If I were to walk up to each person who knows me, the first thing they would say is that I'm dedicated. Going into high school, I had zero idea of who I was or who I wanted to be, so over the course of my 4 years, it was my job to define myself. I joined my school's NJROTC program, not expecting much to come from it. I knew I wanted to do my best, but I wasn't expecting anything to come from it. At the end of that year, I ended up being chosen as that year's freshman distinguished cadet. Knowing that my efforts were being noticed, I put more effort into what I did, and I dedicated more time to the program. Eventually, my perspective shifted. I realized that I wanted to work hard for more than just the acknowledgment, and I started to work harder for myself and the people around me. When my perspective shifted, I began to define myself differently. I'm the kid who is willing to dedicate himself to improving. If I notice something in my life that needs to change, I will make it my mission to change it, or if I set my mind on completing a task, I will get it done. From mundane things like spending a week straight trying to learn how to play hackey sack, or staying up late coordinating an event, I know that needs to be planned, that is how I define who I am.

I’ve seen each of my friends enlist in the military, I’ve been to each of their swearing-in ceremonies, and I’ve seen them join the Marine Corps, the Army, and the Navy, but I’ve realized I want to do more. I want to earn a 4-year degree in computer hardware engineering at the University of Idaho, and later be commissioned as a Marine Corps officer. After finishing my 3rd year of JROTC at Damonte Ranch High School, I knew I wanted to serve my country through the Marine Corps. I want to be a part of the University of Idaho’s NROTC program, and when I finish all 4 years of college, I want to go to Quantico, Virginia, to train alongside others just like me who want to make a difference in their community, country, and lives. I’ve worked hard in school to achieve this goal, holding perfect attendance and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.8-4.0 throughout all 4 years of high school. I’ve been a part of JROTC for 4 years, through which I’ve learned the values of leadership, timeliness, organization, and teamwork as my JROTC unit’s Battalion commander. It was in this position that I led teams of my peers to plan, coordinate, and execute events such as community clean-ups, holiday parties, and a dining-out for a group of 100+ students. It is my goal to grow in my moral character, physical ability, and knowledge. That is the reason I chose to pursue the Marine Corps. I believe that being a part of a discipline-driven, organized, and leadership-focused organization will turn me into the best version of myself. I want to make a difference in the lives of the people around me, as well as my fellow citizens, while giving back to the country that has allowed me to excel in the ways that I have. Through the education I have received, the freedom I have been ensured, and the numerous opportunities I have been granted to succeed in life, this country has given so much to me, and in some way, it is my goal to repay all of these amazing things this country has given to me by being a part of the force that protects it all. Now, the next step to reaching my goal is here in this essay. I’ve already been accepted to the University of Idaho and have been training hard to meet both the physical and academic standards required to be a part of their NROTC. I currently have a cumulative GPA of 3.91 and a weighted GPA of 4.7. On top of this, I have maintained perfect attendance throughout the entirety of high school. But, unless I can pay the hefty cost of tuition, I’ll have to compromise on my goal. It has been difficult for my mom to afford getting two kids through high school by herself, so now, as I move off to college, it has become apparent that unless I can get college paid for, I won’t be able to attend. But this scholarship can make a difference; earning this money puts me one step closer to attending college, to joining their NROTC program, and ultimately to becoming a United States Marine Corps Officer serving our country.