“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” – Psalms 19:1 Creation, all-encompassing the terra firma, sky, seas, and space, is awe inspiring. From the myriads of stars sparkling in the cosmos to the mysterious creatures in the depth of the deeps, nature and the environment are wonderful things. That said, we must be good stewards of these blessings, no matter where or who we are. Sustainability should be a priority in my field of business because it allows us to continue innovating and it increases our diligence. Further, I can see myself reducing environmental impact through entrepreneurship. First, we must remember to be sustainable because it allows us to continue innovating. Simply put, once you use up a finite resource, that's it, its expendable and gone. For example, if a business executive cuts down an acre of trees and does not replant them, all that is left is a patch of ugly stumps. On the other hand, an executive who has sustainability at the forefront of their mind will replant those trees they cut down. To continue innovating, we must be sustainable. One cannot build without tools or equipment, and if we do not use the gifts we have been given wisely, in the future we may not have anything to innovate with at all. Secondly, a focus on sustainability increases our diligence. It is a common idea that one who is faithful with little will also be faithful with much, and the same applies here. Even if it has seemingly little impact on the environment, like leaving one soda can in the woods or plastic bottle in the ocean, these lapses of respect add up. Soon the trees and seas are swamped with a proverbial tide of trash, often conjoining into dumps and islands of the mess. If we are all faithful with little--picking up the wrapper we find, not throwing our trash into the brush, cleaning up after ourselves--then we have a truer chance at being faithful with much. That is, a greater chance at retaining the world and universe as a whole. Personally, if there comes a time when I cannot stand out in the American countryside and see the stars and moon twinkling above, but instead a smoggy haze and junk filled scene, we have failed as stewards. We all must be diligent. Not just those with the power to enact policy change, that is only the tip of the iceberg. We all must focus our attention to this incredible world and make even the smallest efforts to make it a better place. Finally, I can see myself making an environmental impact through entrepreneurship. I have a drive and passion for business. And in that I can encourage myself and others to have sustainability be a key notion in our plans. Whether its a financial tech company, flipping items, or a restaurant, entrepreneurs everywhere can make a difference by being the next generation of businesses focused on keeping this earth as beautiful as it was made. In conclusion, sustainability should be a priority in my field of business because it allows us to continue innovating and it increases our diligence. Further, I can see myself reducing environmental impact through entrepreneurship. This topic is impactful to all, no matter one's field of study, because we all live together on this planet. We must, for each other and the next generations, make determined efforts to ensure it never falls any further into disrepair. Creation is incredible, let us never let that awe slip away.

“Others, I doubt not, will mold lifelike bronze more delicately, and draw living features from marble; others will plead causes better, and trace with their pointer the movements of heaven, and tell the rising of the stars: you, Roman, remember to rule the peoples with your power (these will be your arts), to impose the habit of peace, to spare the humbled, and to war down the proud.” The Aeneid: Book 6, lines 847–853 Although small, this passage holds numerous ideas to discover. Taking place in the underworld, Anchises–Aeneas’ deceased father–speaks to his son about ruling a kingdom. Often regarded as pious and wise, Anchises extends sage words to his wandering child. Some may argue these words hold no weight beyond the text, as it is but a fictional event in a fantastical myth. And though the story itself is not reality, there are truly numerous lessons which were written into it by Virgil. Through Anchises, Virgil proclaims that the roles of rulers are to be peacemakers, merciful, and just. Firstly, Virgil states that one primary role of rulers is to be peacemakers. “You, Roman, remember to… impose the habit of peace.” As the king, it is Aeneas’ duty to enact a state of order and harmony among the people. Further, notice it is not a stagnant peace, but an active one. The key word in Anchises words is “habit.” Peace is to be a daily goal citizens and individuals strive for, which truly can be applied to modern day. In an era where political violence is often celebrated, we must turn to and be reminded of the simple idea Anchises portrays. It is not only the ruler who must enact a habit of peace, but the citizens who must follow that habit. By extension, if the ruler is to be the peacemaker, we must, as individuals, allow peace to find a resting ground. Some of the most heartfelt advice comes from a father to son, or mother to daughter. There are few bonds which compare to the familial ties which hold so close. A good father does not knowingly give bad advice to the son they love, and therefore we must assume these words at least hold some merit. A key part of ruling is enacting peace, but one must remember that it is not solely on the authority to ensure that peace and lawfulness, but more importantly on the individuals in society. Secondly Virgil praises the merciful ruler. A truly good ruler is not one who oppresses their subjects, but one who identifies with them and looks out for them. Anchises begins the paragraph by saying Aeneas may not be the smartest with books, or craftiest with tools, but he ends by reminding Aeneas to “rule the peoples with your power.” The truth spoken here is that even a less skilled ruler has the ability to enact mercy and grace upon their subjects. Just as in the Biblical parable where the king forgave his ungrateful servant’s debt, rulers must have compassion and forgiveness as one of their primary virtues. This is not to say the ruler is too lenient, letting murderers and criminals of the worst description terrorize their towns, but that the ruler forgives those who humble themselves. The phrasing used by Anchises is “to spare the humbled.” This gives an image of a regretful individual, one who understands their mistakes and wishes just for a second chance to make amends. Just as we all have sinned in our life, we all must be minded to deal out mercy and grace. For being unwilling to forgive another is a statement that one does not require forgiveness themselves. Everyone knows this is an impossibility. Rulers are to be merciful, but further, so much more must the citizens and individuals. Finally, Virgil proclaims the goal of fighting against the tyrannical. Those who are boastful and domineering are–as Madison and Hamilton wrote in the Federalist papers–a faction, and against the common good. “War down the proud” indicates a beating down of those who beat down others. A ruler cannot so easily be a peacemaker and giver of mercy with so contrary individuals marring society. Therefore, Virgil urges a good ruler to sternly fight against those intrusions contrary to the common good. A ruler’s primary goal is the security of their citizens, and if one does not have the acumen or willpower to fight against the bad, as well as to make peace with the good, they do not have the right to become a ruler in the first place. A ruler must be just, for without adhering to an objective standard of good and evil, society will surely fall apart. Similarly, just as the ruler must fight oppression, so must all society. The ruler’s responsibility is their citizens' welfare, but the people must also make efforts to protect themselves. In conclusion, Virgil proclaims that the roles of rulers are to be peacemakers, merciful, and just. This advice does not stop in the Aeneid, however, and can (and should) be taken to heart by all. If everyone laid aside our egocentricity for even a minute, and helped a neighbor, friend, or enemy, how much better this world would be. Although we may not all have the ability to map the stars or fashion fine items with our hands, we all do have the power–and duty– to be just and merciful individuals, no matter where we may be.

Selflessness is a wonderful thing, but sadly, too few of us truly embody the humility that I'm sure was shown by Michael. I do not claim to lack prideful traits and often have to remind myself of what truly matters in life. I believe that being a servant is one of the greatest responsibilities on the entire planet. Not the smarmy type of person who always wishes to be seen doing good, but instead the one which does even the little things to the best of their ability. The good servant raises people up instead of bringing them down, always looks out for others interests over their own, and tries daily to be an image for others to embody. That is the goal to which, although I have accomplished very little of, I attempt for every day. It is difficult to put off the ego-centric way our minds work, but through practice, prayer, and contemplation one begins to realize the weight of servitude and makes more of an effort to take part in it. I have helped people in need less than I should, and although I have taken part in multiple volunteer activities, such as the Santa run (collecting gifts for less fortunate kids) VBS (Vacation Bible School) And doing tech for my church, I believe it is the small and unorganized moments of servitude which mean the most. For example, smiling or even holding a door open for someone are little acts of kindness that can go a long way. Someone's having a hard time with a friend, a stranger gives them a smile. Someone's feeling pained, a stranger takes the time to help them with the door. In these little ways, and more, I try to spread joy by showing others it's ok to stop looking out for "number 1" now and then. Martin Luther King Jr once said, "Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?" It applied then and it applies now. Notice the question is not, what are you doing for: yourself? friends? Is it, what are you doing for: money? gain? No, the question is what YOU are doing for OTHERS. I believe it is crucial that we all look away from the man or woman in the mirror and go find someone who does not even have the heart to look at their own reflection. Find the trodden on, downhearted, pained, sorrowful. Find those people in your life and even the smallest action or word showing you care can go farther than you think. I know that am often selfish. But this does not stop me from trying to become more of a servant. We will always fight against our flesh, but we must never yield. If we all cared more about our neighbor than ourselves and embodied true humility, what a world this would be.

Image it, Covid 19 shutting down the country. Families shut away in their homes, doors shut, curtains drawn. In this time of insecurity I received a text message from one of my friends. "Come join me on Chess.com!" This began my almost five year journey into the game of chess. Currently, I hold a rating that places me in several top 100 lists for the U.S., and my online rating places me in the top 2000 in the world. Chess is a game that demands mental acuity and problem solving skills, both attributes I love involving my mind in. But I was not the Chess expert right from the start. For instance, my friend crushed me in the first games we played, leaving me alone with my innate desire to improve. I often reached roadblocks in improvement, focusing too much on winning quick games then improving my ability. I created a learning plan to teach myself Chess, from books to simply playing. From then on I worked at my chess game, learning, failing, getting back up again. "Richard Neumann was a beloved grandfather who believed that problem-solving and creative thinking were forms of art." This quote from the scholarship application resonated with me. I also believe problem solving and thinking have a beautiful hue to them. Ranging from sudokus to Rubik's cubes to Chess, problem solving is not only a great past time, but also imperative for the mind. Thinking, more specifically critical thinking, is a skill that is slowly deteriorating. If I had the money and resources, I would institute a mandatory class for middle and high schools nationwide that pounds home the fundamentals of critical thinking. This class would not tell students what to think, but teach them how to think. In this age of technology, getting the answers online or with Ai is simple. This class would give students the invaluable skill of being able to think for themselves, logically and critically. What I believe would solve the problem of a lack of critical thinking, is this class. Although only one class a day or every other day, this class, for those willing to learn, would become a firm foundation in the years to come. When they move into the workplace and their boss asks them to organize a messy folder, simply being able to think will make the task a breeze. In conclusion, Chess has instilled in me a desire to think more creatively, fully, and impactfully. This desire I wish to share with the world, and the best place to start is the youngest generations, as they are the next bricks to be laid on the foundation. Even in a time of loneliness and separation, thinking can bring people together.

"Whatever you do, work heartily,as for the Lord and not for men" Colossians 3:23 I have an experience that immediately comes to mind that shaped my perspective of hard work. This Bible verse first off, is a strong reminder to me to always "work heartily" as we do not work for ourselves. However the experience that shaped me is the work I have done for almost 4 years now. One job I hold is farm work for an elderly gentleman. As he nears his 80th birthday this December, he continues to plug away and work daily on his land. With his wife departed after struggling with non-Alzheimer's dementia, His only companion is his cat butch, along with my once a week trek out to his land. His mind still sharp from his years of flying and engineering, he has shared incredible stories for me to ponder while working. On his farm I have done a myriad of laborious tasks. From cleaning his self built airplane, to pruning trees, to getting down on my knees and weeding, there is no shortage of jobs to take part of. In this age of technology, getting down on one's hands and knees in nature and working the land we have been provided is a gift. There are countless individuals who go weeks without touching grass or smelling a flower, simply because they are too caught up in day to day life. The idiom "stop and smell the roses" has lost some of its idiomatic form as, really, it is something that people literally should start doing again. Hydrangeas, Peonies, Lily of the Valley, and more beautiful plants surround us. Everyone should take a break from their screens and go outside for even a couple minutes. I challenge you reading this to right now, no matter the weather or where you live, to take a walk and take in the incredible creation we are blessed with. Weeds don't grow on Mars, apples don't sprout out of the ocean, but they are both placed within reach of you. In conclusion, hard work is a good, nay great thing. I hope this short essay honors J. L. Lund's view of work in my own. This job I hold has strengthened my view of hard labor, and will propel me into the future with the knowledge that with my Creator, I can overcome any obstacle.

Although an American, I have an almost 100% Finnish heritage. This ingrains in me the Finnish idea of Sisu, a stoic and determined courage. Four generations ago my family immigrated to the USA when facing severe poverty and famine. I often think about this move, leaving everything to try and find a better life elsewhere. I am awed at their courage and strength, leading me to reflect on my own motives. Driving me to be the best in all I do, my family is a great support point for whom I am eternally grateful. I've been homeschooled for most of my life and the experience has really benefited both my academics and social life. Although homeschooled I can play sports for my highschool and have loved making friends and being part of a varsity team with soccer. Also, I love Chess and play competitively! It is one of my dreams to become a master but with work, school, and other activities it is difficult to find time. Another goal I have is to graduate college with a business degree, and this scholarship would help both these dreams come true! I plan to make a positive impact in the world through business by being the best leader I can be, and by being a force for good in the workplace. My schooling and experiences have geared me toward this goal and I believe that I can truly serve mankind. One moment of adversity I faced which gears me to make a positive impact was with one of my basketball teammates. For some reason, when I joined the high school team, this individual had it out for me. From throwing away my ball to not passing during games to verbal abuse, they tried daily to break me down, a true bully. However I stuck it out and when they succeeded or scored I would cheer them on. Furthermore, afterwards I would personally congratulate them. Eventually, something changed. What had been anger and annoyance turned into some form of respect and camaraderie. The simple act of returning anger with love and caring turned a relationship that could have ended in blows, to strengthening the team. This memory will stay with me forever because it shows the power of kindness in adversity. Who knows what my teammate was going through in life, and maybe I was their way to escape it. Regardless, this moment of kindness supported us both, improving our constitutions for the years to come. Some may say this is not as important as a life threatening form of adversity, but I would argue otherwise. Our characters are one of the most critical parts of us. A weak soul will surely stumble, but one who has weathered numerous storms may stand. This adversity will stay with me and when (surely) I meet disagreements in the future, I may stand and respond with kindness.

As long as I can remember I have known that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, and that is what defines my actions and desires. Although I am far from perfect, I daily try to be better and reflect Christ's character in my day to day actions. I am homeschooled and once a week have an in-person school day for which I am grateful. This schooling has propelled me through life and I managed to get a 1460 SAT recently. I enjoy most subjects, but especially math, history, writing, and logic. Extracurricularly I enjoy running, playing sports like soccer and volleyball, and playing chess. Last year I made the varsity soccer team for my highschool and am planning to play again this year. Concerning Chess, I am the fourth highest Northwest Chess rated (NWSRS) senior and play competitively. I love thinking and improving my mind and I believe Chess is a great way of doing this. I love serving my community and have a myriad of service hours whether it be serving my church or organizations helping out in my surrounding area. One example is the Santa Run in 2023, when I, along with some others, volunteered to "run" around town and collect packages for the less fortunate. Serving others is something everyone should do. Even though it feels amazing to receive gifts, we often neglect to give. Giving gifts, even the smallest of gifts, can raise the spirits of all involved. You pay for the person behind you in the drive through and go throughout the day with a warm feeling in your chest, knowing you helped another soul. The person behind you was a struggling single mother, and rushed father late to work, and your gift took a broken downtrodden person, and made them look up and ponder the good Samaritan who was so generous. Post high school I plan to go to Patrick Henry College and work towards a degree in business. I wish to use this degree to help as many people as I can, and give my future family a great life. I believe that—coinciding with the American dream my ancestors immigrated to find—all people can achieve their goals through hard work, dedication, and courage. If I could start a charity, my mission would be to give mathematic and writing lessons to those struggling in the subjects. In this country we are seeing a decline in curricular ability and this charity would help those less fortunate with lessons, workbooks, and teachers to help them through the difficulty of schooling. The first 18 years of one's life, not to mention those that follow, are crucial to the constitution of an individual. By helping those who cannot help themselves, we are building a strong generation of future Americans. Maybe they grew up in poverty, without a father, or underrepresented. Regardless, this charity would give them the schooling they desperately desire to achieve academic success. In conclusion, I will leave with this. Charities and organizations are awesome, but you do not need one to do good. If everyone daily went out of their way to do at least one good act for someone else, how much better this world would be. I challenge you to do so. Be kind to someone today.

Although an American, I have an almost 100% Finnish heritage. This ingrains in me the Finnish idea of Sisu, a stoic and determined courage. Four generations ago my family immigrated to the USA when facing severe poverty and famine. I often think about this move, leaving everything to try and find a better life elsewhere. I am awed at their courage and strength, leading me to reflect on my own motives. Driving me to be the best in all I do, my family is a great support point for whom I am eternally grateful. I've been homeschooled for most of my life and the experience has really benefited both my academics and social life. Although homeschooled I can play sports for my highschool and have loved making friends and being part of a varsity team with soccer. Also, I love Chess and play competitively! It is one of my dreams to become a master but with work, school, and other activities it is difficult to find time. Another goal I have is to graduate college with a business degree, and this scholarship would help both these dreams come true! In conclusion, my heritage drives me to achieve greatness in all I do. Whether it be academics or extracurricular, I daily try to be the best I can. Furthermore, not only do I strive for greatness, but for kindness. If we could choose to either be the best, or the most caring, the latter is surely the better. Scholarships add up, and if I can get one, two, or more it will help significantly on my road to a further education! I thank you for your consideration for this scholarship and look forward to hearing the results.

“If you have the choice between being right and being kind, choose being kind” - Dr. Wayne Dyer I strive for academic and athletic excellence, but more important than that is my desire to be a kinder, more compassionate, and more joyful individual. Although often overlooked, giving to and being kind to others not only uplifts them, but also yourself. Being kind is in a way a superpower, as it benefits all involved. One moment of kindness I have offered to someone was to one of my basketball teammates. For some reason, when I joined the high school team, this individual had it out for me. From throwing away my ball to not passing during games to verbal abuse, they tried daily to break me down, a true bully. However I stuck it out and when they succeeded or scored would cheer them on and afterwards I would personally congratulate them. Eventually, something changed. What had been anger and annoyance turned into some form of respect and camaraderie. The simple act of returning anger with love and caring turned a relationship that could have ended in blows, to strengthening the team. This memory will stay with me forever because it shows the power of kindness and support. Who knows what my teammate was going through in life, and maybe I was their way to escape it. Regardless, this moment of kindness supported us both, improving our constitutions for the years to come. Secondly, I have resisted pressure to conform and instead chose to be who I am through my homeschool to high school sports journey. I am, and have been, homeschooled for most of my life. However, in my state of Washington, homeschoolers are allowed to play for the highschool in which district they're in. Extracurricularly, I play chess and soccer and basketball, and this year I joined the cross country team for the first year. Unlike some of my homeschooled friends, who changed who they were or hid their other abilities for fear of being looked down on, I did not mind and openly shared my love for Chess and other activities. Because I was genuine and did not feel like I was hiding things from them, I soon gained countless friends at the highschool, while others who had changed to become "part of the crowd," faded into oblivion. From the "cool kids" to the book worms, I soon had a wide range of friends and acquaintances because I simply stayed who I was. The message I would like to share to everyone is, just because you are different, or came from a unique place, does NOT mean you should change. Everyone is uniquely them, not uniquely someone else. If everyone changed to be someone else, eventually we would all be the same person. For both these reasons I believe I should receive this scholarship. I strive daily to be kind and wish to spread the awareness that we are all uniquely and wonderfully made, and no one should be able to take that from you. Matthew 22:39 states "And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" This I leave with you. Every day, whether you be on top of the world or in the dumps, find at least one act of kindness to do to another. It could be as small as smiling, or as big as you can imagine, but even the tiniest of acts can move mountains.

"Fīat iūstitia ruat cælum." Let justice be done though the heavens fall. Along with subjects such as Calculus, Physics, Literature, and History, I study Latin. This quote resonates with me as I believe that justice is crucial for humanity. Academically, I love every subject and strive daily to succeed in them. Math is amazing because of its logic and real world applications, Literature is incredible because we can view the rich writing of those who came before, and History is crucial because we can learn from the past's mistakes. Extracurricularly, I enjoy playing soccer and engaging in Chess competitively. I have been a captain on multiple sports teams and won multiple Chess tournaments in the Seattle/Bellevue area. Along with all of this I love volunteering to help everyone I can. With all these abilities I have, I plan to use my education to benefit as many people as I can by working diligently, helping others, and never forgetting my heritage. The first way I can use my education for positive change is by working diligently. In this age of screens and technology, there is a widening expanse of laziness and distraction. Procrastination is a tempting option when faced with a struggle, however in the end this ease only turns into pain. Not studying for that exam results in an F, not practicing for the team results in one getting cut, and putting off things for tomorrow leaves today in the dust. Therefore I daily use my education diligently to not only better myself, but to better others. By increasing my math skills I can help others who may not understand the concepts. By practicing athletics I can coach those less fortunate and underrepresented who may not have the chance otherwise. By seizing every day and doing my best I can be an example of how today is the best day, work your heart out. This moves into second way I can promote equal justice which is by helping others. No matter our place in life or what battles we've fought, we should always try find ways to put others before ourselves. On days when we're in the doldrums there are always less fortunate people out there. Helping others and volunteering uplifts the heart and can make even the worst day feel like a victory. Holding a door for someone, carrying their groceries, and even smiling are the smallest of actions which go a long way. If everyone went out of their way to help their neighbor, and furthermore their enemy, what a wonderful world we'd live in. Finally, I can use my education to promote social change by never forgetting my heritage. Both my mother and father's family came from Finland. Four generations ago, facing severe food shortages and famine, my family travelled to the USA in search of a better life. Starting from nothing they worked hard and often, daily finding ways to provide for their families. Sisu, a stoic determination, drove them. My great grandpa died in a logging accident when my grandpa was 11, leaving his mom to care for him and his 8 siblings. Even with this adversity, they all managed to live successful lives, raising families of their own. Each and every person on this globe must never forget where they came from. We all started somewhere and no matter if one is rich or poor, low in spirit or high, we can all achieve our goals. In conclusion I plan to use my education to promote social change and equal justice by working diligently, helping others, and never forgetting my heritage. By remembering what we've each been blessed or burdened with, we are better equipped to benefit others and the world. Washington and this country have been great to me and my family, and I pray that I can reciprocate those blessings by giving back to the community and beyond. Seneca says "Pars magna bonitatis est velle fieri bonum," in English, "Much of goodness consists in wanting to be good."

Goals. The things we strive for, wish for, pray for. The ideas and motivations that push us forward. In my life I desire to be, both academically and professionally, the best individual I can be. Whether it be working a minimum wage job or being the CEO at the top of the food chain, I can be my best self by working hard and with a happy heart. My educational goals, summed up, are to receive a springboard of learning to boost me into my professional life. At college I am thinking about pursuing a business degree, and from there off shooting into whatever job presents itself. Unfortunately, I do not have a single obvious goal to strive for which I know I am not alone in. I could sit here and type eloquently about some luxurious and ambitious goal, but in reality I am not sure where my life will take me. I know that I wish to get a strong education, and that I wish to work in my society for the betterment of America, my family, and my faith, but I am uncertain as to what the path looks like. This scholarship would not only assist me in furthering my education, but also opening more doors so that I may be able to begin to understand the different roads I could take. In short, I wish, both educationally and professionally, to daily improve my condition. Whether its learning a language or testing my mind against logic puzzles, I deeply desire knowledge and wisdom, as those two things have immense power. My goals are to be the best I can be. No matter when, where, who, or why, to be and act my best. In conclusion, I will end with this. I play chess, and it is an amazing game. The analyzing and fun positions that arise make playing the game such a passion for me. In Chess, like anything, without studying you will make mistakes. My goals for the future are to increase my abilities to lesson the mistakes that harm society and the world.

What did the triangle say to the circle? You're pointless. Math exists all around us. Not only in school as a subject, but in every interaction and happenstance throughout the day. Running to catch the bus instead of walking is a contrast of different velocities ending in different end points. Watching rain plop into a puddle and seeing the circular ripples emanating from its center displays the truth of radii and diameter. I love math for a myriad of reasons, but the foremost being its obvious logical nature all around us. Sitting under the stars and observing the moon and its underlings floating through the universe I am left in awe. Not only are they stunning and beautiful, but the principles and mathematics keeping them there are almost incomparable. If the moon were closer or farther away, if its orbit varied wildly, there is a significant chance of death and destruction on earth. The stars throughout the seasons head to different skies then return again. How does this work? It is no act of magic, nay but through the logical, mathematical creation of this world. Math is our way of trying, although in a small way, to understand the vastness of our universe. From Aristotle and instants to modern attempts to understand quantum physics, Math is our window into the inner workings of the beautiful things in our world and beyond. For this reason, I truly love math. While some view it as a slog and only wish to get through their class with a C, I believe that math is something to be held dearly. Yes, it is often hard, often difficult and testing to understand. But there is a luminous aspect to math that often goes unviewed. Our universe is logical, and without math it would fall apart. Too often people neglect this part of life, instead choosing to shrug off math due to its difficulty. But even if you look up at the night sky, read a math joke, or take a second to think about how a tree gets water, you will begin to realize how completely math fills our world.