Iron is one of the most abundant elements on Earth. It is also one of the most interesting elements known to mankind. It is known as a heavy metal, but humans must also ingest it to survive. The Earth's core is believed to be made up of this fascinating element. When heated, the iron emits a golden glow and hundreds of tiny sparks of the same color. Because every time it is passed over the flame, broken down and melted, it becomes stronger. Iron is impressive, especially when tested and proven in every way. I like to think I'm a lot like iron. I have been tested and tried in many ways, breaking down and melting away, growing stronger each time. I know that every flame burns the same, but each of them burns differently. Friends burned my back, and because I wasn't expecting it, I only felt the heat. My heart burned when countless people took advantage of my naive trust. But at 14 I was set on fire so badly that I thought I was done; I was reduced to a liquid and my tears were all that remained. It was just after 10am when his fury broke through the wall separating my bedroom from the living room. I recognized the voice, but not the anger. I knew full well that it was my father who was yelling, but I had never heard him so angry. Being the oldest and most responsible of my siblings, I had to go and see what was going on. I tiptoed down the hallway and carefully stepped out of the shadows and into the dim lighting of the living room. My eyes moved to my mother who was sitting in her chair, her face red, wiping away her tears with a handful of tissues. Then I saw my father, quickly leaning back in his chair, as if everything was perfectly normal. "Are you having trouble sleeping?" he's a... middle of paper... who needs a friend. I want to prepare and teach students who have no idea how crazy life can get. As a youth minister, I won't get paid much, but I know I'll be happier and more productive than if I were doing anything else. Anyone reading this now knows that my father is gone. He left before I went to high school. It won't pay for any of my colleges. My father doesn't believe I can do it. He thinks I'm like gold; beautiful and expensive, but soft and easily wearable. He thinks I'll wear myself down to nothing in college. However, you and I know better. This grant will help me demonstrate, to everyone I meet, that tapping into an iron core, no matter how badly burned and damaged, will always be a feat. Iron is often overlooked and underestimated. Sometimes it can be considered useless. We both know this isn't true. Now is the time to prove it.