Some of the most important lessons I have learned in life did not come from a classroom—they came from a baseball field. Baseball has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and over the years it has shaped the way I think, work, and treat other people. The game taught me discipline, resilience, leadership, and the importance of trusting the people around you. More than anything, it showed me that success is never achieved alone. One of the biggest lessons baseball taught me is how to handle failure. Baseball is a game built around adversity. Even the best players fail more often than they succeed, and there are days where nothing seems to go your way. Early on, I struggled with that. I would get frustrated after striking out or making mistakes in the field because I expected perfection from myself. Over time, though, I learned that failure is part of growth. The important thing is how you respond to it. Baseball taught me to stay mentally tough, keep working, and trust that preparation and effort eventually pay off. That mindset has carried over into school and everyday life because I now understand that setbacks are opportunities to improve rather than reasons to quit. The game also taught me the value of teamwork and leadership. Baseball depends on trust. Every player has a role, and one person cannot win a game alone. Being part of a team showed me how important communication, accountability, and encouragement are. Some of the best teammates and coaches I have had were not always the loudest people—they were the ones who stayed positive, worked hard, and pushed everyone else to improve through their actions. Those examples influenced the kind of teammate and person I try to be today. I want people to know they can rely on me both on and off the field. The coaches and mentors in my life have also had a huge impact on me. The best coaches cared about more than wins and losses. They cared about teaching life lessons, building character, and helping players grow into responsible young adults. They taught me the importance of respect, humility, and perseverance. Their influence showed me how powerful mentorship can be, which is one reason I hope to positively impact others in the future, whether through my career, coaching, or simply being someone younger athletes can look up to. As I prepare for college and the next stage of my life, I know the lessons baseball taught me will stay with me. I plan to pursue a career in engineering, a field that requires problem-solving, teamwork, and persistence—the same qualities I developed through sports. No matter where life takes me, I want to carry forward the values the game instilled in me: hard work, leadership, resilience, and commitment to others. Brett Brakel’s legacy as a teacher, coach, and mentor reminds me of how much influence one person can have on young athletes. Coaches and mentors shape confidence, character, and work ethic in ways that last far beyond the final inning. I hope to honor those same values by continuing to work hard, support others, and use the lessons I learned on the field to make a positive impact wherever I go.

Growing up, I have always believed that the people around us shape who we become. My family taught me the importance of hard work, respect, and helping others, while my community showed me the value of being dependable and caring even in small everyday moments. Whether it was through sports, school, or spending time outdoors fishing and being with friends and family, I learned that character is built through consistency, teamwork, and the way you treat people when nobody is watching. As I prepare to graduate high school and begin the next chapter of my life, I want to carry those lessons with me and use them to make a positive impact on others. I plan to pursue a career in engineering because I have always been interested in problem-solving and creating things that improve people’s lives. I enjoy the challenge of figuring out how things work and finding better, more efficient solutions. Engineering is exciting to me because it combines creativity with real-world impact. Engineers are responsible for many of the innovations that people rely on every day, from medical technology and transportation systems to renewable energy and communication tools. Knowing that a career in engineering could allow me to contribute to advancements that help people motivates me to work hard toward my goals. One of the biggest ways I hope to make a positive impact is by helping create technology that improves everyday life and makes the future better for the next generation. Whether it is designing more sustainable systems, improving infrastructure, or contributing to healthcare technology, I want my work to matter beyond just myself. We are living in a world that faces major challenges, including environmental issues, access to resources, and improving healthcare, and I believe engineers play an important role in solving those problems. I want to be someone who contributes solutions instead of standing by and waiting for others to act. Beyond my future career, I also want to make a difference through the way I treat people. I have learned that making an impact is not always about doing something huge or receiving recognition. Sometimes it is simply being there for someone, encouraging them, or leading by example. Throughout high school, I have tried to be someone others can count on, whether as a teammate, classmate, or friend. I believe kindness, leadership, and integrity are just as important as professional success because they influence the people around us in lasting ways. The story of Kathryn Graham stands out to me because she made people feel understood and cared for. That type of impact cannot be measured by awards or titles; it is measured by the lives she touched and the example she left behind. I hope to live in a similar way by building a successful future while staying grounded in the values of compassion, humility, and service to others. As I look ahead to college and my future career, I am excited by the opportunities in front of me. I know success will require dedication and perseverance, but I also know that the greatest accomplishments come from using your abilities to help others. My goal is not only to build a successful career in engineering, but also to become someone who positively influences the people and community around me for years to come.

\I grew up in a pretty normal middle-class home, where life was steady and centered around family, school, and spending time outside. A lot of who I am comes from those simple routines and experiences that didn’t feel huge at the time, but ended up shaping the way I see life. Some of my best memories are from fishing trips—early mornings by the water, not saying much, just waiting and enjoying the quiet. Those moments taught me patience and appreciation for stillness in a world that’s usually always moving. Baseball has also been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’ve played since I was young, and it has taught me a lot about discipline, effort, and dealing with failure. I wasn’t always the best player, and I definitely had moments where I struck out or made mistakes that cost games. But I kept showing up. Over time, I learned that improvement doesn’t come instantly—it comes from repetition, learning from mistakes, and staying committed even when things aren’t going your way. That lesson has carried over into other parts of my life, especially school and personal goals. What defines me most, though, isn’t just fishing or baseball—it’s the way I try to approach life. I’ve always been someone who values experiences over material things. I don’t think life is meant to be rushed or reduced to money or status. Instead, I think it’s about the small moments that often go unnoticed: laughing with friends after a game, sitting outside on a good day, or just enjoying time with people you care about. Those are the things that actually stick with you. I also try to stay pretty grounded. I don’t feel the need for everything to be flashy or perfect. I’ve learned that happiness usually comes from simple things, not constant achievement or comparison. At the same time, I do like pushing myself and seeing what I’m capable of, especially when it comes to things I care about. I think I have a balance of wanting to improve but also being able to step back and appreciate where I am right now. I’m still figuring a lot of things out, like most people my age. High school has been a mix of growth, challenges, and learning how to handle responsibility. But through all of it, I’ve realized that what matters most isn’t just what you accomplish, but how you experience life while you’re doing it. At the end of the day, I’d say I’m someone shaped by simple beginnings, outdoor experiences, and team sports—but defined by a mindset that values presence, effort, and appreciating life as it happens.

A movie that has had a meaningful impact on me is Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. Beyond being a classic in science fiction, it represents something deeper to me about growth, failure, and believing in yourself even when things seem uncertain or difficult. What stands out most in The Empire Strikes Back is that it is not a “perfect victory” story. In fact, it is the opposite. The heroes face major setbacks: the Rebel Alliance is forced to flee, Luke Skywalker is still developing his abilities, and the truth about his identity is shocking and difficult to process. Instead of everything going right, the characters are tested in ways that challenge their confidence and beliefs. To me, that feels very real. Life doesn’t always reward effort immediately, and progress is not always obvious in the moment. Luke’s journey in particular is what impacted me the most. He starts as someone who is unsure of himself and still learning what it means to be responsible for something bigger than his own life. When he trains with Yoda, he is pushed to go beyond what he thinks is possible. But even then, he struggles with doubt and impatience. That resonates with me because it reflects how growth actually works. Improvement doesn’t happen instantly—it requires discipline, patience, and the willingness to keep going even when you are not fully confident. Another powerful theme in the movie is failure as part of learning. Luke’s confrontation with Darth Vader is a moment where he is physically and emotionally defeated, yet it becomes one of the most important turning points in his journey. Instead of ending his story, it pushes him toward greater understanding and maturity. That idea has influenced how I think about setbacks in my own life. Failure is not the end—it is often part of becoming stronger and more prepared for what comes next. The film also emphasizes the importance of hope, even in dark situations. Despite losing battles and facing uncertainty, the characters continue to believe in the possibility of rebuilding and fighting back. That kind of resilience is meaningful because it shows that even when things seem overwhelming, giving up is not the only option. Overall, The Empire Strikes Back stands out to me because it doesn’t present success as easy or immediate. Instead, it shows that growth comes through struggle, learning, and persistence. It reminds me that even when things don’t go as planned, I can still keep moving forward, improve, and become stronger through the challenges I face.

What defines me isn’t money, achievements, or titles—it’s how I choose to experience life. I believe life is meant to be lived fully, not just measured by success or material gain. What matters most to me are the small, often overlooked moments: spending time with people I care about, being outside, noticing details others might pass by, and appreciating where I am in the present. I try to focus on experiences rather than outcomes. It’s easy to get caught up in chasing money or status, but I think real fulfillment comes from living intentionally and being aware of what’s around you. The quiet moments, the simple conversations, and even the challenges all shape who we are. Those are the things that stay with you, not just numbers in a bank account. I want to be someone who doesn’t rush through life, but actually takes the time to appreciate it. To me, success means being able to look back and know I truly experienced life—both the big milestones and the small, meaningful moments that often matter the most.

I’ve always been naturally curious about how things work, whether it’s understanding the mechanics behind everyday objects or figuring out how systems can be improved. That curiosity has grown into a strong interest in engineering, a field that combines creativity, logic, and problem-solving. I enjoy breaking down complex challenges into manageable parts and working through them step by step. At the same time, I value collaboration and believe that the best solutions often come from working with others who bring different perspectives and ideas. Engineering appeals to me because it goes beyond theory—it’s about applying knowledge to create real, tangible change. I’m especially drawn to the idea of designing solutions that not only work efficiently but also make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Whether it’s improving infrastructure, advancing technology, or developing systems that are more sustainable, engineering provides a direct path to impact the world in a positive way. Through my degree, I plan to focus on creating solutions that address some of the most pressing challenges facing society today. Sustainability is a major area of interest for me. As global populations grow and resources become more limited, engineers play a critical role in developing cleaner energy sources, reducing waste, and designing systems that are environmentally responsible. I want to be part of that effort by contributing to projects that prioritize long-term environmental health while still meeting human needs. In addition to sustainability, I’m interested in making technology more accessible and practical for everyday use. Engineering has the power to improve quality of life in both large and small ways, from designing safer transportation systems to creating tools that help communities function more efficiently. I hope to work on projects that consider not just innovation, but also usability and accessibility, ensuring that the benefits of engineering reach as many people as possible. I also recognize that making a positive impact isn’t just about technical skill—it’s about responsibility and perspective. Engineers have a significant influence on the world, and with that comes the responsibility to think critically about the consequences of their work. I plan to approach my education with a mindset that values ethical decision-making, sustainability, and social impact alongside technical excellence. Ultimately, my goal is to use my engineering degree as a tool to contribute to meaningful progress. I want to be part of a generation of engineers that not only pushes the boundaries of innovation but also prioritizes the well-being of people and the planet. By combining creativity, technical knowledge, and a commitment to responsible design, I hope to make a lasting, positive impact on the world.