One of the biggest challenges of my life was overcoming my senior year (2020-21). At the start of 2020, I lost my grandfather and shortly afterwards the world shut down due to the pandemic. As a result, I was faced with losing an opportunity to showcase my football talents, in my senior year, because all Fall 2020 sports were cancelled. Also due to the pandemic, I wasnt able to attend school during my senior year or participate in any senior activities. All of this was overwhelming and it was difficult to cope at times. Through it all, I continued to train and believe. In the Spring of 2021 we were able to have a 4 game season where I played really well. However, I was informed from the colleges that showed interest that they had shut down recruiting for 2020-21. It seemed that my world was crumbling right before my eyes. During the Fall of 2020, while I was training, I would assist the younger group of kids that would come. They listened to me because I was knowledgeable about the system and they’d all heard about my growth over the years (My trainer, Anthony Brown, was high on me.). Needless to say, I enjoyed working with the younger group and helping them to improve. I enjoyed seeing their development because I remember when I was new and needed to develop. Just prior to my graduation one of the coaches reached out and offered me a walk on opportunity at Washington State University where I was set to play college football as a walk on athlete. I was sure that Id earn a scholarship and I was having a great first day of Fall camp until the last 10 minutes where I injured my wrist. While no surgery was required, I was unable to return to the field until week 5 of the season. Again, I was devastated. During my time out I focused on my classes and the pen pal program that all football players participated in. Writing to my pen pal (who was in elementary school) reminded me of when I helped the younger kids during the sports shut down in Fall 2020. My pen pal looked up to me as a college athlete even though I was injured, which gave me so much hope. If I am awarded this scholarship, it will help me to remain at Washington State University for another year with the potential to earn a football scholarship in the future. Staying at Washington State University will allow me to give back to the youth. Whether writing as a pen pal or assisting them with a technique, I will continue to represent hope and exemplify perseverance to those coming behind me.

One of the biggest challenges of my life was overcoming my senior year (2020-21). At the start of 2020, I lost my grandfather and shortly afterwards the world shut down due to the pandemic. As a result, I was faced with losing an opportunity to showcase my football talents, in my senior year, because all Fall 2020 sports were cancelled. Also due to the pandemic, I wasnt able to attend school during my senior year or participate in any senior activities. All of this was overwhelming and it was difficult to cope at times. Through it all, I continued to train and believe. In the Spring of 2021 we were able to have a 4 game season where I played really well. However, I was informed from the colleges that showed interest that they had shut down recruiting for 2020-21. It seemed that my world was crumbling right before my eyes. During the Fall of 2020, while I was training, I would assist the younger group of kids that would come. They listened to me because I was knowledgeable about the system and they’d all heard about my growth over the years (My trainer, Anthony Brown, was high on me.). Needless to say, I enjoyed working with the younger group and helping them to improve. I enjoyed seeing their development because I remember when I was new and needed to develop. Just prior to my graduation one of the coaches reached out and offered me a walk on opportunity at Washington State University where I was set to play college football as a walk on athlete. I was sure that Id earn a scholarship and I was having a great first day of Fall camp until the last 10 minutes where I injured my wrist. While no surgery was required, I was unable to return to the field until week 5 of the season. Again, I was devastated. During my time out I focused on my classes and the pen pal program that all football players participated in. Writing to my pen pal (who was in elementary school) reminded me of when I helped the younger kids during the sports shut down in Fall 2020. My pen pal looked up to me as a college athlete even though I was injured, which gave me so much hope. If I am awarded this scholarship, it will help me to remain at Washington State University for another year with the potential to earn a football scholarship in the future. Staying at Washington State University will allow me to give back to the youth. Whether writing as a pen pal or assisting them with a technique, I will continue to represent hope and exemplify perseverance to those coming behind me.

One of the biggest challenges of my life was overcoming my senior year (2020-21). At the start of 2020, I lost my grandfather and shortly afterwards the world shut down due to the pandemic. As a result, I was faced with losing an opportunity to showcase my football talents, in my senior year, because all Fall 2020 sports were cancelled. Also due to the pandemic, I wasnt able to attend school during my senior year or participate in any senior activities. All of this was overwhelming and it was difficult to cope at times. Through it all, I continued to train and believe. In the Spring of 2021 we were able to have a 4 game season where I played really well. However, I was informed from the colleges that showed interest that they had shut down recruiting for 2020-21. It seemed that my world was crumbling right before my eyes. Just prior to my graduation one of the coaches reached out and offered me a walk on opportunity at Washington State University where I was set to play college football as a walk on athlete. If I am awarded this scholarship, it will help me to remain at Washington State University for another year with the potential to earn a football scholarship in the future. Staying at Washington State University will allow me to give back to the youth. Whether writing as a pen pal or assisting them with a technique, I will continue to represent hope and exemplify perseverance to those coming behind me.

One of the biggest challenges of my life was overcoming my senior year (2020-21). At the start of 2020, I lost my grandfather and shortly afterwards the world shut down due to the pandemic. As a result, I was faced with losing an opportunity to showcase my football talents, in my senior year, because all Fall 2020 sports were cancelled. Also due to the pandemic, I wasnt able to attend school during my senior year or participate in any senior activities. All of this was overwhelming and it was difficult to cope at times. Through it all, I continued to train and believe. In the Spring of 2021 we were able to have a 4 game season where I played really well. However, I was informed from the colleges that showed interest that they had shut down recruiting for 2020-21. It seemed that my world was crumbling right before my eyes. During the Fall of 2020, while I was training, I would assist the younger group of kids that would come. They listened to me because I was knowledgeable about the system and they’d all heard about my growth over the years. My trainer, Anthony Brown, was high on me and always encouraged me to keep moving forward. Needless to say, I enjoyed working with the younger group and helping them to improve. I enjoyed seeing their development because I remember when I was new and needed to develop. Just prior to my graduation one of the college coaches reached out and offered me a walk on opportunity at Washington State University where I was set to play college football as a walk on athlete. Coach Anthony Brown was there every step of the way to encourage and prepare me for the next phase of my life. I was sure that Id earn a scholarship and I was having a great first day of Fall camp until the last 10 minutes where I injured my wrist. While no surgery was required, I was unable to return to the field until week 5 of the season. Again, Coach Anthony Brown was there. During my time out I focused on my classes and the pen pal program that all football players participated in. Writing to my pen pal (who was in elementary school) reminded me of when I helped the younger kids during the sports shut down in Fall 2020. My pen pal looked up to me as a college athlete even though I was injured, which gave me so much hope. If I am awarded this scholarship, it will help me to remain at Washington State University for another year with the potential to earn a football scholarship in the future. Staying at Washington State University will allow me to give back to the youth just like my Coach Anthony Brown. At one point, he (along with my parents) was the only person to believe in me. He worked me for over a year to encourage me and prepare me for life and football. He is by far the best coach Ive ever had, and next to my dad, he is the greatest man I know.

One of the biggest challenges of my life was overcoming my senior year (2020-21). At the start of 2020, I lost my grandfather and shortly afterwards the world shut down due to the pandemic. As a result, I was faced with losing an opportunity to showcase my football talents, in my senior year, because all Fall 2020 sports were cancelled. Also due to the pandemic, I wasnt able to attend school during my senior year or participate in any senior activities. All of this was overwhelming and it was difficult to cope at times. Through it all, I continued to train and believe. In the Spring of 2021 we were able to have a 4 game season where I played really well. However, I was informed from the colleges that showed interest that they had shut down recruiting for 2020-21. It seemed that my world was crumbling right before my eyes. During the Fall of 2020, while I was training, I would assist the younger group of kids that would come. They listened to me because I was knowledgeable about the system and they’d all heard about my growth over the years (My trainer, Anthony Brown, was high on me.). Needless to say, I enjoyed working with the younger group and helping them to improve. I enjoyed seeing their development because I remember when I was new and needed to develop. Just prior to my graduation one of the coaches reached out and offered me a walk on opportunity at Washington State University where I was set to play college football as a walk on athlete. I was sure that Id earn a scholarship and I was having a great first day of Fall camp until the last 10 minutes where I injured my wrist. While no surgery was required, I was unable to return to the field until week 5 of the season. Again, I was devastated. During my time out I focused on my classes and the pen pal program that all football players participated in. Writing to my pen pal (who was in elementary school) reminded me of when I helped the younger kids during the sports shut down in Fall 2020. My pen pal looked up to me as a college athlete even though I was injured, which gave me so much hope. If I am awarded this scholarship, it will help me to remain at Washington State University for another year with the potential to earn a football scholarship in the future. Staying at Washington State University will allow me to give back to the youth. Whether writing as a pen pal or assisting them with a technique, I will continue to represent hope and exemplify perseverance to those coming behind me.

One of the biggest challenges of my life was overcoming my senior year (2020-21). At the start of 2020, I lost my grandfather and shortly afterwards the world shut down due to the pandemic. As a result, I was faced with losing an opportunity to showcase my football talents, in my senior year, because all Fall 2020 sports were cancelled. Also due to the pandemic, I wasnt able to attend school during my senior year or participate in any senior activities. All of this was overwhelming and it was difficult to cope at times but my mother was my rock through it all. Through it all, I continued to train and believe. In the Spring of 2021 we were able to have a 4 game season where I played really well. However, I was informed from the colleges that showed interest that they had shut down recruiting for 2020-21. It seemed that my world was crumbling right before my eyes. But again my mother (and father) was there every step of the way to encourage me to keep going. My mother is a teacher. She helps struggling students complete the high school exit exam. Seeing the joy on their faces and how they are so grateful to my mother has encouraged me to use whatever I have to help others. During the Fall of 2020, while I was training, I would assist the younger group of kids that would come. They listened to me because I was knowledgeable about the system and they’d all heard about my growth over the years (My trainer, Anthony Brown, was high on me.). Needless to say, I enjoyed working with the younger group and helping them to improve. I enjoyed seeing their development because I remember when I was new and needed to develop. I also remembered the gratitude of my mom’s students. Just prior to my graduation one of the coaches reached out and offered me a walk on opportunity at Washington State University where I was set to play college football as a walk on athlete. I was sure that Id earn a scholarship and I was having a great first day of Fall camp until the last 10 minutes where I injured my wrist. While no surgery was required, I was unable to return to the field until week 5 of the season. Again, I was devastated but my mother (and father) were right there to encourage me and lift me up. During my time out I focused on my classes and the pen pal program that all football players participated in. Writing to my pen pal (who was in elementary school) reminded me of when I helped the younger kids during the sports shut down in Fall 2020. My pen pal looked up to me as a college athlete even though I was injured, which gave me so much hope. If I am awarded this scholarship, it will help me to remain at Washington State University for another year with the potential to earn a football scholarship in the future. Staying at Washington State University will allow me to give back to the youth. Whether writing as a pen pal or assisting them with a technique, I will continue to represent hope and exemplify perseverance to those coming behind me… just like my mother.

One of the biggest challenges of my life was overcoming my senior year (2020-21). At the start of 2020, I lost my grandfather and shortly afterwards the world shut down due to the pandemic. As a result, I was faced with losing an opportunity to showcase my football talents, in my senior year, because all Fall 2020 sports were cancelled. Also due to the pandemic, I wasnt able to attend school during my senior year or participate in any senior activities. All of this was overwhelming and it was difficult to cope at times. Through it all, I continued to train and believe. In the Spring of 2021 we were able to have a 4 game season where I played really well. However, I was informed from the colleges that showed interest that they had shut down recruiting for 2020-21. It seemed that my world was crumbling right before my eyes. During the Fall of 2020, while I was training, I would assist the younger group of kids that would come. They listened to me because I was knowledgeable about the system and they’d all heard about my growth over the years (My trainer, Anthony Brown, was high on me.). Needless to say, I enjoyed working with the younger group and helping them to improve. I enjoyed seeing their development because I remember when I was new and needed to develop. Just prior to my graduation one of the coaches reached out and offered me a walk on opportunity at Washington State University where I was set to play college football as a walk on athlete. I was sure that Id earn a scholarship and I was having a great first day of Fall camp until the last 10 minutes where I injured my wrist. While no surgery was required, I was unable to return to the field until week 5 of the season. Again, I was devastated. During my time out I focused on my classes and the pen pal program that all football players participated in. Writing to my pen pal (who was in elementary school) reminded me of when I helped the younger kids during the sports shut down in Fall 2020. My pen pal looked up to me as a college athlete even though I was injured, which gave me so much hope. If I am awarded this scholarship, it will help me to remain at Washington State University for another year with the potential to earn a football scholarship in the future. Staying at Washington State University will allow me to give back to the youth. Whether writing as a pen pal or assisting them with a technique, I will continue to represent hope and exemplify perseverance to those coming behind me.

One practical solution for helping more people who struggle with mental health is to incentivize organizations for providing mental health tools to their employees.

1. I deserve this scholarship because I have nice hair. 2. My career goals are to work as a high school game announcer, at my previous high school, so I can relive my high school years over and over again for the rest of my life. 3. I almost drowned at the beach when I was in Middle School. Since then, I have been afraid of water. I have been to swimming classes and even to water parks to no avail. This past semester, I assumed that I had overcome my fear of water and swimming, so I went cliff diving and almost drowned again. (funny but true).

Happiness is the feeling that you get from accomplishment. I feel most accomplished when I am doing the things that I love. One of the things that I love the most is playing football. I have played football since I was six years old. There is no greater joy than being on the football field and competing. The build up to the game, the smell of the grass and the thrill of the sport, all bring me joy. I seek out happiness by continuing my dream of playing football a the next level. I had a great high school career but it was overshadowed by the pandemic. With that, I was unable to earn a scholarship in my senior season even though it was the best season of my football career. In any event, I did not let that stop me and I walked onto the football team at Washington State University last year (2021). Unfortunately I was injured early in my first college football camp (prior to the season) so I did not join the team until mid season. While I was out of football, I battled a little with depression. I chose to focus on my classwork and I ended up doing really well in my first semester in college. Though I really wanted to be out there with my teammates, I found some joy in doing well. Once I returned to the team I had a boost of joy like never before. After working hard in practice, I suited up in the very next home game after my return. The joy that I felt from running out of the tunnel, flag in hand, and hearing the crowd was something that I will never forget.