The saying, “It takes a village,” is absolutely true in my life. I could name twenty different people who have shaped me, loved me, and helped raise me into who I am today. But if I had to choose one person who has influenced me most, it would be my dad. He has been the father figure every young man deserves—the steady provider, the constant encourager, and the rock that has supported me through every part of my life. My dad’s story begins with humble roots. He grew up without much, and he saw firsthand the struggles that come with financial hardship. Instead of letting that hold him back, he made a promise: his family would never have to face the same adversity. Equipped with intelligence, determination, and an unmatched work ethic, he left home and pursued higher education. Attending three different colleges before finally earning his degree from Texas A&M in Agricultural Systems Management, he showed me early on that perseverance pays off. From there, he built a career at John Deere, where he not only provided for his family but also paid off over $80,000 in student loans for both himself and my mom, whom he met through Aggies for Christ. He worked his way up the company ladder, eventually becoming a territory manager. For several years, our family lived in Monroe, Louisiana. But as his work became more demanding and required long stretches of travel, my dad made another difficult choice, he decided that family was more important than career advancement. So in 2019, we moved to New Home, Texas. Life didn’t get easier after that. My dad transitioned into banking at First Bank and Trust, but when his branch was cut during the pandemic, he suddenly found himself unemployed. For more than a year, our family relied almost entirely on my mom’s teacher salary. It was a difficult time, but my dad never gave up. He kept searching, applying, and working toward his goal of providing for us. Eventually, he landed a position with Edward Jones, where he has since been recognized as one of the hardest-working and most successful financial advisors in the region. I share my dad’s journey because it has shaped mine. His example has shown me that true success isn’t just about titles, money, or recognition, it’s about perseverance, sacrifice, and providing for those you love. He has taught me that no matter the challenge, there is always a way forward if you are willing to work hard enough. His influence has prepared me for college in countless ways. First, I have learned discipline from watching him balance work, faith, and family. College will demand late nights, stressful deadlines, and moments of doubt, but I know I can handle them because my dad showed me what dedication looks like. Second, I have inherited his resilience. Watching him face job loss, uncertainty, and long odds, I’ve learned how to stay determined even when life doesn’t go as planned. And finally, I have embraced his work ethic. My dad never stops at “good enough,” and I intend to carry that same standard with me into college and beyond. My dad hasn’t just impacted my life, he has given me a life that allows me to impact others. He has worked tirelessly to give me the foundation of faith, values, and opportunity. I know that I am prepared to succeed in college. More than that, I know I am prepared to live with purpose: to work hard, serve others, and provide for my future family, just as he has done for me.

Football has been more than just a sport for me, it has been one of the greatest influences on my character. Through long practices, tough games, and the countless lessons taught on the field, I’ve developed grit, discipline, and a strong work ethic that I know will carry me far in life. The sport has shown me that success is never handed out but is earned through consistent effort and a willingness to push past challenges. One of the greatest lessons football has taught me is grit. Grit is not just toughness during a game; it is the ability to keep pushing when you’re tired, sore, and tempted to give up. I’ve learned that real progress comes when you keep moving forward even after you’ve been knocked down. Football demands resilience because no season is perfect, there are injuries, tough opponents, and mistakes that cost games. Each setback becomes an opportunity to respond with determination. That mentality has shaped me to never let failures define me but instead use them as fuel to get better. Along with grit, football has instilled in me a strong work ethic. Success in football doesn’t come from showing up only on game days, it comes from the hours of practice, weightlifting, conditioning, and film study that no one outside the team sees. Every sprint, drill, and rep builds discipline. It’s easy to give less than your best when no one is watching, but football has taught me that real character shows in those unseen moments. I know that this attitude will help me in every area of my life, from academics to future career goals, because I’ve learned how to consistently put in the work required for success. The monotony of practice has also shaped me in ways I never expected. Football practice can feel repetitive: running the same plays over and over, drilling the same footwork, and practicing formations until they become second nature. At times, this repetition is exhausting, both mentally and physically. But I’ve learned that greatness comes from mastering the basics. The challenge is not just in the physical effort but in staying focused and motivated through the routine. This lesson translates directly into my character, teaching me patience, persistence, and the understanding that meaningful progress often comes slowly, through steady, disciplined effort. Football is also a team sport, and facing the monotony together with my teammates has taught me the value of unity and accountability. It’s easier to push through a tough practice when you know your teammates are counting on you. That responsibility has helped me develop leadership skills and a commitment to always giving my best, not just for myself but for the people around me. In life, just like in football, the ability to support others and work as part of a team is critical, and football has helped me internalize that lesson. In the end, football has shaped me into someone who values grit, discipline, and perseverance. It has taught me that the hardest challenges are often the most rewarding and that true strength comes from consistency and resilience, even when the process feels slow or repetitive. These lessons go beyond the field, they shape how I approach my education, my relationships, and my goals for the future. I know that the work ethic and resilience I’ve gained from football will continue to guide me long after my playing days are over.

My interest in law has always been tied to my passion for agriculture. Growing up in a family that owns and operates Meraki Meadows, a saffron farm in West Texas, I quickly realized that agriculture is not just about growing crops or raising animals. It is deeply connected to policies, regulations, and legal frameworks that can either help farmers thrive or make it harder for them to succeed. Watching my family navigate these challenges sparked my desire to pursue a career in law, specifically agricultural law, so I can serve as a voice for farmers and ensure that policies better reflect the realities of rural communities. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from working on the farm is that agriculture is constantly impacted by decisions made far away from the field. Whether it’s federal policies on water usage, state laws governing land ownership, or international trade agreements that set market prices, the livelihood of farmers often depends on how these legal decisions are interpreted and enforced. As saffron farmers, my family faces unique challenges in bringing a specialty crop into mainstream American markets. Labeling regulations, import/export rules, and food safety standards all carry legal consequences. Seeing how even small details in the law affect our ability to sell a product opened my eyes to the importance of legal advocacy in agriculture. Another issue shaping my interest in law is access to resources, especially water. In West Texas, droughts are frequent, and questions of who controls water rights and how they are distributed create serious challenges. I’ve seen how these disputes can divide communities and threaten the future of farms. This issue is not only about fairness but about survival. As a lawyer, I want to help farmers navigate these challenges and work toward policies that balance sustainability with agricultural productivity. Labor is another area where I see the law’s direct human impact. Many farms rely on seasonal or immigrant labor, yet the rules surrounding agricultural workers are often complex and inconsistent. Farmers struggle to find reliable workers while those workers face uncertain protections. This tension affects both sides of agriculture, and I believe it is an area where stronger legal leadership is needed to create fairness and stability. Beyond these issues, I am drawn to law because it allows me to combine my strengths in communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking with a career that makes a difference. Through FFA, 4-H, and public speaking, I’ve developed advocacy and leadership skills that will translate directly into legal work. For me, law is not just about rules—it is about people, fairness, and finding solutions that serve the greater good. Ultimately, I see agricultural law as the best way to serve the community and industry that shaped me. Farmers often lack representation in national debates, and decisions are made without understanding their realities. I want to bridge that gap, ensuring laws are written and applied in ways that strengthen agriculture. My goal is simple: to use the law as a tool to protect farmers, preserve resources, and ensure that agriculture remains strong for generations to come.

My name is Kaden McDonald, and I’m a high school student who’s spent the last several years pursuing a life built on hard work, service, and leadership. Whether I’m in the show ring with my swine project, leading a 4-H activity, debating agricultural policy, or working toward a future in agricultural law, I’ve always pushed myself to give everything I have. But behind all the success, leadership roles, and community involvement, there’s been another journey happening too one that’s taught me some of life’s most important lessons. That journey is my experience with mental health. Mental health isn’t something I used to think much about until I had no choice. For a long time, I kept moving, pushing forward, and staying busy with school, debate, FFA, 4-H, and sports. From the outside, I seemed like I had it all together. But on the inside, I was struggling with things I didn’t yet have the words for: pressure, anxiety, fear of failure, and the quiet sense that I wasn’t enough, no matter how much I achieved. What finally made me slow down wasn’t one big breakdown it was the slow realization that I was burning out. I felt drained even when nothing “bad” had happened. I started questioning everything, especially my worth, my purpose, and my future. And at the same time, my family was being deeply affected by my grandparents’ battles with cancer. Watching my dad carry the emotional and financial stress of caring for both of his parents while trying to stay strong for us added another layer of emotional weight. I could see it wearing on him and I felt it wearing on me too. Mental health became something I couldn’t ignore. Talking about it didn’t come easily. Like many people, I didn’t want to seem weak. I didn’t want to admit I wasn’t okay. But when I started opening up even just a little I found something surprising: people understood. Not everyone had the same struggles, but most people had their own versions. I started to realize I wasn’t alone, and I didn’t have to carry everything by myself. That understanding became a turning point for me. Mentally, I started building healthier habits slowing down, checking in with myself, and giving myself permission to rest. I stopped expecting perfection from myself and started focusing on growth instead. This shift changed the way I approached everything. In debate, I began speaking from a place of conviction, not just performance. In 4-H and FFA, I mentored younger members with more compassion, understanding that what you don’t see on the surface often matters the most. In sports, I stopped tying my value to wins and losses and focused on teamwork, effort, and showing up. Emotionally, I became more empathetic. Seeing how my dad carried his mental weight in silence made me more aware of how others might be silently struggling too. I became more present with people friends, family, and even strangers because I understood that sometimes, the smallest kindness can make the biggest difference. Relationships that used to feel surface-level became deeper, more real. I stopped trying to be everything for everyone and started being more honest more myself. These experiences also shaped my long-term goals. I’ve always been passionate about agriculture, but now I’m focused on how I can combine that passion with advocacy, mental health awareness, and rural resilience. I want to pursue a career in agricultural law and policy, not just to defend land and livelihoods, but to support the well-being of the people behind the farm gates. Rural communities often face stigma when it comes to mental health, and I’ve seen firsthand how that silence can weigh on individuals and families. I want to be part of changing that narrative. Mental health isn’t just about crises it’s about the everyday habits, mindsets, and systems that either support people or let them fall through the cracks. Whether it’s making policy more humane, creating space for open conversations, or simply being someone who listens I want to use my voice to help others the way I wish someone had helped me earlier. My understanding of the world has shifted. I no longer see people as just what they produce or achieve I see the human underneath. I understand that success without peace is empty, and that strength looks different on everyone. I’ve come to believe that being vulnerable is not a weakness but a form of strength. It’s in those moments of quiet honesty where the real growth happens. Mental health shaped my story not by breaking me, but by teaching me how to bend. It showed me that life isn’t about avoiding hard moments it’s about learning how to live through them with grace, purpose, and heart. I’m still growing. I still have hard days. But I’ve learned how to keep going, and how to reach out when I can’t do it alone. That’s the kind of person I want to be one who understands, who advocates, and who helps others find their strength too.

My name is Kaden McDonald, and agriculture has always been more than a project or an activity it’s been a part of who I am. I didn’t fully realize how deeply connected I was to agriculture and animal care until I began showing swine and later became involved in the farrowing process. These experiences didn’t just teach me about livestock they taught me responsibility, empathy, and what it means to truly care for something beyond myself. Showing pigs takes more than feeding and walking them. It requires consistency, patience, and the willingness to pay attention to the smallest details. It taught me how to earn the trust of an animal, how to manage my time, and how to push through early mornings and long days all for just a few minutes in the show ring. But what happened behind the scenes, especially in the farrowing barn, left an even greater impact on me. The first time I helped farrow pigs, I saw firsthand the miracle and the mess of life. It was unpredictable, exhausting, and sometimes heartbreaking. But more than anything, it was powerful. Farrowing taught me that animals depend on us completely and that means giving them our full attention, no matter the hour or how tired we are. I learned to listen to the signs a sow gives, how to assist when needed, and how to act quickly when something doesn’t feel right. I learned the value of being calm in a crisis, and how even the smallest piglet deserves care, patience, and a fighting chance. This process gave me a deeper respect for all animals. Pigs were no longer just show animals or projects they were living beings that trusted me to do right by them. That sense of responsibility didn’t stay in the barn. It followed me into everything else I do, from FFA to 4-H, to how I lead and serve in my community. I began advocating for better animal care practices, helping younger showmen understand the importance of proper handling, and volunteering in animal-related service projects like food and supply drives for local shelters. These experiences helped shape my future. I discovered that I care deeply about agriculture, animal welfare, and advocacy not just for show animals, but for all creatures in our care. Agriculture has shown me what hard work really means and how meaningful it is to do work that matters. It’s helped me grow into a leader who understands that success doesn’t come from the spotlight it comes from the quiet work done when no one’s watching. Caring for animals has taught me more than I ever expected. It has shown me how to work with purpose, lead with compassion, and live with integrity. And it’s why I will continue to pursue a future rooted in agriculture, where I can keep using my hands, my heart, and my voice to care not just for animals but for the people and the land that support them.

There’s one high school teacher who didn’t just help me grow academically she helped me discover the power of my own voice. Mrs. Horn saw something in me that I hadn’t yet seen in myself. Before her class, I rarely spoke up. I didn’t think my words held much weight or that my opinions mattered. But from the very beginning, she made it clear: I had something worth saying, and it was time I learned how to say it well. Mrs. Horn constantly reminded us that words could influence change. She taught me that it’s not just about speaking it’s about speaking with purpose. She challenged me to find what I was passionate about and use my voice to advocate for it. She pushed me out of my comfort zone and into opportunities I might have never taken on my own. Because of her encouragement and belief in me, I found the courage to pursue debate, where I learned to craft arguments, listen actively, and defend my positions with confidence and clarity. She was one of the first to tell me I could succeed in that space and she was right. Debate became a place where I sharpened my voice and developed my identity as a communicator and advocate. Her influence didn’t stop there. I began applying those same lessons in FFA, 4-H, and even in sports. Whether I was standing behind a podium or in front of a group of younger students in the show ring, I led with purpose because Mrs. Horn had taught me that leadership isn’t about being the loudest it’s about being intentional. Through her guidance, I learned to represent not just myself, but my values, my community, and the future I want to help build. Mrs. Horn helped me see that my voice could be used for meaningful advocacy, especially in areas I care deeply about like agricultural law, natural resource protection, and rural policy. Today, I’m pursuing a future where I can advocate for the land, farmers, and rural communities like the one that shaped me. Her impact is at the root of that purpose. She didn’t just change the way I speak. She changed the way I see myself, the way I lead, and the way I live. Because of Mrs. Horn, I no longer question whether my voice matters I know it does. And I plan to use it to make a difference.

One major issue facing the criminal justice system today is the disparity in sentencing and access to fair legal representation, particularly for individuals from underserved, low-income, or minority backgrounds. These disparities aren’t just statistics—they represent real people whose lives are altered by an unequal system. Too often, the quality of a person's defense, the outcome of their case, or even the length of their sentence depends more on their financial situation than on the facts. This issue perpetuates cycles of poverty, deepens mistrust between communities and law enforcement, and contributes to the broader problem of mass incarceration that harms entire families. In my future career, I want to be part of the movement working to create a more equitable, fair, and transparent criminal justice system. Whether through law, public policy, education, or advocacy, I plan to address these disparities by supporting reforms that prioritize equal access to justice for all. This includes advocating for increased funding for public defenders, pushing for greater transparency in sentencing, and promoting diversion programs for nonviolent offenders especially for those struggling with addiction, trauma, or mental health challenges. I also believe in the power of restorative justice, which focuses on repairing harm and rebuilding trust rather than simply punishing people. It’s a shift from a punitive mindset to one centered around healing, accountability, and long-term change in communities. I’ve already begun to explore the criminal justice field through several meaningful opportunities. Debate has been one of the most influential tools in shaping how I think about justice and how I express my voice. In researching case law, defending controversial positions, and analyzing legal principles, I’ve developed a deeper understanding of the complexities within our justice system. More importantly, debate has taught me how to listen actively, communicate clearly, and think critically skills that are vital for anyone hoping to work in or improve the system. Beyond the classroom, I’ve also had the unique opportunity to engage in thoughtful, real-world conversations with a law enforcement officer and several public defenders. These discussions gave me an honest look at both the strengths and flaws within our system. The law enforcement officer shared how officers often face impossible decisions with limited resources, while the public defenders described the challenges of representing clients who are overwhelmed by a system that often feels stacked against them. Hearing both perspectives helped me understand that meaningful change requires cooperation from all sides—law enforcement, legal advocates, policymakers, and local communities. These experiences have sparked a passion in me not just to learn more, but to do more. They’ve helped me see that the criminal justice system isn’t just an abstract concept—it’s a living structure that affects millions of lives, and one that must be constantly examined and improved. The skills I’ve gained through debate and dialogue like advocacy, empathy, research, collaboration, and critical thinking will carry me forward as I work toward a future where justice is not reserved for the privileged few, but accessible and fair for everyone, every time. I believe in a world where justice prevails without the hinderance of barriers.