Going to college, for me, is not just about earning a degree. It represents something I have been working toward for a long time without always thinking of it in those exact words. It is about proving to myself that I can keep building something bigger than my current situation, even when life gets busy, tiring, or uncertain. I did not grow up with a perfectly clear roadmap of what college would look like. I just knew I wanted more for myself, and I knew I would have to earn it step by step. That mindset became real once I started balancing school, full time work, and soccer at the same time. There were days when I would leave work tired, go straight to practice, and then still have assignments waiting for me afterward. In those moments, college stopped being just an idea and started becoming something I was actively fighting to stay on track with. What college means to me is opportunity, but not in a vague way. It is the opportunity to create options for my future that I did not have before. It is the chance to turn discipline and consistency into something long term. I have learned that motivation alone is not enough. It is showing up even when you are exhausted, managing your time when there never seems to be enough of it, and staying committed even when progress feels slow. One moment that made this really clear to me was during a stretch when everything felt stacked at once. I had exams coming up, work shifts that could not be missed, and a tough week of practices. I remember sitting in my car for a few minutes before heading into one of those practices just thinking about how full everything felt. But I also remember realizing that this was exactly what I had been working toward, even if it did not always feel easy in the moment. I was building the kind of habits and resilience that college requires. Now, as I continue my education and prepare to transfer to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, I see college as a turning point. It is not just about being in classes or getting through assignments. It is about learning how to think differently, communicate better, and prepare myself for a career where I can actually make an impact. I am studying communications because I am interested in people, in stories, and in how experiences can be shared in a way that connects with others. On a personal level, I am trying to accomplish stability and growth. Stability in the sense of creating a strong foundation for my future, and growth in the sense of continuing to push myself out of comfort zones. I want to graduate knowing that I did not just attend college, but that I used it fully. That I built something from it that reflects the effort I put in every day. To me, college is not just a destination. It is a process of becoming the person I want to be, through responsibility, discipline, and persistence. That is what I am trying to accomplish, not just a degree, but a version of myself that I can be proud of long after I leave the classroom.

If I had to pick something a little different about me, it would probably be how normal I try to act even when things around me are not very normal. I know that sounds kind of simple, but growing up I always felt like I had a mix of small things that made me stand out without really choosing it. I was the tall kid, I’m left handed, and I also tend to notice things a lot more than I say out loud. None of that is extreme on its own, but together it always made me feel a little different in everyday situations. Being left handed was probably the most obvious one when I was younger. It is one of those things that people notice immediately, especially when you are writing at a desk next to someone right handed. I got used to hearing comments about holding a pencil “the wrong way” or having to adjust things in class. It was never a big deal, but it was one of those constant reminders that you are doing things slightly differently than most people around you. The tall thing added to it too. At 5’11½, I was always kind of in that awkward middle where I stood out in a room, but not in a way that came with any automatic identity or role. I was just there, a little taller, a little more noticeable, but still figuring out where I fit in. I think that combination made me more aware of how people see small differences, even when they do not mean much. What I find interesting now is how those little things never really mattered once I got into environments like sports. On the soccer field, nobody cares how you hold a pencil or which hand you use or how tall you are in everyday life. It becomes about how you play, how you think, and how you work with others. That switch has always stood out to me. It is one of the reasons I stayed connected to sports, because it feels like one of the few places where those “different” things do not really matter. I think those early experiences made me more observant in general. I notice small details about people, how they act, and how they respond in different situations. I do not always say everything I think, but I pay attention to it. Over time, I realized that everyone has something that makes them feel a little out of place at some point. It is just not always obvious from the outside. Looking at it now, I would not really call those things awkward anymore. They are just part of who I am. Being left handed, being a little taller, noticing details, those are just normal parts of me that felt different only because I was comparing myself to everyone else growing up. The more I got older, the more I realized everyone has their own version of that. So I guess what makes me a little different is not one big thing, but a collection of small ones that I used to notice more than I do now. And over time, I learned that those differences do not really define you, they just become part of your normal.

When I was born, my legs were positioned behind my head, and doctors were unsure if I would ever walk. That was the first story I ever heard about myself, long before I understood what it meant. I did end up walking fine, but that beginning has always stayed with me, not because it defined any limits for me, but because it showed me how quickly expectations can be wrong. Growing up, I never saw myself as limited. I was active, competitive, and naturally drawn to sports. Soccer became a major part of my life early on because it gave me something I connected with right away. I liked the pace, the teamwork, and the constant challenge of improving. Over time, it became more than just something I played. It became something that shaped how I think and how I handle challenges in everyday life. What interests me most about sports is how they develop people in ways that go far beyond the game. Sports teach discipline without needing to be explained. They teach consistency, accountability, and how to respond when things do not go your way. There are days when everything feels smooth and days where nothing feels easy, but you still have to show up and give your best. That rhythm has shaped how I approach school, work, and everything I am responsible for. As a college soccer player, I have come to understand that even more. Competing at this level requires commitment, focus, and the ability to stay steady when life is busy or stressful. I balance school, athletics, and a full time job, and while it can be demanding, sports have helped me stay disciplined through it all. I have learned how to manage my time, stay motivated, and keep pushing forward even when I am tired or overwhelmed. Beyond my own experience, I am interested in how sports shape people on a larger level. Sports bring people together in a way that is hard to replicate. They create shared goals, shared struggles, and shared growth. I have seen how being part of a team can build confidence in people and help them discover strengths they did not realize they had. Even as a spectator, sports can inspire people by showing what dedication and effort look like over time. What stands out to me most is how sports often mirror life. There are moments of success, moments of failure, and everything in between. How you respond to those moments says a lot about who you are becoming. That is what keeps me interested in them, not just as an athlete, but as someone who is always learning from the experience. Looking ahead, I want to continue building on what sports have taught me. Whether in academics, athletics, or my future career, I want to stay connected to the lessons of discipline, resilience, and growth. My story started with uncertainty, but it has become one shaped by effort, consistency, and a commitment to keep improving every day.

I want to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector because I have seen how much of a difference it makes when people are given support, opportunities, and a sense that someone believes in them. In my own life, balancing school, athletics, and a full time job has not always been easy. There have been moments where having guidance, encouragement, or even just access to resources could make a real difference. Those experiences have shaped the way I see the world and have made me want to be part of something that helps others navigate similar challenges. What draws me to nonprofit work is the purpose behind it. It is not just about success in the traditional sense, it is about impact. It is about creating opportunities for people who may not always have access to them and building systems that support growth, education, and community. I am especially interested in working with programs that support students and young athletes, because that is where I have seen both the struggles and the potential firsthand. There are so many individuals who have the drive and ability to succeed but may lack the resources or platform to move forward. Through my work, I hope to create a positive impact by helping provide those opportunities. Whether that is through mentorship, storytelling, or connecting people with resources, I want to contribute to something that helps others feel supported and seen. I also want to use my background in communications to bring more attention to important issues and highlight the stories of individuals and communities that are often overlooked. I believe that when people hear real stories, it can change perspectives and inspire action. Another important part of the impact I hope to make is building a sense of community. Nonprofit work is not just about helping from a distance, it is about creating connections and fostering environments where people feel like they belong. I want to be part of efforts that bring people together, encourage growth, and create lasting support systems. In the long run, my goal is to be involved in work that leaves a lasting impact beyond just immediate results. I want to help build programs and initiatives that continue to support people over time, not just in one moment. I believe that even small actions can lead to meaningful change, especially when they are consistent and intentional. Pursuing a career in the nonprofit sector allows me to combine my personal experiences, my education in communications, and my desire to give back. It gives me the opportunity to be part of something that is bigger than myself and to contribute to positive change in a way that is real and lasting.

My interest in sports broadcasting and sports journalism started long before I ever saw it as a real career option. Growing up, sports were always a big part of my life. They were more than just games to me. They were something I could rely on, something that brought structure and meaning into my everyday routine. I was always watching games, but what stuck with me most were not just the highlights or final scores. It was the stories behind the athletes, what they went through to get there, what they sacrificed, and how they kept going when things got hard. As I got older and became a student athlete myself, my perspective changed in a big way. Being on a team while balancing school and a full time job showed me how much really goes on behind the scenes. I have teammates who are working long hours, helping support their families, and still showing up every day ready to give everything they have. Those are the kinds of stories that do not always get attention, but they deserve to be heard. There was a point in my life where everything felt overwhelming. I was trying to manage school, work, and soccer all at once, and there were days where I honestly questioned if I could keep going. Around that time, I came across an interview with an athlete who talked openly about going through similar struggles. Hearing someone be real about their challenges and still push forward made a big impact on me. It reminded me how powerful it can be to share a story, and how something as simple as an honest conversation can motivate someone else to keep going. That moment helped me realize what I want to do in this field. I am most passionate about telling stories that show the real side of sports. Not just the wins, but the struggles, the setbacks, and the perseverance it takes to keep pushing forward. I want to give a voice to athletes who might not always be in the spotlight but have stories that could inspire others. For me, sports journalism is about connection. It is about showing people that they are not alone in what they are going through. As I continue my education and move forward, I want to create work that feels real, that people can relate to, and that can make even one person feel motivated to keep chasing their goals.