It was difficult choosing candidates because, in my four years of university, I’ve had the chance to read so much in just my English major (I double major in English and Computer Science) that talking about everything would be impossible so instead I’ll bring up my top three choices: Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Mark Twain’s Connnecticut Yankee at King Arthur’s Court, and Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun. Literature has always been my favorite subject because of the often-unheard stories told through it, and Heart of Darkness exemplifies that perfectly. As the name suggests, the story is dark, following Charlie Barlow aboard a steamboat headed out of the Thyme River, recounting his experiences sailing through the Congo River in Africa and the inhumanities witnessed on his journey to meet “legendary” Mr. Kurt. When he finally meets the fabled Kurt, he finds that not only is he not the person he envisioned but also that Africans were enslaved and worked to death for Britain’s ends; it’s very graphic, everything explained through words alone yet still effective as if you had experienced it yourself. As someone mostly shielded from such imagery (I attended a Christian high school), it served as a stark introduction to the gruesome realities of slavery and has shaped my desire for human rights advocacy deeply in my work. Having read Conrad’s story has gotten me interested in drawing from life’s experiences and turning them into purposeful writing for my future artistic career. Twain’s novel is about a man named Hank Morgan who mysteriously ends up in the Middle Ages and decides to take advantage of his 19th-century knowledge to rule and rebuild society as he sees fit. Through his use of “magic”, his intention to lead the peasants to modernity backfires and the story ends in a bleak tone (sensing a pattern here much?), but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to take away. In fact, because this story (like most of what I read so far) ends tragically, it serves as a warning - a cautionary tale - against Hank’s tiwsted practices through his mental power; I learned to be more inquisitive of human reasoning over power structures and the consequences of conforming or dismantling them regardless of what one chooses. The lesson I got was partially that there comes a point in history at which “future progression” stalls and there appears to be no way out, but I pushed back against such a realization and actually counteracted such claims in my final essay in class. It was a challenging thing simply choosing an argument to defend but it was something to do regardless - I wouldn’t change my mind about defending human progress for anything. Finally, Klara and the Sun solidified that, even though we may not be able to change the world to the extent of those who came before us (as has been the case with the two aforementioned novels), there is still something we can all do no matter what and that’s to love. Love is something that I see is largely absent from the world today and, apart from just seeing it portrayed in past stories, what I’d like to do is implement and show its principles through my work. As an artist, all these stories and experiences have come together to make who I am today and have shaped my critical voice in the things I will focus on and advocate for moving forward. All it takes now is a leap of faith, one which Klara (the AI in Ishiguro’s novel) showed me is worth it and never in vain.

As a devout Christian still growing and developing in the Lord, my leadership style continues to evolve. I may not be an established leader- focused mostly on graduating on time with good grades by Spring 2026 - however, even so, I can still reference my recent experiences at university and go from there. Although short-lived, my time at my local Intervarsity club was well-spent and indicative of the direction I’m heading moving forward. About 2 years ago, in my sophomore year (I still need one more year to graduate), I had the opportunity to be a part of the Intervarsity [Christian] club on campus and, although tough at times due to late-night meetings, I was not only able to receive but also give through it. In small study groups (there was also a big group), we read the word, studied it, and prayed for each other every Tuesday and Thursday for an entire semester to a year (unsure exactly about longevity) where it was truly wonderful to witness that not only was God working in an unlikely place (one doesn’t usually associate religious organizations with schooling - at least, not that I’d known at the time) but you could feel the atmosphere change and burdens lighten in each other’s presence; it was the perfect haven away from studying and the world’s ongoing issues, but that’s just the beginning. Apart from reading the word and praying for my classmates, I also attended two big events, Basilea and a university-hosted event, where not many may have shown but God moved nonetheless. They were easily one of the best experiences I’ve had where I truly felt a part of something greater, a community of believers. In Basilea alone, after spending time in fellowship in nature, we went to some nearby mountains and ascended to the highest peak where we hit obstacles along the way yet still made it thanks to God’s neverending grace; it was a true act of faith that required determination, coordination, and encouragement from each other and because of our commitment to exercising our faith we made it back to campus with lessons to share with others. These are some of the experiences of leadership that have made up my last couple of years but I’m sure they’re just a start and not an end, although things have started to change. My experiences have opened my eyes to being more perceptive of evil and injustices around us and to my preferred leadership style, which may seem unconventional but still merits consideration. Although contributing to God’s kingdom remains my dream, how I’d like to help is what’s most altered since I truly started exercising my faith. Being a public speaker or an extroverted personality has never been my thing - while opportunities were available at the time I chose not to take them because I believe that we as Christians can reach the masses in different ways according to our talents and changing times. Formal missionary work may have stalled over the years - it’s often unsustainable long-term - but even so, my message is that “you” too can evangelize and spread God’s love and hope, even if not full-time. Over time, life’s taught me that it's not true that only certain things will enable us to serve God’s kingdom - ministry being the "only" way - but that everyone can contribute in their own way through God-given talents and particular callings, whatever they may be. For me, that’d be through making art, something I continue to work on and develop daily for God's glory when the right time comes.

While I don’t recall a single big moment prioritizing all aspects of my health, I have several smaller ones I can mention nonetheless. Physically, I started to reflect on my body back in high school (junior to senior year) and decided to start exercising to improve my wellbeing with the potential for an ideal physique as a bonus. I kept going for a while, eventually stopping (being overwhelmed with college applications and finishing with the best grades), but the experience helped me to become more disciplined and focused on recurring tasks, even if I didn’t feel like it sometimes; my efforts have paid off and continue to influence my work ethic while I studying in university. I wouldn’t be where I am today without having made that first step in trying to be actively fit. Emotionally, I had to make a tough decision regarding my friendships on leaving high school, where I still think I made the right decision. I won’t go into detail, but my choice was between staying in a toxic relationship with my peers, risking my emotional health in the long run, or leaving them behind (not entirely, as I still communicate with them, but not as much as before), where I chose the latter. Had I conformed and let things continue as they were I would’ve remained unfulfilled, frustrated, and constantly feeling like I owed them something when they weren’t reciprocating the friendship; I chose to be mature and prioritize my emotional being instead, once again leading to the wiser person I am today (disclaimer, don’t shun your friends if you don’t have to, but create space so they can learn to respect you and possibly change for the better). Finally, with mental health, as a Christian man, it’s refreshing to spend time alone with God in the mornings (or sometimes afternoons). I started doing devotionals about a couple of years ago, somewhat routinely (we all have our bad days!), and I can’t understate how much it has healed, restored, and put me back on track in tough times. When I have doubts, unanswered questions, or feel sad or dissatisfied for any reason, I commune with the Lord in the solitude of my room and almost immediately feel the difference; being “spiritual” - one of many ways to tackle mental health - is advantageous, and I wouldn’t abandon it for anything. However, it doesn’t end there, as another way I deal with my mental health is through journaling, writing, coming up with ideas, and overall just being creative and going along with inspiration whenever it strikes. Many times when I’m feeling bored or just uninspired (sometimes with banal tasks), I like to imagine that I’m working on one of my projects, fermenting one of my ideas, helping me to not only get through the day but also in the aftermath when my creative vision requires it. It’s a nice sentiment and set of skills to have in this harsh economy when all that seems to matter most of the time is work, money, and the anxiety over the next paycheck; it helps to put back some humanity in us (speaking to all artists out there, doing their best to stay afloat). Although I’ve abandoned some of the habits mentioned, remembering these pleasant moments of good decision-making has inspired me to get back on track with my health and, most importantly, never give up trying to do so. It will be a wild ride, but seeing the fruits of maintaining one’s overall health is a reward worth cherishing and protecting through to the end.

When U.S. states legalize abortion, I become distressed that such actions keep expanding. I empathize wholeheartedly with pro-life movements standing against pro-abortion because human life is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14). If I had resources to spare, I’d donate to continue pushing forward the life-giving message, but even in my financial situation, I can do what’s within my reach - advocacy. Liberal arts education has taught me that the problem is not within ourselves in tolerating pro-abortion sentiments but the institutions themselves that allowed it to begin with - the collective I “system” is our enemy. As much as I feel for unborn children and their lack of universal rights, my advocacy goes much further, addressing the lives of every person alive today struggling against the behemoth that is Capitalism. In a way, I could be likened to a Marxist, but the issue goes much deeper than mere economics, especially nowadays, that simply going that deep won’t do. I’ve been listening to many motivational speeches by distinguished individuals like Kobe Bryant, Robert Kiyosaki, and Jordan Peterson, among others, and I can’t overlook my perception of the system’s rule over our lives because of its massive implications. As sources like Zippia reveal, that only “8% of people who set goals actually achieve them” while the remaining 92% fail should pale in comparison to the realization that only a mere 3% of people ever write down their goals, indicative of something gone wrong on a grander, global scale. Indeed, as motivational speaker and former Ohio state representative Les Brown is often credited in one of his speeches (in a more or less paraphrased version) the graveyard being the “richest place on earth”, containing “books that were never written…songs that were never sung…inventions that were never shared…[etc]” should make us reflect on ourselves, but we don’t, and it’s true; we may be the most technologically advanced civilization in history but, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, we are among the deadest. As I see it, we can’t be the heroes we might want to be - not to our friends, families, or children - if we continue like this without making efforts to change things. If we say we appreciate and want to protect life, then it has to start with a commitment to ourselves, which is where I come in. As a junior storyteller in art and literature, I want to advocate for life everywhere, including non-sentient ones, through my tales of redemption from a Christian perspective. My aspiration as a university senior with a dream is to shape and inspire the current and upcoming generations to not only be better than their predecessors in every way but to make them realize first that they can be better, that there is a better to strive toward. This should be enough to trickle down to pro-abortion and make people reconsider the value of human life, that everyone’s story is worth sharing and learning from, but that’s all speculation unless we can bring about change. The conviction in my heart is that children won’t have to suffer any longer if the societal mindset recovers, but I can’t do it alone. Help me become a voice in this heartfelt battle pitted against life so that we may all prosper, together, for everyone’s sake.

My first pick, “LUNCH”, resonates with me deeply because I feel like out of all her songs it’s one of the most fitting for expressing the feeling of being in love. As someone who hasn’t had the opportunity of falling in love [yet] I think the lyrics capture it within a somewhat established (or heavily implied) relationship perfectly, especially when it comes to desire and sexuality. I won’t recapulate the lyrics here but other than somehow not being explicit yet implicitly capturing typical actions performed in intimacy the fact that Billie as a woman desires another woman is endearing to me because it’s different from what’s traditional; I admire Billie in this song because she’s not afraid to capture and share her deepest thoughts and emotions no matter how “unconventional” they may be. This is true for all her music but with this song in particular being about sex it’s more special because, in reality, how many times do we openly hear musicians talk about their private lives like that? Not often I’d reckon - however you look at it, it’s a standout in her track record and I doubt it’ll ever get old (at least to me, someone who is still navigating (and struggling with) their sexuality). Next is “Ocean Eyes” as my second choice, and not just the original. Given that there are several different remixed versions of this song I’d have to go with one of those (and I say one of them because it was also impossible to just choose from one of them, although the Blackbear one is a close contender - it slaps!). This song stands strongly in my top 3 list mostly because of the fantastic vocals and instrumentals that really make you groove with the vibes, but that’s not to say that the lyrics aren’t great either. By no means, even though they appear less substantial the simplicity is what actually makes the song stand out with its effectiveness in getting one relaxed and melancholic (or nostalgic) without saying much; it reveals that you can tell a lot about a person and their mental state (or even your own) just by looking at their eyes as the “gate” to their soul - the interpretation may be off but that’s the idea this song gives me (the vibes are just so chill that I could just listen to it forever, potentially opening up my “eyes” to think about repressed things I haven't thought about in a long time). Finally, “Everything I Wanted” is my favorite Billie Eilish song. So far, it retains that status because I fell in love with it from the first time I heard it. Although I knew it was my favorite from the start, impressionistically, the lyrics are actually pretty DEEP. It’s very relatable because it’s almost depression incarnate; I can’t think of a better song to represent it. From the intrusive thoughts to the often false accusations we come up with ourselves, everything is just so adequate and on point to describe what it feels like to be depressed (and we’ve all been there in our darkest days), but the best part has to be when a mysterious “other” tells Billie that “as long as I’m here no one can hurt you”, a truly wonderful line that dwarfs any sadness the song may want to leave behind (for me, that’d be God - He is always there for me). What makes the song even better is that it’s based on a nightmare Billie herself had once - the commitment to realism and emotional fidelity is truly commendable.

As a senior majoring in computer science since the second half of junior year (I no longer major in econ but still have a year left to graduate), I can confidently say I’ve worked on my fair share of programming projects in both academic and personal settings. To name just a few, early on, I had the chance to make a simple vending machine using Python and a Java program that interacted with an embedded database to read and write data, and while I truly enjoyed the challenge of essentially writing some of these programs all on my own (the teams that were assigned to me were unfortunately not very cooperative, but I took it as a learning opportunity) a recent project I have to say I was most passionate about was the first I coded with personal utility in mind: a small program that helps organize unsorted text. It’s essentially a text organizer written in Java that works in the terminal by opening a .txt file whose address you provide when prompted, allowing you to specify a start-end range of “lines” (in .txt files, especially in lists, sentences are typically separated by lines) of text to be alphabetically organized; you look at entries you’d like to organize by alphabetical order and give the program the corresponding start-end range and it makes a copy of the file at a target destination with the text properly organized. I find it a very useful tool, especially for content creators with a plethora of ideas who often haphazardly dump them in such files where it later becomes difficult to locate exactly what one needs to reference. Although you’d still have to go through the entire file to find exactly what you need at least it makes the hassle a little more manageable by organizing text in a practical order so you can find what you need intuitively by its starting letter (although of course, other criteria could also be used, like tags; they could go at the end of each line and the program would instead use those as its identifier. I could go on about how I could implement these changes in a future update but the details are way too technical for a short essay like this!) In short, the reason I saw the need to make this simple yet challenging project was because I noticed that while “sorting” may be readily available with other software (even online), there is currently no way to sort .txt files locally. It surprised me but the project taught me a lot more on top of what I’ve already done in class, helping further reinforce my learning. Technology inspires me because the possibilities are endless. Although I’m more inclined to use my technology skills to make games in the future to push storytelling and social advocacy forward (I plan to join indie teams whenever the opportunity arises), I’m also excited about the potential technology has in helping to solve real-world problems, even the small ones we may often overlook. For now, I’m passionate about “quality of life” updates that are yet to come to many of the applications and software we’ve come to rely on daily, the huge potential technology holds in making these features come to pass, and so much more. I’m glad Mr. Chadwick D. McNab could be called an elite software developer because technology, if used responsibly and ethically, can be a world changer and continue to drive us forward; I’m very excited to be a part of the software engineering community and to see what the future holds for us next.

My name is William Jeffrey Navarro, a senior pursuing a Computer Science-English degree, with a French minor at Drew University, and here's my story. I didn’t start college in 2021 with computer science in mind: I was first enrolled in economics thinking it was the right path, but I was naive. I didn’t enjoy what I was doing, caught in a slog, feeling like something was missing, until I listened to unforgettable advice and turned my life around. It was a monumental decision but, after careful consideration, I switched majors very late, about a semester into my junior year, where I’m now more satisfied than ever with all the things I’ve been learning about. However, I grew too enthusiastic and ignored a major factor in my ability to finish - more time and funds. Instead of the usual 4 years it takes to get a bachelor’s, it will now take me 5 years to complete my computer science degree, and it’s been very difficult lately to secure the financial aid I will need to make this dream a reality. Even so, I don't regret it for a second; it was the right choice, even under these troubling circumstances. My dream occupation after earning my degree is to start working on experimental projects by making games with indie teams in game development. Gaming is now one of the biggest and most profitable industry giants requiring a computer science degree and it’s imperative I take advantage of the opportunity. With the many ideas I’ve gathered over the years as a once-simple gaming enthusiast, I’d like to take the industry in a different direction and innovate in storytelling and gameplay where they lack; I’ve been studying trends and I’m aware where gaming is becoming more fragile and falling apart, areas I’d like to get involved in to change the climate for the better. It may seem idealistic, but it’s no longer up to corporations to fix this mess: it’s our duty to create the change we’d not only like to see but also hastily need. I believe I’m the best candidate for this award because we need more advocacy in the gamedev field for better management practices. If we keep going down this road without addressing the core issues plaguing the industry today, gaming as we know it could become a “thing of the past” rather than be part of our future. What I’d like to offer are my still-developing technical skills to help voice major concerns in the industry with the potential to expand and speak to many social issues as well. Imagine games that are not only fun, engaging, and defining of the upcoming generation, but that also address and teach about what’s going on in the world today - games with the potential to transform negative perceptions and drive forward lasting change. They won’t come through the current status quo, so help me become the gamedev director I aspire to be and to accomplish these goals and so much more.

Words have meaning. Words have lessons. Words have power. I’m working on 3 personal projects sharing one theme in common: Redemption. Over many years of hardship the Lord has taught me that, whenever fear or loss strikes the heart, He’s omnipresent to watch over us and take our hand whenever we need it; if we’ve deserted the faith (or have never been in it at all) He’s always ready to take us back into his embrace and welcome us into His kingdom. This is something I’d like to share with the world in my writing, that no matter how bad one’s sins may seem (even those often considered unforgivable by man), God forever saves, heals, and restores. My stories contain hurt, flawed characters, with nothing to hide about the gruesome realities of life, but also with God’s love present to remind us that nothing is unredeemable - sure, there will continue to be troubles until the end of time, but with God on our side, who can be against us? My storytelling can make a difference and change the world by giving people hope that the mess we’ve gotten ourselves into is not the end but the beginning of a wonderful walk with the one who made and cares for us if we choose to believe. I’m no prophet nor an established Christian yet but I believe that by telling stories of second chances with God at the center I can make a difference in not just my and others’ faiths but also for generations yet to come. I don’t aim to make the next “Bible” but my goal is to tell realistic, marginalized stories and let God move through my work for His glory; knowing that I can make a difference in these desperate times is its own reward.