I grew up in Hampton, Tennessee, a small town on the border of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. I joined the Cub Scouts in the first grade, molding me into a young man passionate about serving others. I am an Eagle Scout, Chief Petty Officer JROTC, FFA Sentinel, Navy Sea Cadet Asheville Division, rifle team member, color guard right rifleman, criminal justice team member, 4-year golf team member, volunteer firefighter member, musician, drama club member, member of Morgan Chapel Church, rancher, and member of the Tennessee State Cattlemen Association. To positively impact the world, I accepted the offer to attend a college that most will not consider. I accepted the challenge to enroll at The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina. This school provides an excellent education, plus develops students to become principled leaders in all walks of life. The Citadel will establish the tools I need to build resiliency by overcoming adversity and challenges. Cadets take an oath to lifelong moral and ethical behavior. I take oaths very seriously as they are not just a solemn promise to myself but to God. Colossians 3:23 guides my life to do all things to the best of my ability as if I am doing it for God and not to satisfy men. My career goal is to serve in the US Navy and then return to my community to use my leadership skills in an elected and/or law enforcement role. I’ve attended local government meetings, interviewed employees, and sat in on court hearings to prepare for my future. I am majoring in Political Science—international Politics and Military Affairs. My decision to become a principled leader will positively impact my career and all I will serve in the future. Everyone experiences adversity, but the key is not to let it control your destination. I am blessed that my parents have been married for almost 30 years, but that alone does not exempt one from adversity. Adversity first appeared when I was four. My grandfather passed away while he was with me alone in the front yard. The image of him lying on the ground with his tongue sticking out of his mouth is a permanent picture that time will not erase. In the sixth grade, my friend Jacob died from leukemia. We just played together that week! How could he be dead? I still go by his grave, wondering why. During high school, I lost my other grandfather, grandmother, two uncles, and my aunt. The fifth commandment is about honoring your father and mother. We bring honor or dishonor to our loved ones each day, whether they are alive or not, by how we live and treat others. To overcome the adversity of losing my friends and family, I made a vow to live a life of integrity to honor their lives. I will be the best man I can be to honor Jacob, who was taken as a child. I will give my all in The Citadel band for my Uncle Joe, encourage others as my Uncle Bill, laugh with others as my Aunt Vickie, love everyone as my grandmother, and share the wisdom of my grandfathers. This review board will be proud of their investment in my higher educational goals. I desire to make my world a better place by making a difference through volunteering and service to others. Many, like Valerie, gave their time and talents to make my generation better. I pledge to pay it forward to the next generation and bring honor to the life of Valerie Rabb through this scholarship.