Hello my name is Mathias Smith and i am from Evansdale iowa and will graduate this may to go to Wartburg College but Being involved in speech and debate has had a huge impact on how I share my Christian faith. When I first joined the team, I thought it would just be about winning arguments and giving well-structured speeches. But over time, I realized that the skills I was learning—how to think critically, communicate clearly, and listen well—were also preparing me for something much deeper: sharing what I believe in a thoughtful, respectful, and confident way. One of the biggest lessons I learned from speech and debate was how to communicate effectively under pressure. Whether I was presenting a case in a debate round or delivering a prepared speech, I had to be clear, persuasive, and calm. I also had to think on my feet and respond quickly when challenged. This skill has been incredibly helpful when talking about my faith, especially in conversations where people may have questions, doubts, or different beliefs. Instead of becoming defensive or unsure of what to say, I’ve learned to respond with clarity, patience, and kindness. Another valuable skill debate taught me was how to truly listen. In competitive rounds, success often depends on how well you understand your opponent’s arguments—not just so you can “win,” but so you can engage with their ideas in a meaningful way. That same approach applies when I talk to others about my faith. People have real, personal reasons for what they believe, and it’s important to honor that by listening first. It opens the door to honest conversations and helps me share my faith in a way that’s not pushy or one-sided, but rooted in empathy and relationship. Speech and debate also helped me grow in confidence. I used to be nervous about sharing my beliefs, afraid of saying the wrong thing or not knowing how to answer tough questions. But over time, I’ve learned that sharing my faith isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being real, speaking from the heart, and trusting that God will use my words. Debate gave me the courage to speak up, and the tools to do it well. Ultimately, speech and debate didn’t just teach me how to argue—it taught me how to communicate with purpose, humility, and love. And that’s made all the difference in how I share my faith with others.

High school wasn’t always easy for me. It had some wins, some losses, and a whole lot of figuring things out. I wasn’t a straight-A student, and my GPA—around a 2.3—doesn’t tell the full story of how hard I’ve worked. But even with the struggles, I’ve grown. I’ve learned what I’m passionate about, I’ve found my voice, and I’m ready to take everything I’ve been through and turn it into something better as I head to college. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my academic journey is living with Jacob’s Syndrome, a genetic condition that’s affected the way I learn. Sometimes it takes me longer to process things, and focusing in class hasn’t always come easy. I’ve had to work twice as hard to keep up, and even then, my grades didn’t always reflect how much I was trying. That’s been frustrating—watching classmates earn higher grades while I’m staying up late just to finish assignments. But I never gave up. Instead of letting it bring me down, I started figuring out what I’m good at. I found out I love telling stories, especially through sports. I’ve always loved sports—whether it’s bowling, baseball, or just watching games—but I realized I wasn’t just a fan. I wanted to be part of the action in a different way. That realization came through my journalism class with Ms. Koch, who played a huge role in helping me discover my passion for media. She encouraged me to write, take photos, and explore sports storytelling. When our school newspaper wasn’t active anymore, I tried to bring it back. When that didn’t work, I started my own version—*The Black and Orange*. I picked up a camera and started highlighting what was happening around me. Through all of that, I realized I wanted to study Sports Media. That’s why I’m excited about going to Wartburg College this fall. It feels like a fresh start, a chance to build something from the ground up. In high school, I found little sparks of what I’m good at, but college is where I plan to take that further. I want to learn how to film and edit, how to interview athletes, how to run social media pages, and how to use my voice to tell stories that matter. College also gives me the chance to meet new people, to join clubs and organizations, and to be part of a community that supports my goals. I want to be involved in student media, help cover sports events, and grow my skills through hands-on experience and internships. I’ve already started doing that in high school—I’ve job-shadowed with the Waterloo Blackhawks' game ops team and taken a Sports and Entertainment Marketing class at the Waterloo Career Center. I’ve also spent time volunteering through my church, and those experiences taught me the value of community and giving back—something I want to carry with me into college life. Most of all, I’m excited to show people that your past doesn’t define your future. Just because high school was tough doesn’t mean college will be. I’ve already come a long way, and I know I’ve got what it takes to succeed. I’m not looking to be perfect—I’m looking to improve, learn, and grow into the person I know I can be. Wartburg is the next chapter, and I plan to make the most of it. I want to walk onto that campus proud of who I am, ready to learn more about the world and myself, and determined to turn all the challenges I’ve faced into something meaningful.

Hello My name is Mathias Smith, and I’m a senior at Waterloo East High School. This fall, I’ll be attending Wartburg College to major in Sports Media, In the journalism major, That decision didn’t come out of nowhere—it was inspired by a teacher who saw something in me long before I did. Her name is Ms. Koch, and she’s not just my journalism teacher—she’s the reason I found my passion. When I first walked into her classroom, I didn’t really know what journalism even meant. I wasn’t the loudest or most confident kid, and I wasn’t known for having perfect grades. But Ms. Koch had a way of making people feel seen. She saw I cared about sports and stories, and she pushed me to think deeper, to write more, and to believe that my voice mattered. She always supported my ideas—even the big ones. When I tried to restart our school newspaper, The Orange and Black, she was right there with me, helping me make it happen. And when that didn’t fully take off, she still encouraged me to keep going. I ended up starting my own underground paper called The Black and Orange, and even though it was a bit unconventional, she backed me up. She let me be creative and never made me feel like I had to fit in a box. Ms. Koch taught me that journalism is more than writing—it’s about truth, passion, and giving people a voice. That’s exactly what I want to do with Sports Media. I want to cover the games, yes, but more importantly, I want to tell the stories of athletes and coaches who work hard behind the scenes. I want to highlight the people who don’t always get noticed, just like Ms. Koch noticed me. Now, in her final year of teaching before she retires, I can’t help but feel thankful that I got to be in her class. She challenged me when I needed it, supported me when I doubted myself, and inspired me to follow a dream I didn’t even know I had. Because of her, I picked up a camera, started writing, and found confidence in who I am. Heading into college, I carry everything she taught me—about journalism, storytelling, and believing in yourself. Ms. Koch changed my life, and I hope one day, through my work in sports media, I can help someone the way she helped me.

My name is Mathias Smith, and I’m a senior at Waterloo East High School. My path to higher education hasn’t been the smoothest, but it’s been filled with experiences, challenges, and accomplishments that have helped shape who I am and where I’m going. One of those challenges has been living with Jacob’s Syndrome, which means I was born with an extra Y chromosome. It’s something not a lot of people talk about, and it’s made school harder for me in ways others might not understand. Learning can take more time, focusing can be difficult, and sometimes people judge before they get to know you. Even with those challenges, I’ve worked hard to push forward. My GPA might not be perfect—around a 2.3—but I never gave up. Instead, I’ve focused on learning by doing. That’s how I discovered my passion for sports and media. I’ve been involved in bowling, baseball, marching band, and even JROTC. I also found support and confidence through my church community, where I’ve spent time volunteering and growing as a leader. One of my biggest accomplishments came from starting my own underground school newspaper, The Black and Orange, after my effort to revive the official one didn’t work out. I didn’t let that stop me. I picked up a camera, started showing up at games, and began telling the stories that mattered to my classmates. That’s when I realized I wanted to study Sports Media. This fall, I’ll be attending Wartburg College to pursue that dream. Sports Media is important to me because it gives people a voice—especially athletes and students who may not always get the attention they deserve. I want to use photography, interviews, social media, and graphic design to highlight moments and people that matter. Behind every game is a story, and I want to be the one who captures it. Living with Jacob’s Syndrome has made me more determined and more aware of how important representation is. I know what it feels like to be overlooked or misunderstood, and I want to make sure others don’t feel that way—especially in small towns or schools like mine. My goal is to use what I learn at Wartburg to make a difference in the world of sports and in my community. Whether it’s helping a young athlete get noticed or giving someone their moment in the spotlight, I want to make an impact. I may have taken a different path than some, but it’s mine—and I’m proud of where it’s going.

Hello my name is mathias smith, and ill be graduating from waterloo east higu and attend wartburg, Being involved in concert and marching band has been one of the most rewarding parts of my high school experience. Music has taught me discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, and I love the energy of performing at football games, parades, and concerts. The dedication required—early morning rehearsals, late-night performances, and hours of practicehas helped me develop a strong work ethic and attention to detail. Band has pushed me to improve both individually and as part of a team, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and precision. Balancing my passion for band with my academic responsibilities has been challenging, but it has also made me more organized and efficient. Marching band, in particular, demands long hours of practice, often conflicting with schoolwork and other commitments. To manage my time effectively, I have learned to prioritize tasks, use planners, and complete assignments ahead of deadlines. Staying focused and planning ahead has allowed me to maintain a strong academic record while staying dedicated to band. Beyond band, I have been involved in JROTC, sports, and my church community all of which have reinforced my ability to balance multiple commitments. My time in JROTC helped me develop leadership and time management skills, while playing bowling and baseball strengthened my teamwork and perseverance. Through church activities, including mission trips and over 50 hours of volunteering, I have gained valuable communication and problem-solving skills. These experiences have helped me stay disciplined, adapt to challenges, and push myself to succeed. Band has also influenced my future goals. Just as musicians work together to create a great performance, sports media professionals collaborate to tell compelling stories. The skills I’ve gained—working under pressure, paying attention to detail, and collaborating with others—will be valuable in my future career. My experience in band has taught me to stay calm under pressure and perform at a high level, just as I will need to do when covering live sports events. Even though I plan to pursue sports media in college, music will always be an important part of my life. The lessons I’ve learned through band—dedication, adaptability, and teamwork—will continue to guide me as I take on new challenges in college and my career. Whether I’m writing about a big game, capturing a key moment on camera, or working with a media team, the discipline and collaboration I’ve developed in band will help me succeed.