The moment sears itself in my memory. I’ll never forget standing at the peak of Tooth of Time in New Mexico with my Boy Scout Troop. It was a cold, windy evening in July, but as I looked out over the breathtaking landscape – craggy cliffs, winding rivers, and the vast plains of the Midwest on my right and the Rockies on my left – I felt a deep connection to His creation. As I remembered the verse from 1 Peter 4:10 that had always stayed with me. At that moment, I felt a deep sense of purpose – to serve others with my talents in God’s grace and name.
One verse, but one that has always spoken to me. At that moment, I felt a sense of clarity overtake me. I realized in that exact moment my purpose in life: one of service. A Scout is reverent. I felt the overwhelming urge to pray to Him and give thanks for his blessing. I took a deep breath and looked to the quickly darkening sky, admiring the vastness and mystery of the heavens above. After my moment of epiphany, I was determined to use my talents to help those who have been left behind by modern society. Through my Eagle Project, I became closer to God and His plan. With my complete renovation of a playground that had given me countless memories as a young child, I found myself reconnecting with my childhood in a way I had never done before. Through Scouting, I’ve volunteered 100+ hours towards meaningful causes in my local community, helping enrich my soul and connection to God. My Catholic upbringing encouraged me to become a mentor and role model for the next generation of Eagle Scouts: to teach them compassion, cheerfulness, and crucially, tolerance.
I’ve always enjoyed learning about financial systems and economics, making wealth management the ideal fit for me, my career goals, and my faith. God has blessed me with countless opportunities to serve others, making a Jesuit collegiate education focused on service and faith an integral part of my future plans. Jesuit colleges have a long history of promoting social justice and serving marginalized communities, just as my International Baccalaureate education at Hoover High School had. This commitment to social responsibility will help me develop the skills and knowledge necessary to make a positive impact on society throughout my career.
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