There are a lot of problems facing the world right now, and a lot of people who disagree on just which issue is the most significant. Some say that a lack of diplomacy is to blame for the teetering economy, while others claim that ongoing inequalities among certain demographics prevent world peace. However, as of now, there is no problem as widespread or detrimental as climate change, and it will take commitment and consistency to solve it. For decades, climate change has grown in severity. Since 1880, the surface temperature of the Earth has risen by at least two degrees Fahrenheit. Plastic pollution has crept into every corner of the planet. CO2 emissions are dropping too slowly to prevent drastic shifts in the future, with deforestation increasing at a linear rate. Even the effect of average people on the environment has not improved, with residential buildings producing more emissions and waste annually than all vehicles combined. Despite all of these negative trends, there is a light within the darkness. So far, the most effective counter against climate change has been investment in cleaner technology and renewable energy. The prices of wind and solar energy have plummeted since times as recent as 2010, and new technologies have been introduced that assist in the cleansing of pollutants; technologies which could be expanded upon and become crucial to saving the environment in the future. With these technologies becoming cheaper, more businesses are investing in them. On the contrary, fossil fuels such as coal and oil are gradually becoming more scarce and expensive. In short, climate change is such a massive problem that it even has other problems within itself. There is no one solution, but one of the most promising solutions today is the investment into cleaner, more renewable resources and technologies.

When thinking of people from history that I find appealing or exemplary, it is hard to choose just one. However, based on my aspirations, passions, talents, and goals, one person I undoubtedly admire from history is Stan Lee. Initially, the only thing I knew about Stan Lee was that he was in some way responsible for the iconic Avengers movies that I saw on the big screen during my free time. After getting into his story in depth, I found that he was a very imaginative and detailed creator, just like I am. Although we may not have grown up with the same hardships, Stan Lee and I both take a passionate stance against bullying. When reading his biography, I found that Stan Lee produced a lot of his Marvel characters because he wanted to create stories about underdogs that stood up to evil bullies. I have written a lot of my stories with a similar motive, which is to remind people that they should always stay true to themselves and never buckle in the face of a society that tells them that they need to change. I have experienced bullying and a lot of other social hardships myself, which is another reason I look up to Stan Lee. We share the same view of not wanting to incorporate sidekicks into our stories as much because we believe in equality and representation. When most people think of Stan Lee, they immediately think of the comic books, the TV shows, or the movies that were created by him, whether that be in part or completely. However, I admire him for so much more than that. His morals, creativity, and story have all inspired me to continue to pursue my dreams as a creator.

I cherish all things creative, including music, film, novels, visual art, animation, and video games. Since I was a toddler, the use of various colors to create images has intrigued me. Before I was even a year old, I was already scribbling pictures with markers. When I was around two years old, I began creative writing. My first stories were based on my adventures in the real world, with my first imaginary friend, K, as the star. I wrote these early stories in marker on copy paper and would staple them together. The grammar and spelling was expectedly incorrect numerous times, but it was much better than that of the average kids my age. My visuals were fairly appealing, especially in terms of my use of colors. I did my best to capture the feel of real-life occurrences and make them fun, both visually and through text. Fun experiences I enjoyed with my older brother, who has autism, inspired many of my stories. The scores of short stories I produced made me and the people I shared them with laugh and relate to the point where I began to believe that there were things about each day in my life that could be transformed into an adventure that all people could read and enjoy.

A wise man once said, "Change is the only evidence of growth." We have to grow to change; otherwise, we are stuck in the same place for the rest of our lives. I keep a growth mindset by accepting positive new challenges as opportunities to change and develop a higher sense of purpose. When I take a deep look inside myself and examine my circumstances, it's up to me to decide whether I want to stop growing where I am. The answer is always a resounding "No," because I am not at all anywhere near where I see myself ending up. I know I can always improve. I know I can always change my thoughts, and thereby change my life. That's not an easy feat, but with time and patience, it can be achieved. If I don't keep a growth mindset, I am choosing to give up. That will never happen. I have too much potential and too many goals to ever quit on myself. I imagine my future full of exciting occurrences, and I know I can do what it takes to bring my dreams to fruition. Of course, I get disappointed sometimes, but looking at my future beyond my disappointments always raises my spirits. I keep a growth mindset because I know that I have to grow to change, and I know I want to keep changing to become a better me.

One of my proudest moments is when I first broke 90 in golf. It was over the summer of either 2018 or 2019. I remember the feeling of having tried numerous times. I was confident that I was going to do it, but the more I failed, the more I seemed to want to give up. On some days, I would even tell myself that I was playing like the worst possible and that I should quit. However, despite such urges, I kept working patiently at my game, because I had faith that my game would improve. I got golf lessons, practiced harder and more frequently, and applied my newfound knowledge in the areas that needed correction. After finally breaking 90, I was incredibly relieved. It was one of the best feelings I have ever had in golf because I showed not only others, but also showed myself that my patience and perseverance, my will to work hard at it and determination kept me capable of achieving anything that I put my mind to. I may have felt like quitting, but quitting was not my goal, nor was it what I had burned into my mind. Time and time again after this milestone, reaching set goals became easier and easier for me once I really zoned in. Patience is important in many things, especially when we are eager to achieve something. Things may seem to be taking longer than we want, but once we have achieved our desired outcome and look back, it really didn’t take as long as it seemed. Our best outcome will happen eventually, but patience is having peace in the waiting.

From Wii Sports to the golf course, the game of golf is taking me and my family on a lifelong ride! My first exposure to golf was a video game that I played with my family at age six. I asked my dad if that was a real sport. He confirmed, and there, my golf life began. Being an outgoing youngster, I tried and excelled at many different sports. Athletically, I have won championship trophies in baseball, basketball, and football, but the sport I have played the longest, become most accomplished in, and am most passionate about is golf. Through my ten years of playing, I have won many competitive tournaments with the First Tee of Metro Atlanta (FTMA), Atlanta Junior Golf Association (AJGA), Georgia State Golf Association (GSGA), and Archer High School. I have been blessed to experience several rare opportunities such as the PGA TOUR Championship Behind-the-Ropes experience, where I played a hole with and received encouragement from Tony Finau, and met and received encouragement from several other PGA professionals. The game of golf has taught me about competition, confidence, responsibility, and sportsmanship. It has provided a platform for relationship building, meeting new people, and personal development, and has taken me places that I never would have expected. Playing golf with my high school team helps me build unforgettable camaraderie. Playing competitively in other organizations enhances my skills and ability to focus. Golf is definitely the sport I want to play in college, and I trust that, with the right team and coach, I will take my game to the next level. Through my advancing membership with the First Tee of Metro Atlanta and putting into practice the principles of its Nine Core Values, I have also learned that hard work and dedication will pay off consistently. I have always been an honor student, lettered in academics and athletics each year of my high school career, and have reached the level of master tubist in my high school's wind symphony, proving that perseverance is key to accomplishment. I also volunteer at the golf course and mentor younger members of FTMA when I can, which I hope to continue to do after college. All of these achievements are only the surface of who I am. And I realize that it's only possible with the support of my amazing family, friends, and community. If we're lucky, as individual human beings, we come to realize that our differences are what make us special. I strongly believe that my combination of academic achievement, athleticism, creativity, and community service involvement is what sets me apart.