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Benjamin daCosta

6,945

Bold Points

9x

Nominee

5x

Finalist

2x

Winner

Bio

Hello! My name is Benjamin from a little down in Massachusetts and a dedicated person to keep pushing myself to do better each day. My dream one day is to make a change in the world using the skills I learn in college. I plan on using my knowledge of computer science and engineering skills to help people in need with underlying health conditions as well as hoping to one day be an Imagineer for the Walt Disney Company and bring magic to people's lives each and every day. Ever since being young, I have always been fascinated by how things work around me and how they affect us. It was not until I was 12 I really understood what this meant for me. I was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes at 12 and began to experience what many people around the world with this disability have to suffer each day. Since that day I have always tried pushing myself to come up with ideas on the path I want to take in my life and the direction I want to push myself towards. I am applying for scholarships that offer me a good opportunity to develop my skills in college to achieve my crazy dreams for the future. I have been honored to participate in the National Honor Society for my school and the direct organization as well. Over my High School Experience, I was offered to represent my school in a leadership conference held in Walt Disney World with its directors and the Bolt Management Team. This is where I began building my skills of leadership and the future leaders of the world to do something extraordinary. I believe technology is the way of the future and I wish to make a positive impact.

Education

University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth

Master's degree program
2022 - 2026
  • Majors:
    • Computer Science

Old Colony Regional-Vocational-Technical High School

High School
2018 - 2023

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Computer Science
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      computer science

    • Dream career goals:

      Cyber Security or Engineer

    • Shift Leader

      BestBuy
      2024 – Present11 months
    • Advanced Repair Technician | Apple Technician | Samsung Engineer

      BestBuy
      2023 – 20241 year
    • Consultation Agent

      BestBuy
      2022 – 20231 year
    • Associate

      Kohls
      2019 – 20234 years
    • Associate

      Ice Cream Parlor
      2019 – 20201 year
    • Electrician

      Abco Electric
      2021 – 2021

    Sports

    Ice Hockey

    Varsity
    2018 – 20224 years

    Baseball

    Club
    2018 – 20224 years

    Research

    • Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services, Other

      Bolt Leadership — Member
      2018 – 2022

    Arts

    • Derossi Music School

      Piano
      No
      2011 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      National Honor Society — Member
      2018 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Entrepreneurship

    John F. Puffer, Sr. Smile Scholarship
    Education has always been a cornerstone of personal growth and the key to unlocking a brighter future. Throughout my academic journey, I have strived to excel and make a meaningful impact on myself and my family and community. I began this passion after being diagnosed with type one diabetes knowing that I not only was not a kid anymore but I had a lot more responsibilities. Going into college I was kinda that shy kid who got his work done to get good grades and that was it, it was not until my friends pushed me out of my comfort zone to explore what I am capable of. I am proud to say I led my class of 2026 freshman year as their president and started an organization called Engineering Ambassadors running the College of Engineering. Became the robotics club president for the university and led tours for campus admissions as well. I believe education now extends beyond individual growth. It has the power to transform communities. Recognizing this now I have molded into more opportunities to give back and make meaningful impacts. My family has been super supportive throughout my entire journey, bringing me to places and guiding me on this challenging path. I truly could not have done it without my family cheering me on throughout. I am a firm believer that there is always room for improvement and that people who work hard will and can make a difference in the people around them for the better. My end goal for my education is to create ever-lasting memories for families at the Disney Parks as well as try to come up with new technology to help people like myself with a disability. I know most people look at a lot of people just for their disability but I believe that should empower people to think if they can do that with that issue I can as well. I truly embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth and development. To keep getting back up and trying again, it's truly not a race to the top but a marathon. With my passions behind me and a strong goal set in place, I believe I can truly make a difference not only to the people around me but make a positive impact that I will leave around for others. It's truly with the support of this scholarship that I will have the opportunity to further my education and expand my reach to create a difference.
    Gabriel Martin Memorial Annual Scholarship
    My life has changed dramatically from how it used to before but I would not change it any other way. My condition has made me who I am today, a striver, and a go-getter, and want to inspire others to do the same. Back when I was around 12 years old I was doing my day-to-day activities, playing hockey each day and going to school trying to get good grades. One day after a hockey game my parents notice something was not correct, my performance was declining and I was in fact drinking a lot more water than I was before. My mother being a diabetic educator saw the early signs and decided to test my blood sugar levels just to be on the safer side. After the results came back I was quickly rushed to the hospital and then diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Looking back at this moment I was scared for sure, you have just been told your life has completely changed at 12 years old while you drink a juice box and lay down. It was a lot for myself and my parents to take in and the new responsibilities I would then have to fill. After better understanding my disability and the new responsibilities I would now endure I began to build confidence in myself. Diabetes does not make me who I am today but has helped me on my path to find something passionate that I wish to do in my life and my goals for the future. I am currently on the path to getting my master's in Computer Science and I hope to use my knowledge/skills in two different ways. One way I hope I can use my knowledge is in the medical field directed towards diabetic management. I hope that in the future I can work on projects such as artificial pumps, new transmitters, and other technology to help people all over the world manage their diabetes. I know how important it was for me to get set up on one of these devices 7-10 days after I was diagnosed and know that this treatment is not for everyone due to finance, or being not trained properly. I hope that with my skills and my direct experience with managing this disability I can help make products that determine the main issues young adults, and adults all over the world make their experience managing diabetes just a little bit easier. My second goal in my future is to make ever-lasting memories for guests, ever since being a little kid an escape for myself was going to Disney with my family and spending this time laughing, as well as enjoying the moment. I want to create these experiences for families as well as create something that uses technology to immerse people in another world of possibilities. From creating action-packed attractions to putting people directly in the movies, that feeling will never go away of enjoyment and true happiness. To step back and stop worrying as much and live in the moment with the people that mean the most to you. Overall in my life, it's been one rollercoaster, but my medical condition has not negatively affected me but set me up for success and achieving my dreams, to be an Imagineer, kind to others, and make a real difference in the world.
    Roger Boston Scholarship
    Over my lifetime, I have wanted to become a lot of things. A train conductor, an astronaut, and an explorer. After going through school I began to have a found interest in Engineering, how you can create these amazing things that you can dream up using your knowledge. I began to focus more on cyber security and computer science. My academic goals are to gain as much knowledge as possible from university and get involved in as much as possible, from clubs, and sports, to meeting new people. I want to be the best person I can possibly be, and strive for my goals. I want my goals in my life to keep growing with myself, to keep building on top of them to always have something to strive for. Coming from a small town in Massachusetts there is not a lot of people striving for their goals, to always have this 9-5 job is something I do not want to have. I want to make a difference in people's lives. One of my main goals is to help people manage their diabetes and the technologies that come along with it. Being a type one diabetic I have experience with issues with the technology and how things could be improved for the needs of the diabetics. One idea I wish to create in my life is an artificial pancreas that will eliminate the need for finger sticking, giving insulin, and watching your blood sugar levels. I hope with the knowledge I earn I can come up with ideas on how to achieve this and really change lives all around the world. I also plan on working for the Walt Disney Company in their Imagineering department. I want to use my skills to create memories and happiness to as many people as I can. Ever since being a little kid I would go to disney with my family and be so fascinated in how things worked, from attractions to creating the feeling of being in another world. I want to be involved in this and be a leader in the future to help build a better tomorrow. With this scholarship I hope to help fund my dreams, to kick start my career and get a master's degree at Umass Dartmouth.
    Bold Bucket List Scholarship
    Ever since being young, I have always had a passion to do amazing things, different goals throughout my life on what I wanted to do for a future job or to help others. My bucket list of things that I wish to do in my life can sometimes seem impossible but I know if I work as hard as I can make a difference in many people's lives with the skills I am learning in school as well as to further my education in college. I hope one day to have an impact on the Diabetic field study, ever since being diagnosed with Type One Diabetes back when I was 12 I always wanted to use my skills of technology and computer programming to create a device to help people better manage their diabeties. As well I hope to use technology to create happiness throughout the world, one company I am particular fond in is the Walt Disney Company. Ever since being young I have always had the love for Disney and how they offer magic each and every day to many people throughout the world. What I plan on doing is using technology to imerse people in new experiences and attractions for the guests. Many people do think of Disney just as an amusement company but I believe they are much more. They have there own research in the community as well as internationally with countries. From agriculture to science they are truly involved with it all. At the end of the day my bucket list consists of plans to help my community the best I can and communities all over the world. From Food Hunger problems, to agriculture or the use of technology for the future of man kind. I want to truly be involved with it all.
    Bold Study Strategies Scholarship
    Studying from time to time can be difficult, even writing a bunch of essays for college can be difficult to focus on. Some Strategies I used to keep myself on track would be taking constant breaks throughout my session of work. So say if I spend around 20-30 minutes per application for scholarships I would take a 5-minute break to rest my mind before writing another essay or doing another task. This is good separation from work so you will not be drained for the next assignment you are doing. Other strategies I use are say if I have to read a 700 Page book by the end of the week. I would read 100 pages per day separating the time needed for reading the entire book up, giving me more free time and not to be burnt out trying to read it all in one day. Other things just as simple as writing down your schedule or an electronic schedule saying what day things are due or what items need to be completed each day can really help with he stress of handling all your assignments or tasks. I also like to try and have something to eat when studying or doing the task, something light just like a snack, that can help you keep pushing forward with your tasks at hand. I also and working on knowing my limits, studying or doing a task for multiple hours on end is not a good thing, so finding that balance between work load and free time is critical. If you are using so much of your time with tasks when you are doing these tasks you will more likely make mistakes or not understand something if you are not in the correct state to receive that information.
    Bold Persistence Scholarship
    When I was 12 years old after coming home from a hockey game I was not feeling myself, my parents could see it all over my face and something was wrong. After getting tested for multiple things the doctors did not know what the issue was but knew there was in fact an issue. After some more tests, I was officially diagnosed with Type One Diabetes and sent towards Boston children's hospital for more tests to be run and a plan to be put into place. At the time I was scared, worried, and quite did not know what was wrong with me. I knew about what Diabetes was as my mother has it as well but did not know its impact on my life to come. After talking with the doctors and understanding the issue my parents and family members where worried about my future of who I was going to be and how I was going to handle this disability at such a young age. I believe though at that moment it truly turned my world around and made me who I am today. I am an imagineer, someone who takes every opportunity to do better and works hard to what I want to achieve. I don't want to be know for my disability or the kid who has diabeties and is given everything. I want to be known for my hard work and knowledge that I have to offer. I have many goals and dreams that I want to achieve in my life and I will not let Diabeties take that away from me. I work with my amazing doctors to put a perfect plan in play and they all support my efforts to achieve my goals and overcome this problem that many people face each day.
    Bold Great Minds Scholarship
    Someone who I admire from history is Dr. Elliott P. Joslin. I admire him due to his studies and what he has done for the future of diabetic research. I was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes at the age of 12 and was brought to the Joslin Diabetic clinic. Over there many years of research, I was able to get on a proper plan to live a fulfilling life and not let this disability stop me from achieving my dreams. One thing I admire about his studies and himself as he was just like anyone in Massachusetts, born and raised, and went to college to study disease. It's what he did with this knowledge that makes him great. He was passionate about helping his aunt who was diagnosed with diabetes during his schooling and began coming up with strategies and ideas on how to properly treat the individual. Due to his findings in patients, he was able to start the field of diabetes epidemiology that launched shortly after. Not only did he study the research but he wanted to help people from all over, with this goal in mind he created the first-ever world's diabetes care facility. I am so passionate about him as a person and as a doctor. If it was not for him many people today would not be alive due to this disability and its effects. For me why I admire him the most out of anyone is due to his drive, he wanted to help anyone he came across not just in the diabetic field. It truly shows how much good we have in the world and how anyone no matter your background or where you come from can make an impact on the world.
    Bold Be You Scholarship
    Staying true to yourself is an important question to ask yourself each day. How do you stay true to yourself and your goals? I stay true to myself by doing the things I love to do even if they seem nerdy or might not be the most popular thing to do it's what makes you happy. It's also staying true to your morals and the way you want to live in your life. How I stay true to myself is by always being myself no matter the situation. I love looking at Disney news and I'm a shy person at school but try to use my skills as well as build upon them each day. At some times staying true to yourself can be hard, trying to fit into a group or doing something that you know is wrong just to show others. What I try to do to stay true towards myself is finding something you really enjoy, for me looking at Disney news, and using this to show your personality. Who you are inside, it's all up to you what you want to make with your life. Find that passion that makes you for who you are and not be scared to show others who you are. Especially for me in school from time to time it does get hard to stay true towards yourself and to not change who you are but what I do to help is remind myself of the goals that I want to achieve in my life as well as the path I set myself on to achieve those goals.
    Bold Confidence Matters Scholarship
    Confidence to me means a lot, for quite some time especially when I was younger I was a shy kid, always kept to myself, and did not have a lot of friends. It was not really until I found something I generally was passionate about when I began to embrace myself for who I am as well as build confidence to show my talents and express my ideas. It was all due to my current job and the impact I have on loss prevention for the store. I have always since being young been interested in security and technology as well as how things operate from a business perspective. After being exposed to these events with theft from our store and being involved in investigations I was able to find a voice, began being cross-trained in every job there, and was very experienced in dealing with customer service as well as internal issues. I really found my voice and passion for working for this company as well as the leadership I was given to make a difference. I am still to this day working on being more confident around others at school and showing my true talents to others. One day I hope to be an Imagineer or spokesman for the Disney Company dealing with security issues or customer service issues each day hopefully by using my confidence and voice to make people's experiences better. I have a lot of goals I want to achieve and I believe I am going down in the correct direction and by working on my confidence I'm a better person than I could have ever imagined. Confidence is powerful and knowledge but it is what you use it for that separates you from others and I hope to use that skill for the better.
    New Year, New Opportunity Scholarship
    Hello! My name is Benjamin and I'm a Dreamer. I have significant goals for my future using technology to my advantage to help people in many ways such as health care, day-to-day activities, and experiences. Each day I try to push myself to be a better person, for my family, friends as well as for myself taking each day just one step at a time. I am a type one diabetic but I do not let that stop me and a musician. Over my experiences, I have been in the NHS and Disney/Bolt Leadership Program as well as a Varsity Hockey Player. One day I hope to impact the world.
    Bold Reflection Scholarship
    My life so far has been an adventure, an adventure that has shaped me into who I am today and the hopes/dreams of my future. Some important events that shaped me into who I am were working with a hockey team since the age of 5 working together and building those communication skills but something that affected me directly change my outlook on my future and what I wanted to do. When I was 12 years old I was unfortunately diagnosed with Type One Diabetes, this moment really was important to me because a lot of people were worried about my outcome or what I was going to do, seeing me just as someone with this disability and not for who I am today. So I decided from that moment on I wanted to do everything I could to make myself the best person I could be, striving for every opportunity given to me and working hard each and every day. Something I am fascinated by is a technology and how we can use it towards our advancement. So one of my future goals is to work on devices to help improve people's experience with diabetes and underlying health conditions. For my goal of helping with diabetes, I have come up with ideas regarding two companies, OmniPod and Dexcom, and using these devices to create one device that uses its data from both systems together to make it self operating with little to no human input as well as making it all directly threw an app on your phone using Bluetooth. This is just hopefully one of the goals I want to achieve in my life with others being a Disney Imagineer creating smiles each day for guests. Overall my goal is to do good in the world using Technology.
    Bold Fuel Your Life Scholarship
    My goals and my family/friends are all influencers of my life that really fuel my drive to do some great things with my talents. Ever since being young, I have always had a mindset of crazy ideas of what I wanted to do, such as being a train conductor or being an astronaut. It wasn't until I was around 12 years old that I finally decided to put a good plan forward in my life of what I wished to pursue. When I was 12 I was diagnosed with type one Diabetes. This was a turning point in my life but also opened up my eyes up to something I wanted to do. At this point, I really began focusing on technology and how it can apply to everyday life to help others and bring experiences to a new level. I really sparked my imagination when going on trips to Disney with my family and realized I wanted to create ever-lasting memories for people who come there each day. I want to use my talents in Music and Technology to create a story for people to enjoy when they visit and escape the real world. What fuel my imagination would be getting invited by my school to represent in the Leadership Conference Disney was holding, this was an opportunity for me to talk to direct cast members and Imagineers on what sparked them and how to achieve my goals. They really were the fuel that sparked this imagination for me to do something good with the skills I am learning that is meaningful but also enjoyable for many centuries to come. Overall my biggest fuel is the support from my family to be a better person and to not let diabetes stop me from achieving what I wish to achieve.
    Bold Goals Scholarship
    Ever since being a little boy from a small town in Massachusetts I have always had big dreams, ideas, and goals for my future. At some times yes they were crazy and silly ones from being a train conductor to an astronaut I have always had crazy ideas on what I really wanted to do for my future. It was not true until I was 12 when I get diagnosed with type one diabetes that I really knew I had to step up for myself and my family and to not be seen as just someone who has a disability but someone who is a dreamer, and a go-getter for what they believe in. I want to use my experiences with this complication to help others who feel the same way I do. I have always since being a very young age been good with technology and computers so my goal for the future is to create medical devices towards helping people with underlying health conditions. There are many opportunities and so many people suffering out there that are amazing people who can do some truly good in this world. One thing I noticed just directly through diabetes is that having a pump even though it has so many amazing features compared to shots it can be used in a more useful way using more technology to help people with diabetes even better. I feel reaching for this goal of mine is my most important goal because it's coming directly with someone who has this disability and can attack its problems head-on in areas only someone who has it could correspond. This is just one of my goals for the future of using my skills learned in college to help people in need and make the world a better place.
    Bold Make Your Mark Scholarship
    There is a lot of impacts that I want to leave on the world but one thing I want to focus on myself is bringing happiness to people's faces each day. Ever since being a little boy, I have always wanted to be a Cast Member for the Walt Disney Company and bring magic to people each day. My goal for the future is to use my skills in college in the engineering fields to grow and create new devices not only to help the Disney company but the world. In Epcot, they have a lot of research going on with food supply and bringing food or new methods to create food cheap and accessible for everyone no matter the condition. I hope I can one day be allowed to work on some projects like this or partner with two companies called Dexcom and omnipod to create a new system of technology to help people with diabetes. Ever since being 12 years old I have had type one diabetes and know the struggles behind it but also the endless opportunities that technology can offer to help people with this disability. I wish to create one device that allows constant blood sugar monitoring and a pump built into one controlled by Bluetooth through an app. Currently, these two companies have separate devices to do these tasks but bringing them together and having them communicate with each other would allow the system to know if a correction in blood sugar was needed and to calculate the correct amount of insulin needed for that patent. It's incredible what technology can do for this world and your imagination is just the beginning of what good you can do for this world and how many problems you could help solve.
    Bold Success Scholarship
    My future goals, ever since being a little kid I have always had a lot of goals and things I wanted to pursue from being a train conductor to being an astronaut, I have wanted to be it all. Going into college now I finally directed myself into something I actually want to do and make a difference. I plan on taking the skills and knowledge earned from the college I attend and using them for the Walt Disney Company. Now you must be thinking why this company, well ever since being young I have always been on trips with my family to Disney in Orlando Florida as well as been fascinated on the in's and out's of the company and what they have to offer. It wasn't until my freshmen year of High School when I got offered an opportunity to go represent my school in a leadership conference hosted by Bolt Leadership and run by Disney Imagineers to talk about the companies goals and what drives a future leader of the world. This opportunity opened my eyes to the company as well as let me build relationships with the team there. I knew I wanted to use my skills to do some good and to bring smiles and magic to people so this was an amazing opportunity to do just that. So using my love for technology and construction I want to focus on getting a degree in Computer Science and Engineering to hopefully bring magic to people's eyes being an Imagineer for the Disney Company. It's a big goal of mine that I realized how much it meant to me to go with my family and my parents seeing me smiling ear to ear and wanting to bring that magic to every guest that steps foot.
    Richard Neumann Scholarship
    There is a lot of problems that need to be solved in the world, and my problem is just one of many but it's a good starting block to advance other things as well. I have type one diabetes and got diagnosed when I was just 12. It truly changed my life, but I believe for the better. It changed who I was and myself as a person for what I strive to be. When I first became a diabetic I was put on shots of insulin to affect my blood sugars. I knew taking these shots for me was going to be difficult because what kid would want to give themselves a shot every time they eat. So I began talking to my doctor up in Boston about other options potentially where there for me and we began talking about two companies, Dexcom and OmniPod. Both these companies use technology to help diabetics manage their blood glucose levels. The Dexcom is a CGM or a device that with a click of a button inserts a wire into your blood and reads your blood sugar levels every 5 minutes, sending this information through Bluetooth to your phone. An OmniPod has the same concept but instead of an app on your phone, it's a separate device that is still wireless that you fill with insulin and injects you with it when needed. The Omnipod device can last up to 3 days and the Dexcom can last up to 10 days. With this being said I was put onto both devices and became in love with both of them. Shortly after I was selected and chosen to help with the Dexcom G6 Development. So after being one of the first people to be on the Dexcom G6 I gave feedback to the company and new ideas to implement as well. If I had the money and resources to create something I would use both the G6's Ideas and Development and the Dexcom and put them both into one device. This would allow less bulk on the person (not two devices) and allow both to correspond with each other. What do I mean by corresponding with each other? Well, using the data collected by the transmitter that reads my blood it could auto-correct for high blood sugars and low blood sugars, currently, they are two separate devices that do not communicate with each other so say if I had high blood sugar and never notices the notification on my phone my pump would not give me insulin to correct for that high blood sugar. It would for the most part be an automatic pump and sensor, almost getting rid of the manual output of commands to the pump giving the user the feeling of being without diabetes. Yes, you still would have to change the site every few days but it would get rid of so much of the hassle of worrying about what you eating as well as what your blood sugar is at that moment in time. Using an example, I play hockey since I have been 5 years old and when I am out on the ice I have to keep checking to see if my blood is dropping low or going too high but this device would do that all for me with communications to both systems in one site. To this day diabetes is a challenge for a lot of people but using technology we can decrease the risks in evolution and make diabetes more manageable for everyone and live fulfilling lives.
    Bold Learning and Changing Scholarship
    As we grow older as people, we have had a lot of experiences that have changed our perspective on life. My experience that changed my life for the better I feel was the day I was diagnosed with Type one Diabetes. Back when I was 11 years old, a young fit kid who loved playing hockey and just finished playing a game driving home to not feeling myself. Something was wrong and my family could see it in me so my mother being a diabetic educator decided to test my blood out of the blue to check my levels, sure enough, my blood was around 1000, over 900 above the average blood sugar with a person without diabetes. That moment truly changed my life not only physically but mentally as well. Of course, knowing I would have to deal with a disability the rest of my life is a lot for an 11-year-old child but I knew I had to fight for my family. That moment is really when I became who I am today and my outlook on life. I believe diabetes does not defy me the person I strive to be. I still do everything just like normal kids but have restrictions. These restrictions though power me to do better for myself, to take care of myself for a better future, and to work hard. It was upsetting coming home from the hospital and seeing the sad looks on my family members knowing my life is about to change but it's what you make of the situation. Do you hide and run away from your problems or do you step up towards the plate and hit the ball out of the park. I am happy knowing my family and friends support me for who I am.
    Robert Lee, Sr. and Bernice Williams Memorial Scholarship
    Everyone has a story to tell of who they are as a person. The events and unexpected curveballs that life throws our way are what make us different and unique. This is how a little event in my life that was out of anyone's control changed my life for the better. As a little boy, I had the craziest imagination of what I wanted to be. From being a train conductor to being an NHL Hockey player my imagination was all over the place with limitless possibilities. The day of my curveball felt like every other day for me as a hockey player. I woke up early and we drove up north towards Boston for a hockey game. The night before the game I felt tired and was constantly thirsty. At the game, I was sitting on the bench out of breath. I was thinking, am I out of shape or am I sick? I honestly couldn’t tell. My mom knew I should have done better but she thought I was just being a lazy kid. I was excited when the game ended. We all headed to the locker room to change. That night I was going with my best friends to see the Providence Bruins. I told her I would but that I needed a drink first because I was thirsty. Now in any other situation, a kid who’s involved in sports wanting a drink after the game would seem normal, but my mom believed something was wrong. From my constant thirst the night before to my lackluster performance today and now this, she knew something was not adding up. My mother is a type one diabetic and knew these were some of the signs. She never dreamed that her child would have diabetes just like her. However, something inside of her told her to test my blood just to get that out of the way. My blood glucose levels were at a high 800. Normal levels are around 80. This is the moment that changed me completely. My mother drove me straight to the hospital. We got to the hospital, and they determined that I did have type one diabetes. Looking back at these events and knowing how different life was before I was diagnosed, it did take a toll on me as a person. I knew from that point on that I really had to step up to the plate and be a strong person for my family and for myself. Having diabetes is tough for anyone, but we try to keep an open mindset on the events that took place. I’m thankful for the doctors who treated me. I’m thankful for my parents staying up every night worrying about my future, the schooling that I was missing, and how I was going to turn out at the end of all of this. We take each day one step at a time working on each other as people and how strong we are as a family. I am just like any other kid. I have dreams and imaginations of helping the world with my mind, skills, and passion. I overcome my challenges with all my might and strive for new opportunities. I am happy knowing diabetes does not make me who I am today. It’s my willingness to improve who I am that makes me who I have become. So, I ask you this question: if you were thrown a curveball in your life, would you run away in fear or would you turn and crush it out of the park?
    Bold Influence Scholarship
    If I was a highly influential figure I would stand for the future, I know the future is a broad topic but I would try and stand for the future in which we all work together and understand each other. My main goal and wish in life are for the joy of others, I want to use technology to advance our society but allow others to be connected and express their emotions as well as opinions. We are moving into an age of revolution from the old system and into the new system where people's opinions and thoughts matter and can change outlooks on things. It also gives us advantages and better education if we focus on these items to hopefully use our resources for good, such as electric cars, electric rockets for spacecraft, and much more. The endless opportunities are amazing and having a good team in place to help is critical so by bringing people together all on the same page we can accomplish so many things. The future has no boundaries and using technology and advancing for health care are critical. We stand for freedom and strength together, all understanding of each other and working in harmony.
    Bold Acts of Service Scholarship
    Starting off very young coming from a religious family we would also try and do some good in any way around our lives and incorporate it into it. One of my favorite memories as a child was bringing thanksgiving dinner to people in need and packaging it up for them. This was done through our local church group and to this day is feeding around 3 thousand meals each thanksgiving. It's incredible to think how many people did not have a thanksgiving dinner and were in need of food just around my area but could only imagine around the country. Going into high school I wanted to make more of a difference so I decided to make a group called the Giving project, in this project I got classmates of mine from all over the grades to join in and help with events such as helping students who were touring the school or going to other schools to talk about what things they could do to make a difference in the world. It was an incredible idea. It truly brought people together in many ways and gave us room to do what we wanted to make a difference, after the success of this project I joined the National Honor Society directly and through my school as well. We do events like winter wonderland giving kids in need clothing and gifts as well as events like meeting Santa, free hot chocolate, and much more just to get in the spirit of the holidays. My main goal in life is to make others happy and to truly make sure that giving should be a thing you do once in a while but every day without any thought.
    Bold Passion Scholarship
    What am I passionate about? That's truly an interesting question, I can say that I am passionate about what I want to do in the future and that is to bring joy to people's faces each day hopefully working for the Walt Disney Company. Since being a little boy and going to Disney each year I knew I wanted to make a difference in the world and provide the magic to millions of people each day. At the time during my schooling, I was fascinated by computer science and how technology can advance day-to-day life. Due to my knowledge in school and the knowledge that I am going to learn in college, I hopefully will be able to work for this company and use my technical skills to create new ideas and innovations for the industry. My passion truly started once I began talking to cast members at the company about why they wanted to join the company and the goals that they wanted to achieve. Each was very similar but all had a big meaning deep inside them to put smiles on people's faces and grow as people. I believe technology is the future, using technology to your advantage for new ideas and experiences is going to give that cutting edge experience no other place has. Changing the world one step at a time and making the most out of every moment is my goal and my passion to be a better person and to spread joy around the world.
    Bold Driven Scholarship
    My goals for the future are to inspire and bring magic to the world. My dream job is to work for the Walt Disney Company as an Imagineer, creating new innovative ideas to bring to guests and by the use of technology bring experiences to an entirely new level. I first started off this dream when I would go down with my parents to Orlando, seeing all the experiences for myself and seeing the smiling faces of people walking by me after exiting the parks, it was a dream come true. I began talking to some cast members and asking them why they wished to work for this company and they all had the same drive and motivation as me, to give guests the most magical experience possible. So I worked hard in school and now taking my next step into college for a master's degree in Computer Science. With my skills, I hope to change the technology this company uses to make things run smoothly without the hassle of worrying about vacation. There are so many opportunities for me to go down using computer science as a background, I can't wait until what the future has to offer me. ~ Benjamin