I grew up with two brothers, my eldest being 15 years older than I. Unfortunately, for my whole life he has been dealing with drug addiction. A stream of traumatic memories of the yelling, constant police presence at home, violence, rehab and prison trips came crawling back through a terrible relapse of my brother as I came into HS that hindered by ability to focus these 4 years. Each day, there was screaming, arguments. My parents would confront him, and the cops called. Eviction notices, and more yelling. Going to bed fearful for my life, and not knowing if he would awake in the morning. My parents, my poor parents. Watching my parents, sent from god above and true saints on this earth constantly try to help him, but get shut out and tortured by this torment of their first born killed me. My eldest brother called the cops, made up fake stories, falsely accused my parents and had me examined by CPS in my childhood and put them through so much. Yet they still loved him, still helped him. My mom crying, my dad with an emotionless stare. My middle brother, still as he did for 17 years, holding me as I cry. I could not let this get in my way, and I buried myself in my work. I had two goals, to be president of the United States, and to be on broadway. I love politics and I love to perform on stage, but there was a deeper meaning behind it. I wanted to help those in society, those just like my brother who under all this gunk was the greatest and sweetest guy you could ever meet. To perform on stage as that escape, the healing and entertaining factor to bring light into a sometimes miserable life of not just me, but others. I joined every club, music group and took every opportunity I could. I kept almost straight A+ Grades with Principal Honor Roll each quarter. I continue to lead as the president of three high school societies (Thespian Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society and Mixed Chorus) and Vice President of two others (Theater Program and Symphony Orchestra). I am a staff writer for the school paper, participate in 7 music groups, sit on the legislative action committee of the Farmingdale School District in which I work towards aid from Albany in the public education system. I am the director of Influencer Partnerships of a NYC Talent agency, and a music director of a Long Island Entertainment agency (both affiliated with RAFCO LLC). Most proudly, I am a 2nd Grade volunteer religious education teacher, member of the youth lector ministry and church choir member. I have instilled these components of hard work into my daily life and taken an approach as a primary leader of my community. In essence, this has strengthened my passion for my future career—public office. Just like I continue to do for my religion students, I want to run for office to connect with people to make change and work for the good and improvement of them and help those like my brother. Rather I touch the heart of one student, I lead one community initiative in a Honor Society, or share music to only one theatrical actor, I am upholding my responsibility to others as a man today.This scholarship will further ease my ability to mitigate the high cost of schools preventing me from higher education in political science to further enlighten me on qualities of leadership, therefore being able to continue my work with others across the country.

Each day, for the last 9 years I wake up and have the privilege to participate in the greatest aspect of my life that I have been fortunate to spend endless hours in fascination and commitment. The arts. From being able to sing, play instruments and perform on stage has been the defining factor of my life and my personal wellbeing that I am so grateful for each day. The thunderous vibration shoots through the ground, as if an earthquake roared through the city. The room goes silent in perspective only, but in reality it could not be louder. I feel myself being controlled, zoned out, yet never more so in the moment than when that glorious overture begins, and flames engulf my stomach. Who would think that the worst feeling in the world where your palms sweat, your throat closes, and your entire body shakes would be the best I have ever experienced. Nevertheless, after 9 years,this healthy “addiction” is an everlasting flame that never goes dull. Change is sparked in the arts, as it is a unifying entity for all. The performing arts for me is a passion which has led me to tackle an important ideal. There can be an abject query regarding what the meaning of life is. However through the arts, I have found that meaning, that purpose, that paramount joy through creating something beautiful to not only provide a performance to an audience, but create a sense of belonging and sentimental connection for myself. The arts are more than just entertainment, or a hobby, but it's a philosophy of life. Put aside all the exams, deadlines, disputes, or silly little worries like “What will I wear today?” that engulf so much of our time; To be able to bring joy, and a varying contrast of emotions to people while creating something beautiful, mixed in with a sense of self betterment and enjoyment is what life is truly about. I continue to lead as the president of three high school societies (Thespian Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society and Mixed Chorus) and Vice President of two others (Theater Program and Symphony Orchestra). I am a staff writer for the school paper, participate in 7 music groups, sit on the legislative action committee of the Farmingdale School District in which I work towards aid from Albany in the public education system. I am the director of Influencer Partnerships of a NYC Talent agency, and a music director of a Long Island Entertainment agency (both affiliated with RAFCO LLC). Most proudly, I am a 2nd Grade volunteer religious education teacher, member of the youth lector ministry and church choir member. I have instilled these components of hard work into my daily life and taken an approach as a primary leader of my community. Weather it is within the field of music or not, I find a way to incorporate it wherever I go.

I sat in adolescent damnation upon the question that everyone asks themselves. What is the meaning of life? As a man of faith, I am accustomed to the fact that the lord works in mysterious ways. This is the very thing that has defined my time in high school, with lessons and motives to take along my lifelong journey. In my religion, after making a confirmation in 8th grade, you're done with religious education and feel as if it is a "chore" that is finished forever. But I started off joining the church again during my freshman year. I had a great love and interest in faith, but I honestly started to be with my friend. I began once a week as a teacher assistant, floating around rooms, helping children out with work, and paperwork in the offices, and giving my input on lessons. Eventually, I wanted to spread all I knew and guide them in the ways. I knew then and there that I wanted to teach, preach, and lead. In my sophomore year of high school, I came back to volunteer again. For them to see religion as not a chore, but a wondrous gift! I got to even know them more by taking on a director's position at the church for the youth theater programs. As a lifelong actor myself, I led the rehearsals on a musical about the birth of Christ. This past year was the culmination of it all as I became a full-force volunteer in the youth education program. I officially was certified, sworn in, and became a teacher of a 1st grade class. I had the honor not only to introduce new faith to young 6-year-olds, but spread valuable lessons, and conversations, and even learn from them myself. The absolute joy when they would smile in excitement, raise a hand in curiosity, and take my guidance with them was a joy never experienced before.. I now teach these students as they move up to level 2, and prepare them to make their first holy communion in just a few weeks! I continued my volunteer work becoming a lector at masses, preaching the word of God, and even becoming part of the filming crew where we recorded mass to stream to the world. I continue to lead as the president of three high school societies (Thespian Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society and Mixed Chorus) and Vice President of two others (Theater Program and Symphony Orchestra). I am a staff writer for the school paper, participate in 7 music groups, sit on the legislative action committee of the Farmingdale School District in which I work towards aid from Albany in the public education system. I am the director of Influencer Partnerships of a NYC Talent agency, and a music director of a Long Island Entertainment agency (both affiliated with RAFCO LLC). I have instilled these components of hard work into my daily life and taken an approach as a primary leader of my community. In essence, this has strengthened my passion for my future career—public office. Just like I continue to do for students, I want to run for office to connect with people to make change and work for the good and improvement of them. This scholarship will further ease my ability to mitigate the high cost of schools preventing me from higher education in political science to further enlighten me on qualities of leadership, therefore being able to continue my work with others across the country, and continue to answer that horrifying question. What's the meaning of life?

In 2023, I stood upon the altar at Our Lady of Lourdes church as I took my oath and got sworn in as a catechist to teach religious education to the youth of the parish. From that moment forward, I took a step towards the greatest honor I have had thus far in my life as a community leader within my parish. Since then, I have taught religion classes to 1st and 2nd grade students each Wednesday night. I spend each week lesson planning, and then sharing the history and teachings of our faith to young students who are brand new to it. This year, I am in the process of preparing my 2nd graders (who I had in 1st last year) for the sacraments of penance and communion. It has been a true joy watching them grow. Teaching these children has taught me not only the importance of my faith, but also the true blessings of life. Watching these students take in information with the gleam in their eyes of curiosity, and engage in an intellectual conversation at the age of 6-8 is spectacular. It also gives me an entire new respect for our teachers in life, and as a high school student myself has greatly changed my view. I also spend time in my parish directing the school children in an annual epiphany play each year. I teach music and acting as they tell the story regarding the birth of Christ. I recently joined the youth lector ministry where I will give monthly readings at mass, and participate weekly in the church choir. Through all this work within the parish, I have learned the value of helping others and the importance of community through the giant family created among the ministry, the children, choir members, volunteers and all others. People ask why I continue to spend so much of my time dedicated to the parish, when I don’t even get paid. I came back after my confirmation for two reasons. First, it was a true calling from God I felt within myself. Second, it was through my future aspirations for a career in elected office. I hope to be a leader within my community, and get much joy from helping others in their enjoyment of life, to teaching others to be better people. It gave me a sense of purpose to my life, and that is something that is very hard for people to find in this strange teen phase of our lives.

This is the very thing that has defined my time in high school, with lessons and motives to take along my lifelong journey. In my religion, after making a confirmation in 8th grade, you're done with religious education and feel as if it is a "chore" that is finished forever. But I started off joining the church again during my freshman year. I had a great love and interest in faith, but I honestly started to be with my friend. I began once a week as a teacher assistant, floating around rooms, helping children out with work, and paperwork in the offices, and giving my input on lessons. Through this, a new perspective was given to me not just on faith, but on guiding and teaching...voluntarily, these beautiful young and curious souls. Eventually, I wanted to spread all I knew and guide them in the ways. I knew then and there that I wanted to teach, preach, and lead. In my sophomore year of high school, I came back to volunteer again. For them to see religion as not a chore, but a wondrous gift! I got to even know them more by taking on a director's position at the church for the youth theater programs. As a lifelong actor myself, I led the rehearsals on a musical about the birth of Christ. This past year was the culmination of it all as I became a full-force volunteer in the youth education program. I officially was certified, sworn in, and became a teacher of a 1st grade class. I had the honor not only to introduce new faith to young 6-year-olds, but spread valuable lessons, and conversations, and even learn from them myself. The absolute joy when they would smile in excitement, raise a hand in curiosity, and take my guidance with them was a joy never experienced before. I spent the year continuing to direct the musical with the students. Watching these precious youngsters perform the technique I modeled along with the lessons of faith I taught was remarkable. I now teach these students as they move up to level 2, and prepare them to make their first holy communion in just a few weeks! I continued volunteer work as a lector, preaching the word of God, and even becoming part of the filming crew where we recorded mass to stream to the world. I continue to lead as the president of three high school societies (Thespian Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society and Mixed Chorus) and Vice President of two others (Theater Program and Symphony Orchestra). I am a staff writer for the school paper, participate in 7 music groups, sit on the legislative action committee of the Farmingdale School District in which I work towards aid from Albany in the public education system. I am the director of Influencer Partnerships of a NYC Talent agency, and a music director of a Long Island Entertainment agency (both affiliated with RAFCO LLC). I have instilled these components of hard work into my daily life and taken an approach as a primary leader of my community. In essence, this has strengthened my passion for my future career—public office. Just like I continue to do for students, I want to run for office to connect with people to make change and work for the good and improvement of them. This scholarship will further ease my ability to mitigate the high cost of schools preventing me from higher education in political science to further enlighten me on qualities of leadership, therefore being able to continue my work with others across the country.

I grew up with two brothers, my eldest being 15 years older than I. Unfortunately, for my whole life he has been dealing with drug addiction. A stream of traumatic memories of the yelling, constant police presence at home, violence, rehab and prison trips came crawling back through a terrible relapse of my brother as I came into HS that hindered by ability to focus these 4 years. Each day, there was screaming, arguments. My parents would confront him, and the cops called. Eviction notices, and more yelling. Going to bed fearful for my life, and not knowing if he would awake in the morning. My parents, my poor parents. Watching my parents, sent from god above and true saints on this earth constantly try to help him, but get shut out and tortured by this torment of their first born killed me. My eldest brother called the cops, made up fake stories, falsely accused my parents and had me examined by CPS in my childhood and put them through so much. Yet they still loved him, still helped him. My mom crying, my dad with an emotionless stare. My middle brother, still as he did for 17 years, holding me as I cry. I could not let this get in my way, and I buried myself in my work. I had two goals, to be president of the United States, and to be on broadway. I love politics and I love to perform on stage, but there was a deeper meaning behind it. I wanted to help those in society, those just like my brother who under all this gunk was the greatest and sweetest guy you could ever meet. To perform on stage as that escape, the healing and entertaining factor to bring light into a sometimes miserable life of not just me, but others. I joined every club, music group and took every opportunity I could. I kept almost straight A+ Grades with Principal Honor Roll each quarter. I continue to lead as the president of three high school societies (Thespian Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society and Mixed Chorus) and Vice President of two others (Theater Program and Symphony Orchestra). I am a staff writer for the school paper, participate in 7 music groups, sit on the legislative action committee of the Farmingdale School District in which I work towards aid from Albany in the public education system. I am the director of Influencer Partnerships of a NYC Talent agency, and a music director of a Long Island Entertainment agency (both affiliated with RAFCO LLC). Most proudly, I am a 2nd Grade volunteer religious education teacher, member of the youth lector ministry and church choir member. I have instilled these components of hard work into my daily life and taken an approach as a primary leader of my community. In essence, this has strengthened my passion for my future career—public office. Just like I continue to do for my religion students, I want to run for office to connect with people to make change and work for the good and improvement of them and help those like my brother. Rather I touch the heart of one student, I lead one community initiative in a Honor Society, or share music to only one theatrical actor, I am upholding my responsibility to others as a man today.This scholarship will further ease my ability to mitigate the high cost of schools preventing me from higher education in political science to further enlighten me on qualities of leadership, therefore being able to continue my work with others across the country.

The career path that I plan to pursue is that of public service. I strive towards a future in elected office with the intention to hold positions of leadership within my community from school board, legislature, congress and one day president of the United States. This is due to the great passion I hold for my community, along with a sense of patriotism not only for what this country is, but what I believe it can be. Too often do I watch the news thinking “I wish I could do something about this”. This career gives me that opportunity. From the injustices of the privatized healthcare system to the needed reforms of the public education system, I want to be the one to fix it. I have always had a deep love for American History and Politics since I could first read, when upon my first trip to the library around kindergarten, the first book I chose was “The American Presidents” and my life was forever changed. I became fascinated with the American experiment, and the functionality of our government that is unlike no other. Being a person who is equally dedicated to theater, I find this recently in the Broadway productions of Suffs and Hamilton, where I become emotionally invested by our country's history and feel moved to take on a role in society. I made a promise to myself that I will do something great, to my parents that I will make life better for them, and to my late grandfather that I will live a life continuing the love of American History he once placed in me. I also promised my mama I will never be corrupt. Therefore, I would love to continue that through my collegiate endeavours in D.C. My relationship with my late grandfather, “Poppy”, shaped my aspirations. He was a WW2 veteran, lifelong deli worker and father to 6 kids. I learned about his struggles, and was inspired by his lifelong motivation to live for others. He was my best friend. We watched the history channel, read president books and he would give historical lectures. These were the best moments of my life. I was born after the death of his daughter, and helped heal his grief. He told me I was here for a reason. Since then I made a promise to make him proud. It all started as a silly little dream from a boy and his book that became an anger for society and wanted to improve the lives of others and bring professionalism back to politics. That is why I am so patriotic. I love this country, I truly do. But there is much more work to do. I am a lover of the American dream, and what I believe it can be and I am ready to do that work. I have prepared myself as a leader within my community as president of 3 school societies, Vice President of another 2, Board Member of another. I am a 2nd Grade religion teacher, Church Choir member, part of a youth lector ministry, and I hold 3 jobs and am a member of 7 musical ensembles and have traveled to over 7 countries spreading music. I care about helping people and have dedicated 17 years thus far to it, and plan to dedicate the rest of my life to the same.

I grew up with two brothers, my eldest being 15 years older than I. Unfortunately, for my whole life he has been dealing with drug addiction. A stream of traumatic memories of the yelling, constant police presence at home, violence, my brothers attempted suicides, rehab and prison trips came crawling back through a terrible relapse of my brother as I came into HS that hindered by ability to focus these 4 years. Each day, there was screaming, arguments. My parents would confront him, and the cops called. Eviction notices, and more yelling. Going to bed fearful for my life, and not knowing if he would awake in the morning. My parents, my poor parents. Watching my parents, sent from god above and true saints on this earth constantly try to help him, but get shut out and tortured by this torment of their first born killed me. My eldest brother called the cops, made up fake stories, falsely accused my parents and had me examined by CPS in my childhood and put them through so much. Yet they still loved him, still helped him. My mom crying, my dad with an emotionless stare. I could not let this get in my way, and I buried myself in my work. I had two goals, to be president of the United States, and to be on broadway. I love politics and I love to perform on stage, but there was a deeper meaning behind it. I wanted to help those in society, those just like my brother who under all this gunk was the greatest and sweetest guy you could ever meet. To perform on stage as that escape, the healing and entertaining factor to bring light into a sometimes miserable life of not just me, but others. I joined every club, music group and took every opportunity I could. I kept almost straight A+ Grades with Principal Honor Roll each quarter. I continue to lead as the president of three high school societies (Thespian Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society and Mixed Chorus) and Vice President of two others (Theater Program and Symphony Orchestra). I am a staff writer for the school paper, participate in 7 music groups, sit on the legislative action committee of the Farmingdale School District in which I work towards aid from Albany in the public education system. I am the director of Influencer Partnerships of a NYC Talent agency, and a music director of a Long Island Entertainment agency (both affiliated with RAFCO LLC). Most proudly, I am a 2nd Grade volunteer religious education teacher, member of the youth lector ministry and church choir member. I have instilled these components of hard work into my daily life and taken an approach as a primary leader of my community. In essence, this has strengthened my passion for my future career—public office. Just like I continue to do for my religion students, I want to run for office to connect with people to make change and work for the good and improvement of them and help those like my brother. Rather I touch the heart of one student, I lead one community initiative in a Honor Society, or share music to only one theatrical actor, I am upholding my responsibility to others as a man today.This scholarship will further ease my ability to mitigate the high cost of schools preventing me from higher education in political science to further enlighten me on qualities of leadership, therefore being able to continue my work with others across the country.

My mom told me we were going to the library today and I was going to pick out a book for the first time! Summer reading had started and 5 year old me excitedly ran up the steps of the Farmingdale library. The kids section was exquisite, filled with fun chairs, puppets and so many books. I was quickly taken aback by all the prizes of the summer reading log put on display, and at that moment all I wanted to do was read every book in that building. So the search for the perfect book commenced. What I did not know at the time was that I would be picking out a book I am still reading 11 years later. I walked down the back aisles, just trying to find the book with the coolest picture. I stopped, and saw a familiar structure on the spine of a book. It was this beautiful white structure I had seen on television. I picked it up and my life was forever changed. I quickly opened this “textbook”. I begin seeing images of old white men, and one black man at the end. Tons of words filled the pages that I did not really care too much for, but the images, WOW, were absolutely fascinating. They gave me an exciting feeling in the pit of my stomach that shot up to my heart, and just made me sit in awe. Photos and paintings of these men wearing interesting variations of suits with old papers filled with signatures at the bottom. I was determined to know what this all was. I continued to flip through each page as my mother was confused about what I was reading, as it was titled “The American Presidents”. My mother was still in shock that a 5 year old was drawn to this specific book. A few days later I was over at my grandpa, “Poppy's” house. He was a Navy medic during World War 2. He always had this channel on that my mom always told me I did not have to watch, butI enjoyed watching popp’s shows! It reminded me of the new book I got at the library. I would constantly ask questions about this program called “The History Channel”. I would get a LONG lecture of an answer so I showed Poppy the new book I got, and he was so excited. We sat at the table ALL night as we flipped through each page and he explained interesting facts about each of the old guys. So many words I had heard before, or would hear soon, that just went over my head but turned out to be important. “Washington”, “Impeachment”, “Emancipation”, “Congress”, “Revolution”, “corruption”, “Democracy”. This fundamental upbringing that took effect on me at a very young age completely changed the course of my life. It sparked a new obsession with American presidential history, and morphed into that love for American Politics. Poppy was my history buddy who taught me so much, but it was cut short in 2018 when I lost my best friend and my hero. The lessons continue each day as I take Poppy with me through my faith as a confirmed member of the Church, taking on the new name Emanuel. Robert David Emanuel Silverstein. This created the determined, professional man that I am today. Each day it drives me more and more to a hope to run for public office and be that man in the presidential books one day, that a little boy can read with his Poppy.

I sat in adolescent damnation upon the question that everyone asks themselves. What is the meaning of life? As a man of faith, I am accustomed to the fact that the lord works in mysterious ways. Fortunately, an opportunity fell into my lap that has given me meaning, purpose, and a revival of selfless joy for the good of others that transforms one's values, and the outlook of the world around them. This is the very thing that has defined my time in high school, with lessons and motives to take along my lifelong journey. In my religion, after making a confirmation in 8th grade, you're done with religious education and feel as if it is a "chore" that is finished forever. But I started off joining the church again during my freshman year. I had a great love and interest in faith, but I honestly started to be with my friend. I began once a week as a teacher assistant, floating around rooms, helping children out with work, and paperwork in the offices, and giving my input on lessons. Through this, a new perspective was given to me not just on faith, but on guiding and teaching...voluntarily, these beautiful young and curious souls. Eventually, I wanted to spread all I knew and guide them in the ways. I knew then and there that I wanted to teach, preach, and lead. In my sophomore year of high school, I came back to volunteer again. This time, no other friends, just me. Although I was not a teacher yet, I stepped up in my work that year. I became a permanent teacher's assistant to a precious class of 1st graders. I led the class in some readings, worked individually with them to instill their prayers, and built real connections to make them excited about faith. For them to see religion as not a chore, but a wondrous gift! I got to even know them more by taking on a director's position at the church for the youth theater programs. As life lifelong actor myself, I led the rehearsals on a musical about the birth of Christ. This past year was the culmination of it all as I became a full-force volunteer in the youth education program. I officially was certified, sworn in, and became a teacher of a 1st grade class. I had the honor not only to introduce new faith to young 6-year-olds, but spread valuable lessons, and conversations, and even learn from them myself. The absolute joy when they would smile in excitement, raise a hand in curiosity, a take my guidance with them was a joy never experienced before. I spent the year continuing to direct the musical with the students. Watching these precious youngsters perform the technique I modeled along with the lessons of faith I taught was remarkable. I continued my volunteer work becoming a lector at masses, preaching the word of God, and even becoming part of the filming crew where we recorded mass to stream to the world. In essence, this has strengthened my passion for my future career—public office. Just like I continue to do for students, I want to run for office to connect with people to make change and work for the good and improvement of them. This scholarship will further ease my ability to mitigate the high cost of schools preventing me from higher education in political science to further enlighten me on qualities of leadership, therefore being able to continue my work with others across the country, and continue to answer that horrifying question. What's the meaning of life?