What would make a positive impact on the world? I would say a sense of belonging and inclusiveness. Far too often in today's world, some resorts are specific on the type of people they appeal to and who they would prefer as customers. I am aware and understand that resorts have certain levels, as far as affordability and structure, and that they have every right to dictate those boundaries. From personal travel experiences, I have often found myself feeling unwanted, or a "burden", in some places I have stayed during my travels. In short, I would like to change that. I want to create an environment that all would feel welcome. There are many people in this world, and they come from all sorts of walks of life and circumstances. During my time in the military, I was allowed to experience different cultures and traditions that everyone has to offer. Each is beautiful in its respect, but that sense of welcomeness was often hard to come by. As time went on, I found myself with a deep sense of pride in being able to host parties and events that promoted tolerance, belonging, and inclusiveness. Being able to identify, plan, and execute aspects of events that have something for everyone is one of my greatest strengths. Shortly after leaving the military, I found myself in the trenches of substance abuse. This propelled me into a culture that is often frowned upon by the general population and shamed at the same time. The people I met while in recovery were some of the most welcoming and wholesome folks I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. But even with the feeling of love and belonging, and being in active recovery we were more times than not shunned from restaurants, hotels, and resorts. All because we were known as "addicts". This is what I want to change. In summary, I have had a lot of life experiences that the majority of the population, and even some hospitality employees have never experienced. Therefore, they are unfamiliar with people in the recovery lifestyle, and often shun them because they are "foreign" or "scary". My passion for hospitality will promote an atmosphere of love and belonging to all walks of life. Whether it be gender, race, sexuality, or anything that is generally not accepted by modern culture, they will have a place to come and feel loved. I am aware that it will take a significant amount of time to rise to a position that will allow me to make such changes. Still, I feel I can be a force for change regardless of my position within a hospitality company. I look forward to joining the hospitality workforce after graduation and showing others that acceptance leads the way! I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to receive this scholarship to further my hospitality education and put the knowledge and skills I learn along the way to use. Thank you so much for your consideration, William Jepson