I know that I am a very lucky young man to call Hawai'i Island my home. Although I have lived in a couple places around the island, I feel like I have the fondest memories of life in Kona. I have 3 older brothers, one younger and just one sister. Growing up in a large family was extremely fun, but now that I look back, it was also very stressful and expensive too. Our family spent the majority of our free time at the beach; surfing, diving and playing. Not only was it an activity that didn't require a lot of money, but all of us were occupied throughout the day. I even remember my mom designating one afternoon during the school week for the beach....4 boys and my sister, at the time, after teaching the whole day was probably something she needed as well. My dad worked every night so he could take us to school and be home with my baby sister. I learned from a very young age how to body board, free dive with a Hawaiian sling spear (and eat everything we caught), cliff jump, etc. My mom said when I could barely swim, my dad put me in a lift vest and took me on an hour dive in the deepest of waters, yes, she was freaking out! During my 8th grade summer, I decided, and shared with my dad, that I wanted to play football. Being a football player himself, he suggested and started training me in the weight room. I immediately fell in love with weightlifting and football, although I had so much to learn about both. I started educating myself about weightlifting and saw the results every year with the hard work I put in, especially during the football off season. Football was exciting, but challenging at first because I had so much to learn. During my sophomore season, I was asked to come up to the Varsity level, and I got to play in my first state title game. Although we didn't win, that experience prepared me for the following 2 years. As a senior, I was voted as a captain, and I led the BIIF with over 70 tackles. Going to college was honestly not something I considered. Not only did I know how we struggled financially, but I didn't think that was something I wanted to do after high school either. The idea of playing college football is only something I dreamed of and to think it will happen is something I do not take for granted. The idea of getting to take my aloha and spread it throughout Salinas, California, is mindboggling to me. I know this opportunity doesn't come to many, and I can only have this experience with the help of financial aid and other scholarships like this. Please consider my story and allow me the chance to follow my dreams.