For the last 4 years, I have been the kid that thought of himself as a D1 Baseball player that would go to college on a “Full Ride”. I realize now that only a few high school players make it to that level. Fortunately, I have parents who instilled in me that school always came first, and my grades never declined. Because of my high GPA and school and community involvement, I was able to shift my focus to playing D3 baseball at John Carroll University. I'm excited to be joining the Boler College of Business. I now need to find additional scholarships to help cover my tuition costs. My parents have always worked tirelessly to provide for our family, and I’ve never wanted to add to their burdens by taking on student loans. Earning this scholarship also represents an opportunity to prove my dedication, hard work, and commitment to my goals. Rather than simply receiving a handout, this scholarship rewards the effort I’ve put in. If awarded, I can demonstrate my ability to succeed on my own. It's not about entitlement; it's about merit and determination. Growing up, I was insecure about my skinny frame, and I lacked confidence in the sports I loved. Things only got worse during middle school when I noticed the stark differences between my physical development and that of others. At that moment, I knew something had to change. I was tired of feeling this way—I wanted to be stronger, not just physically but emotionally as well. At first, I felt embarrassed about going to the gym. It was intimidating, and I feared standing out for all the wrong reasons. So, I took a different approach. Using my dad’s old 45-pound weight plates, I set up a makeshift gym in our basement. This gave me a private space to learn the basics of working out without judgment. But after a month, I was disappointed and discouraged because I hadn’t made the progress I expected. It was through that disappointment that I learned the true value of discipline. With discipline as my guide, I fell in love with the process, and my confidence soared. Every day at the gym became an opportunity for growth, and as I grew stronger physically, I noticed that I was also growing stronger mentally. After six months, my entire life changed. The confidence I gained in the gym started to spill over into other areas of my life. In sports, I was no longer intimidated by the competition. In the classroom, I approached challenges with the same determination. I no longer saw obstacles as impossible but as opportunities to apply the discipline I had developed. My social life also flourished. I no longer felt like the smallest, weakest person among my friends. Instead, I began to see myself as a leader, someone others came to for advice or support. Now, 5 years later, I am about to start college in the Fall at John Carroll University to play baseball and study Business. I can see how far I’ve come. I used to be that shy, insecure, weak kid, but now, I am someone who can lift not only weights but also the insecurities that once held me back. My journey is proof that hard work, dedication, and self-belief can transform both body and mind. Today, I carry the lessons I learned in the gym into every aspect of my life. I don’t know where I would be without those 45-pound plates in my basement, but I know they were the beginning of something that changed my entire life.