The quality I value in myself the most is my work ethic. Ever since I was a kid I always had this desire to succeed, and to do anything I could to get there. In my early years I never knew what I wanted to focus my effort onto, I didn't see the need to study for school as I would typically pass anyway, and I never found a sport that I genuinely loved enough to continue doing. It wasn't until around 6th grade that I really started to understand the discipline I had. Around then I started my first "job" which made me $10 is cash for about an hour about every two weeks. After making and saving some money, I told myself that when I could drive, I would buy myself a car. Once I turned 13 I got a job as a caddy, and saved almost everything I made. Eventually I did buy my first car last April. Also around 6th grade I discovered running as a sport, and once again I vowed to myself that I would run in college. In November I committed to the school that after visiting became my dream school, where I will run track and field as well as cross country. After starting freshman year of high school I realized that I could do incredibly well, and if I wanted to continue my love for cars in a career I would have to work hard in school. Since then I have always been the person to be told that others would love to have the discipline to work hard that I have, and I really home this can help me in the future. I hope that my work ethic can continue to grow in college, both through my studies of mechanical engineering as well as my role on the team next year. I know it will be hard, but I am hoping my discipline to do well can help me do well next year. I also hope it helps me in my work as a firefighter. Being a volunteer takes a lot of effort, and planning on getting everything I need done as well as trying my best to give back to the community. My work ethic and discipline works through it to make me the absolute best firefighter I can be so that I can be there to help those around me. I also hope it helps me in building a family when I get older, so that I can be the best father I can be for my children, and give them an example of discipline to look up to.

I simple pleasure for me is running. I know no matter how bad of a day I am having, that by going on a nice run, I am going to have a better day. Not only do I love the physical exercise I get from running, but it also works as a form of therapy for me, clearing my mind. Simply being outside in nature, enjoying it, while also pushing my body to it's absolute limits is a way for me to be thankful for everything I am given. All of the work I do running, after it pays off in races, is incredibly. Often it gets hard to see why I am running, but getting a simple taste of doing well whether that be in a workout or a race makes me feel like all the time and effort is paying off. It also helps me to show those who have believed in my thanks, by hopefully making them proud.

I find it important to give back because of how lucky I am. I try my best to be thankful and understand how much that I have, and it is my goal to help others in return. For me this can be through my service at Sebastian Riding Associates, where my help gives physically and mentally disabled kids the ability to ride a horse. I like being able to use by body which I have been gifted to help keep these kids who have disabilities stay safe while doing something they would have never been given the opportunity to do. It can also be me giving blood at least twice a year since I was 16, since my little brother received a blood transfusion as a baby. While doing this I like to think that the blood I give can be used to save someones life who could do something truly great for the world. My service through the fire department is also in an effort to give back. For me the idea that I respond to emergencies in my very own neighborhood is incredible, because it gives me the opportunity to assist the people that would come to my house if an emergency happened. I love how by serving though the firehouse, I gain absolutely nothing in return but I genuinely enjoy the hours I spend volunteering.

I start off my day with a simple act of self care, which is washing my face. This starts off my day with the effort in practicing self care. I then use my activities I participate in to practice self care, including running, eating nutrient filled food, lifting weights, and reading. I run distance track and cross country, so I run at least 4 miles 7 days a week. This gives me a chance to spend time running outdoors every day, which feels good both mentally and physically. I also lift weights 3 days a week. I do this in an effort to become a better, faster runner. Two of these days I work on my upper body and core, and the other day I work on my legs. Then after this I eat my third nutrient filled meal of the day, and I do my normal night routine. After this I spend time reading, which I have just started getting into. I specifically read books which have to do with running, sports psychology, and sports in general. Reading before going to bed lets me wind down and stay off my phone before I sleep, but I also learn new things which can help me be a better runner. I try my best every day to practice self care. Whether it be through my physical activities, mental relaxation that comes from activities I do, or eating good food. I am hoping in college that I can continue doing things that help me practice self care, and that I can make new good health care habits.

For me friendship simply means being there for other people. I personally have had friends who have led me to do things in which I never would have done, and I can no longer even imagine my life without. Ever since I had tried to be that friend. I never would have started my service at Perkiomen Township Fire Company without my friend Ryan, I never would have allowed myself to dream about being a college athlete without my friend Gianna giving me hope, and I would have never spent a week every summer with mentally and physically disabled kids at Sebastian Riding Associates had my cross country captains not been welcoming me to the team. I now try to be that friend to those around me. Being loving, caring, believing, motivating, is all what my friends have given me to give me the faith to shoot for the stars. Friendship also means being there when it does not work out, as it will not always. Being there to lend an ear and simple listen, or give advice, or simply the faith to not give up. All these things are what friendship means to me. In college I am hoping that I can create new friendships in which I can be the good friend that someone might need, just like I did. I am forever thankful to have good friends which care and motivate me to become the best version of myself possible, and I want to be able to pay that forward.

These are pictures my brother took of my back lab Harley soaking up the sun