Greetings, I am Justin Whitening, a current junior undergraduate majoring in biology at Emory University. I am born and raised in Stone Mountain, Georgia, where I also attended and graduated from Redan High School with a 4.0 GPA, ranked #3 in my entire class. During my senior year, I was accepted to over 27 universities, but had to narrow down my decision. In Fall of 2021, I attended Oxford College of Emory University where I played for the varsity men's basketball team and graduated with an Associate's Degree in Arts and Sciences. My biggest dream is to become a zoologist in the near future. I am passionate about fulfilling this dream, because it is something I have envisioned for so many years. I have loved animals and the environment since a young child, I would like nothing more but to help bring awareness to the wonders of the natural world and work on preserving them. I am currently working towards this dream by pursing a degree in biology and currently being a member of the Emory Ecological Club and being an advocate in raising awareness of climate change in the Climate Reality Project Organization on Emory University's campus. Another dream I have for myself is to hold an internship position at Georgia Aquarium or Zoo Atlanta to be exposed to more experiences within the branch of animal sciences. I would love hands-on experiences with marine and/or terrestrial life and can lead to many research opportunities for me to pursue. I would love to do this before completing my undergraduate studies. An experience such as this would certainly help extend my knowledge of animals and marine life, as I also create personal relationships that will be beneficial to me throughout my life as I progress through my profession. Another dream is to conduct official research on any native animal species in the state of Georgia and/or research in the branch of environmental studies. The official publication of a research paper would be very beneficial to progressing through my profession. The final goal I would like to address is to graduate from Emory University in the spring semester of 2025 with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology. Emory University is one of the most prestigious universities in the United States. Attending this university is already a dream of mine completed, but graduating from Emory University will provide me with infinite opportunities for me to fulfill in the future.

Everyone needs help throughout, although some are more happy to admit it than others. As my parents used to tell me all the time, everyone is going through something, whether you can see it physically or not. As we all know life can be tough, why not make it easier for someone else when they desperately need it? It is important to help others because whether it is realized or not, you leave a legacy in every action you perform. I view legacy as anything you leave behind on or with others, whether it be thoughts, feelings, or physical items that are passed down through generations. Most of the legacy you leave behind, specifically feelings, will not be known to you. I say this because of the simple interactions you have with people daily. A compliment that you give a stranger or helping someone that is not as fortunate as yourself can leave a lasting legacy for that individual. They will always view you as the person that told them their shirt was nice or the person that helped them out of a rough patch in their life. You may not remember this 10 years from now, but these individuals may be eternally grateful for your contributions forever. This is why I believe that you should always treat others with empathy, compassion, and respect, as most times it will be reciprocated and appreciated more than you will ever know. Helping others can create lifelong and meaningful friendships, bonds you make with people you enjoy and are sometimes never expected. Friendships can be made at any time with anybody, no matter the gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion, and are essential for growing as a person. Friendships teach you lifelong lessons, and while some bonds are naturally strong from the first interaction, most friendships are typically strengthened over time through the process of helping each other. Showing trustworthiness, support, and kindness provides a haven and helps keep each other up in spirit, while honesty within helps each other grow as people. When these qualities are reciprocated between individuals, there is no other feeling like it that exists. Helping others also provides a sense of purpose. Knowing you have made a difference to the ones you love and care for gives you a reason to do what you do. I would be honored to be selected as the recipient of the Dr. Alexanderia K. Lane Memorial Scholarship.

The importance of mental health has drastically risen within the last couple of years. Because of the advances in the medical field and social media, the significance of having sustainable mental health has increased. My experience with mental health has changed my beliefs about how important addressing mental health is. Prior to the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, I did not have a very important view of mental health as it being essential. I knew it was important and knew it is something everyone must ensure is in good standards, but I did not truly feel the blunt force of it until it seemed as if the entire world stopped for a matter of months. Being converted to online school, not seeing my high school friends daily, and not being able to feel "entirely free" certainly would take a mental toll on every person, both positively and negatively. Although the entire nation was in a state of fear and uncertainty and the future days may have seemed dire at times, I was in lockdown at my lovely home with my amazing family and could not ask for better people to be around. The unlimited amount of Uno games we played and the Netflix series we watched together were ways to distract ourselves from the circumstances that surrounded us. I am certainly grateful for the time we spent time together and made the best of our situation while staying safe. My experience with mental health has also influenced my relationships as well. On the news and social media, we often see stories about somebody who has taken their own life because they felt as if they had nobody to talk to, or it was no way out of this personal abyss they described. Because I would never want to see someone I know on the news in this manner, I always take the time out of a day of the week to check on my family and friends. Just a hello and how are you feeling can brighten up one's day and save someone's life. You never know how much it matters. Finally, my experience with mental health has slightly altered my career aspirations, and how I plan on going about pursuing an occupation in zoology. Having good mental health has inspired me to keep a growth mindset. As I become older and experience more life, I have learned that obstacles in life are inevitable. I must continue to push forward to achieve my lifelong goals. Pushing through these obstacles has made me mentally and emotionally stronger and it certainly helped me grow as a person. With this mindset, I can view obstacles as opportunities and challenges, not setbacks. Having good mental health also reminds me that everyone's journey and goals are different, so I should not focus too much on someone else's path to success. Building relationships makes helping them in reaching their goals enjoyable while I achieve mine. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship.

Legacy is often used in many ways but tends to vary in meaning to everyone. I view legacy as anything you leave behind on or with others, whether it be thoughts, feelings, or physical items that are passed down through generations. Anyone can leave a lasting legacy, no matter the age or race of the individual. I would say that most of the legacy you leave behind, specifically feelings, will not be known to you. I say this because of the simple interactions you have with people daily. A compliment that you give a stranger or helping someone that is not as fortunate as yourself can leave a lasting legacy for that individual. They will always view you as the person that told them their shirt was nice or the person that helped them out of a rough patch in their life. You may not remember this 10 years from now, but these individuals may be eternally grateful for your contributions forever. This is why I believe that you should always treat others with empathy, compassion, and respect, as most times it will be reciprocated and appreciated more than you will ever know. I was taught that legacy lasts longer than your time on Earth. My parents have always gone above and beyond in raising me to be the young man I am today, and that is a debt I can never physically pay back to them. They have kept me on the right path, and they are the reason why I attend such a prestigious institution and have achieved much success in my life. As I grow older, I realize that my parents are constantly instilling life lessons within me that I refer to every day. My parents have always showered my brother and myself with unconditional love, which I continuously give reciprocate to them, and I will be forever grateful for everything they have done for me. Their legacy is stamped forever and can never be tainted in my eyes. I certainly plan on continuing the cycle of excellence by continuing my studies in the zoology field and contributing numerous amounts of knowledge to the field in the immediate future. In the more distant future, I plan to have children that will succeed in their academic careers and continue to raise happy and healthy families. Throughout life, I also plan on making many friends with meaningful relationships and memories on the way to my destinations. As life has taught me many things already, I plan on learning and growing every single day. Even though it is not certain where my future will lead me, I will certainly keep my legacy as a positive one. I would be honored to be selected as the winner of the Dr. Samuel Attoh Legacy Scholarship.

My community has played an important role in my upbringing. I did not realize it much when I was younger, but it truly does take a village to raise a child. I have always had a special place in my heart for my community, and here is how I have worked to influence change in my community. During my senior year at Redan High School, I was a member of a program named "Men of Redan", and we teamed up with "DeKalb County Man 2 Man Meet" to sponsor a one-day event. The event was called "Literacy Pledge Day", an event held for us members to inspire and mentor young children that lived in single-parent households for a few hours. During this short period of time, I gave out elementary school-level books to the children that taught them several life lessons, such as honesty, empathy, and persistence in a very entertaining way. We shared had breakfast at the event, and it was a blast sharing my meal with the young students. After the event, many of the children expressed how much fun they had. This event impacted me by showing how I can impact anyone's life at such an early age. Being only 17 at the time, I never realized how much young children looked up to others, and it truly showed how role models in the community can help guide the children in the right direction. This is a great example of how anyone can change not only the community, but the entire world, no matter your race, gender, or age. This inspired me to always act as if the future generation is watching. Another event that I participate in is done annually with my family. Every Martin Luther King Jr. Day, my family treks around the neighborhood and collects trash that litters citizens' lawns and the streets. Once again, I was often confused about why we participated in this activity when I was younger, and always viewed it as punishment. However, as I grow older and become more mature, I finally understand the meaning of taking pride in where I live and making sure my community looks nice. I thoroughly enjoy this annual activity and patiently look forward to doing it again. This is what inspires me to get involved in my community and how I have worked to influence change in my community. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the Walking In Authority International Ministry Scholarship.

I have always had an extreme interest in the ocean and participating in marine life conservation. Since a young child, I have possessed a special love for the different fish, mammals, and birds that call the ocean their home. Whether it seems like its effects are extremely evident or not, the entire world runs on our oceans. As the majority of the world is covered in ocean water, it has both direct and indirect effects on animal and human lives and their lifestyles. I learned this at a very young age, and since then I have loved the ocean and the creatures they house. The ocean remains one of the Earth's biggest secrets, and I wish to uncover it, in an environmentally-safe manner, one step at a time. As an avid fishkeeper that has many aquariums in his parent's home, I have also come to love oceanic animals through the firsthand care of multiple species of fish within the comfort of my own home. Providing these fish with a great home, and having these amazing animals often leads me to research them, with the most recent ones being the Ocellaris Clownfish. As an undergraduate student at Emory University, I am pursuing a degree in biology. Using my degree, I would emphasize the dooming issue of climate change on Earth. Climate change has been slowly deteriorating the state of various animals and their environments, and the future study of marine biology can lead to a solution to this problem that has been threatening the Earth for decades. I would also address the issue of water pollution throughout all bodies of water. There is a general perception that since there is so much free ocean on Earth, throwing one piece of plastic in the ocean does not hurt. This is extremely false, as each piece of plastic has the possibility of killing organisms and affecting water chemistry throughout our oceans, rivers, streams, and all remaining bodies of water. Water pollution can cause entire species to go extinct, disrupting entire energy flow transfers and food cycles. Lastly, I would use my biology degree to raise awareness of how much there is left to explore in the ocean. According to many trusted sources, less than 10% of the ocean has been explored and mapped. With all of the oceans in the world being discovered, it would be impossible to document these findings if the ocean becomes too negatively impacted by human interaction. With my extreme interest in discovery, I REFUSE to let that happen. I would be heavily honored to be named the recipient of the Ventana Ocean Conservation Scholarship.

I have always had a giving heart, but I cannot take all of the credit. My parents were the first ones to introduce me to community service. I was taught at a very young age that giving back to your community and assisting in any way possible will contribute to the growth of one's area, benefitting everyone along the way. I was taught that community service and assisting in disaster relief gives one a sense of purpose, while also gaining new experiences through viewing others' circumstances. My previous experiences have made me appreciate life more than I previously have, which is a key method of how to grow as a person. The various community service events I have participated in have impacted me by showing how much I can impact anyone's life, even at an early age. At my most recent community service event just a few months ago, I never realized how much young children looked up to and pick up habits from others, and it truly showed how role models in the community can help guide the children in the right direction. Role models are essential in children's lives, and young children seeing others in the branch of community service surely has beneficial results. This is a great example of how anyone can change not only the community, but the entire world, no matter your race, gender, or age. The most notable community service that I participate in annually is the beautification of the community on Martin Luther King Jr. Day by traversing my neighborhood and picking up any trash that litters the roads and sidewalks. This has been a practice that was started by my family ever since I was born, and we have been successful in carrying on this tradition. Beautifying our society will help children have a better environment to grow up and thrive in, and makes the area just more pleasing to look at. I also donate toys and clothes that I no longer use to local food and clothing drives, but also to disaster relief organizations. As I grow older, it has become clearer that things happen; nature runs its course and sometimes, there is nothing we can do to stop it. Coming together to help individuals that are affected by nature and making a difference makes the world a better place. I plan to contribute more in this area of community service and disaster relief by doing any and everything that I can assist families in dire times. This includes donating goods and monetary funds and helping clean up areas that were destroyed. In the future, I wish to teach my children about the importance of community service as they continue the practices. This concludes my response of what has brought me to community service and disaster relief, and how I plan to contribute more in this area in life. I would be honored to be the recipient of the Dema Dimbaya Humanitarianism and Disaster Relief Scholarship.

The importance of mental health has drastically risen within the last couple of years. Because of the advances in the medical field and social media, the significance of having sustainable mental health has increased. The effects of COVID-19 on society have emphasized the importance of mental health, as a large majority of people were forced into lockdown and certainly lost loved ones through their journey. My experience with mental health has changed my beliefs about how important addressing mental health is. Before the COVID-19 lockdown, I did not view mental health as essential. I knew it was important and knew it is something everyone must ensure is in good standards, but I did not truly feel the blunt force of it until it seemed as if the entire world stopped for a matter of months. Being converted to online school, not seeing my high school friends daily, and not being able to feel "entirely free" certainly would take a mental toll on every person, both positively and negatively. Although the entire nation was in a state of fear and uncertainty and the future days may have seemed dire at times, I was in lockdown at my lovely home with my amazing family and could not ask for better people to be around. The unlimited amount of Uno games we played and the Netflix series we watched together were ways to distract ourselves from the circumstances that surrounded us. I am certainly grateful for the time we spent time together and made the best of our situation while staying safe. My experience with mental health has also influenced my relationships as well. On the news and social media, we often see stories about somebody who has taken their own life because they felt as if they had nobody to talk to, or it was no way out of this personal abyss they described. Because I would never want to see someone I know on the news in this manner, I always take the time out of a day of the week to check on my family and friends. Just a hello and how are you feeling can brighten up one's day and save someone's life. Finally, my experience with mental health has slightly altered my career aspirations, and how I plan on going about pursuing an occupation in zoology. Having good mental health has inspired me to keep a growth mindset. As I become older and experience more life, I have learned that obstacles in life are inevitable. I must continue to push forward to achieve my lifelong goals. Pushing through these obstacles has made me mentally and emotionally stronger and it certainly helped me grow as a person. With this mindset, I can view obstacles as opportunities and challenges, not setbacks. Having good mental health also reminds me that everyone's journey and goals are different, so I should not focus too much on someone else's path to success. Building relationships makes helping them in reaching their goals enjoyable while I achieve mine.

I am Justin Whitening, truly one of a kind. Throughout my academic career, I attended elementary, middle, and high school all located in Stone Mountain, Georgia. In May of 2021, I graduated from Redan High School, ranking #3 in my class with a 4.0 GPA. With assistance from family and my efforts in school, I was accepted into 28 different colleges and universities throughout my senior year, including Georgia Tech, Oxford College of Emory University, and Kennesaw State University. With thorough reasoning, I decided to attend Oxford College of Emory University, where I currently major in biology and play basketball for the university. My studies are preparing me to work in the zoology branch of science. I have loved animals for my entire life, and I am still truly amazed by their unique behaviors and traits. I am interested in a STEM degree because I simply could not do anything outside of science. I have an extreme passion for science, as I always desire to participate in science fairs and class experiments. I truly could not live without science. My research advances in science will allow me to give back to my community, giving me a sense of purpose in return. The study of zoology allows animals and other organisms to be viewed through different lenses. Many people visit aquariums and zoos daily and simply see animals behind cages and in tanks. However, research done by myself will showcase that every organism on this planet is beautiful and complex, and should be cherished. A STEM degree will also open up infinite opportunities for me in the workforce, as there is always a demand for scientists. A positive impact on the world I would have is emphasizing the dooming issue of climate change on Earth. Climate change has been slowly deteriorating the state of various animals and their environments, and the future study of zoology can lead to a solution to this problem that has been threatening the Earth for decades. Another problem I would like to address is the conservation of the world's oceans. Again, there is a general perception that since there is so much free ocean on Earth, throwing one piece of plastic in the ocean does not hurt. However, plastic can kill organisms and affect water chemistry throughout our oceans. With enough waste in the ocean, entire species can go extinct, disrupting entire energy flow transfers and food cycles. With my STEM degree and my knowledge, I will assist in solving these issues that the Earth faces to make the world a better place for both animals and mankind together.

A change that I would want to see in my community is offering classes that benefit personalized occupational goals for students. While I was attending Redan High School, I constantly heard complaints from my peers, saying that "Why don't we learn about what we want to do in life?" Even teachers and administration recommended we have a broader selection of classes to offer to students. After graduating high school and currently in my sophomore year at Oxford College of Emory University, I began to ponder the same thing. I realized very quickly that I did not learn anything about my future occupational studies before entering college. Only after my first week, I learned more about zoology in an introductory biology class than I ever did in my life. I also consider myself lucky, because many students didn't attend college, but still pursued their dream job. Without the specialized courses that should be offered in all high schools, they are certainly at a disadvantage compared to others that already partook in occupational studies. With this being said, I do understand there cannot be classes that benefit everyone's specific occupational goals. Everyone has different passions, and some are very specific. However, more options would be greatly appreciated by students around the world. As a biology student at Oxford College of Emory University, I have a very strong passion for animal behavior and the environment they thrive in. Therefore, I recently decided to volunteer at the Georgia Aquarium to educate families about ocean and ecology conservation to protect the amazing creatures in the oceans around the world.

The song that has the most important message to me is "Off The Wall" by Michael Jackson. My mother may be the biggest Michael Jackson fan in the world. When she played this song for me as a young child, and as we laughed and danced around the kitchen, I did not know I would be truly connecting with this song as a current undergraduate at Oxford College at Emory University. "Off the Wall" has always been one of my favorite songs, as Michael Jackson expresses how one must learn to put everything aside, have fun, and enjoy life. Although the entire song is amazing, there are a few lines that resonate the most with me, such as "When the world is on your shoulder, Gotta straighten up your act and boogie down". The sheer amount of school work, and balancing my social and athletic life can be a large burden to carry. However, according to MJ, you must find a way to temporarily forget or release this burden to truly have a good time. "Gotta leave that nine to five upon the shelf, And just enjoy yourself" is another phrase that I connect with. At the end of each day, one must realize that temporarily disconnecting from any professional or academic work and just relaxing is beneficial to your spiritual, mental, and physical health. Keeping work in the front of your mind can eventually steal the joy that was once found in it. Finally, the overarching theme of this song is "Life ain't so bad at all". With all of the obstacles one experiences throughout life, it is never as bad as one perceives it to be once we truly realize how grateful we are for the people we meet and the values we possess.

The importance of mental health has seen a staggering rise of the last couple of years. Ever since technology has advanced, medically and social media wise, the significance of having good mental health has only risen. Even in the current day, after the appearance of COVID-19 and its effects on human society, mental health became as important as ever as a large majority of people were forced into lockdown and certainly lost loved through their journey. My experience with mental health has changed my beliefs in how serious addressing mental health is. Prior to the COVID-19 lockdown the United States was placed under, I did not view mental health as very essential; I knew it was important and knew it is something everyone must ensure is in good standards, but I did not truly feel the blunt force of it until it seemed as if the entire world stopped for weeks at a time. Being transferred onto online school, not seeing my friends daily, and not being able to have to have fun or feel "entirely free" certainly would take a mental toll on every person, both positively and negatively. This specific instance of an event that happened in the world changed the way I viewed the lockdown; although the entire nation was in a state of fear and uncertainty and the future days may have seemed dire at times, I was in lockdown at my lovely home with my amazing family and could not asked for better people to be around. We spent time together and made the best of our circumstances, while staying safe doing it. My experience with mental health has also influenced my relationships as well. On the news and social media, we see too often a story about somebody who has taken their own life because they felt as if they had nobody to talk to, or it was no way out from this personal abyss they describe. These stories affect me in a way, so much to where I always take the time out of a day of the week to check on my family and friends. Just a hello and how are you feeling can save someone's life. Finally, my experience with mental health has slightly altered my career aspirations, and how I plan on going about pursuing an occupation in zoology. Having good mental health has inspired me to keep a growth mindset. From several life experiences and becoming older and wiser, I have learned that obstacles in life are inevitable. However, I must continue to push forward to achieve my lifelong goals. Pushing through these obstacles have made me mentally and emotionally stronger and it certainly helped me grow as a person. With this mindset, I can view obstacles as opportunities and challenges, not setbacks. Having good mental health also reminds me that everyone's journey and goals are different, so I should not focus too much on someone else's path to success as much. This does not mean to not help them and cheer them on their endeavors, but I also must keep myself focused on the task ahead of me. This concludes my response about my experience with mental health and how it has influenced my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship". Thank you for the opportunity and thank you for taking interest in my response.

The loss of my baby cousin has certainly made me focus on what matters most in my life. In the year 2017, our family endured a horrible loss in the family, as my baby cousin, whom was only a few days old, sadly passed away in the hospital. I remember the series of events vividly, as my family and I visited the hospital everyday for a week, hours at a time to constantly give support, wishes, and prayers for our family. At that moment, we were completely heartbroken at the time, because we patiently awaited for the delivery of him. But as I become older, I have come to realize that he is one of my superheroes. Although he was only on this Earth for a few precious days, he will be in my heart and soul forever. Even from beyond the grave, he inspires me to never give up and to always share peace and empathy through the world. From the year 2017 to the present, I have dedicated every basketball season I have played to him. His spirit helps me focus on my academics and forming stronger relationships with family and friends, because no one truly knows how much time we have on the Earth. His death has helped me realize that I must cherish every moment. My cousin's death help me "fight" to achieve overall success in my life. As I attend Oxford College of Emory University, I wish to achieve academic, athletic, and social success as he fuels me through the tough days that inevitably come. This concludes my response on how the loss of a close family member has caused me to focus on what matters most in life. I would truly be honored to be the recipient of the Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship.

The quality I value most in myself is my empathy for others. Everyone knows that the world is not fair. Growing older and being an undergraduate in college certainly made me realize that nothing in life is just; there will always be someone with a nicer house, faster car, and just all around seems to have a joyful life. Although this may be true, one thing you cannot forget is that you are always going to be more blessed than someone else. My parents always preach to me that someone else wants something that I possess, whether it be a trait you portray or a physical, materialistic item such as a newer phone or a comfortable bed. Empathy is something that should be in excess in the world. It is present on social media every day from influencers, posts saying how "Everyone is trying their best to make it". As this is the case, everyone needs occasional support; you cannot make it through life by yourself. Empathy and compassion can bring an unfathomable amount of joy to the world. Just simply being nice to someone may mean the world to someone on a bad day. We all have bad days, it is inevitable as humans, but we also have the support of family members, friends, and even complete strangers to help relieve the pain or tension that we can feel. Making an attempt to just try to connect with a person for five minutes may support someone in having a better day, week, or even months at a time. This world is hard enough on everyone, so therefore I stand for empathy amongst each other and throughout the entire world. I believe empathy for others will help me in my life journey because it will assist in establishing crucial connections, which can lead to infinite opportunities. I value this quality in myself so much because it is so easy to do, and it seems to be so little of it in the world. Daily, we see events on the news regarding various and vicious hate crimes and acts of discrimination happening. With the lack of it, it is easy to feel as if empathy may be nonexistent at times. But, knowing that I carry this trait with me at all times, I attempt to instill it in every action and manner of my life. This concludes my response regarding what quality/characteristic I value the most in yourself. I would be truly honored to receive the Sloane Stephens Doc & Glo Scholarship. Thank you.

My favorite scientific discovery is outer space. Space is a place in our universe that allows us to create and further depict scientific theories. Already so much has been solidified in our everyday lives from the studies of space, such as the atmosphere, gravity, and the presence and evolution of other planets in our solar system extended. These discoveries are reached in education, which often inspires children to become astronomers themselves. But space is not my favorite scientific discovery because of everything we do know, but rather everything that still, and many ultimately forever, remain a mystery. There are so many unknown answers to questions regarding space; no one knows for certain how many planets there are in our galaxy, how many galaxies are in the universe, etc. The list is endless. While there may not ever be an answer to these questions, the search for them will fuel companies and individuals until the end of time. This concludes my response about my favorite scientific discovery. I would be truly honored to receive the Bold Science Matters Scholarship. Thank you.

The song that most inspires me is "If I Can Dream" by Elvis Presley. The first time I heard this song was with my mom when I was a sophomore in high school. The words still resonate with me to this day. This song details how Elvis dreams of a place that is better; more peaceful, more fulfilling, and livelier. He wishes for a better society, where equality and peace is something that is prevalent everywhere he goes. Elvis lists the problems of today's world, saying how "We're trapped in a world That's troubled with pain". He wishes to end all suffering for everyone. At the end of his song, Elvis says how as long as he can think, talk, stand, and walk, he will dream for a better world for everyone. This song is so inspiring, because it takes an international superstar, and connects him with the common man, showing how everyone wishes for a better and more peaceful world. This concludes my response about the song that most inspires me. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Bold Music Scholarship". Thank you.

I want my legacy to be legendary. I view legacy as anything you leave behind on others, whether it be thoughts, feelings, or physical items. For example, the children that you have are certainly your legacy, but also feelings and thoughts others had about you are also a part of your legacy. I want my legacy to have a great positive impact on others, whether it be on my family, friends, or total strangers. I always treat others with respect, compassion, and kindness, because that is how they will remember me. Sure, external things such as money and houses would be great too, but the true values lie within. I want them to remember me that way. I want my legacy to be long-lasting as well, and not just something that seems temporary. This concludes my response about what I want my legacy to be. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Bold LegacyScholarship". Thank you.

A piece of art that inspires me is "The Starry Night", painted by one of the most famous artists of all time, Vincent van Gogh. It is my favorite piece of art because it captures tranquility and chaos at the same time. It has some type of familiarity that I feel, even though I have never been to the city he captured in the art. The brushstrokes of the night are so pleasing to the eye, and arguably the most notable feature of the entire painting. The art piece has so much detail so its aspects, so it's hard to understand the objects on the canvas. Also, from certain perspectives, the moon also looks like a sun, which can change the environment of the painting in the blink of an eye. This shows Van Gogh's versatility with little to no effort. This art piece inspires me because it gives me a sense of comfort. Although I cannot truly explain it, the dark tones mixed with the light ones are very pleasing to the eye, and it helps me be able to calm down and view obstacles in life from other perspectives. This often helps me make the right decision, regardless of what the issue is. This concludes my response about an art piece that inspires me. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Bold Art Scholarship". Thank you.

Without a doubt, the most inspiring book is "The Road", written by Cormac McCarthy, and here are the reasons why I enjoyed this novel from the cover page to the last blank sheet in the book. The novel shares an emotional story of a father and his son traveling through a devasted wasteland in a dystopian future. What makes the story so breathtaking is the storytelling and descriptions given by Cormac McCarthy. McCarthy purposely leaves key details about events in the story to keep the audience engaged and asking questions. This triggers a strong imagination from readers, which makes the vivid descriptions of settings truly "come to life". The circumstances that occur in the story make the reader test their humanity and reasoning. Some of the actions taken by the father to ensure his son survives are surely questionable, but it makes you wonder, "Would I have done that too?" These questions then draw an even stronger emotional connection to the audience and the characters in the novel. McCarthy really does make the reader fill his characters' shoes. The novel also teaches essential life lessons, some being the qualities of courage, love, empathy, and trust. These are all aspects that we humans use every day, no matter the circumstances. The father, and even the son, make desperate choices based on their emotions that both had positive and negative results. In conclusion, this book is so inspiring to me because it portrays that it does not matter where you begin your journey and that obstacles are inevitable in life. These struggles make you a stronger person and it is very evident in McCarthy's novel. This concludes my response about the most inspiring book I've read. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Bold Books Scholarship". Thank you.

While calculus is one of the most infamous math courses to endure, it is certainly important in the STEM field, and here's why. I want to pursue a career in STEM because I have been interested in science for a very long time. Since a young age, I have loved animals and the study of their behavior and traits. In addition to the love of animals, I have been fascinated with the human heart, and how it operates an entire body. I currently attend the Oxford College of Emory University, but in the near future, I aspire to become a zoologist, cardiologist, or paleontologist. The study of zoology allows animals and other organisms to be viewed in different lights, not only as beasts but also as living, breathing beings in the world, trying to survive as we humans do. Using calculus can lead the future study of zoology, resulting in solutions to problems that have been threatening the Earth for decades, such as global warming, poaching, and the destruction of their native habitats and environments. The study of paleontology helps us uncover mysteries and answers from the prehistoric past, while also showing us the principles of evolution, extinction, and general biodiversity. Using calculus can help us find research on the previous biodiversity and can shed some light on new medicines and cures that can be processed now with the advanced machinery and technology we have today. Also, regarding climate change issues, future plans in paleontology can show how climate change affected the past organisms, and we can learn from the information to protect animals of today's world. The study of cardiology greatly improves and emphasizes the importance of global health throughout various ages. It can assist in heart surgeries and procedures to be done with greater efficiency, yielding more beneficial results, and resulting in longer and more healthy lives for everyone. Because heart surgeries are so delicate, the use of calculus and other math aspects are certainly needed to take necessary actions. I believe that using calculus is very important because, without it, humanity cannot improve in numerous areas of STEM. If this was to happen, our research and education skills would be limited, and so would our knowledge. This concludes my response about why I think calculus is important in the STEM field. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Learner Calculus Scholarship". Thank you.

This is how I actively listen to people around me and what it means to me. We live in a time where social media has an enormous amount of influence, and it seems as if nobody wants to listen. People are too focused to show what they have or share who they've seen or places they've flown just to get their idea or opinion into the air. Everyone has a right to express their feelings and thoughts, but sometimes it is in vain, as nobody listens to the message presented. One saying my mother always said to my brother and I when we were younger children was "You have two ears and one mouth for a reason." I feel as if this quote has forever resonated within me, making sure I truly listen to what others have to say before I express my own opinions. I actively listen to others by being engaged in conversation and taking note of when the person expresses a deep emotional feeling or thought they share with me, as this can give me insight into the person's past and give me ideas on how to respond. Listening has always been more important than talking. Listening is not only sitting in front of another person talking to you; listening can create relationships without boundaries, while talking can only take you so far. This concludes my response about how I actively listen and what it means to me. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Bold Listening Scholarship". Thank you.

While I commit many acts of service, there are two very notable ones I perform that benefit others. I help beautify the community every year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This has been a tradition that was started by my family ever since I was born, and we continue to carry on this tradition. We walk around the neighborhood with garbage bags and trash that litter the streets and sidewalks. Beautifying our society will help children have a better environment to grow up and thrive in. I also donate toys and clothes that I no longer use to local food and clothing drives, usually located in neighborhood churches. As I grow older, it has become easier to understand that everyone is not as blessed as we would like to imagine; everyone does not have clothes and toys they can enjoy every year. I would like to be a person in my community to make a difference and bring joy to those who desperately need it. This concludes my response about the acts of service that I perform to help others. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Bold Acts of Service Scholarship". Thank you.

Some of my simple pleasures are reading, writing, and playing basketball. I have always enjoyed reading from a young age. My favorite book is one my class had to read during my senior year of high school, called "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy. Before my undergraduate experience, I recognized that I was always reading an action-adventure novel that had a story and plot. Attending Oxford College of Emory University, my professors and the various courses I endured allowed me to branch out and tread into different types of readings, such as historical notes and excerpts from famous individuals in human history, poems, and even scientific lab reports. This allowed me to break out of my comfort zone, and become more than willing to view any type of reading. Writing is a natural talent, and from a young age, I loved writing short stories and was heavily considered to be solely an author for my occupation. While my occupational goals have somewhat changed, I still do this day enjoy writing poems and short stories. Writing brings me happiness because there is simply no limit to expressing my creativity and talent on paper. Playing sports is also one of my natural talents, but my skills and work ethic have been molded with help from many inspirational people in my life. I truly believe that playing both baseball and basketball act as temporary stress relievers from everyday life. In fact, I played baseball and basketball for my entire high school career, and I continue to play basketball for the Oxford College of Emory University. Basketball brings me happiness because it is a stress reliever from everyday daily struggles. This concludes my response about my simple pleasures. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Bold Simple Pleasures Scholarship". Thank you.

This is about someone that has inspired me throughout my entire life; my mother. Nearly everyone in our family knows that my mother had a rough childhood, but this did not stop my role model and the reason why I pursue my goals in life. My mother inspires me every morning to wake up and pursue my passions of basketball and the study of zoology. Advancing through the stages of life, I have realized mothers make so many sacrifices for their children that it seems absurd; just a few examples are money, energy, social life, and time. These are all qualities that my mother has sacrificed for my family. I vividly remember my mom making my brother and I our lunches for elementary field trips prior to maintaining a clean and stable household. Later, my mom would listen to my family's days, regardless of how good or bad they were. My mother has, on numerous occasions, kept my brother and I in good spirits and good health when we were sick, and always consoled us when we cried. These are just a few instances where her sacrifices have benefitted us. Currently, I play basketball at the Oxford College of Emory University, and I often envision buying my mother a brand new house in the coming years, no matter what occupation I decide to choose to pursue. This vision is imprinted into my mind, and often reoccurs several times over a workout when it seems that the work becomes too strenuous or challenging to continue. These images remind me that she is the hardest worker I have ever seen and there is nothing she cannot conquer. I often think about what I can do to repay my mother for everything she has done for me and my family. The simple answer is that no matter how many physical and materialistic things I buy her, there is absolutely nothing I can do to repay her; her sacrifice has already been too great. She often tells me that being the "great young man that I have grown to be" is enough, which will forever be the best confirmation statement I hear from anyone. As I become older, I have come to realize that although she is my superhero, she physically will not be with me forever. Realizing as I have become 19 years old and she has also become 19 years older, this truly puts age in time in perspective. From experience with other family member deaths, I have learned that I must cherish every moment with her as she will eventually, and sadly, leave this lifetime. While it is regretful to ponder over, she has instilled in me every aspect of a man there is to offer, and I am forever grateful for everything she has done for me. This concludes my response about someone that inspires me. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Ron Johnston Student-Athlete Scholarship". Thank you.

This is why giving is important to me and what I give back. I believe that giving back to the community is very important because we as a human race will not improve if we do not give back to "our roots". Giving back to your community can also give you a sense of purpose, while also gaining new experiences through viewing others' circumstances. These experiences can make you appreciate life more than you previously have, which is a key method of how to grow as a person. Giving back to others and the community also is important because some may not be as blessed as you. Also, when you give to someone, it is a general concept that you will receive something back in return, even if it is not a physical gift. For example, if you give back to a program that helped you when you were younger, you may not receive a physical item, but you will most likely receive respect, reputation, and happiness in return. I give back clothes and toys I no longer use to church drives occasionally. There is always someone less fortunate than me, and I love giving back to the community to make someone happy. This concludes my response about why giving is important to me and what I give back. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Bold Giving Scholarship". Thank you.

This is the impact I hope to leave on the world, and how I plan to do so. I aspire to become a world-renowned zoologist. The study of zoology allows animals and other organisms to be viewed in different lights, not only as beasts but also as living, breathing beings in the world, trying to survive as we humans do. As the dooming impact of climate change is slowly deteriorating the state of various animals and their ecosystems, the future study of zoology can lead to a solution to the problem that has been threatening the Earth for decades. I believe that giving back to the community is very important because humans cannot improve if we do not give back. Giving back to the community the research that I would find would make individuals appreciate animals' life more than they previously have, which is a key method of how to enjoy the world around you. My planned career paths will benefit not only my local community but possibly the entire world. This concludes my response regarding the impact I hope to leave on the world. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Bold Make Your Mark Scholarship". Thank you.

I am very passionate about the simple sport of basketball. After reading my response, you will realize it's not so simple. Since a very young age, basketball has held a special place in my heart. I began playing basketball around the age of six when I played in a Church league. Playing at Fairfield Baptist Church located in Stone Mountain, Georgia helped me place a foundation and helped me realize that basketball was a heavy interest of mine. After playing at Fairfield, I played at the DeKalb Academy of Technology and the Environment, which was my middle school. I played there all three years of my middle school career and became a captain during my eighth-grade year. Playing basketball in middle school helped me realize if this was something I really wanted to continue into the higher levels. Next, I played basketball through all four years of my high school career at Redan High School. I played junior varsity my first two years, and varsity in my final two years. I was also named a captain in my senior year. Basketball in high school truly made me realize how hard I have to work to separate myself from others, and it also taught me how connections can help me achieve a spot at the next level. I currently play basketball for Oxford College of Emory University. This season has formed strong relationships with my teammates and coaches. I have one more year to play basketball at the Oxford College of Emory University, and I wish to be able to play at the main campus of Emory University for two more years after. This concludes my response about something I am passionate about. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Bold Passion Scholarship". Thank you.

The best way to live a long and healthy life is to be generous to yourself and others. Generosity to me is understanding how people feel. It means being nice to others, even when it can be hard to do so. It can be several reasons why the person may be hard to be nice to, such as personal issues with yourself, or the person is genuinely not enjoyable to be around. But it is important to treat others with respect at all times. Generosity to me is also giving back to others. Giving back to the community is important for others, because some may not be as blessed as you. Also, when you give to someone, it is a general concept that you will receive something back in return, even if it is not a physical gift. For example, if you give back to a program that helped you when you were younger, you may not receive 1 billion dollars in return, but you will most likely receive respect, reputation, and happiness in return. Lastly, you also must be generous to yourself. Tell yourself nice thoughts, because harmful and degrading thoughts told to yourself can turn into physical and mental manifestations, negatively affecting your lifestyle. This concludes my response about what is the best way to live a long, healthy life. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Bold Longevitiy Scholarship". Thank you.

This is a turnaround story, where I faced my greatest challenge yet. The event occurred during my sophomore year of high school when my family's house flooded. The flood occurred because a pipe in an upstairs bathroom burst and leaked water throughout the house continuously for thirteen hours. Arriving at home, everything was soaked; no electronics worked, the floor was soggy, and a smell was beginning to form. The water damage was extensive throughout the house, and at that moment, it seemed as if everything in the house was lost. We moved nearly our entire house into numerous storage containers, which surely had to be paid for. Our family was then forced to move between hotels throughout the city for five months. Because of the frequent price fluctuations, we then moved into my grandmother's house for another six months. With only two weeks away from moving back home, a neighbor's truck collided with the house, causing us to remain out of the house for another 2 unexpected months. This was eventually fixed, and no one was seriously injured. In total, we were displaced from our home for a year and a half. Luckily, moved back in weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic made a serious impact on the United States. I was able to keep my grades and GPA up, remaining on the Principals List, and my GPA at 4.0. I learned to never let obstacles bring you so low to where you cannot progress in life. Pushing through these obstacles will make you stronger and it certainly helped me grow as a person. This concludes my response about my greatest challenge, how it affected me, and what I learned from it. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Bold Turnaround Story Scholarship". Thank you.

This is how I plan to make my community and the world a better place after college. I want to pursue a career in STEM because I have been interested in science for a very long time. Since a young age, I have loved animals and the study of their behavior and traits. In addition to the love of animals, I have been fascinated with the human heart, and how it operates an entire body. I currently attend the Oxford College of Emory University, but in the near future, I aspire to become a zoologist, cardiologist, or paleontologist. The study of zoology allows animals and other organisms to be viewed in different lights, not only as beasts but also as living, breathing beings in the world, trying to survive as we humans do. As the dooming impact of climate change is slowly deteriorating the state of various animals and their ecosystems, the future study of zoology can lead to a solution to the problem that has been threatening the Earth for decades. The study of paleontology helps us uncover mysteries and answers from the prehistoric past, while also showing us the principles of evolution, extinction, and general biodiversity. Finding and doing research on the previous biodiversity can shed some light upon new medicines and cures that can be processed now with the advanced machinery and technology we have today. Also, regarding climate change issues, future plans in paleontology can show how climate change affected past organisms, and we can learn from the information to protect animals of today's world. The study of cardiology greatly improves and emphasizes the importance of global health throughout various ages. It can assist in heart surgeries and procedures to be done with greater efficiency, yielding more beneficial results, and resulting in longer and more healthy lives for everyone. I believe that giving back to the community is very important because we cannot improve if we do not give back. Giving back to the community gives you lifelong experiences. These experiences can make you appreciate life more than you previously have, which is a key method of how to grow as a person. My planned career paths will benefit not only my local community but possibly the entire world. While I am not a zoologist, cardiologist, or paleontologist at the current time, I make my community a better place by giving back toys and clothes that I no longer use. I know there is someone in my community that eagerly needs these items, so why wouldn't I give them to those who yearn for them. I also wander through my neighborhood and pick up trash and waste on the side of the streets that litter sidewalks. Beautifying the streets makes the entire community look more appealing, creating a better environment for adults and children to thrive. This concludes my response about how I plan to make my community and the world a better place now and after college. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Trees for Tuition Scholarship". Thank you.

Friendships are the bonds you make with people you enjoy. Friendships can be made at any time with anybody, no matter the gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion. Friendships are one of the only feelings that are entirely universal and are certainly essential for growing as a person. While some bonds are naturally strong from the first interaction, most friendships are typically strengthened over time. All friendships, however, are truly tested during troubling times. This is where the qualities of kindness, honesty, support, and trust are assessed. Being trustworthy and having a trustworthy friend takes away much stress throughout your daily life by taking your mind off issues that are worrisome. Support and kindness among friends help keep each other up in spirit, while honesty within helps each other grow as people. This concludes my response about what friendship means to me. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Bold Friendship Matters Scholarship". Thank you.

I practice self-care by staying true and remaining generous to myself. I stay true to who I am because ultimately, I am the only person who can decide if I am happy. Sure, we all have external forces and beings that make us happy such as family, friends, and maybe a significant other, but you are the only one who dictates how you feel. Also, I always attempt to stay honest with myself, taking note of what I realize I need to improve on. I try my best to tell myself nice thoughts, because harmful and degrading thoughts told to myself can turn into physical and mental manifestations, negatively affecting my lifestyle. Practicing self-care is to also stay self-interested, and know what is right for me. It is essential to know when something is not in your best interest. Keeping this in the back of my mind has helped me avoid certain situations which would be uncomfortable to be in. Practicing self-care also includes being generous to myself. Telling myself nice thoughts prevents harmful and degrading thoughts to form, which can turn into physical and mental manifestations, negatively affecting my lifestyle. This concludes my response about how I practice self-care and how it impacts my life. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Bold Self-Care Scholarship". Thank you.

Patience is so important to me because it is essential to living a quality lifestyle. Having patience is one of my favorite qualities of myself. Patience allows the natural flow of events through life. While some may say that having excessive patience is detrimental, maintaining a good amount of it allows you to step back and look at obstacles and challenges from different perspectives, making the best choice seem effortless. "Good things come to those who wait", originated by Lady Mary Montgomerie Currie is one quote I value most. This excerpt is applicable to every aspect of my life, whether it be sports, hobbies, or academics. When studying for tests and exams, I must be patient and allow the information to flow freely instead of trying to force it all into memorization. In sports, I must practice hard, but not rush the process; if I put in the work behind closed doors, the improved skills will soon follow. This concludes my response about why being patient is important to me. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Bold Patience Matters Scholarship". Thank you.

This is the story of the most important life lesson I have ever had. The most difficult obstacle to overcome was during my sophomore year of high school when my family's house flooded. The flood occurred because a pipe in an upstairs bathroom burst and leaked water throughout the house continuously for thirteen hours. I can still vividly remember getting a phone call from my parents after I finished basketball practice. Because I didn't know what happened yet, I became extremely worried hearing my mother hurriedly asking questions to my father in the other room, trying to find where the water was leaking. Arriving at home, everything was soaked; no electronics worked, the floor was soggy, and a smell was beginning to form. The only room that was not affected by the water was my room, but the water damage was still extensive throughout the house, and at that moment, it seemed as if everything in the house was lost. Knowing everything had to be replaced or fixed in the house, we moved nearly our entire house into numerous storage containers, which surely had to be paid for. Our family was then forced to move between hotels throughout the city for five months. With this becoming too much of a hassle because of the frequent price fluctuations, we moved into my grandmother's house for another six months. Through all of the trials and tribulations, my family continued to maintain a strong bond, knowing we had to stick together to get through this rough patch. With a bright future in sight and only two weeks away from moving back into our home, a neighbor's truck collided into the house after the driver forgot to put their vehicle in park, causing us to remain out of the house for another 2 unexpected months. This was eventually fixed by construction, and no one was seriously injured. In total, we were displaced from our home for a year and a half. Luckily, we were able to move back in weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic made a serious impact on the United States. From this experience, I learned that obstacles are unavoidable in life; some are more extreme than others, but they are inevitable to everyone. However, you do it, you must push forward, and never let it bring you so low to where you cannot progress in life. Pushing through these obstacles will make you stronger and it certainly helped me grow as a person. Experiences such as this certainly made me more resilient in facing everyday obstacles. This concludes my response about an important life lesson I've learned and what it taught me. I would be truly honored to receive the "William M. DeSantis Sr. Scholarship". Thank you.

This is how I keep a growth mindset. From several life experiences and becoming older and wiser, I have learned that obstacles are unavoidable in life; some are more extreme than others, but they are inevitable. However, you must push forward, and never let it bring you so low to where you cannot progress in life. Pushing through these obstacles will make you mentally and emotionally stronger and it certainly helped me grow as a person. Also, I try to view obstacles as opportunities and challenges, not setbacks. These obstacles make me stronger as I progress through them and face every more obstacle. Learning from my mistakes is another method that helps me grow as a person. Everyone makes mistakes; we are human, and nobody is even relatively close to perfect. With the presence of social media, this may seem like a hard thing to come to terms with, as celebrities and influencers seem to only post the best and biggest events in their life. As they certainly have the freedom to do so, you must remind yourself that they are also not perfect and that they are learning from faults just as you are. This concludes my response about how I keep a growth mindset. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Bold Growth Mindset Scholarship". Thank you.

One technology I am excited about is the advancement of medicine for human health. Even though this is a very general and broad concept, so many medical advancements are in the work now, and if done successfully, can make billions of dollars in profit, benefitting the economy. One example is an affordable cure for lung and breast cancer. Shockingly, according to 'breastcancer.org', one in eight women, which is around 13% of women, will endure some type of breast cancer in their lifetime. This is frighteningly high, and we will continue to lose women prematurely without a reasonably priced cure for it. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer found in both the male and female genders. According to 'cancer.org', in just 2021 alone, there have been approximately 235, 760 new cases of lung cancer, and 131,880 deaths from lung cancer. Again, this is a horrifying statistic that modern science fears. But with the use of an economically fair cure or rehabilitation method, many of our loved ones can survive for many more years, beating the dreading breast cancer and/or lung cancer. Another form of technological medicine advancement I am exhilarated to discover is various vaccines for newer diseases and viruses. The year 2021 has taught humanity so much about vaccines, but much of the American and worldwide population does not believe in the safety of the vaccine as others. This is very understandable, due to everyone having their own opinions through the viewpoint of their own previous experiences. However, producing vaccines that genuinely work and have a superior success rate will be ground-breaking in the history of mankind. Having vaccines with an extremely successful rate by influencing others to take vaccines, makes the world a much healthier place to live in. In conclusion, I would be honored to be selected as the winner of the "Bold Technology Matters Scholarship". Thank you for reading my response.

This is why I want to pursue a career in STEM and how it will help uplift the community. I want to pursue a career in STEM because I have been interested in science for a very long time. Since a young age, I have loved animals and the study of their behavior and traits. In addition to the love of animals, I have been fascinated with the human heart, and how it operates an entire body. I currently attend the Oxford College of Emory University, but in the near future, I aspire to become a zoologist, cardiologist, or paleontologist. The study of zoology allows animals and other organisms to be viewed in different lights, not only as beasts but also living, breathing beings in the world, trying to survive as we humans do. As the dooming impact of climate change is slowly deteriorating the state of various animals and their ecosystems, the future study of zoology can lead to a solution to the problem that has been threatening the Earth for decades. The study of paleontology helps us uncover mysteries and answers from the prehistoric past, while also showing us the principles of evolution, extinction, and general biodiversity. Finding and doing research on the previous biodiversity can shed some light upon new medicines and cures that can be processed now with the advanced machinery and technology we have today. Also, regarding climate change issues, future projects in paleontology can show how climate change affected the past organisms, and we can learn from the information to protect animals of today's world. The study of cardiology greatly improves and emphasizes the importance of global health throughout various ages. It can assist in heart surgeries and procedures to be done with greater efficiency, yielding more beneficial results and resulting in longer and more healthy lives for everyone. I believe that giving back to the community is very important because humanity cannot improve if we do not give back. Giving back to the community gives you lifelong experiences. These experiences can make you appreciate life more than you previously have, which is a key method of how to grow as a person. My planned career paths will benefit not only my local community but possibly the entire world. This concludes my response about why I want to pursue a career in STEM and how the degree will help uplift the community. I would be truly honored to be the recipient of the "Stephan L. Daniels Lift As We Climb Scholarship". Thank you.

This is the time in my life when I faced my biggest challenge. The most difficult obstacle to overcome was during my sophomore year of high school when my family's house flooded. The flood occurred because a pipe in an upstairs bathroom burst and leaked water throughout the house continuously for thirteen hours. I can still vividly remember getting a phone call from my parents after I finished basketball practice. Because I didn't know what happened yet, I became extremely worried hearing my mother hurriedly asking questions to my father in the other room, trying to find where the water was leaking. Arriving at home, everything was soaked; no electronics worked, the floor was soggy, and a smell was beginning to form. The only room that was not affected by the water was my room, but the water damage was still extensive throughout the house, and at that moment, it seemed as everything in the house was lost. Knowing everything had to be replaced or fixed in the house, we moved nearly our entire house into numerous storage containers, which surely had to be paid for. Our family was then forced to move between hotels throughout the city for five months. With this becoming too much of a hassle because of the frequent price fluctuations, we moved into my grandmother's house for another six months. Through all of the trials and tribulations, my family continued to maintain a strong bond, knowing we had to stick together to get through this rough patch. With a bright future in sight and only two weeks away from moving back into our home, a neighbor's truck collided into the house after the driver forgot to put their vehicle in park, causing us to remain out of the house for another 2 unexpected months. This was eventually fixed by construction, and no one was seriously injured. In total, we were displaced from our home for a year and a half. Luckily, we were able to move back in weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic made a serious impact on the United States. I "turned it up to 11" by realizing how much my family was truly going through. It was difficult enough to deal with the flooding and the numerous insurance policies, so I did not want to give my parents more to deal with. I willed much determination and perseverance and was able to keep my grades and GPA up, ending the year with all A's, remaining on the Principals List, and my GPA at a 4.0. From this experience, I learned that obstacles are unavoidable in life; some are more extreme than others, but they are inevitable to everyone. However you do it, you must push forward, and never let it bring you so low to where you cannot progress in life. Pushing through these obstacles will make you stronger and it certainly helped me grow as a person. This concludes my response about my greatest challenge, how it affected me, and what I learned from it. I would be truly honored to receive the "Eleven Scholarship". Thank you.

I stay true to myself through various methods. I stay true to who I am because ultimately, I am the only person who can decide if I am happy. Sure, we all have external forces and beings that make us happy such as family, friends, and maybe a significant other, but you are the only one who dictates how you feel. Also, I always attempt to stay honest with myself, taking note of what I realize I need to improve on, whether it be of everyday life or hobby/sport-related. But with honesty, I am nice to myself. I try my best to tell myself nice thoughts, because harmful and degrading thoughts told to myself can turn into physical and mental manifestations, negatively affecting my lifestyle. Finally, staying true to myself is, ironically, staying self-interested, and knowing what is right for me. Of course, I will always be kind to others, but it is essential to know when something is not in your best interest. Keeping this in the back of my mind has helped me avoid certain situations which would be uncomfortable to be in. This concludes my response about how I stay true to myself. I would be truly honored to receive the "Bold Be You Scholarship". Thank you.

If I were a highly influential figure, I would stand for empathy. Everyone knows that the world is not fair. Growing older and being in college certainly made me realize that nothing in life is fair; there will always be someone with a nicer house, faster car, and more opportunities than you. Although this may be true, one thing you cannot forget is that you are always going to be more blessed than someone else. As you may always want something someone has, someone else wants something that you possess, whether it be a quality or trait you portray or a physical, materialistic item such as a newer phone or more comfortable bed. Empathy is something that should be in excess in the world. We see on social media every day, posts saying how "Everyone is trying their best to make it" and everyone needs some support from time to time. Being empathetic may mean the world to someone on a bad day or will start or end their day off in a joyous way. Just trying to connect with a person for five minutes will support them in having a better day, week, or even months at a time. This world is hard enough on people, so therefore I would stand for empathy amongst each other. This concludes my response about what I would stand for if I were a highly influential figure. I would be truly honored to receive the Bold Influence Scholarship. Thank you.

One of my favorite hobbies is playing basketball, and this is my journey. Playing sports is one of my natural talents, and I truly believe that I am an individual who can be somewhat decent at any sport I attempt to play. However, since a very young, basketball has held a special place in my heart. I began playing basketball around the age of six, where I played in a Church league. Playing at Fairfield Baptist Church located in Stone Mountain, Georgia helped me place a foundation and helped me realize that basketball was a heavy interest of mine. After playing at Fairfield, I played at the DeKalb Academy of Technology and the Environment, which was my middle school. I played there all three years of my middle school career. I was a captain during my eighth-grade year. Playing basketball in middle school helped me realize if this was something I really wanted to continue into the higher levels. Next, I played basketball through all four years of my high school career at Redan High School. I played junior varsity my freshman and sophomore years, and varsity in my junior and senior years. I was a captain in my senior year and led my team in steals. Basketball in high school truly made me realize how hard I have to work to separate myself from others, and it also taught me how important connections with coaches were. These connections certainly helped me achieve a spot in the next level; college. I currently play basketball for Oxford College of Emory University. We finished our season with a record of 13-12, just maintaining a winning percentage of over 50%. Although the season ended a little earlier than I liked, it has no doubt formed relationships with my teammates and coaches that will hopefully remain for a lifetime. I have one more year to play basketball at the Oxford College of Emory University, and I wish to be able to play at the main campus of Emory University for two more years after. This concludes my response about my hobby of basketball. I would be truly honored to receive the Hobbies Matter Scholarship. Thank you.

To be independent is to be able to function by yourself and not needing anyone to make decisions for you. Being a college student at Oxford College of Emory University has brought along many actions I have learned to complete by being independent. Just a few of these include cleaning my room, going to class on time, and managing time and how I spend the hours of my day. Before university life, I feel many children are used to following instructions from teachers and their parents, whom they see a large majority of the time throughout the day. College is very different; your professors are not breathing down your neck and demanding you to do something every second. Once you leave the space of the classroom, you have time to do whatever you want; it is YOUR responsibility to make sure you are using your time wisely and make sure you make crucial deadlines. Life in college is where you learn how to live and do certain tasks independently. This may be a bit scary in the beginning, but with patience and a little bit of perseverance, I got the hang of it.

1. i don't deserve this application because i'm honestly not even in skool. I came across this offur when i was bathing in a swamp with my best friend kanye west (he's kinda off the grid). He toldme i should snatch these coins up and book a flight to ibizia. What's in ibizia you ask? i don't know, but pay me and we'll find out. 2. My career goal is simply to travel the world until i find something worth settling down for. i anticipate that being hawaii cause they have killer coconuts... or at least that's whati've heard. 3. Let's kut to the chase: an obstacle. One time i saw a family 34 roaches in my shower while i was lathered up. i was so scared that slipped on the soap and i landed on the roaches, killing exactly 32 of them. the last two got married and took my shampoo bottle to utah to have their honeymoon.

My favorite scientific discovery is regarding space. Space is a place in our universe that allows us to create and further depict scientific theories. Already so much has been solidified in our everyday lives from the studies of space, such as the atmosphere, gravity, and the presence and evolution of other planets in our solar system extended. These discoveries are reached in education, which often inspires children to become astronomers themselves. But space is not my favorite scientific discovery because of everything we do know, but rather everything that still, and many ultimately forever, remain a mystery. There are so many unknown answers to questions regarding space; no one knows for certain how many planets there are in our galaxy, how many galaxies are in the universe, etc. The list is endless. While there may not ever be an answer to these questions, the search for them will fuel companies and individuals until the end of time. This concludes my response about my favorite scientific discovery. I would be truly honored to receive the Bold Science Matters Scholarship. Thank you.

My academic, career, and personal life goals will be an interesting journey to fulfill. Regarding education, one of my educational goals is to graduate from Oxford College of Emory University, where I am pursuing my undergraduate studies, with at least a 3.5 GPA. I also plan to receive my associate's degree at the end of the Spring semester of 2023, and my bachelor's degree at the end of the Spring semester of 2025 at Emory University. The main occupational goal that I possess is to become a zoologist within the next 10 years, but this goal takes several steps to complete. First, I would like to be an intern for a zoologist or marine biologist, preferably at either the Georgia Aquarium or Zoo Atlanta, by the end of 2025. I have been heavily interested in animals since a very young age, and one of my desires is to have an occupation that deals with animals all over the world and study their behavior while having fun doing what I do for a living. One of my personal goals is to have a job or internship either at the Georgia Aquarium or Zoo Atlanta by the end of 2025 (the year I graduate from Emory University). This would certainly help extend my knowledge of animals and marine life, as I also create relationships that will be beneficial to me throughout my life. Another one of my goals is to graduate from Emory University in the Spring semester of 2025. Attending a very prestigious university such as Emory is already a dream of mine completed, but graduating from Emory University will provide me with infinite opportunities for me to fulfill in the future. This concludes my response about goals. I would be truly honored to receive the Bold Driven Scholarship. Thank you.

My name is Justin Whitening, and I am truly one of a kind. Throughout my academic career, I attended Marbut Elementary Traditional Theme School, DeKalb Academy of Technology and the Environment, and Redan High School, which are all located in Stone Mountain, Georgia. In May of 2021, I graduated from Redan High School, ranking #3 in my class, with a 4.0 GPA. With the help from my family and my hard efforts in school, I was accepted into 28 different colleges and universities, including Georgia Tech, Emory University, and Kennesaw State University. With long and thorough reasoning, I decided to attend the Oxford College of Emory University, where I major in biology and play basketball for the Emory Eagles. I aspire to be a zoologist, paleontologist, or cardiologist. My hobbies consist of playing basketball and baseball, reading and writing. All of my educational goals since elementary school have been met, as I have graduated from elementary school, middle school, and high school with a 4.0 GPA. I do not plan to stop there. One of my educational goals is to graduate from my undergraduate studies with a 4.0 GPA. I also plan to receive my associate's degree at the end of the Spring semester of 2023, and my bachelor's degree at the end of the Spring semester of 2025 at Emory University. I have endured many obstacles in life, but the hardest and most difficult one to overcome was during my sophomore year of high school when my family's house flooded. Because of the flooding, our family was forced to move in and out of hotels for about 5 months prior to moving into another family member's house for another 6 months. This hurdle was definitely very difficult to get over, but with much determination and perseverance, I was able to keep my grades and GPA up, ending the year with all A's, remaining on the Principals List. From this experience, I learned that obstacles are unavoidable in life; some are worse than others, but they are inevitable to everyone. However you do it, you must push forward, and never let it bring you so low to where you cannot progress in life. Pushing through these obstacles will make you stronger and help you grow as a person. This concludes my response about myself, my educational goals, my greatest obstacle, and what I learned from it. I would be truly honored to receive the Theresa Lord Future Leader Scholarship. Thank you.

Some of my favorite hobbies are reading, writing, and playing basketball and baseball. I have always enjoyed reading from a young age. My favorite book is a novel my class had to read during my senior year of high school, called "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy. Before my undergraduate experience, I recognized that I was always reading some type of action-adventure novel that had a story and plot. Being a freshman at the Oxford College of Emory University, my professors and the various courses I endured allowed me to branch out and tread into different types of readings, such as historical notes, excerpts, and documentation from some of the most famous individuals in human history, poems, and even scientific lab reports. This allowed me to break out of my comfort zone, and become more than willing to view any type of reading. Writing is one of my natural talents. From a young age, I loved writing short stories and was heavily considered to be solely an author for my occupation. While my occupational goals have somewhat changed, I still do this day enjoy writing poems and short stories. Playing sports is also one of my natural talents, but my skills and work ethic have been molded with help from many inspirational people in my life. I truly believe that playing both baseball and basketball act as temporary stress relievers from everyday life. In fact, I played baseball and basketball for my entire high school career, and I continue to play basketball for the Oxford College of Emory University. This concludes my response about my various hobbies. I would be truly honored to receive the Bold Hobbies Scholarship. Thank you.

Hello, my name is Justin Whitening, and this response details my favorite piece of art, and why it is. My favorite piece of art is "This Starry Night", painted by Vincent van Gogh. It is my favorite piece of art because it captures tranquility and chaos at the same time. It has some type of familiarity that I can feel, even though I have never been in the city he captured in the art. The brushstrokes of the night are so pleasing to the eye, and arguably the most notable feature of the entire painting. The art piece has so much detail so its aspects, it's hard to not understand what something on the canvas is. Also, to me, the moon also looks like a sun, which can change the environment of the painting in the blink of an eye. This shows Van Gogh's versatility without even trying. In conclusion, I would be honored to be selected as the winner of the "Bold Art Matters Scholarship". Thank you for reading my response.

These are my two Ocellaris Clownfish. I originally did not have a name for them, but my brother walked by the aquarium and said "Wow, Nemo and Marlin!" So, these are their names. I have had them for 5 months now. I also have a few hermit crabs in the tank, and the creature behind the clownfish is called a Feather Duster. It is an invertebrate that adds some color and life to the tank.

Hello, my name is Justin Whitening, and this is what financial freedom is to me, and how I can achieve it in the future. Financial freedom, personally, means having enough possibilities to pursue with your money and income. Financial freedom can allow you to make decisions that someone without financial freedom cannot make. To achieve this financial freedom in the future, I am starting now by saving money at an early age, because it has so many positive aspects. Money that is saved over periods of time adds up, and acts as a 'safety net', in case of emergencies. Emergencies are bound to happen and can happen at any time in your life. Having the money to cover even a portion of the total can help a lot. This can bring down your stress levels as well because you know you have that 'safety net' as a foundation. Saving money at an early age also allows you to have a budget plan, which, in the long run, can help you travel more and have more access to your money closer to retirement time. Having a budget plan responsibility limits your spending limits, resulting in better spending and saving habits as time goes on. But, coming with a budget plan, you have to be committed to sticking with it. It is very easy to spend more than your committed limit, so you have to maintain self-control, and the benefits will show themselves in the near future. At this moment in my life, I am glad I saved some money at a young age because college is not cheap. I never realized how much college is worth until my senior year of high school. If my parents and I didn't save up enough money, we would be in a worse financial situation, which in turn may not have lead to me being as fortunate in attending a college. I am still in need of tuition money, but I am very grateful that we have as much as we do. Another way I can achieve financial freedom is by maintaining credit. Although I don't have much credit at the age I am now, I understand that having an acceptable credit score means a lot, and allows you to buy accessories others cannot. In conclusion, I would be honored to be selected as the winner of the "Loan Lawyers 2021 Annual Scholarship Competition". Thank you for reading my response.

Hello, my name is Justin Whitening, and this is a response that will describe what I think legacy means. My upbringing has impacted my path in life, and I plan to continue the cycle. According to many sources, legacy is defined as "an amount of money or property left to someone in a will". Even though that is the formal definition, legacy is anything you leave behind on others, whether it be thoughts, feelings, or physical items. For example, children that you have are certainly your legacy, but also feelings others had on you and thoughts others had about you are also a part of your legacy. This part of your legacy may not be known by yourself, Legacy will vary from person to person, depending on how other people think and how you treated others. This is another reason why your parents and others teach young children to treat others with empathy, compassion, and respect. My upbringing has impacted my path in life. My parents have done an amazing job in raising me up to the man I am today, and that is a debt I cannot physically pay to them. They have kept me on the right path, and they are the sole reason why I attend such a prestigious institution that I do now. Their "punishments" that I used to think were "punishments" were instead life lessons that I use to this day. My parents showed my brother and I unconditional love, love that I continuously give back to them, and I will be forever grateful for everything they have done for me. I do plan on continuing the cycle of excellence. In the distant future, I plan to have children that will do just as good, or hopefully better than me in their academic career, and continue to raise happy and healthy families. Soon, however, I plan on continuing my studies in the zoology field and contributing numerous amounts of knowledge to the field. I also plan to make many friends and memories on the way to my destinations, because you will always need someone to make it through life. Even though it is not certain where my future will lead me, I will certainly keep my legacy as a positive one. In conclusion, I would be honored to be selected as the winner of the "Dr. Samuel Attoh Legacy Scholarship". Thank you for reading my response.

Hello, my name is Justin Whitening, and this is one personal finance less that I find important. One personal finance less that I find important is saving money at an early age. It has so many positive aspects. Money that is saved over periods of time adds up, and acts as a 'safety net', in case of emergencies. Emergencies are bound to happen and can happen at any time in your life. Having the money to cover even a portion of the total can help a lot. This can bring down your stress levels as well because you know you have that 'safety net' as a foundation. Saving money at an early age also allows you to have a budget plan, which, in the long run, can help you travel more and have more access to your money closer to retirement time. At this moment in my life, I am glad I saved some money at a young age because college is not cheap. I never realized how much college is worth until my senior year of high school. If my parents and I didn't save up enough money, we would be in a worse financial situation, which in turn may not have lead to me being as fortunate in attending a college. I am still in need of tuition money, but I am very grateful that we have as much as we do. In conclusion, I would be honored to be selected as the winner of the "Bold Financial Literacy Scholarship". Thank you for reading my response.

Hello, my name is Justin Whitening, and this is what my dream life looks like. I am a world renowned successful zoologist with a beautiful family living in a large house. I have won a Nobel Peace Prize from my experiments and research. I am debt-free, stress-free, and illness-free. Any debt that I previously had will be cleared. I have no worries about paying any financial burdens, and I won't be worried about anything financially. Having no stress will positively affect my health, and this is very important because it is easy to be limited in life with poor health. My parents, friends, and family are still supporting me in my endeavors. In addition, I will reach back out and support bold.org after winning this scholarship. In conclusion, I would be honored to be selected as the winner of the "Bold Dream Big Scholarship". Thank you for reading my response.

Hello, my name is Justin Whitening, and the one way I try to have a positive impact on the world is by bringing happiness. Happiness is something the world cannot get enough of, especially in our recent days. From the ongoing wars to the global pandemic, everyone needs some type of generosity in their lives, whether it just be sharing a smile or helping others do tasks. It takes very little energy to share happiness, and this is why it surprises me how others do not even attempt to share some gratitude. Happiness is also contagious and can make anyone's sorrowful and dreaded day become a joyous one. Nobody knows what is happening in someone else's life, and making the burden a little less heavy can make their life a little easier at that moment. In conclusion, I would be honored to be selected as the winner of the "Bold Impact Matters". Thank you for reading my response.

Hello, my name is Justin Whitening, and I truly do believe that educational inequity is something we should all stand for. Here is my reasoning behind my opinion. Educational inequity is a very common issue and is becoming even worse as time progresses. The unequal distribution of education throughout the world is a problem that everyone needs to know about. Without opportunities, children, cannot prove to themselves and others that they can do anything they dream of doing. An opportunity is all those children ask for to go somewhere and make a difference in the world, but without that opportunity, we will remain in the same state. School funding is not equal throughout the country, and while every school will not receive the same amount of funding, there should not be such a large gap between each school. There should be a minimum set for each school in America. Access to technology is also equally distributed through schools, which is not fair for students trying to become used to it. This is the 21st century, where technology is everywhere around us and is used daily in the simplest of activities. The presence of the pandemic, known as COVID-19, has made this issue even more prominent. More and more schools are becoming based on online courses and without the optimal equipment, many students will get left behind. In conclusion, I would be honored to be selected as the winner of the "Studyist Education Equity Scholarship". Thank you for reading my response.

Hello, my name is Justin Whitening, and my response describes why technology is important and my aspirations in technology. Diversity in technology is important because that is the only thing that allows us to keep innovation alive. If we kept making the same thing multiple times, we would not be as advanced as we are now, technologically and in life in general. My aspiration in technology is not a specific type of technology per se, but a website. Websites are a large aspect of the advancement of technology, as they can hold businesses and spread information. I am an aspiring entrepreneur, and this is my idea. I was selected by the program "Ownership is the Future", where three other scholars and I were chosen to originate and start a business. The business is called "Youth Nation", and it is a new and exciting investment firm that educates people on how to increase profit by turning $1 into $10. We are African American, highly academic students working together to enhance our community and future advancements by spreading knowledge. We strive to build character, education, and investment. Our mission is to achieve great partnerships and relationships with our clients through investments by educating, listening, learning, and watching. This will result in gaining higher assets and money value while building a great personal portfolio for each consumer. I initially was interested in entrepreneurship, because I did research on the topic. At a young age, I thought that being your own boss was a huge aspect of entrepreneurship and can result in a very good pay range. Also, seeing your own business start off small and blossom sounds like a dream come true. Recently, I also realized that I am not very fond of the "nine to five" working schedule that many fall into. I have seen too many family members, friends, and even strangers fall into the "trap", which negatively affects their quality of lifestyle. There is nothing wrong with this type of lifestyle, as everyone is bound to pursue it sometime in life; however, I don't think it is a good, permanent, fit for me. Becoming an entrepreneur is just a small step in changing the world for the better. My parents and family friends inspired me to pursue our business idea. I shared my ideas with them, and everyone was so supportive of the project. In conclusion, I would be honored to be selected as the "AMPLIFY Diversity in Technology Scholarship" winner. Thank you for reading my response.

Hello, my name is Justin Whitening, and there is one change that I believe would make education better for future generations. The one change that I believe would make education better for future generations is offering classes that benefit personalized occupational goals for students. While I was attending Redan High School, I constantly heard complaints from my peers, saying that "Why don't we learn about what we really want to do in life?" Even some of the teachers and administration recommended we have a broader selection of classes to offer to students. This question lingered in my mind for a while, and after months and months of school, I began to ponder the same thing. I really did not come to think of an answer to their question until I started my freshman year in undergraduate studies at Oxford College of Emory University. I realized, very quickly, that I did not learn anything about my future occupational studies before entering college. In only a just week in, I've learned more about zoology than I ever did in my life. I am also somewhat lucky because many students, including my peers, didn't attend college, but still want to pursue their dream job. Without the education they should receive in high school, they will be certainly lost, or behind others when it comes to occupational studies. Although I am stating that there should be classes held for several more job studies, I understand there cannot be classes that benefit everyone's specific occupational goals. There is no way possible to have a class for every occupation interest because everyone has different, and some very specific, passions on what they want to pursue a living. However, more options would be greatly appreciated by students around the world. In conclusion, I would be honored to be selected as the "Bold Future of Education Scholarship" winner. Thank you for reading my response.

Hello, my name is Justin Whitening, and the one thing that gives me hope that the future will be better are the technological advancements in social media and human medicine. The advancement of medicine for human health is inevitably on the way, and even though this is a very general and broad concept, so many medical advancements are in the work now, and if done successfully, can make billions of dollars in profit, benefitting the economy. One example is an affordable cure for lung and breast cancer. Shockingly, according to 'breastcancer.org', one in eight women, which is around 13% of women, will endure some type of breast cancer in their lifetime. This is frighteningly high, and we will continue to lose women prematurely without a reasonably priced cure for it. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer found in both the male and female genders. According to 'cancer.org', in just 2021 alone, there have been approximately 235, 760 new cases of lung cancer, and 131,880 deaths from lung cancer. Again, this is a horrifying statistic that modern science fears. But with the use of an economically fair cure or rehabilitation method, many of our loved ones can survive for many more years, beating the dreading breast cancer and/or lung cancer. Social media, although we often hear about the negative aspects of it, have plenty of benefits. Having updated social media that are available to most citizens in the world can help others receive information that could be very hard to retain without it. It will help others connect with friends and family across the world. Also, wholesome content creators will keep a job, and continue to make others happy; happiness is one thing the entire world needs right now. In conclusion, I would be honored to be selected as the "Bold Hope for the Future Scholarship" winner. Thank you for reading my response.

Hello, my name is Justin Whitening, and I'll tell you about one new technology I am excited about. One technology I am excited about is the advancement of medicine for human health. Even though this is a very general and broad concept, so many medical advancements are in the work now, and if done successfully, can make billions of dollars in profit, benefitting the economy. One example is an affordable cure for lung and breast cancer. Shockingly, according to 'breastcancer.org', one in eight women, which is around 13% of women, will endure some type of breast cancer in their lifetime. This is frighteningly high, and we will continue to lose women prematurely without a reasonably priced cure for it. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer found in both the male and female genders. According to 'cancer.org', in just 2021 alone, there have been approximately 235, 760 new cases of lung cancer, and 131,880 deaths from lung cancer. Again, this is a horrifying statistic that modern science fears. But with the use of an economically fair cure or rehabilitation method, many of our loved ones can survive for many more years, beating the dreading breast cancer and/or lung cancer. Another form of technological medicine advancement I am exhilarated to discover is various vaccines for newer diseases and viruses. The year 2021 has taught humanity so much about vaccines, but much of the American and worldwide population does not believe in the safety of the vaccine as others. This is very understandable, due to everyone having their own opinions through the viewpoint of their own previous experiences. However, producing vaccines and genuinely work and have a superior success rate will be ground-breaking in the history of mankind. Having vaccines with an extremely successful rate by influencing others to take vaccines, making the world a much healthier place to live in. In conclusion, I would be honored to be selected as the "Bold Technology Matters Scholarship" winner. Thank you for reading my response.

Hello, my name is Justin Whitening, and this is what generosity means to me. Generosity to me is understanding how people feel. It means being nice to others, even when it can be hard to do so. It can be several reasons why the person may be hard to be nice to, such as personal issues with yourself, or the person is genuinely not enjoyable to be around. But, it is important to treat others with respect at all times. Generosity to me is also giving back to others. Giving back to the community is important for others, because some may not be as blessed as you. Also, when you give to someone, it is a general concept that you will receive something back in return, even if it is not a physical gift. For example, if you give back to a program that helped you when you were younger, you may not receive 1 billion dollars in return, but you will most likely receive respect, reputation, and happiness in return. Lastly, you must be generous to yourself. Tell yourself nice thoughts, because harmful and degrading thoughts told to yourself can turn into physical and mental manifestations, negatively affecting your lifestyle. In conclusion, I would be honored to be selected as the winner of the "Bold Generosity Matters Scholarship". Thank you for reading my response.

Hello, my name is Justin Whitening, and these are my stories of when I showed up for my community and how it impacted me. My response will include two stories, which are both worth so much to me. At the beginning of my senior year at Redan High School, a program I was a member of sponsored a one-day event. The program was called "Men of Redan", and we partnered with the "DeKalb County Man 2 Man" to create the "Literacy Pledge Program", an event held at Tucker Middle School. My role was as an ambassador, someone who would look over and mentor the young children for the couple of hours we had at the event. During this time, I gave out elementary school-level books to the children, taught them several life lessons, such as honesty, empathy, and persistence, and had a lot of fun at the same time. He had breakfast and lunch at the event, and it was a blast sharing my meals with the young students. This event impacted me by showing how I can impact anyone's life at such an early age. Being only 17 at the time, I never realized how much young children looked up to others, and it truly showed how role models in the community can help guide the children in the right direction. Role models are always in a young person's life, but some are representatively better than others. This is a great example of how anyone can change not only the community, but the entire world, no matter your race, gender, or age. Another time I showed up for my community was the "2020-2021 Black History Program for the NAACP". This event also included teaching younger children about black history, but this program was not sponsored by Redan High School, but by the one and only NAACP. This event was strictly virtual because it occurred during dire times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The part of the event included reading off descriptions or biographical facts of famous black history heroes. Some of the pioneers I had to describe were Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Harriett Tubman, Madam C.J. Walker, Malcolm X., and many, many more. I thoroughly enjoyed participating in this event, because I, myself, learned an enormous amount of information about the heroes that allow me to do the things I do today. Without them, there is no telling what I would be able to accomplish in this world.

Hello, my name is Justin Whitening, and the most helpful piece of financial advice that I ever received is "It is never too early to start saving". My parents, family members, and teachers emphasize this statement. Saving money at an early age has so many positive aspects. Money that is saved over periods of time adds up, and acts as a 'safety net', in case of emergencies. Emergencies are bound to happen and can happen at any time in your life. Having the money to cover even a portion of the total can help a lot. This can bring down your stress levels as well because you know you have that 'safety net' as a foundation. Saving money at an early age also allows you to have a budget plan, which, in the long run, can help you travel more and have more access to your money closer to retirement time. At this moment in my life, I am glad I saved some money at a young age because college is not cheap. I never realized how much college is worth until my senior year of high school. If my parents and I didn't save up enough money, we would be in a worse financial situation, which in turn may not have lead to me being as fortunate in attending a college. I am still in need of tuition money, but I am very grateful that we have as much as we do. In conclusion, I would be honored to be selected as the winner of the "Bold Financial Freedom Scholarship". Thank you for reading my response.

Hello, my name is Justin Whitening, and my philosophy about the relationship between spirituality, science, and math varies. The relationship between spirituality can be a somewhat sensitive topic, as the two can often clast against each other in values and ideas. As spirituality is mostly spread in the practices of religion and families, science can also be taught throughout families, but is more spread through the use of education and experiments. A famous example of the thrashing relationship against spirituality and science is the "Birth of the Universe" vs. "The Big Bang Theory". Spirtiually, many consider the universe being created by some other higher and very powerful being, while others on the science viewpoint think that the Big Bang Theory originated the universe. Another well known example is the "Theory of Evolution". While many believe that a higher entity created humans, animals, and everything living, others strongly believe in evolution, where everything living had one common ancestor that it originated from. In both of these examples, even though both sides have provided evidence to which method really occurred, there are still debates regarding the topic. Although both may be correct in some way or form, like I stated previously, they can also collide into one another, one being labeled as "right" and the other being "wrong", when ironically, there may not be a wrong answer at all. Science and math often work simultaneously together. Whether it is measurements, units, or some other form of operations, math and science go hand in hand. Math is undeniablely mandatory when science is present. This is a reason in which science majors, such as myself, also have to take several math courses, as they directly correlate with one another. Without one, the other would still exist, but with not much context. The relationship between spirituality and math somewhat bizarre. Some particular regions believe that certain numbers or quantities is a sign or a gift from a higher being, or a God. Certain numbers, often based on an individual's circumstances and experiences symbolizes definite qualities, such as a sign for hope, joy, and doubt. This is where the term "lucky numbers" originates from. As stated above, "lucky numbers" vary from person to person. Also, numbers, according to particular people, can symbolize qualities by being seen in various places in a short amount of time. For example, everytime someone saw the number 5, they were told good news, they would visualize that number as a good luck charm. This brings up superstition, which is vaguely related to spirituality. This concludes my essay regarding my philosophy about the relationship between spirituality, science, and math. I would be truly honored to receive the Suraj Som Aspiring Educators Scholarship. Thank you.

Hello, my name is Justin Whitening, and some from history that I admire is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. changed the course of history in every positive aspect. Dr. King possessed a great amount of courage to risk his life every single day to preach and spread the word of joy and happiness throughout all colors and races of the world. He didn't choose to sit and watch as the madness rages on, and quiver in silence and fear. He rose up to the world and proved why he is one of the most influential human beings in American history. Even though Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spread enormous amounts of knowledge, but he also learned from others. As a person teaching so much, people often forget they learn from someone else, and Dr. King was never afraid to learn from previous experiences and people met along the way. For example, he learned a lot of his "peaceful principle" from Mahatma Gandi, another very inspirational and impactful person in human history. Accepting all of the knowledge from others made Dr. King so versatile in his approach to fighting for human and civil rights. He had such great public speaking skills that it swayed even the most cold-hearted people into changing their ways. Also, his optimism was one of his greatest strengths, as he constantly described his "dream" and his vision of seeing all men, women, and children living in harmony. He believed in so much justice and freedom among others, that he gave his life for his belief. His sacrifice will never be forgotten. In conclusion, I would be honored to be selected as the winner of the "Bold Great Minds Scholarship". Thank you for reading my response.

Hello, my name is Justin Whitening, and one of the wisest quotes I have ever heard is, “Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well." This quote was cited by Josh Billings. This quote, in my opinion, holds such great value because everyone is blessed and gifted in their own way. Everyone will not be born to millionaire parents, and everyone will not be abandoned at birth. Some circumstances, especially those inherited to you, cannot be changed, and will never be changed. For example, someone born with certain body parts missing or not fully developed may likely stay that way forever. However, the thing that changes these circumstances is the person's mindset. Will they let these disabilities burden them forever, or will they learn to live with them, adapt to them, and thrive with them? This is where the quote comes into play. "The cards", as some of them may not be good as others, are dealt with you at "the beginning of the game", or at birth or at the start of a new day in other words. Like I already stated, many cannot be changed. But, in the end, you must push through these struggles and try to succeed in life. The good cards that you do hold, you must treasure those with all of your heart, because if you're not careful, they can be gone in a heartbeat. In conclusion, I would be honored to be selected as the winner of the "Bold Wise Words Scholarship". Thank you for reading my response.

My name is Justin Whitening, and my favorite book is "The Road", written by Cormac McCarthy. My AP Literature class collectively read the novel in the span of about a week, and it is one of the most impactful books I have ever read. This was truly a book that I enjoyed from the cover page to the last blank sheet in the book. It contained a perfect mixture of reality, fantasy, mystery, and action that kept me on the edge of my seat, and I feel both closure and uneasiness about the ending. The novel shares an emotional story of a father and his son traveling through a devasted wasteland in a dystopian future. What makes the story so breathtaking is the actual storytelling and descriptions given by Cormac McCarthy. McCarthy purposely leaves key details about events in the story to keep the audience engaged and asking questions. This triggers a strong imagination from the readers, which makes the vivid descriptions of settings truly "come to life". The circumstances that occur in the story makes the reader test themselves' humanity and reasoning. Some of the actions taken by the father to ensure his son survives are surely questionable, but it makes you wonder, "Would I have done that too, for my loved one?" These questions then draw an even stronger emotional connection to the audience and the characters in the novel. McCarthy really does make the reader fill his characters' shoes. The novel also teaches essential life lessons, some being the qualities of courage, love, empathy, and trust. These are all aspects that we humans use every day, no matter the circumstances. The father, and even the son, make desperate choices based on their emotions that both had positive and negative results.

My name is Justin Whitening, and I am truly one of a kind. My parents are Victor and Jacqueline Whitening, and I have a brother, Jordan Whitening, who is currently attending Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia. Throughout my academic career, I attended Marbut Elementary Traditional Theme SchooI, DeKalb Academy of Technology and the Environment, and Redan High School, which are all located in Stone Mountain, Georgia. In May of 2021, I graduated from Redan High School, ranking #3 in my class, with a 4.0 GPA. With the help from my family and my hard efforts in school, I was accepted into 28 different colleges and universities, including Georgia Tech, Emory University, and Kennesaw State University. With long and thorough reasoning, I decided to attend Oxford College of Emory University, where I will major in biology and play basketball for the Emory Eagles. I aspire to be a zoologist, paleontologist, or cardiologist. I have loved animals since I was very young, being truly amazed by their behaviors and appearances. My hobbies consist of playing basketball and baseball, reading, writing, and playing video games. I believe that giving back to the community is very important because we as a human race will not improve if we do not give back to "our roots". Giving back to your community can also give you a sense of purpose, while also gaining new experiences through viewing others' circumstances. These experiences can make you appreciate life more than you previously have, which is a key method of how to grow as a person. My planned career paths will benefit not only my local community but possibly the entire world. The study of zoology allows animals and other organisms to be viewed in different lights, as beasts and living, breathing beings in the world, trying to survive as we humans do. As the dooming impact of climate change is slowly deteriorating the state of various animals, the future study of zoology can lead to a solution to the problem that has been threatening the Earth for decades now. The study of paleontology helps us uncover mysteries and answers from the prehistoric past, while also showing us the principles of evolution, extinction, and general biodiversity. Also, going back to the climate change issues, future plans in paleontology can show how climate change affected the past organisms, and we can learn from the information to protect ourselves as fully as possible. The study of cardiology greatly improves and emphasizes the importance of global health throughout various ages. It can help heart surgeries and procedures to be done with greater efficiency, yielding more beneficial results.

Hello, my name is Justin Whitening, and I am an aspiring entrepreneur. I am currently 18 years old and recently graduated from Redan High School in the Spring of 2021, with a 4.0 GPA, ranking #3 in my class. I plan on attending Oxford College of Emory University in the Fall of 2021. I am also playing basketball for the Emory Eagles. In college, I aspire to major in biology, to become a successful zoologist, paleontologist, or cardiologist. Some of my hobbies consist of reading, writing, and playing basketball and baseball. My business is called Youth Nation. Youth Nation, in addition to me, is led by three other students. Youth Nation is a new and exciting investment firm that educates people on how to increase profit by turning $1 into $10. We are African American, highly academic students working together to enhance our community and future advancements by spreading knowledge. We strive to build character, education, and investment. Our mission is to achieve great partnerships and relationships with our clients through investments by educating, listening, learning, and watching. This will result in gaining higher assets and money value while building a great personal portfolio for each consumer. I initially was interested in entrepreneurship, because I did research on the topic. At a young age, I thought that being your own boss was a huge aspect of entrepreneurship, and can result in a very good pay range. Also, seeing your own business start off small and blossom sounds like a dream come true. Recently, I also realized that I am not very fond of the "nine to five" working schedule that many fall into. I have seen too many family members, friends, and even strangers fall into the "trap", which negatively affects their quality of lifestyle. There is nothing wrong with this type of lifestyle, as everyone is bound to pursue it sometime in life; however, I don't think it is a good, permanent, fit for me. Becoming an entrepreneur is just a small step in changing the world for the better. My parents and family friends inspired me to pursue our business idea. I shared my ideas with them, and everyone was so supportive of the project. With my business, I wish to achieve many things. Some of these include improving our society and future growth by offering knowledge to every generation, building character, education, and investment, and lastly, achieving exceptional partnerships and relationships. This concludes my essay regarding my story, my business idea, and my goals. I would be truly honored to receive the Elevate Black Entrepreneurs Scholarship. Thank you.