When my mother was diagnosed with diabetes, It changed our family in ways I didn't expect. I remember the week my mother was in the hospital very well. At first, we were worried, but as we learned more about how serious her condition was, we became scared. It wasn't easy to see a woman who had always been strong for our family suddenly become weak. This time made me realize how fragile life is. Prior to my mother’s diagnosis, I had not really thought much about the long term effects of my daily habits. After my mother’s diagnosis, everything seemed more purposeful. When my mother returned home from the hospital, she made a promise to change our family’s lifestyle for the better, not just for herself but for our whole family. Our kitchen gradually began to change as we replaced unhealthy snacks with healthier alternatives. We began to eat more wholesome meals, and our conversations about our health began to increase. What could have been a frightening situation for my mother turned into a positive change. I learned a lot from my mom’s experience of adapting to her new lifestyle with diabetes. To live with diabetes, one must be very disciplined in managing their blood sugar levels, their dietary intake, and their exercise routine. It was a reality check that health is not something that one should take for granted, but rather something that must be actively managed. My mom’s determination to live with her new reality also inspired me to take care of my own health, especially as an athlete. My mom’s experience also helped me realize the importance of strengthening my relationship with my mom. Rather than seeing my mom’s diabetes as her problem to fight alone, I realized that this was something that we would fight together as a family. It was my way of showing my mom that I was there to support her through this very difficult time. It also helped me realize that heroism is not only shown through very visible acts, but also through the small things that one does at home. With a focus on the future, it will continue to impact how I live my life. It will continue to help me have a greater appreciation for preventative health and how having discipline will help me succeed in the future. Whether it is in my academic or professional career, as well as sports, I have learned that it’s not just about one day or one test, it’s about having consistent habits. My mom’s illness was one of the toughest times of my life, but it was also one of the most rewarding because it taught me responsibility, compassion, and how having discipline in my decisions will help me through tough situations. It taught me that I can either let tough situations break me or make me stronger, and I choose the latter.

The hardest experience in my life has been the death of my grandpa due to cancer. He was not only my grandpa but also my biggest supporter, especially when it came to baseball. Some of my most memorable moments, from when I was younger, had been the times where my grandpa would sit in the stands, rain or shine, watching the whole game as if it were the most important game in the world. It did not matter whether it was a day long tournament or weekday season game, he would always be present. Something that we shared was the love of baseball. Growing up, when I was younger, he would practice with me as often as possible. There were many nights spent in the backyard, with him throwing me pitches and me practicing my swing. However, he knew that sometimes the only way to get better at something is to take your time and practice the over and over again. Even though my grandfather wasn’t always physically active, he would often record me hitting and playing in the field, and then sit down with me to talk about things that I could change in my swing, in my stance, in my footwork. My grandfather had an eye for detail and would explain things to me in such a way that I would want to continue to work hard on what I was doing. When he was diagnosed with cancer, everything changed. Practices and games had a whole new meaning. I understood the value I had taken for granted his presence in the stands, his advice after games, the rides home dissecting every inning. As his health deteriorated, he continued to make the effort to inquire about my performance. When he was not able to attend the games, he wanted to know how I was doing. I didn't understand at the time, why he wasn't able to make it to the games, but I would still imagine him right next to my grandma and parents. After he passed away, there was this emptiness that is hard to explain. For a while, playing baseball was not the same. I would look up into the stands and never find him. Over the course of time, I have come to understand that all the things he had taught me were still with me. Today, when I practice or compete, I have his lessons with me. I work not only hard for myself but also hard to reciprocate the support he had given me over the years. The death of my grandpa has impacted my life in the sense that it has taught me to appreciate the people who are always present to support me and never to take their support for granted. In return I have made it a focus to attend as many of my cousins and siblings games as I can. Though my grandpa is not in the stands anymore to support me, his faith in me is what keeps me working hard in sports and in life.

Throughout high school, I have attempted to identify myself through discipline, leadership, and service. From an academic perspective, I have an interest in mathematics and science because I enjoy solving complex problems and understanding how things work. My major of choice is electrical engineering, and more specifically power systems, because I wish to help advance the reliability and sustainability of our energy grid. Challenging courses, along with balancing athletics and other activities, have taught me the importance of time management and perseverance. Sports like baseball and weightlifting have greatly influenced the person I have become. Being part of a sports team has helped me realize the significance of being accountable and motivating others. I have always prided myself on mentoring and helping younger sportsmen improve their skills. Sometimes this means helping them improve their skills and other times it means staying back after practice to answer their queries. Younger students tend to emulate the behavior of the older ones in the sports teams, and I believe I can use this to my advantage to set a good example. I also spend time tutoring my classmates in math and science when they are having trouble. As I prepare for college, financial need is an important factor for consideration. The cost of tuition, living arrangements, and other expenses is a considerable burden for my family. While I hope to secure part-time work as well as internships in the field of engineering, scholarships will be important for minimizing the amount of student debt that I will need to incur. Financial aid will permit me to devote more time to my academic pursuits as well as professional development opportunities, rather than worrying about the financial costs of attending college. My hope is that I will be able to complete my education as an engineer without placing an undue financial burden on myself. I am an avid supporter of the safety and security of children and youth both in person and online. In person, I think bullying can often persist if bystanders do not speak out against it. I always make an effort to include others and speak out against behavior that I deem to be disrespected. I also make sure to instill a sense of team and encourage others to do the same by promoting the values of respect and encouragement. Online, I also make sure to encourage others to behave responsibly and safely online. I always make sure to remind younger students that the behavior they showcase online can have serious consequences in the real world and can also leave a digital footprint. I also encourage others to report such behavior and not to partake in it. Overall, the values of discipline, leadership, and service drive everything I do, whether it be academically, athletically, or within my community. As I continue to pursue my degree in the field of electrical engineering, I hope to continue to be a leader by example, providing a sense of security and support to those around me. Financial assistance will allow me to focus on my education, as well as my future, while continuing to have a positive impact on those around me.