At age 50, I am scared to death of failing, but here I am. I separated from my now late- ex-wife in 2021 and moved to Texas, where I applied to Texas Tech and UTEP. In 2022, UTEP reluctantly accepted me into their Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies program and my second stint in college began. My life's journey has been long and complicated, as well as literal. I live 1,800 miles from where I grew up and I'm back in therapy again, but in many ways, I've never been happier. I'm still frightened of failure, but I keep going. The experiences that motivated me to return to higher education are partially due to my continuing desire to lean, but admittedly to feel 'worthy' of being an adult. In my thirties, I started reading all of the classics that I never read in high school. I read dozens of books, such as War and Peace, Anna Karenina, Moby Dick, For Whom the Bell Tolls, A Farewell to Arms, Lolita, and many others. My favorite books are Slaughterhouse Five, Sirens of Titan, and Crime and Punishment. If you're able to see my other comments and scholarship submissions on my profile, you will read that my goal(s) in life aren't about accumulating prizes, things, or money - all I want is to be happy. In order for me to be happy with myself, I want to be educated and benefit society. I try to volunteer when I can and I stay active in politics, especially locally. I don't see myself as a leader, but I am usually forced into a role where I have to lead. I think my leadership style is best described as Ghandian, where I lead from the bottom up and by example. I plan to use my education to make a positive impact in my community in many of the ways that I do already - by volunteering and being a good example to others. All of my friends and family support me going back to school to obtain my degree. It makes me tear up a little bit to admit this, but I'm proud to be a good role model in that respect. It's taking a lot of hard with and effort to do well in school now. Plus, I work full time, so there's very little time in the day I have to myself. Cooking, cleaning, shopping, and all they other basic life stuff gets crammed in wherever possible. This scholarship would help me better manage my time, finances, and personal space. Not stressing out about how I'm going to pay for school would be a huge relief. Thanks for reading. I appreciate your time and financial support for older students, even if that student isn't me. Take care and be well. ~Joshua

When I was in high school in the early 1990s, my brother's friend shot himself in the front yard of his parent's house. To make things worse, he did it in front of his mother wife arguing over something as stupid as a video game he wanted. The gun was unlocked in the glove box and he knew it. What an awful tragedy. Around the same time, an elderly neighbor called my grandfather and asked him to come up to his house 'in about an hour.' The wife was in very poor health and terminal. The husband's solution to this was murder-suicide so neither had to suffer. That was the scene my grandfather walked in to that summer day. I never heard him talk about it personally and I can't even imagine how that affected him. I grew up hunting and I own a shotgun and a rifle. Both of those guns are locked in a cabinet some 2,000 miles away. I support gun ownership, but I will talk to anyone who will listen about the need for stricter gun laws. As a 2+ year resident of Texas, I have been active in the local Democratic party in order to put sane people into office who might be able to work towards the goal of reducing gun violence. It's more than apparent that Republicans don't care at all about children being murdered in schools, or anything else along those lines. Living in El Paso, I can see how the community came together and stayed together over the Wal-Mart shooting that happened in 2019. Gun violence affects everyone, but there's no question about how it can tear a family apart who has been directly affected by it. My plan to advocate for gun violence awareness is to continue volunteering for those who can politically advance the cause. I will also continue to encourage like-minded voters to do the same. As far as extracurriculars go, I really only do one thing - play chess. When I was in high school thirty years ago, I was a swimmer and diver. I also played bass guitar in the marching band for a year. When I was in college the first time during the mid-90s, I enjoyed a variety of intramural sports. I especially enjoyed softball, soccer, and volleyball. I love playing chess because it is intellectually simulating and generally a quiet endeavor. One of the other great things about chess is that you can play virtually anytime and anywhere. It's a great sport for the mind and I enjoy it immensely. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship. Have a blessed day.

At age 48, I am old enough to be a parent to the vast majority of my classmates. In my return to studies thus far, I have only met one other student near my age, a 40+ year old mother of four from my Intro to Psychology course. In addition to being 'grandpa on campus,' I am a Caucasian male living in a border city where a number of my neighbors don't speak English. Often times, if they do, it's as a second language. The university I attend is the second-largest university in the United States to have a majority Mexican American student population (about 80%). I am probably among the most non-traditional students in the entire state. What drives me to do more is the desire to improve myself through education. In addition to that, I want to correct the mistakes of my past. I was a relatively smart kid, but I was a poor student. More interested in having a good time rather than attending classes, my grades suffered accordingly. Now, as I return to University studies as an adult, I am taking my education much more seriously. My parents continue to help and support my return to school. Along with wanting to improve my life, I want to make them proud of me. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship. Have a blessed day.

The dream version of my future self is a happy person, content with who they are and enjoying life.

I don't have personal preferences for favorite songs from this release, but I can share insights on one of the most popular songs from Taylor Swift's 1989 album. One of the most popular tracks from the album is "Blank Space." The song tells the story of a tumultuous relationship where Swift acknowledged society's images of her through media as a "serial dater," but instead of giving it weight, she turns it into a witty and sarcastic song. The track opens with a soft, almost eerie piano melody, followed by a slight drum beat as Swift's voice comes in, drawing attention to her voice and the lyrics of the song. The catchy melody of the song and the playful lyrics make it a standout track. Swift's use of humor in the chorus, where she repeats the phrase "Boys only want love if it's torture," turns the societal narrative on its head, making people laugh when they hear a perceived "negative" personality trait is portrayed self-deprecatingly. The song’s music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, parodies a wealthy mansion and the lives of the super-rich, making fun of the luxurious lifestyle which popular media has glamorized. The video opens with a snippet of a baroque-style mansion filled with Swift playing with the porcelain statues before intending to date with the lead actor, Sean O'Pry. The song is a perfect embodiment of Taylor Swift's storytelling ability and catchy songwriting artistry. She infuses humor in a story that could have been portrayed morosely and depressing if it were not for her witty, sharp lyrics that make fun of the pop culture image created about her. All in all, "Blank Space" stands out not just because of its catchy melody and clever lyrics but also its excellent use of humor to address a controversial topic. Swift reminded everyone that it's okay to laugh at oneself and that we shouldn't take societal perceptions at face value. That is why it has quickly become a fan favorite and still frequents Swift's concert setlists. If I was going to pick a favorite T. Swift song, it would be Lover. My girlfriend fell in love with it for a variety of reasons and put it on a playlist for a trip we took out of town last year. Now I can't hear the song without associating it to the absolutely wonderful and amazing time we spent together in San Antonio.

Generational wealth is the accumulation of money and investments that can be passed from one generation to the next. For example, a house that grandfather may have built is out into a trust and passed down to his children and grandchildren. Aside from taxes and upkeep, the property should theoretically be paid off within one / the original generation. After that house is paid off, borrowing against the equity to make investments would be one way to insert a large infusion of cash all at once into a project, like starting a new business. Another example might be receiving an inheritance or other financial investment from your parents. No amount of money can ever replace losing a parent, but preparing for the inevitable is a good way to set your children up to live comfortably after one passes. As far as how I plan on achieving generational wealth in the future, the answer is quite simple - I don't. I grew up on the family farm and we didn't have a lot of money. There was never any chance of affluence through generational wealth. The only chance I ever stood at being wealthy was through winning the lottery. Even then, I would have no designs on building wealth to pass down to the next generation. I would rather give it away to those in need right now. Speaking of which, I always liked the idea of having enough money to be a philanthropist. If I had millions of dollars, I could find someone much smarter than myself to invest it properly so I could then give away the interest every year. College scholarships would be among the most ideal methods of philanthropy. Having been a poor college student at two points in my life, at age 18 and again now at 48, I understand how hard it is to work hard and put oneself through school. This is exactly why I am struggling now and applying for this scholarship. The biggest difference between then and now is that I am no longer a punk kid who was more serious about having a good time instead of concentrating on his studies. Education is important to me, but not with the goal of accumulating wealth. Growing up just above the poverty line taught me a lot, but it certainly didn't teach me to be a money-hungry capitalist. Being happy, helping others, and enriching oneself intellectually - those are the important things in life. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.

I am a 48-year-old Caucasian male living alone on the border town of El Paso, Texas. After moving my entire life from Pittsburgh, PA to Lubbock, TX in April 2021, I transferred my college credits from Pitt to UTEP and resumed my university studies in August 2022. Standing out is something at which I excel. I am a long-haired blond guy who grew up on a farm. I hunted, fished, camped, and learned a lot about life in my first 18 years of life. Thirty years later, I am taking everything I’ve ever learned and applying it to my studies. In every class I’ve taken so far, I bring a unique perspective to class discussions. The experience and knowledge I have gained over the years is beyond anything my 18–22-year-old mostly Latino classmates could understand. Sure, they know how to Tik-Tok and Instagram, but I have real-world experience outside of the classroom. To that extent, I believe that I have earned the respect of many of my classmates. Rather than go to the professor to ask questions about assignments, they often come to me instead. I believe it is because of my dedication to the coursework and willingness to do whatever it takes to succeed. Perhaps if I had that same kind of determination the first time I went to college, I would already have a degree and wouldn’t be back in school now. In today’s society, or any day’s society for that matter, it can be difficult for students to follow their passions and live their truths. One thing I have learned over the years is to not care what anyone else thinks about you. Live your life on your own terms and do what’s best for you. Make mistakes, go places you’ve never been, talk to people you wouldn’t normally talk to, find out who you are, and then never trade that for anything. When I was in high school, I was recruited the morning of a talent show to play rhythm guitar for my friend's band. We played AC/DC's Highway to Hell and rocked the house. They took a chance on me and I took a chance on myself. It was a defining moment in my life. It is my genuine hope that my leadership in class, willingness to embarrass myself for the sake of knowledge, and dedication to the coursework sets an example for my classmates. As an Eagle Scout (1993), I am no stranger to volunteer work. After returning to school in 2022, I began volunteering again. Whether it is helping at El Paso Fights Hunger, canvassing neighborhoods to ‘get out the vote,’ or teaching chess at local gatherings, I enjoy giving back to the community. I not only plan on giving back to the community in the future, but I’m also doing it right now. This scholarship would go a long way toward helping me advance my studies toward the goal of graduating with a bachelor's degree in Multidisciplinary studies (History, Creative Writing, Social Sciences). Even my major is non-traditional. I am a maverick, a unique individual, a learner, a son, a brother, an uncle, and dedicated to being the best version of me possible. Thank you for considering me for the scholarship. And don’t forget to vote in the upcoming election!

I am a 48-year-old Caucasian male living alone on the border town of El Paso, Texas. After moving my entire life from Pittsburgh, PA to Lubbock, TX in April 2021, I transferred my college credits from Pitt to UTEP and resumed my university studies in August 2022. Standing out is something at which I excel. I am a long-haired blond guy who grew up on a farm. I hunted, fished, camped, and learned a lot about life in my first 18 years of life. Thirty years later, I am taking everything I’ve ever learned and applying it to my studies. In every class I’ve taken so far, I bring a unique perspective to class discussions. The experience and knowledge I have gained over the years is beyond anything my 18–22-year-old mostly Latino classmates could understand. Sure, they know how to Tik-Tok and Instagram, but I have real-world experience outside of the classroom. To that extent, I believe that I have earned the respect of many of my classmates. Rather than go to the professor to ask questions about assignments, they often come to me instead. I believe it is because of my dedication to the coursework and willingness to do whatever it takes to succeed. Perhaps if I had that same kind of determination the first time I went to college, I would already have a degree and wouldn’t be back in school now. In today’s society, or any day’s society for that matter, it can be difficult for students to follow their passions and live their truths. One thing I have learned over the years is to not care what anyone else thinks about you. Live your life on your own terms and do what’s best for you. Make mistakes, go places you’ve never been, talk to people you wouldn’t normally talk to, find out who you are, and then never trade that for anything. It is my genuine hope that my leadership in class, willingness to embarrass myself for the sake of knowledge, and dedication to the coursework sets an example for my classmates. As an Eagle Scout (1993), I am no stranger to volunteer work. After returning to school in 2022, I began volunteering again. Whether it is helping at El Paso Fights Hunger, canvassing neighborhoods to ‘get out the vote,’ or teaching chess at local gatherings, I enjoy giving back to the community. I not only plan on giving back to the community in the future, but I’m also doing it right now. This scholarship would go a long way toward helping me advance my studies toward the goal of graduating with a bachelor's degree in Multidisciplinary studies (History, Creative Writing, Social Sciences). Even my major is non-traditional. I am a maverick, a unique individual, a learner, a son, a brother, an uncle, and dedicated to being the best version of me possible. Thank you for considering me for the scholarship. And don’t forget to vote in the upcoming election!