I live with gratitude by knowing it is all given to me by God. I try to pray and make sure I thank Him everyday for the blessings in my life. None of this is possible without giving thanks and gratitude back to God. It can all be taken away by Him as well so that makes me even more appreciative that He has blessed me with the opportunities and life that He has. God has a plan and everything is on His time. Sometimes I want things when I want them but in the end I realize that God has perfect timing which allows me to appreciate everything even more.

I am choosing a career in sports because I love the game. Sports has a great teaching component that can be applied to everyday life as an adult. My motivation to pursue sports as a career comes from my playing baseball since 5 years old. The sport provides the opportunity to be a part of a team and something larger than yourself. It teaches you discipline along with skill. Since baseball is a mind and thinking game, it provides opportunity to always be using your brain. Not only do I have a love of baseball but also football and basketball. All team sports that I have been involved in and learned so many life lessons from. We rise and fall together and form bonds that will carry in to my adult life. I plan to pursue a career in sports management and would really like to be a pro team general manager. Regardless of what I become, using what I have learned both on and off the fields of my sports, I will give back to my community. Helping kids learn to love the games that I have participated in will serve whatever community I am a part of. I also plan to be active in sports after high school and college. One aspiration has been to play baseball at the college level. I am working really hard to make that dream come true. If it does or if it doesn't, I will continue to play sports long into my adulthood. Having additional money from scholarships like yours will go a long way to making my education affordable for everyone. I want to help my parents as much as possible with costs. My grades have done a good job of helping but every little bit I can contribute through scholarships and work will help. I have been fortunate enough to have a part time job with my local community working on the recreation fields. I don't know many teenagers that get to have a job doing something they really enjoy. Being able to work on baseball fields and be part of the local action has helped me see the career path I am looking to go into is really the right choice for me. Sports has always been a part of my life and I want to make sure I continue to make it a part of my life. Sports Management studies will cement my future in sports.