Print Journalism First Award
Isabel Mendez Johnson - Print Journalism First Award
I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a journalist. Unlike many of my STEM focused peers, I prefer the journey our assigned readings provided over any biology worksheet. I spend my free time writing poetry, reading social justice novels, and perfecting my yearbook spreads. Many of my peers scoff at the idea of studying journalism, calling it a dying profession. But my future has never been limited by the views of my classmates. Studying journalism is the perfect path for me to develop the skills I need to tell stories on my own terms. I am passionate about sharing meaningful stories: both my own, and those of others. When the criticisms from my peers try to choke me with contempt, I use words as my outlet.
My ambitious goals are to pursue print journalism and to publish critically acclaimed articles. This goal requires a rigorous education that provides many writing opportunities to reach said goals. I have applied to many out-of-state schools with exceptional journalism programs knowing that at these institutions, I will be receiving the best education for my field. However, a quality education is costly. I want to graduate from undergraduate school as close to debt free as possible, so I will have the ability to pursue a masters degree in journalism. I want to attend a university that has the classes, programs, and facilities I need in order to pursue my goals. The Knudson Churchill Scholarship would help me reach my career goals by allowing me to explore and attend an esteemed program that encourages my drive.
Wherever I ultimately end up, I plan to be as involved with the journalism major as possible. As of now, I plan to attend The University of Southern California majoring in journalism. According to the QS World University Rankings, The University of Southern California is ranked third in the world for communication and media studies. I hope to be heavily involved in writing for the school paper, The Daily Trojan, specifically pursuing opinion writing. I want to shed light on important issues on and off my campus, to ensure my fellow peers are aware of important events happening in our local campus community and in the world outside our own. At USC, I also intend to join the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. As a member of the Latinx community, I think it is important now, more than ever to have Latinx representation in the media.
I strive to write for those whose voices are often not heard. My junior year of high school, my honors Spanish class exposed me to the disastrous events happening in Latin America; For the first time, I became aware of all of the catastrophes that ensued as a result. I would never have learned about these crises if it was not for this class. My classmates and I were stunned to learn of these developments. While we learned about the holocaust, we were never made aware of the military dictatorships in Latin America that stole children and separated families. Similar atrocities are still happening today. We see this with the Chilean government where political stagnation evokes perpetual protests, we see this with the fleeing of Venezuelans for safety from political persecution from their government; they are threatened with torture, family disapearrances, and are subjected to poor prison conditions.
These are stories that must be told, but are far too often overshadowed by the mainstream media. In America, the most popular snapchat filter makes bigger news than the important events occurring around the world. Sometimes it seems as if journalism has become a means for discussing new trends, celebrity scandals, and relationship advice. It is easy as Americans to avoid understanding lives outside of our own. It is easy to focus on the here and now rather than the there and when. But we as Americans have so much to learn about the other parts of the world. I believe it is my duty as an American citizen to help inform the rest of the nation, so we as a nation do not turn a blind eye to issues that are difficult to discuss. As important as our own community is, it is necessary to acknowledge the pressing issues around the world so that we can better understand our own local issues. I want to immerse myself in a world outside of my own. The greatest gift I could ever receive would be to create a career that interests and educates citizens about issues they did not even know existed. My ultimate goal as an aspiring journalist is to know that I have made a notable difference, or have impacted the lives of others for the greater good.
Earlier this year, I was invited to the Univision Studios in Chicago to be interviewed by broadcast journalist Erika Maldonado. This was my first real experience with professional television media and I was in awe to say the least. Walking on to the set was extremely surreal and I for the first time felt that the world of media was where I truly belonged. I knew these hidden stories needed to be told.
As the editor in chief of my school’s yearbook, student council historian, Hispanic Heritage Foundation Scholar in media and entertainment, intern to a Northwestern Medill graduate, and personal blog writer, I believe I am a perfect candidate for the Knudson Churchill Scholarship. Academically, I have taken challenging AP classes related to the journalism field such as AP Literature and Composition, IB World Literature, IB Film, AP Spanish and Language, AP Statistics, AP Government, and have accumulated a 4.18 GPA. I will be proudly attending Valparaiso High School’s 4.0 Banquet on April 26, 2020 with my favorite Spanish teacher who ultimately influenced me to explore bilingual journalism. Additionally, I have participated in countless other school activities. I was class president my freshman, sophomore, and junior years and I currently act as student body historian my senior year. As historian, I take photos, and create written documents explaining what we are doing as a student council. I am involved in our school’s Peer Tutor program where students exchange a study hall to spend a period with the kids in the special needs department. My friend and I are extremely involved in the program. We began a “Spread the Word to End the Word '' movement at our school in which money raised would go right back into the Peer Tutor program ensuring that the kids will have the best opportunities through our schools resources. In my film class, I chose to attribute my documentary to the importance of the Life Skills program. Additionally, I was selected as one of ten out of over 45 applicants to lead a Natural Helpers Retreat as a peer leader. I dedicated almost three months to planning this retreat with my fellow staffers to create a safe and loving environment that showed just how beautiful things can be when we work together. I swam as a Varsity Swimmer all four years of my high school career, promoting teamwork and smart decision making, acting as a role model for many of the younger swimmers. All of these activities exposed me to distinct perspectives that are essential to reflect as a good journalist. I await the time I will be able to fully explore my passion for print journalism and receive a stellar education that supports my interests. I put my whole heart into our school yearbook - ensuring I was covering interesting topics and stories occurring at my school, including people that usually would be excluded, and taking on extra assignments for the school’s newspaper because I wanted to utilize every outlet I had to showcase my writing.
My senior year, I opted to not have a last hour class so I could intern with a professional freelance journalist that has had over 10 years of experience in her field. I have learned more about what it takes to be a working journalist than I ever thought I could. Through this experience, I was able to do research, write short piece ideas, and offer my digital design experience to help build a website. I took initiative to seek my own way to obtain hands-on experience that was not otherwise available to me at my school. My higher education goals are a crucial piece of my ultimate life plan and will prepare me for a successful career in journalism. If selected to become a Knudson Churchill Scholar, I assure you that I will make the most of this opportunity to reach my fullest potential.
Isa Johnson will be attending the University of Southern California majoring in journalism. Johnson has been an active member in her local community volunteering for various political campaigns. Her passion for writing blossomed from her love of yearbook where she eventually became editor.
Print Journalism Second Award
Caroline Enos - Print Journalism Second Award
Through my experiences as a student journalist and correspondent, I have learned what it takes to put out accurate, interesting and impactful journalism both as a reporter, and as an editor. I have been working as a student journalist or correspondent for the past five years. I was the editor of my high school's online newspaper, The Gillnetter, when I was a junior and senior, and have been a news editor for Suffolk University’s weekly/online newspaper, The Suffolk Journal, for almost two semesters (and before that, I was the assistant news editor for a semester). I have also been a correspondent for professional newspapers. At The Gloucester Daily Times, a daily newspaper in Gloucester, Massachusetts, I wrote about four stories a week for the paper throughout last summer, and I currently write between two to four stories a day as a full-time co-op student on the metro desk at the Boston Globe.
I hope to continue to work as a journalist, either at a newspaper or online news outlet, once I graduate because I deeply respect the impact journalism has on the individuals it involves. Good journalism keeps the powerful in check, and brings justice to those who try to escape it. But a good journalist knows a person’s life changes every time their name appears in print — for better or worse. A good journalist respects this, and does their best to portray these people and their stories accurately as a result, regardless of who they are. A good journalist also understands that their byline is more than just a way of promoting themselves or the work that they do. They know that their byline means taking responsibility for the facts and narratives presented in their articles. But no matter which news organization or publication I work for, my goal is to be a good journalist, to the best of my ability. I hope to cover issues that have an impact on the communities I serve and I hope to write articles that either uproot corruption or highlight the best parts of a community. I plan to do the same through the rest of my time as a student journalist at Suffolk University, where I am currently a sophomore double majoring in print/web journalism and government with a concentration in American politics.
At Suffolk, I am a member of the College of Arts and Science Honors Program, and have taken classes that have helped me prepare for a new age of journalism. A broadcast journalism class, photojournalism class and several film classes that I have taken have given me technical skills that I can use to better engage digital audiences. They have helped me learn how to take pictures and create videos that help promote an article I have written, or tell a story effectively online. I also take government classes to enhance my understanding of politics and the governing systems of society, which play a huge role in the stories I often cover. As a news editor of The Suffolk Journal, I have used these skills and my experiences in the field to serve the Suffolk community and keep students informed about what is going on around campus. I covered every Student Government Association meeting for two semesters and wrote a weekly column about new resolutions the student representatives passed or issues that they discussed. I also write stories about issues on campus, such as severe maintenance problems in dorm buildings that the university has yet to effectively address or a corrupt candidate that ran for SGA president. I will continue to cover important issues and take classes that will prepare me for the modern age of journalism throughout the rest of my time at Suffolk.
I am passionate about journalism and the vital role it plays in maintaining an equal and just society. I care deeply about each story I write, and the lives these stories affect. I have worked hard to convey this through my writing and reporting.
I also work hard to support myself financially. On top of currently dedicating almost 40 hours to the Globe, about 15 hours to The Journal and keeping up with classwork at Suffolk University each week, I work part-time at the Suffolk University Bookstore (where I have worked since freshman year). When I worked about 20 hours a week as a correspondent for The Gloucester Daily Times over the summer, I also worked part-time at a local retail store where I have been employed since I was 16. There is no way I would be able to attend Suffolk if it weren’t for financial aid, and I will still leave college with significant debt. My parents have had to help support my siblings’ financial and medical hardships in the past, and I have paid for my living expenses, housing costs, and tuition through college almost entirely on my own. This scholarship would really help relieve some of this burden. I could spend less time worrying about paying back loans and spend more time devoted to the publications I write for, and to the future I am trying to build.
I am an ideal candidate to become a Knudson Churchill Scholar because I am extremely hardworking and always striving to become the best journalist I can be. I know how to find and verify facts and sources. I know how to help a reporter write and report better, while still maintaining their own voice. I don’t stand down against those who don’t want the truth published. However, I understand that you have to have the right facts before a story can go to print, and I don’t print what I can’t prove. Most importantly, I always strive to tell an interesting story — a story that helps myself and my readers learn more about the world.
Caroline is from Gloucester, Massachusetts, a small coastal city north of Boston. She has always loved to read and write, and was an editor of her high school newspaper, The Gillnetter. Caroline graduated from Gloucester High School in 2018 and is a rising junior at Suffolk University, where she is double majoring in print/web journalism and political science. She started writing for her college newspaper, The Suffolk Journal, as a freshman. Since then, she has held the positions of assistant news editor and news editor at the paper, and recently became editor-in-chief. Caroline has also been a correspondent for her hometown newspaper, The Gloucester Daily Times, and is finishing up a co-op job as a correspondent on The Boston Globe’s metro desk. She loves to draw, run and watch documentaries in her free time.
Print Journalism Second Award
Jadenne Radoc Cabahug - Print Journalism Second Award
Everyone on this Earth is aware of the fact that the Earth is rapidly changing. Through our technological advancements, we see the world become a better and worse place every day. I am going to be present as a journalist when we see the next radical transformation of the world and in turn, the media. I am currently a high school senior at Kentridge High School and a sophomore at Green River Community College through the Running Start program that Washington state offers. I am a RadioActive Youth Producer at NPR station KUOW 94.9 FM where I create audio feature stories, spot stories, and podcasts ranging from different topics like school shootings to cultural identity. I am also a fellow at The Seattle Globalist under their Environmental Justice Fellowship where I write articles centered on environmental issues in the Seattle area. I would like to apply for the Knudson Churchill scholarship to further my future career in print journalism.
Jour
nalism was not a career I imagined myself in five years ago. My parents decided and pushed for me to become a doctor even though I hated math and science with a passion. I always had an affinity for writing and reading, and so upon realizing that I wanted to do something involving travelling, I looked into journalism. From there, I took an internship at age fifteen at my local radio station. That internship was my opportunity to see if I liked the hustle of being a reporter, and I loved it. I could not get over the rush I received from hearing a powerful quote from an interviewee or finishing a piece I had worked on day and night for. The stories I created followed many different narratives. In groups of other teens, we created many different podcasts with different topics. In one podcast, we interviewed two survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting about their tragic experiences from that day. In a feature story I created, I found out the truth behind why my grandmother had stopped talking to me in our native language.
Although my first internship specialized in radio journalism, I used my experience and connections to apply for an online print newspaper fellowship for environmental justice in Seattle. This fellowship showed me the ropes of investigative journalism and how to write an article with others. In this group article, we investigated into environmental injustice in marginalized communities and Washington legislation to aid it. Currently, I am looking to write an individual story on environmental concerns from Pacific Northwest Native Communities.
Although the internships I have now are local and focus on local issues, I have learned proper investigative journalism techniques for both radio and print journalism and I will use this to further my career. This scholarship will help me reach my goals by allowing me the funds necessary to attend a city school with many different news internships to apply to.
I have applied to many schools like the University of Washington, University of California (Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Riverside), Gonzaga University, and American University due to the many internship opportunities that these major cities offer. I have been accepted at the University of Washington, Gonzaga University, and University of California Riverside, however, I am still awaiting my decision for the University of California (Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Barbara) and American University. The school I will attend depends on the scholarship amount and financial aid money I will be offered, so it is imperative that I consider which school is best for my career option wisely. Gonzaga University has offered me around $25,000 per year and awarded me as A Community Scholar in recognition of my distinguished academic achievement and leadership in my community. While this does show that I have potential to succeed with this university, I know that I require attendance in an institution close to a major city with many different opportunities.
At these schools, I know that I will major in journalism and either minor or double major in international affairs. At the moment, I only see myself obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, however, I am unsure if I will go for a Master’s degree. Along with my intended major and minor, I hope to study abroad in different countries around the world to gain a different perspective in my writing. I currently am fluent in three languages – English, Tagalog, and French. I am studying Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Japanese on my own time to help me in my career as an international relations reporter.
I feel that I would be an ideal candidate for this scholarship because I feel that I have worked diligently to be where I currently am. I have lived in California, Japan, and Washington due to my father’s military status and I have worked throughout my entire school career to be the best that I can be in academics. I mentioned previously that I attend both high school and a community college and this is for the sole reason of graduating with my diploma and with a transferrable Associate’s degree. I currently hold a 3.86 GPA in high school and a 3.92 GPA in my college. I rank 12% in my high school and am involved in several clubs including National Honor Society, Key Club, ACLU, and Multicultural club.
Although I did not take any journalism classes at my high school, I took some at my college while using the skills I learned from my internships to benefit me. During my internships, I used my resources and contacts to chase after stories that I knew needed to be told. I had many times of frustration or was unable to back myself out of a corner in all of the stories I have published, however, I have worked diligently to publish the stories I knew I could find. At my current internship with KUOW 94.9 FM, I am investigating the relationship between social media and sex-trafficking in teens.
The Knudson Churchill Scholarship would assist me in offsetting tuition, books, and potential dorm or apartment costs. While my father is allowing me usage of the Post 9/11 GI bill, I am applying to as many scholarships as possible to help him as he will retire later this year and he is my only living parent. My father has supported me in my future career in journalism by allowing me the freedom to become a journalist and to attend a secondary institution for this field. By completing my own schooling with his help, I will help pay for my siblings tuition when their time to attend college comes.
To conclude, I feel that through the assistance of the Knudson Churchill Scholarship, I can prove my potential at a secondary institution for print journalism. With proper journalism and study abroad programs like that of the University of Washington or the University of California, Los Angeles, I will be able to jumpstart my career as an international affairs journalist. I would be honored to be considered for the Knudson Churchill Scholarship to further my career as a journalist. Thank you for your time and your consideration.
** updated information
I have been waitlisted at American University and to the University of California, Los Angeles. I have been accepted to the University of California, San Diego and Santa Barbara. I have also been accepted to the University of Washington Seattle where I was given a University Scholarship. I completed my general transferrable Associate’s Degree with a 3.94 at Green River College.
Automotive Technology First Award
Samuel Striffler - Automotive Technology First Award
Thank you for the opportunity to apply for the Knudson Churchill Scholarship and to introduce myself and my interests. I wish to share with you my career aspirations in automotive technology, how this award would help me achieve my career goals, my specific plans for college, and why I feel that I am a scholar worthy of consideration.
I have had the privilege of the influence, guidance, camaraderie, and example of many wonderful people in my life. Now, as a high school senior, I am often asked by these amazing people about my career aspirations. I tell them my ideal career would combine my experiences that I plan to acquire during college in the Baja SAE club along with my dirt track background, and apply them to the world of off-road technology. I believe that while on-road handling is important, off-road is a specialty that is commonly overlooked. I feel that only a few companies such as Ford, Chevy, and Subaru give significant focus to this specialty through the Colorado ZR1, the F150 Raptor, and the WRX models. Due to the lack of focus, I feel that this is where I could make the greatest impact because it is where my passion lies. “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life” (Marc Anthony). Ideally, I would love to work in any aspect of the Raptor or ZR1 programs because these programs allow for the greatest bridge to off-road racing as a whole. There is also still a strong consideration of the aftermarket for these trucks. Because they come factory equipped with superior parts that allow them to be more capable in rough terrain. This is what drives me and would continue to drive me throughout my career.
Growing up, I was privileged to spend a lot of time around small, leaky, whining, yet fun little cars called MGs. I learned that their owners have a deep love for these very unique cars with a special pedigree. I did not realize until more recently the appeal that vehicles have beyond just simple transportation. I learned that it is not only these quirky English cars, but also the people that gravitate to these cars that make them special.
My father’s high school interest in MG’s led to the purchase of an MG Midget when I was small. I remember going for late night rides in that car with my dad while he taught me about the H pattern transmission. My twin sister and I grew up in the Arizona MG Club. My parents joined when my sister and I were five, and we attended everything from pizza and pool parties to tech sessions. I cherished these tech sessions because I always learned something new about the cars we worked on, and because the men participating went out of their way to include me. Growing up in the club, I attended many car shows. It was captivating for me as a little kid to admire everything from Minis and MGBs to even Ferret tanks.
Our club, the Arizona MG Club, decided to fill the lack of a big “all British” car show in the Phoenix area. My dad was instrumental in helping to launch the show and I tagged along to most of the planning meetings. For our first show, we did not expect a huge attendance, but we were pleasantly surprised to have ninety cars and participation has grown each year. We were able to give a very significant sum that far surpassed our expectations to our chosen charity, Maggie’s Place. I felt a strong sense of pride in what we accomplished that first year. My involvement in the annual show has grown since that first year. At age sixteen, I became the youngest official member of our club. I was also pleased to be asked, and pleased to serve, as one of the judges for our third show.
Growing up, I spent enough time around cars that I really wanted to make motorsports my hobby. I progressed from go karts to dirt track lawn mower racing, understanding the intricacies of each. Despite initial hesitation, I decided to try mower racing after an introduction facilitated by my father. I faced some setbacks because of a lack of funds and fabrication ability while trying to build my own race mower. I discovered that the best way to start was by purchasing an old, already built, race mower. I took the few parts I had and used them to go racing. I crashed my first race out, but I was hooked. Now that I had the resources to test my ideas, I could not stop. Along the way, I encountered many amazing people. Other club members of all generations have shared humor, wisdom, meals, tools, and parts. They have taught me about safety and sportsmanship as well as taking care of equipment and my fellow racers on the track. My current mower has really given me a good platform to make modifications to be able to go faster while being safer. This is what really pushes me towards automotive engineering, the whole premise of reconfiguring what already exists to make the vehicle better. Whether it be engine, transmission, brakes or suspension, it can all be improved and that is what fuels my creativity.
Despite not being a very motivated student in middle school, I matured into a good student in high school. I realized that if I wanted to work around cars and trucks for a living, I had to work for that privilege. This realization drove me through high school, especially when I discovered the Automotive Engineering program at Arizona State University (ASU) and toured the facilities that I can access through this program. I worked very hard and was able to maintain just shy of a 3.7 grade point average through high school. I was accepted into the ASU program and will be attending beginning in the Fall. I also applied to the Colorado School of Mines, and was waitlisted for their mechanical engineering program. I was privileged to see first hand a day in the life of an automotive engineer through a career shadow experience. It was a great thrill to visit the Ford Desert Proving Grounds in Wittmann, Arizona. This truly gave me a hands on experience of the range of testing work that is done on vehicles to get them ready for market.
To work with cars, the odds are that you will have to get your hands dirty at some point. I have always loved to do this because, when you take something apart, it really helps to understand how something works. I first formally experienced this hands-on learning during the Universal Technical Institute’s (UTI) Summer Ignite program; a six week program where incoming high school seniors can take two classes and test the waters at UTI. I loved my time there because I got a chance to tear apart and assemble engines as well as learn about vehicle handling and suspension components. I was so honored when my instructors singled me out to receive the Student of the Course award for my engine focused class. This was a very valuable experience for me and excited me even more when I saw the similarities to the automotive program at Arizona State University.
The ASU program focuses on applying classroom theoretical knowledge in the lab and testing it in real life. I will also have the opportunity to design and manufacture parts in the in-house machine shop equipped with everything a student could need to make an idea a reality. ASU has many clubs to market oneself for future employment. Clubs such as Baja SAE, and EcoCar give students the ability to make a vehicle and test as engineers would in real world
situations. I especially look forward to Baja SAE. Growing up in the desert, trophy trucks and other similar vehicles are plentiful. This is the discipline that most interests me due to the sheer engineering needed to make vehicles withstand harsh conditions and extreme speed.
I believe I am a very strong candidate for consideration for this scholarship because of my various experiences, aptitudes, relationships and interests, as well as my work ethic, channelled towards being successful in this field. This scholarship would open many doors for me during college as well as keep current doors open. With ever increasing costs of college, including housing, scholarships such as this are greatly appreciated to help defray those challenging costs. I worked very hard to prepare myself as much as possible for college so that I can truly thrive. Growing up, my parents have always stressed that a college education opens doors in life no matter the career and I do believe that to be true. This scholarship allows me the flexibility to join clubs designed around my specific program such as EcoCar and Baja SAE. Both give me the greatest ability to enter into the automotive field where I would like to be and the greatest opportunity to get the most out of my college experience.
Thank you again for your consideration for the Knudson Churchill Scholarship. As my colleagues and friends in both the Arizona MG Club and Arizona Lawn Mower Racing Association invest time, care, humor and patience in me, you also are investing in the futures of many kids through this scholarship.
Automotive Technology Second Award
Westley Mullen - Automotive Technology Second Award
There have been unique men set on this Earth before. From “Do-it-all”s, “know-it-all”s, guinea pigs and cowards, to teacher’s pets, leaders and jealous boys, we have seen them before. These guys, and more, are real show stoppers. Many men promise the world and guarantee their best at every shot, but fall short in the long term. “Unique” and “different” have become commonplace terms for average people. It takes someone truly incredible to blow the minds of the people. It takes a truly determined soul to rise from the ashes of poverty and ruin, to guide himself through a world burdened with gray. It takes a special man to handle the brutal torment and resentment that society distributes, like free samples, and still walk the land with confidence and pride, when there should be none within him. That fellow is none other than me.
From the very beginning, cars have been my obsession. There was something really special about cars, from style to utility, that peaked my interest in them. For me, they weren’t just a tool, nor just a mode of transportation. Cars, to me, weren’t ‘just’ anything, they could be anything you wanted them to be. Not all of them are built for the same task, but buy or build the right one and you can do it yourself.
I promised myself a long time ago, that no matter where I went in life, I would always stay true to my passion for vehicles. Well, here I am, chasing greatness through the very things that stayed with me throughout my lifetime. But chasing greatness, comes at a cost for my family and I, and that cost isn’t cheap.
For my family, we would always grab the cheapest of the cheap from the grocery store, in order to save money for gas and presents, which I didn’t receive often. We were careful with our finances, because we had, and still have, very little money to work with. I remember reading one of my mother’s social security income statements, and it stated that we only were receiving $12,000 per year. It was then, I formulated a determination, to provide for my family no matter the cost.
Low income, poverty, oversized clothes, infrequent showers, my family and I were practically living a deprived life, and I wanted to change those circumstances, by going to college. I eventually chose automotive, because it showed a drastic increase in salary for the coming years. It perfect for me, to live around the very things that I have loved from the start, and to provide for them: My family, and cars.
Fame makes no difference to me. Wealth makes no difference to me. Success has been hard built into my psyche from day 1. I had to thrive, and claim victory, in order to support my loved ones. Without them, including my friends, I wouldn’t even have made it this far. I most likely wouldn’t even be alive.
As for achievements, I have plenty on deck. I gave a speech in front of my entire school for Veteran’s Day. I have spoken in front of the school board about an education program built for people like me. I have run on the Cross Country team after school, all four years in High school, placing several times throughout. I have competed at the state level in two different sports: Cross Country and Theatre, where we won 4th place in the state. I have been appointed for my school’s student council, and many more accomplishments that I have most likely forgotten about.
But, as for what I’m not, that list is short: A quitter. I don’t quit. Even when faced with defeat and failure, I convey ignorance and tread forth anyway, giving my 110% throughout. I am not arrogant; I do not believe I am better than everyone, nor anyone, else. It took me eighteen years to finally accept the fact that I am talented, and determined. Contrary to my past self, I have a firm belief that I can absolutely accomplish anything I put my mind to, and anyone that deems me unworthy of something or someone is nothing better than a fool.
One point, the final point rather, to this list of characteristics that I am not: Another firm belief that has been cemented into my mindset for so long now, and only because so many loved ones have called me out on it. I would never say that I am or can do something that my friends have not said so first. I am not other men. I am not another man. I am Westley Mullen.
