The entrepreneurial journey of my veteran father has impacted my educational and professional goals by showing me that with hard work and dedication, I can achieve my dreams. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2014 and completed his law degree. He started his own law firm in 2015. He was selected as the Louisiana Vetpreneur of the Year for 2025 and just graduated from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Entrepreneur Program. My dad has shown me how committed he is to his business and inspires me. No matter the circumstances, he is always ready to work and show what he is capable of. One of the biggest lessons I learned from him is the value of hard work and commitment. I have learned skills, such as leadership, dedication, and perseverance. My dad always remains focused on completing his responsibilities and supporting my family. Seeing that level of discipline inspires me to approach my education with the same mindset. I learned that success does not come easily and that perseverance is necessary to overcome challenges. He has shown me that challenges can always be overcome with determination and confidence. Watching him stand up for himself and lead others has taught me to believe in myself. I strive every day to become more like my dad by carrying those values into my future. The experiences and lessons I have gained from my dad have helped shape the person I am today. In addition, my dad’s entrepreneurial journey has inspired me to use my education to make an impact on my community. I can do this by gaining knowledge to better prepare myself to address real-world challenges and help others. I strive to use what I learn to support those in need. Through community service I can volunteer at food shelters, donate items, and clean public spaces. Through mentoring I can volunteer by offering academic tutoring, guiding career development, and providing emotional support to the youth in diverse communities. In addition, this fall I plan to begin my Nursing degree at Louisiana State University. It feels like a natural next step. I want a career where I am helping people every day, not just on weekends. I know nursing will be hard and the days will be long, but I am not afraid of showing up and doing the work. I have been practicing that my whole life. Pursuing a nursing career will directly benefit others and impact my community. By staying committed to my goals and using my skills responsibly, I strive to make a lasting impression. I have high hopes for my future, but have anticipation for others to follow my path and aim to impact our community just as I will. My mom is also active duty Air Force. Being a member of a military family, with two military parents, has been one of the most impactful for my educational journey. Watching my parents stay committed to their careers and their country, no matter the challenges, inspires me every day. They are always ready to work, serve others, and prove what they are capable of. Although being part of a military family comes with sacrifices, those challenges have shaped me into a stronger and more determined person. My parents have been the biggest example of who I should grow up to be like. They are hardworking and dedicated people. Because of there determination to show up everyday I realized how important my education is. Ultimately, my parents military service has inspired me to never give up on my educational journey because I can end up doing amazing things.