Seeing the light in the pearl of the Indian Ocean - Sri Lanka, I grew up in various circumstances and developed various ethics that differentiate me from others. In addition to my experiences in Sri Lanka, various circumstances in the United States after migrating in 2006 helped set me apart from other applicants. Additionally, during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, living in a coastal city in Sri Lanka and witnessing the tsunami waves made me think about growing up and developing a perspective that not many high school seniors possess. Furthermore, seeing thousands of frightened men, women and children fleeing from the giant waves that stole their homes created a sense of horror and sympathy. Furthermore, after the tsunami waves receded into the ocean, witnessing the damaged buildings and homes left an indelible mark and developed sympathy for others. Learning about the deaths of known friends and acquaintances only helped me develop a perspective of the world's cruelty, which further matured me as a 9-year-old. In addition to developing a unique and mature mindset, Tsunami also developed a sense of community service. Witnessing the devastating outcome of the tsunami, I understood the need to help the community I lived in, the one devastated by the tsunami. Additionally, as a boy, helping refugees at the local Buddhist temple and raising funds to help rebuild the community, I performed my civic duty and understood that community service requires helping others in a time of need. Thanks to this deep sense of community service that I developed at a young age, I stand out among others by knowing the true definition of community service and experiencing the need for community service in a horrible situation. ......half sheet ......a part of the family's income from work, alleviating their crisis a little, I took on more responsibilities. However, by continuing to maintain top grades in school, I did not let financial hardship get in the way of success. Even when 12th grade loomed and a realistic me knew that an expensive college education was far out of reach due to financial hardship, I continued to excel in school. For having succeeded despite facing myriad obstacles, I stand out from most candidates. Coming from a diverse background that has shaped aspects of life, I stand out among others due to unique circumstances. The adversities faced in Sri Lanka and the adversities faced in the United States allow me to stand out among others. Despite achieving the best I can due to various obstacles, I continue to thrive and stand out among Proton OnSite scholarship applicants.