Before taking my business class, I never imagined that a teacher could influence my future career so strongly. Like many high school students, I was focused on finishing assignments and preparing to graduate, but I had not yet discovered a subject that truly sparked my passion. That changed when I took business with Mr. Mariano at Phineas Banning High School. Over the past two years, he has had a major impact on my academic growth, my confidence as a leader, and my decision to pursue business as my future career. From the beginning, Mr. Mariano created a classroom environment where learning felt real and meaningful. Instead of teaching only from a textbook, he encouraged us to think like entrepreneurs and problem solvers. His lessons connected directly to how businesses operate in the real world. Through his guidance, I learned about management, generating revenue, targeting the right audience, building consumer relationships, and understanding how businesses turn ideas into profit. What stood out most was how patient and supportive he was while teaching these skills, always guiding us until we truly understood. One experience that had a major impact on me was the BUILD program in his class. The program challenged us to develop a business solution for a client and required several stages of planning, research, and presentation. Throughout the process, he pushed us to think deeper and helped us learn how to break down problems and develop realistic solutions. I am someone who becomes more motivated when I feel like I am learning and improving, and this project helped me realize that business was something I was capable of and passionate about. His influence also played a major role in my experience as a manager for the Human Resources department in our class company structure. In this role, I organize my team, make sure workers sign in every day, and ensure everyone stays on task. I also help train others on how to process orders, send professional emails, and maintain a healthy balance in their company bank accounts. Being trusted with this responsibility helped me develop leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Another experience that showed the impact of his teaching was the Trade Fair we attended on March 5, 2026 at California State University, San Bernardino. During the event, students represented companies from his classes such as Green Tech, Sweet N Dishes, and GSSurance. He spent weeks preparing us for the event and teaching us how to present our businesses and interact with customers. Because of his preparation and leadership, the trade fair was a success and our companies generated a large amount of revenue and profit. Mr. Mariano also inspires students by sharing his own experiences in business. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from San Diego State University and has built school businesses within the Virtual Enterprises International program, including my class company Sweet N Dishes, which sells sweets from around the world. Knowing that he has real experience in the field makes his lessons even more meaningful. Overall, Mr. Mariano has influenced nearly every part of my learning experience in business. He taught me valuable skills, encouraged me to take on leadership roles, and helped me discover a passion that will shape my future. Because of his guidance, I now feel confident pursuing a career in business and continuing my education.