Greetings! My name is Lou, resident of Lakewood Colorado. I transplanted from Chicago in 2011, and am currently reengaging with higher education after a lengthy hiatus. I am 6 years sober, and have been forever changed by the diligence and dedication exemplified by my late father Russell Schultz. Admittedly, my parents never split up. My mother however, did experience a stroke in life and my father took on so much while supporting her as well as me and my two older brothers in life. I learned from my father to always suit up and show up, no matter how I'm feeling. Dad worked every day, as a postal carrier in the Chicago metro. He never called in sick, and always provided. He took care of his sons, his wife, and always managed to have food on the table. His dedication to family and to his own sobriety has impacted me in ways I didn't come to realize until years after his death. Most notably, his sobriety in life was the first piece of evidence that allowed me to curb the standing belief that recovery was not an option. Because of him, I had evidence that it could happen. I found recovery amidst an intensive inpatient rehabilitation facility in Wheat Ridge Colorado in 2019. At that time, my world was very narrow and my life was very dark. The gift of desperation that was offered to me at this time inspired a radical change that I'd never before experienced in life. I came to learn that using was not the cause of my issues at the time, and that using was only my solution to the underlying effects that grief of loss, insecurity and past trauma allowed me to resort to. The knowledge that my addiction was not a moral deficiency, and instead a spiritual malady, gave me hope that I could recover. During treatment, I was offered a vision of a better life and a toolbox of better practices that I am still utilizing in my life today. The reality of my life is entirely different than it was when I was using. Today, I have lots of gratitude for what is before me. I spend much of my time exploring outdoors in the Front Range of the Colorado Mountains, and being of service to others. Since 2020, I have been volunteering weekly as a Rock Climbing instructor through a national non profit sober active community called The Phoenix. I am very engaged with the Twelve Step community in the Denver Metro, and have long standing service commitments at the Group and Area level of a specific Anonymous fellowship. Recovery has shown me that all things are possible, and few things worth pursuing are easy to pursue. For me, in recovery, lost dreams awaken and new possibilities arise. This belief is what has led me to the next most radical change in my life since the recovery process began; to re engage with college education. Although i can't see the end result i have a notion that this is the higher will for my life. Admittedly, I don't exactly know where my direct focus is going to end up in education. Avenues I've kept open can include but are not limited to; behavioral science/peer recovery support in relation to indoor/outdoor recreation. Web/App development in relation to recovery peer support. Youth development in relation to outdoor recreation. I do know that this is what Dad would have wanted for me. This experience is to honor him, and I'm grateful for the opportunity. Thank you for your consideration! Best, Louis Schultz louisschultz57@gmail.com

Greetings! My name is Lou, resident of Lakewood Colorado. I transplanted from Chicago in 2011, and have endured some heavy peaks and troughs over the last 10+ years. I'm re engaging with higher education for the first time since my move and am grateful to be taking on this endeavor. For a quick snapshot, I am 6 years clean and sober. Advocating for positively inspired mental health practices for myself and for others definitely was not an involved aspect of my life many years back, and I can say that life is much different today. This was a process that took many years of trial and error. I found recovery from substance use disorder at an inpatient rehabilitation facility in Wheat Ridge Colorado in 2019, at the end of one road and the beginning of another. The months leading up to my admission to that treatment program were very dark and my world had shrunk very narrow. The road leading up to that event was long, argues, and today I'm grateful to have found it. While attending the intensive inpatient treatment center I came to learn that my consumption of substances was not the root problem but instead, my solution to underlying mental health issues that allowed for a spiritual void inside of me. After some years in recovery, I have come to understand that the consumption of substances was a band aid covering up childhood trauma as well as grief of losing a parent. During my stay I was offered a tool box full of alternative solutions to managing these mental health hang ups, and to this day I am finding new ways to practice utilizing what I learned during my time in treatment. Guiding principles to a new way of life include but are not limited to; service to others, relationship with community, prayer and meditation, fitness and exercise, and learning via open-mindedness and willingness. For years, I was certain that recovery was not possible. Evidence I was shown along the way helped curve that belief. Today, I try to advocate turning that belief for others in a couple different niche ways within my community. In early recovery, I was introduced to the sport of Rock Climbing through a non-profit sober active community called The Phoenix. The sport, the community, and the movement changed my life and gave me a new dedicated worthwhile purpose. Since 2020, I have been an active volunteer within the community, and have been leading climbing events since 2021. These events happen to take place at the same rehabilitation center that I attended. To be able to offer to others in treatment and in the community what was offered to me in life has been a selfless guiding principle that has furthered my purpose and motivation towards life. I am also actively engaged within the Anonymous fellowship community within the Denver Metro, and provide secretary service at a group level as well as Representation of a group at the Area level of the fellowship. I sponsor other recovering addicts one-on-one, and have come to learn more about my addiction while helping another with theirs. To have an opportunity to steer a human being away from the isolation, desperation, and despair that was once very prominent in my life is an opportunity many never find. All things said, advocating for a positive mental health practice has become a tenant of my life that I never saw coming. finding a way to correlate these service driven aspects of life into my educational pursuits is an exciting prospect. Thank you for your consideration! Best, Louis Schultz louisschultz57@gmail.com

Greetings! Lou here, resident of Lakewood Colorado and Student at Red Rocks Community College. Long time climber, in recovery from substance use disorder and BIG fan of Collin Duffy of Team USA! Collin is SUCH an inspiration to me! Such a strong climber, and fantastic representative of Team USA as well as Traditional American Climbing Values! What i love about Collin is that he is such a great all-arounder! His emphasis on bouldering and sport is inspiring, but how he integrated into speed climbing is amazing! His dynamic approach to climbing is something i use as a metaphor in my day-to-day life in recovery. His ability to be strong, evolve with the problems, and always forge ahead is something that i carry with me daily. During my time in recovery, I've found teaching to be a calling. Through volunteering, instructing, twelve step sponsorship, peer-support, and through building relationships with my adolescent nephews, I've found a love for approaching different learning styles and sharing information. Recovery has shown me that all things are possible, and few things worth pursuing are easy to pursue. For me, in recovery, lost dreams awaken and new possibilities arise. This belief is what has led me to the next most radical change in my life since the recovery process began; to re engage with college education. Although i can't see the end result i have a notion that this is the higher will for my life. Admittedly, with a declared degree in Associates of General Studies, I don't exactly know where my direct focus is going to end up in education. I do feel that coupling my life experience through recovery, my personal passions, and my lifestyle priority of being of service to others/the community around me can only lead me to where I'm meant to be. Avenues I've kept open can include but are not limited to; behavioral science/peer recovery support in relation to indoor/outdoor recreation. Web/App development in relation to recovery peer support. Youth development in relation to outdoor recreation. Here's to Duffy in the next round of games, and thank you for your consideration! Best, Louis Schultz louisschultz57@gmail.com

Greetings! My name is Lou, resident of Lakewood Colorado. Currently reengaging with higher education after a lengthy hiatus, and excited for the endeavor that lies ahead. I am currently 6 years clean/sober. I actively maintain a lifestyle of recovery from substance use disorder on a day to day basis, and I stay engaged with the recovery community at large in the Denver Metro and beyond. Addiction has shook me to the core, and recovery has brought me back to life. The gratitude that has developed for this opportunity and for the life that has blossomed is vast. I found recovery amidst an intensive inpatient rehabilitation facility in Wheat Ridge Colorado in 2019. At that time, my world was very narrow and my life was very dark. It was through this extensive treatment program that I discovered the open mindedness to approach a new way of life as well as the willingness to pursue it. The gift of desperation that was offered to me at this time inspired a radical change that I'd never before experienced in life. I came to learn that using was not the cause of my issues at the time, and that using was only my solution to the underlying effects that grief of loss, insecurity and past trauma allowed me to resort to. The knowledge that my addiction was not a moral deficiency, and instead a spiritual malady, gave me hope that I could recover. During treatment, I was offered a vision of a better life and a toolbox of better practices that I am still utilizing in my life today. The reality of my life is entirely different than it was when I was using. Today, I have lots of gratitude for what is before me. I spend much of my time exploring outdoors in the Front Range of the Colorado Mountains, and being of service to others. Since 2020, I have been volunteering weekly as a Rock Climbing instructor through a national non profit sober active community called The Phoenix. I am very engaged with the Twelve Step community in the Denver Metro, and have long standing service commitments at the Group and Area level of a specific Anonymous fellowship. During my time in recovery, I've found teaching to be a calling. Through volunteering, instructing, twelve step sponsorship, peer-support, and through building relationships with my adolescent nephews, I've found a love for approaching different learning styles and sharing information. Recovery has shown me that all things are possible, and few things worth pursuing are easy to pursue. For me, in recovery, lost dreams awaken and new possibilities arise. This belief is what has led me to the next most radical change in my life since the recovery process began; to re engage with college education. Although i can't see the end result i have a notion that this is the higher will for my life. Admittedly, with a declared degree in Associates of General Studies, I don't exactly know where my direct focus is going to end up in education. I do feel that coupling my life experience through recovery, my personal passions, and my lifestyle priority of being of service to others/the community around me can only lead me to where I'm meant to be. Avenues I've kept open can include but are not limited to; behavioral science/peer recovery support in relation to indoor/outdoor recreation. Web/App development in relation to recovery peer support. Youth development in relation to outdoor recreation. With your help, I can continue on this mission of pursuit. Good things ahead, thank you for your consideration. Louis Schultz louisschultz57@gmail.com 8475399886

Greetings! My name is Lou, resident of Lakewood Colorado. Currently reengaging with higher education after a lengthy hiatus, and excited for the endeavor that lies ahead. I am currently 6 years clean/sober. I actively maintain a lifestyle of recovery from substance use disorder on a day to day basis, and I stay engaged with the recovery community at large in the Denver Metro and beyond. Addiction has shook me to the core, and recovery has brought me back to life. The gratitude that has developed for this opportunity and for the life that has blossomed is vast. I found recovery amidst an intensive inpatient rehabilitation facility in Wheat Ridge Colorado in 2019. At that time, my world was very narrow and my life was very dark. It was through this extensive treatment program that I discovered the open mindedness to approach a new way of life as well as the willingness to pursue it. The gift of desperation that was offered to me at this time inspired a radical change that I'd never before experienced in life. I came to learn that using was not the cause of my issues at the time, and that using was only my solution to the underlying effects that grief of loss, insecurity and past trauma allowed me to resort to. The knowledge that my addiction was not a moral deficiency, and instead a spiritual malady, gave me hope that I could recover.  During treatment, I was offered a vision of a better life and a toolbox of better practices that I am still utilizing in my life today. The reality of my life is entirely different than it was when I was using. Today, I have lots of gratitude for what is before me. I spend much of my time exploring outdoors in the Front Range of the Colorado Mountains, and being of service to others. Since 2020, I have been volunteering weekly as a Rock Climbing instructor through a national non profit sober active community called The Phoenix. I am very engaged with the Twelve Step community in the Denver Metro, and have long standing service commitments at the Group and Area level of a specific Anonymous fellowship. During my time in recovery, I've found teaching to be a calling. Through volunteering, instructing, twelve step sponsorship, peer-support, and through building relationships with my adolescent nephews, I've found a love for approaching different learning styles and sharing information. Recovery has shown me that all things are possible, and few things worth pursuing are easy to pursue. For me, in recovery, lost dreams awaken and new possibilities arise. This belief is what has led me to the next most radical change in my life since the recovery process began; to re engage with college education. Although i can't see the end result i have a notion that this is the higher will for my life. Admittedly, with a declared degree in Associates of General Studies, I don't exactly know where my direct focus is going to end up in education. I do feel that coupling my life experience through recovery, my personal passions, and my lifestyle priority of being of service to others/the community around me can only lead me to where I'm meant to be. Avenues I've kept open can include but are not limited to; behavioral science/peer recovery support in relation to indoor/outdoor recreation. Web/App development in relation to recovery peer support. Youth development in relation to outdoor recreation. With your help, I can continue on this mission of pursuit. Good things ahead, thank you for your consideration. Louis Schultz louisschultz57@gmail.com 8475399886

Greetings! Lou here, resident of Lakewood CO. Re engaging with higher education after a 10+ year hiatus, and grateful for your consideration. For me, Recovery is a way of life that I practice daily. Since getting clean in 2019 at an inpatient rehabilitation facility in Wheat Ridge Colorado, I have found a daily reprieve from my addiction. In my first 30 days of recovery, I was offered a toolbox of skills necessary for survival and am finding new ways to practice them to this day. At the core of my addiction lies self centeredness and obsession. Regardless of whether or not substance use is a part of my life, these characteristics hold true. My addiction is not a moral deficiency, but a spiritual malady that requires daily maintenance to break away from and grow from. To successfully do this, I spend my time being of service to others which is greatly different than my previous life before Recovery. In Denver Area anonymous programs, in the fitness/rock climbing events through the Phoenix nonprofit community, and to my mother and family. Life in recovery has offered my lost dreams to awaken and new possibilities to arise, which has inspired me to re enroll with higher education. Practicing the Spiritual Principles offered in Recovery such as Hope, Faith and Trust is providing me motivation to press on, and I do firmly believe that this is the way. Grateful for the opportunity to express this all to you. Thank you! Best, Louis Schultz louisschultz57@gmail.com

Greetings! My name is Lou, resident of Lakewood Colorado. Returning to higher education in the Spring 2025, after 10+ years away from education. I'm self supporting this endeavor, and holding onto hope that it can be a fruitful and sustainable experience in the coming years. Appreciate you taking the time to read through this application, and grateful for your consideration on the matter. The Great Outdoors has been inspirational to my mind, my body, my spirit, and my soul over the course of my life. I grew up in Northern Illinois, and first found my love for the outdoors as a member of the Boy Scouts of America. Before successfully completing my Eagle Scout Honor, I had the opportunity to explore Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin while camping, hiking, biking, fishing, and beyond. We also took annual trips to Michigan, and attended the Owassippi Scout Ranch. This is where I was introduced to Wilderness Survival, Wilderness First Aid, etc. These rugged overnight excursions in the wilderness are still vivid memories for me to this day, escaping to the woods with trusted scouts and working on building lodging, making fires, and enjoying what the land had to offer. These initial experiences in the wilderness, and honestly the guiding tenets of Scouting in general have undoubtably helped shape the man i am today. In the present, i am still actively engaged with the outdoor arena in a more dedicated fashion than ever before. My reignition of my love for the outdoors in adulthood took place after finding sobriety in 2019. I am very actively engaged in the world of recovery from substance use disorder, have over 5 years clean/sober, and spend most of my time engaging in outdoor/recreational activities and teaching these skills to my 3 nephews. Notably, Rock Climbing, Ultra Trail Running, and fly fishing in the foothills of Colorado have been my main pursuits. Through finding a nonprofit program called The Phoenix during an inpatient rehabilitation program in 2019, i fell in love with Rock Climbing in Recovery. The Phoenix noticed my motivation towards recovery and climbing and in 2020, helped fund my enrollment in an AMGA certified Climbing Wall Instructor course as well as a Wilderness First Aid certification course. These are skills I actively perform through The Phoenix, and I've been a Volunteer Climbing Instructor through the Phoenix since 2020. I spend time weekly volunteering my time in the climbing community in Wheat Ridge Colorado leading rock wall events, and gain a lot of satisfaction/perspective from this journey. The Rock Wall led me to the trails, which I spend lots of time on. Since my love for the Great Outdoors was reignited in adulthood, I have successfully completed Marathons and Ultra Marathons in Wisconsin, Colorado, and Oregon. I find peace in the hills and on the trails, and am forever grateful to have been offered the opportunity in life to be able to explore the trail networks in Southern Wisconsin, Eugene Oregon, Fort Collins Colorado, and Boulder Colorado in particular. Through so much change and transition over the last 5 years in general and the last year specifically, these pursuits offer me insight, perspective, and a life I would not have otherwise. As I've begun to re evaluate priorities in life, reengaging with formal education seems like the way forward. Fitness, Recreation, and Outdoor Education are all on the docket for my Associates Degree Plan at Red Rocks Community College on the Front Range. A lot of moving pieces are at play, and I'm trusting these words will find you well. With Gratitude, always- Louis Schultz louisschultz57@gmail.com

Greetings! Thanks for taking the time to read through my request for scholarship. My name is Lou, current resident of Lakewood Colorado. I'm currently re-enrolled at Red Rocks Community College seeking higher education for the first time in over 10 years, which in of itself is a humbling prospect of life right now. I'm self supporting this education venture, and am seeking all the resources i can find. The sciences have always been my calling, and due to unforeseen life circumstances i had to put my college education on hold in 2010. I grew up in Antioch Illinois and started working at a young age at a family owned pet shop, Best Pets LTD in Antioch Illinois. This is where i found my love of the natural world. I worked there for about ten years, and over the course of that time i became enamored with aquatic life and reptilian life specifically. Straight out of high school, i jumped into my first college course at the local community college, The College of Lake County located in Grayslake Illinois. The course was oceanography, and I really enjoyed coupling the love for living this along with the bigger picture functions that are at play within the natural ecosystem. I think that this lifelong passion for living things would correlate very well into conservation sciences, forestry sciences, and beyond. Also, physical activity has been passion throughout my life. Through youth athletics, various high school sports, and falling in love with Rock Climbing and Trail running in adulthood, i have found medicine in movement and the great outdoors. I currently volunteer through a non-profit organization The Phoenix, a sober active community committed to making physical activity available and free for those experiencing addiction/alcoholism/substance use disorder. I think the coupled passions of physical activity, team sports, and volunteering within the world of behavioral health sciences would correlate very well into a science oriented career. After completing my Associates In General Studies, i can foresee pursuing certificate awards to further my development within the world of recreation/outdoor education. Furthermore, as i have been an active volunteer lead through the Phoenix since 2019, I can see realistic value to attaining a degree in behavioral health/addiction counseling and would love to find a way to intertwine that with making outdoor/recreational endeavors approachable/available to all. Currently, I am employed with the Apex Recreation Center in Arvada Colorado as an indoor rock climbing instructor. Post graduation, as I've already alluded to, i would like to intertwine the aforementioned passions in life in order to help people. My love for conservation of the outdoors, recreational movement and physical activity, teaching/education, along with adding technological components of App development, entry accessibility, and website development that make life in 2024 so easily assessable, could all be coupled into creating opportunities for others. The Courses that I've realigned myself with at Red Rocks Community College for the Spring 2025 Semester are all related to these passions and my vision to serve. Environmental Science, Statistics, Recreation, and Nutrition and wellness are all currently registered courses, and I'm excited to see how the relationship between these specific areas of study can come together to provide meaningful, assessable, relatable, and reliable outlets for those around me in life, in my family, and in my community. In the coming years, my goal is to learn grow and develop the skills related to the aspects of my life and the world in general that make me tick. Thank you for your consideration! Best- Louis Schultz louisschultz57@gmail.com

Greetings! My love for ocean life has always been alive. I worked in a privately owned pet shop as my first job, Best Pets in Antioch Illinois. I stayed there for about 10 years, and became team lead in the aquatics department. I fell in love with fresh water and salt water ecosystems, maintenance, chemistry, and aesthetics. Learning more about the salt water organisms and the chemistry of the water was a must, so i ended up taking a summer course straight out of High School in Oceanography at College of Lake County in Grayslake Illinois. I loved the course, and enjoyed correlating what I'd learned in Environmental Science courses in High School to the bigger picture functions that played a role in our great oceans. Admittedly, I'm just reintegrating back to higher education after some time away and I'm very excited for the process. I believe teaching is a calling, and though i don't have a degree in my mid-30's i do love to teach. I think spreading awareness on the importance of conservation of our great oceans is crucial, and i think education focused on that conservation is crucial as well. I also think igniting passion within the next generation is integral in providing sustainable conservation practices for years to come. With my experience teaching/coaching youth, i think it would be valuable to be able to ignite the same passion in others as found myself, working at Best Pets all those years ago. Utilizing my self supported Associates Degree, I'd aim to utilize my skills as a passionate person as well as an educator within the world of preserving the state of our natural oceans. Equipped with college level knowledge, i think networking and spreading the word on the importance of this important matter would be much easier. I aim to focus my AGS generalist degree in the pathway of conservation/environmental sciences and believe that through daily hard work and thoughtful conservation practices i just may be able to connect with a team that shares my values towards the great outdoors, and the great oceans. I firmly believe that conservation of oceans is a team effort, and will take what I learn attaining my science/conservation Associates degree into the real world utilizing real work networking, communication, and developing technology to preserve the natural beauty and natural state of the fragile ocean ecosystem. Thank you for your consideration! Best, Louis Schultz louisschultz57@gmail.com