The moment my brother Jackson entered the world, he was already leaving it. Born with severe heart and brain defects, his life lasted only minutes, but those minutes shaped the way I understand relationships, responsibility, and purpose. Even though I was young, his passing deeply affected my family and stayed with me as I grew older. It made me realize how much people rely on one another during moments of crisis, and how important compassion, support, and advocacy are when life feels uncertain. That early experience became the foundation for how I view relationships today and how they influence the goals I am working toward. Although our time with him was brief, it was full of love for Jackson and for each other. I remember the comforting hug of my parents, the support of my grandparents, and the condolence cards from friends who wanted to share in our grief. In the embrace of those who cared for me, I found not only comfort, but also the courage to continue forward. While the pain of that loss is still present, those relationships helped guide my family through the grieving process and showed me, at a young age, how deeply people rely on one another in life’s hardest moments. As I grew older, relationships continued to shape me in ways that went far beyond hardship. On the soccer and lacrosse field, my strongest memories are not just of competition, but of connection. I think of team dinners, practices where we pushed each other, and coaches who believed in me even when I doubted myself. Those relationships taught me discipline, accountability, and the value of working toward something bigger than myself. They also made it hard to imagine life without sports when I later tore my ACL and meniscus. That injury changed my role, but not my relationships. Instead of being a player, I became someone who supported teammates from the sidelines. My family helped me through daily challenges, my friends made sure I stayed included, and my coaches continued to treat me as part of the team. I learned that relationships are not defined by shared success alone. They are defined by consistency, loyalty, and showing up for one another in different roles over time. Outside of sports, I also found new relationships that shaped my perspective. Through Special Stars and Junior Firebirds, I worked with children and young adults with disabilities. I built trust through coaching and mentoring, and these relationships were not about competition or crisis, but about joy, growth, and confidence. I saw how encouragement, patience, and consistency could help someone believe in themselves. Those experiences showed me that relationships are also what make progress and learning possible. These moments together in teams, volunteering, and everyday life taught me that relationships are built through both shared challenges and shared successes. They create belonging, purpose, and direction. Over time, I began to see how deeply they influence the way I think about my future. I became more interested in how systems like law and healthcare affect people’s ability to access support, opportunity, and dignity, especially for those who may not have strong networks behind them. I now see myself pursuing a career in law and advocacy. I want to build relationships with people whose voices are often overlooked and help ensure they are heard and represented. Whether working in disability rights, mental health advocacy, or public interest law, I want relationships to remain at the center of my work. They are not just support during hardship. They are also the foundation for trust, understanding, and meaningful change. As I start college and the professional world, I know relationships will continue to shape my growth. In college, I hope to build connections with classmates, professors, and mentors who challenge the way I think and help me grow academically and personally. In the legal field, I understand that success is built not only on knowledge, but on trust, communication, and collaboration with clients, colleagues, and communities. Most importantly, relationships are not defined by a single type of experience. They are present in grief, but also in growth. They exist in loss, but also in teamwork, mentorship, friendship, and everyday connection. My family, my teammates, and the people I have worked with have all shaped who I am and who I hope to become. Relationships do not just help us through life. They shape the life we choose to build.

TPD. To most people, those are just three initials, but to me they stand for courage, compassion, and dedication. My dad, Thomas Patrick DiEnna, is the biggest role model in my life because of the way he always puts others before himself. Through his work in healthcare, the way he treats people, and the example he sets for my family, he has shown me what it really means to be a great father and person. While most people step away from stressful or dangerous situations, my dad always steps toward them. One moment I will never forget happened during a holiday dinner with my extended family. An older woman at a nearby table suddenly became unresponsive, and before anyone else could react, my dad and my uncle, who is a firefighter in Philadelphia, rushed over to help her. They stayed calm, checked her condition, and comforted her family until paramedics arrived. When the woman was safe, the entire restaurant broke into applause. In that moment, I realized that helping others is not just part of my dad’s job. It is part of who he is. My father’s selflessness didn’t end with his work at the hospital. He always found time to be present in my life and the lives of my brothers. He coached our soccer and basketball teams, teaching us the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and dedication. Balancing his career with being an involved father was no small feat, yet he managed it with grace. His ability to prioritize both is something I deeply admire and strive to emulate. No matter how long or stressful his shifts were, he still showed up for us. Whether it was helping us improve after a tough game, encouraging us to keep working hard, or simply being there when we needed him, he always gave us his full support. He has shown me what unconditional love looks like because no matter what happens, he is always there for our family. I have also seen my dad help strangers in everyday situations. I remember a motorcycle accident where everyone around seemed frozen in panic, but my dad immediately stepped in to help and comfort the injured rider until the ambulance arrived. Watching him stay calm under pressure taught me that true strength is not about attention or recognition. It is about doing the right thing and helping people when they need it most. To most people, TPD may simply stand for Thomas Patrick DiEnna. To me, those initials represent the kind of person I hope to become someday. Thank you, Dad, for guiding me and teaching me the importance of empathy, resilience, and service. Your example has shaped not only who I am but also who I strive to become. I hope that one day I can carry my own initials, MPD — Mason Patrick DiEnna — with the same kindness, strength, and selflessness that my dad shows every single day.

The moment my brother Jackson entered the world, he was already leaving it. His heart beat for only a few minutes, yet those brief moments altered the course of my life. Jackson was born with multiple brain defects, and although he never had the chance to grow, his life left me with a profound purpose. His brief life instilled in me a passion for advocating for individuals with disabilities. Witnessing the challenges they face has ignited my desire to ensure all voices are heard and represented. I find meaning by volunteering with youth in programs like Special Stars and Create for Kids, which transformed my perspective on resilience and the importance of service. Special Stars engages children with special needs in developing soccer skills. I coached them through adaptive drills, offering guidance and encouragement. Watching these children experience the joy of learning new skills despite their challenges was humbling. I also enjoy thinking critically and constructing solid arguments, a skill I am working on in class discussions and conversations about current events. This passion aligns seamlessly with a career in law, where the ability to present clear, persuasive cases is crucial. I hope to use this skill to uplift and protect others. I plan to pursue a law degree, focusing on public interest law or civil rights, empowering myself with the knowledge to navigate and advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. I will apply for internships and volunteer opportunities that provide practical experience in legal advocacy, especially in supporting children and families facing challenges. I hope to collaborate with individuals and organizations to make an impact. My choice to pursue a career in government and law is personal and driven by my desire to create an equitable society. I aim to challenge injustices, ensuring fairness and justice for all, especially those facing the greatest challenges. Jackson’s memory and the lessons I’ve learned through Special Stars and other volunteer experiences inspire me to fight for a world where every child, regardless of their circumstances, can thrive. The best part of finding or applying for scholarships is the opportunity to reduce financial stress, open up possibilities, and access education. It brings hope for the future, making dreams of higher education more attainable. While this scholarship would not cover my tuition, it would help ease important expenses, such as traveling back to Pennsylvania to spend time with my family. I am incredibly grateful for organizations and individuals, like this scholarship in Memorial of Honorable Shawn M. Long, whose support empowers students like me to pursue our aspirations and turn our goals into reality.

When my brother Jackson entered the world, he was already leaving it. His heart beat for only a few minutes, yet those brief moments altered the course of my life. Jackson was born with multiple brain defects, and although he never had the chance to grow, his life left me with a purpose. My youngest brother Jackson passed away a few years ago. Until October 13, 2015, I had never experienced or understood grief. That morning, we woke up early to go to the hospital, but instead of the excitement of meeting my brother, I was filled with worry and nerves. Jackson’s little life had not developed as it should, and though it was time to meet him, we already knew the heartbreak that awaited. The grief we felt wasn’t just about his passing, it stretched into the past and the future. We mourned not only his final breath but also the months leading up to that moment when we were told he wouldn’t develop properly. Along with that came the painful realization that all our dreams of park days, board games, and birthday celebrations would never come to be. It was an unbelievably hard day for me and my family. Although our time with him was brief it was full of love. Love for Jackson and also love for each other, from the comforting hug of my parents, to the support of my grandparents, and friends' condolence cards. In the embrace of those who cared for me, I found not only comfort but also the courage to continue forward. Although the pain is still present, all of these relationships helped me heal during the bereavement process. I want to be that love and comfort when others need support. Jackson's brief life instilled a passion for advocating for individuals with disabilities. Witnessing the challenges they face has ignited my desire to ensure all voices are heard and represented. I find meaning by volunteering with youth in programs like Special Stars and Create for Kids, which transformed my perspective on resilience and the importance of service. Special Stars engages children with special needs in developing soccer skills. I coached them through drills, offering guidance and encouragement. Watching these children experience the joy of learning new skills despite their challenges is humbling. I also enjoy thinking critically and constructing solid arguments, a skill I am working on in school. This passion aligns seamlessly with a career in law, where the ability to present clear, persuasive cases is crucial. I hope to use this skill to uplift and protect others. I plan to pursue a law degree, focusing on public interest law or civil rights, empowering myself with the knowledge to navigate and advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. I will apply for internships and volunteer opportunities that provide practical experience in legal advocacy, especially in supporting children and families facing challenges. My choice to pursue a career in government and law is personal. I hope to challenge injustices, ensuring fairness, especially those facing the greatest challenges. Jackson’s memory and the lessons I’ve learned through Special Stars and other volunteer experiences inspire me to fight for a world where every child can thrive.