While a high school, I was bold to live out my pro-life witness in my home state of Nebraska. I attended the state March for Life in Lincoln, Nebraska three times, some of which were after Roe vs Wade. I was blessed to attend several rallies and prayer events with Life Runners, a pro-life group founded in Nebraska, throughout my high school years. These events strengthened me to be a pro-life witness in the classroom too. I was able to have conversations with fellow classmates about the hard topic of abortion. While many people were quick to talk about a “women’s choice”, I passionately talked about the beauty of unborn life in the womb. I was able to share that all life, including the unborn, is a gift in a world that sees babies as mere cells. Though these conversations were sometimes uncomfortable, I learned that they were necessary. My friends needed to know the true value of life. Yet, little did I know that my pro-life views would be strengthened in the year to come. As a freshman at Benedictine College, I have been blessed to live out my pro-life witness and provide a voice for the unborn. Earlier this semester, I spent an entire weekend door knocking with Students for Life Action in Kearney, Nebraska to educate voters on the horrors of Amendment 439. In addition, I also went pro-life door knocking with Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for my entire fall break. Over the 3 days I canvassed, I was proud to reach over 1100 houses and 2300 voters across a 35-40 mile trek and had 100+ conversations about abortion in this battle ground state. I can't even describe all of the 'God' moments and conversions of heart that happened, especially in this area that was predominately pro-choice. Some voters realized that they were not as pro-choice as they thought they were while others who were already pro-life were left ignited to defend the unborn even more. In these experiences, I realized that the most fulfilling way I could spend my free time was defending life. Looking toward the future, I am excited to attend the National March for Life in Washington D.C with my college’s pro life club, Ravens Respect Life. I can’t wait to be a young supporter of the pro-life movement, especially in the new era of a post Roe vs. Wade world. Meanwhile, I look forward to future deployments with Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and Students for Life Action. If the opportunity permits, I would like to either be an ambassador or intern with Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. I have come to understand that defending the pro-life views is not easy, but I am willing to go on the front lines for this important cause.

When I study mathematics and economics at Benedictine College next fall, I will carry forward a mission that not only developed in the most unlikely of places but also originated far from home. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless, many of whom were veterans, with young missionaries from an organization called “Christ in the City.” At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have known. I questioned if I had the ability to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers during my walks with the homeless, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans and the power of touching a person’s life. Namely, the simple conversation I could offer to someone was enough to uplift those who felt invisible and unwanted. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not only talked to the homeless but also harnessed the ability to form new, life changing friendships with those in my community. When I came back home from Denver, I knew that my outlook on relationships and leadership at my high school could never be the same. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I saw that I could make a difference in my school by forming new friendships. Embracing this personal challenge, I began to invite classmates, especially those that seemed isolated, out to get coffee, and I started new conversations at lunch instead of having my phone out. Sometimes, I was afraid that peers would reject me because of my lisp, or I would accidentally embarrass myself in conversation by appearing socially awkward. Yet, the growth I experienced far outweighed the risk that I took. Several months after I started this quest, I grew in my self-confidence while in public settings, multiplied my friend network, and even improved relationships with adversaries. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I possessed the interior ability to conquer any barriers that come my way. Having overcome these exterior challenges, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and I attended the Mayo Clinic shortly thereafter to gather resources on combating this obstacle. This diagnosis challenged me to search deeper into what matters in life. While in the darkest of moments that summer, I received a plethora of support from friends, who walked with me as I navigated the ups and downs. Having been on both the giving and receiving side of friendships, I witnessed how relationships left a lasting impact on the world, including in my own life. Through my professional occupation as a financial mathematician, I will use my influential platform to not only help businesses solve real world issues but also empower others to overcome adversity, advocate for mental health, and change the world through one friendship at a time.

When I study mathematics and economics at Benedictine College next fall, I will carry forward a mission that not only developed in the most unlikely of places but also originated far from home. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless, many of whom were veterans, with young missionaries from an organization called “Christ in the City.” At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have known. I questioned if I had the ability to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers during my walks with the homeless, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans and the power of touching a person’s life. Namely, the simple conversation I could offer to someone was enough to uplift those who felt invisible and unwanted. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not only talked to the homeless but also harnessed the ability to form new, life changing friendships with those in my community. When I came back home from Denver, I knew that my outlook on relationships and leadership at my high school could never be the same. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I saw that I could make a difference in my school by forming new friendships. Embracing this personal challenge, I began to invite classmates, especially those that seemed isolated, out to get coffee, and I started new conversations at lunch instead of having my phone out. Sometimes, I was afraid that peers would reject me because of my lisp, or I would accidentally embarrass myself in conversation by appearing socially awkward. Yet, the growth I experienced far outweighed the risk that I took. Several months after I started this quest, I grew in my self-confidence while in public settings, multiplied my friend network, and even improved relationships with adversaries. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I possessed the interior ability to conquer any barriers that come my way. Having overcome these exterior challenges, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and I attended the Mayo Clinic shortly thereafter to gather resources on combating this obstacle. This diagnosis challenged me to search deeper into what matters in life. While in the darkest of moments that summer, I received a plethora of support from friends, who walked with me as I navigated the ups and downs. Having been on both the giving and receiving side of friendships, I witnessed how relationships left a lasting impact on the world, including in my own life. Through my professional occupation as a financial mathematician, I will use my influential platform to not only help businesses solve real world issues but also empower others to overcome adversity, advocate for mental health, and change the world through one friendship at a time.

When I study mathematics and economics at Benedictine College next fall, I will carry forward a mission that not only developed in the most unlikely of places but also originated far from home. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless, many of whom were veterans, with young missionaries from an organization called “Christ in the City.” At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have known. I questioned if I had the ability to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers during my walks with the homeless, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans and the power of touching a person’s life. Namely, the simple conversation I could offer to someone was enough to uplift those who felt invisible and unwanted. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not only talked to the homeless but also harnessed the ability to form new, life changing friendships with those in my community. When I came back home from Denver, I knew that my outlook on relationships and leadership at my high school could never be the same. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I saw that I could make a difference in my school by forming new friendships. Embracing this personal challenge, I began to invite classmates, especially those that seemed isolated, out to get coffee, and I started new conversations at lunch instead of having my phone out. Sometimes, I was afraid that peers would reject me because of my lisp, or I would accidentally embarrass myself in conversation by appearing socially awkward. Yet, the growth I experienced far outweighed the risk that I took. Several months after I started this quest, I grew in my self-confidence while in public settings, multiplied my friend network, and even improved relationships with adversaries. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I possessed the interior ability to conquer any barriers that come my way. Having overcome these exterior challenges, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and I attended the Mayo Clinic shortly thereafter to gather resources on combating this obstacle. This diagnosis challenged me to search deeper into what matters in life. While in the darkest of moments that summer, I received a plethora of support from friends, who walked with me as I navigated the ups and downs. Having been on both the giving and receiving side of friendships, I witnessed how relationships left a lasting impact on the world, including in my own life. Through my professional occupation as a financial mathematician, I will use my influential platform to not only help businesses solve real world issues but also empower others to overcome adversity, advocate for mental health, and change the world through one friendship at a time.

Above all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering insecurities, strengthening relational skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the toughest but most rewarding experiences a high schooler can have. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it toork to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans and the power of touching a person’s life. Namely, the simple conversation I can offer to people is enough to brighten a person’s day. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless but harnessed the ability to form new friendships. When I came back home from Denver, I knew that my outlook on relationships and leadership at school could never be the same. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I saw that I could make a difference in my school by forming new friendships. Taking on this personal challenge, I began to invite classmates out to get coffee and start new conversations at lunch instead of having my phone out. Sometimes, I was afraid that peers would reject me or accidentally embarrass myself in conversation. Yet, I grew far more than I ever would have if I never took this risk. Several months after I started this quest, I had grown my self confidence while in public settings, multiplied my friend network, and even improved relationships with adversaries.With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I possessed the interior ability to conquer any barriers that come my way. Having overcome these exterior challenges, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this resilience more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic shortly after. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II online in the fall of my senior year, which was a first in my high school’s history. My mission is to carry forward this resilience next fall when I study mathematics at Benedictine College, where I can continue to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and help others face the giants in their lives. When the future throws me lemons, I will keep using my previous experiences and leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade for others.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. With the resilience I acquired from this experience, I was now equipped to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any barriers in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. Equipped with these leadership skills, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II online in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. This was no small task; I was stretched physically, mentally, and emotionally throughout the ten week course. There were many times of tribulation that stretched who I am. When I reflect back on these experiences, I am extremely proud of the man I’ve grown to become. Even with this accomplishment, I have come to realize that the most joy in life is found in the people around me. My struggles with an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder have challenged me to search deeply into what matters in life. From my experiences this last year, I smiled countless times while in the darkest moments because of the support from family and friends. Rather than use my agency for personal achievements, I desire to change lives through the building of relationships. The best gift I received during my hardship with an Obsessive Compulsive Order was friendship, and this is the contribution I want to give back to the world. Combined with my high school leadership skills, I have acquired the grit and tools to be an influencer in the next chapter of my life. With the help of a college education, I can expand my mission of befriending and serving my peers to a broader community. My goal is to bring this dream to fruition when I study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I will be able to build a community of real-life problem solvers, advocate for the underrepresented, and lead my peers to overcome their personal hurdles. I plan to use both my academic and personal triumphs as fuel to persevere when the road gets hard. My resilience from fighting an Obsessive Compulsive Order will propel me in this mission. Though this journey will not be easy, I am prepared for what lies ahead in the next four years. When the future throws me lemons, I will rely on these high school experiences to continue making lemonade for others.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any barriers in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. Equipped with these leadership skills, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. My goal is to carry this resilience forward when I study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I can help build a community of real-life problem solvers, advocate for the underrepresented, and lead my peers to overcome their personal hurdles. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From these experiences in Denver, Colorado, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. Equipped with these leadership skills, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic shortly after. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II online in the fall of my senior year, which was a first in my high school’s history. My mission is to carry forward this resilience next fall when I study mathematics at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where I can continue to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and help others face the giants in their lives. When the future throws me lemons, I will keep using my leadership capabilities to make lemonade for others.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From these experiences in Denver, Colorado, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. Equipped with these leadership skills, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic shortly after. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II online in the fall of my senior year, which was a first in my high school’s history. My mission is to carry forward this resilience next fall when I study mathematics at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where I can continue to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and help others face the giants in their lives. When the future throws me lemons, I will keep using my leadership capabilities to make lemonade for others.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. Equipped with these leadership skills, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead, thanks to the support of my Italian parents. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I can continue to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and help others face the giants in their lives. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. Equipped with these leadership skills, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. Equipped with these leadership skills, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. Equipped with these leadership skills, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. Equipped with these leadership skills, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. Equipped with these leadership skills, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. Equipped with these leadership skills, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. Equipped with these leadership skills, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. Equipped with these leadership skills, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. Equipped with these leadership skills, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. Equipped with these leadership skills, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. Equipped with these leadership skills, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. Equipped with these leadership skills, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. Equipped with these leadership skills, I was now ready to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. With the resilience I acquired from these leadership skills, I was now equipped to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. With the resilience I acquired from these leadership skills, I was now equipped to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. With the resilience I acquired from these leadership skills, I was now equipped to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. With the resilience I acquired from these leadership skills, I was now equipped to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. With the resilience I acquired from these leadership skills, I was now equipped to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. With the resilience I acquired from these leadership skills, I was now equipped to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. With the resilience I acquired from these leadership skills, I was now equipped to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.

Of all the academic rigor I encountered in high school, I can attest that surrendering comfort, growing in leadership skills, and overcoming personal struggles are the most challenging barriers a high schooler can face. In November of my junior year, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Denver, Colorado and encounter the homeless with Christ in the City. At first, I was nervous to interact with strangers who lived a different lifestyle than the one I have. I questioned if I had what it took to provide support to someone who was facing poverty and loneliness. By breaking my own social barriers that night, I discovered the beauty of seeing the poor as humans, the gift of building new friendships, and the power of touching a person’s life. At the end of the walk, I realized that I had not just talked to the homeless, but built friendships with people that have everyday hobbies like you and me. From my experiences in Denver, Colorado my junior year, I learned that leadership is a special trait that requires courage to begin and patience to develop. Just like the street walks with the homeless, I realized that leadership first begins with a bold step. The trait starts with a hard choice to try something new, such as taking on additional responsibilities, risking rejection from peers, or sharing from a place of vulnerability. As I made these decisions on a daily basis, I began to see leadership as a journey of growth with trial and error. This path was not flashy and in some cases, I found it to be quite gritty. Yet, these barriers enabled me to grow far more than I ever could without them. I matured in my patience for results, improved relationships with adversaries, grew in self-confidence, and fought stronger for my peers. With these newfound fruits, I concluded that I could conquer any giants in my life and strive to better both my community and myself. With the resilience I acquired from these leadership skills, I was now equipped to look inward and prevail over my personal struggles. Little did I know that I would need this strength more than ever. In the spring of my junior year, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I attended the Mayo Clinic the following summer. Though faced with taxing anxiety, I still endeavored to make a difference in the opportunities that were ahead. That summer, I pushed past obstacles to fulfill my volunteer duties as a weeklong senior camp counselor, and I finished Calculus II in the fall, which was a first in my high school’s history. I hope to carry this success forward when I attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to study mathematics in the fall of 2024, where I endeavor to enrich my educational career, forge new relationships, and develop leadership skills that will further the community. When the future throws me lemons, I will always rely on my leadership capabilities to continue making lemonade.