Julian Clarkson was able to help the disenfranchised poor in the United States by creating an app to help close the financial gap for families in need fulfilling his life long dream.

I entered my high school as a freshman and came back walking into my high school getting ready to start my junior year. This is the life of a student who has had to deal with Covid 19 over the past four years. I contracted Covid during my junior year and it affected me and I was worried that I would lose my grasp on my grades. However, my father quoted his famous phrase: Praise God for the lions in your life and be thankful he did not give the lions wings. This put things in perspective for me because I know that there are people who are dealing with real lions with wings in their lives. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increases dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people receive various turnaround services like financial help and medical clinics. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people solve the issue of homelessness in America. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed, and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. As I pursue my education, I want to help people manage the lions in their lives. I believe that I can do that with your contribution to my education.

Immediately when I bring up this movie as having the greatest impact on my life, people start to laugh instantly. Some may think I am just being funny but I sincerely believe that this film is connected to many important life lessons - the film that I am talking about is Forrest Gump. The film was released in 1994 and this is eleven years before I was born but I often watch the film because it is such a great movie. Outside of the great acting, the movie presents a protagonist who unlike your normal leading man but is triumphant and proves to be a great role model for anyone. One of Forrest's biggest strengths is that he is teachable. My father talks about this often about the importance of being willing to learn something new when the opportunity presents itself. Forrest throughout the film learns how to play football, and becomes a war hero, a world-class ping pong player, and a shrimp boat tycoon all because he is willing to be teachable. Each of these moments in Forrest's life is predicated on his ability to be teachable at the moment. I have tried my best to model myself in Forrest's mindset of being teachable. I pride myself on being a top honor student in my class and being a part of the dual enrollment program at my school but this does not happen if I am arrogant and declare myself to be a know-it-all. Being teachable allows you to learn new things and gain new experiences. Another element that highlights Forrest Gump is that having a sense of humility about yourself helps you learn how to be kind to others. A great example of this humility is Gump's interaction with Lieutenant Dan. Although Lieutenant Dan was cruel to Gump in the earlier parts of the movie, Gump saved his life. He was able to look past those moments of controversy and see the humanity in Lieutenant Dan. I have learned how to give back and take care of my fellow man through the amount of community service that I have been a part of throughout my middle and high school career. Although I am young, I know that I can do something. Age nor ability should dictate the willingness to have humility. Gump was able to capitalize on each moment he was a part of. Whether playing football at a national powerhouse like Alabama, meeting several United States presidents, or becoming a millionaire -Gump despite his disability has a keen insight on how to take advantage of each opportunity that is presented to him. A statement that I live by is - chance favors the prepared mind. Gump prepared himself for a chance to be successful at each turn. As I look to attend college, I am going to take all of the lessons taken from my favorite movie - an unsung hero whose characteristics are truly uncanny in how to build out my future. Forrest was not afraid to take challenges and I believe that is the goal of life. I shape my life around two common themes that are the center of Forrest Gump: be kind to others and be brave enough to take a chance. I look forward to taking chances in college this upcoming fall.

Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. I feel that is what more homeless and displaced citizens need - more people standing up for those that are voiceless and down on their luck. This is what has guided me to my choice of a major and what I want my life's work to focus on. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed, and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more.

My biggest dream is to end world wild homelessness. I understand that this epidemic has harmed many families and led to many nightmarish circumstances. Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed, and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson

Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed, and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more.

Immediately when I bring up this movie as having the greatest impact on my life, people start to laugh instantly. Some may think I am just being funny but I sincerely believe that this film is connected to many important life lessons - the film that I am talking about is Forrest Gump. The film was released in 1994 and this is eleven years before I was born but I often watch the film because it is such a great movie. Outside of the great acting, the movie presents a protagonist who unlike your normal leading man but is triumphant and proves to be a great role model for anyone. One of Forrest's biggest strengths is that he is teachable. My father talks about this often about the importance of being willing to learn something new when the opportunity presents itself. Forrest throughout the film learns how to play football, becomes a war hero, a world-class ping pong player, and a shrimp boat tycoon all because he is willing to be teachable. Each of these moments in Forrest's life is predicated on his ability to be teachable in the moment. I have tried my best to model myself in Forrest's mindset of being teachable. I pride myself on being a top honor student in my class and being a part of the dual enrollment program at my school but this does not happen if I am arrogant and declare myself to be a know-it-all. Being teachable allows you to learn new things and gain new experiences. Another element that highlights Forrest Gump is that having a sense of humility about yourself helps you learn how to be kind to others. A great example of this humility is Gump's interaction with Lieutenant Dan. Although Lieutenant Dan was cruel to Gump in the earlier parts of the movie, Gump saved his life. He was able to look past those moments of controversy and see the humanity in Lieutenant Dan. I have learned how to give back and take care of my fellow man through the amount of community service that I have been a part of throughout my middle and high school career. Although I am young, I know that I can do something. Age nor ability should dictate the willingness to have humility. Gump was able to capitalize on each moment he was a part of. Whether playing football at a national powerhouse like Alabama, meeting several United States presidents, or becoming a millionaire -Gump despite his disability has a keen insight on how to take advantage of each opportunity that is presented to him. A statement that I live by is - chance favors the prepared mind. Gump prepared himself for a chance to be successful at each turn. As I look to attend college, I am going to take all of the lessons taken from my favorite movie - an unsung hero whose characteristics are truly uncanny in how to build a successful person.

Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed, and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson

Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed, and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson

Throughout my high school career, I could learn a series of very valuable lessons. Getting used to a new school has been a big one for me. Leaving the comfy confines of my neighborhood elementary school and going to a new building provided some challenges at first. However, learning about my new teachers and meeting new friends slowly got rid of some of my anxieties about leaving my neighborhood elementary school. I was happy and proud to be in such a great learning community. In March 2020, all of that changed when I heard that my academic experience would meet an unheard-of precedent - going to school during a pandemic. All the relationships that I have built along the way with teachers and amazing friends during the first semester were no longer there and I felt alone in my learning. I am a social person so being away from school was tough for me. In the beginning, I felt myself starting to struggle in school. I missed walking the hallways, seeing my friends, and just living the life of a normal high school student. My father talked to me about how high school was such a great time in his life and I felt slighted because my freshman year was not starting so great. I thought that entering my sophomore year things would change but it was more of the same. I was looking at my friends through Brady Bunch screens on Zoom calls. This was not fun; this was not the high school experience that I was looking for. The pandemic shaped me, and I experienced a loss as well. My Godfather sadly lost his life to Covid-19. He was an amazing man and my Dad's best friend. This loss affected our home life and I fought off being depressed. I had to learn how to be patient with myself and learn that sometimes it is okay to not be okay. However, my parents proved to be a strong source that I relied on and for that, I am truly grateful. I also learned how to build my fortitude. I believe that college is about learning independently, and the pandemic taught me that. It was the lesson that I needed that would help propel me to higher heights in college. I welcome the challenges of college because I know I have survived something that took my fortitude. I am confident in my abilities, not just in my ability to learn academically but in my ability to learn lessons about myself and fight for my future. Julian Clarkson

Picking an African American Pillar who influenced my field of study is very easy for me. I was able to learn about this African American at a very early age when I became interested in The Greenbook. The Greenbook was a traveling guide for African American that was created by a man named Victor Hugo Green. This guide was necessary for African Americans to navigate the safe passage from the north to the south and avoid sundown towns that were extremely racist. For many African Americans, if they were caught in these sundown towns they could experience many acts of violence and even death. As time has evolved, the maps of The Greenbook have become obsolete and we are now in a world where many Americans can travel the highways of our country and even the world just with the use of their cell phone. My African American Pillar is a woman by the name of Dr. Gladys West. Many people do not know her but we use her technology every day because her work led to the development of the Global Positioning System better known as GPS. Her work with mathematics and the United States Air Force helped with tracking roads across the world and helping people find services that they may desperately need. I believe GPS will be instrumental in my work as I plan to major in computer science. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed, and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson

Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed, and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson

Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed, and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson

Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed, and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson

America has often been confused as a melting pot but I believe the exact opposite. Instead of a melting pot, the characteristics of America mirror more of that of my birthplace - New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans, Louisiana is a city full of culture and amazing food. Although I had to leave New Orleans when I was a baby with my family due to Hurricane Katrina, I am forever tied to its culture and food. No food is more convenient than a bowl of gumbo in New Orleans. It is a combination of roux, garlic, onions, celery, seafood, chicken, rice and a variety of other seasonings that are all blended. This is how I view the American experience, not a melting pot but instead - a gumbo pot. America as a gumbo pot represents the best in all of us and that is how I view diversity. The power of diversity is the ability to let each culture and person represent themselves in its truest and honest fashion. My problem with the term melting pot is that it comes with the underlying meaning that people have to melt down their culture to fit into a mold. The power of diverse voices in public relations means that everyone's story is important in the soundtrack of America. My father often talks about seeing commercials when he was younger that showed the pristine all-American family. This family was usually white, straight, middle class, and had the perfect gold retriever dog that wagged its tail with immense joy. This imagery dictated what many Americans believed to be the American Dream. However, over time, we have learned as a society that the a-typical American Dream alienates various people and lifestyles from consideration of what happiness is. We have learned that happiness can appear in many styles from the blended family, cross-genders, handicapable, and a variety of shades and religious practices. When public relations companies take the time to show various narratives that discuss the American Dream, the public narrative begins to shift. This is important because now everyone gets to see themselves in the soundtrack of America. The poet Langston Hughes has a poem that is called I, Too Sing America. In the poem, Hughes writes from the point of view of African Americans in America who fight to have an equal voice in how America is shaped. Today Hughes' poem could very much so be the battle cry of many Americans who do not fit the mold of a-typical America. Diverse voices make us all feel included even me - a kid whose family navigated to the DC area from Hurricane Katrina who is a byproduct of a beautiful blended family.

My career goals are connected to helping people and improving the overall quality of life of homeless and displaced citizens. I want to be able to help overlooked populations of people and I believe that this scholarship will help me achieve this goal. Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed, and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson

Working with homeless and displaced citizens has been a passion of mine since I was in middle school. Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed, and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson

Although we are moving toward a society that pushes more into books being found on electronic tablets or other smart devices, I am a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to reading books. I often have a paperback book in my bookbag and enjoy reading some of my favorite authors. From middle school until now, I have read many books and they have taught me many lessons along the way. One of my favorite books that I had the joy of reading is Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson. This book is about the importance of learning how to deal with change in a world that is always evolving and altering with time. The fictional characters in the book are mice that are looking for cheese and they use the same route routinely to find the cheese until the designer of the maze moves the cheese to a different location. One mouse can smell the cheese and is willing to use a different route, while the other mouse keeps on using the old mouse to find the cheese and starves. The author in this book uses the mouse and the cheese as symbolism for people and their happiness. I learned from this book that to be happy, you must be willing to be versatile and understand that change is a part of life. Going to school during the pandemic, I had to learn the importance of being willing to change and understanding that change is just a natural part of life. I remember when the pandemic first began and I was frustrated because I wondered if I would see my friends again or truly be able to have a normal educational experience like my classmates before me. When I began to read this book during the spring of 2000, it gave me a fresh perspective on being grateful for my circumstance and being more willing to understand change. The pandemic affected many of my friends at school and I was able to talk to my friends about what I had learned from the book. This book like many others has helped me navigate school and my personal growth. From self-help books to classical fiction read in my honors courses, the life lessons and perspectives have taught me that people come from various backgrounds. I have used this knowledge when meeting new people and it has helped me make friends quickly and be sympathetic. Books have taught me the power of sympathy and considering others. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed, and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more.

Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation for why I want to major in computer science and how this scholarship will help me in my educational goals. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed, and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson

Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed, and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson

Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed, and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson

Leadership is defined by the legacy that you leave behind. That legacy should be seen in the work you do, the number of smilies you were able to put on the faces of others, and how through one simple act you can make someone's life better. I was taught the importance of leadership through community service during my middle school and high school years. Mainly much of my work has been with the displaced and homeless citizens inside of Washington, DC. I have learned that leadership is about your ability to galvanize others and get them to come together for a common cause. Personalities come in various ranges but a leader can wrangle them all together for the point of success. In my community service club, I have to deal with this challenge every day. The greatest teacher of this type of leadership has been my father. Every weekend my father, his fraternity brothers, and I have helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters - I have given my heart back to my community. However, I wish I could do more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly during the time of the government shutdown. I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this”. However, I understood the importance of standing up for those who did not have the best of things. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people receive various turnaround services like financial help, and locating shelters, and medical clinics. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people solve the issue of homelessness in America. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed, and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Understanding that there is always more to give is a sign of a true leader. Julian Clarkson

Unlike other subjects that are subjective to opinions and points of view, math is definite. No matter where you travel across the globe, two plus two will still equal four. Math is a language that I immediately understood at an early age and I was always praised throughout my academic career for my success in math. It was something that naturally came easy for me. My love of numbers and math has led to me wanting to major in computer science and use numbers as a way to help people uniquely. Through my community service work that I do in Washington, DC, I immediately began to notice the number of homeless and displaced citizens who need help finding turnaround services to help them get back on their feet. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Medical screenings, and help with finding jobs and shelters, are key factors that can help a person who has fallen on hard times truly readjust their life for the better. My goal is to create an app that alerts homeless and displaced citizens about various services throughout the city. Information is the key when you are trying to turn around your life and I believe that going to college and majoring in computer science can help me with this. Through the power of math, this app is a possibility and people can live a life of infinite possibilities. This scholarship will help me tremendously with my dream of helping more people.

Influence is the ability to change or affect someone's character or way of thinking. I am a social influencer in my school community because I take the time to understand the importance of leading by example. It is not being the loudest voice in the room, but the person in the room who is willing to stand tall, get to know others and listen to those who may feel unheard. During the time of the pandemic, many of my classmates need additional emotional support to deal with being alone. I helped to set up support groups using Zoom to talk to students about ways to build a stronger school community. I also helped to get students to talk to mental health specialists with the help of my school counselor. I understand the importance of mental health and I want to make sure that everyone understands if they need help, and how to get it. One of the biggest groups of people that are under-served when it comes to mental health is those who are homeless and displaced. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people receive various turnaround services like financial help and locating shelters, and medical clinics. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people solve the issue of homelessness in America. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Later I hope to pursue a career in education to help teach other children of color the power of coding and using technology to benefit our world. This scholarship would be instrumental for me in helping achieve my dream of being a computer programmer and helping those who need various turnaround services to overall improve their quality of life. Julian Clarkson

Understanding privilege and how I use my platform for others is important to me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend my father, his fraternity brothers, and I have helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters - I have given my heart back to my community. However, I wish I could do more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly during the time of the government shutdown. I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. Many people could have easily walked away and said, “I do not want to see this”. However, I understood the importance of standing up for those who did not have the best of things. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people receive various turnaround services like financial help and locating shelters, and medical clinics. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people solve the issue of homelessness in America. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Later I hope to pursue a career in education to help teach other children of color the power of coding and using technology to benefit our world. My father teaches and he often tells me that teaching is truly a rewarding experience. I believe that since I have benefited from such great teachers pursuing a career in education would be a great way to give back. Often educators are overlooked and underappreciated but I plan on not worrying about those things. I know that the biggest gift I can give myself is a world where I am leaving an impact of change and empowering disenfranchised communities through the power of education. With my degree in computer science, I want to create more useful apps that do more than entertain but help struggling readers improve their Lexile scores and even assist students who receive special education services at their school. I believe that by doing all this, I can truly be a lifelong educator that can help many. Julian Clarkson

Understanding privilege and how I use my platform for others is important to me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend my father, his fraternity brothers, and I have helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters - I have given my heart back to my community. However, I wish I could do more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly during the time of the government shutdown. I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. Many people could have easily walked away and said, “I do not want to see this”. However, I understood the importance of standing up for those who did not have the best of things. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people receive various turnaround services like financial help and locating shelters, and medical clinics. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people solve the issue of homelessness in America. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Later I hope to pursue a career in education to help teach other children of color the power of coding and using technology to benefit our world. My father teaches and he often tells me that teaching is truly a rewarding experience. I believe that since I have benefited from such great teachers pursuing a career in education would be a great way to give back. Often educators are overlooked and underappreciated but I plan on not worrying about those things. I know that the biggest gift I can give myself is a world where I am leaving an impact of change and empowering disenfranchised communities through the power of education. With my degree in computer science, I want to create more useful apps that do more than entertain but help struggling readers improve their Lexile scores and even assist students who receive special education services at their school. I believe that by doing all this, I can truly be a lifelong educator that can help many. Diverse voices in STEM help to grow the field in multiple ways and increase the importance of math and science education for people of color. That is why I cannot wait to pursue my career in college. Julian Clarkson

Understanding privilege and how I use my platform for others is important to me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend my father, his fraternity brothers, and I have helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters - I have given my heart back to my community. However, I wish I could do more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly during the time of the government shutdown. I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. Many people could have easily walked away and said, “I do not want to see this”. However, I understood the importance of standing up for those who did not have the best of things. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people receive various turnaround services like financial help and locating shelters, and medical clinics. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people solve the issue of homelessness in America. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Later I hope to pursue a career in education to help teach other children of color the power of coding and using technology to benefit our world. My father teaches and he often tells me that teaching is truly a rewarding experience. I believe that since I have benefited from such great teachers pursuing a career in education would be a great way to give back. Often educators are overlooked and underappreciated but I plan on not worrying about those things. I know that the biggest gift I can give myself is a world where I am leaving an impact of change and empowering disenfranchised communities through the power of education. With my degree in computer science, I want to create more useful apps that do more than entertain but help struggling readers improve their Lexile scores and even assist students who receive special education services at their school. I believe that by doing all this, I can truly be a lifelong educator that can help many.

Understanding privilege and how I use my platform for others is important to me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend my father, his fraternity brothers, and I have helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters - I have given my heart back to my community. However, I wish I could do more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly during the time of the government shutdown. I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. Many people could have easily walked away and said, “I do not want to see this”. However, I understood the importance of standing up for those who did not have the best of things. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people receive various turnaround services like financial help and locating shelters, and medical clinics. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people solve the issue of homelessness in America. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Later I hope to pursue a career in education to help teach other children of color the power of coding and using technology to benefit our world. My father teaches and he often tells me that teaching is truly a rewarding experience. I believe that since I have benefited from such great teachers pursuing a career in education would be a great way to give back. Often educators are overlooked and underappreciated but I plan on not worrying about those things. I know that the biggest gift I can give myself is a world where I am leaving an impact of change and empowering disenfranchised communities through the power of education. With my degree in computer science, I want to create more useful apps that do more than entertain but help struggling readers improve their Lexile scores and even assist students who receive special education services at their school. I believe that by doing all this, I can truly be a lifelong educator that can help many.

Understanding privilege and how I use my platform for others is important to me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend my father, his fraternity brothers, and I have helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters - I have given my heart back to my community. However, I wish I could do more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly during the time of the government shutdown. I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. Many people could have easily walked away and said, “I do not want to see this”. However, I understood the importance of standing up for those who did not have the best of things. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people receive various turnaround services like financial help and locating shelters, and medical clinics. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people solve the issue of homelessness in America. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Later I hope to pursue a career in education to help teach other children of color the power of coding and using technology to benefit our world. My father teaches and he often tells me that teaching is truly a rewarding experience. I believe that since I have benefited from such great teachers pursuing a career in education would be a great way to give back. Often educators are overlooked and underappreciated but I plan on not worrying about those things. I know that the biggest gift I can give myself is a world where I am leaving an impact of change and empowering disenfranchised communities through the power of education. With my degree in computer science, I want to create more useful apps that do more than entertain but help struggling readers improve their Lexile scores and even assist students who receive special education services at their school. I believe that by doing all this, I can truly be a lifelong educator that can help many. Julian Clarkson

Understanding privilege and how I use my platform for others is important to me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend my father, his fraternity brothers, and I have helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters - I have given my heart back to my community. However, I wish I could do more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly during the time of the government shutdown. I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. Many people could have easily walked away and said, “I do not want to see this”. However, I understood the importance of standing up for those who did not have the best of things. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people receive various turnaround services like financial help and locating shelters, and medical clinics. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people solve the issue of homelessness in America. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Later I hope to pursue a career in education to help teach other children of color the power of coding and using technology to benefit our world. My father teaches and he often tells me that teaching is truly a rewarding experience. I believe that since I have benefited from such great teachers pursuing a career in education would be a great way to give back. Often educators are overlooked and underappreciated but I plan on not worrying about those things. I know that the biggest gift I can give myself is a world where I am leaving an impact of change and empowering disenfranchised communities through the power of education. With my degree in computer science, I want to create more useful apps that do more than entertain but help struggling readers improve their Lexile scores and even assist students who receive special education services at their school. I believe that by doing all this, I can truly be a lifelong educator that can help many. Julian Clarkson

The best piece of financial advice that I have received is "a penny saved is a penny earned". The adage still rings true over all of these years and I have learned how important this was when I started working. I was so excited to start my new job inside a civil rights organization as a paid intern and could not wait to start spending money. I was making a great summer salary as a high school student but I realized that I could not wait until the next paycheck. I was spending money so fast that I was not taking the time to save any of it. My father noticed this immediately and asked me what I was spending my money on. I sadly told him, I was not sure. All I knew was that every second Friday I was getting paid and by that Thursday my money would be gone. After reviewing my bank statements, my father and I started to pick up on a very unique trend. I noticed I was spending a good majority of my money on going out to eat, Uber Eats and hanging out with my friends during the weekend. My father asked me why I was spending so much money on food and I told him it was because I loved hanging out with friends. He immediately laughed and told me that I have to stop letting that money burn a hole in my pocket. That is when he introduced me to the adage "a penny saved is a penny earned". He taught me that with every paycheck, the first person I should pay is myself. He encouraged me to take at least two hundred dollars from each paycheck and save it. The next thing that he stated was that I needed to think about the amount of money that I was spending on food. I love trying out different restaurants and love the ease of ordering food from Uber Eats. However, when my father started to break down how much money I was spending on food I noticed that my twelve-dollar cheeseburger was coming with a cost I was not paying attention to. I did not notice that when I started to add up the service and delivery fee that my twelve-dollar cheeseburger was costing me twenty-two dollars. Needless to say, I was embarrassed and did not notice how much I was spending on lunch and then turning around and doing this several times throughout the week. To counteract this overspending, my father encouraged me to start thinking about packing my lunch and dinner if I have to work late in the office. The other thing that he suggested to me was that I could still use Uber Eats to visit some of my favorite restaurants however instead of getting the food delivered using the pickup option instead to save money. The pickup option would allow me a chance to get out of the office, go on a walk, and get some exercise. I decided to incorporate these changes into my eating strategies at work and I began to see the savings. My father also encouraged me to budget the amount of money that I was spending on the weekends with friends. If my friends were doing multiple activities during the weekend, maybe I could join them from one but not all three. Overall the theme in our conversation was that my father wanted me to not deprive myself of experiences but be more financially responsible in how I chose to spend my money. I am learning that these small but effective cutbacks are "a penny saved, a penny earned". As I transition into college, I plan to take these financial tips with me. Living alone on campus can be a challenge because I will have limited resources and not be able to lean on living with my parents. I have to be cognizant of my spending practices and make sure that I am saving money for any incidental that may happen. Transitioning into adulthood, I want to be able to provide for myself and I know that I can do these things by learning how to provide for a future even as a teenage.

Understanding privilege and how I use my platform for others is important to me. It is the heart of who I am and why I am excited about the next stage of life of attending college. Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson

Reading has become one of my passions as I have progressed through my academic career. As I approach the next chapter in my life which is attending college and pursuing a career in computer science, one book has been very influential to my life - "Who Moved My Cheese?" Normally, people my age would not read a self-help book like this but I found it extremely helpful when dealing with the stress of applying to school and navigating high school in a post-Covid era. The book has a great central theme which is that you must be able to deal with life changes. Often at times, people can fail to deal with change but if I have learned anything from this book - change is the only constant in life. Instead of being angry at change or complaining about it, this book has helped me learn how to look at change with a more positive mindset. I had trouble dealing with changes regarding going from middle school to high school. Looking back, I spent too much time complaining about why high school was not more like middle school. I wasted time failing to accept change instead of embracing the new chapter in my life - high school. Understanding the ebbs and flows that can happen in life has helped me deal with disappointment by not getting too high or getting too low. Who Moved My Cheese? helped me understand that those that fail to embrace change are left to be stuck in the maze of life. I think that many people find themselves repeating old habits and expecting new results. I believe that "Who Moved My Cheese?" would help people break out of those patterns.

Understanding privilege and how I use my platform for others is important to me. It is the heart of who I am and why I am excited about the next stage of life of attending college. Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more.

When I think about my characteristics, I believe that the one I value the most is of being a humanitarian. Understanding privilege and how I use my platform for others is important to me. It is the heart of who I am and why I am excited about the next stage of life of attending college. Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more.

. Understanding privilege and how I use my platform for others is important to me. It is the heart of who I am and why I am excited about the next stage of life of attending college. Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Through this self-discovery, I have learned that I can help people and that life is bigger than any materialistic. Life is about helping out your fellow man. Julian Clarkson

Understanding privilege and how I use my platform for others is important to me. It is the heart of who I am and why I am excited about the next stage of life of attending college. Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson

The comfy confines of living at home under the guidance of your parents drastically come to an end for many students when they start to attend college. I have talked to many of my friends who have experienced a bit of a shock attending their first year of college. One overall theme that continues to come up is how balancing your finances is important when learning to live alone. When living at home, there are things that you do not think about due to having parents who take care of many household finances. Managing your finances is important because it is part of the rites of passage into adulthood. Also, managing money is about understanding the importance of setting up a strong financial future that allows you to pay bills, save for emergency purchases, and set saving goals for retirement. Retirement for me may be far down the line and my financial goals may align more with paying for books in college next year but it is never too early to set strong financial goals. After having a job over the past couple of summers, I have learned to be a strong steward of my money and careful about what I decided to spend it on. Currently, I manage my money extremely carefully by making small but effective decisions. I budget the number of times that I eat out knowing that my parents have cooked at home. I take into consideration this decision even during the weekend. I currently budget fifty dollars per month on food and eating out. Also as an avid gamer, I manage the amount of money that I spend on video games for my home console. Instead, my friends and I have created a trading system that still allows us to play the latest video games without damaging our pockets. These small changes have been effective and I have been able to consistently achieve savings goals each month since my sophomore year of high school. I plan on educating myself more by talking to my parents and a financial advisor to make sure I continue to make strong decisions in the future. I believe that my friends in college have already shown me the ropes of what shortcomings they have experienced and I do not want to repeat any of those same mistakes. I think that overall the goal is to be disciplined in your financial planning without depriving yourself of having a good time. It is my senior year and I want to have memorable experiences with my friends but I am willing to live like a pauper for now so that in the future I can spend like a king.

The comfy confines of living at home under the guidance of your parents drastically come to an end for many students when they start to attend college. I have talked to many of my friends who have experienced a bit of a shock attending their first year of college. One overall theme that continues to come up is how balancing your finances is important when learning to live alone. When living at home, there are things that you do not think about due to having parents who take care of many household finances. Managing your finances is important because it is part of the rites of passage into adulthood. Also, managing money is about understanding the importance of setting up a strong financial future that allows you to pay bills, save for emergency purchases, and set saving goals for retirement. Retirement for me may be far down the line and my financial goals may align more with paying for books in college next year but it is never too early to set strong financial goals. After having a job over the past couple of summers, I have learned to be a strong steward of my money and careful about what I decided to spend it on. Currently, I manage my money extremely carefully by making small but effective decisions. I budget the number of times that I eat out knowing that my parents have cooked at home. I take into consideration this decision even during the weekend. I currently budget fifty dollars per month on food and eating out. Also as an avid gamer, I manage the amount of money that I spend on video games for my home console. Instead, my friends and I have created a trading system that still allows us to play the latest video games without damaging our pockets. These small changes have been effective and I have been able to consistently achieve savings goals each month since my sophomore year of high school. I believe that my friends in college have already shown me the ropes of what shortcomings they have experienced and I do not want to repeat any of those same mistakes. I think that overall the goal is to be disciplined in your financial planning without depriving yourself of having a good time. It is my senior year and I want to have memorable experiences with my friends but I am willing to live like a pauper for now so that in the future I can spend like a king.

Understanding privilege and how I use my platform for others is important to me. It is the heart of who I am and why I am excited about the next stage of life of attending college. Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson

Generational Wealth is a transformative economic element that can truly elevate a family for generations to come. The adage is that money is not everything, however, it does allow you and your family the financial freedom to make various decisions and break generational curses. Most importantly, generational wealth allows you to uplift your community out of poverty which haunts many people around the world. My goal is to help my family achieve a level of generational wealth that cements a future for generations to come after my life is over. I have seen firsthand how the effects of poverty have helped people directly. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson

Throughout my high school career, I could learn a series of very valuable lessons. Getting used to a new school has been a big one for me. Leaving the comfy confines of my neighborhood elementary school and going to a new building provided some challenges at first. However, learning about my new teachers and meeting new friends slowly got rid of some of my anxieties about leaving my neighborhood elementary school. I was happy and proud to be in such a great learning community. In March 2020, all of that changed when I heard that my academic experience would meet an unheard-of precedent - going to school during a pandemic. All the relationships that I have built along the way with teachers and amazing friends during the first semester were no longer there and I felt alone in my learning. I am a social person so being away from school was tough for me. In the beginning, I felt myself starting to struggle in school. I missed walking the hallways, seeing my friends, and just living the life of a normal high school student. My father talked to me about how high school was such a great time in his life and I felt slighted because my freshman year was not starting so great. I thought that entering my sophomore year things would change but it was more of the same. I was looking at my friends through Brady Bunch screens on Zoom calls. This was not fun; this was not the high school experience that I was looking for. The pandemic shaped me, and I experienced a loss as well. My Godfather sadly lost his life to Covid-19. He was an amazing man and my Dad's best friend. This loss affected our home life and I fought off being depressed. I had to learn how to be patient with myself and learn that sometimes it is okay to not be okay. However, my parents proved to be a strong source that I relied on and for that, I am truly grateful. I also learned how to build my fortitude. I believe that college is about learning independently, and the pandemic taught me that. It was the lesson that I needed that would help propel me to higher heights in college. I welcome the challenges of college because I know I have survived something that took my fortitude. I am confident in my abilities, not just in my ability to learn academically but in my ability to learn lessons about myself and fight for my future. Julian Clarkson

Understanding privilege and how I use my platform for others is important to me. It is the heart of who I am and why I am excited about the next stage of life of attending college. Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need.

Understanding privilege and how I use my platform for others is important to me. It is the heart of who I am and why I am excited about the next stage of life of attending college. Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I have helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making the bed and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although, I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly then during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter that people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turn around services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people are in need. I also have a desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. In addition, as I have talked to people in displaced communities, I have learned about how travel is not really an option for them due to financial reasons. I would like to partner with airline companies to provide low or discounted flights to them through a common app. I do not believe that financial need should limit people's ability to see the world. Being able to travel has been a true blessing in my life and I want to share that with others.

Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more.

Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more.

Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and so I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more.

Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, so I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more.

Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and so I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. I look forward to the possibility of using this scholarship to helping me pay for books and helping my dreams come true.

Being a part of various community service organizations is my passion. I have had the pleasure of being the president of my community service club in my community for the past two years. Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more.

I lost many things during the pandemic: my Dad's smile, my smile, and my Godfather. However, I never lost my determination to achieve my success. In March 2020, everything changed when I heard that my academic experience would meet an unheard-of precedent - going to school during a pandemic. All the relationships that I have built along the way with teachers and amazing friends during the first semester were no longer there and I felt alone in my learning. I am a social person so being away from school was tough for me. In the beginning, I felt myself starting to struggle in school. I missed walking the hallways, seeing my friends, and just living the life of a normal high school student. My father talked to me about how high school was such a great time in his life and I felt slighted because my freshman year was not starting off so great. I thought that entering my sophomore year things would change but it was more of the same. I was looking at my friends through Brady Bunch screens on Zoom calls. This was not fun; this was not the high school experience that I was looking for. The pandemic shaped me, and I experienced a loss as well. My Godfather sadly lost his life to Covid-19. He was an amazing man and my Dad's best friend. This loss affected our home life and I fought off being depressed. I had to learn how to be patient with myself and learn that sometimes it is okay to not be okay. However, my parents proved to be a strong source that I relied on and for that, I am truly grateful. I also learned how to build my fortitude. I believe that college is about learning independently, and the pandemic taught me that. It was the lesson that I needed that would help propel me to higher heights in college. I welcome the challenges of college because I know I have survived something that took my fortitude. I am confident in my abilities, not just in my ability to learn academically but in my ability to learn lessons about myself and fight for my future. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people deal with anxiety and the loss of loved ones. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. Sometimes people do not have the financial needs to see a therapist but my app would be on a pay-what-you-can basis to make sure everyone is getting the necessary help they need. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more.

I am ready to be the next great chapter in African American history and I know that I can only do this at a Historical Black College and University. I am an HBCU kid in every sense of the word. I was conceived on an HBCU campus, my stepmother works at an HBCU, and I was the only kindergartener who called the color blue, Bleu Devil Blue, because my Dad and Stepmother had me believing that was the correct name for that shade of blue in honor of their alma mater - Dillard University. Inside my community, all of my mentors attended Historical Black Colleges and Universities and always talk to me about how it was the greatest decision they ever made in their entire life. No matter if I am talking to an Aggie from North Carolina A&T, a Bison from Howard University, or a Rattler from Florida A&M they all have one continuous thread that ties them together on why they decided to attend a HBCU - never forgetting where you come from. The goal for me is to use my talents to uplift my community which has given me so much. I want to major in computer science and create an app that helps homeless citizens find turnaround services to help improve their quality of life and secure long-term employment. I know that if the life lessons transcend through the adults that I admire after many years, it is going to do something special for me as well. I believe in the magic of the HBCU and I want to be a part of that special brand of Black Excellence that can only happen there.

Understanding privilege and how I use my platform for others is important to me. It is the heart of who I am and why I am excited about the next stage of life of attending college. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. I believe that I am the best candidate for this scholarship because my focus on obtaining my college degree is not centered around solely making money but on how can I use my talents to help those who are less fortunate and create sustainable support to better their lives.

Understanding privilege and how I use my platform for others is important to me. It is the heart of who I am and why I am excited about the next stage of life of attending college. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson

Understanding privilege and how I use my platform for others is important to me. It is the heart of who I am and why I am excited about the next stage of life of attending college. Ever since I was younger, my Dad has told me that community service is the rent that you pay for the life that you live. I always loved that quote and I originally thought that he came up with that saying. However, I found out that quote came from my grandfather’s hero as a boy – Muhammad Ali. My grandfather grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the rise to fame of Muhammad Ali. For my grandfather, the thing that stuck out the most to him was how giving Ali was to his community. This inspired my grandfather, who inspired my father, who has in turn inspired me. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. My plan to succeed in college is rooted in the support that I am going to get from my parents and grateful for the footprints in the sand they have laid out for me. I am grateful for this moment in my life and do not plan on ruining this change to better myself and community. Julian Clarkson

Throughout my high school career, I could learn a series of very valuable lessons. Getting used to a new school has been a big one for me. Leaving the comfy confines of my neighborhood elementary school and going to a new building provided some challenges at first. However, learning about my new teachers and meeting new friends slowly got rid of some of my anxieties about leaving my neighborhood elementary school. I was happy and proud to be in such a great learning community. In March 2020, all of that changed when I heard that my academic experience would meet an unheard-of precedent - going to school during a pandemic. All the relationships that I have built along the way with teachers and amazing friends during the first semester were no longer there and I felt alone in my learning. I am a social person so being away from school was tough for me. In the beginning, I felt myself starting to struggle in school. I missed walking the hallways, seeing my friends, and just living the life of a normal high school student. My father talked to me about how high school was such a great time in his life and I felt slighted because my freshman year was not starting off so great. I thought that entering my sophomore year things would change but it was more of the same. I was looking at my friends through Brady Bunch screens on Zoom calls. This was not fun; this was not the high school experience that I was looking for. The pandemic shaped me, and I experienced a loss as well. My Godfather sadly lost his life to Covid-19. He was an amazing man and my Dad's best friend. This loss affected our home life and I fought off being depressed. I had to learn how to be patient with myself and learn that sometimes it is okay to not be okay. However, my parents proved to be a strong source that I relied on and for that, I am truly grateful. I also learned how to build my fortitude. I believe that college is about learning independently, and the pandemic taught me that. It was the lesson that I needed that would help propel me to higher heights in college. I welcome the challenges of college because I know I have survived something that took my fortitude. I am confident in my abilities, not just in my ability to learn academically but in my ability to learn lessons about myself and fight for my future. Julian Clarkson

Part of life and maturity is understanding the importance of tucking in your privilege. This is a valuable lesson that I learned at an early age and this lesson has helped me navigate my life. I know that I come from a place of privilege. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making beds and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Although I have left every community service event with a feeling of a job well done, there is always a moment where I wish that I could have done a little more. I never felt this feeling of wanting to do more so badly than during the time of the government shutdown. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, and there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that helps people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turnaround services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people in need. I also have the desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson

Part of life and maturity is understanding the importance of tucking in your privilege. This is a valuable lesson that I have learned at an early age and this lesson has help me navigate my life. I know that I come from a place of privilege. Understanding privilege and how I use my platform for others is important to me. It is the heart of who I am and why I am excited about the next stage of life of attending college. My life has been centered around community service. Every weekend with my father and his fraternity brothers, I have helped with various projects. From feeding the homeless to making the bed and preparing linens in homeless shelters, I have given my heart back to my community. Traveling throughout DC, I saw the number of homeless citizens increase dramatically throughout the pandemic. Also, I noticed that at the local food shelter that people who were coming in to donate food were turning into people who were now trying to receive donations. It was heartbreaking. Many people could have easily walked away and said “I do not want to see this” or “This is just too sad to be around”. However, I understood the importance of being brave and standing up for those who did not have the best of things. That is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do, there I did. I stood the test of not running just because I felt uncomfortable. This is part of my motivation of why I want to major in computer science. I want to be able to create an app that help people who are in financial distress receive proper counseling which is a major struggle for some citizens in need to receive. I also want to use this app to direct families in need to local shelters and venues that have various turn around services that can help elevate them to a better quality of life. I believe that this type of technology would be revolutionary and can help people are in need. I also have a desire to be a game designer as well but above all my strongest desire is to help people in need. I understand that as I transition to the next phase of life, I am ready to help pay more of the rent for the life that I live. I am fortunate, I am blessed, and ready to give back. I know that by receiving a quality education through college – I can give back so much more. Julian Clarkson