From the seemingly infinite landscapes to the buzzing mobs at night, Minecraft is a game that has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions. More specifically the sandbox game captured my heart, exposing me to creativity, innovation, and unending adventures in the vast Minecraft biomes. Minecraft is more than just a game; it’s a sandbox of possibilities. The apprenhension of surviving your first night, the pride in constructing your very first redstone machine, and the thrill of exploring the End and battling the Ender Dragon are experiences that resonate deeply with players. Each block placed and each challenge overcome are testaments to the unique ability of Minecraft to foster innovation, collaboration, and a profound connection with players across the globe. I vividly remember the exhilaration of surviving my first night in Minecraft. With the sun setting and the eerie sounds of mobs echoing through the pixelated world, I scrambled to build a small dirt shelter. The sense of accomplishment I felt as I watched the sunrise from my rudimentary hideout was unparalleled. This initial experience taught me the importance of resourcefulness and quick thinking, lessons that have proven invaluable both in the game and in real life. As I delved deeper into the world of Minecraft, I discovered the intricate possibilities of redstone. Constructing my first redstone machine was a moment of immense pride. It was a simple automated door, but it represented hours of experimentation, problem-solving, and perseverance. This endeavor sparked my interest in engineering and computer science, fields I am now pursuing academically. Minecraft’s redstone mechanics served as an early introduction to the principles of logic and circuitry, laying the groundwork for my future studies and career aspirations. Exploring the End and battling the Ender Dragon is a milestone in every Minecraft player’s journey. The preparation, strategy, and sheer determination required to conquer this formidable challenge mirror the perseverance needed to achieve goals in the real world. My first victory over the Ender Dragon was not just a game achievement; it was a lesson in resilience and the rewards of hard work. This triumph reminded me that even the most daunting obstacles can be overcome with the right mindset and effort. This scholarship celebrates the game’s unique ability to inspire creativity and innovation. Whether it’s building elaborate structures, designing complex redstone contraptions, or collaborating with friends to create vast virtual worlds, Minecraft encourages players to think outside the box and push the boundaries of their imagination. The skills and experiences gained from playing Minecraft extend far beyond the game, influencing academic pursuits and personal growth. Minecraft stands as a testament to the stories created, the structures built, and the challenges overcome within Minecraft’s pixelated expanse. It invites students from all academic backgrounds to share their epic Minecraft tales and elucidate why this game is so much more than just blocks and pixels. For me, Minecraft has been a source of inspiration, a tool for learning, and a platform for unbounded creativity. The lessons I’ve learned and the skills I’ve developed while playing Minecraft have shaped my academic journey and future aspirations.

My entire life, everyone in my family has said I should be a lawyer. I never understood why, but over the summer I said to my little brother, “why does everyone say I would be a good lawyer, there’s no evidence to support that claim”. My little brother responds, “that’s exactly what a lawyer would say”. So, after that, I decided I was going to apply to law school. Ever since I started telling people I was pre-law, a lot of people have asked me what kind of law, I want to go into, and they're typically surprised when I tell them that criminal law is the field I aspire to work in. They'll tell me things like "so you're going to be defending criminals?", "you want to put innocent people in jail?", "you should do patent law, they make way more money". But being a lawyer shouldn't be about the money. It's about giving a voice to people that don't have one. Many people have forgotten that the legal system is a public service, not a business. That's why our laws mandate that every American deserves free legal defense, regardless of the offense. I couldn't really imagine a career where I'm behind a desk all day, crunching numbers for large companies or consulting projects. Every job I've ever worked very much involves have to work with and talk to others. As a lifeguard, I had to not only save people, but also communicate with them during medical or weather emergencies. As a substitute teacher, I would have classes full of third graders, all wanting to learn from me while asking as many questions as they can think of. As a real estate associate, I have talked to various homebuyers across Virginia about what their dream home looks like. In short, I have never held a job where I didn't have to interact with and meet the needs of others. That is part of what fuels my desire to go into criminal law. As a criminal lawyer you have to know your clients, understand them and what they want. You also have to understand the prosecutors and judges you work with, and where they might be coming from. I would probably aspire to work either as a prosecutor or a criminal defense attorney, but eventually I would like to work as a magistrate of some kind. Magistrates have a powerful impact on the people that come through their courtrooms. When I'm older, I would hope to be a magistrate that can have a positive impact on those people's lives, and steer them in a better direction. To do all this though, I must attend law school. That's where it all starts. And while I have already decided that I want to go, there is still a large question mark about whether or not I CAN go. Law school is very expensive, and while there are student loans, I don't want to be in deep debt for years just because I wanted to pursue my passion. That is the main barrier for me at the moment, but I have been working to find a way around that, and part of that is applying to scholarships and programs like this. Because, if law really is my passion, then I am not going to give up on it without a fight.

My entire life, everyone in my family has said I should be a lawyer. I never understood why, but over the summer I said to my little brother, “why does everyone say I would be a good lawyer, there’s no evidence to support that claim”. My little brother responds, “that’s exactly what a lawyer would say”. So, after that, I decided I was going to apply to law school. Ever since I started telling people I was pre-law, a lot of people have asked me what kind of law, I want to go into, and they're typically surprised when I tell them that criminal law is the field I aspire to work in. They'll tell me things like "so you're going to be defending criminals?", "you want to put innocent people in jail?", "you should do patent law, they make way more money". But being a lawyer shouldn't be about the money. It's about giving a voice to people that don't have one. That's why our laws mandate that every American deserves free legal defense, regardless of the offense. I couldn't really imagine a career where I'm behind a desk all day, crunching numbers for large companies or consulting projects. Every job I've ever worked very much involves have to work with and talk to others. As a lifeguard, I had to not only save people, but also communicate with them during medical or weather emergencies. As a substitute teacher, I would have classes full of third graders, all wanting to learn from me while asking as many questions as they can think of. As a real estate associate, I have talked to various homebuyers across Virginia about what their dream home looks like. In short, I have never held a job where I didn't have to interact with and meet the needs of others. That is part of what fuels my desire to go into criminal law. As a criminal lawyer you have to know your clients, understand them and what they want. You also have to understand the prosecutors and judges you work with, and where they might be coming from. I would probably aspire to work either as a prosecutor or a criminal defense attorney, but eventually I would like to work as a magistrate of some kind. Magistrates have a powerful impact on the people that come through their courtrooms. When I'm older, I would hope to be a magistrate that can have a positive impact on those people's lives, and steer them in a better direction. To do all this though, I must attend law school. That's where it all starts. And while I have already decided that I want to go, there is still a large question mark about whether or not I CAN go. Law school is very expensive, and while there are student loans, I don't want to be in deep debt for years just because I wanted to pursue my passion. That is the main barrier for me at the moment, but I have been working to find a way around that, and part of that is applying to scholarships and programs like this. Because, if law really is my passion, then I am not going to give up on it without a fight.