Why do I love math? Well, as I just mentioned, it makes me THINK! It’s incredibly brain challenging yet very fun. I also love how in every math problem there will be an answer – even though the methods to arrive at the answer vary. It’s finding the answer in the most original yet correct method that’s always the most fun part of math to me. I also really love math. There’s a feeling of accomplishment when you finally figure something out. It’s like unlocking a lock in your brain. When you finally get it, you feel so much better and you feel that you can do more things. Math also teaches you so many things that aren’t related to math itself. Like the importance of being patient, the value of perseverance and the need to pay attention to details. Mathematics is also another thing that I love, due to its relevance to our everyday lives and our future career. From banking to data analysis to any form of business decision making, mathematics is involved in so much. As an aspiring business and entrepreneur, it is important to learn mathematics to help us in our future decision making in which it will allow us to make better choices that will help us be competitive in any business field we may choose to pursue in our future. Math connects to many other subjects and to many aspects of the world around us. This makes math really cool! Everything from sports and games to business and investing involve mathematics and using math helps us understand situations and answers and solve problems in really cool ways. I really enjoy math. People often think of numbers, but it’s so much more than that. It’s about how you think. It’s all about solving problems, and really math helps to increase your self confidence. You realize that you can tackle real world problems with the help of math. Math is really tough, but if you learn it well then it will be worth it.

One of the things I hope to have in my future is a sports training facility where kids of all backgrounds will have the opportunity to learn, develop and achieve their goals in athletics without regard to financial situation. Sports are something that I have always been very passionate about and baseball will always be my first love. From playing on my travel team to coaching high school baseball I have always understood the importance of proper training, great coaching and a good atmosphere to be able to develop as an athlete. Unfortunately though, many great players are overlooked and never reach their full potential because they are not in a position to afford the things that they need to be as good as they can be. This is something that I hope to change one day. My goal is to open a training facility that not only trains the athlete, but builds the person as well. The facility will be a place where athletes will be challenged, encouraged, and empowered to become the best version of themselves. The facility will offer youth athletic training programs, as well as skill development and mentorship. My main goal is to make high level training accessible and affordable for all athletes. No one should be left out because of cost. Building the future that I want to live in starts with my education. With a focus in business and entrepreneurship, I’m learning how to turn an idea into a real and sustainable reality. Classes such as Leadership, Marketing, and Financial Management are all giving me the tools I’ll need to achieve my goal of building a sustainable future. As an athlete, I’ve learned the hard work, dedication, and perseverance that it takes to be successful. And now, I’m learning how these skills translate to the business world. The Community Recreation Centre for Sports is so much more than just a sports facility. It will be an opportunity to build a positive place where kids can be active, focus their energy on something positive and engage in the community. Families will also be connected through sport, not only to the Centre but also through connections with other families and athletes that enjoy the same activities. And finally it will be a place to be inspired to strive for greatness in their own lives and give back to the community. Ultimately I want to build more than just a building. I want to build opportunities, build confidence, and build purpose. Where sports and business collide, is where I see my future and the future of others being shaped and molded.

As a veteran’s child, I have had a unique outlook on my future and have been held to a higher standard of both hard work and achievement. My dad joined the Army prior to my birth and has since retired, but the lessons he has taught me are countless and continue to play a large role in my life. Children of veterans grow up learning the true meaning of sacrifice and dedication. My dad has instilled in me the importance of being selfless and the value of serving a greater good. These qualities have carried me through my academic career and will certainly be factors in choosing a career that is both purposeful and justifiable. My dad having served in the military taught me a very valuable lesson – the importance of perseverance. It’s very easy for any obstacle to break us down and make us feel incapable of getting the job done. However in the military it’s your strength and ability to bear down on tough times that see you through. Going to college has also given me a much deeper appreciation for what it means to be successful and the steps needed to achieve it. In college there is a common belief that a student must be exceptionally gifted or very fortunate in order to have any sort of measure of success. Yet, more often than not hard work and dedication to whatever one is involved in proves to be the winning factor in whether someone achieves success or not. Between school and athletics and other family obligations I have often felt under a great deal of pressure to perform and juggle many things at the same time. With this said I feel that persevering is crucial to not only my current studies, but to my entire lifestyle, and in the companies that I hope to lead one day. My intended field of study is Business with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship. My wish is to go into the sports industry. Sports have a very big role in my life, especially baseball. My understanding of the world has changed through my college studies, and I feel I have the potential to provide a service that can benefit athletes in many different ways while also helping to increase participation in athletics, particularly through the affordable provision of athletic instruction and training as well as the more accessible playing of sporting events such as baseball. My dream is to open and manage a sports training facility as well as one of several types of sports related businesses. Growing up with a veteran as a parent, I think has altered my perception of what it means to be successful. For my dad, his accomplishments are so much more than about money or even about himself, they are about the service he provided. He provided service to something greater than himself and in return received the support and sacrifices of his family and the community. As I look ahead to building a career that is of service to others, I aspire to create value not just for myself but also for others, through building pathways for others to succeed and by supporting those around me. My goal is to always contribute positively.

Education has changed my life in countless ways, giving me direction, purpose, and a clearer vision of the future I want to build. It has shown me that success is not simply graduating with a degree, but gaining the knowledge, skills, and mindset to make a meaningful impact on others. Through college, I have become more responsible, determined, and strategic in how I approach both my goals and my daily life. My education has expanded my perspective and revealed opportunities I once did not realize were possible, especially in areas I am passionate about, such as sports, business, and service. One of the most significant ways education has shaped me is by helping me turn my interests into real, achievable goals. I have always had a deep passion for sports, especially baseball. Growing up, baseball taught me discipline, teamwork, and resilience. However, it was not until I entered college that I began to understand how I could turn that passion into a career. Through courses in sports business, entrepreneurship, and leadership, I discovered that there are many ways to combine my love for athletics with business. These experiences helped me realize that I could create something of my own, whether that is a sports training facility, a business centered around athlete development, or a company that produces affordable, high-quality athletic gear for those who may not otherwise have access to it. Without education, these ideas might have remained dreams, but with it, they have become realistic goals that I am actively working toward. Despite the opportunities education has provided, the journey has not been easy. Like many college students, I have faced the challenge of balancing academics with responsibilities outside of the classroom. Managing assignments, deadlines, and expectations while also thinking about my future can be overwhelming at times. There is also the constant pressure of uncertainty—figuring out what path to take after graduation and making decisions that will shape my future. On top of that, the financial burden of college adds another layer of stress. Tuition, textbooks, and other expenses require sacrifices and careful decision-making. These challenges have tested me, but they have also helped me grow. Rather than allowing these obstacles to hold me back, I have used them as motivation to push forward. Each challenge I have faced has strengthened my work ethic and reinforced my commitment to my goals. I have learned how to stay focused even when things become difficult, and how to keep moving forward even when I feel uncertain. Perseverance is not just something I talk about—it is something I practice daily. Every class I complete, every assignment I turn in, and every goal I pursue reflects my belief in the power of education and my determination to create a better future. Through these experiences, I have developed patience, responsibility, and a deeper appreciation for the opportunities I have been given. Education has also changed the way I define success. At one point, I viewed success mainly in terms of personal achievement earning a stable job, making a good income, and living a comfortable life. While those goals are still important, my perspective has grown. I now understand that success is also about the impact I can have on others. My education has shown me that I have the ability to use my skills and experiences to create opportunities, inspire others, and give back to my community. I want to be someone who not only achieves personal success but also helps others reach their potential. Looking ahead, I plan to use my education to build a career that combines business and sports in a meaningful way. My goal is to create something that makes a positive difference in the lives of others, particularly young athletes. Whether it is through starting a business that provides affordable baseball equipment to underserved communities, opening a training facility that offers skill development and mentorship, or leading an organization that supports student-athletes, I want my work to have a lasting impact. I know that many talented athletes do not have access to the resources they need to succeed, and I want to help change that. By creating opportunities for others, I hope to empower them to believe in themselves and pursue their goals with confidence. No matter where my career path leads, I want to remain grounded in the values that education has taught me: hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to growth. I want my accomplishments to extend beyond personal success and positively influence my family, my community, and those I have the opportunity to help. Education has provided me with a strong foundation, and I am determined to build something meaningful on top of it. This scholarship represents more than just financial support it represents belief in students like me who are working to overcome challenges and build a better future. It would allow me to continue pursuing my education while staying focused on my goals without being overwhelmed by financial stress. More importantly, it would reinforce the idea that dedication, resilience, and ambition are worth investing in. My educational journey has prepared me for a purposeful life. It has given me direction, confidence, and the motivation to keep striving for more. It has taught me that challenges do not define me rather, it is how I respond to them that shapes who I become. Because of education, I know that a better future is possible and I am committed to creating that future not only for myself, but for others as well.

The reason I’m in business school studying entrepreneurship is because I want to build something that actually matters and adds real value to people’s lives. I always wanted to be an entrepreneur and turn my ideas into actual successful businesses, especially within the sports industry because I’m an athlete at heart. I know first hand just how expensive and how limited good training facilities and quality equipment can be, and I want to create my own businesses to open up doors for kids and athletes who want to train and get better, but physically can’t afford it. I would like to start a business that offers high quality baseball equipment and training at affordable prices. Currently, I am envisioning ideas for a baseball training facility in our hometown as well as creating different types of products for players of all ages at reasonable prices. I feel that learning about business will set the groundwork for when I am able to make these ideas into a reality. Learning about finance, marketing and operations will make my ideas stand out as well as allow me to learn from other people's mistakes, while also making my business run smoothly, therefore giving me a real chance at creating a business. I chose an entrepreneurial career path because I wanted the ability to be my own boss, to run my own business that I feel will be innovative and very impact full. The main reason that I wouldn’t want to be an employee for a company is that I wouldn’t want to have my work limited to the parameters and the scope that the company has designed and set. Instead, I believe that being an entrepreneur will provide me the opportunities to build a strong relationship between the world of sports business and of commerce. I strongly believe that by being an entrepreneur in this field, I will have a very important role to play, as far as creating jobs, strengthening local economies and establishing a new innovative venture which will be able to bring enormous amounts of benefits to people’s lives. I think that I will be successful as a business person because I am a very hard worker. I also think that I will be able to persevere through hard times when obstacles inevitably come up. While people often have excellent ideas, they give up when things become tough. Good ideas fall by the wayside when entrepreneurs encounter obstacles and run into problems. While failure is inevitable as a business person, I hope to look at my failures as opportunities to learn as opposed to as disappointing set backs. Many of the qualities and skills that I have learned as an athlete have carried over very effectively to my work as an entrepreneur such as hard work, focus and perseverance. I believe a successful life is made up of lasting legacies, helping people, and doing what we love. To me, success means creating opportunities not only for myself, but also for those around me. I envision being able to look back on my accomplishments with pride, because I dared to dream, I was consistent in my efforts and I truly made a difference. I am going to school for so much more than a degree. I am looking to acquire knowledge and skills that will allow me to truly turn my entrepreneurial ideas into tangible projects that help to shift the world into a better place. I truly believe that, with the right knowledge and attitude, I will be able to build a business that is true to my heart and purpose.

My dad was in the military and was self-employed so I feel like those things have really affected my learning and where I plan on being in my future. My dad was in the Army and he retired before I was born but I feel like the things he learned while he was in the Army are still visible in our household such as discipline, perseverance and hard work. My parents have always tried to make sure my siblings and I understood the importance of hard work and being responsible, which is a quality that I carry into my schooling and plan to take into my future career. I believe that my dad has had a pretty large impact on my values. I know that one of the main values that he has taught me is that hard work and discipline are essential in life. The military that he is in requires soldiers to follow procedures and protocols at all times. These procedures include being accountable and responsible for their actions at all time, and being able to push through difficult times when needed. This discipline has carried over into my studies, and I have found that they also require hard work, time management, and perseverance. It's very easy to get lazy in school and give up when things seem too hard, but my dad's examples of discipline have taught me that all of my hard work will pay off in the long run, so I try to carry on those traditions in school. My dad was in the Army for 8 years. I've always known him to be somewhat of an entrepreneur; he never really likes to be told what to do and he likes to create opportunities. I've grown up listening to him talk about all the different problems he would encounter in the military and how he'd have to figure out ways to fix them. Hearing about his experiences and the drive he has to become self-reliant has given me a large amount of motivation to strive to create my own business some time in the future. I am currently working on a degree in Business and hope to one day build a small business that provides quality baseball equipment at an affordable price to make the game of baseball more available to children and help them to experience the great opportunity that baseball has to offer. I believe my dad’s service has helped me understand the value of sacrifice and giving up one’s time to make a difference for others. A big part of the military is about working toward a goal that is greater than yourself and that’s what my dad instilled in me. To me, success is more than just about personal accomplishments and or financial gain. Success to me is about the ability to create opportunities and make a positive difference in not only my own life but in the lives of others. Whether it’s helping kids succeed on the court, creating programs to give back to our community or creating jobs through our business ventures I hope to live out my dad’s values of service to others. My dad has very much influenced me because of his time in the Army and the businessman he has become. These traits have had a great impact on the way I approach my schooling and my future goals. He has taught me that by working hard, being dedicated, and taking many risks, I will be able to have a good and satisfying life.

Faith has always been a big part of my life and it plays a role in how I view my aspirations, problems and goals for my future. To me faith is not the same as religion, its about having faith in something bigger than myself and staying true to my values while having faith that my actions will take me where I’m supposed to be. Having faith in my purpose and values guides my choices and gives me the drive to pursue my dreams and the things I want to achieve in my life. In my pursuit of education and my goal of building a better life for my family, I have faith that I am doing the right things to help me reach my goals. I was taught as a child that one must be responsible, honest and help those in need. My family always said that I should succeed but use my talents to help others. Our faith has also always been a big part of this for us and reinforced the idea of living with lowly humility, with great effort and with the utmost respect and dignity towards others. Life also has always shown me that no matter how hard things seem things can always get better and that you learn the most from your failures so you never give up. My faith plays a huge role in my pursuit of my academic goals. College is very important to me because it will allow me to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in my future career and make a positive impact in the community. I am currently striving to obtain my degree in college while at the same time working toward my ultimate goal of obtaining a job that has something to do with sports and entrepreneurship. Through my faith I am able to stay focused and keep my priorities in the right place, especially when trying to balance school and other responsibilities while striving for my future goals. Another large factor that has had a significant amount of influence on my pursuit of further education is my family. My dad, although he retired from the Army before I was born, I believe the Army had a profound effect on our family. I was taught to live by the standards of the military, namely discipline, hard work, and a willingness to sacrifice for something greater than one's self. I think about the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform and it gives me drive to want to further my education in an effort to create a better life for myself and my family and to do them proud. One day I hope to provide for myself and for others. My plan is to pursue one of three options that include business, athletics or community service. No matter what route I choose, my goal is to create something that will give back to my community and will show others that anything is possible if you strive for your dreams. With faith as my guide I hope to be able to carry out my plan with integrity, while always reaching for my goal and always trying to help others reach for their goals as well. I truly believe that my faith guides me and gives me the desire to do what is right and to make a difference in the world around me. I want to strive for greatness in all that I do and have the understanding that being successful is more than just personal accomplishments. True success is about having a positive impact on those around me and leaving a lasting legacy.

For me, living a life of service is about using the chances and skills I've got to help others do well and reach their goals. One thing that's had a big impact on me is baseball. As someone who's both a student and an athlete, I've learned that doing well isn't just about how I do, but about helping the people around me. Being on a team has taught me to be disciplined, to lead, and to encourage others to give it their all. It's shown me that when we work together and support each other, we can achieve more than we could alone. When I'm on the field, I try to show what service is all about by working hard, being dedicated, and having a positive attitude. Baseball is a team sport, so you have to trust each other and work together. I've learned that helping out a teammate, whether it's by giving them tips or just being supportive, can really make a big impact. These experiences have taught me that service can start with small things. So, I try to help others, share what I know, and give people confidence in themselves - that's how I try to live a life of service every day, one small action at a time. My love for helping others is also closely tied to what I want to achieve in the future, especially when it comes to business and being my own boss. I'm really interested in studying business because I believe it can be a powerful tool to create positive change, particularly through sports. One of my big dreams is to start a company that makes high-quality baseball gear affordable for young players. I've seen a lot of talented kids who can't afford the equipment and training they need to reach their full potential, and that's something I want to change. By making baseball more accessible, I hope to give more athletes the opportunity to develop their skills and chase their dreams, regardless of their financial situation. Getting an education will give me the skills to make my dreams happen. By studying business and how to start my own company, I'll learn how to run things, fix problems, and create chances for others that will last. But what's even more important is that education will help me become a leader who knows how to handle success and do what's right. I want to use my passion for sports and business to make a difference in the community that has given me so much. My dream is to help young athletes achieve their goals by providing them with the tools and support they need, whether that's through affordable equipment, guidance, or creating new opportunities. I believe that by giving back, I can help others reach their full potential and make a positive impact on their lives. Helping others is what makes life meaningful, and it's not just about doing one big thing - it's about making it a part of who you are every day. For me, learning and playing sports aren't just things I'm into, they're also ways I can help others and make their lives better, especially for those who will come after me in the sports world.

For me, sports have always been about more than just playing a game. Ever since I started playing baseball, I knew it was something special. It taught me how to be disciplined, how to keep going even when things get tough, and how to push through challenges. These lessons have stuck with me and influenced not just how I approach sports, but also what I want to achieve in life. Being a student-athlete was a really valuable experience for me, and it made me want to work in sports when I'm older. I want to help other athletes do their best and make sports something that everyone can enjoy. Playing college baseball at Savannah State University and Cleveland Community College was a real challenge for me. I had to work hard to balance my games and training with school and other things I had to do. But it was worth it, because I learned a lot from it. I found out that sports are not just about winning, but about getting back up after you've been hurt, working together as a team, and becoming a better person. I went through some tough times, like getting injured and losing games that were really important to me. But I also learned how to keep going and how to work with my teammates to achieve our goals. Those experiences taught me a lot about myself and about what it takes to be successful. Now, I want to use what I've learned to help others who are involved in sports. I want to give back to the community that helped me grow and develop as a person. Starting a business that makes high-quality and affordable baseball gear is a great idea. Lots of young athletes want to play sports, but they can't because the equipment is too expensive. You want to help fix this problem by making gear that's strong, new, and affordable for all players. Every athlete should be able to get better and compete without worrying about money. You believe that money should not stop someone from playing the sport they love. By making affordable gear, you can help level the playing field. This way, athletes from all backgrounds can have the same chance to develop their skills and reach their full potential. Your business can make a real difference in the lives of young athletes. It's not just about making gear, it's about giving opportunities to those who might not have them otherwise. You want to help create a more inclusive sports community where everyone can participate, regardless of their financial situation. I want to help young athletes reach their full potential by giving them the training and guidance they need. My dream is to one day open a baseball training center where kids can come to learn and improve their skills, not just in baseball, but also in life. With the right support and mentorship, I believe these young athletes can gain the confidence they need to succeed both on and off the field. By providing a positive and encouraging environment, I hope to make a real difference in the lives of these young players and help them become the best version of themselves. I believe that every young athlete deserves the chance to chase their dreams, and I want to help make that happen. Whether it's by providing access to affordable gear, creating training opportunities, or simply being a mentor, I'm committed to helping the next generation of athletes reach their full potential and make their mark.

Faith is a big deal in my life. My faith has been very present in my life growing up and I know it will be well into the future. I was always taught that our faith wasn’t just Sunday morning but Monday Friday. It was to impact the way we acted, the way we chose to do things and the way we treated others and reacted to situations. My faith in God provides me with a foundation that strengthens and anchors me when trials arise. It is a constant reminder to work on things like perseverance, meekness and being thankful. When I think back to my days as a student-athlete, there are so many moments when my faith was the fuel that powered my accomplishments. I thought often about my experiences as a baseball player, and the lessons I learned about discipline, teamwork, failure and a whole host of other concepts. However, the sport of baseball is a very volatile and emotionally challenging sport in which players experience victories and setbacks on a very regular basis. I have dealt with numerous injuries, disappointments from losing crucial games and struggled in the classroom at times. But through it all my faith has given me the stamina to keep going, and helped me to see that everything that I endure is somehow part of a bigger plan, and therefore it has purpose. Knowing that God has a plan for my life has given me hope when things seemed completely hopeless, and given me the strength and endurance to accomplish things that would be impossible in my own strength. Faith is a big part of my values towards people. I believe we should act in the way that God wants us to towards people - with love, integrity and compassion. I hope to carry this out no matter what team, group or office I am a part of in the future. As a student, leader and future employee I continue to learn and grow and strive to live in a way that honours God. Leadership, teamwork, communication, integrity and compassion are many valuable skills that will benefit me in many aspects of life. Career and Faith I often think about how my career will align with my faith. My vision and goal is to continue to work in business but also to be highly involved in athletics. My aspiration is to find a job that is characterized by integrity and high levels of accountability. I pray that I would continue to lead with my faith as my foundation and that I would continue to be motivated to have hard working servant leadership and to lead with humility. My faith calls me to make right choices, treat others justly and to have a positive influence in my community and throughout the world.

I have a whole host of memories from baseball fields that seemed to go on for ever. As a young player I spent a lot of time on the fields learning the game, working on my skills, playing in games and developing the level of dedication that would be required if I were to become a truly elite player. But as I grew as an athlete I came to understand that sports facilities such as baseball fields are very resource intensive and therefore can be quite damaging to the environment. They require significant amounts of water, energy and materials in order to maintain and provide a quality product for the athlete, the fans and the community. As someone looking to pursue a career in business but who is still passionate about athletics, I believe it is crucial that there is consideration of sustainability in the business of sports. Sustainable practices not only help to conserve the environment, but also strengthen communities and build long term success. Every day we read that sustainability is becoming a socially-oriented “business”. The reality is that every company plays a role in resource consumption and unsustainable practices often lead to negative environmental impacts such as pollution, waste and inefficiency. None of these effects are excluded in the case of the sports and recreation sector. Large sports infrastructure often entails the use of lighting systems, irrigation, building materials and transport infrastructure – all of which have a detrimental impact on the environment. However, besides environmental benefits, companies in this sector can also achieve significant savings and improve resource efficiency through the adoption of sustainable practices, sending important messages to athletes, spectators and customers. Therefore, by means of optimised lighting systems, efficient irrigation systems, the use of sustainable building materials and efficient transport infrastructure, great improvements can be achieved to both environmental performance and efficiency and also greater resistance to extreme weather or other changes to the climate. I have recently learned that there are many factors that are taken into consideration when people are coming up with ideas for a business, including the effect it may have on the economy and our environment. There are so many factors that influence the way we live and work and sustainability is not always an option that is difficult to exercise, because it can be profitable too. Many companies are choosing to practice eco friendliness, because they have noticed that it helps them save money, as well as boosts the image they portray to the public. Because of this, sustainability is not only the right thing to do – it can also provide new opportunities. Many companies are discovering that by being creative with new products and sustainable resources, they are opening doors for themselves to come up with new ideas and remain competitive in their respective fields. In the future, I plan to pursue two of my passions: sports and business. My dream is to build a baseball training facility dedicated to being a “green” facility using high efficiency lighting, water saving irrigation systems, sustainable building materials and renewable energy. Not only will it reduce its carbon footprint, it will also set an example for young athletes. Sports organizations have the privilege of reaching youth on a global scale. We have the power to shape young minds and by incorporating lessons of sustainability into the athletic mindset, we have the potential to cultivate a generation of eco-conscious leaders, both on and off the playing field.