At the young age of eight. I logged on to my family's Windows computer for the first time. Ever since then I've been hooked. At the age of thirteen, I began watching coding tutorials to modify and add new content to my favorite computer games. I may not have understood what I was getting into at the time. But little did I know I was building a legacy. Nine years later and here I am, still reading developer documentation and coding tutorials. Some things never change, hah. After graduating from Ranken Tech and receiving my degree I strive to work in the video game industry development industry. There is something so fascinating about seeing the code you wrote come to life in a beautiful open-world video game. I know with enough hard work and dedication I can create something that everybody will love. Maybe even the next hottest game on the street. I know I am the best candidate for this scholarship because I am extremely passionate about my craft. Pursuing computer science is about being comfortable being uncomfortable. If something isn't working as expected I love the thrill of problem-solving and fixing the issue. Sometimes the greatest things are created by accident. In the coding world, this translates to, 'The bug becoming a feature.' I also believe I am the best to receive this scholarship because I am always hungry to learn more. I don't just want to specialize in one coding language. I want to learn the intricacies of every single one. Even some of the more obscure languages. I want to prove to myself and the rest of the world that if you put your mind to something no matter how big or small, amazing things can happen. For me, tech and development are the perfect outlets for just that. With one more year left of college, I stand optimistic and excited for the future of my career!

When somebody mentions "living a healthy lifestyle" many people are quick to think about making gains at the local gym. Maybe eating healthy comes to mind. The truth of the matter is that there is so much more to uncover about being healthy than exercise and the food we eat. Being healthy also means staying mentally disciplined and maintaining a happy mind. This is just as important as eating healthy and working out. When you combine these three pieces of the puzzle together you will look better, feel better, and have so much more energy throughout the day! So how do we keep stay mentally happy? There are actually many different activities and exercises you can do right at home! Yoga and meditation is a popular practice among children and adults. Connecting your body and mind to the Earth and just simply living in the moment. Taking 20 minutes a day to practice yoga is a fantastic way to unwind and appreciate what your mind and the world around you has to offer. Next we have my personal favorite healthy lifestyle choice. Working out. Believe it or not working out actually releases endorphins that positively impact our brain and help with mood and function. You don't even need a gym membership to accomplish this! Simply going for a 30 minute jog is a fantastic way to get your blood flowing and burn calories! I personally believe a mix of cardio and weight lifting makes for a remarkable weekly workout routine. No workout is complete without a nice post-workout meal. Remember, It's not about what you eat, it's about how much you eat. Prioritize carbs and proteins after a workout to maximize strength and muscle gain. Foods like pasta, chicken, and rice are all fantastic things to eat after a heavy lift. Don't be afraid to add a touch of sweets too! Not all sugars are bad! Our bodies need them to function. Eating sweet fruits and vegetables like bananas, grapes, or salad is great for this! Though, moderation is key. You can have that slice of cake, just don't eat the whole cake. There is an infinite number of positives that come from maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Practicing these three things daily will slowly (but surely) make a long lasting positive impact on your life. Try it for even a month and you will notice a big change in your work-life balance, social life, and energy levels. The only thing stopping you is YOU! What are you waiting for?

I said goodbye to my best friend, Mindy the Jack Russell Terrier in January of 2018. She was there for me during the peak of my OCD and anxiety. Always available for snuggles and kisses. I still think about her on a weekly basis and how much of a positive impact she had on my early teen years. We did so much together. Daily walks in the park, late night movies and snuggles, and even sleeping together! While I do miss her I am so grateful for the moments we spent together and will never forget her! A dog truly is a man's best friend. I love you Mindy!

Ever since I got my first Apple computer at the young age of nine, I've been hooked on technology. There is an endless amount of knowledge on the internet. Right there at my finger tips. Begging to be grabbed. I have studied a multitude of random topics on my computer. One of these being Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs always fascinated me. Dropping out of college and starting off his professional career as a "difficult but valuable" Technician at Atari Inc. Eventually co-founding what is known today as Apple in 1976. The catch? Steve and his friend Steve Wozniak started this company from their garage! Going on to sell the "Apple II." Which went on to make over one hundred million dollars in profit! Eventually, Steve was pushed out of Apple and practically forced to resign. This didn't stop him though, as he got up rather quickly and formed 'NeXT' in 1986. (Know today as Pixar) Come 1996 Apple would go on to buy NeXT and bring Steve Jobs back to the company. I am unsure whether computers or smart phones would exist in the modern era if Steve Jobs never dropped out of college to pursue Apple. Although I can almost certainly guarantee that the industry wouldn't be the same without him. While I don't advocate for anyone to drop out of school to start a business I believe Jobs' story is rather fascinating one. A perfect example that with enough passion and dedication you CAN be successful. No matter the circumstances.