Before every Special Olympics tournament an athlete is chosen to read the Special Olympics Oath, “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” An athlete read this at my first basketball tournament that I attended in eighth grade. I got goose bumps. Although this was directed towards the athletes, I took this advice to heart also and I use this advice to help the athletes I coach. Since 2008 I’ve been an active...

Palatine, Illinois is a small Chicago suburb decorated with white picket fences surrounding modern styled houses, parks dotted with jungle gyms and tennis courts, and strip malls anchored by Starbucks and Panera Breads. I go to a high school that has a high percentage of caucasian students. My friends consist of country club members and state-bound athletes. This is what I find to be traditional, and what I’ve grown accustomed to. My life may seem perfect to some, but...

“Madison! John is coming to pick up the paychecks. Distribute them when he comes by!” The door slams as my dad heads out to work, and I begin filing invoices and fielding customer calls. I’ve always been involved in my dad’s business, whether I am doing paperwork or simply distributing the paychecks. I practically live in the M&B Landscaping office. However, until I began contemplating future majors and career paths I never thought twice about my upbringing...

The door slams as my dad heads out to work, and I begin filing invoices and fielding customer calls. I’ve always been involved in my dad’s business, whether I am doing paperwork or simply distributing the paychecks. I practically live in the M&B Landscaping office. However, until I began contemplating future majors I never thought twice about my upbringing or the influence my dad’s business had on me. That’s when I realized my dad and...

I loved feeling part of an enormous family that is involved in the student life, but also the community. During high school I played varsity golf all four years, and tried softball. I am a National Honors Society member too. Also, I volunteered as a Special Olympics coach all four years of high school. These activities have taught me life lessons like how to be cooperative with group and how to be a role model, but also helped me mature....

John G. Breault Memorial Scholarship I walk up to the first tee, or maybe the tenth depending on the match. It was not a new walk I traveled, but this past year as a senior it felt as if every match I was playing was my last, which to me was a challenge. The pressure to play excellently and represent Fremd in a positive, almost elite manner seemed necessary, but obviously it is impossible to be perfect. As my senior...

Mark Neiweem Memorial Scholarship Before every Special Olympics tournament an athlete is chosen to read the Special Olympics Oath, “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” An athlete read this at my first basketball tournament that I attended in eighth grade. I got goose bumps. Although this was directed towards the athletes, I took this advice to heart also and I use this advice to help the athletes I coach. Since 2008 I�...

The first essay is the one I submitted to University of Wisconsin-Madison, the second one is the essay I submitted to Miami University, and the third one is the essay I submitted to University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana. The remaining essays are scholarship application essays.

I think it was a waste of my money to apply to all the schools I applied too. I only was very interested...

I love that Miami University has a true "college town" feel. The uptown area is small, quaint and even the 'townies' are...