I am preparing to move forward to another journey in my life from high school to college. I am looking forward to the opportunities in a new learning environment, new culture, and academic challenges. Thinking about this new journey I reflect on an impactful journey I have experienced in my life. The journey has prepared me to sacrifice and work hard to reach my goals. The journey of my family relocating from Indiana to Atlanta. It involved adapting to a different culture, climate, and soccer style. I have loved soccer since I began playing at 4 years old. I was fascinated by a game in which a player does not use his hands or arms, he simply uses his feet to score toward success. My journey is one that I will compare to the game of soccer. A typical soccer game lasts a total of 90 minutes of regular playing time, with a half-time break. The first half of the game represents the beginning. Within “the game” my team is down 2-0, representing the challenging times of my journey. Halftime is of course the break during the game, so that will represent my reflection time with God and the turnaround within my journey. Lastly, in the second half, the team comes back to win 3-2. That represents the high within my journey. The struggle began when my family relocated. I was excited because I no longer had to play in the extremely cold, wet, and dreary weather in Indiana. I was also thrilled because I had tried out for a team and was selected during spring break before we relocated. However, the team did not work out. I was deflated and quickly realized I was stuck with no team. Finally, I found a team, however, I still had struggles within that team. In my first year with them, I did not play much. I no longer had the fire or the drive with these struggles. I felt that the failure had drawn me into an abyss, and I could not find the power that I knew resided deep within me. I had reached a crossroads on my journey and needed to find the right path. I compare the crossroads in my journey to halftime in the game of soccer. I had devoted so much of my effort, energy, and time to a game I loved. I was missing the mark. I had nowhere to turn, except to my faith in God. I spent time in prayer, asking my God for guidance and direction. Throughout my halftime, God answered my prayers, I gained motivation, and I started working harder and that demanding work started to pay off. Slowly I started to get playing time and performed my best whenever I was on the field. During this time, my relationship with God also got stronger because I started talking to him on the regular, not just going to him with wants, but genuinely talking to God. The second half represents the successful part of my journey. I became a regular starter on my team, and I became our best attacker during that season. In the game of soccer, the position of an attacker is responsible for the team’s offense, which includes scoring goals and creating play chances. The attacker plays various positions such as striker and winger. After that season, I then made the move to my current club. Now, I am so excited to be back where I wanted to be. The word work paid off and I will be attending Brown University in the fall playing D1 Soccer.

I want to be the first African American owner of a Soccer Team.

Hi there! My name is Zion James Wharton, and I am a high school senior at The Mount Vernon School with a passion for soccer. I participate in varsity soccer and I am a member of the National Honor Society. I also play club soccer and like to spend time volunteering in my community. In addition to my passion for soccer, I am also committed to my academic pursuits. I will be attending Brown University class of 2027 in the fall majoring in BEO Business, Entrepreneurship and Organizations. I will ensure what I learn I will pay it forward to other younger people who are thirsty for knowledge. I will continue to maintain a high GPA and I am always striving to improve my academic performance. Receiving the Dema Dimbaya Humanitarianism and Disaster Relief Scholarship would help me close the financial gap and take less in student loans. This is important for me because Brown University is very costly. This scholarship would help me focus on those tough classes, rather than worrying about how to pay for them. Outside of my academics, I enjoy helping people. I have been a volunteer with the nonprofit organization Brother Pass It On for over 6 years in which I served as a teen ambassador feeding and serving the homeless and those less fortunate. I am also a tutor with Life Skills Learning tutoring students who are studying for their GED exam. Since I am enthusiastic about soccer, I have my own business as a soccer coach. Zion's Elite Soccer Training helps children who cannot afford professional training. These activities help me to stay well-rounded and balanced, and to approach life with a sense of curiosity and openness. Upon graduating and having my own soccer club I can explore to give back to my community and make a positive impact by doing the following: Coaching: I can volunteer to coach a youth soccer team in my local community. This is a fantastic way to share my expertise and passion for the sport while also helping young athletes develop their skills and build confidence. Refereeing: I can become a certified soccer referee and volunteer my time to officiate games in my local community. This is a crucial role in ensuring fair play and sportsmanship, and it is a terrific way to give back to the sport that you love. Community outreach: I can organize community outreach events such as soccer clinics, camps, and tournaments for underprivileged youth in my area. This is a wonderful way to promote the benefits of physical activity and teamwork while also giving back to my community. Fundraising: I can organize fundraising events such as charity soccer matches or auctions to raise money for local organizations and charities. This is a formidable way to use my platform as a soccer club owner to make a positive impact in your community. Mentorship: I can volunteer to mentor young athletes in your soccer club, helping them to develop their skills both on and off the field. This is an impressive way to build relationships with young people and to make a meaningful impact in their lives. Overall, I want to give back to my community as the owner of a soccer club. By using my platform to promote positive values such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and community service, I can make a real difference in the lives of those around me.

Hi there! My name is Zion James Wharton, and I am a high school senior at The Mount Vernon School with a passion for soccer. I participate in varsity soccer and achieve the following: All State Team 2023, Region 2022-2023, First Team All Regional 2021-2022, Second Team All Regional 2020-2021, Second Team All Regional 2019-2020, and a member of the National Honor Society. I also play club soccer and like to spend time volunteering in my community. In addition to my passion for soccer, I am also committed to my academic pursuits. I will be attending Brown University class of 2027 in the fall majoring in BEO Business, Entrepreneurship and Organizations. I will ensure what I learn I will pay it forward to other younger people who are thirsty for knowledge. I will continue to maintain a high GPA and I am always striving to improve my academic performance. Receiving the Lauren Czebatul Scholarship would help me close the financial gap and take less in student loans. This is important for me because Brown University is very costly. This scholarship would help me focus on those tough classes, rather than worrying about how to pay for them. Outside of my academics, I enjoy helping people. I have been a volunteer with the nonprofit organization Brother Pass It On for over 6 years in which I served as a teen ambassador feeding and serving the homeless and those less fortunate. I am also a tutor with Life Skills Learning tutoring students who are studying for their GED exam. Since I am enthusiastic about soccer, I have my own business as a soccer coach. Zion's Elite Soccer Training helps children who cannot afford professional training. These activities help me to stay well-rounded and balanced, and to approach life with a sense of curiosity and openness. Upon graduating and having my own soccer club I can explore to give back to my community and make a positive impact by doing the following: Coaching: I can volunteer to coach a youth soccer team in my local community. This is a fantastic way to share my expertise and passion for the sport while also helping young athletes develop their skills and build confidence. Refereeing: I can become a certified soccer referee and volunteer my time to officiate games in my local community. This is a crucial role in ensuring fair play and sportsmanship, and it is a terrific way to give back to the sport that you love. Community outreach: I can organize community outreach events such as soccer clinics, camps, and tournaments for underprivileged youth in my area. This is a wonderful way to promote the benefits of physical activity and teamwork while also giving back to my community. Fundraising: I can organize fundraising events such as charity soccer matches or auctions to raise money for local organizations and charities. This is a formidable way to use my platform as a soccer club owner to make a positive impact in your community. Mentorship: I can volunteer to mentor young athletes in your soccer club, helping them to develop their skills both on and off the field. This is an impressive way to build relationships with young people and to make a meaningful impact in their lives. Overall, I want to give back to my community as the owner of a soccer club. By using my platform to promote positive values such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and community service, I can make a real difference in the lives of those around me.

Hi there! My name is Zion James Wharton, and I am a high school senior at The Mount Vernon School with a passion for soccer. I participate in varsity soccer and achieve the following: All State Team 2023, Region 2022-2023, First Team All Regional 2021-2022, Second Team All Regional 2020-2021, Second Team All Regional 2019-2020, and a member of the National Honor Society. I also play club soccer and like to spend time volunteering in my community. In addition to my passion for soccer, I am also committed to my academic pursuits. I will be attending Brown University class of 2027 in the fall majoring in BEO Business, Entrepreneurship and Organizations. I will ensure what I learn I will pay it forward to other younger people who are thirsty for knowledge. I will continue to maintain a high GPA and I am always striving to improve my academic performance. Receiving the Voila Natural Lifestyle Scholarship would help me close the financial gap and take less in student loans. This is important for me because Brown University is very costly. This scholarship would help me focus on those tough classes, rather than worrying about how to pay for them. Outside of my academics, I enjoy helping people. I have been a volunteer with the nonprofit organization Brother Pass It On for over 6 years in which I served as a teen ambassador feeding and serving the homeless and those less fortunate. I am also a tutor with Life Skills Learning tutoring students who are studying for their GED exam. Since I am enthusiastic about soccer, I have my own business as a soccer coach. Zion's Elite Soccer Training helps children who cannot afford professional training. These activities help me to stay well-rounded and balanced, and to approach life with a sense of curiosity and openness. Upon graduating and having my own soccer club I can explore to give back to my community and make a positive impact by doing the following: Coaching: I can volunteer to coach a youth soccer team in my local community. This is a fantastic way to share my expertise and passion for the sport while also helping young athletes develop their skills and build confidence. Refereeing: I can become a certified soccer referee and volunteer my time to officiate games in my local community. This is a crucial role in ensuring fair play and sportsmanship, and it is a terrific way to give back to the sport that you love. Community outreach: I can organize community outreach events such as soccer clinics, camps, and tournaments for underprivileged youth in my area. This is a wonderful way to promote the benefits of physical activity and teamwork while also giving back to my community. Fundraising: I can organize fundraising events such as charity soccer matches or auctions to raise money for local organizations and charities. This is a formidable way to use my platform as a soccer club owner to make a positive impact in your community. Mentorship: I can volunteer to mentor young athletes in your soccer club, helping them to develop their skills both on and off the field. This is an impressive way to build relationships with young people and to make a meaningful impact in their lives. Overall, I want to give back to my community as the owner of a soccer club. By using my platform to promote positive values such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and community service, I can make a real difference in the lives of those around me.

Hi there! My name is Zion James Wharton, and I am a high school senior at The Mount Vernon School with a passion for soccer. I participate in varsity soccer and achieve the following: All State Team 2023, Region 2022-2023, First Team All Regional 2021-2022, Second Team All Regional 2020-2021, Second Team All Regional 2019-2020, and a member of the National Honor Society. I also play club soccer and like to spend time volunteering in my community. In addition to my passion for soccer, I am also committed to my academic pursuits. I will be attending Brown University class of 2027 in the fall majoring in BEO Business, Entrepreneurship and Organizations. BEO focuses on the formation, growth, and organization of new ventures, innovation in commercial applications, financial markets and the marketplace, and management and organizational theory. I aspire to learn from professionals within the soccer league and take that knowledge acquired to become a general manager of a club and eventually owning my own soccer club. I will ensure what I learn I will pay it forward to other younger people who are thirsty for knowledge. Outside of my academics, I enjoy helping people. I have been a volunteer with the nonprofit organization Brother Pass It On for over 6 years in which I served as a teen ambassador feeding and serving the homeless and those less fortunate. I am also a tutor with Life Skills Learning tutoring students who are studying for their GED exam. Since I am enthusiastic about soccer, I have my own business as a soccer coach. Zion's Elite Soccer Training helps children who cannot afford professional training. These activities help me to stay well-rounded and balanced, and to approach life with a sense of curiosity and openness. Upon graduating and having my own soccer club I can explore to give back to my community and make a positive impact by doing the following: Coaching: I can volunteer to coach a youth soccer team in my local community. This is a fantastic way to share my expertise and passion for the sport while also helping young athletes develop their skills and build confidence. Refereeing: I can become a certified soccer referee and volunteer my time to officiate games in my local community. This is a crucial role in ensuring fair play and sportsmanship, and it is a terrific way to give back to the sport that you love. Community outreach: I can organize community outreach events such as soccer clinics, camps, and tournaments for underprivileged youth in my area. This is a wonderful way to promote the benefits of physical activity and teamwork while also giving back to my community. Fundraising: I can organize fundraising events such as charity soccer matches or auctions to raise money for local organizations and charities. This is a formidable way to use my platform as a soccer club owner to make a positive impact in your community. Mentorship: I can volunteer to mentor young athletes in your soccer club, helping them to develop their skills both on and off the field. This is an impressive way to build relationships with young people and to make a meaningful impact in their lives. Overall, I want to give back to my community as the owner of a soccer club. By using my platform to promote positive values such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and community service, I can make a real difference in the lives of those around me.

Hi there! My name is Zion James Wharton, and I am a high school senior at The Mount Vernon School with a passion for soccer. I participate in varsity soccer and achieve the following: All State Team 2023, Region 2022-2023, First Team All Regional 2021-2022, Second Team All Regional 2020-2021, Second Team All Regional 2019-2020, and a member of the National Honor Society. I also play club soccer and like to spend time volunteering in my community. In addition to my passion for soccer, I am also committed to my academic pursuits. I will be attending Brown University class of 2027 in the fall majoring in BEO Business, Entrepreneurship and Organizations. BEO focuses on the formation, growth, and organization of new ventures, innovation in commercial applications, financial markets and the marketplace, and management and organizational theory. I aspire to learn from professionals within the soccer league and take that knowledge acquired to become a general manager of a club and eventually owning my own soccer club. I will ensure what I learn I will pay it forward to other younger people who are thirsty for knowledge. Outside of my academics, I enjoy helping people. I have been a volunteer with the nonprofit organization Brother Pass It On for over 6 years in which I served as a teen ambassador feeding and serving the homeless and those less fortunate. I am also a tutor with Life Skills Learning tutoring students who are studying for their GED exam. Since I am enthusiastic about soccer, I have my own business as a soccer coach. Zion's Elite Soccer Training helps children who cannot afford professional training. These activities help me to stay well-rounded and balanced, and to approach life with a sense of curiosity and openness. Upon graduating and having my own soccer club I can explore to give back to my community and make a positive impact by doing the following: Coaching: I can volunteer to coach a youth soccer team in my local community. This is a fantastic way to share my expertise and passion for the sport while also helping young athletes develop their skills and build confidence. Refereeing: I can become a certified soccer referee and volunteer my time to officiate games in my local community. This is a crucial role in ensuring fair play and sportsmanship, and it is a terrific way to give back to the sport that you love. Community outreach: I can organize community outreach events such as soccer clinics, camps, and tournaments for underprivileged youth in my area. This is a wonderful way to promote the benefits of physical activity and teamwork while also giving back to my community. Fundraising: I can organize fundraising events such as charity soccer matches or auctions to raise money for local organizations and charities. This is a formidable way to use my platform as a soccer club owner to make a positive impact in your community. Mentorship: I can volunteer to mentor young athletes in your soccer club, helping them to develop their skills both on and off the field. This is an impressive way to build relationships with young people and to make a meaningful impact in their lives. Overall, I want to give back to my community as the owner of a soccer club. By using my platform to promote positive values such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and community service, I can make a real difference in the lives of those around me.

Hi there! My name is Zion James Wharton, and I am a high school senior at The Mount Vernon School with a passion for soccer. I participate in varsity soccer and achieve the following: All State Team 2023, Region 2022-2023, First Team All Regional 2021-2022, Second Team All Regional 2020-2021, Second Team All Regional 2019-2020, and a member of the National Honor Society. I also play club soccer and like to spend time volunteering in my community. What makes me unique is the fact that I'm a black male, tested as high ability and able to read the game of soccer like a pop-up book. With this skill I have able to garner the attention of Ivy League Colleges to pursue my education. In addition to my passion for soccer, I am also committed to my academic pursuits. I will be attending Brown University class of 2027 in the fall majoring in BEO Business, Entrepreneurship and Organizations. I aspire to learn from professionals within the soccer league and take that knowledge acquired to become a general manager of a club and eventually owning my own soccer club. I will ensure what I learn I will pay it forward to other younger people who are thirsty for knowledge. Outside of my academics, I enjoy helping people. I have been a volunteer with the nonprofit organization Brother Pass It On for over 6 years in which I served as a teen ambassador feeding and serving the homeless and those less fortunate. I am also a tutor with Life Skills Learning tutoring students who are studying for their GED exam. Since I am enthusiastic about soccer, I have my own business as a soccer coach. Zion's Elite Soccer Training helps children who cannot afford professional training. These activities help me to stay well-rounded and balanced, and to approach life with a sense of curiosity and openness. Upon graduating and having my own soccer club I can explore to give back to my community and make a positive impact by doing the following: Coaching: I can volunteer to coach a youth soccer team in my local community. This is a fantastic way to share my expertise and passion for the sport while also helping young athletes develop their skills and build confidence. Refereeing: I can become a certified soccer referee and volunteer my time to officiate games in my local community. This is a crucial role in ensuring fair play and sportsmanship, and it is a terrific way to give back to the sport that you love. Community outreach: I can organize community outreach events such as soccer clinics, camps, and tournaments for underprivileged youth in my area. This is a wonderful way to promote the benefits of physical activity and teamwork while also giving back to my community. Fundraising: I can organize fundraising events such as charity soccer matches or auctions to raise money for local organizations and charities. This is a formidable way to use my platform as a soccer club owner to make a positive impact in your community. Mentorship: I can volunteer to mentor young athletes in your soccer club, helping them to develop their skills both on and off the field. This is an impressive way to build relationships with young people and to make a meaningful impact in their lives. Overall, I want to give back to my community. By using my platform to promote positive values such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and community service, I can make a real difference in the lives of those around me.

Hi there! My name is Zion James Wharton, and I am a high school senior at The Mount Vernon School with a passion for soccer. I participate in varsity soccer and achieve the following: All State Team 2023, Region 2022-2023, First Team All Regional 2021-2022, Second Team All Regional 2020-2021, Second Team All Regional 2019-2020, and a member of the National Honor Society. I also play club soccer and like to spend time volunteering in my community. In addition to my passion for soccer, I am also committed to my academic pursuits. I will be attending Brown University class of 2027 in the fall majoring in BEO Business, Entrepreneurship and Organizations. BEO focuses on the formation, growth, and organization of new ventures, innovation in commercial applications, financial markets and the marketplace, and management and organizational theory. I aspire to learn from professionals within the soccer league and take that knowledge acquired to become a general manager of a club and eventually owning my own soccer club. I will ensure what I learn I will pay it forward to other younger people who are thirsty for knowledge. Outside of my academics, I enjoy helping people. I have been a volunteer with the nonprofit organization Brother Pass It On for over 6 years in which I served as a teen ambassador feeding and serving the homeless and those less fortunate. I am also a tutor with Life Skills Learning tutoring students who are studying for their GED exam. Since I am enthusiastic about soccer, I have my own business as a soccer coach. Zion's Elite Soccer Training helps children who cannot afford professional training. These activities help me to stay well-rounded and balanced, and to approach life with a sense of curiosity and openness. Upon graduating and having my own soccer club I can explore to give back to my community and make a positive impact by doing the following: Coaching: I can volunteer to coach a youth soccer team in my local community. This is a fantastic way to share my expertise and passion for the sport while also helping young athletes develop their skills and build confidence. Refereeing: I can become a certified soccer referee and volunteer my time to officiate games in my local community. This is a crucial role in ensuring fair play and sportsmanship, and it is a terrific way to give back to the sport that you love. Community outreach: I can organize community outreach events such as soccer clinics, camps, and tournaments for underprivileged youth in my area. This is a wonderful way to promote the benefits of physical activity and teamwork while also giving back to my community. Fundraising: I can organize fundraising events such as charity soccer matches or auctions to raise money for local organizations and charities. This is a formidable way to use my platform as a soccer club owner to make a positive impact in your community. Mentorship: I can volunteer to mentor young athletes in your soccer club, helping them to develop their skills both on and off the field. This is an impressive way to build relationships with young people and to make a meaningful impact in their lives. Overall, I want to give back to my community as the owner of a soccer club. By using my platform to promote positive values such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and community service, I can make a real difference in the lives of those around me.

Helping to feed the homeless can be an incredibly rewarding and meaningful experience. It provides an opportunity to give back to those in need, build connections with your community, and make a positive impact in the lives of others. One particular experience stands out in my mind when I helped to feed the homeless. It was a chilly evening in the heart of winter, and I had volunteered to help out at a local soup kitchen. The soup kitchen was a bustling hub of activity, with volunteers bustling around preparing food, setting tables, and getting ready to serve the many individuals who rely on the soup kitchen for their meals. As I arrived, I was greeted by the coordinator of the soup kitchen, a friendly and warm individual who welcomed me with open arms. She explained that the soup kitchen was run entirely by volunteers and relied on donations from the community to provide meals to those in need. After a brief orientation, I was assigned to work in the kitchen. I was tasked with helping to prepare the main course, which was a hearty chick soup with lots of vegetables. I worked alongside a group of volunteers, chopping vegetables, stirring pots, and seasoning the soup to perfection. As we worked, we chatted and joked with one another, sharing stories and laughter. It was clear that the volunteers were passionate about the work they were doing, and they were all eager to make a positive impact in the lives of the homeless individuals who would be joining us for dinner. Once the meal was ready, we loaded up trays with the steaming soup and brought them out to the dining area. The room was filled with people of all ages, from young children to elderly individuals. Some of them looked tired and worn, while others seemed to be in good spirits, chatting and laughing with one another. As we began serving the soup, I was struck by the gratitude and appreciation shown by the individuals we were serving. They thanked us warmly and with sincerity, and many of them commented on how delicious the food was. As the evening wore on, I had the opportunity to sit and chat with some of the individuals who were dining at the soup kitchen. They shared their stories with me, telling me about the challenges they faced in their lives and the struggles they encountered on a daily basis. But despite their difficulties, they remained hopeful and resilient, and I was humbled by their strength and courage. By the end of the evening, I felt exhausted but also incredibly fulfilled. Helping to feed the homeless had been an experience that had opened my eyes to the struggles faced by many individuals in our community, and it had also reminded me of the power of kindness and generosity. I left the soup kitchen feeling grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of others, and I knew that I would be back to volunteer again in the future.