As a child I had aspirations of pursuing many different careers. At various times I hoped to be a professional soccer player, an airline pilot, and even a rapper. One of the careers in my mind continued to keep my interest; a professional chef. My dad would routinely watch cooking shows, and I was impressed by the excitement, enthusiasm, and creativity shown by all of the young chefs that competed on shows like Chopped and Iron Chef. I was in the kitchen from a young age trying to put my perceived skills to use so that I could prove to myself and everyone else that being a chef was the right path for me. Today I do not plan on pursuing professional cooking, however I continue to use cooking as a creative outlet to express my thoughts and feelings. Cooking competition shows were regular programming at my home when I was a youngster. The chefs I saw as competitors inspired me. They were young, enthusiastic, and creative. There were individuals of diverse backgrounds who brought all kinds of new ideas into their kitchens. They took their careers seriously and were well-respected by others in their profession. I wished for people to recognize talent in things I did and take note of hard work and creativity in my career. Even at a young age I desired to be part of that world. The influence of the cooking competition shows I watched created a desire to test my culinary skills early on. I saw the chefs on television and I wanted to prove to myself and others that I had the talent to be one of those individuals. I wanted to learn to do all the things I saw them do. Fortunately my parents encouraged my curiosity to learn new skills. Under supervision they allowed me to prepare basic dishes, and helped me learn techniques appropriate for young chefs. They also provided me with cookbooks for young chefs to stimulate ideas of things I would like to try in the kitchen. Today I have decided not to pursue culinary arts as a profession. Instead, I enjoy cooking and learning new culinary techniques as a hobby. Cooking competitions and YouTube videos regarding cooking remain staple viewing in my home. Cooking serves as both a creative outlet and a way for me to learn new skills. It keeps my mind fresh and sharp, and I still respect the chefs that I watch. I also find it is something that my parents and I are able to bond over and do together. Although I have chosen not to pursue cooking as a career path, that early desire to be a chef has had huge implications on my chosen course of study and profession. I hope to pursue a degree in biology with a concentration in conservation. I wish to eventually put my knowledge to use helping indigenous people in Central and South America learn sustainable land use practices to provide them access to food without placing too much stress on their fields. I would not have come to this decision without my early desires to be part of the culinary world. Although my career objectives have changed I realized that I must be part of something interactive and engaging. My career must stimulate my curiosity and creativity, much the same way that cooking does. Ultimately, my initial desire to cook as a career taught me I need to be involved in something service-oriented, nourishing people’s needs.

Success. It has different meanings for different people. For some it means winning. For others it means earning the highest grades. I was forced to evaluate my own meaning for success at the age of twelve upon being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Receiving the diagnosis both relieved and terrified me at the same time. I was glad to have an understanding of the strange signals my body was giving me: why I could never quench my thirst no matter how much water I drank, why I never felt energized regardless of my attention to diet and nutrition, and why I never felt rested even though I slept far more than what seemed necessary. I was frightened of what it might mean for my future, and I believed my life as I knew it was over. It was, but now I recognize it as a new beginning. My journey in life has taught me that success means setting a goal and working hard to achieve it. If an individual is able to say that they have worked as hard as possible to meet a goal, they have succeeded. Immediately after my diagnosis I set two goals for myself. One was to learn to count all of the nutrition facts that I had to calculate in order to properly dose myself with insulin. The other was to be able to inject myself so that I did not have to rely on others for that routine. I was scared to do both. If I miscalculated I could send myself into diabetic shock with a hypoglycemic episode. Further, I was terrified of needles and shots. However, within a week I was regularly doing both. I immediately realized this as a success in life, and I decided that T1D would not define me. Before my T1D diagnosis I always lived an active life. I have played organized sports since my first years of school, and enjoyed outdoor activities including hiking, cycling, kayaking, and skiing. I briefly feared my condition would put an end to this lifestyle. I decided not to allow that, and to live how I chose to. As I learned how to manage my new situation, I realized I did not have to abandon my lifestyle. Instead, as I learned more, I realized that managing T1D was part of a health-conscious life that would enhance my activities. Currently I run cross country, swim, and run indoor and outdoor track. I continue to enjoy all the outdoor activities I did before my diagnosis. Although it was life-changing, the skills I gained gave me the knowledge needed to live a fulfilling life of my choosing. This success has made me realize I can set and accomplish any goal of my choosing. Now I am preparing to graduate from high school and begin the next chapter of life. I will begin college in the fall, with the first opportunity to live life on my own and be fully responsible for myself. This creates some worry. However I am mainly filled with excitement and anticipation. I know the successes of setting goals, working toward them, and ultimately achieving them will serve as a solid foundation as I plan my education and career objectives. The Redefining Victory Scholarship will play a major role in helping me meet my goals. I plan on pursuing a degree in biology with a concentration in conservation. I hope to study abroad in Central or South America. I wish to pursue a masters degree as well. Ultimately, I wish to work with indigenous people in Latin America. I hope to help them learn sustainable land use practices to decrease stress on rainforests, and provide them with consistent access to healthy food. Meeting this goal would be an enormous success, proving that T1D will not hinder me. I reflect back to my diagnosis in October 2019. I consider how drastically my life changed as a result. Although I had to adopt a completely new mindset of how to live, the outcomes have defined my understanding of success. I have navigated life with my condition, setting goals for myself to keep it from dictating my choices. I have learned to face frightening situations, and now understand I can overcome them. I have learned how to continue living the active lifestyle I love in a healthy way. Finally, the life skills I have gained have given me the focus to shape the future of what my education and career will look like. T1D is a part of who I am, however it will not define me.

Imagine waking up day after day being tired, thirsty, and hungry. You continue to try and get good rest, but are unable to ever feel energized. You eat, but never feel like you get the energy you need. You drink water, juice, and other fluids, but never feel like your thirst is quenched. All the while you are expected to continue your regular school work, extracurricular activities, and responsibilities at home causing you to feel helpless and hopeless. This was my reality for several weeks in the fall of 2019 prior to being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Upon receiving the diagnosis I was relieved to have an understanding of the problem, but terrified for what it might mean for my future. Today I am proud of who I have become. I am more mature and responsible than most of my peers. I am active and enjoy a healthy lifestyle. I am excited about everything the future holds for me. Upon diagnosis I was left with a feeling that life would change forever; it did. I had never worried about things such as diet, carbs, or blood glucose. I believed my life was over. But only briefly. I quickly learned to count carbs, calculate insulin ratios, and was soon giving myself injections. These are considerations few of my peers have dealt with. I know that taking on these responsibilities have made me far more mature than most people my age. Learning to handle T1D has influenced me to better manage many areas of my life, including academics, personal relationships, and athletics. I have always lived an active life. I have played organized sports since my first years of school, and have continued throughout high school. Currently I run cross country, swim, and run indoor and outdoor track. I enjoy outdoor activities including hiking, cycling, kayaking, and skiing. I feared this would all change when I was diagnosed. As I learned how to manage my new situation, I realized I did not have to abandon my lifestyle. Instead, as I learned more, I realized that managing T1D was part of a health-conscious life that would enhance my activities. Although my diagnosis was life-changing, the skills I gained gave me the knowledge needed to live a fulfilling life of my choosing. Now I am preparing to graduate from high school and begin the next chapter of life. I will begin college in the fall, with the first opportunity to live life on my own and be fully responsible for myself. This creates some worry, however I am mainly filled with excitement and anticipation. I plan on pursuing a degree in biology, and I hope to study abroad in Central or South America. Ultimately, I wish to work with indigenous people in Latin America. I hope to help them learn sustainable land use practices to decrease stress on rainforests, and provide them with consistent access to healthy food. T1D will not hinder my future plans and goals. I reflect back to my diagnosis in October 2019. I consider how drastically my life changed as a result. Although I had to adopt a completely new mindset of how to live, the outcomes from these changes have positively impacted my life. I have become a mature and responsible individual. I have learned how to continue living the active lifestyle I love in a healthy way. Finally, the life skills I have gained have given me the focus to shape the future of what my education and career will look like. T1D is a part of who I am, however it will not define me.

When I think about my Granddaddy (John), who was my mother’s father, there are many stories that come to my mind that have tremendous meaning to me. Granddaddy was a US Navy Veteran who was always immensely proud of his service and thankful for the opportunities it provided for him. Sadly, we lost Granddaddy in the summer of 2024, however the memories I made with him as a youngster will stay in my heart and soul forever. My memories of Granddaddy are treasures of the times I was able to spend with him. I fondly recall my first fishing trip with Granddaddy and my Dad on Granddaddy’s boat. I remember rolling around on his living room floor with him and wrestling while he tickled me all over. I recollect many holiday and birthday celebrations that would have felt incomplete without Granddaddy’s presence. The memory I have that I wish to share is the one that was most impactful regarding who I am now, and the earliest I can recall with him. That is a day I spent with him, my Dad, my uncle Darryl, and my cousin Charles at an outdoor sporting expo when I was only four years old. The Dixie Deer Classic is an annual event that celebrates all things hunting, fishing, and outdoor lifestyle. This event seemed tailor-made for Granddaddy’s liking. According to my Dad, he could not have been happier when he discovered that both of his grandsons would be accompanying him to the event that year. Even from so many years ago, I clearly remember my excitement on the day of the event. I was elated to be able to spend the day with Granddaddy and my older cousin. Many of my memories of that day are somewhat cloudy in my mind because I was so young. I remember snippets of walking around the fairgrounds and looking at one exhibit or another. There are two memories in my mind that clearly stand out. The first was sharing a funnel cake with my older cousin Charles that Granddaddy bought for us. The second was sitting in a miniature race car with Charles and pretending to drive. In each case I have a distinct recollection of Granddaddy standing and watching as he beamed a huge smile. I remember having the thought in those moments that I love my family. Although I was only four years old at the time of this experience, it made a lasting impact on who I am today. There are many things I do not remember from that day, however something I comprehended in those moments was Granddaddy’s dedication to and pride of family. There are some vague memories I have prior to that day of having fun with Granddaddy, but from then on I always recognized the strong sense of pride and dedication that he had for his family. That feeling never left in the days before we lost him last summer. Even as he became less lucid in the last few days of his life, I still felt that fierce sense of pride he had for me and all of his family. Now, as I contemplate the impact Granddaddy had on my life, I know that my own dedication to family is a direct result of Granddaddy’s interactions with me. I recognize that whenever we spent time together, our relationship was a reflection of how much he loved his family. I know that his love will continue through me as he taught me the value of love for family.

Leadership and science are two aspects of society that have a great impact on the world. Although seemingly unrelated the two are intricately intertwined. Scientific researchers investigate the natural world, how it affects our lives, and how to improve the quality of life. Leadership, typically in the form of business executives and government officials, make important decisions regarding the legality, relevance, and funding related to scientific research. To ensure that leaders make decisions that improve mankind’s quality of life in the future, researchers must be allowed to maintain open communication and freely evaluate the work of their peers. If this happens, the public will have the opportunity to learn of new discoveries and how they may relate to continued progress. Scientific research has always been the spearhead of progress for humanity. Whether the advancements have related to medical research, exploration, or a further understanding of man’s place in the universe, researchers are at the forefront of hypothesizing, experimenting, collecting data, and putting new information to use for humanity. As we move forward through the 21st century scientists continue to make breakthroughs in various fields that have the potential to improve human life. Society’s leaders have the responsibility to ensure that scientific developments are put to the best use for humanity. While the vast majority of scientists are altruistic with humans’ best interest at heart, their research and discoveries can be misused by political leaders who aim to consolidate power through fear, misinformation, and social discord. Further, business leaders may choose to overlook funding scientific research that may have the potential to positively affect many individuals, but does not guarantee a huge corporate payout. For these reasons scientists must maintain open communication and free transmission of ideas amongst one another, ensuring that all have access to information. This will guarantee that scientific peers have the opportunity to review one another’s work, checking the validity of conclusions reached by researchers, and putting new knowledge to use for further developments and breakthroughs. Researchers will be able to inform the public when business or government leaders are making the best decisions for society, or if they are misconstruing facts to suit their own purposes. If scientists are able to freely evaluate the work and research of others, and have the opportunity to report findings to the public, people will understand researchers do not have ulterior motives; instead they work for the love of uncovering truth and how to use it for society’s best interest. If, however, leaders restrict how researchers share information with their colleagues, the public will have no way of knowing what scientific developments occur, or how those developments may be put to use. Therefore, the public must demand that business and government leaders allow scientists to pursue research they feel is valid, and that it remain disclosed for all to learn of the results. As scientists continue to make discoveries there is no doubt that knowledge can be put to use to improve the human condition. Conversely, it can be manipulated by leaders for the purposes of greed, power, and destruction. This means that scientists must be able to openly communicate their research to others and the public. In this way, other researchers will be able to test the validity of the work, and build on new knowledge. Finally, the public will have the ability to learn of research being done, and demand that government and business leaders encourage continued work on projects that will improve humanity’s quality of life.

Throughout my youth I have always been involved in athletics. I played recreation soccer and baseball in elementary and middle school. I ran cross country, played baseball, and soccer for my middle school. In high school I was on the varsity cross country, track and field, and swim teams. Each experience presented challenges and provided lessons along the way. My high school student-athlete career was the most formative in facing and overcoming challenges. During these years I routinely faced pressures of time commitments of practices and competitions, stressful academic requirements, and a feeling of having to meet expectations of coaches and parents. Students not involved in extra-curricular athletics may feel some pressures to keep grades up and maintain high academic standards. However, the extra time dedicated to athletics compounded with physical and mental demands associated with the competitive nature of high school athletics creates added burdens on student-athletes. The most obvious challenge as a high school student-athlete is the time associated. With practices being daily, and competitions often taking place on weekends, there is little time for physical or mental relaxation. Many student athletes participate in one or multiple sports throughout the calendar year. Little time remains for time with friends, family, or vacation with so much time dedicated to athletics. Another serious challenge for high school student-athletes is maintaining academic standards. Schools require minimum academic standards for participation, however most student-athletes strive for marks well above those minimums. The majority know they will never be offered large sums from colleges or universities to continue playing at the next level. Therefore high academic achievement is a necessity to ensure help in paying for higher education. Those fortunate enough to be offered full tuition to play at the next level know they must maintain high grades to ensure entrance into their chosen institution. A final challenge faced by high school student-athletes is the pressure of expectations (whether real or perceived) from coaches and parents. High school athletics are supposed to supplement a student’s educational experience, however the expectation to succeed in competition can overwhelm the athlete. Although coaches and parents are almost always well-meaning in their encouragement, the expectation of success may prove to be too much for an adolescent to bear. When this happens, negative outcomes are likely for the student-athlete. All of these challenges may make someone question why athletes continue to compete. The answer is simple; the lessons and benefits outweigh the associated challenges. Each of the challenges mentioned above lead to important life lessons and skills learned by student-athletes. They quickly learn to manage their time. They know they cannot wait to complete assignments and study for tests. This trait follows them into life, making them productive individuals. Next, student athletes tend to maintain high GPAs and academic success. They learn what is necessary for earning and maintaining the best grades in their academic endeavors helping to ensure good careers following formal education. Finally, successful student athletes learn to manage expectations of others with what they know they can handle in a healthy way. This helps them in creating healthy personal and professional relationships throughout life. High school student-athletes can be burdened with many challeges that non-athletes are not as likely to have to endure. For all of the challenges, individuals can learn many important lessons. Facing and overcoming these challenges successfully creates well-rounded individuals who are mentally and physically healthy. This makes high school athletics meaningful and worthwhile for all participants.

As I prepare to graduate from high school I realize I am fortunate to have received a high quality education from passionate instructors. These individuals helped shape the course of study and career path I hope to pursue in ecological/conservation biology. I have also been fortunate to have participated in community activities that helped determine my future goals. Several of these experiences afforded me opportunities to protect children from in-person and cyberbullying. Researching options for higher education has been exciting, however financial planning has been fraught with anxiety. Now with the annual costs of my top college choices being approximately $20,000 I worry that my goals could be in jeopardy. I have endeavored to achieve my best in all I attempt and I know I will continue this trait upon entering college. I hope to avoid having to rely on student loans to achieve my goals. Receiving this scholarship will alleviate financial burden, allowing me to continue focusing on academic excellence so I may pursue the goal of preserving the beauty of the natural world for posterity. As a natural biologist, protecting the environment will be a top priority. However, ensuring the safety of future generations to be able to enjoy the world’s natural beauty is just as important. I have been fortunate to have had opportunities to provide safe places for local children. One such activity was volunteer work as a counselor-in-training at a summer youth day camp in the summer of 2022. My official responsibility in this role was to aid the counselors in jobs including setting up games, leading campers from place to place, and accompanying them on field trips to monitor campers. Unofficially I became a person both the children and counselors came to trust. The campers realized they could rely on me as someone who would not tolerate bullying. The counselors knew they could count on me to ensure the campers treated each other with respect. Following the summer as a CIT, I was eligible to become a full-fledged counselor. I was hired and found myself with far more responsibilities than as a CIT. Although my volunteer work had prepared me for many of the jobs I did as a counselor, the full responsibility was now mine to ensure the safety and well-being of the campers each day. I flourished in this new role. Not only did I make sure the campers were safe in a fun and inviting atmosphere, but that they treated one another with dignity. Further, the other counselors and I strictly regulated the campers’ access to phones, and focused on teaching appropriate ways to express their thoughts and feelings. Another community activity I participated in that worked against bullying was as a co-organizer and leader of a youth summer running camp. I worked with another rising senior on my cross country team to organize the event, and served as a group leader during the camp. This three-day event taught children to learn new skills away from screens, work as teammates encouraging and uplifting each other, and instilled confidence in youngsters as they found they could accomplish feats of which they previously believed they were incapable of. Participants came away with a new-found sense of confidence and teamwork. At the close of my high school years, I look with anticipation and excitement to begin the next chapter of my life. I also reflect on the opportunities that I have had to work with youngsters in my community. I know that I have been an instrument to improve children’s safety and helped teach them to treat one another with respect and dignity.

Imagine that you are deep in the Amazon rainforest, interacting with indigenous people: eating their native food, discussing with them how their children learn, and experiencing some of their cultural traditions and heritage. Then just two days later, hiking towards the summit of one of South America’s tallest stratovolcanoes and struggling to breathe at the high altitudes while being in awe of the majesty of the landscape. This is part of what I experienced last summer during a trip to Ecuador. Encouraged by my parents, I have been an international traveler since before I began kindergarten. This was my latest journey exposing me to cultures and regions very different from my own. As I have made several of these journeys throughout my life, I have come to appreciate the importance of working to understand how both cultures and ecological biomes around us function and are influenced by one another. I know that as humanity is the center of the universe on which most of us focus, we must strive to understand how we affect one another and the natural world around us if we hope to advance in a positive way. Experiencing and working to understand world cultures is key to recognizing humanity’s place in the universe. I have been blessed in that my parents have encouraged me to do both from a very young age. These experiences have helped me better appreciate my place in humanity’s role in the universe. I realize that many individuals’ focus is self-centered and self-serving. I realize that many of my peers that have not been exposed to other ways of life have a narrow view of the world and the universe. While many people are unaware of and even fearful of other ways of life, I realize that the best way for humanity to advance is with a deepened knowledge and respect for various ways of life. Having a perspective on how and why others live the way they do provides important insights on ways for all of us to work together to achieve equity and justice for all people in a cooperative and collaborative way. Without this appreciation xenophobia, mistrust, and greed threaten to hinder or even destroy important progress humans have made in promoting peaceful progress that can uplift everyone. Beyond understanding one another, we must also work to understand our natural world and how humanity’s universe fits into it. Earth is the only refuge for life that we have for the foreseeable future. As our population expands, natural resources and habitable spaces are stretched thin. My travels have exposed me to many examples of the strains being put on the planet and its living spaces. I have had opportunities to witness the fragility of the natural world, and how dependent we, as its tenants, are on its continued functioning. This has instilled a curiosity within me to understand how the Earth’s ecosystems are interrelated and a desire to develop ways and ideas to allow for co-existence of human progress and advancement along with the maintenance and sustainability of the natural world. I know that without my travel experiences I would not have recognized the depth at which people are interconnected to the planet’s biomes. I know that my experiences have provided me with opportunities to recognize relationships that humans have with the natural world in ways that most other people lack. My personal experiences as an international traveler have created my awareness of the importance of understanding other cultures and the need to work to conserve our planet’s natural resources. Understanding our small place in the universe is imperative to ensuring humanity’s continued survival and creating a society in which all people have access to equity and fairness in life. I have witnessed firsthand the struggle for survival that many people have from day to day. I recognize the inadequacy of resources available to many people around the world and how that creates a struggle for survival, even at the cost of depleting necessary natural resources on which we all depend. I have witnessed the inequity in distribution of basic human needs for people around the world. I see the close-mindedness that many individuals carry towards those from differing backgrounds, and how that lack of openness creates strife and struggle. I know that greed has hindered the development of progress, policies, and practices that could benefit the overall condition of humanity. All of this has pushed me toward a desire to take action in improving human existence and our place in our universe. Recognizing the link between humans and the natural world is not sufficient to make positive impacts for everyone’s benefit. I have considered possibilities of how I can be part of a solution to humanity’s problems regarding a lack of awareness and understanding between cultures and an effort to conserve our natural resources for the benefit of everyone. I know that I would begin this process through post-secondary education focusing on international relations and cultural awareness and biology with a focus on ecology and conservation. I have taken and excelled in four levels of Spanish language classes in high school. I intend on continuing this course of study in college, with the ultimate goal of studying abroad in a Spanish speaking country. I will continue to develop my cultural awareness and understanding of different cultures. Preferably I would like to study in Central or South America. I wish to couple this experience with an academic study of ecological and biological processes that could eventually be used to aid native populations. I know these courses of study would guide me to being part of making our place in the universe more positive for everyone on the planet. After completing my studies I would employ my new skills to create positive changes for all humanity. I hope to be able to work with, or possibly start a non profit organization aimed at creating ecological awareness among native and indigenous populations in Central and South America. I can imagine an organization that may work to educate individuals about proper land use, reclaiming previously exhausted natural areas, and methods to ensure the land’s continued feasibility. I envision the organization working with citizens from multiple nations to help develop international cooperation and cultural awareness. Further, I desire to create a sense of savvy among Central and South American native peoples of how to work with corporations that may wish to use their lands. This would help them develop an understanding of how to advocate for themselves in negotiations. They would be empowered with a feeling of competence in their ability to make their voices heard as they work on a level at parity with people from around the world. To conclude my thoughts, I wish to reemphasize why I will work to help humanity understand its place in the universe in which we live. The vast majority of us focus on our world as our universe. Too many of us believe that there is no need for an understanding or awareness of other cultures around the world. Many are of the mindset that there is no cause for working to conserve our world’s limited natural resources. My experiences as a world traveler from a young age have taught me that cultural awareness and conservation practices are necessary to create positive progress for humanity. I wish to be part of a movement to change these beliefs and put new methods in place to counter such ideas and create positive impacts for all of humanity.

Throughout life I have always been active. I have participated in team sports including soccer and swimming. I have also enjoyed activities such as hiking, kayaking, and cycling. However, in middle school I discovered my athletic passion as a middle and longer distance runner. I have excelled in the 1600-5000m events. As I have become more experienced in the sport, I have enjoyed following and cheering for elite distance runners. Athletes such as Yared Nuguse, Grant Fisher, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, and Eliud Kipchoge inspire me. Recently, my favorite distance runner and Team USA athlete to cheer for became Cole Hocker. As a distance runner, Hocker inspires me. He specializes in the same events that I compete in. I understand the work and dedication it takes in his training regimen to consistently set personal records and win titles. All the while he maintains a self-controlled and modest attitude. He does not rely on dramatics or theatrics to gain recognition among fans. Instead, he lets his actions on the track speak for him and prove that he is worthy of the accolades that he has accumulated. I also see that he works strategically with his teammates, so that they can finish with the best possible times and places. When I watch Hocker race I can see that he never gives up and runs his hardest until after crossing the finish line. The greatest example of Hocker’s hard work ethic and thirst to compete at his best was displayed last summer at the 2024 Summer Olympics. I was excited to watch him run in the men’s 1500m finals; typically his best event. As the race started, there was no surprise to see favorites Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Josh Kerr pull out front, while Hocker settled into the back third of the pack with teammates Hobbs Kessler and Yared Nuguse right ahead. The race quickly progressed with the three teammates working together to move up through the pack into the middle. The top three leaders looked as if they would pull away as the runners entered the final lap. However, Nuguse had eased into fourth with Hocker close behind. Starting with about 250-300 meters to go Hocker began his kick with Nuguse right behind. The second place runner fell back. Hocker made his move and took him. Looking at him at this point I saw the pain and determination I understand so well myself. Both Ingebrigtsen and Kerr struggled to maintain their positions. In one final burst of resolve with about 50 or 60 meters remaining, I saw Hocker was going to take the victory. Ingebrigtsen knew he was beaten and just gave in. Kerr kept coming, but it was too late. He finished second. All the while Nuguse fought to maintain pace with Hocker and finished third as he worked with his teammate, earning a bronze medal. Cole Hocker’s 3:27.65 performance in this race embodies why he is my favorite Team USA athlete to cheer for. It earned him an Olympic gold medal, an Olympic record, and a North American area record. It was three seconds faster than his previous PR, which he set not long before at the 2024 Olympic Trials. I saw that he worked with his teammates in a strategic way, encouraging them as the race progressed. Finally, at the end of the race when he could have easily given in to fatigue and pain, he collected himself, fought as hard as he could, and won. Cole Hocker’s performance in this race should instill an extraordinary sense of pride in all Americans as we cheer on Team USA.

As I have grown into young adulthood I have found that I have many passions and characteristics that define me as an individual. I am a world traveler and an outdoor enthusiast who loves hiking, cycling, and kayaking. I am an athlete with a passion for running, a leader among my peers and teammates, and a type 1 diabetic who has never let that hold me from my passions. All of these together have led me to desire pursuing a degree in environmental biology with a concentration in conservation practices. I also hope to be able to study abroad to improve my Spanish language abilities. Further, after graduating from college I wish to establish some sort of non-profit organization that would focus on helping indigenous groups in Central and South America. The focus would be on aiding them in maintaining their lands, heritage, and cultures as they relate to outside influences and introducing sustainable land use practices. My passions in life have led me toward these educational and career goals. I have travelled to several Spanish-speaking countries in Central and South America. I have learned first-hand the importance of being able to work and communicate with people from various backgrounds, and so wish to work with people from different cultures. My travels have also been focused largely on outdoor activities, adding to my understanding that I desire a career that allows for significant time in nature. My passion for outdoor activities also includes many organized athletics. I discovered a passion for running during my middle school years. I have been involved in cross country and track and field throughout my school years. These experiences have led me to realize leadership potential and capabilities, and shown me that I can positively influence those around me. I know that these characteristics will aid in work that I do during college in team-oriented projects, and after graduation in leading others to make positive changes. Finally, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in middle school. This situation caused me to have to mature much faster than my peers. I realized that if I wanted to continue living the passions of my life, I would have to take my life in my own hands and be responsible for it. I had to learn to manage my diet and all of my diabetic supplies as a part of everyday life. I have had to check in with medical specialists routinely who monitor my progress, and I know they scrutinize all the choices I make. This experience has taught me the importance of personal discipline in achieving goals. As I graduate from high school and prepare to move into the college world, I know that my personal passions will guide me toward a future that I desire. Evaluating my passions will ensure that the direction I go will be the one that was truly meant for me as I strive to make a positive impact on the world.

I have always been told that performing acts of kindness, volunteering, and giving back to the community to create positive change is an important part of life. My parents have emphasized that life should not be about the accumulation of money or material items, but should instead be about uplifting your fellow man. As I have become older and had opportunities to live by this idea I have come to believe in its importance as well. One such opportunity I have had to give back to my community was participating in a volunteer program through a local parks and recreation department called Counselors in Training (CIT). The program was part of a youth summer day camp in my community. I participated in this program in the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of high school. In it, I was responsible for helping the older counselors manage younger children enrolled in the camp. I helped supervise the campers, set up activities, and accompanied the group on field trips to various local destinations. Not only did I learn how to help manage the youngsters for their safety and enjoyment of camp, but I also had chances to understand how much my presence and attention meant to them. I had conversations with many of the children in which I discovered they were looking for someone to listen to them and pay attention to them. I learned that these acts of kindness were appreciated by the young campers more than I was aware when at the end of the summer several of them gave me thank you notes for all the time I spent with them. Further, I took the skills I learned that summer and put them to use as a full-fledged day camp counselor for the next two summers leading up to my senior year in high school. Another act of kindness in which I was able to give back to my community was as an organizer and leader of my town’s first Youth Summer Running and Track camp in July, 2024. One of my cross country and track coaches expressed interest in holding the camp and asked if I would be willing to help. I immediately agreed, being excited to combine my passion for running and what I had learned working with youngsters as a CIT and youth camp counselor. I wanted to introduce children to the sport that has given me so many opportunities to overcome obstacles in life, make me believe in myself, and chances to work with others as a part of a team. I also knew that there would be a great deal of work, in that it would be the inaugural event. I worked to spread the information by contacting local elementary and middle schools and the local newspaper. I participated in planning sessions with my coach and other volunteers. I served as a group leader coaching youngsters during the camp. After the event, I provided more information to the newspaper so they could print a brief article about our success. I am proud of my work with this event. Ultimately we held a mini track meet that I helped to organize and run. The children were able to compete and show off what they had learned during the camp. We presented awards and recognitions at the conclusion. It was fulfilling to see that my work had created pride and happiness for the participants. The children had a positive experience, and parents have already been making inquiries about next year’s program. Now I am preparing for my college education. I hope to pursue a degree in biology with a focus on conservation practices so that the world may be preserved for generations to come. I have chosen this course of study largely due to my dedication to kindness toward my fellow man. I know that if we take no actions to protect our environment, there will be numerous negative consequences for untold numbers of people. Therefore, I wish that my career will help to conserve our natural environment, assuaging potential hardships for as many people as possible. I know that my choices in study and career will follow the pattern of volunteerism, kindness, and giving back to my community that has been a part of my life for many years. My work will promote the legacies of kindness of Jennifer and Rob Tower.

I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes in October, 2019 in the 7th grade. Until that time I had never given a thought to diet, blood sugar, or insulin. When I was released from the hospital following my diagnosis I felt much better physically, however I realized my life was going to change forever. I immediately decided that diabetes would not control me or limit me in my goals and desires. I have always enjoyed being active and being outside. I played soccer throughout elementary school and into middle school and also ran cross country. I also enjoyed hiking, bicycling, and kayaking with my father. I was determined that diabetes would not stop me from pursuing these activities. I learned what I needed to do to ensure that my body remained healthy so that I could continue my active lifestyle. As a high school senior I have been a top runner on my cross country and track teams, qualifying for state championships. Further, I am a member of my school’s swim team. I have also worked to maintain a 4.313 weighted GPA and I am ranked 14th in my class. Now, as I prepare for college I wish to study biology, concentrating in ecology. This parallels my love of outdoors and an active lifestyle. I will be required to be in the field for much of the time. Diabetes will not stop me from achieving this, as I have never allowed it to stop me from accomplishing my goals.

I have always been told that giving back to create positive change is an important part of life. My parents have emphasized that life should not be about the accumulation of money or material items, but should instead be about uplifting your fellow man. As I have become older and had opportunities to live by this idea I have come to believe in its importance as well. One such opportunity I have had to give back was participating in a volunteer program through the Waynesville, NC Parks and Recreation Department called Counselors in Training (CIT). The program was part of Waynesville’s Youth Summer Day Camp. I participated in this program in the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of high school. In it, I was responsible for helping the older counselors manage younger children enrolled in the camp. I helped supervise the campers, set up activities, and accompanied the group on field trips to various local destinations. I learned how much the young campers appreciated my work with them at the end of the summer when several of them gave me thank you notes for all the time I spent with them. Further, I took the skills I learned that summer and put them to use as a full-fledged counselor in Waynesville the next summer, and then as a counselor in Canton’s first summer day camp before my senior year in high school. Another opportunity I had to give back was as an organizer and leader of Canton, NC’s first Youth Summer Running and Track camp in 2024. One of my cross country and track coaches expressed interest in holding the camp and asked if I would be willing to help. I immediately agreed, being excited to combine my passion for running and what I had learned working with youngsters as a CIT and youth camp counselor. I wanted to introduce children to the sport that has given me so many opportunities to overcome obstacles in life, make me believe in myself, and chances to work with others and be part of a team. I also knew that there would be a great deal of work, in that it would be the inaugural event. I worked to spread the information by contacting local elementary and middle schools and the local newspaper. I participated in planning sessions with my coach and other volunteers. I served as a group leader coaching youngsters during the camp. After the event, I provided more information to the newspaper so they could print a brief article about our success. I am proud of my work with this event. The children had a positive experience, and parents have already been making inquiries about next year’s program. Now I am preparing for my college education. I hope to pursue a degree in biology with a focus on conservation practices so that the world may be preserved for generations. I am very near the top of my class with a weighted GPA of 4.313. I am excited to begin my studies at East Tennessee State University, however I will be relying solely on scholarships with loans making up the remainder of what I must pay. As a recipient of the Jackie Hudson Memorial Scholarship, I will be able to continue giving back to my fellow man, as I have been taught from a young age.

As I have grown into young adulthood I have found that I have many passions and characteristics that define me as an individual. I am a world traveler and an outdoor enthusiast who loves hiking, cycling, and kayaking. I am an athlete with a passion for running, a leader among my peers and teammates, and a type 1 diabetic who has never let that hold me from my passions. All of these together have led me to desire pursuing a degree in environmental biology with a concentration in conservation practices. I also hope to be able to study abroad to improve my Spanish language abilities. Further, after graduating from college I wish to establish some sort of non-profit organization that would focus on helping indigenous groups in Central and South America. The focus would be on aiding them in maintaining their lands, heritage, and cultures as they relate to outside influences and introducing sustainable land use practices. My passions in life have led me toward these educational and career goals. I have travelled to several Spanish-speaking countries in Central and South America. I have learned first-hand the importance of being able to work and communicate with people from various backgrounds, and so wish to work with people from different cultures. My travels have also been focused largely on outdoor activities, adding to my understanding that I desire a career that allows for significant time in nature. My passion for outdoor activities also includes many organized athletics. I discovered a passion for running during my middle school years. I have been involved in cross country and track and field throughout my school years. These experiences have led me to realize leadership potential and capabilities, and shown me that I can positively influence those around me. I know that these characteristics will aid in work that I do during college in team-oriented projects, and after graduation in leading others to make positive changes. Finally, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in middle school. This situation caused me to have to mature much faster than my peers. I realized that if I wanted to continue living the passions of my life, I would have to take my life in my own hands and be responsible for it. I had to learn to manage my diet and all of my diabetic supplies as a part of everyday life. I have had to check in with medical specialists routinely who monitor my progress, and I know they scrutinize all the choices I make. This experience has taught me the importance of personal discipline in achieving goals. As I graduate from high school and prepare to move into the college world, I know that my personal passions will guide me toward a future that I desire. Evaluating my passions will ensure that the direction I go will be the one that was truly meant for me as I strive to make a positive impact on the world.