As I look at who I am and who I would be as a college student, I see myself as a dedicated leader who has the self discipline and drive to succeed in future goals. My determination and resilience stems from my upbringing and my natural instinct to be a leader. My parents have instilled in me from a young boy to hold yourself to high expectations, to be a leader not a follower and to never give up on my dreams. My parents have instilled in me to do what is right and not back down on a goal, even when times are tough that is when resilience and discipline come into play. I have always been an independent person who does not follow, yet leads. I am extremely dedicated to my own goals whether it be in academics, my job, or my love of the game of golf. Seeing my hard work and hours of practice pay off has only excelled my drive and determination to make this dream a reality. I strive under pressure and I am also humbled by the sport. I was named the 3A Northern Nevada MVP as a junior and again this year as a senior for my Varsity Golf team. Our team this year also won 3A state for Boys Golf, a first for Fernley High. I was also the number one State individual champion at State this year as a senior. I know I would benefit the student body at Bushnell University through my dedication to both my academics and in golf. I am a born leader and love being involved in different aspects of the school community as I love saying I am a native Nevadan who values family, community and education. If I were to receive this scholarship I would be beyond grateful. My parents are hard working individuals who live primarily paycheck to paycheck. They have sacrificed so much for myself and my sister. My parents have spent their savings to give me every opportunity in my sports programs. I have the best equipment and coaching and I know that if I were to receive this scholarship I would use it to further my education and my golf career. It would help with housing, food, travel, tuition and equipment needed to play golf. The stress of taking out huge loans would not be something looming over me as I progressed through college. I know the value of a dollar and what it takes to earn the money needed to pay for college as I have worked the same job at our local golf course since I was in the eighth grade. I would be so appreciative of any scholarships and each and every dollar would be put to use to further both my sport and my academic careers. I am planning on majoring in Business as I feel that will be a great start and is something I have always been interested in. I can then further my education and possibly go into accounting or finance. The cost for attending Bushnell University is $51,000 per year and I am going for as many scholarships as I can to help offset the cost as we will need to take out loans. As I look at who I am and who I would be as a college student, I see myself as a dedicated leader who has the self discipline and drive to succeed in future goals. My hunger and drive stems from my upbringing, family history, and internal drive to succeed and reach my full potential.

Everyone goes through difficult times in their lives. When thinking about a time I faced a hard barrier I think about COVID. I was in the last semester of my 8th grade year and school was shut down and we went to online learning. As a kid used to being around my friends, family and classmates this was a big change for me. I missed out on sports that year and also my graduation. My mom as a teacher herself did her best to keep my sister and I on track and busy with fun lessons in art like painting and tie dyeing various things. I am the type of learner who loves in person hands-on learning, so having to sit at my desk and look at a computer screen for hours was not what I wanted or how I learned best. I did what I needed to do, but found refuge in getting my first job at our local golf course as a cart attendant. By getting this job I was able to leave my home and be around people outside doing something that I truly love, golf. This is where my live made a pivotal change. I had previously been a sponsored BMX racer traveling the country, yet COVID put a stop to racing. As a family we came to the decision to stop BMX as there were only a couple tracks open in states far away from Nevada. I then put all my focus on my golf game. I believe this new found passion was meant to be. I would spend hours at the course to settle my mind and stay busy during this depression time in my life. When I entered my freshman year many sports were not operating as they used to due to the new rules dealing with the disease, however golf was able to play and that is where I flourished. I made life long friends with my teammates and was one of two freshmen that made the varsity team. I continued to grow my relationships within the golf community going to many lessons with different professionals, saving for newer gear and clubs and dedicating my life to my one goal which was to play golf at the college level. Last year I was named the MVP of 3A NV north. As a senior now I can appreciate all the resilience in a time that many lost love ones. My great grandmother was turning 90 and lived in Tennessee and we had to cancel our plans to visit her for her birthday as she was social distancing from everyone to stay well. After a year went by on her 91st birthday we flew down as a surprise and it was the only time I saw my gran cry. We called her to tell her that a gift was waiting for her on her front porch and when she opened the door we were all standing there ready to give her a much awaited hug. I am so glad I was able to bring happiness to my gran as she was pretty much alone for a year and having all her children, grand daughters and her 4 great grandchildren there made her day one of the best ever. Sadly this year she passed from COVID. I am heading off to college this fall where I reached my first goal of playing golf at a University. I am proud I never gave up on my dream during these difficult times and am looking forward to what my future hold.

My name is Jacob Holmes. I have grown up in Fernley, NV my entire life. I attended Cottonwood Elementary, Fernley Intermediate, Silverland Middle and now Fernley High School. Throughout all my years from Kindergarten and up I have always been very involved in extracurricular activities. In elementary school I was part of the running club, I also won the 4th grade cabbage growing national contest and was awarded a savings bond I am planning on using for college funds. Moreover, I was awarded the Healthy Lifestyles Award through Boys and Girls Club and won top honors for all of Northern Nevada and gave a speech at the Peppermill. When I attended Fernley Intermediate I helped out with the Special Olympics, participated in basketball, cross country, and made it into the HEX championship for Lyon county 6th to 8th graders. Additionally, I was very involved in our local BMX track from the age of 5 through 14. I would donate around 5 hours each week on track maintenance and helping out new riders and with the racing days on the weekends. When I entered Silverland Middle school I worked hard and was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society and was elected the Historian. As being the Historian I had to give up many lunches to work with the advisor on many different projects, assist with dances, and assemblies. I also was invited to the 4.0 dinner at Silverland with my parents. I made the 8th grade basketball team where we went to the championship. I was also involved in track and cross country during 7th and 8th. When I entered Fernley High School it was during COVID and so many sports and other programs were not running like they had in the past. I did however get into the Leadership program and stayed in that program for 2 years helping with many events and community service activities such as cleaning up the cemeteries, decorating the town for homecoming, dances and working games like home basketball and football games. Moreover, I have held the same job for four years, working as a golf cart attendant at our local golf course, The Ranch Golf Course. I have learned many skills being employed there including organization, responsibility, communication skills and problem solving. Additionally, my sophomore summer I took part in a mission to Costa Rica to help build a new church and assist with connections with the community and schools. I am most proud of my accomplishments in the Fernley High School Varsity golf team, as this is my true passion. I made the Varsity team as a freshman and have been one of the top golfers on our team and in our league. Last year as a junior our team placed first in league and second overall at state; I was awarded the MVP of 3A North and was second overall at state. Our team made history for our small town and for our county. If I were to receive this scholarship I would be beyond grateful. I would use it to further my education and my golf career. It would help with housing, food, travel, tuition and equipment needed to play golf. I am planning on majoring in Business as I feel that will be a great start and is something I have always been interested in. I have been admitted to Bushnell University in Eugene, Oregon and was invited to play on their golf team as well. Receiving this scholarship I can then further my education and possibly go into accounting or finance.

My name is Jacob Holmes. I have grown up in Fernley, NV my entire life. I attended Cottonwood Elementary, Fernley Intermediate, Silverland Middle and now Fernley High School. Throughout all my years from Kindergarten and up I have always been very involved in extracurricular activities, along with boys and girls clubs. In elementary school I was part of the running club, I also won the 4th grade cabbage growing national contest and was awarded a savings bond I am planning on using for college funds. Moreover, I was awarded the Healthy Lifestyles Award through Boys and Girls Club and won top honors for all of Northern Nevada and gave a speech at the Peppermill in front of hundreds of donors and families when I was only 7 years old. I was also recognized as a top AR reader when I attended Cottonwood. I also participated in all the STEM festivals and have been awarded blue ribbons from Kindergarten through middle school. I loved each of my teachers at Cottonwood, I had Mrs. Hoover for Kindergarten and 2nd grade, Mrs. Bunyard for 1st, Mrs. Diffenderfer for 3rd and Mr. Neil for 4th. They each had their own teaching style but were kind and instilled a sense of respect and fun. When I attended Fernley Intermediate I helped out with the Special Olympics, participated in basketball, cross country, and made it into the HEX championship for Lyon county 6th to 8th graders. Additionally, I was very involved in our local BMX track from the age of 5 through 14. I would donate around 5 hours each week on track maintenance and helping out new riders and with the racing days on the weekends. When I entered Silverland Middle school I worked hard and was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society and was elected the Historian. As being the Historian I had to give up many lunches to work with the advisor on many different projects, assist with dances, and assemblies. I also was invited to the 4.0 dinner at Silverland with my parents where we were served a wonderful dinner and had a few motivational guest speakers. I made the 8th grade basketball team where we went to the championship. I was also involved in track and cross country during 7th and 8th. When I entered Fernley High School it was during COVID and so many sports and other programs were not running like they had in the past. I did however get into the Leadership program and stayed in that program for 2 years helping with many events and community service activities such as cleaning up the cemeteries, decorating the town for homecoming, dances and working games like home basketball and football games. Moreover, I have held the same job for four years, working as a golf cart attendant at our local golf course, The Ranch Golf Course. I have learned many skills being employed there including organization, responsibility, communication skills and problem solving. Additionally, my sophomore summer I took part in a mission to Costa Rica to help build a new church and assist with connections with the community and schools. I am most proud of my accomplishments in the Fernley High School Varsity golf team, as this is my true passion. I made the Varsity team as a freshman and have been one of the top golfers on our team and in our league. Last year as a junior our team placed first in league and second overall at state; I was awarded the MVP of 3A North and was second overall at state, with a great final day of the two day tournament with the low score of the day and winning the final match. Our team made history for our small town and for our county. If I were to receive this scholarship I would be beyond grateful. I would use it to further my education and my golf career. It would help with housing, food, travel, tuition and equipment needed to play golf. I am planning on majoring in Business as I feel that will be a great start and is something I have always been interested in. I have been admitted to Bushnell University in Eugene, Oregon and was invited to play on their golf team as well. Receiving this scholarship I can then further my education and possibly go into accounting or finance.