What has captivated me the most about the culinary arts is the role human ingenuity plays in constantly innovating how the culinary arts can bring communities closer. From dinner time at home to dinner rush at a Michelin Star restaurant, an atmosphere of togetherness is experienced through breaking bread with the ones you love. Over time, professional chefs and home cooks alike have found new and exciting ways to bring us closer together by sharing culture and heritage through food. My mother is Venezuelan and my father is Israeli, which means through their knowledge of cuisine from their respective countries, I get to experience food from around the world. My parents' background, coupled with my innate ability for cooking, brought unto me a fascination with the culinary arts from an early age. Cooking shows, recipe videos, and even cooking magazines have intrigued me since I could read. Of course, watching cooking media since an early age has given me an idea of how it has changed over time, and how it has grown to bring people together. Even though I don't remember, my parents tell me I was always watching the TV with them when "Hell's Kitchen" was on. Before I turned 10, I remember being infatuated with "Guy Fieri's Diner's Drive-In's and Dive's" and "Top Chef." These early shows had a focus on competition. What is the best spot to eat this kind of food? Which chef could cook a certain dish the best? I loved watching these shows because they were brave. Premiering around the 05'-06' years shows like these were unprecedented. Producers took a risk in innovating the cooking media industry, and audiences loved it. Although having a focus on competition, these shows inspired me to cook dishes out of my comfort zone with an emphasis on efficiency and originality. Because I began growing my role as the home chef, I was able to bring my family closer with the dishes I brought to the table just like my parents used to. As time went on, shows like "MasterChef," and "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" released and yet again, revolutionized the cooking media industry. These shows provided a spotlight on food from around the world, showcasing the different recipes, ingredients, and techniques that made each dish special. In my opinion, it was this generation of cooking shows that began to bring communities closer by becoming more inclusive. People from different cultures that watched the show saw their heritage being explored and presented to the world to people that usually wouldn't be exposed to those cuisines. Watching these shows with my family has inspired us to branch out from our normal cooking habits to have a deeper appreciation for foreign cuisine. Now when we have guests over we are more inclined to push ourselves to share our culture and heritage, as well as accommodate cuisines from our guests' respective cultures. I love everything there is to it about the culinary arts. It has always been my dream to go to Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts and become a famous chef one day. I need this scholarship to help me pay for my dream. From exploring culture to exploring recipe techniques I want to continue to innovate how the culinary arts will bring not just communities but the world closer together. Yair Melloul

I think for all humankind, genome editing is the greatest discovery to date. Genome editing is a form of scientific genetic engineering in which scientists can remove, add, modify, or replace sequences of DNA to effectively change the way someone's body works. Because of the discovery of genome editing and the large strides made in genetic engineering science, scientists can now surgically remove genes and their regulatory elements and, just as interestingly, monitor their activity. As a result, we now understand how biological systems work better than ever before, as well as the diseases that disrupt them. It is exciting to hear that some of these efforts are even in clinical trials, so they will hopefully soon make their way to the clinic. This scientific advancement is especially important to my family because breast cancer, cholesterol, and high blood pressure run in my family. This technology opens the door to securing the future for my kids, my grandkids, and generations to come. The power to change the world is spearheaded by this discovery, for families all over the world just like mine. I hope to contribute meaningfully to the scientific community through years of college education and personal research. Discoveries like these inspire me to work diligently towards a scientific discovery that will unequivocally better the world we live in. This scholarship will bring me one step closer to achieving my dream, and I am grateful for the opportunity Bold.org has given me. Yair Melloul

People that don't understand the importance of a holistically balanced lifestyle have called me a health nut, but people that understand its importance and invest in all areas of their health call me smart. Even though I am only 17 years old, I pride myself in my extensive knowledge and experience working towards a healthier lifestyle for myself and others around me. I am a consistent resource in my community for personal workout routines, dieting strategies, and stress-reducing techniques that result in a more well-rounded body and mind. Helping friends and family reach their fitness goals whether that be weight loss, gaining muscle, or just having more energy throughout the day is one way I invest in my own well-being. Having the privilege of doing something I love helps me focus on all areas of my health, especially while juggling school, work, a social life, and being a part of the military. Shortly after starting my senior year of high school I swore in to the Marine Corps as a reservist in the Delayed Entry Program. The program is very physically and mentally taxing, calling for intense training 4 days out of the week for the next year that is designed to push its members to their cardiovascular and strength training limits. The physical exertion requires mental stress like I have never experienced before, which is why it is ever so important for me to take days off where I focus especially on recovering my mind to be ready for the next day. I also reworked my diet to include more servings of carbohydrates like white rice and healthy fats like avocados because of the stress on the joints and extra exertion from long distance running. Even before joining the Marine Corps, my nutrition, workout routine, and attention to my mental health were exceptional. My go to balanced meal that I take to school everyday for lunch is 1 cup cooked white rice, a serving of animal protein, and a handful of straws of asparagus or another vegetable. On a normal morning, I would eat 5 eggs, 2 pieces of toast, and a large glass of milk to keep me full until lunch. After school I eat another meal similar to the one I took for lunch with a little more carbs for my workout afterschool, whether I am going to my local commercial gym or training with the Marine Corps. My last meal of the day consists of a fruit mix. Staple fruits I keep in my fridge are blueberries for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities, bananas to help with cramping from its high potassium content, and papayas to prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, preventing heart disease. I try to eat this meal early in the evening to prevent bloating at night, which decreases quality of sleep. The steps I take to better myself physically, mentally, and nutritionally work for me because I listen and understand what my body needs to succeed. Much like how you need the right fuel for a workout, you need the right funds for a college degree. I need this scholarship to help me accomplish my dream of graduating from the FG Program in Nutrition and Dietetics at the Duke University Hospital so I can professionally help others on their own fitness journeys , in turn helping them live better lives living up to their full potential. I want to make the world a better place by helping those in it live longer and have more fun doing it. Yair Melloul

I watched a lot of Disney movies growing up, actually I watched every Disney movie growing up. I love the unique messages and inspirations that every movie came with. Unfortunately, I was bullied in school and found it hard to make friends because I was a boy that was infatuated with Disney Princess movies. As it turns out, its not usual for a young boy to care about the real world struggles females face represented in these movies. Nevertheless, I was able to make it through my formative schooling years by being proud of what made me different- loving Disney Princesses. My favorite Disney Princess and the one that quite literally saved my life was Tatiana from The Princess and The Frog. A visionary, intelligent, and resourceful young woman from New Orleans, Tiana dreams of opening her own restaurant one day. Inspired by her late father, she knows everything about cooking and running a business, but still faces enormous obstacles standing in the way of her dreams. In spite of all her trials and tribulations, she works hard, saves for the future, and is determined to succeed. Her dream is important to her, and she believes in her abilities. Every time I felt depressed or defeated, I thought about Tatiana. Every time I was outed for being different or was told my dreams were impossible, I thought of Tatiana. If it wasn't for her, I dont think I would be the man I am today, (kinda ironic isn't it). She was with me at my lowest when I went to a rehabilitation center for mental health, and she is with me today watching me achieve all the things younger me would have thought impossible. Now I am an Eagle Scout, a Marine Corps Reservist, and I work 3 jobs to help my mom pay bills and put myself through college. Because I come from a low-income family and I am hispanic, most of the adults I have met in my life didn't expect very much from me, they actually expected me to fail because of how big I dreamt. However, just like Tatiana, I trust the process, save every penny and think to myself, " Im almost there!"

I need to learn and have as many experiences as possible to help kids that were underprivileged like me have a better future than I did. I need to go to college to earn a Social Works degree to effectively change the life of at least 1 kid. That is my life ambition.

I believe that to be considered a positive force in society one must have an extensive track record of trying to better themselves and others. I perceive myself as a positive force now and in the future because of the values I will uphold and apply in my everyday life. My history of community service, academic achievement, and personal lifelong ambition is proof of my positive impact on the world. I am an Eagle Scout, which is the highest prestige bestowed on a contributing member of the Scouts of America. I also have managed to maintain a high GPA of 3.6 throughout high school, despite challenges like online learning and COVID protocols that made being a student that much harder. These achievements are minuscule in the big picture of life, however, which is why I accredit my positive impact on the world now and in the future, mainly to being a lifelong learner. In today's society, there are constant changes to what is socially acceptable and what is not. Being a lifelong learner like myself pushes you to be aware of these changes, adapt, and make others feel more comfortable in their bodies, and better about what makes them unique. I was given the privilege of serving as Vice President for my Jewish Youth Group chapter, and this leadership role taught me the value of understanding and improving my community's social norms. I was able to have one-on-one conversations with members of my chapter to understand their social parameters, and what they perceived as right and wrong. In turn, I adjusted my leadership style, how I planned social events, and how I interacted with certain members. I come from an immigrant household where family, integrity, and ambition are values that are heavily endorsed and appreciated. My experience has shown me that kids these days don't cherish the same values that I do. They care more about what you have, or what you look like, rather than what you do and who you are on the inside. This has both discouraged and inspired me on my mission to positively impact the world. I still believe I can effectively help my community by applying and sharing my values, but at the same time, I fear that current social norms will continue to regress. This is why winning this scholarship is important to me. This money will help me pay for a degree in Education that would greatly help me connect with youth and be able to effectively help others become better versions of themselves. Yair Melloul

My name is Yair Melloul, and I've wanted to be a teacher of some sort ever since the day I learned how to read. From a young age, I always had high regard for my teachers. Partially because I knew that the teaching profession was in a gradual decline. During the 1970s, there were more than 200,000 education degrees awarded per year, according to the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE). The number of awards in 2019 was less than 90,000. The teaching profession is in crisis, as anyone who works in a public school knows. Teacher burnout is high, teachers are leaving their jobs at record rates, and there is no pipeline of new teachers to replace them. If America and the world want a brighter future, this course must be reversed. I believe that education and mentoring youth are so important that I took it upon myself recently to contact both my state and local representatives via email to advocate for teachers' rights, better pay and resources, and more support from their respective education agencies. The education of future generations should always be one of a country's top priorities. Without an established educational sector, all other industries slowly start to fail because of a lack of educated workers in that field. It all starts with teachers in the classroom for young kids. The more uneducated someone is, the more likely they are to end up in poverty, homeless, or incarcerated. A man who knew this truth well and dedicated his life to the establishment of public education was Mirabeau B. Lamar. A Georgia lawyer, Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar became a Texas politician, poet, diplomat, and soldier. During the Texas Republic period, he was a prominent political figure. Following Sam Houston, he was elected the second president of the Republic of Texas. His proposal to set aside Texas lands to fund public education got him the nickname of "The Father of Education", at least in Texas. I, like Mirabeau, understand the importance of public education and its relation to successful civilizations. This is why I am applying for this scholarship... this is why I need this scholarship. I am poised to make the world a better place, and I see no better way to do that than by pursuing a degree in education to one day be able to teach, mentor, and guide future generations to a better tomorrow. Yair Melloul

My name is Yair Melloul. I am 16 years of age, but I have met enough people in my life to have a credible understanding of how I hope they can be different in the future. I need this scholarship to pursue a degree in Social Work at a university that can fulfill my financial needs to uplift my LGBTQ+ community, especially those that haven't had the privilege of experiencing what I have. I want to start by saying my experience isn't unique. I grew up in an unstable household that taught me from a very young age to be grateful for what I had and not dwell on what I didn't have. I recognize other students and our gay counterparts who have always experienced discrimination, violence, and inequity. Regardless of this fact, our community has managed to successfully fight for decades of progress. I am still fighting with my queer peers to even the odds for us. I must see more awareness of our gay tribe and our generation's squeeze for existence into society. Mahatma Gandhi once notably said, "We should be the change we want to see in the world- " I couldn't have said it better myself. There's no other country where we can sit and have a conversation as we can on gay rights than here in the United States. There's nowhere else in the world activists over 18 can go out in November and change things legally than we can. I am blessed to live in America and recognize that we have a legal system where civilians can take charge to create waves of change in the legislative branch. Once I am 18, I plan to use my degree in Social Work to begin to open opportunities and centers that provide care, resources, and knowledge for all kids through legal activism, voting, and public service. We have an amazing history and trajectory for gay rights here in the United States. To keep the momentum going, the movement must utilize youth to convey its message at a familial level. Before kids are walking or talking, their brains are wired in ways that will affect them for the rest of their lives. An overwhelming 98% of Tennessee parents of children over 5 report that inadequate child care has hampered their work productivity or limited their ability to care for their children. The state loses $850 million each year due to childcare problems., according to a study by TQEE, (Tennesseans for Quality Early Education) in 2019. I deserve the Greg Lockwood Scholarship because I honor his legacy every day. Those that do, know me for the value I hold for reverence, sincerity, and character. With gratitude, Yair Melloul

Being committed, working as a team, and having a strong spine are essentials in my playbook for lacrosse and life. Lacrosse isn't just about the game. It's about who you are as a player and how you carry yourself. Speaking from experience, the skills I've learned playing lacrosse translated directly to skills for life. Simple character-building traits like not skipping practice helped me constitute a more committed mindset to other aspects of my life- not skipping school and assignments, which prompted a greater sense of pride in my tasks and responsibilities in life, no matter how seemingly insignificant. A team is only as good as its weakest link, and the fastest sport on two legs doesn't wait for anyone to catch up. I believe the best teams are player-led, which means that as a player I am always pushing towards excellence for myself, and my teammates. Teamwork is when you show up 30 minutes before practice to wall-ball right next to the field. It's when you straighten your bag and come on time. It's when you bring an extra ball just in case your buddy loses his. Being reliable is what makes a great teammate. Coaches and players know they can count on you to be doing your part and trying to help others get to your level. It's also what makes you a great coworker or spouse. Knowing how to successfully work with others is key to big plays on and off the field. A team is a team, no matter what jersey they wear. Nothing worthwhile is easy. I remember the first time I picked up a lacrosse stick. Couldn't keep the damn ball in the net for nothing. But I kept getting back in line and restarting the drill. Time after time, failing and becoming more bitter about my inadequacy. Salvation came in the form of a slow but transcendent string of repetitions that kept me going. Mind over matter is a term used frequently but frivolously. Discipline is what keeps the mind moving the body. It took me time to understand that the difference between lacrosse players and guys that play lacrosse is the degree of discipline they brought with them to every game and practice. The great game of lacrosse is one I intend to learn from and one day teach to others. The Scott McLam Memorial scholarship is a necessary string on the stick that holds my dreams to play lacrosse professionally. I believe I deserve this scholarship to honor the legacy of the late Scott McLam and create my own. Yair Melloul