One movie that has had a huge impact on my life is The Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith. It’s about Chris Gardner, a man who faces almost unbearable hardships—homelessness, being a single parent, and struggling to find steady work—but refuses to give up on his dreams. Watching this movie felt like a wake-up call for me, especially when I saw how Chris kept going despite everything life threw at him. It reminded me that no matter how tough things get, I have the power to keep pushing forward. Before watching the movie, I found it easy to get frustrated when things didn’t go as planned. Whether it was struggling with schoolwork, facing setbacks in sports, or dealing with personal challenges, I sometimes felt like giving up was the easier option. But after seeing Chris’s journey, I started to think differently about failure. He never gave up, even when it felt like the world was against him. That mentality has stuck with me, especially during tough times. For example, I remember during one of my football seasons, things weren’t going well. I had a rough start, missed a few key plays, and felt like I wasn’t contributing as much as I could. I was frustrated and questioning if I should even stick with it. But as I watched Chris fight through his struggles, I started to look at my situation in a new light. I realized that my setbacks weren’t permanent. Instead of letting them define me, I could learn from them, improve, and keep trying. By the end of the season, I felt more confident, and I was awarded “Most Improved Back: Special Teams.” That was a turning point for me—not just in sports, but in life. It taught me that perseverance makes all the difference. Chris’s story also made me think differently about education. I’ve always known that school is important, but watching Chris work relentlessly to change his life through his knowledge and determination inspired me to appreciate it even more. It reminded me that education isn’t just about passing classes; it’s about building the skills that will help me achieve my dreams, no matter how far away they may seem. Like Chris, I want to use my education as a stepping stone to something bigger—not just for myself, but to make a difference in the world. Before, I thought that success would come easily if I just showed up. But The Pursuit of Happyness taught me that success is earned through hard work, patience, and a refusal to give up. There have been moments in my life where I’ve thought about throwing in the towel, especially when things feel like they aren’t going my way. But now, when I face obstacles, I think about Chris Gardner. I think about how his grit and refusal to give up shaped his life. And I realize that the challenges I face—whether in school, my future career, or personal relationships—are just part of the process. They’re not the end. The movie has truly changed the way I approach everything, from my education to my personal goals. It made me realize that growth doesn’t happen overnight, but through persistence, learning from failure, and staying committed to my goals. I’ve learned to view setbacks as opportunities to grow rather than as reasons to quit. Watching Chris’s journey gave me a new perspective on the power of resilience, and it reminded me that, just like him, I can create my own future if I keep pushing forward, even when the road ahead looks tough.

It’s amazing what you can learn about your community when you’re not just attending an event, but helping make it happen. One of my favorite community events I’ve ever participated in is Hub City Days in Marshfield. It happens every summer, and I’ve helped with it through my high school football team and my church. At first, it just felt like another thing to check off the list—set up tables, haul coolers, pick up trash. But after a couple of years of being involved, I started to understand how much this event means to people in our town. Hub City Days brings everyone together. You see little kids running around with snow cones, older couples walking hand-in-hand down the vendor aisles, and families catching up with neighbors they haven’t seen in a while. There’s live music, a car show, food trucks, and all kinds of booths lining the streets. It’s one of the few times a year where it really feels like the whole town shows up. Being part of that—not just attending, but helping it all come together—gave me a new appreciation for what community actually means. I’ve helped in a lot of small ways: setting up tents and tables early in the morning, staying late to clean up after everything’s over, and helping vendors unload and find their spots. It might not seem like a big deal, but those behind-the-scenes jobs are what make the event run smoothly. And even though the work isn’t always fun, it feels good knowing I played a part in something that brings people so much joy. It also made me think more about the role I want to play in my community. I’m not always the loudest person in the room, but I try to show up where I’m needed. That’s something I’ve carried into other parts of my life, too—like checking in on friends who are going through tough times or encouraging someone to talk when they’ve been quiet. Whether it’s through volunteering or just being present for people, I want to keep showing up in ways that matter. Even though I didn’t perform at the event, music has always been a big part of who I am. I’ve played the saxophone for years, and I know how much joy live music brings to people—especially at events like Hub City Days. Watching local bands play there made me think about how every person, no matter their skill or interest, has something they can offer to their community. Whether you’re playing an instrument, flipping burgers, or picking up trash, it all adds up. In the future, I’d love to see Hub City Days include even more opportunities for youth to participate—not just as volunteers, but as leaders or performers. It would be great to have a stage for local students to showcase music or art, or even a mental health booth run by high schoolers. These events are the perfect chance to connect people not just with each other, but with resources they might need. Being part of Hub City Days helped me realize that community isn’t just where you live—it’s what you’re willing to put into it. It’s about being part of something bigger than yourself. That’s something I want to carry with me wherever I go!

I’ve always been the kind of person people come to when they need to talk. I don’t have all the answers, but I listen—and sometimes, that’s exactly what someone needs. Over the past few years, I’ve had close friends open up to me about stress, anxiety, and depression. Some of them were struggling quietly, and no one really noticed until they trusted me enough to say something. That’s when I realized how important it is just to be present. I started checking in on people more—asking how they were really doing, not just the usual “I’m fine.” I’ve spent late nights on the phone with friends who needed to vent or cry or just not feel alone. And when I didn’t know how to help, I encouraged them to talk to someone who could, like a school counselor or trusted adult. Even though I’m not a leader in the traditional sense, I’ve made it my goal to create a safe space for the people around me. Mental health is something a lot of students don’t feel comfortable talking about, especially guys. I want to help change that. In college, I plan to keep being that person—someone others can count on. I’d like to join a mental health or wellness group and help promote conversations around real issues people face. If I can help even one person feel less alone, it’s worth it.

Name: Preston Hackett Address: 901 Arlington Street, Marshfield, WI 54449 Phone: 715-660-6765 Email: prestonmhackett@gmail.com High School: Marshfield High School Graduation Year: 2025 College: University of Wisconsin–Whitewater (Intended Major: Finance or Accounting) Leadership is about taking initiative when the need arises, even when there’s no spotlight or title attached to it. That’s something I’ve tried to live out—whether I’m on the football field, in the classroom, at work, or helping in the community. I’m not the loudest guy in the room, but I step up when it matters. As I get ready to graduate and head to UW-Whitewater to major in finance or accounting, I’m focused on building a future where I can use my skills to help people make smart financial decisions and feel more secure in their lives. I’ve been working at Culver’s since June 2021, and I spent the past two summers doing full-time landscaping. Those jobs taught me the value of hard work, being reliable, and sticking with something even when it’s tough. I also saw how money can cause a lot of stress for people. That’s what pushed me toward finance—I want to help people not just with numbers, but with real-life choices that matter to them and their families. Growing up, my family worked hard to make things work. Watching my parents plan carefully and make sacrifices showed me how important it is to understand finances. It also taught me that helping others doesn’t always have to be big or flashy—it just has to be real. I want to be the kind of financial advisor or accountant who helps everyday people feel confident about their money. At school, I’ve always tried to give my best, both in the classroom and in athletics. I played varsity football and was proud to earn the “Most Improved Back: Special Teams” award this past fall. Balancing school, sports, and work wasn’t always easy, but I stayed focused and ended up earning an Academic Excellence Award too. That meant a lot to me—it was proof that the work I was putting in mattered. I’ve taken classes like dual credit accounting, AP psychology, and medical terminology. I enjoy solving problems and helping friends with homework or budgeting their money. It might seem small, but to me, those moments are practice for the kind of positive impact I want to have in my career. I also make time to give back. I’ve volunteered through my church, helping pack food for people in need, and through school events like Hub City Days—setting up tables, cleaning up, and doing whatever’s needed. It’s taught me that leadership isn’t always about being in charge—it’s about showing up and doing your part. Heading to UW-Whitewater is the next big step. I’m applying for scholarships, planning to work again this summer, and doing everything I can to afford college. For me, it’s not just about getting a degree—it’s about building a career that lets me give back. Whether that’s helping a small business get on track, teaching financial literacy, or mentoring students like me, I want to make a real difference. At the end of the day, I just want to be someone people can count on—to listen, to help, and to make life a little better. One person, one budget, one smart decision at a time.

Creativity has always been a guiding force in my life, influencing how I think, build relationships, and envision my future. While some may see creativity only in the arts, I’ve discovered it can be just as powerful in finance, problem-solving, and leadership. I believe creativity is the ability to look at something ordinary and see possibility—to use imagination to solve problems in new ways. That mindset has shaped who I am and what I hope to accomplish. My name is Preston Hackett. I’m a senior at Marshfield High School in Wisconsin, where I’ve balanced academics, varsity football, and track and field. I plan to study accounting and business finance at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, with a focus on fintech—an area where creativity meets technology to transform how we manage money. My creative mindset has fueled my curiosity in the financial world. I’m not just interested in numbers—I’m fascinated by how financial systems work and how they can be improved to serve more people. Whether it’s finding ways to simplify budgeting apps for first-time users or using data to create smarter investment strategies, I believe there’s room for creative thinking in every part of finance. Creativity has also influenced my relationships. In football, I had to think on my feet and work creatively with my teammates to overcome challenges. Earning the “Most Improved Back on Special Teams” award wasn’t just about physical effort—it was about learning to adapt, take feedback, and keep growing. Off the field, I’ve found that creative thinking helps me communicate better, understand people’s needs, and work collaboratively. As I move forward, I hope to make an innovative impact by using creative problem-solving in financial technology. I want to help make financial tools more accessible to underserved communities and empower people with better knowledge and resources. Long-term, I’d love to work on financial education initiatives that use apps, gamification, and AI to make learning about money engaging for younger audiences. Reflecting on my time at Marshfield High School, I believe there’s room for more innovation in how students engage with learning. Too often, creativity is confined to art classes when it could be woven into every subject. I’ve noticed that students become more motivated when lessons are hands-on or involve real-world scenarios. For example, learning about budgeting or investing through simulations or project-based assignments would make business classes even more impactful. I’d love to see schools partner with local businesses or fintech startups to bring these concepts to life and inspire students to think creatively about their futures. In a world that’s constantly changing, creativity is more important than ever. It allows us to adapt, to lead, and to imagine better ways of doing things. My journey is just beginning, but I’m committed to using my creative talent to challenge the status quo, bridge the gap between finance and innovation, and make a lasting difference.