcoffee.com. Over the summer, I learned the concept of supply and demand from books and articles. I listened to blogs by Mark Cuban. I explored coffee as a product since everyone drinks coffee. Then I created the products celebrating where I come from, Nigeria, Africa. This summer, I learned product design and website development. I also learned ads marketing, SEO, and social media influencers. I am also a creative designer with Alive shoes. I believe in community service. I started volunteering because it was part of my class assignment last year. I explored volunteer options that were meaningful to me. I live in Oakland California and there's always trash in the streets. I volunteer with Save the Bay, Trash Falcons, and Oakland Clean-Up. One day, we collected 911 lbs of trash! Recently, I learned that bat rays returned to Lake Merrit because of our clean-up. I am a Student Peer Leader and help mentor the underclassmen at my high school. Last year, I put alot of effort and hard work in my soccer. Because of my resilience and hard work, I made the local MLS Academy club roster. I can't wait for this season! I believe my passion to help people, my community, and my resilience is what makes me a leader and that’s my biggest strength. The biggest lesson I’ve learned about myself, this year, is that I have a story that defines and prepares me to continue on to college. California is known to have high tuition costs. I live in a family of 4 and my little sister is a sophomore in high school. I know my parents will need to pay for her school, soon. This scholarship will help fund my college education and journey to inspire others to be the best versions of themselves. I share my story on Instagram, @Isaiah_Iwuji

People are inspired by leaders and insightful stories. A leader helps and motivates people. I’ve never been a captain of a team, so I didn’t consider myself a leader and that’s been my weakness. I have a diagnosis of asthma and nut allergies. This affected my self-identity as a student athlete. But I learned from my dad that I can be a leader by just being an example. I learned to understand my condition and not allow it to interfere with my growth and development. I also take care of my little sister who is diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia. She had a rough time in school, especially during COVID. I did my best to babysit and help her with her homework, because my parents were at work. All of this helped me to have a perspective that is different than my peers. My academic goal is to represent as a high performing student athlete, both on and off the field. This shows integrity and then I can use my influence to uplift others. I believe in "Iron sharpens iron". My career goal is to pursue a Law major and represent my community as a leader. I have a strong moral sense of what is right and feel obligated to speak up against injustice. I’ve learned a lot in my Race, Policy, & Law Academy school program. We’ve conducted mock trials and reviewed different cases. I also enjoy my AP Government class. Sometimes, I find myself talking about cases, with my parents, and we would get into discussions during dinner. I’m also interested in Business. Most students go to school before they try, I chose to dive in. I started my own online business, www.naijabrewcoffee.com. Over the summer, I learned the concept of supply and demand from books and articles. I listened to blogs by Mark Cuban. I explored coffee as a product since everyone drinks coffee. Then I created the products celebrating where I come from, Nigeria, Africa. This summer, I learned product design and website development. I also learned ads marketing, SEO, and social media influencers. I am also a creative designer with Alive shoes. I believe in community service. I started volunteering because it was part of my class assignment last year. I explored volunteer options that were meaningful to me. I live in Oakland California and there's always trash in the streets. I volunteer with Save the Bay, Trash Falcons, and Oakland Clean-Up. One day, we collected 911 lbs of trash! Recently, I learned that bat rays returned to Lake Merrit because of our clean-up. I am a Student Peer Leader and help mentor the underclassmen at my high school. Last year, I put alot of effort and hard work in my soccer. Because of my resilience and hard work, I made the local MLS Academy club roster. I can't wait for this new season! I believe my passion to help people, my community, and my resilience is what makes me a leader and that’s my biggest strength. The biggest lesson I’ve learned about myself, this year, is that I have a story that defines and prepares me to continue on to college. California is known to have high tuition costs. I live in a family of 4 and my little sister is a sophomore in high school. I know my parents will need to pay for her school, soon. This scholarship will help fund my college education and journey to inspire others to be the best versions of themselves. I share my story on Instagram, @Isaiah_Iwuji

I’ve never been a captain of a team and have a diagnosis of asthma and nut allergies. This affected my self-identity as a student athlete. But I learned from my dad that I can be a leader by just being an example. A leader helps and motivates people. I learned to understand my condition and not allow it to interfere with my growth. I plan to make a positive impact in my community by being a leader in school and soccer. I believe in Community service. I live in Oakland California and there's always trash in the streets. Years ago, I picked up a dirty needle, on the way to a park with my parents. It was a scary moment. All I remember was going to the hospital. These past years, i've committed to volunteer with Oakland Clean-Ups. Our work was so impactful that bat rays returned to Lake Merritt! I’m a Student Peer Leader and help mentor underclassmen at my school. In soccer, I lead team practices and matches. I demonstrate sportsmanship and kindness in soccer. I compete with integrity at the highest level. During one soccer ID camp, a player had a leg cramp. I immediately helped him stretch and called the coach. They took him to the physical therapist. Objectively, compassion leads to vulnerability, which can be a strength. I also take care of my little sister who is diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia. She had a rough time in school, especially during COVID. I did my best to be her support and tutor, because my parents were at work. All of this helped me to have a perspective that is different than my peers. I have a strong moral sense of what is right and believe it's an obligation to speak up against injustice. I chose Law as my college major. I’ve learned a lot in my Race, Policy, & Law Academy school program. We’ve conducted mock trials and reviewed different cases. I also enjoy my AP Government class. Sometimes, I find myself talking about cases, with my parents, and we would get into discussions during dinner. My desired career path is one where I can prove to be a successful leader, one where I can collaborate with those around me, and one where I can problem-solve with a determined mindset. I’ve explored different law majors and I like Community Law the most. The steps I have taken to achieve my goals include being a leader in school and my community, and approaching every obstacle with resilience to allow me to overcome, no matter what. My aunt and uncle are lawyers. I learned from them, that my first years in college will allow me to explore law majors more. Then I can choose a major that I’m interested in. They also helped me choose colleges specific to my interest. So far, I have applied to Loyola Chicago and UC Berkeley. What I’ve learned from my soccer and AP classes is to take chances. I hated losing and feared failure. Now I approach setbacks as learning opportunities. I envision positively impacting my future profession by bringing my passion for community service, leadership, and new perspective. My goal is to bring passion to every room to boost morale and productivity. Impacting my community, pursuing my major, and sharing my story is how I plan to inspire others to be the best versions of themselves and represent the legal profession.

People are inspired by leaders and insightful stories. A leader helps and motivates people. I’ve never been a captain of a team, so I didn’t consider myself a leader and that’s been my weakness. I have a diagnosis of asthma and nut allergies. This affected my self-identity as a student athlete. But I learned from my dad that I can be a leader by just being an example. I learned to understand my condition and not allow it to interfere with my growth and development. I also take care of my little sister who is diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia. She had a rough time in school, especially during COVID. I did my best to babysit and help her with her homework, because my parents were at work. All of this helped me to have a perspective that is different than my peers. I plan to make a positive impact in my community through sports by being a leader for my school. I need to represent as a high performing student athlete, both on and off the field. This shows integrity and then I can use my influence to uplift others. I believe in "Iron sharpens iron". I have a strong moral sense of what is right and feel obligated to speak up against injustice. I chose Law as my college major. I’ve learned a lot in my Race, Policy, & Law Academy school program. We’ve conducted mock trials and reviewed different cases. I also enjoy my AP Government class. Sometimes, I find myself talking about cases, with my parents, and we would get into discussions during dinner. I’m also interested in Business. Most students go to school before they try, I chose to dive in. I started my own online business, www.naijabrewcoffee.com. Over the summer, I learned the concept of supply and demand from books and articles. I listened to blogs by Mark Cuban. I explored coffee as a product since everyone drinks coffee. Then I created the products celebrating where I come from, Nigeria, Africa. This summer, I learned product design and website development. I also learned ads marketing, SEO, and social media influencers. I am also a creative designer with Alive shoes. I believe in community service. I started volunteering because it was part of my class assignment last year. I explored volunteer options that were meaningful to me. I live in Oakland California and there's always trash in the streets. I volunteer with Save the Bay, Trash Falcons, and Oakland Clean-Up. One day, we collected 911 lbs of trash! Recently, I learned that bat rays returned to Lake Merrit because of our clean-up. I am a Student Peer Leader and help mentor the underclassmen at my high school. Last year, I put alot of effort and hard work in my soccer. Because of my resilience and hard work, I made the local MLS Academy club roster. I can't wait for this new season! I believe my passion to help people, my community, and my resilience is what makes me a leader and that’s my biggest strength. The biggest lesson I’ve learned about myself, this year, is that I have a story that defines and prepares me to continue on to college. California is known to have high tuition costs. I live in a family of 4 and my little sister is a sophomore in high school. I know my parents will need to pay for her school, soon. This scholarship will help fund my college education and journey to inspire others to be the best versions of themselves. I share my story on Instagram, @Isaiah_Iwuji

I have a strong moral sense of what is right and believe it's an obligation to speak up against injustice. This is why Law and Public Policy is my planned major in college. I’ve learned a lot in my Race, Policy, & Law Academy school program. We’ve conducted mock trials and reviewed different cases. I also enjoy my AP Government class. Sometimes, I find myself talking about cases, with my parents, and we would get into discussions during dinner. I’m also interested in Business. Most students go to school before they try, I chose to dive in. I started my own online business, www.naijabrewcoffee.com. I am also a creative designer with Alive shoes. I believe in community service. I live in Oakland California and there's always trash in the streets. Years ago, I picked up a dirty needle, on the way to a park with my parents. It was a scary moment. All I remember was going to the hospital. I've been able to volunteer with Save the Bay, Trash Falcons, and Oakland Clean-Up. I like Save the Bay more because we walk the Marina and find a lot of random stuff. One day, we collected 911 lbs of trash! I also like volunteering with Trash Falcons. We clean the Lake Merritt area, which is an important part of Oakland. Recently, I learned that bat rays returned to the lake. I didn't know we had bat rays, so that was really cool! Also, I’ve made the Honor Roll, my class rank is 44/465, and I am a Student Peer Leader. I help mentor the underclassmen at my high school. I play soccer for the local soccer club. Initially, I wasn’t getting noticed by the coaches. I felt that I was done and didn't want to play anymore. I needed to be at the highest competitive level if I'm going to play soccer in college and no one would give me a shot. It was because of my resilience and hard work, that I made the local MLS Academy club roster. I told my previous coach the great news and he told me that I wasn't selected for one team, only because I was meant for another team and that I shouldn't forget this experience in life. I can't wait for this new season! I believe my passion to help people, my community, and my resilience is what makes me a leader and that’s my biggest strength. The biggest lesson I’ve learned about myself, this year, is that I have a story that defines and prepares me to continue on to college. California is known to have high tuition costs. I live in a family of 4 and my little sister is a sophomore in high school. I know my parents will need to pay for her school, soon. This scholarship will help fund my college education and journey to inspire others to be the best versions of themselves. I share my story on Instagram, @Isaiah_Iwuji

I have a strong moral sense of what is right and believe we have an obligation to speak up against injustice. This is why Law and Public Policy is my planned major in college. I’ve learned a lot in my Race, Policy, & Law Academy school program. We’ve conducted mock trials and reviewed different cases. I also enjoy my AP Government class. Sometimes, I find myself talking about cases, with my parents, and we would get into discussions during dinner. I’m also interested in Business. Most students go to school before they try, I chose to dive in. I started my own online business, www.naijabrewcoffee.com. My dad helped me understand the concept of supply and demand. I explored coffee as a product since everyone drinks coffee. Then I created the products celebrating where I come from, Nigeria, Africa. This summer, I learned product design and website development. I also learned ads marketing, SEO, and social media influencers. I am also a creative designer with Alive shoes. I believe in community service. I started volunteering because it was part of my class assignment last year. I explored volunteer options that were meaningful to me. I live in Oakland California and there's always trash in the streets. Years ago, I picked up a dirty needle, on the way to a park with my parents. It was a scary moment. All I remember was going to the hospital. I've been able to volunteer with Save the Bay, Trash Falcons, and Oakland Clean-Up. I like Save the Bay more because we walk the Marina and find a lot of random stuff. One day, we collected 911 lbs of trash! I also like volunteering with Trash Falcons. We clean the Lake Merritt area, which is an important part of Oakland. Recently, I learned that bat rays returned to the lake. I didn't know we had bat rays, so that was really cool! Also, I’ve made the Honor Roll, my class rank is 44/465, and I am a Student Peer Leader. I help mentor the underclassmen at my high school. I play soccer for the local soccer club. Initially, I wasn’t getting noticed by the coaches. I felt that I was done and didn't want to play anymore. I needed to be at the highest competitive level if I'm going to play soccer in college and no one would give me a shot. It was because of my resilience and hard work, that I made the local MLS Academy club roster. I told my previous coach the great news and he told me that I wasn't selected for one team, only because I was meant for another team and that I shouldn't forget this experience in life. I can't wait for this new season! I believe my passion to help people, my community, and my resilience is what makes me a leader. The biggest lesson I’ve learned about myself, this year, is that I have a story that defines and prepares me to continue my journey with soccer and my college major. I share my story on Instagram, @Isaiah_Iwuji

I have a strong moral sense of what is right and believe we have an obligation to speak up against injustice. This is why Law and Public Policy is my planned major in college. I’ve learned a lot in my Race, Policy, & Law Academy school program. We’ve conducted mock trials and reviewed different cases. I also enjoy my AP Government class. Sometimes, I find myself talking about cases, with my parents, and we would get into discussions during dinner. I’m also interested in Business. Most students go to school before they try, I chose to dive in. I started my own online business, www.naijabrewcoffee.com. My dad helped me understand the concept of supply and demand. I explored coffee as a product since everyone drinks coffee. Then I created the products celebrating where I come from, Nigeria, Africa. This summer, I learned product design and website development. I also learned ads marketing, SEO, and social media influencers. I am also a creative designer with Alive shoes. I believe in community service. I started volunteering because it was part of my class assignment last year. I explored volunteer options that were meaningful to me. I live in Oakland California and there's always trash in the streets. Years ago, I picked up a dirty needle, on the way to a park with my parents. It was a scary moment. All I remember was going to the hospital. I've been able to volunteer with Save the Bay, Trash Falcons, and Oakland Clean-Up. I like Save the Bay more because we walk the Marina and find a lot of random stuff. One day, we collected 911 lbs of trash! I also like volunteering with Trash Falcons. We clean the Lake Merritt area, which is an important part of Oakland. Recently, I learned that bat rays returned to the lake. I didn't know we had bat rays, so that was really cool! Also, I’ve made the Honor Roll, my class rank is 44/465, and I am a Student Peer Leader. I help mentor the underclassmen at my high school. I play soccer for the local soccer club. Initially, I wasn’t getting noticed by the coaches. I felt that I was done and didn't want to play anymore. I needed to be at the highest competitive level if I'm going to play soccer in college and no one would give me a shot. It was because of my resilience and hard work, that I made the local MLS Academy club roster. I told my previous coach the great news and he told me that I wasn't selected for one team, only because I was meant for another team and that I shouldn't forget this experience in life. I can't wait for this new season! I believe my passion to help people, my community, and my resilience is what makes me a leader. The biggest lesson I’ve learned about myself, this year, is that I have a story that defines and prepares me to continue my journey with soccer and my college major. I share my story on Instagram, @Isaiah_Iwuji