My name is Robert Smalls. I have lived in Poughkeepsie, New York for all of my life and have always been a part of the Arlington School District. Throughout my life I’ve always aimed to become a successful adult with a stable career that would allow me to live happily. I’m proud to say that thanks to my parents and many of the Arlington staff who had the patience to work with me over the years; I now have the opportunity to go to college and earn a degree that will make my life-long goal a reality. The purpose of this paper is to provide insight as to who I am and what specifically I’m striving towards. With that thought in mind I should first describe who I am. Who I am: I’ve always been busy doing things outside of school, even at a young age. First off, I became a cub scout when I was about seven years old and I continued with scouting and transitioned to Boy Scouts when I Was 12. I remained in the Boy Scout program as a scout until age 17 at which point I officially became an assistant scout master and a registered youth leader. Between cub scouts, Boy Scouts and being a leader, I have spent a total of almost 12 years in scouting. In that time I’ve participated in many community services projects and have been on many memorable hiking and camping adventures with life-long friends that I have known since elementary school. Due to hard work and dedication, I have officially achieved the highest rank available to boy scouts: The Eagle Scout rank, and I plan to stay with my troop so that I may continue to mentor younger scouts and help them become leaders to other people one day. Since the sixth grade, I have always tried to help out at my church by assisting our youth pastors in children’s ministry on Sunday mornings. I would help by operating the video/sound media systems that were used to educate the children as well as lead them in praise and worship. My service allowed the youth pastor to give an interactive sermon with the children In which the pastor could teach and minister in a much more efficient way. In addition to that, three years ago I began singing in my church’s youth services for middle school aged children. In this “Youth group” I would sing with other teenage members of my church and together we would sing worship songs to accompany youth sermons on Friday nights. About a year ago, I joined the duchess County Civil Air Patrol and that is a youth organization that also does community service. Civil Air Patrol is an air force auxiliary program for the youth that guides them to one day become better leaders so that they can be of service to their community, state, and nation. For example, when natural disasters strike they assist FEMA during certain search and rescue operations. Since joining I have had the chance to pilot a Cessna Airplane and a glider. Eventually one day I may also be given the chance to pursue a having pilot’s license. Civil Air Patrol has also offered other possibilities such as joining the SSA (Soaring Society of America) and the Young Eagles.